5 Chapter 5

As days went by, college and classes were getting easier. I had no distractions since Myra was basically never at the apartment, but Will always kept in touch. He and I spent almost every other day at the coffee shop studying together. Every day I was with him, he was always good to me, so when he needed help with some of his classes, I took every opportunity to help him.

Today was no different. I was sitting at the coffee house once more, waiting for Will to arrive. The café was the same, always with new customers coming in and the door chiming to announce their presence.

No soon after I ordered my first coffee, the door called again. I took my nose out of my writing and darted my eyes to the entrance in hopes to see Will's natural bright smile. But instead, my eyes had taken notice of the tall, familiar black-haired boy filled with arrogance. He walked in with a bitter face and another guy at his side, who contrary to Aiden, looked cheery.

I groaned and focused back on my workbook, silently praying that he wouldn't notice me, but my prayers were left unanswered. The more I tried to ignore him, the closer he got. Though thankfully, he didn't bring his little friend with him.

Aiden stood behind the chair opposite me and stared down not saying a word.

I didn't lift my eyes from my book because that would have been a sign I was interested in talking to him, which... I wasn't.

"I know you," He smirked willingly. "You're the girl who was hanging out with that moron." He looked at my bag on top of the table, more specifically at the keyring with my name. "Emma, was it?"

When I looked up at him, the smile he wore was proud and annoying.

Again, I didn't say anything, which caused him to shift on his foot in irritation.

"Are you ignoring me?" He spoke once more, leaning over the table slightly with both hands on the smooth dark wood.

I shut my large book with a thud, earning his undivided attention. I didn't need to be distracted by anyone... let alone him.

"Yes. I am ignoring you." I say bluntly.

I put away my class textbook and took out my reading book, paying the least amount of attention to him as I could manage, though it was hard when he was so frustratingly attractive.

Without an invitation, he sat on the chair and smirked. "What are you reading?"

"Why are you talking to me?"

"Am I not allowed to talk to another civilian?" He mocked me.

Jerk.

"I just doubt someone like you would be interested in talking to someone like me, that's all." I faked a smile and turned the page, trying my best to bite my tongue and focus on something other than his annoying grey eyes.

From what Will and almost everyone else had been telling me about Aiden, I didn't doubt talking to him was a bad idea. He was rude and selfish, someone I didn't need in my life when it was already messy enough.

"Well, you're not wrong." He scoffed and sat back in his chair lousily. He took the cup he brought over into his hands and played with the black lid.

"Isn't your friend waiting for you?" I gesture to the blond-haired boy talking to a waitress.

"Hardly," He took a big drink from the cup of coffee he had ordered before, and I watched suddenly amazed as the liquid passed down his throat. I blinked quickly and looked away, my cheeks burning a bright red.

"So what are you reading?" He asked again.

"A book."

"Just a book?"

"Yes. With pages and words on them."

Aiden hovered his eyes over me like he was trying to figure something out. Then, he stood, not even glancing in my direction as he did.

I furrowed my brows. "Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving. As you said, my blond friend is waiting for me and frankly," He whispered, "You're a little sour today."

His cold glare connected with mine.

"Oh. Before I leave, I just wanted to let you know that your book is dreadful."

"You don't even know what I'm reading."

"I don't have to know. You reading it is proof enough." He gave my book a final side-glance before he walked away with his medium sized coffee cup, a blond friend, and a twisted smirk.

After Aiden's visit, I spent more time in the coffee shop waiting for Will. I wasn't sure whether to tell him or not about Aiden being here since he practically hated him, but I didn't want to keep things from him either. Though, there was really nothing to tell anyway.

Half an hour passed and the door finally chimed in on my friend. I looked up and saw Will heading to the counter to order his usual cup. He scanned his eyes around the shop until they found me with his comforting smile.

Once he had received his double shot of espresso he sat down in front of me.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. Did I miss anything?" He asked, taking a sip of his freshly made coffee.

"Aiden was here," I told him in a quiet voice. Will perked up in his seat and tilted his head, confused.

"Did he talk to you again?" I nod my head and take the last sip of my coffee, finishing it off. "What did he want?"

"I'm not sure." I shrug. "He wasn't exactly charming about it though." I half-laugh.

"He never is." Will rolled his eyes and opened his satchel. "Anyways, should we get started?" I nod again and take out the things I had packed up.

Will and I spent fewer hours studying compared to the other days. We mostly talked about upcoming assignments and future studying plans that we made ahead of time.

***

As night came into my apartment, my phone's ringtone rushed through my room. I looked down at the contact of my mother and smiled. I hadn't talked to her since last week and between classes, I hadn't found the time to call her back.

Hearing her voice made me miss home more than ever, but I wouldn't tell her that since she'd probably wrap me up and send me back to her.

"Emma! I missed you! How are you? I was calling to see how you were! How are your classes? Are you adjusted yet? Do you have enough food? I can come by-" I grinned at all the questions and took them all in one by one.

"I've really missed you too." I giggle. "I am good. Classes are great, especially since I've been hanging out with a new friend that's helping me study... The apartment is already like my second home, and I have enough food to last me another month or so. And no, you do not need to drive all the way here just to check up on me." I tell her with tugged lips.

"I'm so happy to hear that... you have no idea how different things are without you here." Her voice sounded happy. "You mentioned a new friend? Are they being nice to you?" Her voice lowered into her usual curious tone.

"His name is William and we are in the same Literature class together." She hummed through the line in little acceptance. "Mom, he's the good kind... He's lovely and someone who you don't have to worry about."

"This William guy, what's his major? What is he studying?" My mother interrogated me.

"He's studying law... he wants to become a lawyer and some of his classes he takes at UC." I hear her sigh of relief. Something about lawyers and doctors always seemed to ease her.

"Okay... okay I'm sorry, I didn't mean to burden you with all those questions. I'm just worried for my baby."

"I know,"

"Tell me, how do you like things over there? Is it better than here?"

"They're amazing, I love everything about this place, but it's nothing like home." I paused, short enough so my mother couldn't add another word. "Mom... how are you?"

"I'm good! Everything is okay Emma... we don't have to worry about money right now if that's what you mean. Mark has been helping out even more than usual so everything is perfect." She knew why I asked.

"That's good to hear..." I say with a little relief dripping from my tone. My mother had never been so alone before. She always had me, though now, that had changed which worried me.

"Tell me, have you contacted your father?" I sat down on my bed to answer her question.

Having a relationship with my absent father was something I had never thought about before. Not until just a few days weeks ago, anyways.

"No, not yet... I'm planning to but I don't know if I'm ready. It's all so sudden for me,"

"I know honey," She paced her words. "It takes time but the earlier you do it, the earlier you can get it over with. I know he was never around, and you need to decide if you want him to be in your life, but I think you should call him." I take my lower lip between my teeth and grind back and forth in thought.

"Thanks, mom, I love you."

"I love you too, Emma. Now get some sleep! You don't want to be tired and have bags under your eyes." I laugh a little and hang up the phone, placing it on the bedside table.

I take out Pride and Prejudice and read from where I was up to. I have read this novel a thousand times yet I never got sick of it. I found hospice in it, familiarity, something I had no experience of when it came to my father.