Breaking Emily

Measure 5

~ Measure 5 ~

I heard my phone ring twice as I closed up my Biology book. I searched all around Hannah's living room to find it, and even up in the bedroom where her mom generously let me stay until I was okay to go home.

Finally, I found it in the kitchen and saw in flashing red letters: Cameron.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey."

His voice was soft and hypnotic when he spoke. I took a deep breath.

"How was your day?" he said.

"Great," I lied, "And yours?"

"Well I had an issue at the drugstore today. I'd forgotten my I.D. at home when I went to buy cigarettes."

"Oh, what happened?" I asked.

"The idiot behind the counter wouldn't give them to me, saying that he couldn't tell if I was 18 or not." he said, "So I beat the crap out of him. That's all. The police didn't have to show up, I had that guy handled."

"Don't you think the police weren't there to help...?" I said, stopping suddenly and changing the subject.

"Anyway, today was great. I'm over at Hannah's. We're good now." I said.

"Why?" he demanded.

"Well, because we're best friends. We've always been close-"

He cut me off.

"Emily are you crazy?" he snapped, "She's a freak and she's stupid, oh don't get me started on how dumb that girl is. Seriously, if I were you I wouldn't go back."

"I love Hannah like a sister, Cameron; I'm not going to just walk away from her forever because I'm with you. Sisters before misters..."

"Congratulations." he said.

I stopped.

"What?" I replied.

"Congratulations," he continued, "You were being tested. Can't you see that?"

"Tested," I said, "For what?"

"To see how loyal you'd be to someone."

"So I passed?"

"No!" he yelled, "You failed horribly. That someone was me, and going back to Hannah proves that you're not as loyal I'd want you to be."

"I'm sorry-"

"Save it." he said, "Anyway, I have to go. I'm late for something. And I won't be calling tomorrow either. I've got important plans that I can't break."

"Okay." I said.

"Bye, Emily. Make sure you think about what you did to me."

"Bye."

I hung up as quickly as I could and put the phone down on the table. I eased myself down on the chair, feeling a little sick.

"Is everything alright, dear?"

I turned to see Hannah's mom standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Yes, Mrs. Magil. Thank you for asking. Everything is fine." I said.

I stood up and put my phone in my pocket.

"I think I'm gonna go for a walk." I said.

"That's fine dear. Will you be here for dinner?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Thank you so much again for letting me stay, Mrs. Magil." I said kindly.

"Oh, Emily, please. Call me Patty."