Chapter 15

Emilia

The sunlight creeps through the curtains hanging over the windows, stirring me awake. I'm usually up before the sun but on the weekends since I don't work at The Blue Bean I let myself catch up on the sleep I miss throughout the week. Rubbing at my eyes the previous night comes back to me and I let out a groan.

I was so pissed at Liam for dancing with Vanessa like I wasn't there dancing with James. What is wrong with me? Sitting up and stretching my arms, I reach to my bedside table and journal all my feelings away. Once I'm done I feel lighter, ready to attempt to put my feelings for Liam aside and accomplish the other things on my list. Maybe I'll ask James out. He's a cute and a sweet guy so if he is interested in me, he'd be a great guy to go on my first actual date with.

I didn't really date in high school, I went to prom with a guy, Tyler, who was nice enough and we shared both of our first kisses. Nothing came from it though, everyone knew I was the girl from a broken home and their parents wanted nothing to do with mine. Tyler never said anything about it, but I could see the look on his mom's face when I showed up to take pictures with him for prom. One of criticism and worry, thinking I would end up just like my mother and take her kid with me. After I put my journal back on the nightstand I look at my phone, texts from both James and Liam lighting up my screen. I smile to myself, deciding to put my new mindset to use and check Jame's texts first.

James

Hi. Had a great time with you last night! When are you working this week?

Me

Hi! I had a great time too :) I'm working Wednesday and Friday this week. You?

My stomach rumbles, begging for food, so I get out of bed throwing on my slippers and make my way to the kitchen. I pull out some bread and pop it in the toaster, going around to sit at the barstools, when my phone buzzes.

James

I'm working Wednesday as well, I'll see you then.

Me

See you then:)

I see the notification that I still have two unread messages, I scroll back to the front of the texting app and remember they're from Liam. See? I'm doing a great job of putting him out of my mind.

Liam

Good Morning

Liam

When are you working this week? I can drive you home.

Me

Hi, Wednesday and Friday. You know you don"t have to.

The toaster pops, I put my phone down and grab the butter, smearing it on the toast before sprinkling cinnamon and sugar over it. It's definitely not the healthiest breakfast but it's cheap and I love sweet breakfasts so it'll do. While I'm munching on my toast my phone vibrates again.

Liam

I know but I want to.

Me

Okay. See you in class.

Liam

See you Monday:)

Rosie emerges from her bedroom, wearing her matching satin pink pajama set, hair in a loose bun on the top of her head. I swear this girl always looks put together even in the mornings, which she isn't a big fan of.

"Morning Em." She grumbles, turning on the iced coffee machine. She'll only drink iced coffee with vanilla syrup.

"Morning Ro. How'd you sleep?" I ask between bites of my toast.

"Good, you know having a drink or two always puts me to sleep." A breathy laugh escapes me, because that's incredibly true. There were a few times over the years she'd have a drink to pregame going out with Garrett or other friends from her major but she'd never make it, she'd just fall asleep. "So why were you so mad at Liam last night?" She downs a glass of water before grabbing her syrup out of the cabinet.

"Ugh." I shake my head, before burying it in my arms on the counter. "It's embarrassing." The words come out mumbled. Rosie plops herself in the barstool next to me, taking a bite of my toast waiting for me to continue. She left the dance floor one song before the slow one, going to the bar to grab another drink so as far as I know she's unaware of my dance with James.

"Well, you know the song changed to a slow one and the second it did I saw Liam walking over towards James and I. James had already wrapped me up in his arms but I thought Liam was going to interrupt. I hoped he was but he started dancing with Vanessa." I shudder at the memory. Freaking Vanessa. I didn't even know who she was until this year but let's say I'm not a fan.

"You really think he got up to dance with her?" Rosie gives me a pointed stare. "Emi, there's no way. He was definitely coming to get you."

"How do you know that?"

"Well I don't but I've seen the way he looks at you Em. He's brought you your favorite ice cream the two times he's come over here to study or he has it waiting at his house. The man never lets you touch a door handle. He picks you up from work. He's obsessed."

"He probably does that for everyone."

"Hey, I've been in his car a few times and he has not had a problem with my hands on door handles yet."

"I just wish he'd do something about it then. He encouraged me to go find a date, remember?" Rosie's face falls at the memory, as does mine.

"Yeah I did think that was weird. I don't know Em. I think he likes you but he's too scared to make a move. Maybe you should make the first one."

"Do you think it's worth the risk? I could lose him as a friend or it could be incredibly awkward and we still need to work on our project."

"That's for you to decide."