Unexpected

22

EMMA POV

"You lied to me." I shook my head at James, feeling more betrayed than angry. I willed myself not to look in Ethan's direction. If I saw him I would self destruct right then and there. James grabbed my hand, running his thumb against my wrist. It was our secret language, he was telling me he was sorry, but he had to do it. The gesture spoke louder than words and a part of me understood why he had done it. I needed closure, if I wouldn't get it for myself he would do it for me.

As I walked towards Ethan, I thought about what I would say- how seeing him would make me feel. The sight of him no longer gave me butterflies, it felt like I had swallowed razor blades. I stood before him, neither of us wanting to look the other person in the eye.

I reached deep within me to find an ounce of confidence, finally taking in the sight of him. "Hey" my voice didn't sound as strong as I had intended it to. He looked up at me, but said nothing. It annoyed me slightly. He had sought me out, shouldn't he be the one making the first move?

I wouldn't let me pride get the best of me. I finally had the chance to get the closure and explanation I needed. "You look good." I spoke again, meaning every word. There was a slight lack of sleep on his features, but despite that he was still as beautiful as the day I met him.

"Emma, I'm so sorry." Ethan's words pained him. He looked so distraught, I began to wonder if I had judged him too harshly. No, I pushed the thought to the back of my head. He had broken my heart. I was mistaking regret for guilt.

He dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around my torso. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. He was making a scene in front of the entire store.

Sobs raked through his body. His hot tears wet my skin. Out of habit, I ran my fingers through his hair in hopes of soothing him. Despite everything, I still cared for him immensely. Seeing him this upset hurt me more than his betrayal had.

"Get up." I said firmly, I pulled my hands away from him letting them drop to my side. "I won't let you do this to me. Not here."

—

ETHAN POV

"Get up." Her voice was void of emotion. Meanwhile, I had let mine get the best of me. She was right. I was supposed to be apologizing, instead I was crying like idiot and making a fool of her. "I won't let you do this to me. Not here."

Her words pushed the knife further into my heart. I had managed to unknowingly hurt her once again. Emotion had over come me. I stood up, wiping the tears from my eyes. Though I longed for her touch, I knew I didn't deserve it.

I cleared my throat and attempted to seek redemption. "Can we talk? I won't force you to go anywhere with me. Please, even if it's just in my car. I have so much I need to say to you."

She agreed and we walked to my car in silence. I was naive to think the words would magically come to me. I needed to think clearly about what I wanted to say if I wanted to avoid ruining things further.

When we were in the privacy of my car I took a second shot at my apology. "Emma, you have to know how sorry I am. Words aren't enough to explain how I feel about you. This wasn't supposed to happen."

"But it did happen." I could tell she was fighting tears. She wouldn't look at me, her eyes were glued to her lap. "You kissed her Ethan."

"It's not like that at all you have to believe me. Please just let me explain." I begged her, praying she would listen.

"What is there to say? Nothing can fix this. Lie to me. Tell me what I saw isn't real." Her voiced cracked and the tears began to fall freely. I wanted to wipe them from her cheeks, pull her into my lap and tell her everything was going to be okay.

"I can't lie to you Emma. I can't tell you what you saw wasn't real. The girl you saw that night was never supposed to be there. Her name is Meredith, she's my ex girlfriend. She heard about the party and she thought it was her chance to get back with me. The only reason we were in your room was because I was trying to get her to leave. I didn't want her ruining your party, but I know I fucked up. I wanted everything to be perfect, but I messed everything up. I told her I didn't want her back, Emma I swear to God. She kissed me out of nowhere." It felt good to get everything off my chest. Even if she didn't forgive me at least I could be at peace now that she knew the truth.

My words hung in the air, met by silence. I looked at Emma, searching her face for any trace of emotion. I never thought someone else's pain could affect me so deeply, but seeing her cry made me want to die. I had destroyed the person I loved.

"Why didn't you try harder to see me? I needed you. You hurt me so fucking bad." She began to sob, her body shaking like it was going to break. She covered her face with her hands and continued crying into them.

I pulled her hands away and wrapped my arms around her. She hesitated slightly, but didn't deny my touch. She buried her face into my chest, soaking my shirt with her tears.

"I'm so sorry Emma." I rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head attempting to soothe her. I feared she would never stop crying. "I was a coward I didn't want to see you and face the damage. I stupidly thought if I stayed away you would be better off without me."

"I can't live without you." Her voice was muffled, but I heard her clear as day. My heart skipped a beat the second my mind registered her words. She wrapped her arms around me tightly. I knew nothing had changed, but I could die a happy man knowing I had her in my arms again.

"I love you."

Her body tensed, but I didn't regret confessing my emotions. I needed her to know how much she meant to me.

—

EMMA POV

Everything hurt. My body was weak from producing so many tears. My head was spinning, intoxicated by the scent I had been longing to smell for so long.

I was still hurt, but I wasn't strong enough to push him away. I wanted to be in his arms, I needed it like it was the air that sustained me.

"I can't live without you." I confessed, pushing my body closer to his.

A small part of me hoped he hadn't heard me. I wasn't ready to forgive him. My heart and soul yearned for him, but my brain knew better than to forgive so quickly. Everything within in me was at war. My heart wanted something that my brain wasn't so sure I needed.

"I love you."

My body tensed at his words. My heart was thumping in my ear drums. I felt like I was going to vomit. His words resonated in my head making it impossible to think clearly.

"I can't do this right now." I pulled away from him quickly, fumbling with the door handle. When it finally opened I jumped from the car, refusing to look back.

Once again, I found myself running from my problems.