Where to Begin

Chapter 25

  I left the library and met a furious Chase, leaning against the main stairs of the house. His arms were folded across his chest as he leant angrily against the wall at the top of the stairs.

"So? Did he explain why he stole the shoes?" He immediately rushed up to me when he saw me.

"Yeah, I'll explain just now." I had to buy myself some time to think of an excuse. I felt really bad for Emmett because all he was trying to do was impress the boys and all they ever did was treat him a little worse than how they treat Zero.

I walked downstairs, in the direction of the kitchen, so I could get some water. I saw Connell sitting at the island with his laptop in front of him. He looked like he was watching an episode of Dancing with the Stars but he quickly shut his laptop when he saw me walk to the fridge.

"Hey, where've you been?"

"Just talking to Emmett," I said quietly, closing the fridge and putting the bottled water on the island.

"About my shoes?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," I leaned my elbows on the island, opposite him.

"And? Did he explain why he stole them?" I had to think quickly because I knew Connell wouldn't stop asking. Suddenly Chase appeared at his side, sitting next to Connell, interested in listening to what I had to say. At that moment, I could see that they were twins, not identical like Sampson and Noah, but similar.

"Um...well, he said that he went to find you after you had finished your solo to, uh...give you a present from his dad to congratulate you. When he was nearing your door to your dressing room, he uh...saw some kid going in so he waited outside and saw that the kid had your shoes. He followed the kid back to his dressing room and saw that the guy had stolen the shoes and put them on his table. He said the shoes were in his bag because he had taken the shoes from the kid who actually stole them and was going to give them to you when he saw you but you were so busy fussing about them that he didn't get a chance. Yeah, he was only helping you. He was doing a good deed," I said my lips a thin line, trying not to smile because I always grinned like an idiot when I lied.

"Really? Did he say what the kid looked like?" Connell's eyes were wide and Chase was looking guiltily at his hands.

"Um, no, he didn't describe the boy but he was probably doing his tap solo after you and wanted your shoes to do the solo."

"And you believe him?" Chase asked looking up.

"There is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind." I tried avoiding eye contact.

"Now I feel really bad," Connell said looking at his closed laptop. "Maybe we should thank him?" He looked at Chase who rolled his eyes. "Do you know where he is?" Connell turned back to me.

I shook my head. "I was talking to him in the library but he could have left,"

"Let's go check."

Connell got up and headed upstairs with Chase so I followed close behind. They reached the library to find Emmett pacing around the room. He looked at us quickly before glancing at me behind the boys.

"Emmett," Connell started. "I just want to thank you,"

Emmett looked at him confused. "For what?"

"Celine told us what you did and I want to thank you for getting my shoes back, it was really cool of you to do that,"

Emmett looked at me again so I quickly nodded.

"Oh, yeah, it's no big deal. Just looking out for you," Emmett nodded slowly.

"Hey, um, Jersey... I'm sorry about the whole accusation thing earlier," Chase said quietly.