A Look Back: Rennillia Series - Prequel Read Online Free Page A

Why?”
    “I’m not trying to make you mad, I only asked because both of you missed school then he came back with a black eye, and you look like someone hit you in the lip.”
    I couldn’t help smiling a little when I realized he must have been staring at my lips in order to notice. Incredibly flattered, I almost wished I had a thing for him.
    Quickly dispelling his thought, I assured, “They are unrelated.”
    Appearing concerned, he asked, “So what did happen to you then?”
    I didn’t know how to answer. I could have just lied but when I looked into his eyes, I didn’t want to. There was something about Emerson’s soft brown eyes that made me want to pour my heart out to him.
    “I busted my lip,” I said, taking the easy way out before changing the subject by saying, “Now why do you wanna get to know me better?”
    Emerson flashed a quick smile before saying, “Well you’re not hard to look at,” as my face started turning red he shared, “I see you at school all the time and I… I’m kind of curious about you. You always look, I don’t know, like you need a hug.”
    Tilting my head to the side, I said, “You wanna give me a hug.”
    My statement was taken as an offer.
    “Yea,” he shrugged just before he stepped right in front of me.
    Emerson wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. I couldn’t believe the feeling it gave me. In the fifteen years I had been alive I had held hands, been pushed, kissed, shoved, felt up once and slapped but never once hugged. That one hug was all it took and I was in love. Not the heart pounding I can’t wait to get you alone love, the kind of love that makes you feel safe and secure. Leaning my cheek into his chest, I hugged him back. I was a little sad when he let go.
    Trying to pretend the hug wasn’t as important to me as it truly was, I laughed, “So now you’ve hugged me. Feel better?”
    Emerson’s smile was sweet as he concluded, “I think we both do.”
    I couldn’t help myself from smiling. The thought occurred to me, aside from their money and position, the Roberts’ were just really nice people. Feeling bad now for thinking his mother was a little off; I decided to talk to him about her.
    “Your mother is really nice,” I said.
    With a curious look, he questioned, “My mother?”
    Nodding, I explained, “Well, I just met her and she offered to have me over for dinner on my birthday.”
    A slight smirk crossed Emerson’s face as he informed, “She must like you. Just so you know that is a pretty big deal. My mother is always very polite but she will put someone in their place quick if they don’t meet her expectations.”
    “She said I was lovely,” I shared feeling proud of myself.
    Smiling wide this time, Emerson asked, “Would you want to come back over tomorrow, Rennillia?”
    Nodding, I said, “Sure but I have to ask my father.”
    He nodded back, saying, “If you can I will come and pick you up.”
    I nodded at him hoping my father would let me come over again.
    The rest of the evening seemed to fly by as we finished our game. On the way home, I thought about how different Emerson was from Hert.
    Breaking my train of thought, Emerson asked, “Why are you so quiet?”
    Before I could think my answer through, I replied, “Sorry, I was thinking about Hert.”
    “Oh,” he said, sounding disappointed.
    Quickly clarifying, I said, “I had a lot of fun with you, it’s just he’s having some problems and …” before I could finish, Emerson asked, “Because his father left?”
    I was startled for a moment then remembered; in a small town everyone knows everyone’s business.
    “I guess,” I answered.
    Almost apologizing, he shared, “I heard my father tell my mother the other night.”
    Wondering how it was any of the Roberts’ business, I asked, “What did he say?”
    Shrugging, Emerson said, “That he had left and that they should see what they could do to help.”
    Nodding, I tried to pretend I wasn’t bothered by