Emmeline continued to stare. She wasn't going to be cowed down to obey or to step back from it all. Even as he stood up and got so close to her, she didn't flinch. The tears, however, fell. There was no control over that even has he gave her the gentle shake as if he were trying to shake some sense into her or something when absolutely none of it made sense. And his words, even as he continued, still didn't make sense.

"What are you talking about?" she spat back, glaring at him as he took a step back. She didn't dare take a step closer as the silent tears streamed down her face.

"I know exactly who I am," she continued on, "I know exactly what I want but I can't take these what ifs! The whole reason for my fight with Mr. Whitledge is because he never told me any of what he felt. It's as bad as being lied to then to have it suddenly sprung on a person."

She shook her head and took a deep breath in. "I think you need to leave," she said slowly and quietly. She couldn't do this again. She couldn't have a friendship she was growing increasingly fond of blow up right in her face. Clearly it wasn't alcohol that ruined things for her. It was just, quite simply, her.

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