Emily's pov

The bus ride home from school goes by fairly quickly, I dream about what it would feel like to finally have a car of my own in a few months and be able to go wherever I want.

It sucks being a seventeen almost eighteen year old and not having a car, but I have to remember there are people less fortunate than I am and that I have a mother who helps me in saving up.

I get home and find an unfamiliar black motorcycle parked in front of Mrs. Andrews house.

Huh that's weird, since when did she start riding bikes?

She's a sweet seventy two year old widow who comes over every now and then and brings me delicious chocolate chip cookies.

I enter my house and find my mom frantic in the kitchen, whisking eggs in a bowl with impressive speed.

"Hey mom, what's up? Is someone coming over?" I ask as I place my bag on the floor and wash my hands.

"Yes honey, Mrs. Andrews and her grandson who came from London to stay with her are coming over tonight."

"Oh." I say. That explains the motorcycle parked outside.

"Can you help me season the chicken Emily?" She asks, struggling to open a jar.

"Yeah sure mom." I say and get to work.

Sometimes I feel bad for my mother, I don't know how she is so strong. Dad had a heart condition which was very tough, he had about three seizures, but even though he was in so much pain, he always had a smile on his face.

I was seven years old at the time, he used to sit me on his lap and tell me the craziest stories, he never failed to make me laugh.

Although I had noticed a few times when he had winced and quickly put me down, he would immediately go to his room and mom would follow.

I would hear coughing, and my mother's cries through the door. I didn't quite know what was happening then, I was so young.

My dad passed away a year later, Max and I would ask mom where daddy was, and when he would be coming back.

Mom always gave us the same answer, that he was in a better place now, happy, healthy and looking over us.

I miss dad so much, I miss his stories, I miss sitting on his lap and most of all I miss seeing him laugh, seeing the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he did.

I fight off the tears that are threatening to leave my eyes and continue working.

By the time we finish it's 6 p.m

"When will they come?" I ask my mother who is setting the table, she brought out the best plates we have and neatly put the silverware next to them.

"In about an hour, you should start getting ready, I'll let Max know that we're having guests."

I nod and go to my room. I love the way I have decorated it, there's a floor to ceiling bookshelf on the left, with my favorite books on the top, descending from best to worst.

I don't like labeling books as the worst I have ever read, but there are some books that change you, that turn your whole world around as you flip through its pages, and there are some that don't resonate with you at all, and those are the books on the lower half of my bookshelf.

On the right I have my white vanity where I get ready every morning, it has the minimal amount of makeup I wear on it, and a couple of perfumes.

Next to it is my closet. I walk over and pick out plain black jeans and a purple crop top that isn't short at all, it reaches just above my bellybutton and I love the color.

I pair my outfit with black converse, put lip gloss and finish the look by applying a light coat of mascara on my lashes.

I am startled when the doorbell chimes.
I hear my mother greet our guests and calls for me.

"Emily, Mrs. Andrews and her grandson are here!"

I look at myself in the mirror, and when I'm pleased with what I see, I grab my phone and head downstairs.

When I reach the bottom I am greeted with sparkling green eyes.

I gape at him and he looks amused yet just as shocked as me.

"Nice to see you Emily darling!" Mrs. Andrews says as she wraps her tender arms around me.

"I didn't forget your cookies." she smiles and hands me a plate full of cookies.

"Nice to see you too Mrs. Andrews, thank you so much." I smile and take the plate.

"Oh please, just call me Jane." she says and moves over to pinch my brother's cheek.

"You keep getting taller every time I see you." she tells him and my brother blushes and hugs her.

"Why are you just standing there son? Introduce yourself." Axel's grandmother tells him.

"Good evening ma'am, I'm Axel." He shakes my mothers hand and flashes his pearly whites.

All the while looking at me with a smirk that never seems to leave his face.