With this thought, Carlton ran to the door, grabbed his jacket and, without turning around, threw over his shoulder to the guys:
"I'll catch up with Emily. Wait for me, don't go anywhere..."
"NO!" Dan suddenly shouted loudly and decisively, breaking the silence that had followed Carlton's words.
His voice was full of concern and there was an odd expression on his face, as if he was trying to keep something important from falling. Carlton froze for a moment. He turned to Dan, and his eyes became cold and wary. Dan rarely spoke so bluntly, and it gave Carlton pause for a moment.
"What's wrong?" he asked, trying to understand what was hidden behind his friend's words.
"You don't understand her, Carlton," Dan replied, his face suddenly serious. "If you run after her now, she'll think you're trying to control her. She'll get even angrier. You know how she gets when she's cornered."
Carlton looked at Dan distantly, trying to process his words. He wasn't sure if it would help, but what Dan said made sense. Emily might actually perceive this as an attempt to invade her privacy.
"But I can't just sit here knowing she's out there, alone," Carlton said, his voice full of determination but also doubt.
He didn't want to make mistakes, but he needed to be there for her.
"I understand," his voice was calm but firm, "but you know that she left for a reason. She will not wait for you to quickly solve her problems. Let her get home in peace. After all, you should know her nature better, after all, she is your girlfriend!"
The words hit Carlton like a cold shower. He sighed, lowered his head, and looked around. Dan was right, and he knew it. Emily had always been a strong woman who preferred to solve her problems on her own, and if she was leaving now, it meant that she really needed time. He didn't need to interfere with her process, especially now, when she was in such a mood.
"You're right," Carlton finally said, feeling the weight of tension ease a little. "I should have realized that sooner. She'll choose the moment when she wants to talk."
Dan nodded and brushed the dust off his jacket with a slight movement of his shoulder.
"Well, you're not the perfect guy," he said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood a little. "But you have a chance to be one. The important thing is that you understand what she wants. Sometimes you just have to be able to wait.
Carlton sighed and looked out the window again. He was grateful for the support, but his thoughts still returned to Emily. Where was she now? What was she feeling? Maybe she was already on the bus and leaving for New York, or maybe she was sitting on a bench somewhere, hiding her emotions.
At this point, Ryan, who had been silent for a long time, sitting on the couch with filled glasses in his hands, noticed how Carlton continued to nervously move around the room and finally decided to intervene. His words sounded unexpected, but they did not contain the usual irony or sarcasm that usually adorned his speech.
"Carlton," he said, not taking his eyes off his friend. "Forgive me, it's my fault she ran away from you."
Carlton froze, looking back at Ryan. He hadn't expected those words, especially from Ryan. Ryan was usually the one who always tried to lighten the mood, but now his face was serious. Carlton's emotions, which he had been trying to hide, were now spilling out.
"You?" Carlton sighed, confused. "How could it be your fault? Emily left on her own. She... she needed this.
"I probably said the wrong thing," Ryan paused, his voice even but tinged with regret. "It's just... when I started making jokes about her playing cards with us, I didn't think it would hurt her. I saw her suddenly change, like everything inside her had flipped over, and, shit, I didn't realize I'd said the wrong thing. And honestly, I was a little scared that you, as her boyfriend, would take revenge on me for it.
Carlton looked at Ryan again. He couldn't find the words to express what was going through his head. Emily had been many things to him-his girlfriend, his friend, his rock. But everything that was happening now made him feel like they were losing touch. He didn't know how to fix what had happened.
"I'm not mad at you," he said, trying to be honest, because, frankly, his head was all mixed up right now, and he himself couldn't figure out what exactly he was feeling.
Ryan stood before him, as if expecting an accusation, unsure how to respond to such sincerity. He searched Carlton's face, trying to detect any hint of irritation, but found none.
"Are you serious?" Ryan looked a little confused, his voice wavering slightly.
He was prepared for something more blunt, but instead Carlton said something that didn't fit his imagination. Carlton took a step forward, then sat down in his chair with a heavy sigh, thinking about his words once more.
"Yes, I mean it," he said, looking around the room. He could feel the tension starting to ease, but the chaos inside him was still there. "You didn't set me up on purpose, did you? You didn't know it would hurt Emily. I... I'm the one who's to blame for not noticing her feelings. I didn't see how much pain she was in.
Ryan was silent, but there was something in his eyes that looked like realization. He knew he wasn't the only one to blame, but Carlton was also telling the truth, and his words were actually getting through.
"So what do you want me to do?" Ryan finally decided to ask him. "Do you want me to apologize to her?"
Carlton thought about it. He wasn't sure an apology would change the situation right away, but maybe Ryan should at least show that he understood his mistake.
"No, not exactly," Carlton said, taking a step forward. He looked at Dan, who was standing in the corner of the room with a serious expression on his face. "I think we should do as Dan said, that is, leave her alone. She's tired enough this day, after all, don't forget, you showed up here to find everything ready, and who prepared all this? That's right, me and Emily," he added reproachfully, looking around at everyone gathered in the living room.
Ryan, Dan, and a few of the other kids exchanged glances, realizing that Carlton wasn't just saying this for show. He was sincere. He was tired, and more importantly, Emily was tired. Carlton could see his friends trying to force something out, but they all knew that nothing they said would bring Emily back until she wanted to come back.
"Carlton, you're right," Dan said quietly, taking a step forward. He was the calmest of the group, and his words were always precise. "We all came to you, of course, but you're right. It's not that simple. You know Emily better than anyone, and if she's gone, it means she needs time. And it seems like we've been too ambitious for her attention."
Ryan stood to the side, his eyes unfocused, his thoughts struggling to get their act together. He was used to being the center of attention, the one who always managed to bring the crowd to laughs, whose jokes were taken with ease, without ulterior motives. But now that the situation had gone beyond the usual fun party and he was in front of Carlton and Dan, his usual turns of phrase weren't working.
"I..." Ryan began, but the words caught in his throat. He paused and looked at Dan, who was standing to the side, watching the situation with a reserved expression. "I didn't even know Emily would take it that way. I thought it was just... well, fun."
Dan looked at him, his expression was calm, but there was some sympathy in his eyes. He knew Ryan, he knew that he wasn't a bad person, it was just that sometimes his words could hurt, and he himself often didn't think about the consequences.
"The problem is, Emily wasn't just kidding, Ryan," Dan said quietly but firmly. "She wasn't just talking. You don't understand that she's always trying to be in control, and when someone starts to undermine her confidence in her own life, it's hard for her.
Ryan felt his face go a little pale. He had always believed that his jokes were just light entertainment, that everyone around him took them as jokes and didn't pay any attention to them. But now that everything had changed, he was beginning to realize that maybe he was wrong.
"I didn't mean to offend her," Ryan said with genuine regret. "I just didn't think. I've always been used to joking, I always thought it wouldn't touch her."
Carlton, standing next to her, was silent. He felt his own pain easing slightly. Ryan wasn't a bad guy, he just didn't always understand where the joke ended and reality began. But Carlton still knew that Emily needed time, and that it was important not only to understand her pain, but to let her figure out what she was feeling on her own.
"I know you didn't mean to hurt her," Carlton continued. "But maybe you should think about not making jokes about things like that next time. Emily's not like everyone else. She's in your year, but she mostly hangs out with me. I know her better than anyone. And she's not always willing to play by the rules that seem normal to everyone else."
Ryan looked at Carlton, his gaze becoming more focused. He could have continued to defend himself, but now that Carlton had spoken so frankly, he felt it was time to listen rather than defend himself.
"I didn't know that," he said, a little embarrassed. "I didn't know that she... well, that's how she takes things like that. I thought she'd be like everyone else - laugh a little and forget about it."
Carlton sighed, knowing that Ryan didn't know the depth of the side of Emily he knew and loved. For him, jokes and lightheartedness might be a way to lighten the mood, but for Emily it was different. She didn't show her weaknesses in plain sight, but there was a world of worry hidden in her silence.
"You see," Carlton said, his voice softening, "she's used to dealing with things on her own. And not just dealing with things, but being herself. When someone starts undermining her confidence, even with jokes, it's a blow to her. She values honesty, but she's not always prepared to take it easy on herself, especially when something important concerns her."
Ryan stood silently, his face not only apologetic but understanding. He never thought Emily would take his words so seriously.
"I didn't think she'd react that way," Ryan said again, this time with determination. "I'll be more careful. Thanks for telling me. I wouldn't want her to think I don't appreciate her."
Carlton nodded, his expression softening slightly. He knew Ryan wasn't a bad person, and his intentions weren't malicious. But sometimes it was important to let people know that jokes weren't always just words. Especially when it came from a person who didn't ask for attention, but needed it more than anyone else.
"Emily is not so simple in her perception of the world," Carlton continued, choosing his words carefully. "But she, unlike you, will not demand anything from others. She simply expects to be understood. So when you see her tomorrow at lectures, try to be honest with her, without these 'jokes'. And don't force her to play cards," he said, smiling with a slight hint that seemed to soften his words, but the meaning was still clear.
Ryan stood with his head down, a little pale, as if he had just realized the importance of everything Carlton was saying. He could have easily slipped into his usual manner of mockery and sarcasm, but now something in his heart had changed. He realized that he had never really thought about how his jokes could hurt others, especially Emily.
"I get it," Ryan finally said, looking up. His eyes were a little confused, but there was no longer that familiar lightness in them. "I was probably too harsh. I didn't think Emily would take it that way. And about the cards, you're right. I just... didn't think about what it might mean for her."
Carlton nodded, his gaze soft but serious. He knew Ryan wasn't a bad guy, he just couldn't always figure out where the lines were, where jokes became insults.
"Emily is my girlfriend," he repeated, as if reminding himself. "And that means that whoever treats her badly will have to deal with me!"
His voice was firm, and although he wasn't shouting, his words were loud and confident, like a warning. Ryan, who was just about to leave, froze in place, his hand frozen on the door handle. He didn't know what to say, and for a moment he was even at a loss. Dan, standing next to him, was silent, and seemed to be waiting for the tension to pass.
Carlton took a step forward, his gaze hardening. He felt like he had to be prepared to stand up for Emily-not just as her boyfriend, but as someone who actually cared about her feelings. He knew that if anyone had the right to protect her, it was him.
Ryan, trying to regain some control of the situation, sighed and turned around. He met Carlton's gaze, and there was a mixture of apology and hesitation in his eyes.
"Carlton, I... I..." but he didn't finish, because Carlton suddenly exploded.
"Get out!" he shouted at his guests. "You're sitting here with me when Emily has clearly hinted to you that the party is long over! So stop wagging your tongues and get out of my house! Out!" with his last words he threatened Ryan with his fist.
Ryan stood there, unsure of what to say, while Carlton continued to stand by the door, his chest heaving with rage. The words Carlton had spoken seemed to slam into the air, causing everyone in the room to feel tense. The boys fell silent, unsure of how to react. Their eyes were filled with surprise and confusion, especially Ryan's, who had never seen Carlton like this.
"Are you crazy?" Ryan managed to say, though his voice sounded less aggressive than confused. "We were just joking! Well, maybe a little unfortunate... But you know we didn't mean anything bad!"
But Carlton didn't react to these words, as if he hadn't heard them. He stood there, clenching his fists, and his gaze was hard and cold. Everything in his body, from his tense shoulders to his clenched teeth, said that he was not going to back down.
"Please don't waste my time," Carlton replied, his voice even, but with such frustration that the words cut like a knife. "Go... to hell."
Ryan opened his mouth to speak, but paused for a second, realizing that words were meaningless. After all, Carlton was the master of his own home, and right now, his home was becoming his castle. Ryan instinctively knew that he no longer had any power in this room. This was the moment when he couldn't just throw out another cheap joke like he usually did. He was a guest, and all he could really do was leave without causing any more trouble.
Ryan stood frozen in place, trying to find something in himself that could justify his behavior. He could feel Carlton's silence, his cold, hard silence, seeping into his very soul. It wasn't just discontent, it wasn't just anger. It was determination. Determination that fell upon him like a heavy weight.
Carlton stood by the door, his frame stretched tall, as if it were swallowing up all the space around him. His eyes showed no regret or anger, only determination. There was no fear or irritation on his face, only determination. Emily was important to him, and he would not allow anyone to hurt her.
"Get out of here," Carlton said without looking at them.
His gaze was far away, as if he could see not only these people in front of him, but everything that might happen next. Ryan stood silently, his face instantly pale. He didn't know what to say, didn't know how to justify himself. His thoughts were all jumbled up in his head, and he couldn't find a single justification for his behavior. His friends didn't seem to know what to do either. All they could do was exchange silent glances and start walking toward the exit.
At that moment, Ryan felt something inside him break. He was a man who was used to being in control, making jokes, defusing tension. But now, in that moment, with Carlton standing in front of them, he knew his game was off. He couldn't argue with what had just happened.
The guys who had been grinning at the scene a second ago were now silent. Even Dan, who was usually the one who tried to smooth over awkward situations, said nothing. He, like the others, realized that the situation left no room for words.
Silently, without saying a word, they headed for the exit. The sound of their footsteps seemed louder than usual, echoing in the empty hallway. The door closed behind them with a soft thud, and silence hung in the air.
Carlton stood at the door, his hand still on the knob, as if he was ready to give them back, but the voice of reason stopped him. It was all decided. Emily was gone, and he couldn't stop her, if only because he knew she wouldn't come back until she made her own decision. He let go of the knob, and the door closed behind him with a soft thud that echoed through the empty room.
He looked down, realizing how hard it had become for him. The evening, which had begun with ease and joy, had ended painfully, like a broken string. Carlton stood in this silence for a long time, as if trying to find answers to the questions that tormented him.
What now? What is left for him?
Carlton's gaze fell on the mess left behind by the party. Scattered cards, empty glasses, fresh traces of laughter and conversations that now seemed distant and insignificant. These things didn't matter now. He knew he wasn't who he wanted to be in Emily's eyes, and the guys who had come with her hadn't left the best impression either.
He sighed, trying to calm the storm of emotions still swirling in his chest. His footsteps were loud as he walked to the couch and sat down, leaning his head against the back. His gaze drifted back to the empty room, and Carlton thought. Emily was gone, and it was her decision. But he wanted to believe that she would come back. He wanted to believe that this was all just a fight, that they could talk, and that she would understand.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket, scrolling through his contacts. Words he could write to her flashed before his eyes. But they all seemed unnecessary. This wasn't what she needed to hear right now. He tried to type a message a few times, but then deleted them. All he could do was wait.
A few minutes passed and he heard a bus pull up outside. He knew it was the bus Emily was probably on. His gaze turned cold, as if he couldn't find the strength to continue hoping.
And then his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp vibration from his phone. Carlton looked at the screen, but immediately couldn't believe his eyes. It was a message from Emily:
"I'm sorry I ran away so suddenly. I just... I need to be alone. I need to think about all of this. I won't be coming to you for a while, so I can sort myself out and my feelings on my own."
Carlton stared at the screen, his heart beating faster. She had texted him first. That was the important thing. But there was more to her message than just an apology. She wasn't judging him, or accusing him of anything. She just needed space.
He took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts before typing the message. He knew he had to be honest, not shy away from conversations that were long overdue. Finally, he wrote:
"We need to discuss plans for the future. For the near future. I'm waiting for you in my house whenever you like."
He placed the phone on his knee and seemed to freeze, waiting for a response. Time dragged on more slowly, as if every moment was saturated with uncertainty.
A few minutes later, the screen suddenly lit up and a reply from Emily appeared on it. Carlton grabbed the phone and read the message:
"Like last time, at ten?"
Carlton felt relieved, but also worried. She wasn't trying to avoid the conversation, wasn't playing any hidden games. This was a step toward a solution, toward some answers. On her part, that was important. Picking up his phone, he typed again:
"Yes. Will you come?"
After that, he put it down, staring at the screen, waiting for the answer to come. Time seemed to slow down. Carlton tilted his head, going over all the words they were about to say. He was starting to lose confidence. Why wasn't she answering? What if she thought this wasn't the time? What if she was putting it off until later? He knew she was worried, but his thoughts were starting to get confused in a fog of doubt.
He sighed, placing the phone on the table and leaning back against the couch. As if he could feel the space around his body shrinking, Carlton made a decision not to think about it anymore. The conversation was necessary, but he couldn't force her to come early.
And then, when he had almost managed to convince himself that her silence was just a sign that she needed more time, the phone screen lit up again. He jumped up, grabbed it, and immediately opened the message. There were only three words, but for Carlton they were like a whole piece of work. These words meant that Emily was ready not only for a meeting, but also for a conversation. It was more than just a promise - it was her step towards him.
He exhaled, his shoulders relaxing a little. It would be okay. All he had to do was be honest, and now she was willing to listen. Carlton smiled as he put his phone back on the table, the screen still showing Emily's latest message:
"I Will Come."