Chapter Two – Getting Closer
1062 Words
The next morning Emma woke up earlier than usual.
Soft sunlight entered the room through the small window. For a moment she simply lay there staring at the ceiling, thinking about the previous night.
Jason.
She did not know why his face kept appearing in her mind.
Emma turned to the side and pulled the blanket over her shoulders.
“This is silly,” she whispered to herself.
He was just her sister’s boyfriend. There was nothing special about meeting him.
Still, something about him felt different.
She finally got out of bed and walked into the kitchen. The apartment was quiet.
Sarah had already left for work.
On the kitchen table there was a small note.
I had to leave early. Food is in the fridge. See you tonight.
Emma smiled slightly.
She made herself a simple breakfast and sat by the window while eating. Outside, the city was already busy. Cars moved along the streets and people walked quickly to work.
The city never seemed to sleep.
Later that afternoon Emma decided to take a short walk around the neighborhood.
The air was warm, and the streets were filled with life. She passed small shops, cafés, and a park where children were playing.
It felt nice to be outside.
By evening she returned to the apartment feeling tired but relaxed.
She changed into comfortable clothes and sat on the couch watching television.
A little while later she heard a knock on the door.
Emma frowned slightly.
Sarah usually used her key.
She walked to the door and opened it.
Jason stood there.
For a moment Emma froze.
“Oh,” she said softly. “Hi.”
Jason gave a small smile.
“Hi, Emma.”
She stepped aside.
“Sarah isn’t home yet.”
“I know,” Jason replied calmly. “She asked me to wait here. She said she might be late.”
Emma nodded and closed the door.
“Okay.”
For a few seconds they stood there quietly.
Then Emma gestured toward the couch.
“You can sit if you want.”
Jason walked into the living room and sat down. Emma sat on the other side of the couch, leaving a small space between them.
The television was still playing, but neither of them was paying attention.
Jason looked around the apartment.
“So,” he said after a moment, “how has the city been treating you?”
Emma shrugged lightly.
“It’s still new to me.”
Jason nodded.
“That makes sense.”
Emma glanced at him.
“What about you?” she asked. “Are you always busy?”
Jason leaned back slightly.
“Most of the time. Work keeps me busy.”
“What do you do exactly?” Emma asked.
“I manage a small business with a friend,” he explained.
Emma looked interested.
“That sounds stressful.”
Jason chuckled.
“Sometimes it is.”
They both laughed softly.
The conversation felt easy, which surprised Emma.
She had expected things to be awkward after meeting him only once.
But talking to him felt natural.
After a few minutes Emma stood up.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asked.
“Sure.”
She walked into the kitchen and grabbed two glasses of juice. When she returned, Jason thanked her and took the glass.
Their fingers brushed slightly as he took it.
Emma quickly looked away.
Jason noticed the small reaction.
“Are you settling in okay?” he asked gently.
Emma nodded.
“I think so.”
She sat back down on the couch.
For a while they talked about simple things, movies, music, and places in the city.
Jason recommended a few places Emma should visit.
“You should see the river at night,” he said. “It looks beautiful with all the lights.”
Emma smiled.
“I might go someday.”
As the evening passed, the space between them seemed smaller.
At one point they both reached for the remote control at the same time.
Their hands touched.
Emma quickly pulled her hand back.
“Sorry,” she said quietly.
Jason shook his head.
“It’s okay.”
But neither of them moved for a moment.
The silence felt strange.
Not uncomfortable, but heavy.
Emma cleared her throat.
“Sarah should be back soon.”
Jason nodded slowly.
“Yes… she should.”
Another quiet moment passed.
Emma could feel Jason’s eyes on her again.
She looked up and caught him staring.
Jason looked away quickly.
Emma felt her heart beat a little faster.
She tried to focus on the television again, but her thoughts kept drifting.
Why was the room suddenly so warm?
A few minutes later the sound of a key turning in the door broke the silence.
Sarah walked in looking tired but cheerful.
“Hey!” she said as she stepped inside.
Emma relaxed immediately.
Jason stood up.
“You made it.”
Sarah walked over and kissed his cheek.
“Of course I did.”
She dropped her bag on the chair and looked at both of them.
“You guys seem comfortable already,” she joked.
Emma forced a small smile.
“We were just watching TV.”
Jason nodded.
“Yeah.”
Sarah laughed.
“Good. I’m glad you two are getting along.”
Emma felt a strange feeling again when Sarah wrapped her arm around Jason’s waist.
Jason smiled down at her.
For a moment Emma looked away.
Something about seeing them together made her chest feel tight.
She stood up quickly.
“I think I’m going to my room,” she said.
Sarah looked at her in surprise.
“Already?”
“I’m a little tired,” Emma replied.
Sarah nodded.
“Alright. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Emma said softly.
She walked down the hallway and closed her bedroom door behind her.
The room felt quiet.
Emma sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the floor.
Why did everything feel so confusing?
Jason was kind and easy to talk to.
But he was also her sister’s boyfriend.
Emma lay back on the bed and covered her eyes with her arm.
“Stop thinking about him,” she told herself.
But deep down she knew something had already started to change.
And she wasn’t sure how to stop it.
- Writer
