Broken Bad Boy

11

PERCIE

Thirteen months ago…

We talked every day until Thursday. I missed talking with her on Friday, though. I asked Grandpa if they

would come with me tomorrow. I was a little excited to see her again. This time I wouldn’t disappoint

and upset her.

I picked up my grandparents at their home. I already dropped by at the flower shop for Emma. I knew

what she liked.

“Look at you. Finally, the old Percie.” Grandpa patted my back.

I rolled my eyes. “We met last week, Grandpa.”

“You look a lot better today, Percie.”

“About that.” I laughed. I was actually eating like a starved animal. “I have to go to the grocery after I

see Emma.” I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Don’t worry about it. Grace would love to do that when she sees you like that.”

Grandma showed up and opened her arms wider to hug me. My heart melted. My parents didn’t care

about me, but these two loved me like their own son.

“Let’s go and see Emma. Make sure not to upset her this time because if you do, I’ll shave your head.

That’s a promise.” She grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled them off.

“Ouch. That hurts.”

Grandma released my hair before she got in the passenger seat. Grandpa took my seat. I had no

choice but to sit in the backseat with the flowers.

We arrived at the rehab center.

“Em!” I yelled and ran towards her.

“Perce? Oh, my God!” She cupped her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise.

I hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. I wrinkled my nose. “You stink, Emma. Did you even

shower?”

She hit my arm. “Liar! Just got out of the shower. Are those for me?” She pointed to the flowers in my

hand.

I shook my head. “No. Sorry, Em, but these are for Jonah.”

Her face fell.

I laughed my ass loud, causing everyone around to look at us.

She hit my arm again. “Your voice, silly. You’re not in the street.”

I was still shaking from laughter. “Did they teach you here how to hit too? You hit me twice now.”

She snarled. “Those are mine.” She pointed at the flowers.

I rolled my eyes this time. “Of course, these are for you, stink.” I handed her the flowers.

“Callas.” Her smile widened. If a simple flower could make her happy like this, I would bring it in every

visit.

“Don’t call me to stink. Thank you. These are beautiful.” She smelled the bouquet.

“Hey, Grandy and Grammy. Don’t I get a hug? I swear I don’t stink.” She raised her underarms to sniff.

I chuckled.

We followed her to her room. I sat on her small couch while Grandpa and Grandma prepared us

something to drink. We stopped in the donut shop before coming over. Emma loved donuts.

“I can’t remember the last time I ate a donut, Perce. Thank you, Grammy.” She took a big bite of donut.

I pulled some tissue paper and wiped the powdered sugar besides her lips while she licked some of it.

“Hey, slow down. You’re gonna choke.”

“Ameeshee,” she said while she was chewing.

“What? Can you talk later? Eat first, Emma.” I handed her favorite flavored water. She drunk a good

amount from it.

“I said I miss this. I miss eating donuts.” She took another huge bite.

“I thought you got whatever you asked.”

She shook her head. “They won’t allow me to eat too sugary, too salty. and too greasy.”

“And why is that?” I looked at my grandparents. They both gave me a shrug. My heart ached for

Emma.

“They said I have to stay healthy. That’s it.”

I looked at her to see if she was hiding something from me. I saw nothing. “Okay. And you will only be

eating that once a month.”

“Since I can’t run or exercise my lower limbs, I can’t burn too many calories, so I have to avoid eating

those things. I can eat, but a small amount.”

I swallowed. “I’m sorry, Em.”

She hit my hand playfully.

“Stop it. You’re getting used to hitting me, stink.”

“Mom and Dad won’t allow me to take online classes right now. They said once I get out, that’s the time

I make plan whether I go to college or stay at home and take online classes.”

I clenched my jaw. “Of course. They have to control you. Why do they have to stop you, Emma? If you

can take online classes, and it won’t interfere with your treatment, Then what’s their problem? Is it

about money? You have plenty.”

She just shrugged.

“You’re almost nineteen. Stay with me after your release. You already have a room in the apartment

ready for you. End of discussion, Em.”

She pouted.

“What?”

She didn’t answer.

“What is it, Em?”

She pressed her lips into a thin line.

“We promised no more secrets between us.”

“I still want to join the marathon.”

I groaned, rolling my eyes. “Can’t you join that one in Boston? At least you still have time to ready

yourself.”

She shrugged.

“Stubborn, I see.”

“Let her do what she wants, Percie. As long as the doctor gives her a go,” Grandma said.

I sighed. If this was really what she wanted, then so be it. “I’m coming with you, Em.”

Her eyes widened. “But you have classes, Perce. You don’t have to do that.”

“I don’t care. I will ask my professors for essays. And this will be your first marathon. I wanna be there

to support you. Right, Grands?” I looked at them for support.

“I’ll be there too,” Grandma agreed.

“Of course, I’ll be there, honey.” Grandpa clasped his hands together.

“I guess you have supporters.”

She giggled. “You don’t have to do this. Thanks for the support, though. It means a lot.”

I kissed the top of her head. “We’re in this together, didi. But you still stink.”

She growled. “I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Stop it, Percie.”

I laughed when I heard Grandma. “You don’t stink. Even if you are, I will still hug and sniff you.”

“Eww. I won’t do that.”

I laughed. “Oh, really? Don’t you love me anymore? I guess you found someone already? Is it Jonah?”

She flinched. “What? Oh, my God! Are you jealous of Jonah, Percival Edmund?”

I grimaced. “No. Why would I? I look better than him. He can’t ever replace this handsome face and

can never ever replace what we’ve shared. Nobody can.”

She grinned. “You will always be my one and only.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Good. because you don’t have to.”