Page 84 of Falling With a Spin

“You did what?” Taylor yells as we sit across from each other on the couch.

“Hey, I’m right here. You don’t need to yell.” My face scrunches up and I take a sip of my wine, placing it down on the table in front of me.

After the talk I had with Hunter's mom, Hunter walked into the kitchen, suggesting it was time to leave. I wasn’t sure what happened while he was outside but hope filled me inside that it was a good conversation with his brothers and dad. When we got into the car to drive home, I pulled up the email from Juilliard to fill out the application and then scrolled through my videos, trying to find the one that called to me the most. After finding it, I attached it, and my thumb hovered over the submit button. Unease gnawed at me, but when Hunter grabbed my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, I knew I would be okay no matter what happened, and then I pressed submit.

“I submitted an audition form for Juilliard,” I repeat to Taylor. She looks at me like I have grown a third head, and before she can say anything else, “And-”

“Oh God, there’s more.” She throws herself on the couch, in a very Taylor dramatic way.

Rolling my eyes, “Hunter's mom offered to help me if I want to press charges against Chad.” The last part comes out in a whisper as our apartment falls quiet.

“What are you going to do?” She scoots closer to me.

“Not sure, to be honest. The idea of having to relive it all makes me physically ill. Who knows if I will even win the case? It’s been five months since the incident.”

Dropping my head against the couch and closing my eyes, I let out a sigh.

“Babes, I know you might not think it will be worth it. Say you win; think about what you would be doing for yourself and other women out there, and if you don’t, then you tried your best. That's what matters. Do this for yourself, Emma.”

She is right, and if I can’t do this for myself, then I will do it for the ones that can’t speak up.

I walk into my calculus class Monday morning with a fresh start in mind. I get to focus on anything but figuring out how I’m going to tell Hunter that I will be taking up his mom's offer.

Layla comes in and takes her seat next to mine and excitement runs through me since I haven’t seen her since winter break.

“Well, hello there, stranger.” I lean against my desk, looking at her.

“Hello to you, too, stranger.” She takes a sip from her Coca-Cola and gives me a wink.

“How have you been?” I look at her and pull out my notebook and pencils.

Before school started back up, I made sure to get new supplies since I used up all my last ones with the amount of studying that Hunter and I were doing. This semester, I went with all yellow to bring some happiness to my everyday life.

“I’ve been good. Didn’t do much over break at all. I helped out at a homeless shelter, making sure that people had a warm place to stay.”

“That's so kind of you.” I’m in awe of her. “Not many people would do that during the Holidays. They would rather spend it with their families.”

“Yeah. Some of us don’t get that luxury, though.” Sadness crosses her face and quickly disappears when she turns to me. What could she mean by that? Was she alone for the holiday?

“Anyways, what did you do?” She clears her throat, blinking rapidly.

I explained to her the events that occurred, from spending Christmas alone to running into Chad on New Year's Eve and then spending New Year with Hunter's parents. I told her how that whole day went; her face was exactly how I felt. A rollercoaster.

“Yup, so now I’m waiting to hear back from Juilliard and, later today, telling Hunter my decision on the offer his mom gave me.”

Layla reaches her hand over to mine and squeezes it. “I’m here for you if you need anything.”

“That goes the same for you, too. I’m just a phone call away.” Her breathing hitches, and she gives me a shaky smile. Before I can ask about it, Professor Mikens walks through the door, dusting the snow off of his shoulders.

“Alright, class, welcome back to a new semester.” He sets his stuff down on the desk. “Let class begin.” He spreads out his arms with a smile on his face and then turns around towards the board.

I pull into Hunter’s driveway and grab my bags. Walking into the house, I get hit with an instant aroma coming from the kitchen. Following the smell, my stomach rumbles, but I come to a standing halt when I reach the kitchen.

Standing before me are two grown-ass men covered head to toe in flour, eggs, and, honestly, I’m not so sure what else. Not only is it on them but all over the kitchen. I look up at the ceiling and see what could be part of an egg.

Shaking my head, I walk in, carefully maneuvering myself around the mess towards the two boys in front of me. Because, of course, one of them has bright blue eyes and dimples that I love so much. The other in question is Cole. That doesn’t come as a surprise to me whatsoever.

“He started it,” They both say, pointing at each other.

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