Forbidden to Fall

The New Beginning

"I've got something I gotta do. Mitch is gonna keep you company."

I acknowledge his statement and he leaves. Mitch tilts his head, looking at me.

"You're leading him on."

"Why do you say that?"

"He looks at you like you're the only thing in the world, like you are his world. But you..."

"Oh, please."

"No, it's true. I can see you don't like him."

I pause to reflect.

"I do like him, I just-"

"You just don't love him."

I could feel frustration bubbling in my stomach. He doesn't have a right to question me.

"How could I love someone I barely know?"

"But you guys were best friends in sixth grade."

"Yeah, then he moved. He's not the same person I knew back then."

"How do you know?" He asks.

"Because I'm not the same person either."

Mitch looks at me with a sad expression.

Don't do that. Don't pitty me.

He talks softly to me.

"It's not your fault. You had to change because of-"

"Forget it. We aren't having this conversation."

I knew where this was going. I didn't want to think about it, now it's too late. My heart swelled up and started pouring down my face. I turn myself around so Mitch can't see me cry. But he's no fool. He finds my tears and sighs. With a steady hand, he wipes the tears from my cheeks. I look up at him trying not to undo his kindness with more crying. He can tell I'm struggling.

"It's okay to cry, Emaline."

And that's what I did. I broke down and felt silly for being a sobbing mess with him standing right there. But he didn't mind. He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me. I hadn't realized how cold Cole was until I felt Mitch's warmth. I clutched handfuls of his shirt and the tears slowed to a stop. His embrace was strong but gentle at the same time. It was exactly what I needed.

I need​ him.

I quickly untangled myself from him, feeling the blood rushing to my cheeks.

Why was I thinking that?

"Feel better?"

I nod and he smiles at me. His expression changes suddenly as he looks down at his phone screen.

"Cole doesn't want you to go back to your house. He didn't want me to tell you."

"Then why did you tell me?"

"Because it should be your choice."

"Well he can't keep me here forever."

Mitch's expression was doubtful. It sent an eerie chill down my spine. It makes me wonder if I should have ran when I had the chance.

"Do you want to go home?"

In any other circumstance I would say no. But after seeing him react the way he did, I couldn't wait to leave.

"Yes..."

"One second."

He goes through his phone and his thumbs start dancing across the screen.

"Your dad is with my mom, they want me to stay at your house."

He shoves his cell in his pocket, grabs his keys off the wall and opens the door for me. I step onto the porch and stop again.

"You drive that?"

He laughs at me.

"Yeah. Are you scared?"

"Kind of."

"It's just a motorcycle."

"I guess."

I follow him to his Bugatti. He gives me a helmet and he offers to help me onto the bike. I accept his aid and he gets on after. He takes my hands and pulls them around his waist.

"Just hold on, okay?"

I hesitate to press against him. But as soon as it starts up, my fear dictated what was best for me. It was fast and fun and crazy. After a little while, I didn't have to hold onto him so tightly. Mitch pulled into the driveway, helping me off too. He got to the key before I did. At first I was surprised he knew where it was but then I remembered our parents are hooking up.