Emma's POV
I heard his keys jingle, I also took it as a pause sign. We were definitely doing too much on school property.
"That's too many keys." I said, smiling.
"It's a crying shame it doesn't have the one to your heart in it." Chase said, smiling.
I laughed, Chase could be amusing when he wanted to.
"We really should get back." I suggested.
Chase was hysterical, and so was I.
"I can't wait to get home." I said, shyly. and I really couldn't.
I remembered the statement, 'there's light at the end of the tunnel', maybe Chase's proposal was the end of my tunnel.
"I'll see you later." I was so excited and it was getting increasingly harder to tear myself off him.
He gave me one last peck on the cheek and I sauntered back into the dining room, with my ring and necklace still on.
I was hoping to see Lily, but I could not. Lunch break was almost done, so I just went back to class, where she was sitting.
Lily and Jessica were alone in the hall, and I found that kinda weird.
"Hey babe." I said, walking up to where Lily was seated.
I heard Jessica scoff and walk out immediately.
"What's up with her?" I asked Lily.
Lily didn't look quite bright. I know she hated Chase, but she sure should've been happy for me. I at least deserved that.
"You don't look too bright yourself." I commented.
"Yeah. I'm a bit under the weather. Uhmm, congratulations though." She gave the most forced smile I had ever seen.
"You might not be happy about him, but you sure should be happy for me." I said, looking into her eyes, pleadingly.
She smiled, it looked somewhat genuine, so I hugged her.
"I'm happy for you" She said finally.
It felt good to hear it from her.
I wasn't sure about telling my mom, I didn't even know when she was gonna be back.
Lily was the next closest person to me, and it was good to have her backing.
"Please don't leave me." I begged her, giving her my cutest puppy eyes.
"I won't." tears were pooling in her eyes, I had tears in mine too, but she soon dried them out as we started to have more company.
Jessica re-entered with Gray and I began to wonder what really was up.
She was talking to Gray. Maybe she was trying to be some sort of connection between them both.
I always hoped they got back together, and that Gray drops the case, so we could be one happy family.
"I hope she wasn't bothering you?" I asked, concerned.
"Oh, no. She wasn't." Lily confirmed.
I waited to see if she was gonna say anymore, but she didn't, so I took it as that.
The ring was new and made it a bit difficult to write. I thought of exchanging the finger it was on, but things like that were sacred, so I dealt with it.
Chase didn't sit next to me, and I kinda appreciated it.
"Can you come over later?" I asked Lily.
I knew we had to talk. The whole thing must've caught her as a surprise, and I didn't like to be that friend.
"Mom and Dad are having their final hearing today. Courts making its decision. I've gotta be home." She said,
I felt horrible.
I had been so occupied with my shit that I totally forgot her family was tearing apart.
"I'm sorry." I said.
"It's not your fault love is chaotic." She replied, smiling sadly.
"I just wish I cared more." I said, dragging her closer
We struggled to pay attention throughout the rest of the day.
School ended and Lily's dad sent a chauffeur to get her, I knew something was actually up with her family.
"I'll call you." I said, as soon as she was ushered into the car.
I felt bad for her, but I had my own business to mind.
Chase was already leaning against the car when I got to the lot.
"I have so many questions." I said, walking up to him and laughing. "Why aren't you in the car?" I asked.
"Cause the key is with you." He answered with ease
"Thought you said you got the ring there." Saying it made me blush a little.
"For some reason, it was on the floor here." I hoped he was joking but he wasn't. "It probably fell out when you tried to run away from me." He joked.
"Are we riding together?" I asked, taking his mind off it.
"I'm driving you is all I know." He replied, beaming.
"I concur." I said, and got into the vehicle.
Chase never had PTSD from his accident and I kinda wondered how that was. A brave tough one he was.
"Hold on tight." He said.
"Please drive right." I begged.
"We just made a Rhyme." He said, excited.
I wondered how long he was gonna this pumped about us.
"What are you doing later today, my lady?" He asked, dramatically.
"Come on!" I said, blushing.
"I'm serious though." He looked at me. "You can't possibly think we're gonna celebrate it, holed up in that criminal's house."
I gasped and looked away. He could be so dramatic. Calling his dad a criminal was just unfounded.
"Don't say that." I chided.
"Talk of the devil." I looked at what he was talking about and saw them.
My mom and Mark, they were back.
I didn't know how to feel.
I wasn't the girl she left.
It felt like I was glued to the seat.
"Here or the garage?" He asked, sensing my fear.
"The garage please. Speed along." I replied, shakily.
Chase sped past them and soon we were in the garage.
I looked at the ring on my finger and the one on my neck top.
Chase, all the time, was having his fun.
I thought of pulling it off, but I didn't want to either.
"You're gonna have to face them, sooner or later." He said.
"Uhm" I replied, already vexing. "Is that supposed to be 'we'?" I asked, surprised at how he took himself out of the equation.
"I did already." He said, kissing my forehead.
I released the air I never realized I held in cause I wasn't breathing.
I closed my eyes and breathed in, came out of the car and went to meet Mark and my mom.