Decisions

Part 2: The Truths We Hide

After over an hour of applying input into her sister's dress, Emma Cassidy informs her sister of the need to return to work. It is not a lie. She could have stayed longer, but she did not want to. Emma's jealousy over Hannah only grew with every passing second. Hannah is getting what Emma has been dreaming of for years, not Andrew specifically, but a wedding in general. Emma knows Hannah is not in love with Andrew, but she is still getting the dream wedding and happily ever after. Emma knows that in time, her sister and Andrew might grow to love each other if they do not kill each other first, but even at that small chance of a happy ending, Emma is jealous. She has her ideas and plans, of course, but the one thing that remained the same in all of her dreams of a beautiful wedding and a happily ever after is the blond-haired, blue-eyed boy she has known since the third grade is waiting at the end of the aisle. Emma's dreams are all that she has because, in real life, Patrick does not know she exists. Not in the way she would like. Sure, they talk and claim to be friends, but Emma has always wanted more. He knows nothing of how she feels about him. She came close several times, but her fear of his rejection has always preyed against her mind. She resulted in having him as a friend, rather than nothing at all. Still, there is that small part, buried deep down inside her, wondering what it would be like to be married to Patrick McClintock.

"Emma!" Someone shouts her name rather close to her, causing her to nearly jump out of her chair, grabbing on to the desk with the hand she had been holding her chin up with. Her face almost smacked the desk in protest to being startled.

Looking around for the culprit, she gives an inward groan as she sees who had successfully pulled her from her daydreams. He stands watching her as though she is his favorite cartoon on Saturday mornings. "What, Patrick?" She questions, her tone less than thrilled for more reasons than one.

"What in the world has you so lost in thought?" He interrogates, crossing his arms over his chest. The action pulls at his shirt ever-so-slightly, as his fingers clutch the sleeves in his palms.

For a moment, Emma debates on telling him exactly what was on her mind, but she decides against it. "Nothing. I am only tired." She answers, playing it off as though it is not interesting enough to be said. Whether he believes her or not, she does not know. He just shrugs. "Did you need something?" She dares ask.

"Well..." Emma does not physically groan, but the noise in her mind clearly states that she knows that this conversation will not be a good one. He continues, as though he enjoys talking about himself. "Now that there is just the two of us here for the moment, I need your help." He leans in closer to her, adding dramatic effect, Emma supposes. Emma wonders if he needs help with an article, and makes a point to tell him no. She does not need another thing to work on this week. "We have known each other for a long time, and we have always been there for each other. I just need to know that you won't hate me, and what I say to you will stay just between us." This confuses Emma. What could he possibly say that would make her hate him? He winces when she hesitates in her confusion, and Emma's heart hammers in her chest. The only thing she can think of is that this could be the moment she has been waiting for. A sign that he feels what she feels. She refuses to let herself believe it, but still, the thought stays in her mind and refuses to leave.

Emma raises one of her eyebrows at him, with a small smile, hoping her excitement and anticipation is not showing through. "That depends on..." She taps a finger on her chin, pretending to think. "What did you do? And did anyone see you do it?" She laughs when his face drops to a mock glare.

It is Patrick's turn to groan now. He releases his arms and places them on the desk at his sides. "It isn't funny, and it isn't anything like that. I just need your guidance." The look on his face is making Emma more curious by the second. Can he be that afraid of her answer?