THE BAD BOY OF MANHATTAN
Chapter 54. Why Is Everything So Confusing?

Emma came out of the Zetta Elementary School building with a bright face. He ran towards Elric who was waiting for him while leaning his back against a red maple tree trunk that grew in the elementary school courtyard.

"How was the interview? You accepted?" ask Elric. The young man did insist on accompanying Emma to the interview that day.

"Basic stupid! They didn't tell you the results, El. I'll get some more days." Emma steps out of the schoolyard followed by Elric.

"At least you can guess if they'll accept you or not" Elric said. He made himself walk beside the girl.

Emma giggles. "I think I'm gonna get some good news."

"I'm sure you'll be accepted to work there."

Emma's lips are tickling. Then smiled happily imagining soon the profession that a restaurant waiter will turn into a teacher. At least there was progress in his life. "El, why did you skip school?" ask Emma who suddenly remembered that today is not a holiday.

"I want to be with you" replied Elric lightly.

"Why?"

"Want to see your happy smile" kekeh Elric stroked his nape.

Emma laughed crisply. He punched Elric's shoulder slowly. "You're this. Just tell me you're lazy to go to school."

Elric precedes Emma's step and turns to face the girl and walks backwards. " yeah. That's one of them."

Emma had her lips. "For you, school doesn't matter, El. Because ... Your future is guaranteed."

"Who says my future is secure?" ladybug Elric.

"Your parents are rich. Your guitar playing skills .. like a god," praise Emma. "By the way, I love to see you playing guitar, you look .. hmmm ...." Emma thought of the right words to describe what she felt.

Elric smiled at his faint smile. "See what?" tanyanya was impatient.

"I don't want to say it" Emma snickered.

"Why?"

"Later you'll have a big head."

Elric hissing. "It's so annoying" he grumbled.

"Obviously, you don't look like a spoiled seventeen-year-old Elric."

Elric fused his two thick eyebrows. "I'm not spoiled!" sergeant. "No way (impossible)!" continued.

Emma wettest. He noticed the adorable sulking face of Elric. "Hey, your hair is getting longer, yes," she said, turning her awkwardness away when their eyes met.

"Oh yeah?" Elric stroked his hair. "Do I have to cut it?"

"Don't!" Emma called out quickly.

"Why?"

"I ... You fit better with long hair." Emma gave an excuse.

Elric. He returns to Emma's side and follows the girl's steps. "Alright, if you ask," the god nudged Emma's arm.

"It's not. It's for your performance on stage. Wouldn't it be cool if a guitarist was long-haired" explained Emma. Suddenly the girl felt her cheeks warm up. A red tinge on Emma's face caught Elric's retina.

"Nr ...."

"Do you like me?" ask Elric. He leaned over to check on Emma, who was bowing her head, hiding her red face.

"If I hate you, I may want to stay under one roof with you" Emma said.

Elric breathed. That's not the answer he wanted. Why did the girl deflect the question? Do you understand what Emma meant by that question?

"Yes, you're right," Erlic chuckled while scratching his head.

"El, do you realize that your attitude toward me is weird sometimes?"

"Hmm? Really (really)?"

"yeah. Sometimes I feel like you're angry at me for no apparent reason. On the other hand, sometimes you're so kind to me. I thought you were mentally disturbed."

"What?" Elric rounded his eyes. "Don't talk shit!" frangipani.

Emma giggles. "Or don't-don't ...." Emma swallowed her saliva. "You .. like me?" I don't know why Emma wanted to ask Elric that. But he hoped that this question would be responded to by the boy as a joke.

"If so, how?"

Emma's chest thumped to hear Elric challenge her by turning the question upside down. "That's .. I don't know .. You must not be serious. I-I deserve to be your sister, don't I?"

Seeing Emma nervous, Elric shook his smile. "Who needs a sister like you. I don't want to have a sister like you, Emma," she said.

Emma squinted her eyeballs. "It sucks!" hisses later.

The two then kept quiet until they reached their apartment building. They were surprised to find James leaning against his car parked in front of the building. Both of his arms he folded to his chest and his face looked grim.

"What are you doing here?" elric asked James sarcastically.

James pulled the corner of his lips forcing his smile. "I'm waiting for Emma."

"Are you really not busy?" attack Elric.

"I'm busy. But, I took the time to visit my girlfriend," James replied in a calm voice. Then he threw a look at Emma. "Where are you, Emma? Why didn't you answer my phone?"

Emma choked. He mutely rang his cell phone during an interview in Zetta. And he forgot to put it back in its original mode. "Ma-af .. I didn't hear you call."

"What did you say? Emma's your boyfriend?" elric asked James with a look in his eyes.

"Yes, El. Emma's my boyfriend." James stepped towards Emma and grabbed the girl's arm. "Come, Em .. I need to talk to you."

"James .. I ...." Emma was about to reject James' invitation, but the man had already pulled her a little hard. The grip of his hand slightly made his arm ache.

"Hey, James! Did you ask Emma for approval? Don't just take it like this!" hardik Elric while pulling James' hand from the girl's arm.

James laughed blandly at Elric's words, then pulled back Emma's arm and carried the girl behind her back. He challenged Elric with a look of disdain. "I told you Emma's my boyfriend, El."

"Bullshit (bullshit)!" hiss Elric. "Em, come!" he said as he reached out to Emma who was standing behind James' back.

James put Elric's hand away slowly. "What's wrong with you, El (what's wrong with you, El?" tanyakanya. To be honest, the man wondered why Elric was being so protective of Emma. There's no way his godson likes his girlfriend. He was not upset with Elric. It just so happened that the boy was in the middle of his frustration at Emma not picking up the phone and making him wait in front of the building long enough because he did not find Emma in the apartment. James had sacrificed time in the midst of his busy life to meet his lover even if only for a moment.

James raised his hand gesturing for Elric not to approach Emma. Then the man opened the car door and told Emma to come in. While Elric can only snort angrily and look at James' car that began to move away from him.

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