AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I get to the end of the walkway and head out onto the sidewalk. I blend into traffic, heading west, when my phone buzzes. I hesitate but decide to grab it out of my bag. I pull off to the side and lean up against a brick wall as I check my messages.
I’m surprised as hell. “Come meet us outside the Writers house,” the message says.
And it’s from James
I stare at it for a second, not sure if I should respond, not sure if I can. But then I shake my head, feeling stupid.
Of course I can respond. I shouldn’t doubt myself so damn much.
“Right now?” I type back to him.
“Right now,” he responds. “Hurry up.”
I hesitate a second, but there’s no real question in my mind. My heart’s racing in my chest and excitement boils up through my skin. “Okay,” I send him. I start walking back to campus, walking fast.
I want to scream. This isn’t happening. I’ve pictured this exact scenario over and over this past month, imagining that the guys will just reappear in my life and admit that they should never have let me go. Every time I have that fantasy, I feel so stupid, but I can’t help but smile.
And now… well, I can’t get ahead of myself. I don’t know who I’m meeting. It could just be James, but he made it sound like he’s not alone.
I’m practically shaking as I hurry toward the Writers house. Of course, he picked the spot furthest away from where I was, and so I feel like I have to hurry. The Writers House is the creative writing school’s home base, where they have classes, readings, and all that good stuff. I’ve been there a couple times for shows and readings from authors that I like, and it’s a cute little place. Of course that’s where James wants to meet me, he’d know all about it, most artists do.
I’m breathing fast. I’m so damn nervous. I feel like this is finally my chance to stand up and say what I want. I can’t believe it’s actually happening, but as I turn down the brick walkway that leads toward the Writers House, I know I’m going to speak up.
I deserve what I want. And if they want it too, there’s no reason we should back down. I know Henry will hate us, probably will never get over it, but I can’t live my life wondering what other people think about my happiness. I can only take what I want and try my best.
I get closer and closer, and I see him, leaning up against a black railing. He’s wearing a brown jacket, slim jeans, and his hair is messy.
And as I get closer, I realize he’s not alone.
I want to scream. I’m afraid and I’m happy and I’m sad, all at once. It’s a confusing cacophony of emotions and I don’t know how I’m going to handle this moment.
James turns to me. His face lights up. Aiden and Carter step toward me. Daniel, looking haggard, suddenly grins huge. Even Ryan’s there, eyes bright.
“Hey, Emily,” James said. “We came to see you.”
For a second, I don’t know what to say, but then it doesn’t matter. They come up to me and kiss my cheek, one after the other, and it doesn’t matter. None of it matters.
“I’m glad you all came,” I say, which is the understatement of the world.
Aiden squeezes my hand, laughs, and I know I won’t look away, not this time. Maybe we have some hard decisions ahead of us, but I’ll face them, full on and grinning the whole time.
