Only Child, chapter 4

When I returned to the house ten minutes later, Tre, mum and dad were all sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee.

"Hey baby," mum said.

"Hi" I said slowly, trying to see if there was any tension left.

"Sit down Em," Dad commanded.

"No, I'm right where I am, thanks."

Dad shot me a mean glare, so I just pulled up a chair and sat down. It's his fault anyway; they say I get my shitty attitude from him. "Your mother, Tre and I have talked, and have decided that it's your choice. As ridiculous as this is," Tre and mum shot dad a dirty look, "you and Tre can date or whatever. BUT! Two rules," he said, ticking off his fingers. "One: if you two call it off or break up or whatever, there can't be any awkwardness. Two: no sex. Got that? If I ever hear that you two have been at it, I will personally have my body guard punch out your lights Tre."

"Um, hello?" they all looked at me. "Did anyone even bother asking me about any of this?"

Tre looked shocked. "You don't want to date me?"

"Tre, I love you with all of my heart. But I also love you more than that though. I've like-liked you for ages, and I still do, but it'd just be so, I dunno, weird. I mean, I've known you since I was born."

Tre's face clouded with disappointment. Mum and dad looked shocked.

"Alright, I understand. I-you... we" he sighed. "I love you Em, more than best-friend's-daughter love."

I nodded.

"I should go, I've . . . gotta go, um, pick Frankie up."

We all watched him walk out the front door.

"Wow. . ." dad said, "That was awkward."

I walked back upstairs to my room, realising that I hadn't packed yet.