You Ain't Bad || Michael Jackson

Chapter 18: Telling Emma

*A week later*

Well, the first week is over. 356 days left here. Kill me.

I haven't called Emma since I've been here. Maybe I should do that.. I have a feeling she's gonna be mad at me. I vowed I'd ring her every day. It's been over a week and I haven't spoken to her yet.

Michael's in Spanish class right now. I have a free lesson.

I decide to take a walk on the beach. Times like this make me glad the college is located by it.

I'm alone. I take out my phone.

Here goes nothing. I dial Emma's number. It should be break time in Gary right now.

"Hello?" I hear on the other end of the line. I take a breath.

"Emma?" I ask.

Emma immediately realises who I am.

"Becky! What's been going on?! Why haven't you called me for over a week?! You promised you would!" she growls.

Nice welcoming, huh?

"Emma, I can explain. I've been all over the place recently. In a good and bad way. Listen, just let me expl--"

"Cozzy! Just tell me, are you surviving with Michael?" she asks.

I suppose you could say that. More, 'loving every minute of the time I spend with' Michael. That's more precise.

"Uh, yeah, Michael's absolutely... Uh.. Yeah," I say.

I can't think of a word to describe it. Let's hope she has a decent reply.

"You seem cheerful. Has something got you going?" she asks.

What kinda question is that Emma?

"Uh.. I suppose you could say that," I say.

"Who was that girl that you sat on the train with, anyway?" Emma asks.

"Oh, Rachel? I met her just before we left for Oxford. She's a nice person," I say.

"Oh, maybe I could meet her when you get back."

Yeah, maybe not Emma. I think you'd object to that.

"Uh, maybe.. maybe.. we'll see, I say, almost as if I'm a mother who's child is begging for a toy in a toy shop.

I can feel Emma smiling over the line.

"So, what have you been up to since you left?" she asks.

Oh damn. What do I say now?

"School stuff," I say.

"I mean, apart from that. Made any more friends?" she asks.

Uh, you could say that.

"Yeah, a few I guess," I say.

I'm gonna have to tell her, aren't I?

"Look, Emma. I gotta tell you something," I admit.

I can feel Emma frowning on the other end of the line.

"What's that?" she asks.

I take a deep breath.

"Y'know Michael Jackson?" I ask.

"Yeah?" she asks.

Why did I say it? Ugh, here goes.

"Well.. There's something I never told you," I say.

"What?" she asks.

Oh god. Ok, let's just get it over with.

"Me and him are kinda... together."

The line goes dead silent.

"Emma?" I call.

"I'm still here," she says. I sigh with relief.

"Well?" I ask. I hear her exhale.

"I knew it," she says with a giggle.

Huh, say what now?

"Uh.. What?" I ask.

"It was obvious. You couldn't take your eyes off each other here! I knew you'd find your differences and put them behind you!" she says. I giggle.

"So you're ok with that?" I ask.

"Of course, girl. Now you can see what it's like to be in love. Go for it girl. You have my support," she says.

That makes my heart melt.

"Thanks girl," I say. My voice starts to crack.

This is emotional!

"I miss you.." I say.

I can hear Emma's voice cracking as she tries to speak.

"I miss you, girl," she says.

"Ugh, still ages here," I say.

"Yeah, I wanna see you so badly," Emma sighs. I exhale.

"Yeah, I wanna see you too. Then you can meet Michael properly," I say. Emma giggles.

"Is this the kinda relationship where your partner is all you ever think about? The honeymoon phase?" she asks. I chuckle at this remark.

"Maybe, maybe not!" I smile.

I hear the bell go in the background of Emma's side.

"I gotta go now," she says. I frown.

"Ok.. I'll call you soon, ok?" I say.

"Yeah, ok. I miss you," she says.

"I miss you too. And you're ok with me and Michael?" I ask.

I can feel her smile warming the phone that leans against my ear.

"I'm over the moon about it, Becky. Im so happy for you. I knew you'd find happiness soon. You don't realise how happy I am for you. Have a great time at college, ok? Goodbye, Best Friend."