3
1369 Words
Emaline
That evening I was getting ready for bed when a door opened and Lana stepped inside. I secretly rolled my eyes. I didn't care what she wanted, but I had no choice but to listen to her.
"So, how do you know Declan?"
I took one look at her as I arranged my pillows. Even if I wanted to tell her, my work with Austin was part of Dec's personal life, and I wasn't sure if he was telling his friends about it. It was certainly not my job to do that.
"If I tell you, I'd have to kill you." I said bored. "Funny and original like always."
She crossed her arms in front of her breasts. "Look, I don't want you around my friends."
"I'm not around your friends, Lana. We barely even look at each other at school."
"You know what I mean. Don't get your hopes rising. Declan is a good guy. He won't offend you, even if you're annoying and clingy."
She smiled and playfully swirled a finger, pointing to my face. "Although we spent the last hour laughing at your happy face when he showed you a little interest."
I couldn't imagine Declan laughing at whomever, so I didn't pay attention to her words.
"Lana, not everything revolves around you. Besides, we just said hi to each other. It's not a big deal. Why are you against the idea of me befriending your mates?"
Here! I finally asked her. Curiosity had been killing me since the end of last year when I noticed that she even panicked when I was nearby.
Like the panic in her eyes now.
"Don't even think about it. You have your friends, I have mine. You know how Phillip and the others love to joke around with fat chicks. I won't do anything to help you, so save us the awkwardness."
I rolled my eyes again, "Whatever. Would you mind going to your room now?"
She just turned and left. I heard the sound of a new message on my phone and grabbed it, scrolling.
"Would you mind If we move the lesson for later? :-) I want to be there with him If it's possible."
I started typing fast.
"No worries. If it's more convenient, we can move it around 4 pm for the rest of the meetings?"
"Yeah, it's gonna be great. Good night, Em."
"Good night, Dec."
Grinning, I tossed the phone aside.
The new school year was about to begin, and Connie and I were eager to go shopping. I didn't have much but I managed to save some money since I worked the whole summer.
"You're ridiculous. Your father has so much money and here we are at the second hand because you're that stubborn."
"You know how I feel about it. That's his money. Not mine."
She sighed. "Oh, please, It's your father, Emaline. Not some stranger. Just think about how fancy you could look in something expensive."
I thought about that, to be honest. It was the only reason I would buy something expensive - to see If I was going to look good, regardless of my weight.
My father was constantly trying to push his card into my hands or my bag. When he failed, he turned his charity to Lana, who was always standing nearby, looking at me angrily.
I may look good, If I use my father's card, but It won't feel right.
After we finished at the store, Connie and I headed to one of the cafes, where we almost ran into...Declan and Phillip.
"Connie, Em!" We nodded simultaneously. "Where are you two going?"
"We bought some things for the beginning of the school year, and now we're going to have coffee." Connie overtook me, answering quickly, stroking her hair with one hand. Declan, however, was looking at me. "Why don't you sit with us?"
Phillip, who had so far shown no interest in the conversation, turned, looked at us from head to toe, and snorted angrily.
"Man, I told you I wanted to talk in peace. Next time you'll keep them company."
"We also want to be alone. Well, bye Dec, It was good to see you." Connie took my hand, pulling me forward before I could say anything. I heard Phillip saying something about a cow and the firm voice of Declan, who just said, "Stop."
But we were already very far away.
We sat at a table.
"What was that?"
She covered her face with her hands. "I don't know. Was I too obvious? How did I look? Em, he is gorgeous..."
She looked at the table with her sad eyes. I didn't know what to tell her. He indeed was gorgeous. In any possible way.
I blushed at my thoughts and sipped my coffee.
"You'll find someone..."
She sighed.
"I know. He just won't be Declan Moore..."
"Are you sure there is no chance for you two?"
"Yes. Actually, I'm pretty sure he likes your cousin Lana… Last weekend I was with my parents in one of the newly opened restaurants and their gang was there. He seemed to be paying special attention to her."
"Yes, I noticed."
"b***h. You were supposed to tell me that everything is in my head."
"You're acting like you broke up yesterday. It's been months and you've been with three different guys since then..."
"I think you just called me a slut."
"No, I didn't." I chuckled. "But he is the one who can complain."
"Can you imagine? Declan Moore complaining to that pig Phillip about my new men." We laughed since none of us could imagine that.
When we went outside, the weather was starting to get worse. Dark clouds settled in the sky, obscuring the sun, and it soon began to rain. Connie's mother worked nearby, and they had agreed to go home together. So I stood alone in the parking lot, waiting for the taxi I called. My savings were already fading and I would soon have to give up this luxury. A car stopped next to me and Declan's head popped out of the window.
"Come on up, Em." I hesitated, but this time I had no excuse. He got out of the car and opened the door next to the driver for me. He kept his eyes on mine, and once again I wondered why his gaze affected me so much.
We talked about common things, and again mostly about Austin. He said that he and his mother were doing some of the things he saw in the lessons and that his mother thought Austin was making a progress. I smiled, grateful for her words, though I knew it was too early to talk about results. I told him to leave me at school since I had some things to do. And for some reason, I didn't want him to know where I live.
Lana was right. I and Declan weren't friends. I was just someone who was helping his brother and his attitude was nothing more than appreciating my work.
I was leaving the school library when I heard Lana's voice. I started to pass quickly, but I heard my name and couldn't help but eavesdrop.
"But why is he still tolerating them? He told you it was for a while, and they've been living with you for almost two years now. This renovation turned out to be eternal." I recognized the voice of Lana's best friend Hannah.
"I don't know, I told you. My father cares a lot about his sister, so he hasn't sent them away yet."
"I imagine what it's like to share your house with this nasty cousin of yours. Your father is too generous. Maybe you should hint to your aunt that it's time for them to go back from where they came from." Hannah chuckled. And then they changed the subject. I couldn't believe my ears. I went to the bus stop, but then remembered I still had the money for a taxi.
I sat in the car, and Lana's friend's words didn't leave my mind. Was it possible that she pretended to be my father's daughter? Pretending to be me?
- Writer
