Chereads / A Heart to Hold / Chapter 28 - The start of something new

Chapter 28 - The start of something new

It's a crisp August morning, and the halls of the high school are buzzing with energy. Emma, now 14, walks through the crowded corridors, his bag slung over one shoulder. He's grown taller and leaner, his blonde hair is longer than his elbows, down his back. There's a quiet confidence in the way he moves, but beneath it, a flicker of uncertainty remains. After all, it's high school—a new chapter.

Emma's small group of friends surrounds him, walking close like a protective shield. Each of them has their eyes on him in one way or another, subtly glancing to make sure he's okay. These aren't just friends—they're like a second family. They've been through middle school together, seen Emma's health scares, and have taken it upon themselves to watch out for him. They're caring, sometimes a little too much, but Emma appreciates them all the same.

"Are you sure you're okay, Em? I can carry your books if you want," Elli, a petite girl with a pixie cut, offers with a concerned look, already reaching for his bag.

"I'm fine, Elli. Seriously," Emma says, rolling his eyes but smiling softly. He's used to this kind of attention. Ever since his heart condition became known, his friends have treated him like he's fragile, though he's never felt stronger.

"Yeah, let the guy breathe a little!" Xavier, a taller, lanky kid with wild hair, nudges Elli playfully. 

"He's not gonna collapse if he walks to class."

"I'm just being careful," Elli shoots back.

"You weren't there last time when he had an episode in gym class, remember?" Emma winces slightly at the memory, but laughs it off. 

"It was one time. And it was nothing. I promise, I'm good." Xavier grins.

"Yeah, yeah," smacking Emma on the back.

"But just so you know, if anyone tries to mess with you, we've got your back." Emma laughs, feeling a warmth spread in his chest that has nothing to do with his condition. 

"Thanks, but I think I can handle myself."

As they walk into their homeroom, Emma notices how some of the other students glance at him. They know about his history—the crash, his heart issues, the mom who reappeared out of nowhere. But it doesn't bother him like it used to. He's grown stronger, not just physically, but emotionally. His time with Alex and their journey together has given him a resilience he's proud of, and now, he's ready to start this new chapter without letting his past define him.

Elli sits beside Emma, her eyes still flickering over him. 

"Okay, just remember—if you feel weird at all, just tell me. I'm keeping an eye on you." Emma shakes his head, amused but grateful.

"You're never gonna stop, are you?"

"Nope," she says, her tone serious but affectionate. 

"You're stuck with me." As the bell rings and the teacher begins taking attendance, Emma leans back in his seat, finally feeling like he's in a good place. He's surrounded by people who care, he's learned to manage his health, and most importantly, he's grown into someone who's no longer defined by his past but shaped by it. High school may be daunting, but with his friends by his side and his strength intact, Emma knows he'll be okay.

It was a quiet afternoon when Emma pushed open the front door, dropping his backpack by the entrance. Stopping just at the door edge, feeling the small carved heart in the frame. School had been the usual blend of chatter, classes, and his friends constantly hovering around him. He was used to it now, though it still made him smile—their protectiveness was something he'd grown fond of. The house was warm and familiar, the smell of coffee drifting from the kitchen.

"Dad?" Emma called out as he kicked off his shoes, expecting the usual quiet greeting from Alex. But instead, he heard laughter. Emma's brow furrowed slightly in curiosity as he walked toward the living room.

"What the-...?" As he rounded the corner, he found Alex sitting on the couch, leaning forward with a grin on his face, talking animatedly with Sarah, who sat across from him, holding a mug of coffee. She was laughing at something Alex had said, her bright eyes sparkling in the light coming through the window.

"Hey, kiddo!" Alex called out as soon as he saw Emma, his smile widening. 

"How was school?" Emma blinked, still taking in the scene. Sarah was here—a bit of a surprise. She'd always been around, a close friend to Alex, but it wasn't often she visited during the day. There was an ease between them that Emma hadn't noticed before.

"Uh, hey," Emma mumbled, dropping his keys on the table by the door. 

"It was good… Just… school." Sarah smiled warmly at him, setting her mug down on the coffee table. 

"Hey, Emma. It's been a while! You look taller—are you secretly growing overnight or something?" Emma rolled his eyes but smiled. Emma takes his hair out of his bun, letting it fall over his face. 

"Nah, just good genes, I guess." He walked over to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water. Sarah chuckled, but Emma noticed the way her gaze lingered on Alex when she thought no one was looking. It was subtle, but there was something there—something that made Emma pause.

Alex seemed relaxed, happier than Emma had seen him in a while. His dad deserved this—he had been through so much in the past few years, taking care of Emma, balancing work, and dealing with everything that had come their way. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Alex.

"Sarah brought over some stuff for dinner," Alex said, standing up and stretching. His long brown hair, similar to Emma's hairstyle. His beard was now thick and scruffy.

"Thought we could all eat together, if that's cool with you?" Emma shrugged, leaning against the kitchen counter. 

"Yeah, sure. That sounds good." There was a moment of quiet between the three of them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, it felt oddly… normal. Like this was how things were supposed to be. Emma had grown used to it just being him and Alex, but seeing Sarah here, laughing with his dad, it didn't feel wrong. It felt kind of nice, actually.