PERCIE

Dustin’s party is superb.

I constantly checked my phone for a text from Emma since I arrived at the condemned abandoned house. At this moment, she was enjoying the party at Chloe’s, one of her closest friends.

I still couldn’t believe that high school life was finally over. It would only mean one thing—we were getting older. In a few months, we were be both attending college and moved into one apartment as we’d planned.

I sipped the soda that started to warm in my grasp. Unlike my friends, they managed to sneak a few beers into the party.

My friends were already with their girls. Well, except for me.

The pop music was blaring too loud for my taste. I preferred classic and alternative rock—the only thing that Emma and I did not get along with. She loved pop singers—Harry Styles, in particular. Thank God she wasn’t like a Bieber fan or Kpop because I would delete her playlists if she liked them too.

I looked around the living room that they turned into a dance floor. It was crowded. Everyone was dancing— drunk or not, despite the floor strewn with old chewed dirty rags.

I went to the porch and settled into the empty rickety chair, the only place left empty. The music wasn’t too loud in this area, and the cool air didn’t smell like rat piss and shit.

“Hey, Percie.”

I was startled in my seat before I could even begin to appreciate the dark sky. When I thought I would be alone for a while, I was wrong.

“Why are you alone tonight? Where’s Emma?”

I recognized that voice without looking. The Queen B herself. The Queen of Bullies.

“Yup. I’m alone.” As if she didn’t see the obvious. “Don’t worry, I’m leaving in a bit.”

“Why didn’t you bring her here? Her classmates are down there, dancing. Dustin throws a pretty awesome party, right?”

“Sorry to break it to you, but I would never bring her here with all these wasted boys everywhere. Where is your boyfriend, Cassie?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend. You know that.” She must be rolling her eyes. Cassie was a knock-out blonde with gorgeous toned legs that could run a mile, but the rest was ugly.

I knew, but I was not going to be her boy toy because I could get her to bed with me. Could she not even get the clue?

I could smell her perfume as she got closer to me. She started running her fingers through my head to the tip of my messy brown hair. Then she gripped my shoulders, massaging them.

“Stop it. Show yourself some respect.”

She stopped and rounded to my front. “Are you gay, Percie? Or is it because of Emma?”

I chuckled sardonically and narrowed my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare include Emma in this conversation?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, took a deep breath, and looked at her. A hint of pain crossed her eyes. If I didn’t know she was a bully, I might feel terrible. “Look. I like you. You’re cool and pretty, but I do not sleep around because I want to prove to everyone about my sexuality.”

She pouted her shimmery lips. “Fine. I’m sorry.”

My phone buzzed before I could reply. Save by the call. It was Emma. I could get away from her and this place.

“Hey, Em. Want me to pick you up right now?” I rose from my seat and walked out of the porch. I left Cassie alone, still standing there.

“Yes, P. How’s the party? You can pick me up later if you want to stay longer.”

“No freaking way. I’ve been planning to get the hell out of here before I even arrived. My friends are occupied with--you know, as we speak. I’m on my way.”

I was a party person. I had a fair share of experiences. I had a lot of fun before Emma came into my life. Everything had changed. Not because of her, but because I wanted to be a better person than I was before. Tonight, Em forced me and left me no choice.

I strode downstairs and made my way out from the crowded dance floor. I rushed to the parking lot before my friends saw me sneaking out of the party. I started the engine as soon as I got in my car.

Justin Bieber’s song blasted in the speakers.

I dialed Emma. She picked up right away.

“Hey.”

“You’re in the car? Text me when you’re here. Take care. Love you.”

“Stay inside, Em. Until I’ll call you to come down. Love you too. Bye.” I hang up the call and push my phone into my pocket.

Dustin would be pissed off once he found out I left without telling him, but he was probably busy banging around with random girls.

***

A few minutes later, I stopped in front of Chloe’s house.

I unlocked the door for Emma as I watched her wave goodbye to Chloe from her window.

“Hey. How’s the party?” I asked as she got in.

She closed the door after her. “It was fun. Chloe gave this to me.” She showed me a bracelet.

I held her hand to take a closer look. It was pretty and girly. A personalized handmade charm bracelet made of beads with a heart that connected her name and Chloe’s.

“Now, I’m jealous. My name should be here too.” I pressed and tightened my lips together as I faked a frown.

She barked out, laughing, hitting my hand playfully.

“You’re such a guy. I let her make for you. My name and yours, happy?”

I grinned while she was rolling her eyes. I drove out of Chloe’s front house.

“I’m a guy, Emma. Very happy. Now, your seat belt, missy. I’ll pay for the bracelet.”

She buckled her seatbelt. “No, Percival Edmund. This time, it’s my turn.

I know it’s not expensive, but it’s the thought that counts, right? Hope you’ll like it.”

My heart melted. Even if she didn’t have to give me anything, finding her, was more than enough for me. I side-glanced at her while she was fishing something from her purse, probably my gift.

“You don’t have to do that. I was just kidding.” I focused my eyes on the road.

She held my hand from the steering wheel, squeezing it. “I know, but you were always giving me everything. And it’s nothing fancy. I just want to give this to you. I hope it reminds you that I’m always with you all the time. You know that I love you more than anything in this world,” she said and placed my hand on her lap. She then hooked the bracelet around my wrist.

I fought the urge not to glance as the tiny thrill of excitement swelled my heart. I wanted to know how it looked. Even if it would be too feminine for my taste, in my heart, I would still keep it.

“You know, I will like it no matter how hideous it is. As long as it is coming from you. And you know, I love you, Emma.” I looked her in the eye and smiled.

She unbuckled her seat belt and moved closer to me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder.

“Em, I’m driving. Let me concentrate. The road is dark around here. We can do this later.” I kissed the side of her head.

She didn’t move. “You should not wait for later, P. A lot of things can happen between now and later. I just want to hug you. I’m so happy to be your half, P.” She acted as if she didn’t hear me.

Something deep in me, a feeling of peace enveloped me. “Emma, I’m happy to be a part of you, too. And I love you. Now, be a good girl. Go back to your seat and secure your belt.”

We reached the intersections. The traffic lights turned red. I stepped on the brake quickly, making the tires screech against the pavement. It both caught us by surprise. Emma quickly tightened her hold around my neck. The car in my front moved to speed that only left us a smoke behind.

“Jerk.”

Before I could ask her if Emma was okay, the headlights reflected from her window side caught my sight, blinding my vision. I used my arm to cover my eyes as I squinted to take a look. It was too late. The car came rushing in our direction.

It happened so fast.

Then a car collided with us.

A sickening sound followed.

The impact threw us to my side.

Everything stayed still. It was deadly quiet around us as it was in a slow-motion action movie.

My breathing held. Emma gasping against my ear was the only thing I could hear at this moment. And I could feel her arms tightening around me as if something was pulling her away from me.

Then again, followed by an extreme silence piercing my ears.

It was just me and Emma who’s still on my side.

It now came to my senses. It took only a few seconds for me to realize that we were in an accident. I also knew that I was still alive as I could now feel the pain. I could smell actinic, burning my throat—a coolant and gasoline.

Emma.

Emma.

Tears filled my eyes. My vision blurred. Suddenly, I was terrified, horrified. My voice wouldn’t come out. I was shaking. I couldn’t speak.

I couldn’t move. It seemed that the car was too tiny for both of us.

I was stuck inside the wrecked car.

Emma. She was beside me, but she hasn’t moved a muscle pressed against my side.

My heart turned to ice. My eyes felt like fire.

I couldn’t breathe. The next thing I smelled was the distinct sweet metallic scent.

Blood.