In love with a bad neighbor

Chapter fourteen - Telling them everything

Vince's POV:

If I didn't care about Emma that much, I was going to kill him. Ricky is the worst person that I have ever met. Yes, I am not any better, but at least I know that when a girl says no, it's a no. I don't know what exactly he did, but from what I heard from Emma, it was horrible. You can't force people to do what you want. Things don't work like that. Moreover, this won't help you to get a girlfriend. I wish that I could help her, but I don't know how to do it. I can easily talk with Ricky, but then he will start asking questions about who I am and it will be game over. I can't let this happen. The truth is that I care for her, and losing her is not an option. I needed to do something, but everything that came to my head included me telling everyone who I was. If I do that, Emma will kill me. Another problem is that I can't ask anyone to help me. Well, maybe my parents will do it. Since Emma came home yesterday, they knew that there was a girl. I still haven't told them anything, but soon I have to do it. I know that they will ask me questions, which is normal. After all, I have lied to them as well. Probably they won't be very happy to hear the story and all the things that I did, but I hope that they will try to understand. I didn't do anything with bad intentions. All I wanted was to help Emma.

I woke up and looked around. Tomorrow I have to go to school again. I got up and walked to the window. Emma is probably still sleeping. I don't want to imagine what happened to her when she went home. Her mom must be furious. I still think that my neighbor did the right thing. No one should force you to do whatever it is. Moreover, we are already 18, which means that we are old enough to make decisions by ourselves. I don't know what her mom wants from her, but she is not right. Let's hope that she will realize it soon.

I went back under the covers. Today I feel lazy or to say, not much in the mood. Since Emma came home yesterday, I can't stop thinking about her. I felt bad, but she didn't let me do anything. I know that she was right to stop me, but for some reason, I still feel guilty. The fact that she came here makes me happy. She could've gone to whoever it is, but she came to search for me. I quickly got lost in my thoughts when there was a knock on my door. It was my parents.

- Hey. We decided to see how you are. - mom said

- I'm fine, thanks.

- Your sad face tells me other.

- I don't want to talk about this.

- Won't you tell us who this girl was and what you have to do with her? After all, we deserve to know the truth.

- Fine. She is just...

Before I could finish, I heard another knock. This time it was coming from the window. I looked up to see Emma. I guess that has woken up. I went to open it and let her in. Last night has been terrible. Her face says it all.

- Come in. You can sit next to me.

- Thanks. I won't stay for long. After all, I am grounded.

- Seriously? You did nothing wrong.

- According to you. My mom thinks differently.

- She is not right.

- I know, but I can't do anything.

- We are still here. - mom said

- Can I tell them?

- They already saw me. It's game over.

- Ok, so this is Emma. Why don't you tell them the rest? This is your story.

- Yeah, no problem. I am your neighbor. If you turn your head to the window, you will see my room. My parents, mostly my mom, want to get close to one family so she can work with them. She thought that it would be a good idea if I dated their son. I tried to give him a chance, but he didn't use it. Now he is making me do things that I have told him a million times that I wouldn't. I'm talking about going out with him on a date or kissing. I don't want to do it, but I have to be a good girl when he is around. My mom believes everything that he says, no matter if it's true or not.

- I'm sorry to hear that. Can I know what my son has to do with all that?

- I will tell you. I don't want to blame him for anything, but he started it. One day I was walking down the street when he grabbed my hand, pinned me to one tree, and kissed me. I was supposed to be mad, but I wasn't. Well, I'm not saying that what he did was right, but probably, I shouldn't have expected anything different from him. I thought that this was a one-time thing, but no. Vince started using my window to come and see me. I had to lock my room because if my mom saw someone who was not her chosen boy, named Ricky, she would be mad and I, grounded. This is how we started hiding. I learned how to use his window as well, but I don't do it very often. We go to school together, but when we reach the end of the street or we are far enough so no one can see us. I just felt good being around other people and that's why I planned the hiding and the lies. I'm sorry.

- Hey, you didn't do anything wrong. - I said and pulled her for a hug

- I understand why you did it, but this is not a solution. - mom said

- I know, but I had no other choice.

- Are you his girlfriend? - dad asked

- What? No, I'm not.

- Are you sure?

- Dad! Stop it.

- What? As a parent, I need to know these things.

- Vince, it's ok. I'm sorry to break it down to you, but we are not dating. Up to now, we are keeping it friendly.

- With some benefits. - I chuckled

- Yeah, that too.

- Is there anything else that we need to know? - mom asked

- No, but... um... can you do me a favor?

- It depends on what it is.

- Don't tell my parents or whoever it is about this. Please. Otherwise, I will get in more trouble, which means that I have to see Ricky every single day. I don't want to spend my life with him.

- Ok, I won't tell just because this is not my business. Moreover, your parents have to hear this from you, not someone else.

- Thank you.

- Who wants breakfast?

- I do. Emma, you will stay here, right? - I said

- I'm sorry, but it's better if I go home.

- You can't do it. Not now.

- I will come later.

- Fine. Let me at least send you.

Before she walked back to her room, I kissed her. I hope that I can see her again. If Ricky comes into the house, this would be mission impossible. Well, one thing is sure. If he tries to do something to her again, I will stop him. No matter if this means that I have to reveal myself. This boy has been playing on my nerves for a very long time and someone needs to put him in his place.

- Friends with benefits or benefits with friends? - mom asked, chuckling

- Shut up!

- If you feel something for her, I suggest you tell her. I'm sure that she will respond the same way.

- I want food.

All of us walked into the kitchen. Soon breakfast was ready. The whole time I was thinking about Emma. I know that it's not my fault, but I feel bad for her. No girl deserves what she went through. She is one amazing person and knows how to make your day better. Ok, maybe I am falling for her, but that doesn't matter. I still can't do anything. Hiding a friend is one thing, but hiding a relationship is something else. I can't let her get in more trouble because of me.

After breakfast, I walked back into my room. My parents said that they want to go out. I gladly would've gone with them, but I'm not in the mood for that. I sat next to the window and looked for Emma. Soon she noticed me and opened her window.

- Why are you so upset?

- Because I care.

- Nothing of this is your fault. Will you stop feeling guilty?

- How am I supposed to? He is treating you like crap, and I can't do anything to stop him.

- Vince, you did more than enough. You were with me when no one else wanted to. You became my friend when I thought that I wouldn't have one. I'm trying to say that I am happy that you are here. For me, this is more than enough.

- But for me, it isn't.

- That's because you are worrying too much.

- I'm sorry.

- You didn't do anything wrong. Come here.

- Why?

- Do you trust me?

- Yes, I do.

- Then?

I came closer and she kissed me. I felt this feeling again. I don't know what it is, but it makes me feel good. If we were in the same room, I gladly would've pulled her close, but I didn't want her to fall. Soon she pulled away and looked at me with a smile on her face. I returned it and she hugged me.

- It's better if you go now. I don't want you to get grounded for a longer time.

- Don't worry. I have locked my room.

- Will Ricky come here today?

- I hope not. Why?

- Well, since you are grounded... you know...

- I think that my mom will have some sense. Being grounded doesn't mean being with a boy.

- But this is what you are doing now. - I said, chuckling

- True, but she doesn't know.

- Emma?

- Yes.

- Thank you.

- For what?

- For everything. You know how to make someone's day better.

- After all, I must be good at something.

- You are amazing at everything.

- I don't think like that, but said from you means a lot.

- I'm just saying the truth.

- Why don't you come here?

- What about your mom?

- I can keep you busy so you can be quiet.

- I think that we have a deal.

- Awesome.

I walked into her room. Both of us laid on her bed. When she thought that she would keep me busy, I didn't expect her to do it for real. I won't lie that I am happy. As I see, I am not the only one who has missed this. No matter how many times we do this, I will never get tired. This girl has changed my life. I feel better since I met her.

- It's better if we stop now. Otherwise, I might do something which we'll regret later.

- If that's what you want.

- What do you mean?

- Nothing, except that I have no problem going further. Well, if we don't do it till the end. You know what I mean.

- Yes, I do. I would happily give you what you want, but let's leave it for another day. What do you think?

- Ok, maybe that is better.

I stayed for a while in her room and later walked back to mine. To be honest, I don't want to get out of hers, but I can't risk it. We have already done many things which we shouldn't. If Emma wasn't in such a complicated relationship with her mom, I would probably not hide at all. One day everything will be how it was supposed to be. I mean that I don't have to worry about her mom or the jerk named Ricky. Now, he is an obstacle, but soon he will go away. I know that. All I will do for now is make sure that Emma is happy. Everything else doesn't matter.