𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄(gxg)

Chapter 26

EMILY'S perspective

I twirled the chip with my thumb, watching the large 21 painted in the middle go around in circles. Everyone around me began to clap, not in a way that made you feel welcomed or accomplished, but in a way that was merely a reaction towards anyone who reached a landmark for being sober.

And somehow I managed to last three weeks. Three long weeks without anything. Me, and practically everyone in the room, was surprised I made it this far. I gave a weary smile, tucking the chip that would most likely end up in the trash, in my back pocket as I waited for the next person to receive their token.

Linda, the drug education teacher, flashed me two thumbs up, also proud that I made it this far and even joined the program. Though in all honestly I owed it to Rose. She was the true reason for my sobriety and the whole reason I signed up. We had been seeing more of each other lately, though it was only for a cup of coffee or a quick phone call, I was willing to do almost anything to keep this cordial, somewhat normal relationship we have going on.

We were let out of the meeting early, to which most of my classmates congratulated me by patting me on the back or politely nodding. I made my way outside, the crisp autumn air brought a small cloud to my mouth whenever I exhaled. A few feet away I spotted Rose leaning against the door of her car, checking out her phone.

My lips twitched upward.

"BOO!" I shouted, sneaking up on her and grabbing her sides.

She let out a small yelp, catching her breath when she realized it was just me. She poked her lip out and proceeded to pout, "you have got to stop scaring me!"

I rolled my eyes and searched my pocket for the plastic disk, "look what I got..." I showed off the chip that read 'Happy 21 days' and waved it around in her face.

Her eyes grew wide and she wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing my body close as she engulfed me in a hug. "Oh my gosh I'm so proud of you!"

The smile on her face and the sparkle in her eyes was more of a reward than the stupid chip. I was glad I was making her happy, even it was something like this.

"We're getting ice cream." She stated, opening my door and motioning me to get in.

I looked at the sun then glared at my watch. "Its eleven o'clock!" She's ridiculous if she thinks I'm eating ice cream for breakfast.

She shrugged. "That means its fresh."

I got in, strapping myself up, not forgetting to thank Rose for dropping me off and picking me up for my now weekly meetings. Throughout the week this was the only time we could meet up without our schedules interfering.

After our kiss I made it clear I wanted to see her again. Despite everything I caused her, she agreed and this was what we did to remain contact.

As friends of course.

And as her friend I got to see a side of her I hadn't acknowledged when she was just my assistant. It was new and innocent, I loved everything about it.

I looked over to see her eyeing my mouth, where she eventually decided to lean forward with each of her hands on my cheeks before pressing our lips together.

This was also new...the kisses. They were casual and mindless yet they held so much passion whenever we committed the action. I would freeze, my body would turn cold as I felt her breath across my lips, and then when our lips collided, I'd melt.

It was rare we ever did it. Only four times since coming home from the hospital and even that was nearly a month ago. We never mentioned Erin. She's a factor we dismiss when we're together. I asked about it once to which she gave me the answer she's always given me, 'we're just friends.'

But I was just a friend, and she still kissed me and comforted me as if I were more. We weren't together, in fact I doubted a romantic relationship with Rose was something that would even happen, however I didn't like the idea of sharing. Not my things and certainly not Rose.

It wasn't my place to speak on and I respected her request to leave that topic out of our conversations. Even then our talks weren't exactly personal. We both had barriers up and we didn't try to knock them down if the other person wasn't ready.

I truly believes this was the best our relationship could come to after everything we'd been through. But we didn't ignore our past and there had definitely been growth. We were both content with that.

We drove to a nearby parlor, allowing a song to play on the radio as we drove in a comfortable silence. Arriving shortly after a ten minute drive, we ordered our cones and sat next to the window, watching cars and pedestrians pass by.

"What're you doing for the holidays?" She asked, licking her scoop of vanilla bean. I visibly gulped after helplessly watching her tongue retract the dessert, tracing her lips when she finished.

"Uhm." I coughed, "nothing."

She frowned, "and why not? Don't you spend it with your parents?"

I used my spoon to liquidized my ice cream, making it grow into cold soup. "They travel this time of year. I usually visit in the summer."

She lifted her chin, slowly nodding with understanding. "Well I'm the same way too. I'm not the biggest fan of the holidays."

My eyebrow flickered up, I expected Rose to be like Martha Stewart around this time of year. "Why not?"

She used a napkin to wipe at some of the cream on her chin and sighed, taking a brief pause. "My family wasn't big on the holidays, Christmas was just another day and on Thanksgiving we'd just make breakfast with my aunt. Nothing special." She replied.

Some silence floated in the room, the only sound that could be heard were the movements behind the counter made by employees.

Suddenly she said, "how old are they?"

My head tilted sideways.

"You're parents." Rose clarified, "if you don't mind me asking."

"They're older. They adopted me in their forties. In fact I believe my dad is almost seventy!" I commented. "But they're healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if they lived until one hundred."

This earned a quiet chuckle from Rose who by now was done with her ice cream.

I paused, hoping I wouldn't trigger her with my next words. "What about your parents, what were they like?"

She leaned back in her chair, playing with the jewelry on her fingers. A small smile appeared, "They were good people, sweet and caring." She looked off to the side, zoning out.

The change in her attitude alarmed me, the last thing I wanted to do was say or do anything to offend her. "I-I have some other exciting news!" I announced, trying to bring her back down to earth.

She hummed, smiling as if she hadn't spaced out.

"I was offered to do a fashion show at an event in a few days. I want you to be my plus one."

Rose blushed, her dimples sticking out as she fought the urge to grin. She recovered, acting as if didn't get excited over my invite. "Yeah, sure." She simply responded, brushing it off like nothing.

I smiled, happy to hear she'd be coming with me.

We eventually left, Rose drove me home and I spent the rest of my morning and evening preparing for projects that needed to be done for the week. I headed for a shower around nine, washing the day off and cleansing my body. I made a light dinner, watched a movie and finally drifted off to sleep.