Our Differences (DISCONTINUED ATM)

Chapter 4: Discussion

Ray turns to look at Emma.

"It's our fault, isn't it?"

Ray sighs then pats Emma's head. "No, it's just... you know how he is. Let's just try to talk to him."

Emma lets go of Ray's hands then looks down and she slowly nods. "Yeah, you're right. Let's go. I'm probably just overreacting."

Ray chuckles at Emma's last comment. "Well, I mean you aren't wrong about that."

Emma looks up, a bit flustered. "Hey! You're supposed to deny it!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever let's go."

So, Ray and Emma entered Emma's car then drove to Norman's apartment. Which they both assumed he would be there, hopefully.

When they arrived they got out of the car and immediately went to the direction of his apartment.

"Welp, here goes nothing."

Ray goes to knock on Norman's door. Which, nobody answered. Though the lights were on in his apartment and they both knew Norman was there because Norman usually doesn't leave them on. Then, Emma steps in front of Ray and opens the door. Which Norman's door is always locked.

Ray and Emma stared at the slightly opened door then they both stepped inside.

"Nor-"

Emma stopped her sentence. They saw him sprawled out on his couch, wine in hand but he was staring at the blank television. He probably didn't notice that Ray and Emma entered his apartment.

His uniform was covered in wine, water, and...sand? What did Norman do when he left after their performance?

Emma and Ray looked at each other and frowned. Then Emma decided to walk closer to Norman.

"Norman?"

After hearing Emma and Ray's voices Norman shot straight up. Norman quickly turned around to look at Emma and Ray. Norman's eyes were bloodshot and swollen, there were still tears streaming down his face. 

"Norman, what happened to you? Are you okay?" Emma asked.

Both Ray and Emma knew he wasn't okay but they wanted to ask anyways.

It took a few seconds for Norman to respond. Norman sighed then looked down, wiping away his tears.

"What do you want from me?" Norman set his wine bottle down then stood up. "Why are you here anyways? You shouldn't be here. You both should be performing right now. Just leave already; don't leave our fans waiting."

"Norman please, let us talk."

"I need to go to sleep right now. Please leave."

That's when Emma grabs Norman's shoulders, stopping him from moving. "Norman! Stop it! Please, let us talk to you!"

Norman sighs and drops his head.

"Norman, will you listen?"

That's when Norman's head shoots up, locking his eye's with Emma's eyes.

"Do you really think talking will solve anything? You surely can't be that naive."

"Yes! Talking solves a lot, Norman! So listen to me!"

Norman looked down once again. "Do you think I care about what you have to say? Well, guess what?"

Norman grabs Emma by the collar of her shirt, crying once again.

"I don't care."

Emma flinches at Norman's harsh words. That's when Ray decides to say something.

Ray starts to walk over to where Norman was holding Emma.

"Hey, Norman. Cut it out, will you? All we want to do is t-"

"Norman, you should care! We've been through so much together! And we will always be!"

That's when Norman mumbles something to Emma. Emma couldn't hear or understand what he was saying.

"Eh? What are you saying..?"

Norman looks up again. "I said, stop it! I don't care anymore, honestly why don't you understand? Not one bit! I don't even know why you both are here! You both just drive me insane! You don't care either anyways! You both hate me, and I know it!

"Norman we-"

"Why don't you give up already!? I'm done! I'm so...done with the both of you and your obnoxious idol group! I'm done with being perfect! I'm done with being an idol!

Norman shouts then punches Emma in her stomach, making Emma fall to the ground.

Ray then rushes over to Emma pushing Norman back.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Norman?"

Norman starts to back up slowly and starts to tear up.

"I...Ray...wait...I...agh!"

Norman runs off to his room then slams his door shut, locking it behind him.

Ray then puts his attention back on Emma. "Damn it, I'm sorry Emma. I didn't think he would punch you."

Emma slowly starts to stand up, clutching her stomach. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. But, I won't give up on Norman."

Ray then makes eye contact with Emma.

"Emma. We really shouldn't try anymore. We should leave him alone right now, he isn't in the right state of mind to talk to or convince him of anything right now. He wants to be left alone right now. We should respect his wishes."

That's when Emma starts to tear up. "But, Ray he...he said he was going to leave, I can't let him! I know he doesn't want this, either! We need to talk to him!"

Ray sighs. "We both know this isn't right to keep bothering him right now." that's when Ray takes Emma's hands and starts to lead her towards the door. "Come on, Emma. Let's go, we can try to talk to Norman tomorrow."

"Promise that we will, Ray?"

Ray looks at Emma. "Yeah, I promise."

Ray kisses Emma's forehead then leads them out of Norman's apartment.

________________________________________________________________

Silence. That's all Norman could hear, nothing else. Not even himself.

'Did they leave?' Norman thought to himself. Norman was hoping inside that they didn't but, Norman already ruined everything, he never had the best luck.

Norman slowly unlocks his bedroom door then looks outside his room.

He was the only one there. Nobody else, just himself.

Norman decided he should clean up his mess, it was something to do to keep his mind off of everything that just happened. He really hoped he didn't hurt them but he probably did b-

No. He needs to stop and calm down.

But as he took another step his vision went blurry and he suddenly felt nauseous. Norman didn't realize that he collapsed on the floor, but then everything went black.