Life's Too Short To Even Care At All

Chapter 5

Emily barely had time to be glad that she had not got undressed yet, because there was immediate light tap on her window. She knew it was Jeff, as he always climbed on top of the garage, and walked along the roof until he came to her window. This avoided confrontation with Emily’s mother, and allowed them a bit of privacy.

Emily rushed over to the window in excitement, yet with nerves. Sebastian wasn’t there, but she still felt she was betraying his trust, and she knew that Jeff would start asking questions, which could lead to bad things. She opened it quietly, as Jeff jumped in, landing swiftly on her bean bag which was strategically placed beneath the window. He stood up and shook himself off, being careful not to make too much sound as he flung himself onto Emily’s bed.

“What’s up?” he questioned, staring at her quizzically. She was acting very out of character, and he couldn’t help but have a feeling that Sebastian had something to do with it.

“Nothing, why?” Emily replied, sitting next to him on the bed.

“You’re being weird.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“Well you are, is it Sebastian?” Jeff asked. He knew he hit the nail on the head straight away. As hard as she tried, Emily wasn’t the best liar, and by the way she replied, Jeff could tell it wasn’t the truth that was coming from her lips.

“No, of course not, I’m just tired, it’s late,” Emily replied. Jeff sat up straight and looked at her.

“What did he do? Did he cheat on you?”

“No!”

“Then, what Emily?” Jeff spoke up. She hesitated before answering.

“He doesn’t want me to see you anymore,” Emily said. The anger began boiling up in Jeff like never before and he felt his ears going red with anger. How could he? How could he decide what Emily does? How could he choose what she could do and who with?

“That manipulating little jack-“ but before Jeff could finish, Emily’s phone began to ring. By the look on her face as she glanced at the screen, he could tell it was Sebastian. Emily glimpsed at Jeff pleadingly, and he knew that she was begging him to be quiet. He kept his mouth firmly shut and tried to listen in closely to the conversation.

“Hey Seb,” Emily spoke. Sebastian spoke next, and Emily’s phone was just loud enough so that Jeff could hear.

“Hey babe.” Jeff scoffed. Babe. He doesn’t have the right to call her babe he thought.

“I just wanted to say goodnight,” Sebastian continued.

“Oh right, goodnight,” Emily replied, very conscious of the fact that Jeff was listening into the conversation.

“I miss you.”

“I miss you too, but I’ve got to go, I need to put my sister to bed… I love you”

“I love you too.” Emily was thankful that nothing inappropriate had come up in their conversation and hung up the phone.

“He can’t control you, you know?” Jeff spoke immediately.

“I know,” Emily replied quietly.

“Then why do you do what he says?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“Of course you do!” Jeff was practically yelling now. It wouldn’t be long before Emily’s mum would come up, complaining about the noise. But, Emily knew that she could tell him, he wouldn’t tell anyone else. She was just worried how she would do it. She took her chance and pulled up the hem of her top, to show Jeff the many bruises that had formed from Sebastian’s onslaughts. It took a while for Jeff to place the pieces together in his head, but when he had, he felt literally sick.