Chapter 3 Emily

I'm liking my life here. I have a house that I share with a girl named Sadie. Sadie is a sweetheart. She is easy-going and friendly. We don't have that many rules. Just one, if you have a guest, you need to inform that before. Otherwise, we are good at sharing our food. I got a job. I work as a part-timer at a cafe. I love my boss. He is a 50-year-old man. He is like a father figure to me. My college life is also great. I made some friends. Ed is an amazing friend. Sam is also my friend now. Her boyfriend Jacob and Bff Annie are also kind to me. Ben, my economics classmate.

We spend lots of time together. He is my go-to person now. The person I can't figure out is Justin. He is everywhere. Wherever I go, I only find him. He was in the cafe as well. I mean, it's open to everyone, but he is questionable. Is he staking me? Nay. He is the captain of the football team. He is a busy man. He will not spend his time with someone like me.

"Emily," Sam comes over and hugs me.

"Hey," I really like her.

"What are you doing tonight?" We start walking towards the next class that will be happening in the old building of the school.

"Assignments." I have to finish my two assignments.

"No. You are coming with us."

"Where are we going?"

"Football game."

I have never attended any game before.

"I don't think I can."

"No excuse. You are coming."

"Ed will pick you up at 5."

"Okay."

"Good girl. Okay. Bye."

I finished my class, went home, took a shower, got ready. Now I am on the field with Sam, Ed, Annie cheering for our team. Our team players are on a roll today. Our goalkeeper blocks all the balls. The opposition can't make a single goal. I have never watched football before. But today I am jumping and shouting. The game ends, and we win.

"Let's go." Sam put her hand on my shoulder.

"Where?" I ask her.

"To celebrate the win." Ed complete Sam.

"I think I should go home now." I have never been to a party. I don't think I should go there.

"It's only 7:30. Not late at all." Ed tells me.

"You are coming. We will drive you home." Annie grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the car. I like her. She is cool. She is a nerd but not the typical one. She loves to party and study.

When we arrived at the party, the music was blasting. Sam was talking to her boyfriend. Ed and Annie also join the football guys. I'm not close with any of them. I think I talked with Jacob 2 times in total. I smile and congratulate Jacob.

"Who wants a drink?" Justin asks our group.

"Beer for Annie and Ed, wine for Sam, and what for you?" He asks me.

"No, thanks. I don't drink."

"Interesting," Justin smirks.

Justin comes back after 5 minutes with the drinks. He gives me a bottle.

"Orange juice. I hope you will drink this." I give him my shy smile and take the juice.

"Thank you."

"We met before but never talk with each other." Justin is standing close to me now.

"Yeah."

"I'm Justin." I shake my hands with him.

"I'm Emily."

"Where are you from?"

"Rosewood."

"Oh."

"You bore here?"

"How do you know?"

"Everyone knows you. That's why how."

"Yeah. Born, live, and hopefully die here."

Everyone is dancing now. Sam and Jacob are all over each other.

"Do you dance?" Justin asks me.

"No."

"I dance, and I need a partner. So will you be my dancing partner?" He gives me his puppy face.

"I can't dance."

"Just follow me." He takes my hands and walks towards the dance floor.

All of a sudden, a romantic song starts. Justin takes my hands and puts them around his neck. His hands are around my waist. We begin to move to the music. We pull me close to him. There is no space between us. He is looking into my eyes. I don't know what to do in this situation. My heart is pounding so fast. He pulls me by my waist. My head is on his chest. I can feel his breath on my shoulder. We dance like this for some time. It was perfect. I like our intimacy. I have never felt it before for any boy. I had a boyfriend. We dated for a year. I didn't feel this kind of connection with him before.

Sam and Jacob take off at 9. Ed was my driver, but he is drunk now. Annie is also busy with her on and off boyfriend, Liam. I can't ask any of them to drive me home.

"Let's go," Justin tells me.

"Where?" He caught me off-guard again.

"You need a ride, and I'm your driver for tonight."

"How do you know that?" I frown.

"Ed told me. He got a ride with one of my friends. He told me before he left."

"Oh."

"Let's go then."

I just want to go home now. So I didn't argue with him. I follow him to his car and hop into it. He asks my address, and we take off.

"How are you liking it here?" Justin asks me.

"Good. I love it here." Way better than my town. I just miss my parents. Then silence.

The entire ride was quiet. He stops in my driveway. He opens my door while I unlock my seat belt. I get out of the car.

"Thank you."

"Pleasure was all mine."

"Goodnight." I was about to turn around when he stopped me by holding my arm.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" We are too close.

"Assignments."

"Can we meet?" Did he just ask me out on a date?

"Why?"

"I want to spend time with you. I want to get to know you." I open my eyes wide.

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"I think it's the best idea."

His voice gives me goosebumps. My body trembles. I just look at him. I can't figure out the situation.

"I will pick you up at 6 after work." He knows my work duration. Before I say anything, he places a kiss on my lips. A fluffy, sweet kiss.

"Good night."

"Good night." I'm in auto mode. I walk to my house, and he waits for me to go inside. When I am in the driveway. I stand by the door and keep thinking about the kiss. I'm playing everything in my mind. The dance, kiss, closeness, everything. I enjoy the night very much. Every moment with him was so beautiful. So perfect. I smile as I lie in my bed. I can't stop thinking about his kiss.