Beautiful Hearts

15

Emaline

I woke up early in the morning. I got ready quickly and went down for breakfast. It was Sunday and I knew everyone was home. Dad was usually running at this hour, but aunt Sophie and Lana were certainly downstairs.

As soon as I descended the stairs from afar I heard the irritated voice of aunt Sophie.

"I can't understand. You keep complaining about how mean your cousin is. How she's messing with your life. How you can't stand her, and when I suggest we go home and finish the year online, you don't agree... Either we go home or you calm down and try to get along with your cousin."

"What?! So now I have to pretend everything's fine? I'm not the one who started hanging out with a boy a cousin likes."

"So what? What makes this one so special? Is he made of gold? Let him go, you will meet another. You are beautiful."

"You're unbelievable! It's not fair!"

"Life's not fair. Either leave him or find a way to make up with your cousin. It was difficult for me to decide to stay here for another year, given the fact our home was ready. Your father was also against it. We don't need your drama. Don't forget we're in your uncle's home."

"So I have to put up with everything, let her do whatever she wants with my life, just because we live in Uncle Dane's house?"

"Look, darling. As much as you don't like it, this is your uncle and Emaline's home. If you want to stay here until the end of the year, at least keep some decency. Otherwise, I'll pack our bags and take you home."

I heard some noise and seconds later Lana walked past me.

I went into the kitchen, feeling grateful for aunt Sophie's words and her desire for reconciliation, I smiled at her, ready to start a conversation, but she returned what seemed to be a forced smile and left the room.

I had a pleasant time eating my breakfast for the first in a long time, maybe because I was never left alone. I scolded myself for not following any diet yet and I promised, for the hundredth time, that I'd pick one to start from tomorrow. My father came in and raised his eyebrows when he saw that I was eating alone. "Where are everybody?"

"I guess they finished."

He opened the refrigerator and took a bottle of water, and as he drank, he looked at me quizzically.

"Is there something you wanna tell me?" "Nope."

"Em."

"No. Really."

"I think you need a break."

"What?" I chuckled."What do you mean?"

"You seem tired. You stay in your room all the time. You think I don't pay attention?"

"I'm not tired, I just have a lot on my mind. But I like when I'm preoccupied."

"Maybe you should stop doing those less…"

"Stop. Just don't say it. That's the last thing I'm going to stop doing."

He raised his hands in surrender.

"Ok, ok."

"I got to go." I went to kiss him on the cheek and quickly walk outside. I really loved him but sometimes even he could be annoying.

I enjoyed the walk to the coffee shop. Again I was earlier but to my surprise, Declan was already there. He looked handsome as usual, his hair slightly damp as if he had just come out of the shower. His face brightened as soon as he looked at me. I loved that about him. Knowing that someone likes you so much that just your appearance can make him smile... That reminded me of Tony. Ouch. I forgot to call him. Again. I wanted to pinch myself for the lack of attention. He was one of my besties and it was awful to treat him like that. But my mind was really preoccupied. Maybe I need a break in the end.

Turning my attention back to him, he was already making a comically puzzled expression. "Why the frown?"

"Oh, I remembered something that I forgot to do. Sorry." I sat down and he brought me some coffee.

We talked about Austin and the lesson first. He said his mother liked the exercises I sent.

But I was curious about what Lana had told him and most importantly what are his thoughts about it.

"So… You know how much I like to talk about my work but… I'm curious. What did Lana tell you?"

He sighed and irritation appeared on his face.

"I just can't figure her out. She's kind of like a very complicated puzzle."

I smiled bitterly.

"I've heard that's what love makes you feel. Insane."

"There's nothing between us. Yet."

"That doesn't mean she can't drive you crazy."

"You don't understand. There is something I'm missing. And it really bothers me. I told you how I think she's different from the other girls. She's as rich as them, maybe even more, but she behaves a lot more maturely than them. It's as if she understands the other side too. She's smart. She has good grades, she cares about knowledge. She's direct. And modest. She hardly talks about her family and money. All good qualities. Yet... She's lying. For some reason, she's lying about you. "

I stared at him with a blank expression. What does he mean? Does he know anything? If he calls her rich, he shouldn't know, but...

"Tell me what she's lying about..."

"She hinted to me that you're seeing me because you like me. Because you know she likes me and you want to be my girlfriend."

I laughed and not very ladylike spat my coffee on him.

"Thank you, Em. If I had any doubts, they're gone. Like my self-esteem." He took a napkin and wiped the coffee from his face.

I laughed even harder, I just couldn't control myself. I was afraid she could tell him something like that. But now when she actually did it, It sounded so insane. I felt relieved that the cards were on the table. Could she tell him something more embarrassing than that? I doubted so.

"Thank you for not believing her."

"Always. The question here is why she would lie for something like that."

"She doesn't like me. I told you already."

"Come on, Em. That can't be the reason."

"Why not? Dec, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you really like her? I mean, can you see yourself with Lana in the future?"

He seemed to think.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I like her. I'm interested to some point. But I haven't allowed myself to develop any feelings for her. I've already told you. If I'm not sure I want to try with a girl, I stand aside and keep my feelings under control."

"But what If she..." I shut my mouth when I saw Lana coming into the coffee shop along with Hannah and Andy. She made a surprised expression and stood next to our table. She smiled at Declan and then at me.

"Dec! Em, why didn't you tell me you were coming here? We could have come together."