NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Chapter 16
Two weeks passed with was no sign from Marshall. Emily was confused, sad and also anxious.
The first day, she told herself that maybe he was busy or had something else to do. The second day, she grew a little more confused. And by the third day, a hint of frustration started to build up within her.
Each day that passed filled her with a sense of disappointment and confusion. She couldn't understand why he had kissed her and then just disappeared. She couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt and a strange sense of abandonment. Her days felt gray and empty without Marshall's presence.
She couldn't understand why he had kissed her and then disappeared like that. Was it some kind of game? Was he toying with her feelings? Or had that kiss just been a mistake, something he had regretted instantly?
Emily tried to concentrate on her work during the day, but her mind kept wandering back to Marshall. She couldn't focus on anything, her thoughts spinning around her head like a turbulent storm. She found herself looking at the entrance every so often to see if he had arrived, only to feel her heart sink every time he wasn't there.
Emily was wrapping up another long shift, her thoughts still consumed by Marshall's absence. She had just finished cleaning up and was about to step outside when she spotted a figure standing by the doorway. It was Marshall.
She nearly stumbled, her heart leaping into her throat. She hadn't seen him in what felt like forever, and now here he was, looking as calm and collected as ever. She gathered herself and stepped towards him, trying to hide the mix of relief and anger that was coursing through her.
__Marshall: "Hey," he said, his voice soft and smooth. "Can we talk for a minute?"
Emily crossed her arms, a hint of defiance in her eyes.
__Emily: "So you finally decided to show up?"
__Marshall: "Emily...." he was about to continue but she interrupted him
__Emily: "What? You disappeard for 2 weeks and now you expect me to welcome you like nothing happened?"
__Marshall: "I had my reason..."
__Emily: "Reasons? You just kissed me out of the blue and then just disappeared." She said in disbelief
__Marshall: "I didn't disappear for this reason. I swear."
__Emily: "Listen, if you're here to play with, I suggest you to go find someone else. I won't do that shit again." She said in anger
__Marshall: "I'm not playing with you Emily. I wasn't even in this state."
She was taken aback by his revelation.
__Emily: "Where have you been?" she asked, her voice a bit sharper than she intended.
__Marshall: "I had some... personal stuff to take care of." he said, his eyes meeting hers briefly before looking away.
Emily arched an eyebrow, her suspicion growing. His explanation sounded vague and generic. She had a feeling he was lying, but she couldn't pinpoint why.
__Emily: "Personal stuff?" she repeated, not entirely convinced. "For two freaking weeks?"
She paused and then continue:
__Emily: "Right," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "And I'm supposed to believe that."
Marshall looked at her, his gaze hardening slightly. There was a flicker of irritation in his eyes, quickly hidden behind his practiced mask of calm.
He took a deep breath, schooling his features into a more apologetic expression. He stepped closer to her, his voice taking on a slightly softer tone.
__Marshall: "I left without an explanation, and that wasn't cool. But trust me, there were things going on that I needed to deal with. I didn't mean to just disappear on you like that." he said, his voice softer now
Emily softened a bit at his tone. He seemed sincere, and she wanted to believe him. But there was still that niggling doubt in the back of her mind. She took a breath and looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of dishonesty or deception.
__Emily: "What kind of things?" she asked, her voice gentler now.
He let out a small sigh, as if he was reluctant to share. He looked away, feigning a mix of sadness and vulnerability.
__Marshall: "A… an old friend of mine passed away unexpectedly." he said, a hint of sorrow in his voice." I had to go back to Michigan for his funeral."
Emily's expression softened, empathy welling up in her eyes. She could see the pain in his eyes, the way his body seemed to sag slightly as he spoke. It was understandable that he had disappeared like he did. She couldn't blame him for wanting to be with his friends and family during a difficult time like this.
__Emily: "I'm sorry" she whispered, her voice sincere. That must have been really tough for you."
__Marshall: He was… one of the few people who actually cared about me and didn't treat me as freak, you know?...
She reached out tentatively and gently touched his arm.
__Emily: "I'm so sorry," she repeated, her voice soft and soothing. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you."
Marshall's voice grew quiet, the pain and grief evident in his tone.
__Marshall: "He was only 30 years old," he whispered. "And that's so friggin' unfair, you know? He had so much life ahead of him, and now it's just... gone. Just like that..."
He clenched his jaw, forcing back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.
Emily's heart ached for him. She could see the anguish on his face, the raw pain of losing someone so young and unexpectedly. She couldn't imagine what he must be going through, the sense of injustice and disbelief that must be flooding his thoughts.
She squeezed his arm gently, wanting to offer some sort of comfort.
__Emily: "I can't imagine how hard that must be," she said softly. "But you're not alone, okay? I'm here for you."
Marshall's expression softened, and he looked at her with a faint hint of gratitude. Her empathy was so genuine, her care for him so sincere.
__Emily: "It's hard losing someone who really understood you. I'm sorry for being so harsh before. I just… I missed you." she said, taking a step closer to him.
Marshall looked at her, his eyes locking with hers. He saw the genuine care and concern in her expression. He stepped closer to her too, his voice soft and vulnerable.
__Marshall: "It's okay. I get it. And… I missed you too."