Real Friends (An IM5 FanFiction)

Chapter 74.

(A/N)- follow @realfriends_im5 and @duhdumbdana on Instagram for updates, edits, visuals, outfits, etc. And while you're at it, you should follow my twitter, too(; @DavidScarzayum

Emily's POV:

*Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 3:10 p.m.*

As I walked towards the exit of the USC campus, my phone began to ring. I pulled it out of my purse and looked at the screen to see a picture of Dalton kissing my cheek.

I considered answering his call, but I slowly put in back in my purse, letting it ring.

I was still a bit shaken up about Sunday and I wasn't really sure what I would say when I finally did talk to him.

"Oh my God! Is that Dalton Rapattoni?" I heard a girl scream.

My head whipped around in the direction that the voice came from and I saw Dalton awkwardly standing while a swarm of people began to crowd around him.

I thought, considered my options:

I could use this as a distraction and take the opportunity to avoid talking to Dalton

Or

I could be a good girlfriend and go and help him.

I let out a huge sigh, rolling my eyes as I began jogging over to the crowd.

I pushed my way passed the people, getting dirty looks, while I made my way to the middle where Dalton was.

"H-hey, guys," I heard Dalton stutter out as I got closer.

I could tell that he was nervous and maybe even a little scared. He still wasn't really used to getting recognized like this.

"Dalton," I finally got to him.

Relief washed over him as soon as he saw me. He instantly reached for me, wrapping his arms around my waist for a hug. He pulled away and turned to the people surrounding us, "It was nice to see you guys!"

He grabbed my hand, quickly pulling us through the crowd, and began walking us towards the exit.

"Did you walk here?" he asked, not looking at me.

"Yeah," I answered quietly, not holding his hand even though his fingers were wrapped around mine.

He didn't answer, he simply just pulled me in one direction until we reached his car. He opened the passenger door for me, waiting for me to get in. I looked at the car, then at him, then back to the car before finally getting in.

After he closed my door for me, he went around to the driver's side and sat down, starting the car.

The drive to my new house was silent and awkward. You could feel the tension.

Neither of us wanted to be the first to speak because neither of us knew what to say.

After what felt like forever, we finally pulled up to the front of my one story house. But neither of us moved to get out of the car.

"Are you mad at me?" Dalton asked so softly I was surprised that I was even able to hear him.

I shook my head.

"Are you scared of me?"

I thought for a second before answering. That was a good question. Was I scared of him?

"I did it for you," he mumbled, bitterly.

"Are you actually mad at me right now?" I asked him, growing irritated. Was he seriously about to give me attitude after what had happened?

"Are you actually mad at me for what happened?"

"Dalton, you could've gone to jail! And for what? Some stupid fight with some guy that doesn't even matter?"

"He does matter! He matters because of the way he made you feel!"

"You could have gone to jail!" I repeated.

"But I didn't!"

"That's not the point, Dalton! The point is that you could've! The only reason that you didn't was because I called Gabe and Cole!"

Dalton let out a frustrated groan before running his hand through his hair.

"Why is it such a big deal to you? Why does it even matter?" I asked him.

"Because I love you, Em! I love you and all I want to do is protect you! I don't want anyone to ever hurt you physically, mentally, or emotionally! I don't care who it is or what they say! I swear to God I'll protect you! I'd go to the moon and back for you! Don't you know that?"

I just stared at him.

Dalton let out a sigh, taking his keys out of the ignition and turning the car off. He crossed his arms over the top of the steering wheel and rested his head on his forearms.

We both sat there, not saying anything.

I noticed him moving.

His shoulders were moving up and down and I could hear muffled sounds coming from him.

Was he crying?

I stared at him, not knowing what to do.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

Now I knew he was crying.

"I'm sorry that I did that. I'm sorry that I yelled at you when you told me about Max. I just made it worse when I should've been making it better," he kept his head down so that I couldn't see his face. "I'm sorry that I got drunk and went to find Max. I was just so mad because of what he said to you and I just wanted to hurt him for making you hurt."

I watched him as he sat there with his head down, his words ceasing.

I slowly rested my hand on his shoulder, causing him to lift his head and look at me with puffy, red eyes.

I removed my hand and got out of the car. I walked around to Dalton's side and opened his door. Arms still crossed over the steering wheel, he turned to face me.

I reached for his hands and pulled him out of the car, closing the door behind him.

I wrapped my arms around his torso, holding on to him so tightly that my ear was pressed to his chest. I could hear his heartbeat while he brought his arms around my shoulders. He leaned his back up against the car while we just embraced each other.

I did believe that he was just trying to protect me, but I didn't want him beating the life out of every person who insults me. Yeah what Max said to me hurt, a lot, but that didn't mean I wouldn't eventually get over it.

"Are you scared?" he asked me again.

I shook my head and his arms tightened around me.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too."

I pulled away and looked up at him.

"I have to get back home," Dalton brushed my forehead with his fingers, moving my hair out of my face.

"Why don't you just stay here?" I offered without even thinking.

"I guess I could stay the night."

"No," I leaned in a bit closer to him. "I mean: why don't you just move in?"

Dalton searched my face for any sign of regret or doubt. When he didn't find anything, he asked, "Are you serious?"

I nodded.

"Are you sure?"

I smiled a bit this time, "Yes, Dalton."

Dalton smiled back at me before pressing his lips to mine.