Four

Emma’s and Robert’s point of view

Emma sat quietly watching lucy by the lake. As always, she was in a world of her own gazing up at the stars. Nicola and Alex were sat at a bench engrossed in their own conversation. Emma slowly walked over to Lucy; she smiled down at her and quietly sat next to her leaning her head on her shoulder. She was her best friend. She knew without a doubt that lucy was thinking of her hometown, it was Lucys go to. Living in her past. Lucy glanced up and looked over at Nicola and Alex, Emma smiled she was always checking everyone was ok. Even when they all went out clubbing Lucy was the one to protect them all. The sober one. Watching everything and everyone.

Emma looked up towards the park when she heard a noise, signing when she saw Robert in the distance. He had fancied him for some time. He was her dream guy. Having known him for some time yet never managed to find the courage or the confidence to take things further than their friendship. She signed again, Leaning back into the grass. Giving a small shiver as a breeze blew. Lucy laid back with her, staring up at the stars. They were stunning, it was such a clear night. Lucy looked stunning as always, Emma found herself wishing she had curves like Lucy. She sat up again.

“You okay Lucy?” Lucy smiled over at her. It was a sad kind of smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just thinking about home again and got lost in my thoughts I guess.” Emma smiled over at her; she didn’t dig deeper she had known well enough where Lucy was in thought. Emma stood up, brushed herself off, pulled Lucy up and suggested they went for a walk heading towards the park where Robert and his mates were.

Emma suddenly felt empowered, she knew it was safe to go over, and she was going to use the chance to get Robert’s attention. Lucy grinned at her; this is when Emma realised that Lucy had already spotted the guys as well. They linked arms and started walking up the small bank towards the park behind the local pub.

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Robert looked over at the lake and noticed that Emma and her friend had stood up and were walking towards them. He fidgeted and panicked a little, He had such strong feelings for Emma, but she was over him there was no way a woman like her would even look at a guy like him! They were worlds apart.  He walked over towards the swings, keeping his distance he felt would play it cool, as he was sure if he tried to talk to her, he would make a bigger fool of himself.

When Emma stopped walking, she noticed that Robert had moved away keeping his distance from her. Her heart sank, she didn’t know why he kept his distance he had been like it for ages. They had got on so well and she thought they had both felt the same and things were building nicely then one day he just became aloof and pulled back from her. She squared her shoulders stood up straight, pushed her breasts out and decided she was going to try anyway.

Lucy looked at her and smiled, they stopped short, the tall guy Emma didn’t’ know stopped just in front of them she smiled looking past him to Robert still on the swings. She greeted James and then headed over towards Robert.

Robert noticed Emma walking past James and Richard heading straight towards him, he panicked slightly not knowing what to do. Growling at himself he mumbled “Grow up Man, she’s a damn woman, not a monster, pull yourself together”

“Hiya” Emma sat next to him. Giving Henry a nod who smiled with a knowing wink and walked away from them to give them space. Robert looked over at Emma and noticed how beautiful her eyes were tonight and so out of contrast with her black hair. He smiled at her. She was stunning. And his heart melted.

“Hey Babe” the words were out of his mouth before his brain had chance to catch them, he went bright red. Emma smiled her eyes lighting up with joy. He called me Babe! She thought. It must mean something, you just don’t call someone babe after years of knowing each other and not feeling something. With renewed ambition she started to talk to him. Slowly the awkward barrier that had been between them recently dropped and they became friends again. They both started to relax into their friendship.

Emma smiled shyly at him; she was never shy but something about being in Roberts Presence made her feel so. Robert feeling more confident and after talking with Emma leaned over and put his arm around her, she leaned her head on his shoulder as the swings pulled closer together. This felt good, it felt right. Emma looked towards Lucy; she was by a tree with James talking. Lucy glanced up having just looked at her watch.

“Emma, we better get going it’s gone eleven” She called over. Emma nodded in agreement smiling up at Robert, they stood up and started to follow Lucy and James.

Robert took Emma’s hand as they walked behind Lucy, the others we all ambling along behind them. Robert had gained some courage while he had been talking to Emma, building up a little more he knew it was time to take another step towards Emma, so far, she had been quite receptive of his advances.