Emma’s P.O.V.
We didn’t keep track of time, but with each minute, I was falling in love with him more and more. We just talked- about anything really. He constantly glanced at me as if making sure I wasn’t going to pass out again. After walking for a bit without talking, he broke the silence.
“You should come to my pool party on Saturday.” He warmly invited.
I immediately started racking my brain for reasons not to go. I couldn’t tell him I didn’t know how to swim! He would think I was a looser.
“I-uh-maybe…” I stuttered.
“Emma, what’s wrong? You don’t like swimming?” He urged.
BINGO!
“Not really. Swimming’s just… not my thing.” I lied.
“Oh that okay. You don’t have to get in the water.” He assured.
“Really? Then I’ll be there!” I smiled.
I took his hand and we walked in silence for a while until he glanced at his watch.
“It’s getting late hon. Do you have a ride?” He asked.
“Oh ya. I have my bike.”
Just as I said this, dark clouds defiantly covered the sky and it started to pour rain.
“I’m not letting you bike in the rain! You can come with me.” He insisted.
“No really… It’s fine…” I mumbled. The more I though about getting in a car, the more scared I got. He noticed this almost instantly.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, worry sprinkled in his words.
I’ve never told anyone what happened. But I felt so safe with him. Like I could trust him with anything. I felt all of my emotions bottled up inside my chest, and I felt like I finally found the bottle opener. So I told him everything. How my parents died, loosing all my friends and my grandparents and how there doing right now. By the time I was finished, I was trembling violently and sobbing. He looked at me with such sympathy and love. But also with concern. Probably because I was swaying with exhaustion. He effortlessly picked me up and he walked to a bench. He sat down with me bundled in his lap and I cried into his chest until the rain stopped. Once I put myself together the best I could, I loosened my grip on his arms and was about to get up. But he wouldn’t let me go.
“Eric,” I started.
“Just wait a bit,” he said kindly, “I want you to know that I love you and don’t ever want to see you hurt again. You don’t have to get in my car. I’ll walk you home no matter how far away you live.”
I could feel myself melt in his arms. I lay my head on his chest and just heard his heart beat. I lay there, in total peace until he suddenly broke the silence.
“Emma!” He sounded frantic.
“What?” I asked, confused.
“Your arms…” he muttered.
I looked down at my arms and saw deep purple and blue bruises had formed where the boys had gripped me.
“Oh, its nothing.” I tried to brush off.
“What did they want?” He growled.
My mind raced as I remembered all the cruel things they had said.
“Lets just talk about something else please…” I whispered.
He saw my shoulders tense and his dark expression turned to one of understanding.
“All right,” he agreed, “But are you hurt any where else?”
I shook my head, relieved that he let it go. We slowly got up and started walking.
Eric’s P.O.V.
As we started walking, the wind picked up and I could see Emma’s body start to quiver. She was still soaking wet. I immediately peeled off my sweatshirt and wrapped it around her. She smiled and thanked me sweetly. She ended up living about 5 miles from the school, but I didn’t mind. It gave us time to get to know each other even more. By the time we arrived to her house, I didn’t want to say goodbye. She started to unzip my sweater when I gently stopped her.
“Keep it.” I gently said.
She looked up at me and grinned. She looked so beautiful. I was even shocked when I realized what I did, but it was impossible to resist. I swiftly pulled her in close and brought her lips to mine. Her shoulders tensed at first, but then she relaxed and put her arms around my shoulders. I brought my hands to her waist and we shared our first kiss.
She finally pulled away, gasping for air. We looked into each other’s eyes until she finally leg go and started walking to her house.
“Good bye Eric.”
