Devil: looking for your essay?
“Fucking Carter,” I mumble under my breath. Kate looks at me with raised brows. “He stole my damn essay.”
Kate bites down on her lips but totally fails to hide her amusement. “Funny for you. He never does this shit to you,” I snap.
“Emilia,” my teacher says, pausing in front of me. I look up at him apologetically. “I forgot it at home, Mr. Fields. I swear I did the essay. I just don’t have it on me.”
He looks at me and sighs. I was sure he’d let it go – I’m top of my class and I’ve never before forgotten to hand in an assessment, but he shakes his head. “You know the rules, Emilia. Detention.”
I groan and drop my head to my desk. That asshole. He’s trying to make me late for my date and he’s succeeding. Tony and I were meant to leave school together today.
Chapter 14
Carter
I’ve been fucking pissed off all day. Fucking Tony Andrews. How dare he ask her out? I made it clear to everyone that Kate and Emilia are off-limits. He sure has some goddamn balls. And Emilia. I can’t believe she’s going on a date after the moment we had yesterday. Was it just me that thought her sitting in my lap the way she did was, I don’t know, something. I slam my locker closed and make my way to the exit. I managed to take Kate home and get some extra weight lifting in while waiting for Emilia, but she should be done with detention any time now.
I’m even more pissed off when I see Tony standing by the door. He’s obviously waiting for her. His eyes widen slightly when he sees me and he straightens. What she sees in him is beyond me. He’s stick thin and dorky as hell. Is that her type?
I walk up to him and pause right in front of him, getting all into his space. “I heard you asked Emilia out,” I say, my voice soft and low. Tony gulps and then nods. How brave. “Pretty sure I made it clear to everyone that my sister and Emilia are off-limits. You have a hearing problem, bud?”
He shakes his head and opens his lips only to close them again. “She— she isn’t, Emilia isn’t… she isn’t your sister,” he stammers. “If she wants to go out with me, she... she can.”
I laugh. “I fucking know she isn’t my sister, Andrews. Thank fuck she isn’t. Still doesn’t mean you get to ask her out. What should I do with you, huh?”
The door opens and Emilia comes rushing out. She looks fucking stunning. Her blonde hair is pin straight, as though she flat ironed it, and her top looks far tighter and far lower than it looked this morning. Guess that explains her absence at lunch. I stare at her cleavage and then glare at her. All this is for Tony? She walks up to me and pushes me away, getting between me and Tony. My opinion of Tony sinks even deeper when he lets her. Why the hell is he hiding behind Emilia?
“Tony can take me home later,” she says. “You didn’t need to wait for me.”
She grabs Tony’s hand and drags him away, pushing past me roughly. He follows her eagerly. I huff and trail behind her, glaring at their joint hands the entire time. It’s obvious that they’re walking towards the shopping center a few blocks down. Movie theatre it is, then.
Emilia keeps glancing back and obviously knows I’m following her, but she just ignores me. Fine by me. I stand behind them in line when we reach the movie theatre and buy myself a ticket for the same movie they’re watching. I watch Emilia’s agitation rise and grin to myself. I’m sure at some point she’s going to snap and cuss me out. Let’s see how Tony likes her then.
I wait for them to enter the theatre and follow them in. Once they’re seated, I take the seat to Emilia’s left while Tony is on her right. She’s stuck right between us. If it were up to me, I’d have gotten between her and Tony, but I’m sure she’d throw a fit if I tried.
Emilia tenses and glares at me, but I just keep my eyes on the screen as I munch on my popcorn. I have no idea what movie we’re even watching. I just asked the girl at the ticket office for one ticket for whatever Emilia was watching, but it’ll probably be a chick flick.
Eventually Emilia acknowledges me and elbows me, hard. “Get lost,” she murmurs. I turn towards her and take in her face. She’s fucking wearing mascara or some shit. She dressed up for this fucker, huh. Like she needs it.
“Nope,” I say, popping the p just to piss her off. She turns away from me and grabs Tony’s hand. It’s clear that they want to move seats, but the room is packed. I watch them whisper to each other and eventually they settle down in their seats, obviously having realized that they have no other choice.
Tony keeps her hand in his and I lean over her to glare at him, getting right in his puny little face. “You better keep your hands to yourself if you want to keep them,” I tell him, my voice soft and low. I smile at him and he shudders. He looks at me with wide eyes and immediately lets go of Emilia’s hand. She glares at me and I hate that she actually looks distraught. Surely she doesn’t really care about this weasel?
Emilia leans into me and grabs my bicep, her grip tight. “Don’t do this to me, Carter. Please. I’ve never been on a date before, not even once. I’ve never even walked around holding hands with a boy. I’ll be sixteen soon and I still haven’t even been kissed. All because you scare everyone away,” she murmurs.
I look into her eyes and smile. “Good,” I whisper, intensely pleased with her words. She shakes her head and looks up at me pleadingly. “Please don’t do this to me, Carter. It’s so unfair,” she pleads, her voice breaking. My heart fucking shatters. She wraps her arms around herself and stares up at the screen looking lost as hell. I hate that I did this to her. Am I being too harsh? Realistically, I shouldn’t be so strict with her. I know Kate has managed to sneak a couple of dates in that she thinks I don’t know about, and I let that go. So why can’t I let it go when it’s Emilia?
Emilia looks crestfallen as we walk out of the movie theatre. Tony looks at her awkwardly and then comes up with an excuse to leave. She just nods at him in understanding and sighs, a small insincere smile on her lips.
She stares at him as he walks off and I hate it. She looks like she’s freaking pining after him. Tony, of all guys. Eventually she inhales deeply and starts walking back to school. I follow her silently. She doesn’t look up at me until she reaches my car. I unlock the doors and she gets in quietly. When I sit down she turns towards me, her eyes blazing.
“You went too far, Carter. It’s one thing to pull pranks on me, but this was downright unacceptable. I never interfere with your private life that way. I don’t cock block you when you’re flirting with girls. Don’t think I didn’t notice how you were all over Gabby the other day. Did I act the way you just did? No. I just let you be. Why can’t you do the same?”
I stare at her wide eyed. “When the fuck was I all over Gabby?” I ask her, outraged. Hell will freeze over before I’m ever all over that viper. Emilia rolls her eyes. “That’s not the point, asshole. I’ve never interfered with your flirting and whatever, but you’ve done it twice now. Once with Zach and now with Tony. It’s not okay.”
I lean back in my seat and start the car. I’m not even sure what to say to that. She seems genuinely hurt. I wasn’t really thinking today at all. All I knew was that I didn’t want her going out with Tony. Was I being too mean to her?
“I’m going to make you pay for this,” she says when I fail to respond.
“Yeah, I know, Minx,” I murmur. I’m relieved she’s speaking to me at all. When Emilia gets really mad she gives me the silent treatment. I can’t stand it when she does that. I’d rather she fight with me and cuss me out than treat me like I’m thin air.
She stares at her phone the entire way home, and it isn’t until much later that I find out why. My little Minx texted everyone we know saying I have fucking chlamydia.
Chapter 15
Emelia
“Are you sure you don’t want to join us, John?” Carter and Kate’s dad asks, like he does every year. And just like every year, my dad shakes his head resolutely. “No, but thank you for offering, William. And thank you
for taking Emilia with you.”
He nods at William and smiles at me. “Have fun, sweetie,” he tells me. Things have been awkward between Dad and me lately. He hasn’t apologized for the way he snapped at me a few months ago, but he’s been coming home earlier and he’s been having dinner with me when he can. If he can’t make it home, he’ll call me to have a chat instead. I guess that’s better than an apology, but I would’ve liked to have both. I smile back at him and make my way to the car. Just as I reach the car, Carter and Kate both shout, “Shotgun not middle seat!”
I groan and squeeze in between them. The journey to their summer cabin is a couple of hours and I’m going to be so uncomfortable between Kate and Carter. Besides, I’ve done my best to ignore Carter since he pulled that stunt on my first date. I haven’t forgiven him yet, and I don’t plan on being nice to him anytime soon.
Carter’s thigh is pushed against mine and much to my surprise, he shifts away from me, edging closer to the door. I frown and lean back in my seat. I cross my arms over my chest, intent on giving him the silent treatment.
“I’m so excited!” Kate squeals. “I can’t wait to go swimming and kayaking at the lake. I wanna tan as well,” she tells me. Usually I’d be just as excited as her. Towards the end of the school year we usually go to the cabin one weekend a month, and if William can get some time off, we usually go for a week during summer break too. Our weekends at the cabin are normally the highlight of our summer, but this time I’m just too annoyed with Carter to enjoy it.
I can’t believe he ruined my date like that. He might pretend like he’s never seeing anyone, but I know he’s lying. The other day I heard Gemma gossiping about how he took her to our local coffee shop to hang out. He’s such a hypocrite. If he can go on a date with Gemma and kiss Jennifer, then there’s no reason for him to stop me. Just the idea of Carter with other girls pisses me off. If he gets to do it, then I do too.
“Aren’t you excited?” Kate asks. She pushes against my arms, inadvertently pushing me closer to Carter. “Yeah, yeah. I’m excited,” I say eventually, my voice dripping with sarcasm. Kate frowns at me, her smile dropping. She leans forward and glares at Carter and me. “You two better not ruin this for me. I don’t know what the deal is with you this time, but you’re both being weird. You don’t usually fight for this long.”
Carter crosses his arms over his chest and looks out the window, ignoring her. Helen turns around to look at us with raised brows.
“Kate is right. Usually you get over your little arguments quite quickly, but you’ve barely spoken in two weeks now. What is going on with you two?”
I stare down at my hands, hoping she’ll just let it go, but she won’t.
“Emilia?” she says, her tone sharp. I glare at Carter and then look back at Helen. “He ruined my first date,” I say, tattling. “Tony asked me out, and we went to the movies. Carter followed us there. He even sat right next to me and told Tony he’d lose his hands if he touched me. Tony didn’t even dare to hold my hand,” I tell her, distraught all over again. I didn’t even really want to go on a date with Tony, but it was the first time I’d ever been asked out. I still wanted it to be a nice experience.
Helen stares at Carter with wide eyes. “You didn’t!” she says, outraged. She stares Carter down and he looks away. He purses his lips in annoyance and I’m glad I got him into at least a little bit of trouble. Helen looks back at me and raises her brows. “And you. You went out with Tony? Little snotty Tony from down the block? The one that would always cry if anyone so much as touched him?”
I blush, suddenly beyond embarrassed. “He’s not little anymore,” I murmur. Carter snickers and turns his head towards me. “Yeah he is. Puny little fucker.”
Helen shoots him a warning look and Carter grits his teeth. “You were totally out of line there, Carter. If I hear of you behaving that way towards Emilia again I won’t hesitate to ground you. Pulling pranks on her is one thing but ruining her date is something else entirely.”
She then turns to me and looks at me sternly. “And you, Emilia, I thought we had an agreement that there would be no dating until you and Kate turn sixteen. There are still a few months left until then, isn’t that right?”
I sigh and nod. I only got myself into trouble by tattling. Carter chuckles and I elbow him.
“I’d better not hear any more of this dating nonsense until you’re sixteen,” she tells me. I pout and eventually nod.
Carter grins and I pinch his thigh, making him yelp. Carter grabs my hand and brings it to his lips, biting down on my finger. He doesn’t bite hard, but it’s still annoying as hell. I gasp and lean in, biting down on the arm he’s holding me with.
Helen turns back around, looking exasperated. “You two aren’t kids anymore, for god’s sake. Behave, or we’re turning this car around and you can both stay home!”
I glare at him and let go, and he glares at me just as fiercely. I don’t remember the last time I’ve been this mad at him. Kate looks worried and pats my leg. “Don’t piss mom off,” she warns me. “You know how crazy she gets when she’s mad.”
I nod. It’s true. Helen has the patience of a saint, but when she snaps, all hell breaks loose. I stay quiet for the remainder of the journey, and so does Carter. I don’t think the trip to the cabin has ever been so quiet. Even William seems surprised at our behavior.
As soon as we’re out of the car Carter and I both storm into the cabin, ignoring each other. He’s the one that’s in the wrong, so I don’t know why he’s acting so aggrieved. He should be apologizing to me, but instead he’s just making me even more angry.
Chapter 16
Carter
I walk behind Emilia as we hike through the woods like we do every year. I thought for sure she’d get over it because we’re at the cabin and it’s usually her favorite place to be, but she hasn’t gotten over it. I can’t believe the first time we’re truly arguing is over freaking Tony. He’s not worthy of touching a single strand of her hair. If it was someone worthwhile, I’d at least understand it - I think. She hasn’t spoken a word to me in hours and I hate it. I can’t believe she’s acting like this over Tony. I could’ve sworn she didn’t even remember him until recently.
Kate glares at me as though it’s her I’ve wronged. It irritates me that she’s more concerned with Emilia and I ruining her weekend than she is concerned about Emilia. It’s very rare for Emilia to be angry for long. She forgives and forgets quickly, but this time it’s different. It’s been almost two weeks. She hasn’t even been peering into my bedroom lately. Instead, she’s been keeping her curtains tightly closed. She won’t speak to me on the ride to and from school either. It’s frustrating as hell.
I fall into step with her and she glances up briefly before looking away again. I hate how easily she dismisses me. I can’t remember the last time I was angry at her for more than a day. I don’t think I ever have been.
“Are you looking forward to going kayaking later?” I ask, grinning. I still vividly remember how she toppled over last year. I ended up having to dive into the lake to help her. It was hilarious.
Emilia doesn’t even glance at me. She just increases her pace and starts walking next to my mother. Mom looks behind her curiously and raises her brow at me, but I merely shake my head. I didn’t do anything, not today.
I need to make this right somehow, but I just don’t know how. Eventually, I come up with an idea that might just work, but it’ll take me a bit of time to prepare.
Emilia is quiet for the rest of the day, but this time I can handle it. I know the plans I made will finally get her to snap out of it. I glance at me clock and wait patiently for the clock to reach ten pm before I walk up to the room Emilia shares with Kate and knock. Kate opens the door and looks surprised to find me standing here. I push past her and walk into the room. Emilia is sitting on their bed in a tight t-shirt and some very short shorts. No bra. I can see the outline of her nipples right through the fabric and force my eyes up.
Kate looks conflicted and sends me a warning look that I ignore. If she knew what I’m about to do she’d never let Emilia go with me. Part of me feels guilty for doing something I know she’d vehemently oppose to, but I can’t resist. I’ve been brooding all day and I just cannot stay away from Emilia. I can’t leave things be the way they are.
I drag Emilia along and out of the house. When she stops resisting I intertwine our fingers and hold her hand, my pace slowing. She follows me to the lake quietly. Neither one of us speaks when we get to the little makeshift pier where the water is shallowest. Eventually I turn towards Emilia, her hand still in mine. I raise our joined hands to my heart and look into her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Emilia.”
She looks surprised and blinks up at me. She seems torn. I know she wants to stay mad at me, but she can’t. “You’re such a hypocrite,” she bites out. She pulls her hand out of mine and wraps her arms around herself. The move only pushes her chest out more. I try my best not to look at her breasts and gulp.
“Hypocrite?” I repeat. She nods and glares at me[ Start a new line when a different character begins to speak].
“Yes, hypocrite. I know you go on dates all the time. Matter of fact, Gemma told me you took her to a coffee shop to ‘hang out’ last week,” she says, air quoting the words. I bite back a smile.
“Minx, what exactly did you think hanging out meant? Gemma and I were working on a project together. I asked to meet her so we could finally finish it.”
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