Emily threw away the pillow. She glared at the ceiling for her bed. She really shouldn’t have said anything. Heck, she should have checked her phone before answering the call. Her thoughts and actions had come to stab her in the back.
“I’m hanging up” she spoke bluntly, already pulling the phone away.
“Wait a second!” Jae chuckled, “What’s got you so crabby?”
The phone hovered a few inches from Emily’s ear. Was the volume that loud? She could hear him just fine. She could even imagine the look on his face. That smug side smile he liked to use when he annoyed her. He wasn’t really concerned about her.
He merely wanted entertainment.
“How is that any of your business?” Her sharp tongue snapped at the mic.
“You have a red visitor or something?”
Emily’s temple throbbed. Her fingers clawed the bed covers and her nostrils flared. How did this guy have the talent to piss her off? If it weren’t for Alex, she would have blocked him a long time ago.
“First of all, ew” she replied, scoffing, “Second of all, it’s because there is a pest chattering in my ear.”
A sarcastic smile painted her face, nose scrunching. It didn’t matter if he could see her or not, it would still affect her tone of speech. Emily played with her pillow as she continued to gaze at the ceiling. The side of her fist slammed down on it. She pretended it was a certain someone’s head.
“Oh…” Jae gasped in a monotone. Then, he said, “You need to get your ears checked, huh?”
Emily swore crickets responded to that statement. The scowl on her brows smoothened as it transitioned to a deadpan expression. The joke was anything but funny. What was the use in saying it all? She fumed in her mind.
“Have to get that bug out. Yep, that does sound like a reason to be crabby” Jae cleared his throat, “Okay, I’ll behave.”
“Why you—” Emily began to hiss. She pressed the phone back to her ear, “Why did you really call?”
It was better to have it over and done with. Then, she could attend to her misery in the form of a studio. No one else could touch it because she remembered where she placed everything—at least, a rough idea at their location.
Ugh, she loved the place as it is. She did her work just fine with the mess.
Why did her mom put her allowance on the line?
“Oh, I just thought you wanted to hear some news.”
Emily rolled her eyes, “What news could you possibly have? Wait… is Skye dead?”
A snort answered her, “No.”
She tsked. Maybe she should stage that murder after all. That was the only acceptable punishment for her. As long as that conniving bitch lived, she could still bring in heaps of trouble.
“Buh-bye then.”
“Gurl, hold up” Jae’s voice cut her train of thought, “That’s not even the news.”
“Well, what is it then?!” Emily spat. Now, they were back to square one—again—which was about the purpose of the call.
“Can’t you sound a little nicer?”
…
…
…
…
…
“Okay, maybe not” Jae corrected himself, “I really would just appreciate a more welcoming tone because I am merely doing this out of the goodness of my heart.”
“Mhm” Emily blew a raspberry, “Sure, sure. Yeah, not happening. Are we done now?”
Her hand stopped hitting the pillow. She settled for a silent glare. This constant diversion from the main topic easily got on her nerves. How long did it take for someone to spill the truth? Did they have to be so wishy-washy?
One more poor attempt and her thumb would tap on the end call button.
“Ah, you really have to be like that, sunshine?” Jae teased. He laughed huskily, “I mean, you asked before when will Logan make a move…”
Emily bolted upright.
Was he saying what she thought he’s saying? Logan finally confessed? Or was he about to? A bubble of excitement bursted in her chest. This was the best thing she heard today!
If only she was at Woodlands for it!
“… but you should really get your ear checked first or you might misunderstand what I’ll say.”
“Are you kidding me right now?!” Emily yelled. She slammed her hand on the bed, “Spill it already. If you don’t, I can always ask Lauren.”
“Hmm,” Jae hummed. He dragged it a bit, “I don’t think she would.”
Emily narrowed her eyes.
“And why not?” She demanded. Normally, Lauren would have told her immediately about this. With his implication, he probably had something to do as to why that didn’t happen.
“Because I told her not to.”
The reply sounded so nonchalant. It only aggravated her more. She clutched her blanket, her long fingernails digging on her palm. The soft cloth cushioned the pressure and prevented any pain.
“Why would she listen to you more than me?”
“I’ve known her longer.”
Again with that same tone…, Emily mused, “Well, I love her better.”
Maybe she should just transfer schools. She missed out on a number of things because of this distance. She also wouldn’t have this problem if she had other sources.
Even if none of them were accurate, she could use it as bait for Alex to clarify the matter. Her cousin wouldn’t be able to help herself. She’d use it now but everyone knew Alex hardly touched her phone.
She even had it on silent mode.
How would she ever know if she missed an important call? Or an important message?
“You can try to ask” Jae offered as comfort. Then, a smirk escaped his lips, “But I guarantee that no one but me would tell you.”
Emily muttered a curse. Her hunch had been correct. This call was for entertainment. The setting had been staged even before her phone rang. Jae clearly intended to hold this bait over her head.
“Don’t be so cocky” she sneered. Her own smirk manifested, “I still remember that your brother owes me a favor that he can’t refuse.”
The memory lit up in her mind. That was from the time that her Friday date with Alex was cancelled. She had given it up for Logan to take Alex out. What a convenient time for it to pop up.
“So you’d use it for this when I can just tell you? That doesn’t sound like a smart move” Jae began to say.
“I—”
He snorted through his nose, “They just almost kissed in front of an entire class. No need to go that extreme.”
“KISSED?!” Emily exclaimed. A high pitched squeal resonated out of her mouth. Her voice could reach beyond her bedroom door.
A passing servant stopped walking. He heard a series of incoherent noise. It didn’t seem to hinder any cause for alarm. In fact, he’d never heard the young miss as lively as she was now.
It wasn’t even noon yet.
“OHMYGODSOHMYGODSOHMYGODS…!”
“Ack, my ears.”
Emily sprinted off her bed. She hopped around her room, buzzing with newfound energy. If she didn’t have a carpeted floor, she’d hear the floorboards creak from her movements. Her whole body felt light.
Was this how it was to be lightning? Just a heavy amount of electric vibrations that could float on air?
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”
Her ship finally headed for its main course at sea! If only this happened a bit sooner and she could have witnessed it! Instead, she only saw that kiss on the cheek. They looked so much better back then. It would have been a good place for a first kiss!
But in class? So tacky!
If they wanted an audience, they had one during the party. They even dressed the part!
Emily suddenly paused in her steps, taking a deep breath. She checked the phone screen. It lit up with Jae’s name on it. Her footsteps exhibited less force as they paced back and forth. She needed to calm down. She needed details.
Details were crucial!
“Wait…!” She blurted out. Realization dawned on her, “What do you mean by ‘almost’? If they were going to kiss, they should have done it right!”
Gods, was her happy dance for nothing? Skye was finally out of the picture. It was a time for celebration! A kiss would have been the cherry on top!
No, no, no, wait… , Emily shook her head. What happened was probably for the best.
Or else, it would risk Alex fainting on the spot. A reverse effect on true love’s kiss wasn’t a romantic sight.
She sighed through her nose.
This was a conflicting situation. She didn’t know how to feel anymore! Knowing her cousin, Alex would find a way to ruin a second chance for this to happen.
Logan should have kissed her.
No, Alex might undergo shock.
Still, it was better to take a chance to the fullest.
Ugh, no, they needed more chances than just one.
“GAH!” Emily shouted through the receiver, “UGH, I HATE THIS FEELING!”
Jae walked through the cafeteria. He held the tray that carried his lunch over to their usual table. He spotted Max easily. He was the only person that moved so much while he ate.
He figured she’d be happy with the update—but he hadn’t expected that much enthusiasm. He also hadn’t foreseen this podcast. He couldn’t read her mind but the audible reactions did enough for his imagination to fill in the rest.
“Don’t worry too much” Jae interrupted, “There would still be other chances. Things will be just fine.”
“But Alex’s stay there is on a timer” Emily wailed. She groaned in exasperation, “What other chance could be certain of?”
“Relax” Jae coaxed again, setting his tray down. He stepped over the bench and sat, “Logan would find a way. He may not be the fastest person in romance… But! For him, this is a marathon, not a sprint. He will dash for the finish line once it’s time.”
