Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(3)

"So, I have something to tell you," I began, sitting on the stool next to Sara while her mother, Anna, poured herself a cup of coffee. "I spoke to my mother this morning..."

"It's about time," Sara interrupted. "You've only been ignoring her for like six months."

"What did she have to say?" Anna encouraged, ignoring Sara's outburst.

"Well... I'm moving in with her this Sunday." I held my breath as I watched the news sink in.

Sara's spoon clanged inside the cereal bowl, but she didn't say a word.

"What made you decide that was the best thing to do?" Anna asked calmly, diverting attention from Sara's silent disapproval.

"She's my mother," I shrugged. "I'm leaving for college soon, and I don't think I'll have another opportunity to try to fix us. I haven't exactly been fair to her, and she keeps trying to connect, so I thought this was the best way to do it."

Anna nodded, considering my explanation. Sara stood up and briskly walked to the sink to drop her bowl in, still unable to look at me.

"Well, Carl and I will need to talk about it since we were given guardianship until you're eighteen. And I'd really like to meet her before anything's final. Okay?"

I nodded, not expecting Anna's answer. I wasn't used to having a parent actually care about me, so I didn't really know what to say.

"I understand why you want to do this," Anna assured with a soft smile. "Let us just talk about it first, that's all."

"Thanks," I accepted. "It would mean a lot to get to know my mother again."

Sara stormed up the stairs without a single word. I exhaled deeply before following her up the stairs.

"Okay, say it," I demanded flatly while Sara shoved items into her overnight bag.

"I don't have anything to say," Sara quipped. But she did; it just took a three hour car ride to the hotel and a day of primping before it came out.



After a day of being prepped and primped from head to toe in Newport, I was exhausted, and we hadn't even gone to the party yet. Or maybe it was the drama of the impromptu decision to move in with my mother that drained my energy. Either way, I was having a hard time looking forward to tonight.

"I don't understand why you're moving in with her," Sara reprimanded out of nowhere as she smoothed the brush over my lids. "Couldn't you start with... uh... talking first? I just don't like it. She left you, Em. Why go back?"

"Sara, please," I implored quietly, "I need to do this. I know it seems messed up to you, but it's important to me. It's not like you're losing me or anything. And if it's horrible, I'll move back in with you. I feel like I should give her another chance."

Sara sighed dramatically. "I still don't think it's a good idea, but … " she paused a moment, "you're one of the most stubborn people I know, and if this is what you want to do, I know I won't be able to talk you out of it. Um, you can open your eyes now."

I stretched my eyes open and blinked, the mascara sticking along my lashes.

She deliberated, finally conceding with a roll of her eyes, "Fine. Live with her. But she'd better not do anything monumentally stupid like she did when she left you with psycho."

I grinned, adoring Sara's protectiveness. "Thank you. So... how do I look?"

"Amazing, of course," Sara gloated, taking in her masterpiece. "I'm going to put my dress on, and then we'll be ready to meet the guys in the lobby."



       
         
       
        



I picked up the note that had been waiting for us when we returned to the hotel and ran my thumb over the elegant script.

Dear Emily and Sara,

I am thrilled that you have arrived safely and hope you enjoy your afternoon together. I am looking forward to seeing you this evening for dinner. I have arranged for the car to pick you up along with Evan and Jared at 6:45pm for our 7:00pm reservation.

I have no doubt that you will enjoy all that has been planned this evening!

Sincerely,

Vivian Mathews

"I hope I don't embarrass her," I hollered through the bathroom door.

"Stop being so nervous," Sara returned. "Vivian really wants you there. This is important to her. She even convinced Jared to take me so I could be here with you."

I grinned, knowing that Jared didn't need much convincing.

"What do you think? You haven't said anything about how you look."

"Oh, uh," I stepped in front of the full length mirror, and my lips curled up naturally. There was a slight resemblance to the girl who preferred jeans and a ponytail, the girl who still couldn't conquer applying makeup on her own. Her light brown eyes glistened under a shimmer of pink and dark lashes. And her full lips, veiled with gloss, were smiling back with cheeks of red.