“You’re being creepy.” He says after a few minutes.
“I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Can’t sleep?” He asks.
“Nah, you?”
“I actually haven’t tried yet.” He shrugs, “I spoke to Ember earlier and she says they are on Talia’s trail. She also asked me if I was ready for school.”
“Yeah, we should probably go school shopping tomorrow seeing as school starts in a few days.”
“Sure.” He nods.
“Alright,” I shuffle from foot to foot, “have a good night then.”
“Wait,” he calls out as I walk away, “do you play?”
“Sometimes,” I shrug. “I doubt I’m any good.”
“Who cares? It’ll tire us out and we can sleep after.”
“Okay.” I head over to the couch beside him and he hands me a controller. He leans forward and presses a button on the console and I get a full view of the tattoo on his back. “I like the tattoo. It’s really nice.”
“Some nice things cover the most hideous.” He grunts as he sits back.
Truer words have never been spoken.
We walk into the nearest Staples to Ember’s house and everyone notices us, or rather they notice Emmett. The words I once told Ember flood back to me.
“We don’t get many new people here, so you’re a bit of a spectacle.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.” He says as he shoots his signature grin at whoever he catches looking at him. He’s taking it a lot better than Ember did, that’s for sure.
Once we’ve grabbed everything we will need for school, including some obscenely priced leather backpacks, we head to the checkout. When the total flashes on the register, I almost choke on my saliva, I have never spent this much on anything for school.
“I got it.” Emmett says as he pulls out a black AMEX card.
“I’ve got money.” I retort as I pull out my wallet.
“I know Bro,” he clasps my shoulder. “I’ve seen your house.”
The cashier behind the counter snorts and accepts his card. “I knew your mother.” She says to Emmett.
“Oh yeah?” He says.
“Yes, you look like her.”
“I’ve been getting that a lot. Just wish I could’ve seen it for myself.”
“It’s a damn shame what happened to you.” She stresses, her hands on her chest.
“It wasn’t all bad. I did find Ember out of it all.”
“That’s very true, Rebecca would be happy to know you’ve both found your way here.” She packs up all our bags and we bid her goodbye.
“Gosh, people here are so darn nice,” Emmett says with a twang as we leave the Staples, “if only they didn’t stare at me like I’m a zoo animal.”
“They’ll get over it.” I shrug.
“Did they ever get over Ember?”
“Not really.” I grin at him, “but in their defense, your sister started teaching a fighting class and she has no intention of being a good little girl, whether in public or not.”
“True,” he nods. “I will have to redeem us on that good little girl quality.”
We both chuckle and throw our bags into the trunk of the car. We get inside and belt up but I don’t pull out just yet, I’m not really feeling like going back to E’s.
“Want to hit up that diner we went to before? With the amazing milkshakes and funnel cakes?”
“It’s called The Route.” I chuckle.
“Sure, let’s go to The Route.”
When we pull up, I see a few students from Precious Blood hanging around outside. It's a popular hang out for them and I knew we would probably run into some. Plus, it’s good to get him acquainted with some instead of being bombarded by them all in a few days.
I hear the collective gasps from girls and fight really hard not to roll my eyes. I know Emmett is attractive, that’s undeniable because fuck, look at his sister but I also know his ego is going to grow huge here.
“I think I’m a celebrity.” See?
“No,” I shake my head, “you’re fresh meat.”
“Hey!” He yells out to a girl in tenth grade. “Are you a shark?”
“No!” She squeals with a giggle. “Are you Ember’s twin? Everyone is talking about you.”
“Are they now?” He asks tauntingly while looking at me.
“Let’s get inside and eat, you Kardashian.” I mutter and walk inside ahead of him. I hear his full laugh and struggle to keep my own in check.
Our meal was peppered with interruptions from chicks and stares from guys. Everyone was beyond curious about Emmett and I could just imagine what walking the halls of Precious Blood was actually going to be like. I'm the type that likes to keep my head down and get through my day with minimal interactions. The most I ever did was chill with Ember during lunch and hangout with the team after school. I’m not a popular jock and I want to keep it that way but seeing how much attention Emmett is getting already, that may be flushed down the drain.
“You’re deep in thought.” Emmett says as I pull into Ember’s driveway.
“Just thinking about how my days of just living under the radar are over.”
“I can see you’re not a people person,” Emmett nods. “I don’t need you to babysit me at school. I can figure it all out.”
The thought of not being around him all day leaves me feeling a bit sad and I don’t want to dwell on it too long. “Nah, don’t worry about it. It’s senior year, I did pretty well up till now.”
“Plus, your brother is dating my sister who’s best friends with Adri, who’s obviously fucking you. That’s a circle you are not getting out of.”
“True.” I shake my head as we make our way
