Love Games ✔️

Four: Mon amour

After talking to Dave, I hear a rumble in the kitchen.

"Emma, is that you? What are you doing up so early?" I ask, rubbing my eyes as I come out of my room, hunched over.

I glance at the clock above the dining table. It's almost noon. How long have I been asleep? My head is pounding, too much alcohol last night, I think to myself.

I need water.

Emma has her headphones on, so she doesn't hear me. She doesn't know I'm talking to her. I walk over to her, and she's clearly cooking something, moving around the kitchen with purpose.

I grab her shoulder, and as I do, she turns, letting out a loud scream. I scream too, jumping back and landing firmly on my bum.

"Sorry," Emma says, covering her mouth in surprise.

"I didn't mean to scare you. But I thought I said something and you didn't hear it, so I said I'd—" I pause and turn away, slowly getting to my feet.

"I'll get used to someone living with me," Emma says, visibly relaxed, a small smile on her face.

"I didn't mean to startle you. Sorry, I just need a glass of water. My head hurts from all that alcohol last night," I reply.

I walk past her to the counter and pour myself a glass of water.

When did Emma become so jumpy? Since when has she been so anxious? She's been different lately.

We've been friends for as long as I can remember. Since kindergarten. We've always had this unspoken connection, the same thoughts, the same understanding. It felt like we were the same person.

But things have changed over the past few months. Maybe I've been too caught up with Dave to notice. But now, I can tell something is off with her.

"Is something wrong? Are you worried about something?" I ask, a flood of thoughts rushing through my mind.

"No, nothing's wrong," Emma replies quickly, though her eyes betray her. "It's just that lately I've had so much to worry about—the flat, work, everything. It's exhausting, and it's making me anxious."

I look at her more closely. There's something different in her eyes, despite her efforts to hide it.

"Well, take a day off," I suggest. "You've got staff, they'll be fine. They've been with you for ages. You never said anyone was bad; I think you've got the right team around you."

I give her a hug, and she returns it, relaxing just a bit.

"I know, I know. Sometimes I forget that you know way too much about me," she says, holding me tighter. "Thank you for always being there, for being so real."

I squeeze her back. "Thanks for taking me in."

We stand there for a while, just holding each other.

"Maybe you should take today off, and we could go clubbing together?" Emma suggests, a playful grin on her face.

And just like that, my headache comes rushing back. Why did I sleep so much last night? Why did I have to?

Then I remember. Dave left me. My heart aches, even though our relationship was far from perfect. It was still mine. Our story.

I slump my shoulders, my face falling.

"Aren't you here for the fun?" Emma teases.

"It's not that. I just remembered that Dave and I finished things last night," I say quietly.

"Get over it, Sarah. He was never that great of a guy," Emma replies, as if she's already moved on from him. "He didn't deserve you."

"He was mine," I whisper, feeling the weight of the words. "In spite of everything, I still loved him. I'll probably be single forever." The thought of being twenty-eight and stuck in this lonely place is almost too much.