Water droplets drip onto my shirt and soak into the material. I pat my hair dry then shake it out, making a funny noise with my mouth. I've been spending all morning pumping myself up for the talk I promised myself I'd have with Emma. My shower ran long as I tried to figure out what I might say, and I came up with moot.Sighing, I brush my hair off my forehead and head out of my bedroom. I'm still not entirely sure what I'll say to Emma, but I think I can fake it long enough for Emma to get her feelings out. Hopefully she'll keep talking and all I'll have to do is listen. By the end, if everything goes well, Emma will have vented and I'll feel better knowing I won't have to walk on eggshells.I arrive before Emma's door and remain still, listening for signs of life. Sometimes she's downstairs before I'm awake and ready but this morning she's still in her room. I hear her reading, the soft hush of pages turning telling me so. I don't blame her for not being out and about yet. She proba

Unsurprisingly, I find Emma in the library, her nose in a book. I'm quiet as I approach and Emma doesn't look up. I don't think she knows I've found her yet, and I'm a bit nervous, so I remain just outside the room, watching. Emma's put her hair up in a messy bun, stray strands strewn about her face, and she has her bookmark between her teeth. Her eyes remain in the same spot on the page in front of her and her bookmark is getting more punishment than it deserves. Her anger at her father is clearly nowhere near being over. The news about our entourage probably isn't helping at all.Scratching the back of my neck, I slowly step into the library, almost expecting a harsh glare and the command to go away. It's my job to monitor Emma all day, every day, but I'd give her space if she needed it.I clear my throat to make my presence known and Emma's head jerks up. She stares at me, her bookmark held between her teeth. I scuff my foot on the carpet and stick my hands in my pockets. "Uh... Wh

Emma's stomach began rumbling mid make-out and I didn't want go any further, so we head downstairs, Terry and Antony in tow. My lips tingle oddly and my fingers itch to be linked with Emma's, but I don't want our relationship to be known, or whatever it is we have together. We're not dating but we're definitely more than friends. Kissing buddies, maybe.When we reach the kitchen Emma rummages around the refrigerator for something to eat while Terry, Antony, and I stand around, giving each other a wide berth. I haven't seen Mariam or Richard since coming down from my room but I'm sure they're lurking somewhere, waiting to bombard Emma and I with a few choice words. Mariam would probably want to make sure I'm getting along with the new guards, too.I snap out of my thoughts when Emma offers me some of her sandwich. She's holding it out in front of me, urging me to take a bite. I heat and glance at Terry and Antony. They haven't reacted to the cozy way Emma is being but I still don't lik

The speeches seem to last a lifetime, and they all have the same ending. 'Please donate', 'have a good time', 'enjoy the night.' I've finished my food already, as has everyone else at the table, and I'm counting the thorns on the roses of our table centerpiece. I wonder why the thorns were left alone, making the roses that much more dangerous.Finally, the last speech finishes and there's a round of applause. I clap, too, just to follow along, and survey the room. The atmosphere returns to how it was before- the dancing and drinking- and I wish I could enjoy this night along with everyone else. Now that there's nothing to stop her from talking, Mariam turns to me, her expression an odd one. Her jaw clenches and she takes a glance at Emma, who's sipping at a fresh glass of water. I gulp and scratch the back of my ear just as Roger excuses himself. He doesn't seem to have noticed Emma and I dancing and I thank the heavens for small favors.Mariam's eyes trail Roger as he stops to talk t