IV

my phone and call up Alex. The phone rings and he picks up the call. "What do you want?" he asks aggressively. "Dude. I literally just got home. Can you please not be mean to me already?" I request. He lets out a chuckle. "Can you please pick me up," I request. "No," he answers and hangs up. "this motherf-"

"Hey!" I get cut off by Emily. "Hey. I thought you went home."

"Got caught up with some work. Its already 5:30pm. Do you want to go home yet?"

"Well yes but how are we going to get home?" Emily smiles at me and winks. "Leave that to me baby girl."

She grabs my hand and pulls me to the road. "Why are we-" she stops me midway by placing her finger on my lips. "Hush sweetheart," she says, and proceeds to take out her phone and dial up a number. After a few rings, the person finally picks up the call. "Hey Javier? It's your girl, Ems. I need a ride home," and she cuts the call. "So. How are things with you and Aiden?" I scrunch my face in confusion. "Emily!" I yell. "Geez woman, I'm right next to you. You don't have to shout."

"How are we supposed to get home?!" She grabs my hands and place them together. "Just wait and see. Now, tell me about what happened between you and Aiden." I let out a deep sigh. "We're on good terms now."

"That's great! Oh! How could I forget? Did you make it to the team?" I smile at her and say, "You are officially looking at their newest member." She screams in excitement and hugs me. "Now you get to spend more time with Aiden. And let's not forget, Corbyn." she nudges my shoulder. "Stop. I don't even like him."

"But you might. Come on, Lore. This is the one chance you're getting to finally date someone without a crazy lady running after you." No. Now I have two crazy adults running after me.

"I will date someone when I feel like I'm ready. Right now, I would like to focus on myself."

"Girl, you've been focusing on yourself for the last five years now. How much longer do you need?"

I laugh. "When I am ready, you'll be the first to know." She snarks. "Yeah I better be," and stands next to me and we both stare at the road. Suddenly, we hear screeching of tires three blocks ahead to the left and a pink. mustang shows up and stops right in front of us. The driver's window slides down. "Hola ladies," he greets. The man looked more feminine than masculine. He wore flashy shades with a pink scarf around his neck with a vest. "Javier!" Emily calls out. He pulls his shade down just enough for us to see his eyes and he snaps his fingers and says, "Get in ladies. You're about to have the ride of your life." I hesitate to climb in but before I could back out, Emily opens the door and pushes me in. She then gets in the front seat and the man steps on the accelerator. He flawlessly dodges every single car and gets past every single traffic and in no less than two minutes, he parks outside my house. "Thanks Javier. I knew I could count on you," says Emily. "Aw, my pleasure sweetie," he answers and they both wiggle their fingers at each other.

What? I get out of the car and grab my bag. Emily gets out too and we walk to the front door. "Emily. I know I have been gone for five years, but did you really have to befriend really weird people?" She laughs. "Javier is my mom's regular customer and a really good friend of mine. He cuts her hair everytime and whenever I needed a ride home, he'd always pick me up."

"Ems, have you seen his driving?" She shrugs her shoulders and says, "Never said it was safe." I laugh and open the door. "Welcome home!" my mother greets us. "Hey," Emily and I greet simultaneously. We walk over to the counter and see my mom trying to roast a chicken. "I saw this really nice video of this man cooking chicken and it looked too good that I had to try making it," my mom informs. I walk over to the refrigerator and take out a bottle of apple juice and grab a packet of chips from the cupboard and walk back to Emily." That's nice mum," I respond. "Emily, stay for dinner, okay?" my mom requests. "Absolutely Aunt Lea," she replies and my mom smiles. Emily and I walk upstairs to my room and we both get in bed. "So where's Brian?" Emily asks. I quickly turn over to her and she's already smiling. "No. There is no way," I answer. She lets out a groan. "Lory come on! I just want to see the man!" she exclaims.

"Need I remind you that you're already with Tyler?"

"I'm very much aware of that but it's not like it's easy to let go of a childhood crush. If you liked my brother, you would've understand."

"Oh my gosh Emily, that's just gross. You know Eddie is like a brother to me."

"And yours is like a daddy to me." She smirks.

"Emily! Oh my gosh, stop! That's my-" I growl and jump out of bed to stand at the end of it. She laughs out loud. "L, you know I'd never do anything to upset you," she assures. I stay silent. "Besides, Brian doesn't even feel the same way about me."

"Now, how would you know?" She starts shifting her gaze to the walls. I march over to her and grab her face to make her look at me. "What. Did. You. Do?" I ask slowly. She wriggles her way out of her my hand and says, "Alright fine! Remember when I told you Maddie had problems with a guy she liked and that she was afraid Alice wouldn't accept the idea of Maddie and Alice's friend being together?"

"Yes."

"And you said it yourself that Alice should be mature enough to understand and then I asked you how you would react if I had done the same and you said you'd understand too?"

"Get to the point." She looks at me dead in the eye and says, "I kissed your brother." For a moment there, I felt as if my entire blood was drained out and I was about to faint any moment. "But it's nothing serious! He said he didn't feel the same way about me and I was totally fine with it and I have moved on."

There was an awkward silence among us. "Are you mad?" she asks hesitantly. I let out a sigh. I climb in bed with her and I hug her tightly. "Not in the least," I answer. "But I kissed your brother. You're supposed to be tearing me limb from limb."

"Well, I said I'd try to understand, so that's what I'm going to do." She hugs me back. "I never wanted you to get close to him because I know how he would ruin you. Not only that but there would be a point where I'd have to pick between you two, and I can't afford losing the both of you. But, if you don't mind and if you still want this, I will learn to accept it."

"Who gave you the right to be so wise and so selfless?" I laugh and we both let go. "Thanks L, but I think I'm happy with Tyler as of the moment. And he's too old for me."

"Ems, he's just twenty-five, and you like older guys." she groans. "Stop making me like him even more." I laugh. "Okay okay, no more Brian talk. Do you want to watch a movie? I just realized we haven't watched a movie together in a long time." Emily's face lights up. "Is that even a question? Of course I want to!" she answers. I chuckle and get up and walk over to my table to grab my laptop while Emily prepares the bed and we end up watching movies till it's dinner time.

We hear a knock on the door and the door opens. It was none other than Brian." Lore, mom wants you downstairs. Food is ready." He shifts his gaze and notices Emily and stops in his track. A subtle smile forms on his lips. "Hey Emily," his voice comes off gentle and soft. "Hey Brian." Emily fidgets with the blanket and keeps looking between my brother and the blanket. Okay. Not awkward at all. Brian looks over to me again and says, "Hurry up, it's your turn to set the table," and walks out abruptly.

I turn over to Emily and she's as red as a ripe tomato. I let out a loud laugh and she hits me on the arm. "Shut up!" She yells. I wipe off a tear from my eye. "You two are the definition of forbidden love." She rolls her eyes and gets out of bed. "I'm going to go where my presence is actually needed," and she dramatically walks out of the room.

As I am busy laughing, I hear my phone chime. I check my phone and I see a message from an unknown number. I open to see the message and I see his name.

Corbyn : Hey princess. I hope you don't mind. I asked for your number from Eddie ;)

Me : You do know you could've just asked from me, right?

Corbyn : Now where's the fun in that? :P

I shake my head and smile. "Lorelai, hurry up! The food is getting cold!" Everyone downstairs call for me. "I'm coming!" I answer back.

Me : I'm going to go eat first. I'll talk to you later.

Corbyn : Alright princess. Have lots <3

I put my phone down and rush downstairs to the dining room. "Sorry I'm late. Got caught up in a few things." Emily eyes me and I pretend like I do not see her and we start eating. After dinner, Emily helps me wash the dishes. "So who's going to go drop Emily?" my mom asks. I whisper to Emily saying, "I thought you were going to be staying over." She shakes her head and replies, "I can't. Not tonight. I have a paper due tomorrow so I have to finish it the moment I get home." I pout and she gently slaps me across the face.

"Well? Who's going to go drop her?" my mom asks again. "I'll go," one of my brothers speak up. It was Brian. Of course. "No. I don't trust you enough. You're too kinky. Let Alex go," my mom replies. At that point, I couldn't stop myself from laughing and I end up breaking down in laughter. Emily does too whilst Brian sighs. "Mom, she's just seventeen. She's practically my younger sister. Besides she's not even my type. She's too immature and extreme. Girls like that aren't exactly attractive. Nothing will even happen." I look over to Emily and I could see she's hurt.

Mom takes off her glasses. "Alright, I guess it's okay then." Brian looks over to Emily. "Grab your stuff. I'm dropping you now. I'll be waiting in the car." His voice comes off lot more rough than usual.

Emily then hugs me and says goodbye to everyone and leaves. Alex walks over to me. "Uh-oh. Two people with history alone in a car. Who knows what might happen," he teases. "I trust my best friend enough to know she won't do anything," I respond. "Well, she might not. But nothing is stopping Brian either." My brother smirks, knowing he just gave me anxiety and dances away to the TV room. Suddenly, Dean tugs my shirt. "Don't listen to him. You know he likes pulling your strings." My boy has a point. I smile at him and ruffle his hair.

I walk upstairs and I hear my phone chime up again.

Corbyn : Are you done yet? I'm bored here :(

Me : Yeah. I had to wash the dishes.

Corbyn : No worries^^ Do you want to call?

I blink three times and scrunch my face.

Me : Sure?

Corbyn : You sound unsure.

Me : No, it's nothing like that. It's just weird because I've never actually been on a call with a guy before.

Corbyn : Perfect. I can be your first everything then ;)

Cringe. Before I could reply, I get a call from him. I pick up and place the phone next to my ear as I get in bed. "Hey princess," his voice comes off deep and tired. Oh my gosh, why am I getting butterflies? "Hey."