Stuck » h.s. (UNDER EDITING)

thirty five

EMMA'S POV:

We hear footsteps and a heavily accented voice coming around the corner, and I think I might just pass out.

Eleanor is quick to react, pulling to my feet and wiping my tears from my cheeks. "Go, clean yourself up," she whispers, pushing me back into the room that damned me to my own personal hell. The door shuts with a rather loud click and I can feel the stickiness on my cheeks from my tears. My face is probably so swollen, thank God it's dark outside.

I have to collect myself. He cannot find out that I know about his little involvement in this. My voice can't crack and I have to remain strong.

"Where's Emma?" Harry's voice is muffled by the door, but I can hear him well enough to know what he's saying.

"Still inside, she said she'd be out in a minute," Eleanor replies sharply.

"You just left her in there alone?" Harry exclaims and the door knob turns.

Don't act like you care, Harry. I mean nothing to you if you don't recall.

Just as the door creaks open, I dash around the corner of the shelves. My knee knocks into it, a couple of tapes clattering to the ground. "Shit," I mutter, crouching down to pick them up. I collect them the best as I can and shove them onto a random shelf.

"Ems, you in here?" he rasps, boots taking slow steps. I suck in a breath and let it out.

"Yeah." That came out surprisingly smooth.

When his face comes into view, I try not to break down all over again. He closes the distance between us, bringing me to my feet and wrapping his strong arms around my body. I want to believe this is real, so desperately.

"C'mon, we're all ready to go," he says, letting me go, but not entirely, his hand joining with mine. I adjust the strap on my bag with the hand that isn't joined with the devil's, and hit the light on our way out.

Eleanor looks from our hands to my eyes and frowns. I just shake my head, indicating I will tell her when we get back to our apartment.

The walk back to the vehicle is silent, Harry not saying a word.

And when he drops me off at my apartment, Eleanor ducks inside quickly, leaving the two of us alone.

"I love you," he said, leaning to kiss me.

"Sure," I said, leaning to kiss him back. I left him standing alone in the hallway, making sure my door was locked.

****

The reception hall is decorated elaborately. Chandeliers hang, illuminating the room in a dazzling glow. A large circular table is set up in the middle, stacks of my book piled onto it. There's champagne and wine and food of all kinds. The floor is shining, probably just polished.

My hair is in curls and a long red dress adorns my body. People are socializing, almost every single one passing to tell me congratulations. Even though I'd like to believe my mother hates me, she doesn't pass up the opportunity to plan a party.

Lola appears next to me, her midlength lilac dress hugging her hips. "Where's your boyfriend?" she asks, bringing her glass of champagne to her lips.

"I don't even know if he came to be honest with you, Lo," I reply, taking a glass for myself from the tray that passes me.

"I think I saw him earlier, talking to that old friend of yours. Wasn't his name Shane, or Shawn or something?" I can feel my face paling at her words, and I down my glass in record time.