Emancipation

thirty two

There's too much silence for my liking as I study Natalie, Ashely and Max's face who look like they've seen a ghost. Caleb and Austin just give each other a look, both sighing at the same time and I wait for the other three to respond in some manner.

There's a loud knock on the door and Austin is the first to shoot up, "It must be tacos, I got it."

"I'll come along." Caleb nods, following him and I resist rolling my eyes at them but focus my attention on the rest.

"Is this some prank that you're pulling off?" Max's voice is filled confusion and shock as he continues to stare at me.

I hold up my hand and point towards my fingers. "I'm married. Ash, this is the reason I dropped out before joining in, it all happened so fast, and when I joined back I wanted everything to be normal, I didn't want that life to taint this so I didn't say a word." I try to explain but each word I say just increases the look of hurt on her face as she shakes her head.

"I'm going to be in my room." She speaks, turning around to leave and I sigh before looking at Natalie and Max.

"Did anyone know?" Natalie asks me and I nod, pointing at Caleb and Austin who enter with bunch of taco boxes in their hands. "Wow."

She runs a hand through her hair and Max turns to me. "Just go talk to her, we'll keep our questions for later."

I give him a thankful smile before following the steps to Ashley's room. It has a twin bed and is pretty much similar to our dorm room because she has decorated it the similar way she did it back there. She's sitting on the edge of her bed and I knock to make my presence known.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Her voice is filled with hurt and I feel the guilt for the hundredth time today.

"It's a long story, Ash." I sigh and she gives me a look.

"Start from the beginning." She breathes and I sit on the chair by her desk.

I tell her everything, about the weekend I visited home after classes and how everything began. I speak about how hostile James and my relationship was, how I had a terrible honeymoon and telling her about all this makes me realise how far James and I have come. Never in my best dream did I ever think that we would ever be able to share a bond we do today.

"You're married to James fucking Clark?" She asks, her jaw dropping a little and I nod. "Oh god, I remember his engagement news and how crazy people went over it, but I don't read news, you know? I never saw photos, but my god, Lillian."

I give her a small smile. "He's a great person. We might have gotten on a wrong start, but things between us are good. At least that's what I think."

She nods, "I just... Caleb and Austin knew, didn't they? Given their reaction. I'm just hurt you didn't tell me."

"I'm so sorry, I only told Caleb because he was there right at the moment I really wanted to talk to someone, but that doesn't mean I don't trust you, Ash. You've been my only friend since such a long time, this had everything to do with me, and not with you."

She nods in understanding, "It's okay, Lil. Just please know that I'm here anytime you want to talk about something, okay?"

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry and thank you."

"C'mon. I'm sure Max must be dying to know everything. You don't have to give them details if you aren't comfortable, you know? Just tell them you had to get married for some reason and that's about it." She assures me and I give her a thankful smile for reading my mind without uttering a word.

When we get out in the living room, Max seems to be questioning Caleb and Austin who are just staring back at him blankly while Natalie and Anna are engrossed in a conversation amongst themselves.