She’d hurt herself. She’d been in so much pain that the only way out was through her own skin. Whatever had driven her to that point, whatever had made a young girl think that was heronly option, it had left marks that went deeper than the physical scars.
All these puzzle pieces were forming a picture I didn’t like at all. It was ugly. It was tragic. And it made me want to burn down whoever had put the sadness in her eyes.
“Daddy, are you okay?” Audrey was watching me, her brush paused mid-stroke.
I forced my expression to relax. “Yeah, sweetheart. Just thinking about work stuff.”
“Oh.” She went back to her drawing, satisfied with that answer.
My mind spiraled through all the ways Emily had been hurt. And how she walked around with that bright smile and that easy warmth, covering up all that pain like it didn’t exist.
Of course, I desperately wanted to know what had happened to her, and maybe she’d tell me, in her own time. In the meantime, I planned to do all I could to show her she didn’t have to hide anymore.
Friday felt like a lifetime away.
EMILY
Itossed a backup phone charger into the overnight bag and zipped it shut with way more force than necessary. Maya, lying on her side on my bed, scrolling on her phone, lifted her head to watch me.
“You know you’re literally going next door, right?” Her smile was pure mischief. “You could walk back here in thirty seconds if you forgot something.”
“I know that.” I grabbed my bag off the bed.
“And yet here you are, packing like you’re going away for a month to the other side of the world. It’s cute. You’re cute.”
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed. Then again. And again. I grabbed it off my dresser and scrolled through the group chat explosion.
Hannah: TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT
Poppy: Have a good one! We loveyou!
Hannah: Oh yeah, she’s gonna have a goodone!
Mia: HANNAH
Hannah: WHAT? I’m being supportive
Samara: You’re being inappropriate
Hannah: potato potahto
Annie: Emily we’re so happy for you
Cassidy: Make sure you stay hydrated.
Maya: Hydrated? WTF?
Cassidy: Someone has to be practical. I’ve seen the way Cam looks at her. She’s in for a big night.
Hannah: Big, you say?
Poppy: Ignore them Em. Just be present and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned this.
Hannah: oh she’s gonna be present alright
Hannah: VERY present
Hannah: if you know what I mean
