Clueless

“Well Emma, I guess it's just you and me today” I dropped my book bag from my shoulder onto the table. Every Tuesday and Thursday the gang would get together for a few hours after classes to study. “Did you check WhatsApp? Corey just messaged saying he's busy tonight. And Sarah and Henry told me their aunt is leaving back to London tomorrow so their family is forcing them to go to dinner tonight.”

“Oh” Emma sounded upset “Is she the crazy one?” She had already been sitting at the table in the library before I approached her. She leaned her chin on her hands as she watched me unpack my bag.

“Yeah, their aunt Silvi is a nut job” I finally took a seat and opened my laptop. I started clicking away before Emma interrupted me.

“So how's everything going with you?” Emma spoke quietly.

I looked up from my screen and noticed that her head was now only resting on one hand and she was wiggling a pen in the other. “Everything's great!” I smiled and looked back at my laptop.

“How bout you?” I stretched out my words towards the end. I was a little confused by Emma's behavior. She was the type to never socialize during study hours. She always had her nose buried in a book.

“I'm doing okay.” She half smiled and pulled all her hair over to one side. She went back to reading.

Just as I went back to typing I heard Emma again “So, it seems like you and Henry are really close?” Her head was still tilted downwards to her book but her eyes were looking up at me.

“Uh, yeah, I mean I guess we've gotten a little bit closer these last couple of weeks. Why?” I couldn't help but wonder where the sudden curiosity was coming from.

“No reason” She said without even flinching. Emma went back to reading her book yet again.

I was starting to pick up on her hints “Emma, do you like Henry?”I pushed my laptop to the side and folded my arms on the table.

Emma looked like a child who'd just been caught stealing. Her pale white skin was slowly turning as red as her hair. She quickly dropped her book and grabbed my arms “Please, please, please don't say anything to him!” Her green eyes glossed over as she widened them.

“Oh, you poor girl” I unfolded my arms and grabbed her hands instead when I broke the news to her “Henry's gay. I'm actually really shocked you haven't picked up on it”

Emma quickly pulled her hands away in embarrassment. She furrowed her eyebrows and leaned back in her chair. “Are...are you sure?”she started lifting her hands to her mouth.

“Trust me, he's almost too gay to function” I said in my best Janice Ian voice “I know his boyfriend, they've been together for a while” I couldn't help but feel sorry for Emma. I knew the feeling of liking someone who wasn't available.

“But” Emma murmured in confusion “He's always teasing me. And he's so touchy.”

“Think about what he's teasing you about” It was mainly things to do with her wardrobe or how she did her hair or make up.

“Oh my god! He is gay!”Emma said as if she hadn't believed me before. her hands went from her mouth to covering her face “Ugh, I'm such an idiot! You probably think I'm so stupid!”

“No way, are you kidding me?” I pulled Emma's hands away from her face “You are not an idiot. I only knew he was gay because I met his boyfriend the same time I met him. Otherwise I would've never known!” that last part was a lie. Henry was way too well groomed and fashion forward. Which is fine for a guy to be, but some guys are questionable, and others you just know. “I mean I get it, he has a masculine vibe, that's probably what threw you off” I added to make her feel better.

“Right??” she angrily agreed with me. “I keep falling for the wrong guys it's so frustrating!” She folded her arms in defeat and began pouting.

“Emma, you're a great girl and I'm sure the right guy is out there somewhere”

She raised her eyebrow at me and squinted her eyes “Oh yeah, and who's that?”

“I don't know. How bout Corey? He seems like a great guy” At this point I was just trying to make Emma feel better. I didn't realize she'd turn around so quickly.

“He's so nerdy. I don't know, Lynn? I mean, now that I think about it, he is pretty cute.” She was leaning her chin on her hand again and staring off into space. “I've never thought about Corey that way but now that I am, maybe it would be worth a shot. Would you talk to him for me?”

I agreed reluctantly. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. What if Corey was already in a relationship? Or what if he didn't like Emma that way? I was starting to get nervous. I quickly changed the subject and got back to work. Emma and I spent the rest of the evening studying.

I had plans to stop by Jonah's place later that night since we hadn't seen each other in a while and I really just wanted someone to talk to. Kadie had been completely consumed in work. Any time she wasn't working, she was catching up on sleep. Jonah had offered to make me dinner, and I never refuse free food. It's a policy I live by.

It was close to 9pm when I knocked on Jonah's door. He opened the door and let me in. I went straight over to the bar stool off of the kitchen counter where my plate was already set for me. Jonah and I filled each other in on our week as we ate dinner.

After we were done Jonah poured out a couple of drinks and we went to the living room. As we sat down next to each other Jonah grabbed my legs and laid them across his lap. He stretched his arm around my shoulders and his fingers gently played with my hair.

“So, are they just coming to visit you?” Jonah leaned his head back onto the couch and looked up at me. I told him about my parents coming to visit.

“They're coming for a convention.” I said while rolling my eyes and taking a sip of my drink.

“What kind of convention? Are they into some weird shit?” Jonah slightly lifted his head.

“No it's a convention for anesthesiologists. It's where my parents met, so they make it a point to go every year. I guess it's in New York this year.” I started tracing the edge of my glass with my finger.

“Your parents are anesthesiologists? Seems like a rough life” Jonah joked. He was starting to pick up how annoyed I was with the subject. “Why is it bothering you so much?”

I put my drink onto the coffee table and turned completely towards Jonah. “It's not that it's bothering me that they're coming. I think it's more of an early reaction to how irritated I know I'm going to be once they get here.”

Jonah sat up straight and was starting to get concerned “Do you not get along with them?”

“No, I do. It's just, now that I've been away from them I've realized how controlling they were. My dad more so than my mom. He always had a tight grip on everything. Nothing below an A+ was acceptable to him. Now that I look back at it I've missed out on so much in life. He was always criticizing me for something. And I don't know why I was always so despite for his approval. I know when he comes here it's going to be the same thing all over again.”

“Lynn” Jonah took both my hands “That's your dad. He's always going to want the best for you. Look, if he hadn't pushed you so hard, maybe you wouldn't be at one of the best medical schools in the country. A lot of people don't get this opportunity. And to know he helped you get here? I would do anything to have my dad with me”

“Jonah” I interrupted him but he continued.

“Don't take it so hard, Lynn. When you get older you're going to be thankful for everything he's done for you. And I really think you should appreciate it now while you have him around.”

I knew it was a touchy subject for Jonah so I let it go. We finished our drinks and walked back over to the kitchen to clean up. As we were putting the glasses into the sink Jonah spilled a little on his shirt.

“Oh god, I just bought this shirt!” he started tugging at it trying to wipe it away “I'll be right back”

Right then Jonah's phone started vibrating on the kitchen counter. I picked it up and turned around to hand it to him but he'd already walked into his room, as I put the phone back down on the counter I caught a glimpse of the text, “ready for the big move to LA?!”

*Edit: Hi! I'm so glad everyone is enjoying the blog so far! I can't believe there's hundreds and sometimes even thousands of you reading this blog daily! insane!! I'm familiar with a few readers on here, but for all of you ghost readers, I'd like to get to know you guys as well. Leave some feedback, let me know what you like, don't like, want to see happen, or heck just tell me about your day! lol I love getting involved with this little New York Dixie community we have and I want to make this blog all about YOU! :) Happy reading! *