Broken

chapter twenty-three

In the morning, I see Mike's lacrosse gear leaning against the front door. I pause. I didn't want to run into him this morning, but as I walk around the corner, he's sat at the dining table eating breakfast. He purposely avoids eye-contact. It stings that he doesn't apologise for the things he said, but I know I can't force him to.

I drink my coffee and eat in the kitchen, not wanting to have a failed attempt at socialising with him this morning. He decides the same thing and tosses his empty bowl and spoon in the kitchen sink, grabbing his stuff, and leaving the house.

"Morning," my mom says. She drinks the remainder of the fresh coffee in her mug. "Was that Mike I heard?"

"Yes," I say.

"Did he speak to you?"

"No. I don't expect him to but..."

"I know." She looks at me sympathetically. "What are you doing today?"

"I think Spencer said she and the girls are coming over. I haven't seen them in a while."

"That sounds nice."

"Yeah. What are you doing? You look awfully dressed up to be spending the day at home." I raise my eyebrows at her.

She shakes her head at me, smirking. "I'm actually meeting with Zak."

"Zak? I completely forgot about Zak," I say. "Where did he disappear to?"

"I told him I needed space when you went missing. He understood. But I decided to call him while you were in New York, to see if he wanted to meet for a coffee. He said yes, so we're going to have a talk and see where things go." She glances at the clock, "shoot. I have to go, honey." She kisses my cheek quickly, and says goodbye.

I sit in my bedroom at my desk, with a small notebook, pen, my laptop and my earphones. I make a list of things Ezra and I need to plan for our trip, starting with the first on the list: our route. My music is turned up loud so I don't hear Spencer and the others knocking on the door; only when they burst into my room seemingly unannounced that I know they're there.

"You didn't answer your door!" Spencer stresses.

"Did you find the spare key to get in here?" I laugh.

"We had to," Spencer replies.

"I've missed you all so much!" I get up off my chair and hug each of them.

"How are you feeling, Em?" I ask.

"Better. I think."

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I'll be fine." She smiles, reassuringly.

"What are you doing?" Mona asks, looking at my setup.

"I...am planning a trip," I tell her.

"What have you got planned for you and Ezra?" Hanna asks.

"We're hiring a camper, so I'm trying to research the route we'll take."

"Wasn't that supposed to be a surprise?" Emily says.

"It was until I accidentally overheard him on the phone." I smile.

"I can't believe we won't see you for almost a year."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"And none of us are going to the same college, remember?" Spencer adds.

"Are you sure you can't delay the trip until the end of summer so we can have a proper summer break together?" Hanna tries.

I shake my head. "I can't. Ezra's already booked the flights. We can video chat and call each other as often as possible. It'll be great."

When they've left a couple of hours later, Ezra calls.

"Hey." He sounds tired.

"How was your day?" I ask.

"It was busy. Very busy." He chuckles. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. You should probably get some sleep, though. You sound exhausted."

"I will. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Now go and sleep. I love you."

"I love you too."

I leave school early the next day, texting Emily to tell her and the others where I've gone. Ezra's place is empty when I arrive. I call his name, gingerly walking around in the quiet. When I hear his footsteps rushing down the stairs, I break out into a smile and happily walk into his arms. This arms tight around me, I feel safer and more at home than ever.

"How was the history exam?" he asks as he makes his way back from the kitchen holding two glasses of iced lemonade.

"Better than I thought it would be. But I'm exhausted." I yawn.

"Too tired for this?" he asks, holding up his favourite black and white movie.

"Not at all." I say.

"I can guarantee you'll be asleep after half an hour."

I smirk. "I do like it...just not as much as you...and not enough to stay awake."

He laughs.

"You know if you stayed awake long enough to finish it, you might actually be able to judge it properly." He jokes.

I hit his arm playfully. "When you can stay awake through the whole of The Great Gatsby, I'll give this one a chance."

"The Great Gatsby isn't your favourite movie." He looks confused.

"You're right. But you still haven't seen the end of it."

He shakes his head. "Can we start this now?"

"Someone's getting impatient and a little too excited," I mock as he puts the movie on and then sits back on the sofa.

I curl up beside him and he wraps his blanket around us. He strokes through my hair with his fingers and kisses my head.

"You didn't show me what you planned yesterday."

"Oh, I forgot about that. Can I show you tomorrow?"

"Yeah that's fine. Are you staying here tonight?"

"Is that okay? My mom said she didn't mind."

"Of course it's okay. Even if you do take up half the bed."

I laugh, feeling my eyes close. He was right. I can't stay awake during this movie. I feel him pull me closer to him and hear him whisper "I love you", kissing my forehead.

A/N: hope you enjoy this chapter! Thank you for staying with this story until now, it means a lot to me! 
-emma<3