unlike her // h.s [Completed]

XXIII

E.

I texted Harry a few times but I had no replies. I decided to let him be.

I look through Twitter and look through some Tweets.

There's a light knock on the door and I answer it, revealing Marge's husband. He smiles at me, clutching his cane. "Hello, Emery."

"I'm so sorry, my hair is a mess. So is my house." I apologize.

He laughs and then coughs. "So is my house. There are so many boxes filled with Marge's clothes and collectibles."

I nod. "She was quite the fashionista." A smile plants on my face. "Would you like to come in?"

"Yes, please. We need to talk some business."

Marge's husband's name is Greg. We spoke for a while about putting the diner up for sale. He told me that he's already put it on the market and now we're just waiting for offers.

He was about to leave before he stopped on the porch. "Oh, I have something for you." He pulls out a small black box and places it in my hands. "In her last moments, she told me to give this to you."

My hands felt shaky as I hold the box. I slowly open it, revealing a small golden, heart-shaped locket. I gently grab the locket and dangle it in the air, watching as the sun glistened on it. "This is..." I gasp. "Beautiful. Thank you." I place it back in the box and gently hug him.

He pulls back and nods at me. "Just know that she loved you so much. You were her best friend." He murmurs and leaves with a farewell.

I watch him drive away as I sit on my porch swing. I look at the locket and turn it around to see how it shines. I see a tiny clip and unclip it, which opens the locket. Inside, there is a picture of Marge and I when I first started working at Magnolia's. I rub my thumb across the picture. "I miss you." I whisper.

My phone rings, so I place the necklace back into the box. Drew.
"Hello?"

"Hey!" Drew exclaims through the phone. "Are you busy?"

"Not right now, why?" I inquire, criss-crossing my legs.

"Do you know why Magnolia's is up for sale?"

I sigh and explain everything to him.

I hear his frown through his words. "Do you think we can visit Magnolia's for one last meal?"

"Uh, I- I don't know." My words stumble.

"C'mon. I'll cook it for you!" He chuckles.

I grin. "If you make my favorite dessert, I'll go."

"Ghirardelli chocolate cake with a chocolate covered strawberry in the middle." He recalls.

"You're good." I laugh. "Pick me up in thirty?"

"Of course. Bye!" He hangs up and I drop my expression, pursing my lips. I press Harry's contact and look through our messages. He read mine but didn't reply. Ouch.

xxx

Drew places the small cake in the middle of the table. "Shaboom!" He exclaims, sliding into the chair in front of me.

"Shaboom?" I laugh slightly. "You're such a weirdo."

"I know, I know." He nods and begins to cut the cake.

"What's the real reason that you invited me?" I pry, the biggest piece he had cut.

"For a farewell to Magnolia's." He lies.

"And?"

"To celebrate the life of Marge Willingsburg." He admits, reaching over to grab my hand that I was about to use to eat my cake with. "I know you miss her. I can see it in your eyes."

I gently move my hand away from his. "We all miss her." I confide, placing my fork down.

He starts to scoot his chair close to me. "I'll be here for you, Emery." He whispers, pushing my hair behind my ear. His lips press against the side of my neck. I quickly pull away.

"Uh. No." I stand quickly to my feet. "You see, we were having a heartfelt moment and now I really want to punch you in the jaw."

"I'm sorry, I thought you wanted to," he apologizes.

"What made you think that?" I scoff. "I'm gonna go home. Enjoy the cake."

"Do you want me to drive you?" He asks, following me to the door.

"Fuck off, Drew." I roll my eyes and push through the doors. I go to order an Uber but find that I have nothing in my balance. Harry wouldn't pick up. I don't want to ride with Drew. And I definitely don't want to ride with Sage.

How did things take such a bad turn? I lost my two best friends. I should've just moved in with my Dad when I had the chance.

I decide to take the thirty minute walk home. After around five minutes of walking, a truck stops beside me. The person on the inside rolls their window down.

"Need a ride?" He asks, flashing a smile to me.

"AJ, nice seeing you again." I smile back at him and walk to his window.

"You look a bit cold. Come on. I'll give you a ride. It's no bother." He offers.

"I dunno," I clench my jaw. "I've had enough drama with guys lately."

He chuckles. "I'm just driving you home, Emery. I have the heat on."

I think about it for a moment and agree. "Okay." I cave and skip around the front of his truck to hop onto the passenger seat. "It is warm in here."

"What did I tell ya?" He grins and pulls away from the curb. "What's your address?"

I tell him and we head down the road. "You're nice, AJ. Thank you."

"It's no problem. You're dating my best friend. It's the least I could do." He smirks.

"We're not dating." I clarify.

"So you say."

"Where has Harry been?" I ask nonchalantly.

"He's been working in the studio," AJ reminds me. "He's been really busy."

"Any good songs?" I inquire, nudging him.

"Loads of good songs. In fact, I think there's one about you."

xxx

Is this story too slow or too fast paced?

And should I continue it?