The Next Chapter (NEW VERSION)

Chapter 17

—Emily's POV—

I left. I actually left. What have I done? This is the right thing. Right? Yes. Yes, it is. I walk back to the bus stop where I see a familiar face.

"Michael?" I ask.

"Emily? Hi!" He hugs me.

"Hi! What are you doing here?"

"Just buying some stuff for my friends back in England. They made me promise to buy them souvenirs." He laughs.

"Oh, you're leaving?"

"Yeah, can't stay here forever."

I nod. "Hey... Want to grab a coffee?"

"Sure." He looks around. "Perfect. What about there?" He points to the café where Jake is sitting.

"Oh, no... I don't like their- Ehm... Green tea." I nervously say.

"Okay, I guess we'll find some other place." He pauses. "There's a place on that corner. How's their green tea?" He smiles.

"No idea. Never been there." I smile back.

"Great. Let's go." We walk towards the other café, and it honestly looks really cozy. Why haven't I've been here before? He holds the door open for me as I go inside. We find a table near the windows.

"Wow, I forgot how many coffee drinks we have in America." He laughs and looks at the menu. A waitress comes by and asks if we're ready to order. "I'll have a flat white and she'll have a green tea." She scribbles it down on a piece of paper then walks away. "I know you didn't say anything, but I figured that's what you wanted."

"I did want it." I smile. "So, more about you. How're things in England?"

"Amazing. I absolutely love it over there. The people, the schools, my friends. The weather can be tricky but hey, I can't control the weather." He laughs. He has a nice laugh, the sort that makes you smile. "Let me guess, if you could control the weather you'd have summer all year long?"

"Nope. Winter. Cold air, snow, knowing Christmas is almost there, sitting on the couch with blankets and watching Christmas movies... Just love it."

"I'm one of those who start watching Christmas movies in November."

"Me too!"

"Really? Thought I was the only one." We both laugh.

Time went on faster than I thought and before I knew it I was at home in my bed scrolling through my phone. I can't believe it's Monday soon.

Which means school...

Which means Jake...

* * *

And now that the day I dreaded most is here, I don't want to get out of bed. Shocker right? I force, actually force, myself out of bed and into the shower. I wash my hair and just stand there, letting the water run down on me.

"Emily! More people have to use the bathroom!" I hear Asher from outside.

"Five minutes!" I yell back.

In my room again I pull out a plain black skirt with a light blue shirt.

Plain and boring.

Just like my life.

Kidding. Just kidding...

Luckily mom opens the door, distracting me from... Well, everything. "Hey, honey! What's going on?" She says and sits down on my bed.

"Nothing" I smile.

"Don't lie."

"What?"

"Emily. Honey. I'm your mom. I know when my daughter isn't feeling well." She pats the bed and moves over so I can sit.