The Art of Love (9)

- Emma -

I woke to the smell of pancakes and sounds of family. It brought me back to the memories of Mom and Dad. Saturday mornings they would always have pancakes and bacon waiting for Ava and I, when we woke from our slumber. For a while I just laid in bed, taking in the things that caused me to reminisce, till I finally gave in to the day.

"Thought you’d never wake up Emmalia," Charlie’s mom, Nancy, smiled from the stove. I walked over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Here I am." I present myself.

"You children going into town today?" Nancy asked.

"I was planning on showing them around," said Charlie from the breakfast bar.

"That would be fun," Richy gleefully chimed in.

"You know what? I think I might tag along, if that’s alright." Jack sneakily added.

"Sounds fun, kids! If you guys are going to see the town, you better get started soon," she rushed us. An hour later, we found ourselves near Big Ben at a little chocolate store. Jack and Richy decided to share a table alone so we chose a spot by the window so I could watch the snow.

"What are you thinking about?" Charlie set down his coffee.

"Did you know my parents met in London?" I asked the question I already knew the answer to.

"No," he watched me while my gaze was outside the fogged glass.

"They both happened to be studying abroad. Mom was studying the arts while Dad was interested in writing and education. They were stuck next to each other on a double decker bus. It was love at first sight." I tear my eyes from the trance they were in. He just nodded, looking deep into my eyes. His hand traced the top of mine. I quickly whipped away the tear that found its way down my cheek.

"It’s okay to miss them," he reassured me.

"I know. I just hope they're somewhere nice... with Jackson." I whisper through the tear drops. I hated crying in public, but I didn’t mind so much when his fingers laced themselves through mine. Exchanging smiles and letting the blood rush to our cheeks, we stole a few minutes from reality. Snapping back though, I glance over at Richy’s table where her and Jack were kissing. I couldn't help but feel a bit out of place.

"Come on, let’s go," he offers. Sliding out of the booths, we retrieved our other couple and continued down the snowy paths of London. I had to remind myself that I wasn't dreaming, I was actually here, experiencing this. Sometimes when I’d check out from the current moment to stare at something else, Charlie would squeeze my hand that was already in his. A part of me wanted to be so close to Charlie, especially after all the years we’ve wasted, but then I’d have voice remind me of Rory, back home.

The day felt like a fairytale or something you view in a movie. In the evening we joined back at the house to have dinner before resigning to our rooms. Just as my eyes drooped, I felt a whisper in my ear, "Emmy."

"Mmm - what?" I mumbled.

"Emmy, move over," the voice lightly poked my back making me giggle, so I willingly gave room. The figure slid in bed wrapping his arms around me.

"Richy," I manage to say through drowsiness.

"Richy’s in my room with Jack. Don’t worry about her." He said lying his head down on the other half of the pillow.

I don’t know what sleep actually took me, but the memory was so bittersweet I could feel everything. The hot summer’s day when Mom and Dad let us go to the beach. I was so tired from my little limbs holding me above the dangerous waters. Mom called Ava and I onto the sandy blanket that stretched for at least a mile each direction. The little grains of tan sand burned the bottom of our feet as we sprinted to our towels. Once we hit our sanctuary Dad gave us popsicles with sweat dripping off of them from the warming sun that beat down on us. Mom leaned back, rubbing her pregnant belly, as if she was satisfied.

I laid my head on the cooling towel. I watched the waves slowly creep up before retreating towards the deeper waters. Instantly the splashes of lake water turned into flames, trailing up closer to our small camp sight.

"Mom, we need to leave." I turn to warn her.

"We are fine, Emmalia," she lets her eyes rest behind her sunglasses, turning her face upwards to let the warmth on her neck.

"Dad, quick, let’s go." I say but he’s too distracted with something in the cooler. I turn to the flames as the sand became gun powder, a fuel to the fire. "Let’s GO!" I grab Ava’s arm and she gives me a terrified look before her body is frozen over in an ice cube. I throw my fists against the ice trying to free her but it does no help. I scream for help but not even my parents can hear me anymore, even though I’m sitting right next to them. I feel freezing icicles overcome my body as I mirror my sister’s fate. I cry for my Mom and Dad but they ignore me. Soon I am in an ice chamber attempting to pounding myself free as I watch my parents burn alive.

Gasping for air, I wake up shivering.

"Emmy. Emmy." Charlie brings me to realization that it wasn't true. But, while I lie there, still shivering and breathing heavily, I realize that may be I’m not over their death.... maybe I’ve been running away from it.