Cursed In Love

-I tried to love you! I truly tried Em... but you didn’t make it easy.

-Oh? You tried, huh? Is that really all you got? I never forced you into anything. You are the one who jumped right into my life. So how dare you speak of me like that?!

- I’m sorry, Em... you’re hard to love. I don’t know what else is there to discuss… he says, his voice trembling, eyes shutting tight.

And then he whispers:

-I can’t do this anymore... I tried.

He turns his back on me.

And walks away.

And that’s how my story ended, though that was only the cherry on top.

Shall we start from the beginning?

Hi, I’m Emilia. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but I’ve been living in Oxford, UK, since I turned eighteen. And today... this is where everything changed. One thing you should know about me? I was never a big fan of romance. Remember that--because it matters more than you think.

Now... let’s dive into the deep.

When we first arrived in town, me and my family, I wasn’t very excited. I didn’t think much of the city until I went to my university and my eye caught a handsome, dark-chocolate boy. Luckily for me, he was in my class. He stared at me one too many times, I noticed, but I pretended not to.

Blending in was easy for me. After class I was approached by a clique of two boys and one girl, and what can I say we clicked. We sat together for lunch and got to know each other better. Adrian wears a fake “bad-boy” persona, while Noah is the typical athletic, handsome guy next door. And then comes Beatrice, or Bea, as her friends call her, who keeps the boys on a leash. They seem friendly, Noah a bit more than the others, but overall, we will be a good match, I believe.

I was busy eating French fries when I felt a presence standing behind me. I turned, and sure enough, the handsome boy from earlier had scouted me from the back.

- Excuse me, is this seat taken? he interrupts.

- No, you’re free to take it if you want, I say, turning to see who I’m talking to.

- Thanks, whatever-your-name-might-be, he says, taking my hand and kissing it mockingly.

- Em for my friends, but it’s Emilia to you, I answer, a bit intense.

- Pretty name you have, Em. Oh-- I meant miss Emilia. I’m Ethan, at your service.

- I don’t remember asking you, luv. Just take the chair.

He smirks --like he knows something I don’t-- picks up the chair, and walks away.

- He’s really into you, girl. I know him way too well, trust me, Bea says confidently. We’re kinda related.

-You and him? No way. There’s no resemblance, Bea.

- That’s because he is my stepbrother.

The bell rings before I can react, cutting the conversation short.

- Time for class, guys. Meet me at the entrance later, I’ll pick you up with my car, Adrian insists.

Time flew by, and soon it was time for me to go find the others at our meeting cue. When I got to the school entrance, they were already waiting in the car. I got in the back and sat next to Noah, since Bea was in the front seat next to our beloved “driver” for the day, Adrian.

The guys were in the mood for a shopping spree, so we headed to the mall. Giant place. I loved it. My girl and I went to buy clothes, while Adrian and Noah grabbed coffee for the four of us. Sooner than later, we joined them at the table, drank our coffees, and gossiped.

- Sis. Bea! Don’t you hear me? Hey!

We all turned.

- Oh, hi. What are you doing here, Ethan? Weren’t you supposed to be with father?

- Yeah, and? I bailed. I should be having fun like you do, he says, sliding into the seat right next to me. Where are my manners, hi everyone. Guys. Emilia.

We greeted him back. I silently grabbed my phone and started scrolling, not paying him any attention.

- Am I invisible or something? he asks, his eyes pointing at me.

- No. How could someone as charming as you be invisible? I reply, with sarcasm.

- Here I was thinking you were boring. I’m glad you’re not, he says with a wink.

I scold him with my shoulder and stand up, nodding to Bea to follow me to the restroom. Bea gets up, takes me by the hand, and leads the way.

- Honestly, you saw him. He’s so flirting with you. Does he intrigue you even a little?

- I’m not sure how I feel. Anyway, lets go back.

When we returned, the boys were talking about baseball and cheerleaders. As we approached, I caught something about “sexy clothing” and “hot cheeks” from Adrian and Noah. Ethan, though, seemed quite and cautious with his words.

We got to the table and Adrian filled us in.

- Tell them, Ethan, what you told us, Adrian pushes.

- Yeah, tell them, Noah encourages.

- Um... nothing. It’s--

Ethan’s phone cuts him off. A name flashes on the screen : “Blair”.

Who is she, I wonder and most importantly, why do I even care? Maybe I’m only curious because I know nothing about him, apart of him being related to my friend. My thoughts are interrupted by his voice.

-“Hey, what’s up” he answers the phone.

I can barely hear the voice on the other end of the line. I lean into Bea’s ear and whisper :

- You know anyone by that name?

She shakes her head and gives me a weird smile.

The call ends, and before I can comment, Ethan gets up to leave.

- I’m sorry for leaving like this, but she needs me.

I have so many questions like who is she, why she called, and above all what she needs from him.

Noah suggests we leave as well. We walk toward Adrian’s car, but I’m out of it. I don’t hear a word they’re saying. My mind is gone, replaying everything. Only when I hear Bea say my name do I snap back.

- Em, do you want to come over?

- Yeah...sure, I manage to answer.

- There you go, girls. Have fun at your sleepover or whatever you do.

Both of the boys say while leaving us on the porch of the garden’s home.

We wave them goodbye and go inside. The door opens, and we are greeted by a sophisticated, elegant blonde woman.

- Hello, my darlings. Welcome to our home, dear.

-Hi, such a lovely place you have, miss. Thank you for having me.

- Our pleasure, she replies with a warm smile.

- We will be upstairs mum. If you want anything, call me, Bea says, grabbing my arm and signaling me toward the stairs.

At the end of the stairs, on the second floor, there’s her giant purple, glitter-like room, filled with lots of pillows and Polaroids hanging from the walls. She jumps onto her bed and I join her. We talk for a while, but then I leave to find the bathroom.

As I stumble around the floor, I see a half-opened door and go to check if it’s there. When I get closer, I hear a soft sob coming from inside. I take a careful look, and I see Ethan on his knees in front of the bed, and on the bed there’s a girl sitting... that must be Briar, I guess. Then I notice his hand on her thigh.

-Thank you for always being here for me, Briar sobs, and Ethan embraces her in a hug.

That’s my sign to walk back to Bea’s room and not move. Sadly for me, I stumble and hit something, making a sound. Ethan goes to check, but in that moment I’m already closing the door behind me, so he makes his way to his stepsister’s room to see what’s going on.

- What happened ? Are you alright? Bea asks me.

I’m about to tell her when Ethan opens the door and walks into the room.

His eyes fall instantly to mine.

- Emilia? I didn’t know you were here... I left you guys at the mall, he says, kind of anxious.

- I’m here too by the way. My house, remember? Bea exclaims, laughing.

- Em, were you in the hall just now? Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?

- As if you would care, I reply harshly.

- Can I speak to you in private? Do you mind, Bea?

- No, not at all. Be my guest, bro.

- Please come with me for a second.

He takes me by the hand and leads me to his room, where Briar is.

- Briar, this is Emilia she is new at my school. Emilia, this is Briar. A childhood friend of mine, or should I say, my little sister.

- Hi, I say, unfazed and cold.

- Hey, she says back, her voice trembling.

Ethan continues:

-She and I lived across from each other for a while, but we became close after an almost accident. I was coming back home when I witnessed a car heading toward her at full speed. I ran and got her out of the way just in time. It wasn’t just the accident. After that day, she trusted me more than anyone. I helped her heal from it... and she helped me with a lot of things too. She’s family to me.