| Ethan's POV |
James wanted a sister squad meet up but Emma was complaining that she was rewearing all her clothes and although my T-shirt's were soft, they bury her.
I think they make her look extra cute but she disagrees.
So I agree to take her back home and once Grayson hears that we were going, he wants to come too.
We pull up in the car park and once we get out, Emma gets as close to me as possible. I wrap my large hand round her small one and give it a reassuring squeeze.
Me and Gray were never going to allow her to be hurt again, that was a promise but I guess it's also the memories that comes with this place that we're scaring her.
Grayson steps in the apartment first shouting a few times for anyone to show themselves, no one comes out but I truthfully don't expect anyone to be here. James had said that the apartment was empty when he last came so I guess Aaron must've fled.
I wish I could've hurt him.
Gray checks every single room and returns back to us promising that it was all clear to her relief. She still clutches to my bicep as we head towards her closet.
"Everything's a mess" she barely croaks looking around at what used to be her apartment. The whole thing looks like how my room did after I got angry after James' party.
"Come on baby, let's just get your stuff and go" I say trying to cover her view with my body. I don't want her to hurt anymore than she already is, it physically pains me when she's upset.
"If you ever decide to come back here, we'll all pitch in and tidy it. I'd like to think that I'm a good interior designer" Grayson smirks sticking his nose in the air. Even though it's pretty narcissistic of him to say and I would've shouted at him for it, it makes her giggle so I let it slide.
She packs her favourite clothes into a backpack and also takes something from her bedside which looks like a phone charger. Then she runs down her stairs in a panic and after thrashing around her cutlery draw she pulls out a mini whisk.
"A mini whisk?"
"Yes a mini fucking whisk, fight me" she snaps back playfully before shoving it in her backpack and giving her apartment once last glance.
When we get back in the car we both sit in the back as Grayson drives and she cries into my T-shirt and I let her get it all out before I kiss her cheeks and tell her not to worry about anything anymore.
—
"I'm bored" moans James dramatically throwing himself onto his own sofa "I asked you round because I thought you might be a little bit fun"
I roll my eyes before jumping over the back of the sofa, luckily managing to catch myself on the edge. James tells me off and says that this couch is probably more expensive than me, I'd have to agree.
Emma's phone starts to ring and she looks at the caller ID before bringing it to her ear
"Ellie? Hi" she smiles and James' shuffles closer to her so that he can put his ear close enough to the phone so that he can hear what she says.
"Actually I'm hanging with the twins and James so I-" she starts but James jumps in front
"OF COURSE WE'LL COME" He screeches and Emma glances at me with wide eyes as if to ask me to help her. I can't help her now, he's already said we're going somewhere.
Emma ends the call and places it down upon her thigh
"So we're going to a beach party" Emma says unenthusiastically
"EEEKK HOW EXCITING IS THAT" James squeals clasping his hands together "LETS GO"
Grayson bless his naive heart seems pretty pumped to go too but me and Emma share a knowing look. It was more than likely that Lauren was going to be there and Grayson really doesn't need that negativity right now.
Let me remind you Lauren consecutively cheated on my brother and somehow managed to manipulate him into staying with her.
So we hate that bitch, got it?
—
We pull up to the beach, James is driving with Grayson eager in the passenger seat. Emma has her whole hand wrapped round one of my fingers and I can feel how much she's sweating nervously.
It's cute how protective she is of my brother, it makes me feel deeply satisfied. I can't imagine being with someone who hated him.
Saying that she wasn't even officially mine yet. Shit.
James and Grayson get out the car and slam the doors behind them. Emma turns to be worriedly.
"If it keeps Lauren away from him, Ems, you can hold his hand" I say a little sadly she shakes her head as if to tell me to stop worrying.
"I love you" she whispers climbing out before I can even say it back.
We head towards the part of the beach littered with Emma's friends. Ellie hugs Emma as soon as she sees her and it makes my heart warm a little. I know she left her but so did I so I couldn't be a hypocrite.
"Let me introduce everyone" Emma smiles with a new found confidence, I watch as she scans the people who are sat in the sand around a now burning fire.
My eyes land upon Lauren, she's barely changed apart from the fact that she's got more lip fillers. She looks vile, but she did back in high school and Grayson still fell for her.
"That's Ethan" Emma points at me and I wave "James" she says and James says hi sisters and some people gush over his make up "and this is Grayson" Emma says clutching his arm and pulling him towards her, she rubs her head into his chest.
Lauren then confidently stands up making her way towards my brother, she forcefully pushes Emma to one side and I lunge forward to catch her before she literally topples into the fucking fire.
I hate this bitch so much.
Emma notices my anger and she gives my back and smooth rub and it calms me almost instantly. I swear she's fucking magic.
"I don't know if you remember me but I'm Lauren" she smiles reaching out her hand "we used to date in high school" she smirks as if she's bragging that she was with him.
"I remember" Grayson smiles taking her hand in a firm handshake.
I guess she expected him to get on his knees, or she expected to get on her knees, but she doesn't seem satisfied with a handshake. And she wasn't going to stop until she got more.
