Time•EDxEC~Ethma•

twenty six

Olivia, Amanda, Ellie, Aaron and Grayson.

Emma loved each and every one of them. They were always there for her if she needed them, always there to keep her safe, and to hold her if she was ever upset. They were there for her best and worst times over the years, and part of each memory themselves.

How was Emma expected to tell them that she wasn't going to be around anymore? How was she going to tell them that they'd most likely never see them again? How would she tell them that she had to leave, without any excuse at all?

She couldn't. Each time she thought of how she would, tears would immediately well in her eyes, and she'd force the idea to the back of her mind. Emma wasn't ready to leave her friends, though she knew she had to. The idea of not having them around was sickening for her, and instantly made her want to push it all behind her.

If the circumstances were different, she'd stay without a doubt, just to be around them. She struggled to cope in the time she spent apart from them, when her and Ethan broke up the first time, so forever felt impossible. However, they weren't. Emma was going to be a mother, and that responsibility came before everything else.

Emma and her family had already made up their minds; to pack up and leave town as soon as possible. All they wanted was to give Emma and her baby a chance, a life that wouldn't be judged.

As much as it hurt her, she wanted, and needed, to get away from Ethan too. It pained her too much being around him, watching his life go on like nothing ever happened. Like she never happened. Raising his child would be hard either way, but in her town, around the heartbreaker that she loved so much, it just wouldn't be fair to her.

There was no reason for Emma to be around anymore, and more of a reason for her to leave, and that's exactly why, it was time for her to tell everyone the news. She thought it'd be better to not tell the boys where or why she was leaving, and since Olivia and Amanda already knew, it just wouldn't be fair to not tell Ellie.

It completely broke her knowing that Grayson would have no idea, because he's the one she has always been beside. Their bond was strong, and it throw it away so easily was a struggle, but she couldn't risk Ethan finding out.

Ethan.

She couldn't ever tell him, as everyone knows, but she still had hope inside her that he still loved her. In a dream world, Emma and Ethan would run away, forget about everyone else, and raise their family together. But he was happy with Hannah now, and nothing could change that. He loved her more than he ever loved Emma, and he proved that the day he left her.

After tons of time overthinking, Emma finally sent the text that read 'I need to see all of you' to the girls group chat. She figured she'd tell the boys after, so that way it would be easier to explain to Ellie about her pregnancy. They all responded saying they would be there soon, which left Emma laying anxiously on her bed waiting for them.

A knock on her front door brought her out of her daydream, and she bolted down stairs to answer it. The girls hugged her tight, bright smiles reflecting on to Emma's face as she embraced them. They all went to the kitchen, Ellie making coffee for everyone, and Amanda rummaging through Emma's cupboards for snacks.

"what's up em?" Ellie said, confused by the nervous expression on her face, and how she twiddled her thumbs apprehensively.

"El, Olivia and Amanda already know some of this, but I have to tell you something'' she replied, eyeing the other two, sipping their coffee.

''what is it?'' a look of worry spread over her face, her eyebrows knitting together, as she traced their faces for some kind of answer.

"Ellie, I-I took a pregnancy test at the hospital'' Emma paused, before taking a deep breath and continuing, ''and it was positive''

''holy shit emma'' Ellie gasped, clearly shocked while tears escaped Emma's eyes, ''its okay, everything'll be okay''

Taking her into a bone-crushing hug, Ellie continued to whisper words of reassurance into her ears. After a short while, Emma dried her tears and pulled away, preparing to tell them the worst news of all.

Her voice came out as a squeak as she quietly said, ''I'm moving away, its what's best for me and the baby'', and the girls immediately fixed their eyes on her.

''em, no'' Olivia's hushed voice said, as tears welled in her eyes, and the other started to cry too.

They asked for answers over and over, begging her to stay with them, but Emma explained that she couldn't stay, and that it was for the best. The weeping came to an end, and they all sat in a glum silence for a while.

''I leave in 2 days'' she explained, breaking the silence.

''2 days?!'' Amanda shrieked, and Emma sheepishly nodded her head.

''I can't believe you're leaving so soon'' Olivia sniffled, and everyone agreed, telling her that they'll miss her again and again.

The girls sat, talking over their old memories together for a while, and genuinely giggling with happiness as they reminisced over old times. For a while, they'd be drinking their coffee and constantly adding to the conversation, pulling each other into fits of laughter, before they all decided to go home.

By the time Emma had waved them off, as they drove out of her driveway, it was already dark out. She dragged her feet tiredly up the stairs, and searched through her drawers for clothes to sleep in. She settled on some shorts and one of Ethan's old hoodies that he left so long ago.

It still smelt of him, and she knew that it shouldn't, but it instantly brought a smile to her face. She was gleaming happily to herself until one messaged popped up on her phone which mad her heart sink.

You're leaving town?

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1050 words

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Hi bros sksksk