The Leap [✔]

Chapter Five

"Aidan, call your brothers, tell them whats going on. Now."

Dad looks into the mirror at me, eyeing me sadly. "Emma, sweetheart, he'll be fine," he says, reassuring me but by the look on his face, the crinkle in his brow, I know he's trying to convince himself too. I look down at my hands, which are covered in my little brother's blood and sob.

I sit up in my bed from the memory that is starting to become repetitive, a nightmare. Tears run down my cheek uncontrollably as sorrow and guilt fill up inside of me, my chest heaving as I gasp for breath.

The nightmare is a memory of what happened that night, but it keeps repeating in my dreams, so it has turned into a nightmare. I do what my therapist said to do; take a deep breathe, count to three, let it out. And over again until I feel calm.

At the first of the summer,  I went to a therapist, but only because my parents forced me to go. They said I needed to talk to someone if I wouldn't talk to them. I stopped going though after about half way through the summer, declaring I was fine.

Dr. Noble managed to convince me that the accident wasn't my fault, that it was just someone who was driving along and couldn't stop in time when Tyler ran out in front of the vehicle. I know it wasn't my fault, but how could I not feel guilty when Tyler was with me when it happened? I was supposed to watch him, to make sure nothing like that never happened.

When I've calmed down, I look over at my clock on the nightstand and groan when it says it's only 3:18 am. Today is Monday, so that meant it is school again and I already know the day isn't going to be good. And the sun hadn't even come up yet.

Not bothering to change from my pink polka dotted onsey, I tiptoe downstairs, careful not to step on the creaky spots. The house is quiet, but when I round the corner to the kitchen, I jump in surprise when I see my Dad sitting at the table, drinking a cup of coffee.

He looks up and grins.

"Hey, kiddo. What are you doing up this early?"

I shrug and sit down across from him.

"I couldn't sleep. What about you? Mom hogging the blankets again?" I ask, smirking. He shakes his head.

"Nah, I have to be at work early this morning. Want me to make you some chocolate pancakes?"

My eyes widen at the mention of chocolate chip pancakes and nod. You might be thinking, what's so special about chocolate chip pancakes but my Dad makes the best. He makes them from scratch, and then as he's cooking them, he put chocolate drizzle in along with the chips, and it just makes them so much better.

"I thought so. No one can turn down my famous pancakes," My dad says, chuckling as he gets up and starts getting the ingredients. "So, how is school going? You like your classes? Any boys that interest you?" Dad gives me an evil eye.

"No, no boys," I say, but then think of Austin, and how I like being around him. "Well, maybe this one guy but we barely talk and I don't even know if I like him."

Dad stops paying attention to the stove, and turns to stare at me.

"A boy?" I think he is going to say I'm too young, and joke that I wouldn't be dating until I'm forty, like he usually does but instead he nods. "Well, if you like this boy, and he doesn't see how beautiful and amazing you are, then I guess he doesn't deserve you."

I smile, and Dad places a pancake on my plate.

"Thanks Dad."

"Just remember that if you like him, tell him. Guys won't wait forever."