Beautiful Hearts

Back to normal

Emaline

I called Dec several times but he didn't respond, nor did he call back. Maybe I deserved it, but I didn't expect him to ignore me like that, given that it could have been related to Austin. Or maybe I was rushing to conclusions. He might have been busy and then forgot to call.

I thought again that maybe in the first place I shouldn't have allowed us to get closer.

I hoped to be able to see him at school the next day. I didn't know what I could explain to him, but I had to try. I wondered what Lana meant by her ridiculous statement that we were at war. What was she going to do, given that I had nothing to hide? The secret was hers. What was she counting on?

In the morning I called Tony. I didn't want to fix my relationship with Declan while not doing anything about my relationship with Tony. To my surprise, this time he picked up and even offered to wait for me at the bus stop. When I saw him, for a moment I was worried that Kate might have admitted to him that she had told me about his crush on me. Standing in front of each other I felt awkward. Apparently he felt the same way, because he didn't start hugging me, but put his hands in his pockets.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Em, I'm sorry."

I sighed with relief and hugged him, he hugged me back.

He was my closest childhood friend and I realized just now how badly I wanted to save our friendship.

"Please, don't go anywhere. I love you. You're my dearest friend and I'm not even ashamed to say it in front of Kate." He chuckled. That sound completely eased my nerves.

I meant how jealous Kate was and how she didn't like it when we talked about our childhood together. If it was for her, we had all met at the same time. Period.

"I love you too, Em. I don't know what's up with me lately. We have problems at home. My father came back two weeks ago, but he started drinking again. I guess things won't work out again."

"Oh, Tony! I'm sorry!" I felt bad for not being there for him. Tony was always there for me when I needed him, and of all his friends, only I knew about his father. As a child, I witnessed more than one family scandal between Mrs. Summers and Mr. Summers. He had been drinking a lot ever since, and when Tony and I went to high school, Mrs. Summers kicked him out. Tony and his father weren't very close, but this situation was dire. And after the first expulsion, Mrs. Summers would take him back and then chase him away several times.

I hugged him again, wanting to take all of his sadness and anxiety. I knew how he was feeling. Normally he'd call me and till the day his father would finally go somewhere else again, we'd hang out every day.

We walked together to the schoolyard and he told me he would wait for me after my last class.

I was hoping to meet Dec somewhere, but I knew the probability was small, our schedules for the day were different. I decided to try my luck by texting him.

Are you ignoring me? I'm not complaining, I totally deserve it. I need to talk to you though.

Is it related to Austin?

His immediate response brought a smile to my face at first, but he was just worried about his brother.

No. It's about us.

I pressed send and then rolled my eyes at what I had written.

I mean about our friendship. I swear there's nothing romantically related.

The last thing I needed was for him to think I avoided him because I have a crush on him.

Yes, Em. Cause that'd be terrible. Ok, let's meet after my training.

Oh, oh.

I can't, I'm sorry. I really have something planned. Can we meet in the evening?

There was a long pause and just when I thought I'd lost his attention, he texted me he would be at some club and that If I wanted to talk to him, I'd have to go there. He sent me the address, although I knew this club.

Maybe I could leave our conversation for tomorrow, but I know from experience that when someone is offended, you should not make them wait.

When the classes were over, Tony took me to their house. Mrs. Summers and Mr. Summers were nowhere to be seen and we went straight to his room.

"We can watch a movie or two? Maybe you can call your dad to warn him that you'll be home late. I'll walk you home. Ok?"

I thought for a second. If Declan was out clubbing, then he would be there when I finish with Tony. And I would have a good excuse to be late home.

"Yes. I'll call my dad."

Tony went to the bathroom and I quickly dialed my dad, telling him I'd be late and that Tony would take me home. I told Tony that my father would come and get me. So I could go to the club.

We watched two of our favorite movies because we weren't in the mood for something new. Everything was almost as before, Tony didn't mention anything about his feelings and I relaxed completely.

A couple of hours later, when I needed to go, I struggled to find a way to do it without making him suspicious.

Finally, I told him dad has stopped at a store nearby and that I'm gonna walk there. He let me go alone thanks to Mrs. Summers and Mr. Summers who came back home and wanted to talk to him.

I called a cab and stopped near the club. I stood in front of the already closed shop across the street and called him quickly. He picked up almost immediately.

"Can you come out for a minute?"

"Did you really come here? Just a second."

He hung up and only a minute later came out and his eyes immediately found me. He kept an eye on me as he crossed, and I don't know if it was because he was dressed for the club or if I had just lost my mind, but I found him very attractive. He was wearing black jeans and a black sweatshirt with something written on it. He was tall and handsome but what impressed me the most were his eyes.

They were burning with fire. If I hadn't talked with him earlier, I'd think he was drunk.

He stood in front of me, not smiling, looking at me with a serious but curious expression.

Looking him in the eye, I felt strangely anxious.

"I'm sorry." He kept looking at me in the same intense way. A movement around the club door caught my eye and I saw a beautiful girl coming out and looking after Dec, shifting her eyes from him to me. "Did I interrupt you? If you want, we can talk tomorrow?"

He followed my gaze, looking back, and then looked at me again.

"No. We just talked. So... You're sorry about what?"

"I... I stayed away because I didn't want to interfere with your relationship with Lana." He looked at me in amazement and then rolled his eyes annoyed.

"Yeah, right. Try again." I knew it sounded ridiculous but I didn't want to reveal all the bulls that were happening between us...

"You know we don't get along. She... I just didn't want to cause any drama."

He stared at me for a few seconds.

"She told you to stay away from me?" "Something like that. But then I realized that it wasn't right. I really like you, Dec! You're such a sweetheart!" He grimaced at my words choice but I continue, "I don't know what's going on between you and Lana and If you'll be together but I want to be your friend. Just promise me that you'll tell me If something is bothering you. If she tells you something bad about me or something. We must be careful because of Austin or I would have to stop tutoring him."

"It's a little offensive, you know?"

"What?" I stared at him with a blank expression.

"Do I look like I'm easy to manipulate? I told you once, my relationship with Lana has nothing to do with you and our friendship."

"I know. But you'll be loyal to your girlfriend, right?"

"If it comes to you, I won't, I promise!" He grinned and without thinking I ran into him for a hug.

He hugged me back and kissed my head.

"Do you want to come in?"

"No, I don't have a fake ID, plus my dad is waiting for me. Do you forgive me?"

"Do I have a choice?" He was still grinning and I smacked him on the shoulder playfully.

"I need to go. Have fun, Dec!"

I grinned and waved my hand in front of his face and he laughed, returning to the club.

I pulled out my phone to call a cab.

When I got home my father immediately asked about Tony. I muttered that Mr. Summers was home and he had to go home immediately.

For the first time in weeks, I went to bed with a light heart.