PERCIE Thirteen months ago...
We talked every day until Thursday. I missed talking with her on Friday, though. I asked Grandpa if they would come with me tomorrow. I was a little excited to see her again. This time I wouldnât disappoint and upset her.
I picked up my grandparents at their home. I already dropped by at the flower shop for Emma. I knew what she liked.
âLook at you. Finally, the old Percie.â Grandpa patted my back.
I rolled my eyes. âWe met last week, Grandpa.â
âYou look a lot better today, Percie.â
âAbout that.â I laughed. I was actually eating like a starved animal. âI have to go to the grocery after I see Emma.â I rubbed the back of my neck.
âDonât worry about it. Grace would love to do that when she sees you like that.â
Grandma showed up and opened her arms wider to hug me. My heart melted. My parents didnât care about me, but these two loved me like their own son.
âLetâs go and see Emma. Make sure not to upset her this time because if you do, Iâll shave your head. Thatâs a promise.â She grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled them off.
âOuch. That hurts.â
Grandma released my hair before she got in the passenger seat. Grandpa took my seat. I had no choice but to sit in the backseat with the flowers.
We arrived at the rehab center.
âEm!â I yelled and ran towards her.
âPerce? Oh, my God!â She cupped her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise.
I hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. I wrinkled my nose. âYou stink, Emma. Did you even shower?â
She hit my arm. âLiar! Just got out of the shower. Are those for me?â She pointed to the flowers in my hand.
I shook my head. âNo. Sorry, Em, but these are for Jonah.â
Her face fell.
I laughed my ass loud, causing everyone around to look at us.
She hit my arm again. âYour voice, silly. Youâre not in the street.â
I was still shaking from laughter. âDid they teach you here how to hit too? You hit me twice now.â
She snarled. âThose are mine.â She pointed at the flowers.
I rolled my eyes this time. âOf course, these are for you, stink.â I handed her the flowers.
âCallas.â Her smile widened. If a simple flower could make her happy like this, I would bring it in every visit.
âDonât call me to stink. Thank you. These are beautiful.â She smelled the bouquet.
âHey, Grandy and Grammy. Donât I get a hug? I swear I donât stink.â She raised her underarms to sniff.
I chuckled.
We followed her to her room. I sat on her small couch while Grandpa and Grandma prepared us something to drink. We stopped in the donut shop before coming over. Emma loved donuts.
âI canât remember the last time I ate a donut, Perce. Thank you, Grammy.â She took a big bite of donut.
I pulled some tissue paper and wiped the powdered sugar besides her lips while she licked some of it.
âHey, slow down. Youâre gonna choke.â
âAmeeshee,â she said while she was chewing.
âWhat? Can you talk later? Eat first, Emma.â I handed her favorite flavored water. She drunk a good amount from it.
âI said I miss this. I miss eating donuts.â She took another huge bite.
âI thought you got whatever you asked.â
She shook her head. âThey wonât allow me to eat too sugary, too salty. and too greasy.â
âAnd why is that?â I looked at my grandparents. They both gave me a shrug. My heart ached for Emma.
âThey said I have to stay healthy. Thatâs it.â
I looked at her to see if she was hiding something from me. I saw nothing. âOkay. And you will only be eating that once a month.â
âSince I canât run or exercise my lower limbs, I canât burn too many calories, so I have to avoid eating those things. I can eat, but a small amount.â
I swallowed. âIâm sorry, Em.â
She hit my hand playfully.
âStop it. Youâre getting used to hitting me, stink.â
âMom and Dad wonât allow me to take online classes right now. They said once I get out, thatâs the time I make plan whether I go to college or stay at home and take online classes.â
I clenched my jaw. âOf course. They have to control you. Why do they have to stop you, Emma? If you can take online classes, and it wonât interfere with your treatment, Then whatâs their problem? Is it about money? You have plenty.â
She just shrugged.
âYouâre almost nineteen. Stay with me after your release. You already have a room in the apartment ready for you. End of discussion, Em.â
She pouted.
âWhat?â
She didnât answer.
âWhat is it, Em?â
She pressed her lips into a thin line.
âWe promised no more secrets between us.â
âI still want to join the marathon.â
I groaned, rolling my eyes. âCanât you join that one in Boston? At least you still have time to ready yourself.â
She shrugged.
âStubborn, I see.â
âLet her do what she wants, Percie. As long as the doctor gives her a go,â Grandma said.
I sighed. If this was really what she wanted, then so be it. âIâm coming with you, Em.â
Her eyes widened. âBut you have classes, Perce. You donât have to do that.â
âI donât care. I will ask my professors for essays. And this will be your first marathon. I wanna be there to support you. Right, Grands?â I looked at them for support.
âIâll be there too,â Grandma agreed.
âOf course, Iâll be there, honey.â Grandpa clasped his hands together.
âI guess you have supporters.â
She giggled. âYou donât have to do this. Thanks for the support, though. It means a lot.â
I kissed the top of her head. âWeâre in this together, didi. But you still stink.â
She growled. âIâm not.â
âYou are.â
âStop it, Percie.â
I laughed when I heard Grandma. âYou donât stink. Even if you are, I will still hug and sniff you.â
âEww. I wonât do that.â
I laughed. âOh, really? Donât you love me anymore? I guess you found someone already? Is it Jonah?â
She flinched. âWhat? Oh, my God! Are you jealous of Jonah, Percival Edmund?â
I grimaced. âNo. Why would I? I look better than him. He canât ever replace this handsome face and can never ever replace what weâve shared.
Nobody can.â
Broken Bad Boy ï¤10 Can't Resist the Billionaire ï¤Chapter 70 I'm here to check on your room, not to open a room We Got Love, The Crazy Kind ï¤Chapter 60 Rest Assured She grinned. âYou will always be my one and only.â
âIâm not worried.â
âGood. because you donât have to.â
Broken Bad Boy Can't Resist the Billionaire We Got Love, The Crazy Kind