Chapter 5 Emily

Justin becomes my friend. He is a reliable friend. He knows my problems. If I am sick, he will bring me food, stay with me. We are together most of the time. He knows all my class schedules. He waits for me outside my class. We have our lunch together. Not with the group, only two of us. He drops me at work, picks me up from work. We have dinner, then he drops me home. This is normal for us now. He becomes a part of my life. I miss him. All-day. I like spending time with him. He is funny, caring, a gentleman. Whenever I am sick, I know he will spend the night with me. I attend his games now.

After we became this friends, I never miss any of his games. I got to know about his family. I know him. Too. Sometimes, we will go for a walk. My life is changing. I never thought I would have a genuine friendship in my life. But this is happening. I am relying on Justin. If he finds out the truth, it will shatter him. He will hate me like everyone else.

We are having dinner at a small Italian restaurant. It's quite small. 4 tables and a bar in the corner. They decorated the restaurant with a bohemian theme.

"Your last boyfriend "

"What?"

"Why did you guys break up?"

I know Justin is interested in me. But I didn't expect this question all of a sudden.

"He dumped me."

"How long have you two been dating?"

"One and a half years."

"Did you love him?"

I don't like talking about Lucas. He didn't even listen to me. He called me and broke up with me. That's it. One and a half years meant nothing to him. He was the sweetest guy I have ever met. I don't hate him, but I don't like to talk about him. I make me remember things that happened. I wish I could change things.

"I did. He is the loveliest person I have ever met. My parents loved him."

"Do you still love him?"

"No."

Then there is silence.

"Let's not talk about this."

He nods.

"Melissa is coming."

Melissa is the daughter of his father's friend. They know each other since childhood. Their birthday is even on the same day. every year Melissa comes to the town with her family and they spent a week or two with one another. it is like a family tradition of these two families as their fathers are good friends too.

"Oh. Then you will be busy."

"Yeah. Kind of. I will stay at my parents' house for some time.

They will be in the same house. They will be together all the time. I don't like this. All of a sudden, I hate Melissa. How can you hate someone whom you have never met before?

"That's great."

He smiles.

"When are they coming?"

"In A Week."

"Oh."

"Mel's parents will stay in the hotel, but Mel will stay in my parents' house."

I hate her. I feel something twisted in my stomach. Am I jealous? Yes. I am. I don't want Justin to spend time with her. I want him with me.

"Oh."

I can't say anything. I drink my water.

"Did you guys go out?" I am stupid for sure. I don't want to know. Please don't answer. I don't think I can handle it.

"No. We kissed one time. Make out, actually." He drinks water.

My world is spinning. They make out. Now they will live together in the same house. No-no-no. Shit.

"When did this kiss happened?" I ask him.

"Last year. We went for a long drive before she leaves. Both of us got carried away, and we kissed each other. The next morning she left with her parents."

"Oh."

This is some kind of joke, right? They kissed last year. Now she is coming back. I feel uncomfortable. They have some unfinished business.

I become quiet. I didn't talk much after that. My brain is absorbing everything. It makes me sad. When Justin dropped me home, I was quiet. We told good night to each other. He asked me why I was quiet. I told him I was not feeling well. He didn't ask anything after that. All night, I keep thinking about Justin. How things changed after him. Then there is Mel, my past. Tears dropped from my eyes. I don't even remember when I fell to sleep.

Next few days we're the same. We spent most of the time together. He walks me home from work.

Then things changed.

He moved to his parents' house. Unfortunately, we can't spend much time together now. His parents' house is in the opposite direction. It's a 40-minute ride from his home to college. And 50 from mine to his house. I told him he didn't need to come. But he came. Then he stopped coming. I was worried at first. I didn't see him at school. I checked my phone so many times. It's Sunday. Melissa came 3 days ago. It hit me. He is busy with her. That's why he didn't come to meet me. I sat in my bed and kept looking at the phone. But he didn't call. I last saw and talked to him 3 days ago. I feel lonely like before. I lay on my bed and sobbed. I want Justin here with me.