One Way Bridge

Chapter 61

When Friday came, I was more than eager to be done with school. I was excited to see Alex and meet Riley's 'girl' and more than nervous to meet President Maxwell and figure out once and for all if I could anonymously pay Michael's bills. I hoped I could. I didn't have any other ideas. When the final bell rang, it was Justin's hand in mine that kept me from running home.

While I was excited to be going back to South Dakota, I could tell Justin wasn't excited about me going. Of course I was going to miss him and he tried hard to hide that he'd rather I stayed in Iowa, but this trip was important to me.

Justin was talking about the history test we had that day, and, while I should have been listening, I was finding it hard to concentrate on anything. "Emma, what are you doing?" he shouted. His hand went out to block me from jolting forward as I slammed the breaks. His other hand gripped the door handle.

"Sorry" I said realizing that I had almost gone on the bridge while another car was on it. I cursed the stupid bridge and the town for not building a better one. We probably would have been fine, but I have an irrational fear of bridges. It didn't help that I grew up with this stupid bridge and the walking bridge right up the river that collapsed twice and the bridge collapse in Minneapolis a few years ago.

"Are you okay?" Justin asked when I released the brakes.

"Yeah, I'm just a bit preoccupied." I tried to be reassuring, but I doubt I was.

"Thinking about South Dakota?" I nodded. "You know, I never heard the reason you're going back?"

"If I tell you, will you not ask any questions you might get from my answer?"

"Sure," I could hear the annoyance in his voice. He tried to be okay with my secrets, but it seemed like almost every conversation we had led to questions I couldn't answer.

"We're going to figure out our finances for Alex's tuition." I glanced over to see Justin nod as I pulled in the driveway. There was already a car there, one I didn't recognize. Once I got out of the car, I pulled Justin near the garage door where we were out of site from the house. "You want to come in and see my brother and Nana...and whoever owns this car?"

"Of course," Justin tried to lead me up to the house, but I pulled him back.

"This might be our only chance for a proper goodbye." I rocked on my toes.

"Good thinking," Justin smirked. He grabbed my jacket by my hips and pulled me close to him. I was close enough to feel his breath on my face. I looked up into his eyes. "I'm going to miss you," he whispered.

"I'll miss you too," I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Yeah but you don't have to sit through another Friday night dinner without you." I laughed laying my head on his chest. "Hurry home," Justin kissed the top of my head and then used one of his hands to lift my face to his while the other wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. His lips were warm against my own and when he slipped his tongue into my mouth, I felt a warmth spread down my spine. I had to resist laughing. Only a few days ago he was mad at me for French kissing him, and now here he was, pulling me closer to him like he was never going to let me go.

When he did eventually let me go, he kept an arm wrapped around my waist. "Come on," I said grabbing my bag from where I left it leaning against the garage door. "They probably saw our car pull up and if we wait much longer, we're going to get a lot of crap." Justin laughed, but grabbed his backpack too.

He led me inside by his arm around my waist. Alex, Grandma, and who I assume was a friend of Alex's sat in the kitchen. "Alex!" I hurried around the table to hug my brother. I could feel Justin's discontent at me pulling myself out of his arm.