Page 43 of The Lucky One
“As much as I want to accept your apology and pretend like everything’s cool, I can’t! Till the end of my life, my first love will be a screw-up who completely broke me. How do you expect me to ever trust anyone again?”
“Not all men are like me. Please.”
“But I’ll always see you in them.”
I rushed back inside, checking my watch. Just one minute till Bio!
Jon didn’t only give me a fake, rushed apology. He stole my focus to get the A I so desperately needed.
Cold Heat
Emily
Six years ago...
I curled up on my bed, shivering in the chilly room. “I want Mama,” I whimpered, clutching my stomach.
“She’s at work,” my brother said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. His touch felt warm and nice. “Isn’t Capri-Sun helping?”
Capri-Sun, my trusty plush sunflower with a hot water bottle inside. Lucas spilled that sugary drink on her once and then we named her after it.
“No, my belly hurts.” I pulled the blanket tighter around me. “Can’t we turn up the heater?”
Lucas sighed. “It’s too expensive, Emi.”
“Oh...” Ever since we moved, life had changed. Mama was working a lot, but we didn’t have as much food as we used to in the fridge. And my school was so far now, I would have to switch to a closer one after the winter break. I was scared to go to a new school without my friends.
Lucas got up from the bed. “I’ll make a call.”
I could hear him talking to someone in the dining room-slash-living room-slash-Mama’s bedroom. A few minutes later he came back in and closed the door behind him.
“Did you call Papa?” I asked.
“No, not Papa. Richard.”
I widened my eyes and sat up on the bed, feeling the chilly air against my skin. “Mama’s boyfriend?”
“Yeah.” My brother ran his fingers through his hair. On the outside you’d never guess we were siblings. He got his dark eyes and dark hair from Mama, while I had Papa’s green eyes and blond hair. Still, everyone said Mama and I looked alike.
“Y-you met him?” It had been a few months since we moved into this apartment, but I still hadn’t met Richard. Mama was happy again, though, smiling a lot and wearing new silver jewelry with turquoise stones.
“Mama wanted me to meet him first to see if I approve before she introduces you to him.”
“Why?”
“I’m the older brother, it’s my job to protect you.” Lucas shrugged. “Does your stomach feel better?”
I let myself fall back on the bed. “No,” I said, but it was a fib. I had forgotten about my belly for a moment, comforted by my brother’s warmth and the thought of meeting the person who made Mama happy again.
Now...
I walked to Culinary with my head held high. Nothing could ruin this day after I’d faced the rumors with Jon.
Except maybe Breana glaring daggers at me by the lockers.
I focused on Danielle standing beside her, but she wasn’t smiling either.
“Look at you,” Breana sneered, “showing off to the people you hurt how happy you are now.”