Page 11 of Make It Without You

Parents.

My phone buzzes when I walk into my room with a text.

I set my food on my dresser and plop down on my bed, seeing it’s from Emily.

E: Good morning.

Me: Morning. How’s your morning so far?

E: Considering I just woke up not too long ago, I’d say it’s off to a slow start.

Me: What?! Whatever had you sleeping in so late?

E: Some guy.

Me: Tell me his name. And I’ll kick his butt.

E: What if I said you knew him?

She’s adorable.

Me: I’ll still do it.

E: Fine. It’s you. You kept me up.

Me: *pats self on back*

E: *rolls eyes*

Me: What are your plans for today?

E: I’m gonna get some homework done. And then practice for a recital that’s coming up.

Me: Do you want some company?

E: Sure. Give me an hour?

Me: Of course. See you in a bit, Em.

E: XO

To pass the time until I’m with Emily, I scarf down my breakfast, clean up my room, and take my dirty clothes to the laundry room. Fingers crossed my little brother will add his clothes to the pile and start a load. It’s what little brothers are for. It’s time he learns how to do his—meaning our—laundry.

I finally change the sheets on my bed, but not because my mom has been bugging me to do it. Okay. Yes. I change my sheets because she’s been pestering me for weeks.

I put all of the accumulated water bottles from my room in the recycle bin. Rumor has it, we teenagers like to “collect” water bottles in our room. It’s a known fact. My older brother had a whole bunch in his room too. This reminds me that I haven’t bothered him in a while so I need to call him.

Walking back into my room I check the time on my phone, I see that it’s about time to head over to Emily’s house. I hop in the shower to clean off the sleep along with the smell of cleaning products. Once I’m dressed and smell presentable, I gather my books and book bag.

“I’m going to Emily’s,” I tell my parents when I’m back downstairs and head towards the front door.

“Have fun. Be safe!” My mom jokingly yells.

My feet come to a stop and I look at my parents with pleading eyes before I leave the embarrassment behind for a little while. A light and giddy feeling swims through my body and leads me to Emily’s house. I bound up the steps with a hop and ring the doorbell.

Emily answers the door after a few seconds. Her hair is thrown in a messy bun and she’s wearing a Columbia sweatshirt that swallows her petite frame. The black leggings she wears mold to her legs and the thick white socks she wears has me believing she’s preparing for a cold front to blow through.

“Hi.” She says with a shy smile.

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