The Blade Chronicles

The Wake-Up Call From Hell

***Emily's Point of View***

Nico has been distant since the kiss. He'd make sure that if I was in a room alone that he wouldn't be stuck with me in it. He'd look at me though as if to see I was doing okay before rushing out the door again. Every afternoon he'd message me saying he was running late and that I should head home and that's what I did, knowing full well that the kiss had ruined our friendship. Well okay I didn't head home instead I went to our café. 

I guess I must have looked like hell the one day because the lady that usually sits in booth by herself walked over to me. "Hello dear, is everything all right?" I  half-smiled and nodded. She pulled the chair out that was standing in front of her before asking if she could sit. I nodded not wanting to be impolite. "Oh, where are my manners? My name is Harleen. Doctor Harleen Quinzel but you can call me Harley all my friends do." I smile her bubbly attitude getting the better of me, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Harley. I'm Emily. If you don't mind we asking what type of doctor are you?" She replies happily," I'm a Psychologist." "Oh so that's how you saw through my disguise." "Yes that and you haven't come here with your friend in a long time. Please forgive for being curious but is everything all right between the two of you?" With that little in sight Harley won me over. I gushed everything out as if I had known her my entire life. It reminded me of the bond I had with my mom. 

Since that day Harley and I met every afternoon for coffee. She'd tell me about her day and I would tell her about my day. She even helped me deal with the death of my parents, although she did act strange the first time I told her about them. She looked hurt mixed with a little bit of jealousy but the emotions disappeared as if they hadn't been there so I brushed it off. We grew closer and soon we didn't just share one cup of coffee but three. 

Harley had become my new mother figure.

***Nico's Point of View*** 

I avoided Emily as much as possible believing that she didn't want anything to do with me. She didn't even try talking to me and I think it's my own fault. Every time I thought I was over the kiss I would muster up the courage to go to her but as soon as I saw her my heart would beat a thousand kilometres an hour. So I took that as a sign and made up excuses not to walk home with her. 

Although she said she'd be going home I discovered her laughing and talking with an older woman. Her hair an odd choice for someone her age. It was a white-ish blonde with red and blue tips. I brushed it off the first afternoon I saw them together but every time I walked past the café and saw them together my gut would tug tight and I knew it was the jealousy talking. 

When Emily got home late one afternoon I had, had it. "Where you spending time with that woman again?" Emily slammed the door shut behind her and I could see the anger boiling. "IF you have to know yes I did." She attempted to rush past me but I grabbed her arm. "Emily, don't you think it's a little weird that she's hanging out with you?" She yanked her arm out of my hand," IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CARE! ALL YOU DO IS BLOCK ME OUT AS IF I'M A NASTY VIRUS! So, I'm done caring what you think Nico." She turns her head away and I allow her to walk knowing that I had caused her tears. 

My brain told me to leave her alone but my heart told me to do what I always did when she was upset. I ran to the café, ordered her a huge cup of iced coffee, ran to the gas station bought her, her favourite chocolate and headed back. 

I knocked on her door and before she could chase me away I opened it and showed her my collection. She rolled her eyes grabbed the stuff and jumped on her bed. "Don't think you're forgiven." "I'm sorry. It's just I got jealous and seeing you have fun with someone other than me." "Just to make you feel a bit better, she is a psychologist and she was helping me adjust to you not talking to me." "Oh, I'm sorry." I attempted to hug her but she shook her head. "Lets not we might mess things up again." I nodded a bit hurt but I understood why she said it. "Wanna watch a movie?" I smile," Is it gonna be Tangled or Frozen?" "Just for that you can sit in your room. But if you must know I'm watching Tangled." "Alright, I'll watch it just remember 'Mother knows best'." With that she bursts into laughter and heads downstairs while slurping on her iced coffee. 

We headed to our rooms after the movie each stuck with their own homework, when a note on my bed captures my attention. It read in bold and italics: "HURT OUR DAUGHTER AGAIN AND YOU'LL REGRET IT!"

What the heck? Whose daughter? Wait, could they mean Emily but her parents are gone..?