“Emery, are you sure you don’t want to go?” Mrs. Warden wanted to give her daughter one last chance for the dinner and play, but she knew that she would probably say no.
“I think Austin and I are just going to hang out.” Emery hadn’t told her mother about the party he was taking her to. Why have her mom worry when she needed some time out. She slipped on her sneakers and glanced at the clock. It was almost seven-thirty, so she knew Austin would be calling soon.
“That’s great that you two have hit it off so well. You’ll have to invite him over soon.” Mrs. Warden held out her arms as her husband slipped her light jacket on her. “I’m not sure what time we’ll be back, but have fun with whatever you and Austin decide to do.” She gave Emery a small peck on the cheek, then took her husband’s arm as he led her outside.
Emery waved to them as they walked out the door, then sat down to wait for Austin’s call. Finally, ten minutes later, her cell rang wit
Emery was stunned at what she’d just heard. It all seemed to make sense. She couldn’t believe she’d been so naïve to think that Austin Murray would actually fall for her. She just wanted to go home, but couldn’t even call her mom to come get her since her parents were out for the night. She felt the tears building in her eyes and knew she couldn’t cry, that would give them all way too much, but she felt like everyone was watching her and laughing because of the supposed bet. The guys were coming her way and she quickly looked away, hoping none of them would notice a change in her demeanor. Austin could tell that something was wrong with Emery or she wasn’t feeling well as soon as he came back to where she was sitting. Her eyes were all watery, face was flushed, and it looked as though she’d wiped most of her lipstick and blush off on the crumpled napkin on the table. “Are you okay?” Austin picked up his shirt folded on the table and pulled it back on.
Austin walked inside the house after Emery made the offer. It was a normal-looking house with tons of pictures hanging around of Emery from the time she was a baby until now. He stood just inside the doorway until she led him in the direction she wanted him to go. They walked down one of the short hallways and through double doors into a room that looked like a family room. He followed her over to the flower cushioned sofa that was positioned in front of a large, thin screen television and sat down next to her. Not too close, but enough where his leg was touching hers. “Why? I mean, if she did lie, why would Apryl do that?” Emery had to start somewhere to maybe trust Austin again and get over the fear that he could be deceiving her. Austin shrugged. He had no clue why Apryl did anything that she did. “I wish I could give you a reason, but I don’t have one.” Austin held his hand next to Emery’s to see if she’d pull away again. When she didn’t, he put hi
The next two weeks went by with Emery and Austin spending more and more time together. Not only did they have their volunteer time together, but they also did things after his football practices and her other volunteer hours. They didn’t go to any more parties, not that there weren’t any, but Austin felt it was better for them to stay away because of Apryl. They went to each other’s houses, meet the other’s families, and just enjoyed doing all the other normal stuff that other teen couples did. And yes, that meant that sometimes the moments got a little too hot, but they still hadn’t ventured past the whole second base thing. * * * Austin went looking for Emery as soon as he got into the hospital. She’d decided to drive herself because she wanted to go in early and see one of her favorite patients who wasn’t doing so well. “Hey, Anne. Where’s Emery?” Austin spotted the older lady that was always there when they were there dur
“Are you going to be able to handle the next whole week without me being here?” Austin pulled Emery by the hand so that she would sit down beside him on his bed. He’d reminded her once again that he was leaving tomorrow for football and cheer camp for the week and wouldn’t be back until next Sunday. “I’ve made it almost eighteen years without you, so I think I’ll be good for one week.” Emery tried to act like she was being serious, but knew that the grin spreading across her face wasn’t helping her pull this one off. “You’ll miss me and you know you will.” Austin started tickling her sides, which caused her to start laughing and squirming to get away. In the midst of their play, somehow Emery ended up on her back, lying on Austin’s bed with him halfway on top of her. Her shirt had come up and exposed her flat stomach. The tickles had stopped and became more like light, gentle caresses. Austin waited for some sort of sign that she wanted him to stop, bu
Three long days after Austin had left for camp, Emery arrived at the hospital for her usual volunteer time. Anne met her at the door and pulled her into the office area, away from the children.“You may want to go spend a little time in Molly’s room today.” She gave her that look they’ve all learned was one that a loss may be happening soon.“Noooo.” Emery frantically shook her head. She knew this day was going to come, but she wasn’t prepared for it to happen right now.Anne gripped her hand and nodded her head that it was true. “She slipped into a coma last night and hasn’t regained consciousness. The disease has weakened almost all of her vital organs and her mom wants her to die naturally. It was Molly’s request that nothing be used to keep her here. She wants her family to be able to move on and have a life again.” The little girl knew what was happening to her body and the only concern she h
It was almost noon when Emery rolled back out of bed and made her way down to the kitchen. According to the note that was left for her, it seemed her parents had gone to the store for some groceries. Emery grabbed a banana and went back to her room so she could eat, get her clothes, and then get a shower. She had two hours before Austin would arrive back at the school.Emery arrived at the school parking lot ten minutes before the scheduled arrival time of the buses. There were several other people there, mostly moms, dads, girlfriends, and boyfriends waiting for the buses to make their entrance. She didn’t know any of them, not on a talk to basis, so Emery just sat down on the ledge that went around the perimeter of the building.The buses started to pull into the drive-around about thirty minutes after Emery had gotten there. She saw that everyone was getting off and looking around for whoever may be waiting for them. The second bus was almost unloaded and one
Emery and Austin spent the rest of the afternoon in his room talking about everything that had gone on at camp and about Molly’s funeral that Emery had a hard time discussing. It still seemed unreal that Molly would no longer be making everyone smile and bop around with her whistling and happy demeanor. It was going to be a sad, lonely place for a while, but that’s what happens when you let emotions get the best of you. They discussed school that was starting in two weeks and how Austin was happy about finally being a senior. Emery faked her enthusiasm that they were going to finally be seniors. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy about finally graduating, but wasn’t sure what the year held in store for her. If she were a normal, healthy teen girl, she’d be thrilled and ecstatic about being seen with the most sought-after guy in school. But since she wasn’t, Emery was just happy to have made it this far.The subject of their upcoming birt
“Where do you want to sit?” Emery met up with Austin outside of the cafeteria. They had made it through the first of their four classes and had three more to go until they could finally leave. None of her friends had lunch this period, but a lot of Austin’s teammates and other people he hung around with did and were already filing in line for food.Austin looked around and saw the people he had eaten lunch with for the past three years were beginning to filter in. He was thankful that none of Apryl’s crew had lunch at this time, but he knew Emery probably wouldn’t want to sit with a whole table full of guys and girls she hardly knew. “How about courtyard?” He nodded toward the outside seating that had been constructed for those who favored eating outside. There were a few small picnic-like tables and benches that were surrounded by the colored flowers of the school’s theme, navy blue, and white.“Okay.” Emery