Chapter 5: A Place to Call Home
The drive back to Leo's house was quiet, the soft hum of the car engine filling the silence. The night sky stretched endlessly above them, the moon casting a pale glow on the streets below. Emma sat in the passenger seat, cradling the bag Leo had packed for her at the hospital. Her fingers absently traced it, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights as they flickered in and out of view like silent sentinels.
Leo's grip on the steering wheel tightened. He glanced at Emma, her profile illuminated by the faint light from the dashboard. She looked fragile, like on the edge of breaking. Yet, there was a quiet strength in the way she held herself, refusing to crumble despite everything.
"You don't have to stay there anymore, Emma," Leo said, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, but a protective edge laced his words. "You're coming home with me."
Emma turned her head slowly, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, she searched his face, as though looking for any sign of doubt. "Are you sure your parents will be okay with this?" she asked quietly. Her voice carried a mix of hope and hesitation.
"They know you, Emma. They'll understand," Leo reassured her, his voice firm. He cast her a quick smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Besides, Mom's been asking about you nonstop. I think she misses having another 'kid' to spoil."
Emma's lips twitched upward, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "I hope you're right."
The house stood at the end of the street, its warm glow spilling onto the driveway. As Leo and Emma stepped inside, the faint scent of cinnamon and vanilla greeted them, a comforting aroma that spoke of home. Mary, Leo's mom, appeared almost instantly from the kitchen.
"Leo, you're—" Her words faltered as her gaze fell on Emma. The smile on her face softened into something more tender, her eyes lingering on the faint bruises marking Emma's face. Without hesitation, Mary closed the distance between them and enveloped Emma in a gentle hug.
"Oh, Emma," she murmured, her voice brimming with compassion. "You don't have to say a word. You're staying here, sweetheart."
Emma stiffened at first, caught off guard by the unexpected warmth. Slowly, her arms came up to return the hug.
Leo's father, Richard, emerged from the living room. His broad frame filled the doorway, and his usual stern expression softened as he took in the scene. He crossed his arms, nodding firmly. "You're one of us now, Emma. Make yourself at home."
Emma blinked rapidly, her vision blurring with unshed tears. The weight of their acceptance was overwhelming, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like she belonged. She nodded silently, hugging Mary again, clinging to the kindness offered so freely.
Later that night, the matter of sleeping arrangements came up.
"Our house only has two bedrooms," Mary explained, a frown creasing her forehead. She looked at Emma thoughtfully. "You'll stay with me for now, dear. Leo, you can bunk with your dad."
Leo froze mid-step. "Wait, what? Why can't—"
"No arguments," Mary said, cutting him off with a pointed look.
Richard chuckled, clapping a hand on Leo's shoulder. "Welcome to my world, son. Early to bed, early to rise."
Leo groaned inwardly, knowing exactly what that meant. His dad's rigid schedule was a far cry from his own habits of scrolling through social media and binge-watching videos late into the night.
"Great," Leo muttered under his breath as he followed his dad to the guest room. Later, lying in the dark room, he listened to his father's soft snores and sighed. "This is going to be a long week."
The days that followed were a whirlwind of change. Emma began to heal, her once-pale complexion regaining a healthy glow. She started eating regularly, and the rare sound of her laughter echoed through the house, bringing smiles to everyone's faces. Mary took her under her wing, doting on her as though she were her own daughter.
One morning, the results of their exams were released. Emma and Leo sat side by side in front of the computer, the tension palpable as they refreshed the page repeatedly.
Finally, Emma's name appeared.
"99%!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief and excitement. A radiant smile lit up her face, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I did it!"
Leo grinned, leaning back in his chair. "That's amazing, Emma! You're going to get into an incredible college."
Her smile faltered slightly as she turned to him. "What about you?"
Leo hesitated, his fingers hovering over the mouse. With a deep breath, he clicked on his name. His score appeared on the screen.
"59%," he muttered, wincing.
Emma's brow furrowed. "That's... passing," she said carefully.
"Barely," Leo replied, forcing a chuckle.
For a moment, Emma looked concerned. "You might not get into the same college as me, Leo."
He shook his head, his grin returning. "Don't worry about me. I'll figure something out. We'll stick together, I promise."
Later that afternoon, Leo found himself sitting at the dining table, his parents' stern faces looming over him.
"59%?" Mary said, her arms crossed. "Leo, you barely scraped by! What have you been doing instead of studying?"
Richard chimed in, his deep voice carrying a note of disappointment. "Son, life isn't just about getting by. You need to focus on your future."
Leo nodded absently, their words washing over him. He knew they were right, but the lecture still stung.
From the doorway, Emma watched the scene unfold, a small smile tugging at her lips. She couldn't help but chuckle softly, drawing Leo's attention.
"You're laughing at me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, it's just..." Emma shook her head, her smile widening. "Even when they scold you, it's so obvious how much they care. It's... nice."
Leo sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up. "Yeah, yeah, they're great. But seriously, stop laughing at my misery!"
Emma's laughter bubbled up, filling the room with its warmth. In that moment, the heaviness in her heart felt a little lighter.