Chapter 3

"I want us to talk about you," Helen smiled.

"My life is boring, yours is more interesting," Helen said.

She wanted them to stop talking about her life because it made her understand the reality of all of it more, which she is afraid to face.

Helen pulled Emma towards her, making her rest her head on her shoulder.

"What happened this time?"

Helen hesitated for a bit, as memories of the night came flashing back in her head.

"He found out about my contraceptive pills, he was enraged, threw everything out, hit me till I fell on the floor crying."

A tear slipped down Helen's cheeks, as she narrated what had happened.

Emma raised her head looking at her sister's face lingering with sadness and fear. Emma's heart aches for her.

"I don't want to have a baby with him, I don't!!" Helen sobbed and Emma pulled her into a tight hug.

Emma knew that all that Helen said about it being hard to leave was true.

Their mum was already too exhausted from taking care of her alone and if Helen were to return home, it would be a lot.

"We are going to figure it out, I promise."

The rest of the week went by as usual at the restaurant, apart from the fact that Emma hadn't seen the man from table 5 again.

"Did he come today?" Emma asked, putting on her apron while facing Mark.

"At this point, you should probably go looking for him in his house," Mark said, rolling his eyes at Emma.

"I was just asking," Emma scoffed then continued taking her order.

"Anna is here again," Emma teased looking at the group of girls sitting at table 6.

Mark looked in the direction Emma was looking at.

"I think she likes you."

"She couldn't possibly, she is like the prettiest girl in school and all. Why would you say that?"

"She sits there every time she comes with her friends and insists she wants you instead of me."

"Maybe she likes a familiar face," Mark shrugged.

"She glances at the side almost every minute just to see you. That has to count for something."

"Not everything in life is like a romantic movie, Emma."

Mark walked up to where Anna was with her friends, to take their order.

Emma smiled as she watched him walk up to her.

"She wants me to go with them to a movie tonight," Mark said.

"She just asked you out," Emma said, excited.

"She didn't. It's with her friends."

"Did you ask if her friends will be there?"

"Yes."

"That's why she told you they will be."

"I guess some things in life are a romantic movie," Emma grinned.

"Did you say yes?"

"I didn't."

"Why? She is such a beautiful girl. You should go out with her."

Mark picked up Anna's order and was about to take it to them.

"I don't have that time now."

"I can cover for you at the restaurant if that's it."

" I have college applications to write, I have guitar lessons and AP classes to attend. I don't have any extra time."

"You have to start living boy, life is short."

"No one got into Harvard by spending their time going to the movies," he said then walked away.

"Do you, boy."

Emma had never really understood Mark. Emma wasn't the most popular girl in high school, but she made sure she didn't miss out on passing through high school.

She attended parties when invited, and went out to the movies with the few friends she had. Attended every prom there was to attend, she had a social life and loved every minute of it.

She had a friend who was just like Mark and hated to go out to anything, no matter how small it was.

She just really felt life was in phases and are you living if you don't enjoy every phase there is?

"I am going out for my break," Emma said to Mark, dropping her apron and picking up her bag.

Emma walked to the park across from the restaurant, it was where she went for her break. It was serene and quiet and she was able to think and write.

A lot of people didn't use the park on weekdays, so it was easy to sit and enjoy the silence.

She would on most days put a burger or sandwich for lunch along and would eat while she scribbled down thoughts in her head.

She brought out her book to write, she had always preferred to write than type the words.

She felt it was more authentic and made her seem like a real writer.

She sat on a bench in the park underneath a tall tree, which creates shade for her from the sun.

A slight breeze blew, causing some of the leaves from the tree to make their way to the floor. The park was barren except for an older couple walking their dog.

Emma smiled while she watched the older couple hold hands and laugh. They seemed so in love and she enjoyed the view.

"Is this seat taken?"

Emma looked up to see who was speaking and realised it was the guy from table 5.

"Table 5," Emma abruptly said and she immediately regretted it.

Eric rubbed the back of his neck.

"That's a start," he said, confused.

"I am sorry, you can sit."

"Table 5, huh"

Emma laughed "I didn't know why I said that."

"It's fine," Eric smiled.

"I didn't get your name the other day."

"I am Eric and you are?"

"Emma, nice to meet you again."

"I was taking a walk and I saw you sitting here, decided to come to say hello."

"Wouldn't think you would recognise me."

"Your face is pretty hard to forget."

Emma could almost blush at the compliment but she was trying her best to stay calm.

"Never seen you around here, are you new here?

"Moved a month ago."

"That explains it then."