Metanoia // George Ezra Fanfic

Pizza Party

It was December the 14th. Better known as the day before my twenty-first birthday. 

Emma was in my kitchen, bustling around and dusting powdered sugar on the chocolate Bundt cake she made for me. She had music playing quietly in the background as she worked. The barbeque sandwiches we ordered had arrived nearly fifteen minutes ago and she still hadn't touched her food. 

"Emma," I call over to her, after swallowing another mouthful of pulled pork, "please come eat your food. I'm going to feel bad if you don't get to eat before everyone gets here."

Emma, who seems to be making the finishing touches on the cake, hums, "They won't get here for another fifteen minutes. I'll have plenty of time."

"Well, if you won't eat due to lack of time, just know that the temptation for me to eat this entire quart of potato salad is very strong."

"Oh, fine." She says, knowing that eating a quart of potato salad is a very real possibility for me. 

She marches over to the couch. Taking a napkin, she tucks it in the front of her ruffled, orange blouse to keep the barbeque sauce from dripping on it. After she takes a bite, she mumbles in a satisfied voice, "Blisters really does know how to make a dang good barbeque sandwich."

I nod, leaning back on the couch, "You can only get pork this good in the south."

"Yes, ma'am." Emma agrees. 

The sound of the door handle rattling causes us to turn and look at the front door. Either Larisa was home or someone was trying to break into my apartment. 

A moment later, a mop of curly blonde hair enters the apartment, tugging a tall, shaggy haired man into the room. I could hear Larisa giggle, "My bedroom is down the hall on the right. I'll be there in a minute."

Emma gave me an exasperated look as Larisa stepped into the living room to point the man towards her room. Upon seeing us, Larisa's blue eyes widened, and she stopped the man. Flashing a white smile, she chirped, "Oh, hello, y'all! I thought I smelled barbeque! And is that a cake in the kitchen?"

"Yeah," Emma says, failing to hide a slight note of dislike in her voice, "It's Everly's birthday tomorrow."

"Oh!" Larisa says, her mouth opening in a rather comical O shape, "I had no idea! Happy birthday, Everly!"

"Thanks." I say, awkwardly. 

Larisa gestures to the man who she's brought into the apartment with her, "This is my boyfriend, Graham."

Graham, who has been standing there, looking unsure of what to do with himself, nods, "Hey."

Emma and I wave to him, but choose not to say anything. 

Larisa continues, "We should do something for your birthday. That would be so fun!"

"We are." Emma deadpans, "Tonight."

"Ahh," Larisa grins in a such a way that makes me believe she's trying to share some big secret with us, "Unfortunately I already have plans for this evening. But, I hope y'all have fun."

"Don't worry about it." I say quickly before Emma can make a snide comment, "See you later."

"Toodles!" Larisa waves, dragging Graham back to her room.

After I hear her bedroom door close, I sigh and mumble to Emma, "Turn the music up, please. I don't want to hear."

Emma turns the music up even louder and glares in the direction of the hallway as she whispers, "What happened to her last boyfriend?"