Unbroken

Chapter 9: Walking Home

Important A/N: Originally, chapter 9 was switcharoo. After writing and posting that chapter, I realized I needed something between chapter 8 and 9, so I wrote this. This should be read before the next chapter, and so that's where I'm placing it (so that any new readers aren't confused), unfortunately, I have no idea what that's going to do to those who have already read it. :/ 

Emma:

Ari sent me a text about cheerleading practice, so I'd be walking home alone today. I didn't mind. My backpack bounced against my back as I skipped down the front steps of the school. Would Nix be walking home as well? Somewhere in the crowded halls, I'd lost Rook.

Deciding that waiting would be my best option, I leaned against the bottom of the wall that lined the stairs. Students and a couple of teachers bustled by me, obviously in a hurry to leave the building.

"Emma?" I jumped, turning to face Rook.

"Oh. Hi." God, that was intelligent. I felt my cheeks heat.

"Are you waiting for someone?" He thought for a moment, and then he seemed to come to a conclusion. "Are you waiting for your sister?"

I shook my head. "She has cheerleading."

He blinked in surprise. "Oh. She's a cheerleader?" Was that so hard to believe? I couldn't have been one if my life depended on it, but my twin was more social than I was.

I nodded, adding, "I was going to see if Nix wanted to walk home with me."

Rook dropped his bag on the ground, raising his brows in question to my statement.

"We're neighbors."

"Your family bought the house that was for sale next to his?" he questioned.

I scuffed the toe of my shoe against the ground as I nodded. Was this a bad idea? It probably was. I just didn't really like the idea of walking home alone.

Kacen stepped out of the school followed closely by Nix. They were signing back and forth as they descended the stairs, stopping when the spotted Rook and I watching them. "What's up?" Nix asked softly, tilting his head to the side. Kacen stayed silent as he watched the exchange.

Rook had his hands in his pockets and nodded in my direction. "Emma was going to see if you wanted to walk home with her, since it appears you're neighbors."

Nix glanced at me, puzzled. "We are?"

The ground suddenly got my attention as I nodded.

"Do you need to be home right away?" My gaze flew up to meet Nix's as I shook my head.

"No, why?" I tilted my head in a questioning manner.

Rook answered for him. "Because we had plans to go to Kacen's house to work on homework tonight. You're welcome to come along."

"I can just go home..." I shrank back. A part of me wanted to go, but the anxious part of me was afraid of an unfamiliar setting.

"Great! She's coming with us!" Nix spoke loudly, dropping an arm over my shoulders. I blushed as a squeak was startled from me. Had he not read my lips correctly? I didn't remember agreeing to go with them.

"I doubt Kacen's parents want me over," I tried again, attempting to find a reason why I couldn't.

"P-p-parents aren't h-home," Kacen stated, twirling one of his drumsticks through his fingers.