20| Sabotage
I like her. Shit, shit, shit, I like her. Like, I genuinely like her.
"You're falling asleep on the floor," I said, nudging her knees with mine.
"No, I'm not," she said with a lazy smile on her lips.
"Yes, you are, Emma, get in bed," I said, nudging her leg again.
"I am wide awake, see," she laughed, leaning forward, resting her chin on her knees as she hugged them, looking straight into my eyes. "In fact, I think you're the one falling asleep," she smirked.
I rolled my eyes, "Get in bed," I said while shifting to stand up.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me back down to my seat. I sighed, looking down at her. "I don't want to go to sleep yet," she mumbled, barely keeping herself awake.
"Why? It's 2 in the morning," I whispered.
"But I'm having fun," she said, stifling a yawn, "You're good company," she said, nudging my leg. I stared at her, leaning my head back against her bed. "You're a good friend, Nathan," she said, giving me a small nod.
"I sabotage a lot of friendships," I mumbled, twiddling my thumbs.
"What do you mean?"
"Brandon wasn't my only friend. I used to be really close with the entire time, but I just... I started acting like a dick towards everyone after... I don't know, I just pushed everyone away," I mumbled.
"Then just... don't sabotage this one," she shrugged.
"I wish it was that simple," I smiled.
"It can be. You know what, people are more cautious about things like that when they realize how important the other person is to them.
I don't know how helpful that is considering we've only known each other a week but uh.
.. just try," she explained, "Try not getting yourself into situations that can lead us to a fight. "
"Does that mean we'll only fight if I self-sabotage?" I questioned.
"We'll only fight if one of us gives up on the real... Uh, friendship. In case you haven't noticed, I read romance novels."
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked in confusion.
"I once read in a book that a relationship only fails if both people give up at the same time.
I think that applies to friendships too, you know?
Sometimes one person gives up, sometimes the other person does, but the key is to never give up at the same time.
When the other person is still fighting for you, you see the value of what you have.
But when no one's reminding you of how lucky you are to have them, or how much they care about you, you think it isn't worth it, when it is.
So, let's promise, we're doing this so you don't self sabotage this friendship," she cleared her throat, leaning forward and sticking her pinky finger out.
Chloe used to think pinky promises were stupid.
I never told her I disagreed.
"We won't give up at the same time. Ever. If one of us does, the other person will pull them back. Promise?" she asked.
I leaned forward and locked my pinky with hers, without a moment of hesitation. "I promise." She smiled, her eyes scanning my face, lingering on my lips for a beat longer. Just a beat. "I should go upstairs," I whispered, pulling my hand away from hers.
"Make sure my mom doesn't see you, she comes out into the kitchen sometimes to get ice cream," she said while standing up, getting the door for me, leaning her head against it. "Goodnight," she whispered with a smile.
"Goodnight," I whispered, stepping outside as the kitchen light flicked on.
She grabbed my shirt, yanking me back inside, closing the door and quickly yet softly as possible.
"I jinxed it," she whispered, groaning into my chest. I stiffened, not knowing what to do.
She's almost hugging me. "I'm so sorry," she looked up at me, then both of us looked at her which was clutching onto my shirt.
"Sorry," she whispered, pulling her hand back.
"It's uh, it's okay," I mumbled. We waited around 15 minutes.
She peeked out first this time and then led me out when it was clear. She slowly pulled down the ladder, wincing as it creaked. "Bye," she whispered.
"Bye," I chuckled, climbing up. She pushed the ladder back up and the attic closed up. There was still some moonlight seeping through the window so I used that to find the mattress and then crashed on it, running my face over my hands.
"Fuck," I sighed. I am screwed.
I woke up the next morning when I heard the attic ladder being pulled down.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up, blindly looking for my shirt.
I didn't realize how warm her attic got.
So I took the first off before going to bed, I didn't realize what would happen when she or her mother came up here this morning.
It's probably her, why would her mom come up here? I was looking around for my shirt when I saw... her mom.
"Uh, hello," I said awkwardly as my shirt came into my hand and I pulled it over my head.
"I'm so sorry, did I wake you?" she asked.
"No, that's uh, that's... it's okay," I cleared my throat.
"I just came to tell you, breakfast is on the table, Emmy's down there and I'm heading off to work, are you all right?" she asked.
"Perfect," I nodded.
"Please, take the guest room next time," she smiled before leaving.
I sat there, scratching my head, utterly confused. "What the hell?" I asked myself. I went downstairs about 10 minutes later and Emma was eating pancakes at the table.
"Hi," she nodded, scrolling through her phone.
"Hi? That's what you wanna say?" I asked, taking two pancakes from the stack her mom left.
"Bonjour? Hola? Ciao?"
I rolled my eyes, "You told your mom?!" I looked at her wide-eyed.
She looked at me sheepishly, "I don't lie to her," she said with her mouthful, "I just told her you needed a place to crash cause you weren't feeling well and I offered you the attic because I thought she'd get mad that I kept a boy here overnight.
And she did get mad. But only because I didn't tell you to take the guest room," she explained. "Did my mom wake you up?"
I sighed, rubbing my eyes, "She came to tell me that breakfast was ready, Emmy," I said tauntingly.
She froze. "Who said that?"
"Your mom," I chuckled.
"Don't call me Emmy," she said, not meeting my eyes, focusing only on her plate.
"Why? Are you shy?" I taunted her further.
"No, I..." she sighed, "Only my parents call me that."
"Okay, fair enough," I said, putting my hands up in surrender. "Can you pass me the syrup, Emmy?" I asked. She stared at me, giving me a glare. I don't understand why she's embarrassed, it's so cute. She sighed, sliding the syrup over to me. "So, what are we doing today, Emmy?"
"Oh my, God," she laughed, "You are going home. I have to run to the shelter," she said.
"What shelter?"
"The animal shelter, near the town library?" she asked.
"Why are you going there?" I questioned.
"To volunteer. And play with puppies," she mumbled the last part under her breath.
"Can I come?"
She looked at me, biting down on a smile. "To play with puppies?" she arched a brow at me sharply.
"Yes," I answered.
"Can you foster one?"
"I'm barely home, I can't foster one," I shook my head.
She sighed in defeat, "There's a puppy there named August. He's adorable. There was this dog at the Shelter named Roxy, they found her pregnant, he's from her litter, Kendall told me, I signed up before we moved, don't ask how I know it all."
I wasn't going to.
"He's the only puppy left, all the others were adopted. They're running short on space and no one fosters or adopts him, they'll have to put him down. Nathan, please?" she whined.
"How old is he?"
"He's just 6 months old," she replied.
"Emma, he's so little. I really wish I could help, but I can't. I'm barely home and my dad doesn't like dogs anyway," I groaned. "Why don't you foster him?"
"Because once I bring him in here, I'm not letting him go. And with us still moving and settling in, my parents won't allow it," she shook her head.
"Just bring him home." She looked at me in disbelief. "Trust me. Just go and bring him home, they won't make you take him back, will they? Exactly, just bring him home."
"But-"
"I'll help you take care of him," I said eagerly. I've always wanted a dog but my dad never let me have one. Now, I'm getting a chance to at least help her take care of one. Of course, I'm taking it.
"I don't know," she mumbled.
"Do it for the puppy."
She looked at me before sighing in defeat. I silently cheered in my head. "We leave in an hour," she said, leaving her empty plate in the sink. "Use the guest bathroom, I'm going to shower!" she called out.
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