9: The Truth Hurts

Emery's view

Lying in my bed, I kept replaying the events of the day that I had with Gracen. I can't help but think how beautiful she is, both inside and out. I like her friendly and sweet personality so much and her outspoken and strong attitude. She's literally like someone you dream for who comes into your life to sweep you of your feet. She's like a dream come true, and that's the scary part because good things don't last for me.

I keep thinking about what we did and how it's basically not what two friends would do. Friends would hang out at the mall, shopping, or the movie theaters, not walking around the pier and watching a beautiful sunset together. That's why I had to make sure to say I'm glad she was my friend, I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

But I have to admit, it was so fun. It felt nice opening up just a tiny bit to her, well to someone at all. She made me feel special and important, I thought as I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up the next morning feeling so rested. My nightmares and night terrors have recently gotten worse again, so peace and quiet is a blessing.

My family and I had planned to probably go out to watch a movie later, so I decided to get ready early. After splashing water on my face, I went down stairs to say morning to them.

As we were about to eat breakfast, the doorbell rings. I wonder who would be at our house at 10 a.m. Aiden went to go answer the door and came back smiling, Gracen followed behind him.

I'm shocked to see her since I wasn't expecting her. She said hello to everyone before turning to me and saying,

"Hey Emery, I just wanted to stop by and give you back your jacket that you let me borrow yesterday."

She blushed and avoided eye contact with me and it looked cute to see her all nervous. I was confused as to why she couldn't have given the jacket to me tomorrow, but I wasn't complaining because at least I got to see her. I said thanks and took the jacket. She looked around awkwardly and noticed we were about to eat and apologized for interrupting. My mom said no worries and even invited her to eat. More like finally convinced her after 10 minutes of everyone begging her to stay.

We had pancakes that Ethan made, which are delicious because he's an amazing cook.

We got into a conversation and it was nice listening to my family and Gracen. I would sneak glances at her and catch her looking at me, which gave me butterflies.

My mom wasted no time in asking Gracen about her family and how her move here was. Then, suddenly Gracen accidently drops a bomb shell question.

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Gracen's view

I absolutely love Emery's family, they are all so loving and very funny. I told them so much about my family and my old life back in Australia. Then we started talking about my parents and I noticed that Emery's dad wasn't at breakfast and assumed he went to work already, but I thought I'd be polite to ask.

"So, how's your dad Emery? Has he gone to work already, that must suck to have to do on a Sunday."

Right after I said that everyone got dead silent. Ethan and Aiden gave me a shocked expression and glanced at Emery. She looked really sad all of a sudden. Oh no, did I go into uncharted territories by accident. Oh my God, is her father still alive. So many thoughts raced through my head as I stared at how tensed and silent Emery got. Her mom finally broke the awkward silence by saying,

" I would have thought Emery told you already, but my husband and I separated last year and we haven't seen him since, well since Emery's accident," she stated unemotionally.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I had no idea," I replied. Yup, crossed a boundary by accident. Wait a moment, accident?

"Um sorry, but what do you mean by accident?" I blurted out. Crap, I'm going to regret that.

You could tell there was a shift in the tension of the room, especially with Emery. Glancing over to her, she looked pale, like she was going to be sick. Ethan noticed and put carefully put his arm on her right shoulder instead of her left. Why does she hate anyone touching her left side, though? Emery's mom spoke up which brought me out of my thoughts.

"Emery was in a bad car accident and was in the hospital for a while," she replied looking at her daughter.

"I thought I lost my daughter that day, but I luckily I didn't. It was a miracle I still have her here today," she added.

Emery looked to the side to hide her face from me. But I saw such a raw emotion on her face that it tugged at my heart to see her in pain. She was so tensed and it looked like she was holding so much in. She excused herself and ran upstairs to her room.

"She still hasn't come to grips with what happened. It still bothers her and I, don't blame her. But seeing the way she looks at you, tells me you're special. Maybe by telling you this, you can help her along the way," her mom said.

"Emery likes to act tough and worry about everyone else but herself," added Ethan.

I excused myself and went to go find Emery. When I walked in her room she was in the far corner near her window looking outside. I sat next to her and just let her know I was here. It didn't matter that we didn't talk, what mattered is that I stayed. I could tell it was hard for her to process what happened back there and to come to terms with what to say to me. It killed me to see her in pain and confusion. She finally looked over at me and tried to form a sentence, but she couldn't. I didn't push her, all I did was say,

"Emery there isn't anything you need to say. I'm here and I'll always be here. I don't care if you tell me more now or weeks from now. I'm not going anywhere"

She looked directly at me this time with a straight face and I could tell she was being genuine with me. She wasn't faking by half smiling or trying to be funny by making a joke or looking off to the side. She was real and that's when I've never seen her more beautiful, because she was strong, but also willing to show she wasn't 100% okay.

She did something I never expected, she hugged me. It was a proper hug and I made sure not to touch her left shoulder, and I didn't ask. I wanted her to tell me everything when she felt comfortable too. I could feel Emery loosen up just a bit in the hug and I knew whatever bond we had grew a little.