chapter 8 / purple

Concentrating on my Spanish homework is harder than making my dog get off my bed at night. My parents and Abbey aren't home, but it's impossible to focus after stalking a pretty girl's Instagram posts, but I manage to knock out the study guide without my incompetent teacher. 

After I'm done, I cave in and take out my phone so I can see Emi's gorgeous smile. I open Instagram and her pictures are the first thing to appear. My mouth almost waters when I lay eyes on her.

Birthday girl, the caption reads on her most recent post. On April 24, she wore a dark purple dress that hugged her in all the right places along with a tiara. 

She's not just the queen for her birthday, she's a whole ass goddess. I scroll down to find a compilation of her swimsuit pictures that confirm my opinion. Running a hand through her wet curls, she smiles, and I can't decide if the setting sun or Emi in her eggplant two piece is more gorgeous.  My gaze travels to her plump frame, thick thighs and all.

With her rocking purple in her last two pictures, I'm convinced it's her color.

Before I come across some photos of her playing her favorite sport, I receive a snapchat from her.  My heart rate goes from zero to full on pounding when I stare into those pools of dark brown in her eyes. I also realize her dark hair is no longer straightened. It's like my longing to see her long curls motivated her to bring them back. I send her a picture of the Spanish homework I abandoned and re-open her posts. 

My home? Behind home, accompanies a photo of her wearing catcher's gear during a game. When I took pictures at her games, I should've paid attention to her swinging the bat instead of admiring her cute butt.

Did I just confess that?

I sigh and turn my phone over so I can focus on my work. Straight A's and social media don't mix, so that's why I didn't get it until recently.

Emi is making it hard to maintain my report card by replying instantly. I reluctantly pick up my phone to see her reply and it doesn't look like any work will get done.

The mirror selfie she blessed my eyes with makes that cage full of butterflies in my stomach open right back up. This time, someone threw the key from here to the Keys and I don't think I'll see it any time soon.

In all seriousness, what I just saw is superior to every picture on her Instagram page. If she's breathtaking in purple, I can't even begin to describe how stunning she is in the white two piece she's currently wearing. Her hair is in a messy ponytail, the fact it's out of her face giving me a better view of her face. 

Oh wow, I impulsively text. After my finger touches the send button, I feel like a fool. I sound like a pervert and she might think her neighbor's a creep. 

We were chatting over our favorite drink and she even hit on me, but I doubt she sees me as anything more than her first class ticket to passing tenth grade. I tear up at the thought of it, but get a grip shortly after. 

Shortly after, she replies. I'm hesitant to open it because of the circumstances, but my curiosity gets the better of me.

You're the sweetest :)

She doesn't think I'm a pervert, I let out a sigh of relief and tap on what she sent me after. Once again, her smile fills the screen and my heart.

~ 

It's been, I don't know, a few minutes since Tori started trying to talk to Jade. "So, how did track go?"

"Pretty good, man. What about softball?"

"Emi keeps me in check every day."

Jade winks at me, placing two wet glasses of Dr. Pepper on the table. "Exactly like Coach Al. Bossy as hell, but the nicest teammate." She agrees, referring to the time my mom coached us in elementary school.

"That's my job, I guess."

"Do y'all know what you want to eat?" Her question reminds me that we haven't even touched the menu. I pick up the laminated paper, but Tori decides to order some soft tacos for us to share. 

"Of course! Coming right up!" As Jade disappears to help other customers throughout the restaurant, I have to go to the bathroom again.

After I'm finished with my business, I shove my hair into a ponytail and open Snapchat. It looks like Jude is being productive by knocking out homework. I don't know why the hell I reply to that with a mirror pic, but it's worth the compliment he pays me. 

Jude: oh wow

Emilia: you're the sweetest :)

I smile to myself and flash my thumb at the camera. The grin doesn't leave my face until Tori points it out.

"Did something happen? You're smiling harder than my mom when Ed comes over."

Instead of telling her to shut up, I let her see what Jude sent me. "You're right, V." I admit with a sprinkle of doubt. Guys at school hit on me every now and then, but their comments on my boobs and butt always make me want to throw up. Could two words be a sign of more unsavory remarks to come?

"I'm right once again!" Tori celebrates, sipping her drink. "I might keep the bench warm, but at least everything I say goes." 

My lips curl into a tiny smile before Jade walks out with the tacos. "Here's your food, ladies. Enjoy!"

I immediately grab the corn tortilla full of carne asada and take a massive bite. I'm pretty sure there are like, eight in front of us, each one containing a different meat. 

Tori scans the plate for a chicken taco before judging me. She's known me since before middle school, and she also knows I can be a big eater. She doesn't care, but it hurts my heart society takes issue with a size 12/14/16 like myself enjoying food, let alone women as a whole. 

After I scarf down the whole taco in sixty seconds or less, I wipe the grease off of my chin and look for another one. Round two makes me free my inflated stomach from my sweatpants. 

"I take it you enjoyed that." Tori laughs.

I pat my stomach, cringing at the bulge right above the waistband of my sweatpants. It's not that I'm insecure about my belly, but I look nine months pregnant right now.

Tori drops her food on her plate. "I want you to be honest, babe. Do we feel the same about Jude Merryweather?"

The million dollar question. I think about what to say, as we only met two nights ago and it's possible he likes me. My brain and heart are going to the mat, my head reminding me I've only known him for so long. 

Still, my heart argues he's a great guy. A lot of guys hit on me, but none of them are as patient and respectful as he is. If he does have a crush on me, he's going about it respectfully and doesn't blow up my phone with weird remarks. He's the first one to get to know me before going ham, and that really puts me at ease. 

I'll be honest, he's good looking too. Even more so because he's in denial about how cute he is. At 5'6 and a half, please don't forget the half, I'm far from short, but he's five inches taller than me.

If my mom's predictions come true, it'll be nice for our kids to have his eyes that have the ocean's vibrant color and clarity. He gets even cuter when he smiles and dimples appear next to either side of his lips. And please don't get me started on those biceps. There's no way in hell he's that jacked and doesn't work out. 

"I...don't know." I admit, my cheeks pink due to thinking about her question. "We should sort that out after he's done being my tutor and we're hanging out all summer."

Tori feigns being offended. "That's my job!" She grabs her taco and takes a few bites, somehow not choking on it from the laughter. 

"Maybe you can bring Jade and we can have a double date! I exclaim, pointing to the Blasian girl cleaning off a table. I want to say she's 5'4 and her arms are ripped to shreds. Her wavy hair is now in a ponytail which she must've done in the kitchen.

"It's not that simple. I'm not even sure I even have feelings for her." Tori states matter-of-factly. As Jade approaches us, my phone tells me someone commented on one of my pictures.

jude.merry commented: please model emilia 

jude.merry commented: stunning.

~

this chapter kept me up at night! hope you guys love seeing the chemistry between these two.

also i made changes to the chapter names!

happy thanksgiving again :)))) double whammy i guess