Losing You

New life, new college, new person. I left everyone behind. This is new to me. New Emily. I am a new person. I left my town, my friends. I don't think they care about me much. Nobody stands for me. My parents did all they could. They fought for me. I needed to leave everything behind. I can move that way towards the future.

So here I am. New town. A small town. Very similar, yet different from my town. I was born in a small town. Our house is two-storeyed. I'm the only daughter of my parents. My dad is a local painter and mom owns a flower shop. I used to work in that shop. When the evening got busy during the holidays. After school, I used to go there to help mom. My mom loves flowers. My dad also works in the shop. My dad is a painter. He works for a local studio that gives dad orders, and dad paints those things. In the basement of our house, there is dad's studio. He works there. We are not rich and famous in our town. Everyone knows our flower shop and dad's paintings. My parents were well-respected. But after the incident, things changed. We couldn't even take a breath. They all blame us. Me, my parents. It's not our fault.

Today is my first day at college. I have always wanted to go to college. In my town, that was kind of impossible. So my parents sent me here. Away from home, the town, and all those judgemental people. I'm moving into 2-bedroom apartments near my school. It takes 30 minutes to school if you walk and 15 in the car. I don't have a car yet. I will be using the bus.

I wake up early today. On the first day at school, I want everything perfect today. I wear a white tee, high-rise jeans, and sneakers. I brush my long hair and pulled my hair into a messy ponytail, pull down some hair in the front. Apply eyeliner and mascara and my favorite nude lipstick. I take my tote bag to put my books, phone, keys. I wear my glasses, and I am ready to go.

I enter the classroom in my first class 10 minutes before the class starts. I take my seat in the middle row and settle down. A boy comes and seats beside me. I look at him and give him a small smile. He looks at me and returns the smile.

"hey."

"Hey," I reply

"I'm Edward" He holds his hand towards me. I take his hand and smile at him.

"Emily"

"New in town."

"Yeah."

"I have lived here all my life."

The professor enters the class, and we stop talking. I am very serious about my studies. I am the kind of person who takes notes on every single thing. As the professor starts talking, I give all my attention to the class. After this class, I have an hour's break time. I do not know what I will do at that time. I am thinking about the library.

"Hey, the next class doesn't start in an hour. What are you doing?" He asks me.

"I don't know."

"Come with me. I am going to the cafeteria. My friends are also there. You can meet new people."

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

"it's the best idea. You can totally join us."

"I don't know."

"Come on. Let's go." He grabs my hands and takes me with him.

The cafeteria is in a different building. It is filled with people. The buffet is on the side of the hall. That's free for students. They filled another side of the room with chairs and tables.

"Hey"

Edward calls someone and sits in the chair beside the girl. I just stand near the table.

"Sam, this is my classmate, Emily, and Emily. This is my high school friend Sam."

"Hello." I greet her.

"Hi" she offers me a big smile.

Sam is beautiful. Her shoulder-length red hair, hazel eyes, tan skin. She looks like Victoria's Secret model.

"Come to sit with us." She looks like a good person as well.

"Thank you."

"New in town."

"Yeah."

"Don't worry. Now you have us. We are friends from now on." She holds her for a handshake. I accept her hand. She is friendly as well.

"Thank you."

All of a sudden, an enormous group of boys enters the cafeteria. All boys. Their average height will be 6 feet. All of them look like a hero. It feels like a red carpet and stars are stepping in the room.

"Who are they?" I ask Sam.

"The star of the school. The football players."

"Oh."

"They won a match yesterday." I didn't even know my school has a football that is this big.

A boy comes to the table and gives a high five to Edward and a kiss to Sam. He is a football player. Sam returns him the kiss. They are in a relationship.

"I missed you." The boy tells Sam.

"Me too." Sam smiles at him.

"Babe, this is Emily Ed's classmate, and Emily, this is Jacob, my boyfriend."

"Hi." Jacob is a tall, black hair, pale skin boy.

"Hi"

Then his all attention goes to Sam.

"They are dating from high school," Ed. Informs me.

"A most popular couple of the campus." They look so much in love.

"Hey lovebirds," someone calls them from behind.

I turn my head, and my eyes meet with blue eyes. He is tall, 6'1 or 2", has brown hair, tan skin, and muscles. This boy is just beautiful.

"Stop doing this kissing thing."

"Someone is jealous," Sam tells him with a smirk.

"You wish. I have my options." He replies to her.

"Meeting in the locker room in an hour."

"Yes, captain."

So he is the captain of the team. Okay. Girls must throw themselves towards him. I don't blame them at all.

"Who is he?" I ask Ed.

"Justin Williams. Captain of our football team."

Green round eyes, pale skin, long brunette hair make her stand out in the crowd. She is the definition of beauty. I have never met her before. She is not only new in college but also in the town. This is a small community. Everyone knows everyone. I was born here, live my life here. I know almost every town in these towns. She is fresher, for sure. I've been in this school for 3 years now, so I know most of them. She was sitting with Sam and Ed. One of them definitely knows her. I want to get to know her. I want to get close to her.

I come to my condo after football practice. The coach is going mad about upcoming games. We are practicing hard. The coach is halfway to become violent. I need a hot shower and some sleep. My house is my paradise. I don't have a party at my condo. My parents stay in this place when they start their married life. It's a two-bedroom apartment. It was my dad's friend's place. After dad established himself in the law world, he bought this place from his friend. Now my parents have their own mansion. My dad is a criminal lawyer and my mom is a homemaker. My dad worked hard. Today, we are one of the most well-respected families in our community. My family has power and reputation. Everyone knows us. Some might think money makes us arrogant. But we are not like that. My parents are quite strict about the rules. They make sure 3 of their children are well-behaved. My older brother, who is 4 years older than me, is a lawyer like our dad. He is married to one of the most beautiful women, Zelda. They have twins. Two girls. My youngest sister is 2 years younger than me. She is the boss of our house. She is a ballet dancer. She loves it. In short, I'm a happy child from a wealthy family.

After the shower, I need the much-wanted sleep now. I lie on my bed and sleep comes to me in a second.

I'm late. This is the third time I'm late for my class. Why anyone will have a class at 8 am. I'm already 2 minutes late. My home to class is 10 minutes late, a total of 12 minutes late. If my parents know about it, they will have a heart attack. I run. Just fly from my condo to class. I make it in 8 minutes. That's good.

After class, we were all in the canteen when I saw her again. Today she is wearing a black crop top, shorts, and her hair is in a low-losing ponytail. She is so beautiful. My eyes are on her. I can't see anything else.

"Hey, Emily," Sam called her.

Emily. Her name suits her. Her name is innocent, just like her face. She smiles at Sam and comes to our table.

"Hey." She smiles and greets us.

Sam stands up and holds her hand.

"Everybody, this is Emily. Emily, this is Jacob, my boyfriend, Annie, my Bff, Justin my childhood/family friend, and Drew, Justin and Jacob's friend."

She smiles at us. Her smile is just wow. Something about her is different. I can't keep my eyes off. From head to toe, she is perfect. Her narrow waist, those legs are to die for.

"Come, sit with us," Sam tells her.

"I have to go. I work in a cafe. I just started."

She works as a part-timer. There's only one cafe that hires part-timers. So I think I know where she works. I came from my thought to see her, and she is gone. Very soon we will meet again. Drew keeps asking about Emily, which annoys me a lot. He wants to know everything about her. Sam is also telling him things that she knows. But, fortunately, she doesn't know much about her.

"Set us up."

"What?" Sam looked at him in shock. I wish I could punch his face.

"I really like her. She is my type."

Drew doesn't have any type. If it's a girl, then she is his kind.

"No way, dude. She is Ed's friend. He will kill me." Sam says. "Leave the girl. She is not like that."

"But I like her," Drew replies, Sam, with a sad face. It doesn't work on us anymore. He plays the same cards too many times now for us to believe that he is able to do anything other than man whoring.

"Leave it. I'm serious." Sam is kind of deadly serious now.

"Shit. Okay."

But I'm not leaving it. I want to know her. I'm curious about her. I want to know everything about her. I just can't get her out if my mind. I keep thinking about the rest of my day and night as well.

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.