Unexpected

23

EMMA POV

"I can't believe you're really leaving me." James  frowned, placing the last box by the door.

I looked at my empty apartment and said goodbye to all the memories it held- makeovers with James, movie nights with Grayson, and so many beautiful memories with Ethan. It didn't hurt me to think of him any more. A full year had passed since we had spoken and I had finally healed from my first broken heart.

The granite counter tops reminded me of baking cakes and cooking dinner with him. My old bedroom was filled with memories of intimate moments with him. The doorway held the sweet memory of our first kiss. I was nostalgic, but ready to literally close the door on that chapter of my life.

"I'll only be a FaceTime call and a plane ticket away." I smiled at him and tucked my laptop into my carry on bag. This was it. I was really leaving LA for good.

"Does he know?" James asked quietly, afraid yet curious of my answer.

"I haven't talked to either of them since last year." I shrugged nonchalantly. My whereabouts weren't Ethan's concern anymore. We had both moved on and I didn't have any intentions of calling him.

"It's gonna fucking suck not having you around, E. It was bad enough when we broke up the sister squad, but now you're leaving me all alone. Sister squad, party of one." James held his arms out and I gladly walked into them, enjoying one last embrace before I was gone for good.

—

"Now boarding flight 249, LAX to JFK." The flight attendant's voice boomed from the speakers, jostling the man snoring softly across from me.

I saved the progress I had made on editing my video, shut my laptop off, and plugged my headphones into my phone. Stretching my limbs, I made my way to the line ready to board my flight.

I was nervous as hell to be leaving my entire life behind, but I was excited for what New York had to offer for me. My management team's headquarters were there and I was ready to see what this would mean for my career. I would also get to be closer to my manager, Rebecca, who'd become like a second mother to be through my breakup with Ethan.

The flight itself was excruciatingly long, but I had splurged on first class so I at least had space to nap and edit. I could tell we were close to touching down, the plane had gotten significantly colder. It was a drastic difference to the sunny streets of LA I had grown so accustomed to.

I lifted the blinds on the window and watched the sky line go from tiny dots to full lit up buildings. My anxiety was through the roof, I couldn't wait to touch down.

—

I pushed the door to my apartment open, revealing a place much larger than my place in LA. The living room was lit up by a small lamp on a wood table in the corner of the room, my familiar grey couch was against a brick wall next to it.

My manager wasn't kidding when she said she'd have the place fully furnished prior to my arrival. I dropped my suitcase by the door and went to explore the place I'd now be calling home.

The kitchen was beautiful, with marble countertops and a stainless steel fridge. It had a counter with bar stools, diving it from the living room. My dining table was nestled in the corner with a candle center piece. This had to be Rebecca's doing, I had no sense of interior design. She left a note on the table next to a bottle of coconut water. I smiled as I read it. I was thousands of miles away, but it was already beginning to feel like home.

Emma,
I hope you had a nice flight. I may have had a hand in redecorating the place, the movers had no sense of direction. Don't kill me when you walk into your bedroom ;) I hope you love New York as much as love New York loves having you here.
- Rebecca

The rest of the apartment would have to wait. Her note made me anxious to see my bedroom. I had to open 3 doors before finally opening the right one; the first had been the office, the second the bathroom and the third the guest bedroom. I was shocked to find out the place even had a guest bedroom, but I was sure it would be occupied by James the majority of the time.

When I opened the door I near fainted with excitement. A new bed was against the wall, with a plush white comforter and sparkly gold accent pillows. The ceiling and walls were draped with twinkly fairy lights and huge mirror rested on the wall opposite to the door. She had hung polaroids of my friends and I on the walls and filled the bedside table with candles. Thick white curtains covered the large glass door that led to my balcony, the view was breath taking. I walked around in awe, taking it all in.

Everything was perfect. Everything except for the Polaroid of Ethan and I she had conveniently forgotten to throw out. Ethan had lifted me by my thighs and we shared a kiss, posing for Bryant's camera. I couldn't deny the smile it gave me. I would leave it there for now.

The rest of the apartment was just as beautiful. It actually looked like a home, thanks to Rebecca. Despite living in my old apartment for a year and half, I had never bothered decorating much other than the crappy ikea furniture and random junk my mom had bought me.

After a hot shower, I was ready for bed. The water pressure soothed my cramped up muscles, I vowed to never take a flight that long again. I threw on a pair of ripped jeans and combat boots, fully prepared to explore the new city. I almost left with just a cropped sweater on, but I remembered I wasn't in LA anymore and I would actually have to start dressing warm. I grabbed a black coat and scarf along with my wallet and keys and prepared myself for the icy New York winds.

Just as I was about to head out there was a knock on my door. It's probably just a delivery boy at the wrong house, I thought to myself. I opened it anyways, to let them know they were mistaken.

"Hey."

(Double upload :) Emma has moved halfway across the country and she's left poor Ethan behind. Thoughts, comments, concerns hahaha. Hope you're enjoying x)