6

Emma sat on her bed with her notepad in front of her. Staring at the only thing written on the first page which was "chapter One".

She picked up her pen and then began "she knew him even before she met him. Everything about him was familiar, his touch, love, speech. Everything."

Emma continued for about 2 hours later. She smiled as she dropped her pen, scanning through the two pages she had just written.

Her writer's block was finally over and she couldn't be more excited.

"He has been sitting there for close to an hour, are you going to talk to him?" Mark asked as they both looked in the direction of Eric.

He had been sitting at the restaurant and had requested to speak to Emma but she wasn't bulging.

"I don't want to," Emma said, picking up an order.

"He doesn't look like he will leave there."

"Then he will have to remain there forever because I am not speaking to him."

"I am lost about something. Catch me up real quick," Mark said, "you were going on and on about this guy some weeks ago, why don't you want to speak with him now?"

"Let's just say, life happened."

Mark chuckled, still confused. "Suit yourself but handsome men like that don't wait forever."

"Not like I am ugly too," Emma said, rolling her eyes at Mark.

"If you say so."

"I need to leave for my break now," Emma said, pulling off her apron and picking up her bag.

"Alright."

Emma passed through the back door to avoid being seen by Eric.

"Emma." Eric called as he hurried behind her. He had been keeping watch and had known when she left.

Emma stopped on her track and Eric hesitatingly walked up to her.

He was breathing heavily from having walked fast behind her.

"I just want to talk, please."

Emma looked at him not knowing what to say. He looked sincere and she could see it in his expressions.

"I got you something," Eric said, handing Emma a book.

Emma collected the book "pride and prejudice," she said.

She looked up at him and smiled.

"Don't blame me. I don't know so much about books. I went to the book store and asked that I was given one of the best books."

Emma had probably read the book more than twice.

"Thanks."

"I am sorry."

"It's fine," Emma said but Eric still wasn't convinced that she had forgiven him.

Emma was about walking away when he spoke again.

"Can I but you lunch. I know a place that sells really nice sandwiches."

Emma turned back to look at him and smiled.

"You don't have to, it's fine."

"I want to. It's the least I could do."

"You bought a book already," Emma said, raising the book.

"You didn't seem too impressed," he said and Anna laughed.

"It's a classic. I might have just read it twice, or three times."

"I knew I should have gone with the other one," Eric said, running his hands through his hair.

"Don't beat yourself up, it never gets old to read a classic."

"So how about the sandwich? They have a nice burger too," Eric smiled.

"Okay, okay, you're really persuasive and I am hungry too."

Eric laughed and they both made their way to the shop to eat.

"You walk so fast, by the way."

"Didn't know," Emma chuckled.

Eric and Emma made their order and where sitting in the corner of the shop.

"I am sorry again," Eric said.

Emma smiled, it was cute how sincere he was.

"It's not you, I have just never shown anyone my writings."

"They are amazing."

"You're probably just saying that," Emma said, looking down.

"No, I am not. They are truly amazing. I don't know so much about books but I know art when I see one and your writings are art, beautiful ones."

"I have just never felt ready enough to show anyone. The imposter syndrome kills me."

"You have to stop letting it control you. You are an amazing writer and you have to let the world see that. You can't keep such art away from the world."

Emma smiled, no one except from her sister as ever encouraged her this much about her writing.

And she had always still felt her sister loved her writing because she was her sister and not because they were actually good enough.

For the first time, she felt good enough and like she could actually make it in writing.

"There are just so many amazing writers in the world."

"Yes, there are but they are not you. The world deserves to read your books, your characters deserve to be known and only you can make that possible."

"I have your order," the waiter dropped the fries and sandwich on the table.

"Thank you."

"The world isn't ready for the talent that's coming. One day, you're going to be a best seller and maybe you could even sign a book for me."

Emma laughed "sure, I would."

"I want you to know I am not saying all these so you will forgive me or because I want to have a conversation about it."

"I am saying this because I meant every word and I hope you start seeing yourself as the amazing writer that I see you."

"Thank you, this just made my day."

"But I still need you to forgive me though," Eric said and Emma laughed. "I have, the moment I received the book."

"This tastes amazing," Emma said, as she savoured the taste.

"I told you, it really is," Eric smiled.

"I love to come here," Eric added.

"But you still come over to ours too."

"Yes, I know."

"They sell basically what we sell here, why do you always come to ours?"

Emma didn't understand because theirs even tasted better than at biggie's where she worked. If she were to choose, she would choose here.

"Because you guys have something they don't."