Wickedness Of A Child (Emison)

25

[E]

From Unknown: I need to talk to you. Meet me at Gran Caffe L'Aquila in thirty minutes. I'm waiting for you.

Should I be scared? I will not lie, I am totally freaked out. What if it is someone who wants to confront me about the police reports? Maybe they're waiting for a perfect moment to intervene. I wonder what they want to get out of it.

''Emily?'' Mom's voice called out my name. I slid off my bed and went out to the living room. ''Can't you sit down with me for awhile? I feel like I haven't got the opportunity to ask you how things have been since you left to go to Rosewood.''

I joined her on the couch and crossed the legs underneath me. My hair had gotten really messy after the nap I recently woke up from. I had been home for an hour when I received the text and the sound of my phone vibrating on my nightstand woke me up in a heartbeat. No matter who I was meeting in thirty minutes, I did not want them to see me appear at the café like this.

''I don't know what you want me to tell you. I like the school a lot. It felt good to get away from Philly after this being the only town I had seen since I was born.'' I simply said and stole a glance on the clock above the door frame to the kitchen.

Mom smiled weakly and nodded. ''I'm glad you like it there. Hopefully you'll be back there soon.''

''I hope so.'' I puffed out air uncertainly. I miss my friends more than I thought I would. Especially Spencer and her wise, yet foolish way of expressing herself. But I'll meet her soon, so I'm trying not to think too much about it.

''How are the classes going?'' Mom asked.

''Very good. The teachers are impressed. I thought I'd never say such a thing, but I actually like what they teach. It's a lot more interesting than it ever was here.'' I couldn't help but feel a little proud of myself. ''Earlier this week I had development discussions with all of my teachers and baed on what they told me it looks like my grades are going in a positive direction.''

Mom smiled widely, and I felt happiness flow as I just witnessed my mother smiling for the first time in what feels like years. ''Hearing that makes me really happy, honey.'' Mom whispered and pulled me in for a hug.

''I'm strong, mom.'' I told her with our arms swept around one another. It felt like neither one of us wanted to let go. ''I'll get through this with the police and before you know it I'll be back at Jefferson's.''

''I know you are strong, Emily. Sometimes you were forced to be stronger than you were ready for and I know most of it is my fault. I just hope that one day you get to receive for being so strong.'' Mom said and pressed her lips against my forehead as we pulled apart. I closed my eyes and held there for a few seconds, just to recharge a little.

''Will you be okay by yourself for a few hours? I have a.. friend that wanted to meet up for a cup of coffee.'' Okay, I lied. But what was I supposed to tell her? I got an anonymous text and are going to meet whoever it is that might kill me in a dark alley or something? No, I don't think so.

Mom nodded. ''Of course, honey. Dad is coming home in a few hours. Don't forget dinner at 7.''

We're back to that. Her calling Steven my dad. Something I begged her to stop with before I left. Apparently it's hard to quit once you've got used to say something.

''Mom..'' I breathed out. ''He's not my dad.''

Mom rubbed her temples and sighed. ''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.''

I shook my head and got up from the couch. Everything would be so much easier for both of us if Steven got killed or something. Maybe I could kill him.. with a knife. No, I shouldn't be thinking like that. I'm already in enough trouble with the police.

''I'm bringing my phone. Call me if you want me to bring something back to you from the café.'' I told mom as I put on my outerwear.

Mom smiled in awe and wiped her eyes dry. ''Thank you so much, honey. Have a good time meeting your friend.''

''I will.'' I confirmed with a smile before I headed out of the apartment and faced the small stairwell with an old elevator across the tiny corridor. I pressed the button and waited for the elevator to arrive.

~~~

Five minutes later and I spotted the café further down the street. My walk here was like a flashback of how things used to be. I walked by restaurants, boutiques and the park where my old friends and I used to hang before.

Now in hindsight I don't know if they really were my friends. All we did was to plan how we were going to catch a nerd at the school and do what we always did, physically abuse him in the alley behind a car garage. It was always empty, so no one would see what we did.

Looking back at it, I feel like a total psychopath. I can't even imagine how it must've been to be those guys who became our victims.

I stopped outside the door to the café and held it open for two girls who came walking towards me. They thankfully smiled at me as they passed. I went in after them and looked around. I don't even know who I am supposed to meet.

I took a lap in the café to check who was there. When I got further in I spotted the couches I used to sit and drink coffee on after school. All of them were occupied. My eyes searched through them and landed on the one in the corner.

What on earth is she doing here?

I looked skeptically at the blonde who took a sip from her coffee and motioned on the other end of the couch.

''Sit.'' She sternly said.

I did as I was told and placed my elbows on the table, hands locked firmly. ''You were the last person I expected to see here today.''

She grinned confidently, like my comment was the one thing she expected to hear. ''I'm glad you didn't expect it. Otherwise I'm sure you would've come up with an excuse not to show up.''

''What makes you think that?'' I questioned and kept staring into her blue eyes. Getting it confirmed that it was her all along made the stress I had built up slowly fade.

She put down her cup of coffee and leaned forward. ''Because you know exactly what I'm capable to ask you about, and you're scared of me.''

I scoffed, but couldn't stop myself from smiling right afterwards. ''Am I scared of you?''

''Tell me, Emily. Would you have accepted the invitation if you knew it was me?'' She curiously asked.

I sighed heavily and leaned against the backrest. ''I'm not scared of you, Alison.''

''See? You didn't even answer the question. Admit it, you're scared.'' Alison pushed. What is her intention with this? Getting me all angry and frustrated all over again?

''Yes. I would've showed up, even if I knew that it was you who invited me.'' I answered her question.

''Then I suppose you don't mind me asking you a couple of questions?'' Alison asked.

I shrugged. ''Of course not, Officer Dilaurentis.'' I said and smirked.

That made her head snap up, and she shot me a cold death glare before she quickly grabbed the cup to drink, probably to calm herself down.

I'll give her the answers she's asking for. I'm done with keeping secrets.

''Bring it on.'' I told her and folded my arms.

I'm ready for her.

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It's time for some emison, don't ya think? ;)

(unedited)