to the moon and back

Chapter II

Emily's POV.

I'm shy, so it takes a moment before I knock on the door of Miss Smith's office. She has a major role on our school. She's not only history teacher but she also does the administration, or something, so she has her own office. She's pretty new on our school.

I remember when she used to be my favourite teacher. It was all because of my ex-boyfriend back then. He was so into history that it really had an impact on me. Although, it wasn't even that serious. The only serious relationship I've had so far was with Joseph. I thought it would get better after some weeks, but I miss him even more than I did before.

"Yes?" she asks with an annoyed voice when she notices the knocking.

"You asked me if I wanted to visit you in your office sometime" I say quietly, as I step in. She puts her pen down, and stands up.

"Close the door, please, and take a seat." she commands me nicely. I follow her orders and sit down on one of the big chairs, next to the window. She walks towards me and takes a seat as well.

"Isn't this your boyfriend, Emily?" she shows me a blurry picture of Joseph. I nod, as she continues talking. "My name's Amanda, Amanda Ryan." We shake hands, "I'm from the FBI, and I'm currently working on a big research about this guy, called Joseph Stone, a.k.a. your boyfriend."

"Wait, what... But you're Helena Smith?" I look puzzled. Where the eff is she talking about? I thought she was just some basic ass history teacher, but guess what? Teachers also have a life, I guess.

"That's true, Emily, I use that name since I'm working on this school. I started working here to get closer to the victim of our research." Amanda gets interrupted by someone opening the door. I see my father standing there. When he notices I'm there as well, he quickly leaves the office while mumbling something like 'shit'. I wonder what he was doing here.

"But what's the research about? What has Joseph to do with this? And why do you tell me all this?" I still look puzzled.

"You really don't get it, do you? You're in danger, Emily." She looks at me, "Joseph was forced to leave this country by a criminal, I think it's better if he tells you the reason of this himself. He moved to his grandparents in San Francisco, but his mother only went with him to make it look real. Now, they also want to hurt you..."

I'm shocked and I don't really know what to say, so I take a look at my watch. "It's late already, and I should go home." I leave the school quickly while my head gets overloaded with thoughts.

I'm on my way home, with thousands of thoughts in my head. I turn right as a huge truck passes me. That was kind of dangerous.

I'm cycling on a weird small lane now. I've never cycled this route before, but I like trying out different things. It's very empty here, I don't see anyone around me.

After half an hour I'm home finally. This route was faster than the one I usually cycle. I get my laptop and go upstairs. I don't feel like doing anything today, so I'll just stay in my room and watch some shows. School was boring today, and the conversation I had with Amanda was weird. I'm not even sure whether I can trust her.

I walk downstairs after I finish watching the fourth season of American Horror Story. I see my mother getting her stuff ready to go to work.

"Emily, I forgot to get a pizza, so you should make some food yourself. Have fun tonight, but don't make it too late. Bye!" She kisses me on my forehead.

"Mum, where are you going?"

"I'm going to my work, my dear." She smiles. I get myself some ice cream. "I'll be back tomorrow in the afternoon."

"Since when do you work at night?" I ask her curiously. I barely speak my mother nowadays. She's busy with her new job. I don't even know what kind of job it is, but she told me that she gets paid a lot, and she's working with all kinds of people.

"I've told you about my new job, haven't I?" she smiles again. Her smile looks fake, "I really have to go now. Bye, honey." she opens the front door, "Oh, and about your father, don't let him come in again. I've spoken him and I'm scared that he wants something from us."

"But mum, wait. What does he want?" He seems like a nice guy, to be honest. I sit down on the stairs. "Why haven't I heard anything about him until now? Who is he and why is he coming into my life?"

My mother closes the door and kneels in front of me, "Emily, it's a long story. A complicated one. I'll explain everything later, but I really, really have to go now." the words leave her mouth slowly.

"Okay, mum, bye. Have fun at work." My mother leaves the house.

It's almost midnight when my phone starts ringing. It's Joseph. I pick up and a smile appears.

"Hey Joseph, how are you doing?" I'm about to get in bed.

"I bet you've spoken my aunt already. Emily, I'm not kidding, you should..."

I interrupt him, "Your aunt? You mean Amanda?"

"Yes. Anyways, I'm getting threatened by one of the most dangerous criminals of England. You're in danger as well, because they know that you're my girlfriend."

"What do you mean, Joseph, what are you telling me? Are you kidding, is this a joke?" I get angry, although I still love Joseph and I know that he can't do anything about it, "Why, Joseph, why?! What have you done wrong? What have I done wrong?"

"You haven't done anything wrong Emily, but loving me. I'm not who you think you are." I feel a tear going down on my cheek. "I'm a murderer, Emily, I'm a murderer." I start crying even more, hearing those awful words coming out of his mouth.

I keep silent for a long time and then he suddenly says, "Emily, I know that you're shocked and I know that I should have told it from the beginning but you know what... I love you and there's nothing able to stop my feelings for you."

Those words are so sweet and so cruel at the same time. I can't take it anymore so I hang up. I throw my phone on the ground. All the thoughts in my head, they're suddenly all gone. Except for one. My boyfriend is a murderer...