Pieces of Love

Epilogue

Jacob

Having Emma wake me up from my sleep on the morning of the seventh of April by playing 'Happy Birthday' on the violin was bizarre, to say the least. Yet, a feeling of warmth spread through me when Nicholas, started belting out the song too, effectively making Emma too choked up with laughter to continue playing.

"Alright guys, show's over," Dylan, who was just standing in a corner of my bedroom shaking his head amusedly, spoke up. Nicholas immediately clammed up, but the source of noise in my room still came from Emma, who was still wheezing with laughter. She looked adorable: her nose was scrunched up and her eyes became nothing more than tiny slits.

"Gosh, Jacob, stop making googly eyes at her," Nicholas said, eyeing me with a disgusted look on his face. "When I get a girlfriend, I swear to god that that look will never appear on my face."

"That's only if you can find yourself a girlfriend," I shot back, although I felt mortified. Emma sobered up at this and that's when I took proper note of her outfit. A loose-fitting white tee, paired with turquoise jeans. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, as if she was ready to go out.

"Are we going anywhere today?" I asked suspiciously, my question targeted at Dylan, who let the faintest of a smirk appear on his face.

"You might want to rephrase your question. It's not we, but rather you and Emma, or Em, as you so affectionately call her. Nick and I are just here to give you our presents." Dylan answered. From the bag he was carrying, he produced a paper bag, which had a sports logo on it. Nicholas also gave me a thin rectangular parcel, but attached to it was a piece of paper, specifically instructing me not to open it unless I am alone. Raising my eyebrows, I decided not to comment.

"Dylan, I trust you with this. I better see this in my room when I come home," Emma, after all this while, chose to speak, handing her violin case with her violin inside to Dylan. He looked nervous as he hugged it to his chest, for Emma had gave him an intimidating stare. I chuckled at Emma's overprotectiveness for her violin.

"What are you guys waiting for? Let's go!" Nicholas, ever being his enthusiastic self, exclaimed and we all gave a start. With a wave of his hand, he and Dylan exited my room, but I caught the subtle wink he threw my way, causing me to turn pink.

I then turned my attention to Emma who was standing there awkwardly, now that there was only the two of us in my room. Making a bold move, I leapt out of bed towards her, and crashed my lips against hers. Shocked at first, she quickly responded, placing her hands on my chest, causing a whole zoo to erupt in my stomach.

"Happy birthday Jake," Emma murmured against my lips, her voice hoarse.

And suddenly, I just felt like staying in bed with her for the whole day.

***

Sadly, Emma had already made plans for me, but her alternative was just as exciting as spending the whole day cooped up in my room with her.

She had took me ice skating.

Ironically, it was Emma's first time skating, whilst I had played ice hockey for quite some time before switching to soccer. It was amusing really, seeing Emma wobbling her way around the rink like a new-born child taking its first steps. After taking my fair share of pictures for blackmail, I finally offered to hold her hand to guide her. I wasn't sure whether her cheeks were red from the suggestion, or from the cold.

Altogether, it was bliss. We spent a good two hours at the rink, and by the end of it, Emma could skate a few metres without my help. However, she still preferred to hold my hand as we skated around my rink, me taking it easy as Emma was still a beginner.