When I saw his face, I realized it was Adam. I signaled for him to wait. He looked impatient. I grabbed just a coat, threw it over my pajamas, slipped on some slippers, and went down slowly; my dad was probably still awake. Mia seemed to be in her room already.
As I got closer, Adam looked nervous. He said, "Mia, go upstairs. You weren't supposed to come down."
I asked, "Adam, where are you going?"
"I'm going to see Emma," he replied, serious.
"I'm coming with you," I insisted.
Adam grew even more impatient. "Don't even try to say no. I'm going, and that's final."
He looked at me and said, "Then let's go, quickly."
I left in my pajamas, and Adam called a taxi. When we arrived at the condominium, there was a guard at the gate. I looked at him. "How are we going to get in?"
"I don't know," he replied.
The taxi driver added, "You can only enter with permission, Adam."
We got out of the taxi and stood about twenty meters from the gate, trying to figure out how to get in. That's when a car pulled up beside us. Brandon rolled down the window. He was still injured.
I looked at him and remembered—it was the same condominium I had visited earlier with my dad; he lived there too. Brandon said, "Lost?"
"Back off, man," Adam snapped.
"Relax," Brandon said. "You want to get in to see Emma, right? She lives here too. Get in the car. If you're with me, you'll be able to get in."
Adam looked at me. Brandon continued, "Seriously, let's forget the problems. I want to help."
I opened the back door and got in. Adam muttered, "You're crazy."
"Come on, we have to see Emma," I said.
Just as Brandon had promised, it was easy to get inside. We rode in silence until he parked near Emma's house. Adam made a move to get out, and I said, "No, they're going to let you see her."
Brandon laughed ironically. Adam looked nervous. "What is it, man?"
"I can imagine… Patty's parents found out she's dating you," Brandon said.
Adam stayed serious. Brandon added, "Relax. Her parents know my dad. I'll come up with an excuse and bring her here. Then you two can talk."
"Stay here," Adam said.
While we waited, I realized I had left my phone at home in the rush and hadn't listened to the recording. When I got home, it would be the first thing I'd do.
Adam murmured, "Chad's going to be upset."
I rubbed his arm. "We'll talk to him at school tomorrow."
He remained silent, nervous. After a few minutes, Emma appeared with Brandon. He opened the driver's door and told Emma to get in. She smiled when she saw Adam, who got in quickly and hugged her tightly.
Emma looked at me and asked if I was okay. I smiled and said yes. Brandon closed Emma's door and opened mine. "Want to take a walk for a bit, give them some privacy?"
"Absolutely not," Adam said.
"Seriously?" Brandon asked.
"I'll just go for a little while. Adam, I'll be right back," I said.
I went with Brandon to a bench at the end of the street. We sat. He sighed. "Mia, forgive me. I didn't mean to be a jerk to you."
"Okay," I said. "After all, you just helped a friend. Let's forget it."
He smiled, glanced around, picked a red rose from a garden across the street, and knelt in front of me. I froze. He handed me the rose and said, "This is a peace offering."
I smiled. "Okay."
We talked. He was so friendly, nothing like the night before. At one point, he said, "I'm glad Jhenna is doing well at her new school."
"True," I replied.
"I really care about my cousin," he said, his eyes watering. I asked if he was okay. He wiped his eyes and asked if Jhenna had told me more about herself. I explained that I didn't talk to her much. Brandon stayed silent, then changed the subject and checked his watch. "Come on, I told Mrs. Lola it would be quick."
I walked with him to the car. I said goodbye to Emma, who went inside. Brandon insisted on driving us. We accepted.
On the way, I was distracted. I placed the rose beside me and saw, in the rearview mirror, Adam's eyes looking at it, uncomfortable. When we arrived, I grabbed the rose, said goodbye to Brandon, and we went inside.
When we entered, my dad and Donna Ruth were waiting. I froze. Adam did too. We stared at them for a few seconds.
My dad asked, nervous, "Mia, Holis, where have you been?"
I said, "Dad, we were on the bench across the street. Adam was sad and wanted to talk."
My dad looked at the rose. "Are you telling me Adam gave you that rose?"
Adam laughed. "Of course not. I dared her to steal it from the neighbor's garden."
My dad said, "I only believe it because I called Hanna a little while ago, and Chad's at home right now."
My heart raced. Chad already knew we had gone out.
"And seriously, Luck, you were just over there," my dad continued, suspicious. "You're lucky Donna Ruth noticed you were missing. If you go out again without permission at this hour, there will be consequences."
I walked over to my dad and hugged him. "Okay, Dad. Adam's just sad about everything."
My dad asked, "Did you tell her about our conversation?"
Adam replied, "Yes."
"Then go to your rooms now."
We went upstairs. When Adam entered the room where he was sleeping, I followed him. "Or are you going to sleep?" I asked.
"Of course, but don't tell me about the conversation with your dad, or about Emma," he said, sighing.
"Sit down, the story is long," he said.
I sat in the chair. He began. "Your dad told me to forget this whole thing about dating Emma."
I widened my eyes. "Why?"
"He said… Mia, your dad said Emma's father does a lot of wrong things and might try something against me."
I didn't understand. Adam continued, "I don't know what else. Your dad was very firm. My mom is involved in this too."
Just then, Adam's phone rang. He looked at it. "It's Chad."
He handed me the phone. I answered. He sounded nervous. "Mia, I've called you so many times, and you didn't pick up!"
"Chad, we went to see Emma," I explained.
He replied, "You're crazy. After everything… How did you get back? How, Adam?"
I took a deep breath, unsure if I should tell everything. Adam looked at me, signaling for me to explain.
"Chad, we ran into Brandon. He gave us a ride."
Chad was silent for a few seconds. I asked, "Are you okay?"
He sighed. "Of course not."
I tried to argue, but he wouldn't let me. I felt nervous, and deep down I knew he was right.
"We'll talk in person tomorrow, Mia. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," I said.
I hung up, feeling hurt… we had been so fine just a few hours ago, and now everything had changed.
I thought about it. Chad had always cared about me, and I knew he had argued with Brandon to protect me. And now, after everything, I had shared a quiet moment with Brandon… Would he understand? If he broke up with me over it, he'd be completely justified. Still, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I didn't even feel angry at Brandon.