Chapter 78

*Emma's POV*

"Tiger, please open the front door" mom yelled from upstairs.

Dallas left about half an hour ago and mom was now upstairs changing Toria's diaper, while I was in the living room. Dad said he was gonna get the kids, but it's taking him quite long. I knew he wasn't at the door, though, cause he has a key and if he doesn't he doesn't knock like that, so I didn't know who is behind the door.

"I don't know who it is, though" I yelled back.

"So ask"

"Nah, that's something only old people do"

"Okay, come upstairs then and finish Toria, so I can open" she said, as the person behind the door knocked again.

"No, it's fine. I'll open" I walked to the door.

I had developed this fear of opening the door when I don't know who it is, thinking it could be someone who would either grab me and run away, or just shoot me with a gun or stab me with a knife. I don't know where that fear came from, but I didn't tell anyone, cause I'm kinda embarrassed about it.

I opened the door and saw a very familiar guy standing there. I wasn't sure who it was, though.

"Hi Emma" he smiled at me.

"Hi" I smiled back, having no idea who I'm talking to.

"Marissa asked me to come and get you, Toria and your mom. You're having dinner with us. Your dad and the other kids are already there"

"Oh, that's right, you're that guy that's dating Marissa" I said.

"Yep. That's me"

"I'm sorry, that wasn't meant to be said out loud" I chuckled.

"That's okay. Just next time don't start talking to someone you don't know, cause who knows what he's gonna do"

"Yeah, but you looked familiar and you knew my name"

"Emma, if someone knows your name it doesn't mean he actually knows you. People who want things, have ways to find out everything about you without knowing you. Back when I was in school, a guy once came and called one of my classmates. He knew his name and said to him that the boy's dad had asked him to pick up the boy from school and bring him home. The boy went with him and a few minutes later his dad came to pick him up, but he had already gone with that guy. His body was found a few days later"

"Dead?"

"Yeah. Dead. This guy knew his name, but he didn't actually know him. He was just out of his mind and wanted to kill a innocent child. Never trust someone you don't know, even if he knows your name. You have to be really careful with people"

"Yeah, I know"

"Hey, what's going on? Oh, hey Austin" mama came down, with Toria in her arms.

"Hey Demi. I just came to get you guys. You're having dinner with us. Wilmer is already there with the kids"

"Why didn't I know about this?"

"It was kinda last minute" he chuckled.

"Okay. I'm not dressed to go out, though, so we better just stay inside and not end up going out" mama said, as she put Toria on her coat, as well as her own, and gave me mine.

"What have you done to my daughter?" mom asked Austin, as we almost arrived and I was still deep in thought about what he said.

"Nothing. Why would I have done something?"

"She's extremely quiet. I think you know her well enough to know she's usually not like this"

"Yeah, I also realized"

"What were you talking about?"

"I was just telling her that she has to watch out for strangers and that even if someone knows your name, it doesn't mean he actually knows you or anyone in your family"

"Oh, okay. How did you start talking about that?"

"She didn't know who I was until I mentioned Marissa"

"Oh, I see" mom nodded. She still looked a little confused, though.

"Why are you confused?" Austin asked.

"Why can you already read me?" mom chuckled.

"You're just too obvious with your expressions" he said, as he pulled into the driveway of Marissa's house. We all got out of the car and walked to the door. Austin opened it and we were immediately hugged by Marissa and Dave.

"Hi" mom smiled.

"Hey" Rissa smiled back.

"What's all this about?"

"Just thought it would be fun to have you over before you leave tomorrow"

"Okay"

"How are you?"

"I'm good. You?"

"Me too. And you Emma?" she asked me.

"I'm good" I have her a small smile, still thinking about what Austin said.

It was scary to think about it. Every person on the street could want to kill me and I could fall for his trap, just cause he knows my name. And to think that a classmate will all of a sudden be found dead, is scary too. Like my fear of opening doors wasn't enough, now I'm scared of everyone walking on the street and knowing my name.

"What's up with her?" I heard Marissa ask.

"Nothing. She'll be fine. She's just deep in though" mom said.

"Bout what?"

"Something your boyfriend told her. She'll come around. It's okay. Don't worry"

"Okay, then. So, what have you been up to?"

"It's been pretty busy the last few days"

"Did you hear about John?"

"Yep. I went to the hospital with Selena and the baby"

"I can't imagine what she went through. I get chills just thinking about it. He's still a baby. Imagine finding him not breathing"

"I saw him, Riss. He was literally blue. As if a kid who's coloring and is making the face blue. That's what it looked like"

"Don't tell me, Dem. it's scary enough, as it is"

"Yeah, I know"

"So, what's been so busy with you?"

"Hey Rissa, did you ever get your appendix removed?" Matt, all of a sudden, asked.

"Nope. Thank god, I didn't have to"

"Emma did"

"What? When?"

"Yesterday"

"Are you serious?"

"Yep. She had appendicitis, so she needed to get her appendix removed"

"Why didn't I know about this?" Rissa turned to mom.

"Heck, I didn't even know until Emma was in surgery" dad said.

"Demi! Why didn't you tell anyone? Does your family know?"

"Dallas knows. Mom and dad don't"

"Why? Why didn't you tell me to come over and help, or something?"

"I didn't think about it, okay? I was busy. I didn't think about calling everyone and telling them the great news of Emma being in surgery. I just wanted to get her home and be well. That was all I was thinking about"

"You had your appendix removed yesterday, and you're just walking around normally?" Rissa asked me, in shock, shaking me out of my thought.

"Hmm" I nodded, absentmindedly.

"Okay, Austin, what did you tell her to have her so out of it?" Rissa asked him.

"Nothing special. We were just talking about it. It doesn't matter, okay? I'm sorry, I just thought it was good for her to know that. Once it sinks in, she'll be back to normal"

"What exactly is going on?" dad asked.

"Haven't you noticed something weird is going in with Emma?" mom asked.

"Yeah"

"That's what's going on"

"What does that have to do with Austin?"

"He told her something, making her go deep in though"

"What did you tell her that made such an impact on her?" dad asked him.

"I told her something that happened to a boy in my class" he sighed, "I didn't think it would be so big of a deal. It's just something important for kids to know. I'm sure she already knew it, but once it occurs in you life, it's much more real. I just told her about it"

"Can we eat? I'm hungry" Rose interrupted, before anyone had a chance to reply to Austin.

"Sure" Rissa smiled at her, as everyone started taking a seat at the table. Everyone ate while talking with each other about nonsense.

"Okay, I have something to tell you" Rissa said, as we were almost done.

"You're pregnant?" mom asked.

"No" she laughed.

"You're moving again?"

"No"

"You're getting a dog?"

"What? No!"

"You're getting married?"

"Not yet"

"Okay, then what?"

"If you would just let her talk, she'll be able to tell you" dad laughed.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry"

"Austin is moving in with me" she smiled.

"Oh my god, are you serious?" mom squealed, "That's amazing. When?"

"Two weeks"

"So, we won't be here"

"Nope. That's also why I wanted you to come, to tell you and not all of a sudden be surprised when you come back"

"That's really nice" dad smiled. After a little more talking, we decided it was time to leave. We said goodbye to Rissa, Austin and Dave and left.

"Don't over think it. Just be careful, sweetie" Austin had whispered in my ear, when I hugged him goodbye. I just couldn't get it out of my head, though. The thought of that happening just scared the shit out of me.

"Emma, what's wrong?" Matt asked, as I was making my way to my room.

"Nothing" I mumbled.

"Okay, you don't have to tell me. You're worrying people, though"

I just shrugged and wished him good night, as I entered my room, put on my pajamas and lay down in bed, still thinking about Austin's classmate.

"Sweetheart, you okay?" dad entered my room.

"Yeah" I whispered.

"You don't look okay to me" dad said, as he wiped away a tear that, I didn't even realize, had escaped my eye. Why am I even crying?

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

I shook my head, no, as I bit my lip hard, trying not to let more tears fall.

"Okay. Just let me or mom know when you do" he kissed my forehead, "We're always here to listen. Sleep tight, baby" he left the room, leaving me alone.

This sudden fear of someone breaking my window and climbing into my bedroom overcame me, as I jumped out of bed into the hallway.

"Whoa, calm down, tiger. You okay?" mom asked, as I bumped into her.

"Can I sleep in your room?" I whispered.

"Sure. Come on, I was just going to bed, too" she wrapped her arm around my shoulder, as we entered her room. Toria was already sleeping and I sat down on mom and dad's bed.

"Lay down, sweetheart. I just have to change into my PJ's and I'll join you"I hesitantly lay down and mom joined me a few minutes later. I was in the middle of the bed, with mom on one side and dad soon on the other side. Mom wrapped her arms around me and I snuggled into her.

"How come you're so scared, all of a sudden? What did he tell you?" mom asked, calmly. I couldn't talk, though. I let a few tears fall and just shook my head.

"Okay, go to sleep, tiger. Everything will be okay" she kissed the top of my head, as I let my eyelids drop.

-----The story about Austin's classmate, as well as Emma's thoughts of someone stabbing her with a knife when she opens the front door, are things that really happened to people I knew...Be careful out there. People are crazy.

Next update: Friday

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