Evil Ties Within

Chapter Nine

Today I made plans to hangout with Emma. I promised her we would still hangout and keep each other updated like I would with any of my friends. She is supportive of me leaving and has even told me that Lily is the least accepted person in her family. I met Emma from a family gathering of one of the cousins birthday parties and I was sitting alone, being antisocial and she came up and was the only one to talk to me.

She is short, but she makes up for it with how fit she is. She runs about 10 miles everyday. That's impressive for anyone. She is not dating anyone. She told me she just wants to keep up with school. Reduce distractions rather than make some.

"Hey, girl!" Emma engulfed me in a hug as soon as I entered the little Italian family restaurant.

"Hey! So, I'm guessing you've heard by now. I must be the black sheep of your family now."

"Oh please, nobody blames you for leaving. Lily is something else and no one can stand her. I don't even know why your dad married her." We got in line to wait to be seated. 

"So, how are you?" I asked her.

"I'm good. Just stressed this semester is hitting me hard. I made my workload way too high, but I'd rather do that than be behind my classmates." I truly admired Emma. She has red hair that is curly like the girl from Brave and I loved it. She has brown eyes and she wears glasses. She is really smart and truly good friend.

"Maybe next semester can be lighter for you? That's what I would do anyway." Emma looked at me and basically saw right through me. That's when we were finally seated and our drinks were ordered.

"Alright. Enough with the BS. What's been going on." She really knew how to get to the point.

"Well, as the trial is to begin soon. I was wondering if you could be a character witness on behalf of Lily's character. I mean that is not the only reason I wanted to come here, but I figured now is good as a time as any to drop the bomb."

"Of course I will. Lily is a nasty person and anyone in my family can back that up. Just lemme know when and I'll be sure to be there."

"Okay, cool. Thank you." I wanted to tell her so much more, but I didn't want to just talk about me.

"Alright. What else?" Emma gave me a raised brow while she took a sip of her drink.

"You'll never guess who I met!" I couldn't help my enthusiasm.

"The President?!" I rolled my eyes at her.

"No," I laughed," this guy named Xavier that I guess now I am meeting again at my friend Piper's school bash."

"Oh, so you have the hots for this guy?" She did that eyebrow raising wink thing.

"Uh, hell yeah. This guy is not only great to look at, BUT he's also really shy. You would never assume a guy like him was shy. Not even in my wildest dreams."

"Must have some pretty wildin' dreams then." I smacked her on her arm.

"Shut up, man. You're just jealous. No, but seriously, he is so nice and I am so very going to lose my shit."

"Get it together man. You got this! I believe in you. All you got to do is look extra hot and spicy and add in a lot of flirting and your going to end up in the bedroom for sure."

"Oh stop. I am not planning on doing that with him anytime soon. I need to get to know him first, hello."

"Uh-huh." I just stared at her like she was nuts. Nothing was going to happen and I really hope he's not that kind of guy either.

"Take a portrait it might last longer?" Emma finally said after a beat.

I laughed, "Oh, sure. I'll get right on that for ya."

"Make sure you get my good side and don't paint any of my pimples. That won't be attractive for a museum. I'm really giving you advice to only better your work."

We both broke into laughter. Finally our waiter came back and asked us if we were ready.

"I'll have a steak with potatoes and green beans please." I ordered.

"A girl who likes her meat. Nice." I looked at Emma and smirked and she stuck her tongue out at me.

"How would you liked that cooked?"

"Well, thank you," I said as I handed the waiter the menu.

The lady looked at Emma and she got a Caesar Chicken Salad. I almost wish I had gotten that. Almost.

"So, what have Lily and your dad said since you've been back?"

"Honestly? Nothing. I haven't heard from either. I should probably call my dad. I may not like Lily, but that's still my dad. What is she going to make me stop contacting him because I left? I don't think so."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "I don't know man, Lily is pretty crazy. She is my aunt after all. I don't think though even she would stoop so low and do that to you. She knows you lost your mom, to do that would make her the scum of the earth."

"Amen," I said as the food was being set down in front of us.

Emma hasn't met anyone from my foster family nor has she met Piper.

"Hey, Emma?" I asked in the middle of a thought process.

"Yeah?" She replied with a bunch of salad in her mouth.

"That's hella attractive. I could never understand why the guy may not call you." Emma just shoved more food in her mouth and I laughed, "Anyways, why don't you come with us to the party? I'm sure Piper won't mind. Can meet Xavier too." I said.

"Sure, sounds fun. What do I need to show up in?"

"Just wear something nice. Like a dress if you have one."

Emma looked at me like I just shot her puppy. "A dress? I don't wear dresses."

"Fine then, don't wear one, but look nice. Everyone else will be wearing dresses and looking snazzy."

"Okay, sounds fun." We were finished with our food finally. We parked kind of far away because it was busier when we got here. We had to park at a different building. It was fine because I needed the exercise anyways.

Emma and I were almost across the street when we noticed someone following us.

"Just act normal. Don't start running and pick up the pace just enough. It's probably nothing." Emma advised. I think she said that mostly to keep us both from panicking.

I didn't have the mindset to respond. The footsteps sounded like they were getting louder and finally they stopped once we got to our vehicles.

Once I was in my I turned the car on and locked the doors and made sure the headlights were on. In the distance I saw a person facing my way. They weren't moving, but just standing there staring. Now I was officially creeped out. I speed home respectively and made sure to keep the music blasting so I did not think about what just happened. I am sure Emma was just as creeped out as I was.

Hopefully, whoever that was got what they wanted and stay in whatever hell they crawled out of. Once I got home I checked my phone and Emma was blowing it up, but I wasn't concerned about her right now. What I couldn't stop staring at were the letters that said, "watch your back." Why would someone do this to me. What is the point. I truly couldn't think of who would even be capable of doing this. I don't even think I'll leave the house anymore.