Silver Lining - The Host fanfiction

Chapter 89 The Object of Affection

Once he drew with one long kiss

my whole soul through his lips

-Alfred Tennyson

Emma

I wake up alone. The moment I notice that is like a stab through my heart. This is it then. He really doesn't want me anymore. It's going to be hard to accept, especially since I can't leave this place. I'll be confronted with Burns every day.

It's going to hurt.

A lot.

I'm already dreading breakfast. Did he really pick Rachel? Perhaps that is even worse that the fact that he doesn't want to be with me. I might be able to live with that. But him wanting to be with someone don't like all that much? I guess I'll just have to get this over with.

I get up and slowly make my way towards the bathing area.

After taking my time in the primitive shower, I wait a few more moments before making my way towards breakfast. Call me a coward, no one likes heartache.

...

Will and Milo are sitting in a corner of the room with Nate. They seem in deep conversation, so I stay clear from that table. Will is still not my favorite person.

I fill a plate with food and sit down at an empty table. Burns isn't here either. Neither is Rachel. Or Blake.

"What are you doing, sulking in the corner?"

I look up and see Kim smiling at me. She takes a seat at my table.

I shrug. Who else would I sit with? Not at a table that has Will on I and I don't really know the others well enough to sit with without feeling awkward.

"You were gone pretty fast last night," Kim continues, oblivious to my unresponsive attitude.

"I didn't feel like celebrating," I mutter.

She grins. "You seemed comfortable enough with Blake. Can't say I blame you. He's a real charmer, though I have to say, he seems more persistent with you." She gives me a conspiring look as if she's waiting for some good gossip.

"He's just Blake," I shrug. I just want to eat in peace. I nod at Nate's table. "What's going on over there?"

Kim sighs. Suddenly she doesn't seem so comfortable anymore. "They're talking about the raid and news they received from the other groups."

"What news?" I ask. After all this time here, I haven't really heard much about the other groups.

"I don't know, " Kim answers, "Milo hasn't told me. If it's something important, Nate will let us know."

The room suddenly feels suffocating to me and I quickly finish my breakfast so I can leave. "I'm... gonna go...," I bit my lip, unable to even finish my sentence. I can't think of an excuse, but I don't want to stay here. I clear my throat and leave without giving Kim another look. I know I'm being rude, but I don't want to be around people at the moment.

Of course, I have no such luck. The moment I turn the corner, I run into Burns.

"Emma," he says in surprise. He gives me a nervous smile and his eyes dart all over the place, but never settle on me.

I sigh. "Hey," I mutter and I walk around him. I was wrong before. I can't deal with this.

"Wait!" he calls, "I... I need to talk to you."

I stop and drop my shoulders. Here we go. "Just...," I sigh, "just say it."

"Right," Burns says and he moves in front of me. He scratches his neck and coughs.