Beautiful Hearts

9

Emaline

That b***h!

I just started to think she's nothing more than a confused and scared girl and bam, she did it again. She really hates me, why else would she try to ruin my relationship with aunt Sophie?

I felt so angry that I could do nothing but insult Lana. Why was she like that? Why did she hate me so much? I didn't bother her, I wouldn't reveal her secret, but she keeps attacking me... What was her problem?!

I decided to stay in my room and eat my dinner here, I wasn't sure I could control my anger. Plus I already lost my appetite.

There was a knock on the door and I opened it. Aunt Sophie stood in front with a serious face. "Can I come in?"

"Of course." I stepped back and quickly moved the clothes and textbooks off the bed. Aunt Sophie sat on it and gestured for me to follow and I quickly sat next to her.

"Em, you know how much I want for you and Lana to get along." She paused and looked down, and I quietly waited for her to continue. "For some reason, you two are not...close. And I don't like that. I thought she's just a little envious of you and your life here." I kept listening quietly but realized I wouldn't like what she has to say. "I want to ask you a favor. As your aunt..."

Oh, crap.

"...Would you stop seeing that boy you befriended recently? What was his name... Declan? She told me she likes him and that he likes her but she feels intimidated by your closeness with him... I know it's not a little to ask but I can't convince her that it doesn't matter and you would never hurt her. " I looked at her shocked but she kept going. "You've always been more mature. And I just want her to understand how important the family is. Maybe if you do that, she'd finally understand..."

She paused again, looking at me pleadingly.

"No." She looked at me shocked. "I'm sorry aunt Sophie, but my friendship with Declan has nothing to do with Lana. I'm sure he has a lot of female friends. There's nothing for her to worry about and she should be able to understand that sooner or later."

"But she's your cousin."

"Yes, but there isn't a serious reason for me to do what you asked me. I don't like Declan in a romantic way. I like him just as a friend. She has nothing to worry about..."

"I don't think my daughter sees you as a competition, she just..." When she realized what she had said, Aunt Sophie blushed and started again. "You know what I mean. I know you'll never do something to hurt her but what will happen if you stay away from him... Maybe when you and Lana finally become friends they'll be together already and it won't matter to her anymore. Give her time and peace of mind, Em. If you don't like him romantically, you'll find many other friends. Let the lovebirds be happy..."

She said it as if I were standing between them. But there was something strange here. I knew Declan liked Lana, but why didn't he do anything about it...? Or maybe he did?

I didn't know what to tell her now... Did I really interfere?

"Aunt Sophie, I'll think about it, I promise. I really don't want to hurt her feelings, nor do I want to interfere with love."

She smiled friendly but it wasn't the same as it used to be. We said goodnight and she walked out of the room, leaving me with my thoughts.

Ok, maybe I'll have to tell Declan about me and Lana, mostly the part that we don't get along…

The next morning I quickly got ready and didn't even go through the kitchen for breakfast. I went to school and nothing interesting happened in the first two block classes. I didn't see anyone close, but maybe it was better that way. I could focus.

By noon I was starving and none of my people were in the cafeteria. Kate and her friends would have to be outside, Connie was constantly busy with her music. While eating, I heard a clearing of the throat and almost dropped the pizza when I saw Tony next to my table.

"Can I sit with you?" He looked so serious that it was as if he were someone else. I hated this tension between us and I couldn't understand what was the source of it...

"So...how have you been? You didn't answer my calls..."

"It definitely took you a long time for them..."

I blushed.

"I'm sorry. I was busy with the lessons and I..." "No, Em, Em. I'm sorry. I didn't come to make you feel guilty, I came to apologize. I didn't react well and I didn't even explain why..."

We went silent and both couldn't look in the other's eyes. When the silence took forever, my curiosity spoke.

"So… Why were you that mad…?"

He stared at his hands, looking nervous.

"It's just not you. I didn't expect you to fall for that kind of a guy. I don't want you to get hurt…"

I sighed, smiling.

"Tony, you have nothing to worry about…"

My confident tone made him smile too.

"Did you get rid of him already?"

"No." He frowned again."We're friends. He's actually very cool and you're gonna like him too."

His frown even deepened.

"So now you're going to introduce him to us, like he's your boyfriend?"

"You know what? I'm tired. Tired of trying to convince you guys that I don't like him more than a friend. My mouth literally hurts from my constant talking about that."

I tried to stand up but he put his hand on my arm.

"Again, I'm sorry Em. Really. Ok, I believe you. Because I know you can do better than that."

"Tony, he really is a good guy."

He frowned for a moment, then bit his lip nervously.

"Anyway. I wanted to tell you something. I wasn't sure if it was right to... I thought It would ruin everything, but..."

I was looking at him confused when I suddenly felt a burning pain in my arm and leg. I shouted and jumped out of my chair, trying to peel the clothes off my skin. I looked ahead and saw Mable laughing. Phillip and Hannah had almost reached their table. Hannah looked back and smiled, Phillip didn't even turn around. Mable was the most unpleasant of their whole group. Her parents certainly haven't picked the right name for her. It didn't suit her character at all.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Tony also stood up and shouted.

Mable just glanced at him and laughed again. Her appearance was quite ordinary. The only things that distinguished her were the tattoos and earrings she successfully covered at school because of the rules.

"You could have her skin removed."

"Oh, come on, it's not that hot."

She chuckled and at that moment Tony took the cup with the little amount of hot liquid left in it and poured it on clothes. She screamed and started to shout at him. Hannah immediately came to help her.

"How could you?! What kind of a man could do that...?!"

Frightened by the turn of events and the fact that Tony could be punished for me, I took his hand and pulled him out.

"You b***h, where you going?!" At the door, we passed Lana, who stared in amazement between me and the still screaming Hannah and Mable.

Outside, I kept pulling Tony to the bus stop. "Why would you do that? It wasn't that bad and now you could face some problems because of me...?!"

"What do you expect from me? To sit and watch the show?! What kind of a friend will make me that? Plus, they won't say anything. There're cameras everywhere and the principal'll see who started first." He was right, but the notion that he was involved in something so unpleasant because of me made me feel guilty. "From now on, I'll really expect you to stay away. I'm not a child and I'm not afraid of either Hannah or Mable. I can handle them myself, alright?!" He pulled his hand away from mine, looking at me offended, and turned back toward the school.

"Fine. As you wish. You can go home If you want but I have classes to attend."

And he stormed back to the school building.