Almond Boy

Almond Boy - 21

Elliot knew the minute Emma asked him he'd be going to the hospital - but for some reason he didn't want to tell her till Tuesday.

He still doesn't know why - maybe he was trying to avoid being eager? But at the same time, Elliot never cared about that much. When you're on a bullet-train towards death, eagerness really doesn't bother you.

Emma, Emma, Emma, she's the most baffling, confusing, contradicting person he's ever met. She's not even that complicated, but she certainly has a knack of making Elliot feel complicated. 

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The way Emma's parents are looking at her is peculiar: they shift their gazes on her and stare at her for a moment, then break away like if they stare for too long the sheer power of their gaze will break her. 

Her father is losing it. His eyes are red and blotchy again, and he keeps sniffling. He keeps smiling at her every now and then, as if proving that he's okay, and she always smiles back, and that almost makes it worse. Her mother, on the other hand, is a picture of confidence for once, which is confusing because usually it's the other way around. Her mom keeps smiling so wide and bright and giving her thumbs ups and is telling her things in such an excited way - it's like Emma won something. 

"We'll get ice cream when we're done," her mom says. Emma laughs. 

Her dad nods and laughs, but it's that panicked laugh and his eyes are wide, "Christ, we'll get you all the ice cream you want," he says. 

Her mother hits him and shakes her head, "we most certainly will not. She can't spoil dinner on ice cream, and besides that's unhealthy." 

Emma smiles, "guys, it's not a tonsillectomy." 

"I wish it was a tonsillectomy," her father says, "a thousand tonsilectomies would be better, Christ." Her mother hits him again and gives him a stern look get your act together. He relaxes and his arms slump. He scratches the back of his head and gives a sheepish smile to his wife, who at this moment is the only one who seems perfectly confident. He steps behind her and kisses the top of her head and she laughs. 

It's when the doctor comes in does everything grow silent. They're ready to hear about the surgery: it's parameters, how long it's going to be, what exactly is going to happen; but instead, the main focus is the fact that the doctor's brought a guest. Emma grins and her hands are up at her mouth, and her mouth in an 'o'. 

"You came!" she squeals, her hands shaking as her grin grows to ear-to-ear. 

Elliot looks really shy, and at first, it makes Emma want to giggle. He gives the most awkward wave, his hand barely twitching back and forth; his mouth has a practically straight-lined smile; and his eyebrows are up. 

"I'm assuming you know him, then?" Dr. Bereux asks, patting his back. Elliot tumbles a few steps forward from the force and sharpness of the woman's nails, and then he nods. Emma nods and grins. 

"I can't believe you came," Emma says, her smile so bright and happy that it makes Elliot smile. 

"Duh, of course I did." 

Emma's smile gets really sweet then, her eyes softening and her body lifted up like she's so excited she can barely contain it. 

Her parents laugh and smile between the two kids, Emma's mom's gaze especially on Elliot. 

"Oh, parents, Elliot; Elliot, Parents. Oh, and this is Dr. Bereux, she's been the lady who has dealt with most of this." 

Emma's mother rolls her eyes at Emma, a smirk on her face. "Parents?" she asks, and then brings her hand forward. "I'm Jane, I've heard a little about you."