Could only Imagine

Chapter 3

Ever since that night I have felt more shy around Cole. I knew that he didn't like me how I wanted him to and it hurt to see him. Yes, I have had crushes on guys but none like this. I mainly work on my singing, writing and acting. I bought a keyboard and a good camera and starting posting videos of my singing. It's my second week here I knew I need to get a job for money. I am walking along the street and I see a help wanted sign in the window of Starbucks. My moms job did move around a lot, but it didn't pay extremely well and I had always gotten a job, usually at Starbucks. I talk to the manager and he let me have the job. I had my first shift right away and I got on the job, and Dana and Gabe came in.
"Hey guys!" I say coming up to the table.
"Hi! you got a job fast!" Dana comments.
"Don't be rude," Gabe tells dana hitting him on the side of the head. Dana hit him back and I laughed.
"I have worked at quite a few Starbucks before," I explain. they nod in understanding.  Throughout the rest of my shift I worry about seeing Cole coming in. Every time I hear the bell of the door opening I'm sure that it is him. But by the time that I am done with my shift, he has not come in. On my way home however, I see him. The one and only Cole is walking on the other side of the street. The logical side of me tells me to walk normally and act like your not avoiding him. My heart hurts at the sight of those chocolate brown eyes and I flip up my hood and walk faster. I see the door and think I am going to make it without him noticing me when I hear him shout my name. I walk faster and pretend not to notice, but just before I reach the door I feel a hand on my arm.
"Hey Emily! What's up?" Cole says. I turn to see concern in those eyes that I love so much and it almost makes me cry. The only person who had ever really loved me and cared about me was my dad, but than he abandoned me and my mom. Never again.
"Nothing much. I-I need to go inside and record something," I say starting toward the door.
"Emily are you avoiding me?" Cole asked, grabbing my wrist. His voice sounded hurt and I feel tears coming to my eyes.
"I, I got to go," I say shaking him off and running into the building. I don't stop until I am in my room and the door is shut firmly at my back. Finally I let the stream of silent tears roll down my face. I put my head in my hands and I imagine my dad. Me waking up to my crying mom to look out my window and see my dads car pulling out of the driveway.
"Emily? Are you okay?" I hear Alex ask from the other side of the door. At my home, I could be crying so loudly the whole house could hear and my mom would leave me alone.  I just ignore her.  I hear a door bell ring and some voices talking.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know."
"What did I do?"
"Don't worry I don't think you did anything."
"But I had to of."
"It's okay buddy."
I can't tell who is who, and I let the voices blend together. I walk over to my bed and lay down. Why couldn't they just mind their own business like my mom did? For a second I wish I was home, but than I remember the hard nights. The nights after a long day of work and my mom drank, a lot. She would get mad at me for nothing and punish me for what dad did.
I let out a hiccuping sob and I hear a knock on my door. I ignore it and hope they will go away, but they don't.
"Emily?" Alex asks opening the door so she can come in. "What's wrong sweetie?"
At that I just sob harder. My dad had called me sweetie. With a pained expression Alex leaves, and a few minutes later Cole comes in.
"What happened?" He asked, siting on my bed next to me.
"H-he left-t. Why d-did he leav-ve me?" I say softly.
"Who? Why did who leave you?" Cole asked concerned.
"D-daddy. H-he was the onl-ly one who loved-d me and th-then he just left-t," I sob.
"Oh Emily. You still had your mom right?" he asked me, pulling my head into his lap.
"K-kinda. At night th-though she would hurt-t me," I hiccup.
"Oh Emily! Cole said, a tear falling down his cheek. He strokes my hair and calmed me down.
"I don't want to love again," I say curling up to him as he lays down with me snuggling. He doesn't say anything, just holds me in his protecting arms.