Chapter 28- Taunting Threats

[] L E O []

After Amelia told everyone about her brother on Saturday night, nothing much shifted in our group. We still had lunch and dinner together almost every day, and even found time in between to hangout. But somehow, we grew closer emotionally.

In some weird way, the tiny girl with wide brown eyes and a heavy past, managed to open us up. Now, we shared laughs like never before, were less closed off to others around us, and I certainly wasn't as brash as I used to be.

All because Amelia Harrison showed up and was injured her way into our lives.

It had been three days since she told Andre and Jamal, and it was already Tuesday morning now. I was just thinking of her as I was getting ready for class when suddenly, my phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out, surprised to see 'Lars'  flashing on the screen.

Immediately, a grin lit up my features and I picked up the call.

"Morning, little sis. What's up?" I casually asked, making my way to the kitchen.

It was silent on the other end, and I froze in my step, worry taking over me almost instantly.

"Hey Lars? Are you okay?" I asked.

I heard a deep 'phew' on the other side and I frowned in confusion.

"There you are. I was wondering who picked up earlier," she said on the other end.

My brows furrowed deeper.

"What the heck are you talking about?" I asked.

"Well someone picked up earlier, sounding all happy and stuff. Who was it?" she asked casually.

And to my dispense, I chuckled at her stupid and nonexistent joke.

"Hilarious Lars," I commented, finally resuming my way to the kitchen.

It was silent on the other end again, and suddenly, I heard a loud, "What the fuck?!"

"Language, Lars," I simply said.

"Leo Noah Kennedy. What the heck is going on? Are you seeing someone? Is she pretty? Does she know you're an idiot? When can I meet her?! And what the hell?" she rambled.

I sighed.

"Nothing is going on. Get your head out of the clouds," I muttered.

I walked over to the fridge and looked around for something to eat. I remembered a random tune I used to play on my guitar a lot, and lightly hummed it as I went along.

"Do you even hear yourself? Leo," she emphasized. "-you sound lovestruck."

My hand that was rummaging through the fridge came to a complete stop, my tune dying in my throat. I stayed frozen for a moment longer, before finally snapping out of it.

"Lars... I'm hanging up now," I simply said.

"Wait, wait, wait! I called for something important. Mom's calling you home this weekend, and she said that you have to bring that new lady friend of yours the boys mentioned last time you came, or she won't let you enter the house ever again-"

"What lady friend?" I asked, hoping she wouldn't mention Amelia.

"The girl who was looking over Jamal's hamster. Emily, was it? No wait, Amy? No, that's not it either..."

By now, Lars was simply talking to herself. I sighed and rubbed my forehead in frustration.

"Lars, I'm not bringing Amelia to our house," I said.

"Why not? Are you scared we'll embarass you?" she said, chuckling on the other side.

I groaned.

"No, I'm just not that comfortable with her."

Lies, lies, lies.

"Well then get comfortable with her. After mom saw you the last time you came, she's been ecstatic. Even she can see the change in you. When I told her about Amelia, she immediately said that she wants to meet her. So, sorry bro, but you don't have much of a choice but to bring her."

I groaned.

"Why would you tell mom? And Amelia is a new friend. She doesn't know mom invites every human any of us ever come across. What if she finds this weird?"

"Then bring Jamal and Andre too. She wouldn't find it weird with all of you, right?"

"But-"

"No more excuses, Leo. I have a recital to prepare for. Bye!"

And with that, she hung up.

* * *

I hesitantly made my way to lunch. My sister's words were fresh in my mind and I found it hard to concentrate. It wasn't helping that I was going to see the topic of discussion in just a few minutes.

Since Amelia had a paper due for another class of hers, she wasn't in English this morning. This was good since it gave me time to think. And boy did I think.

I thought of Amelia.

I thought of her caring personality, her boisterous laugh, her special little smile that she gave me, and I thought of her past. And with all the thinking I did, I came to only one conclusion: Amelia Harrison must stay in my life.

It was true that at first, I thought she was someone broken beyond repair. However, as time went by and as I saw the changes in her, I knew it wasn't that simple.

Because I underestimated her strength.

It still surprises me that she went through what she did. I can't even begin to imagine what she thought of herself afterwards. Her brother, her brother of all people, killed her best friend.

And she saw it.

She saw how it went down. She survived it afterwards. And then she turned from this loud and boisterous girl, into someone who hid in the shadows.

And then Jamal hit her on the head with a ball.

And honestly, it was probably the best mistake he ever made in his life. Mistake, because he hit probably the nicest person on the planet, and best, because that's what caused her to stumble into our lives.

I couldn't describe anymore how she made me feel. At first, I wanted her to stay away from us at all costs. There was no need for some random quiet girl to join in our lives. But as time went by, she grew on me. Especially since she told me about her past. After that, I just want to spill out my own deepest darkest secrets to her. Not to repay her, but to get it off my own chest.

To tell someone who understands.

To finally not be alone.

But more than that, I wanted her to stay because I've never felt so close to someone before. Whether that was because we were similar, or because of something else entirely.

Either way, I wanted Amelia Harrison to stay in my life.

I sighed and continued my trek to Coffee Rush and made it inside swiftly. The weather had started getting colder now and I had to shake off the snow from my jacket when I walked inside.

To my surprise, Amelia was already seated at our regular table when I walked in. Today, her hair was pulled back into a messy bun atop her head, causing her features to be on full display. She was wearing a fuzzy cream colored sweater, which brought out the color in her cheeks.

I slowly made my way there, letting my brain calm down before I spill out absolute nonsense to her. I didn't see anyone else yet, meaning they were either on their way, or were simply stuck somewhere. I hoped it was the latter.

As I got closer to my chair, I got a better look at her. Her brows were furrowed, a pen was clasped behind her ear, and she was staring down at something on her desk with full concentration. Her mouth was moving a little, indicating that she was probably murmuring something to herself.

I let out a small breath before finally taking the last few steps to the table. I pulled out a chair right across from her, which is what finally caused Amelia to look up from her paper. Her gaze fell on mine and she gave me a small smile. I nodded back, and then her attention was back on her paper.

Meanwhile, I pulled out my phone to text Andre about his whereabouts. His reply came almost right away, telling me that him and Gemma would there in about thirty minutes. I sighed in relief and pulled out a notebook to work on an assignment. I placed it on the desk and leaned forward in my chair. I put out my hand and fisted it by my ear, my elbow coming to a rest on the table. And then, I did my work.

However, as I did so, I found my gaze wandering back to Amelia. Up close, I could see all the details I missed out on earlier. Although her hair was tied back, some strands managed to make it out and now framed her face messily. Her lips were formed in a small pout, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Suddenly, my sister's words from this morning popped into my mind, and despite myself, I found that I actually adhered to her request.

"Come home with me, Moonie," I suddenly blurted out.

[] A M E L I A []

My hand froze on the keyboard and I looked up to Leo surprised. He was sitting across from me, his hand fisted underneath his ear and the rest of him sprawled lazily in his chair.

When his question finally clicked in, my mouth fell agape at his request. I stared at him with open mouth.

"What?" I murmured dumbly, my cheeks reddening at his question.

"I'm going home this weekend, and there's someone there I want you to meet," he simply said.

He was still in the same posture as before, not even looking at me as he spoke, but rather, focusing on his work. It took me a second to realize that he simply wanted to take me home as a friend. It was a simple request.

Then why did my heart feel as it would burst out of its chest?

* * *

I actually told Leo that I would think about it.

And now, I couldn't stop pacing in my room, wondering about what I should do. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to come up with a solution, I texted Gemma to come over.

As always, she was here within 10 minutes, and I quickly let her in when she came.

"Whoa girl! Where's the fire?" Gemma said, shrugging off her coat.

I let out a sigh and continued pacing.

"I don't know what to do Gemma. I told him I would think about it, but I don't now what to think," I rambled.

Gemma sighed and came to a stop in front of me. I froze mid-step and faced her. She put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a knowing look.

"Did Leo finally ask you out on a date?" she asked.

I rolled my eyes at her and shook my head.

"No."

Gemma let out a sad sigh and hung her head in shame. Then she went over to my bed and plopped down onto it.

"Well, what could possibly be so life-changing that you asked me to come over while it's negative 20 degrees outside-"

"He asked me to come home with him."

At this, Gemma let out a loud gasp and stood up so fast, I was surprised she didn't get a whiplash.

She was in front of me in two quick strides and her hands landed on my shoulder.

"Amelia... what did you just say?" she said slowly.

I looked down sheepishly, and repeated the words to her.

"Whoa... I knew he had it bad, but I didn't know how bad it was until now," she said, her eyes wide with shock.

I grumpily pushed her away and looked away from her.

"See that's the thing. He didn't tell me exactly why he wanted me to come. He simply said he wanted me to meet someone. He didn't specify who or why," I blabbered.

I turned back to Gemma and she had a thinking face on.

"What does he want from me, Gemma?" I finally said, flopping down onto my bed.

Gemma let out a sigh and turned to face me.

"Well, what do you want to do?" she asked.

I shrugged.

"At first, I was scared. Now... I'm kind of curious. I want to know who it is that he wants me to meet. Truth is, I'm too chicken to ask him," I finally said.

Gemma nodded and gestured for me to continue.

"He's never asked me to explain anything to him, Gemma. Everything I told him was because I chose to. I want to return that to him. I want to wait until he tells me his story on his own. But I kind of want to know it before I meet this person he wants me to meet, you know?"

I let out a small breath after my rant and turned to face Gemma. She was grinning down at me, her eyes already suggesting what I knew she was thinking. I gave her a 'don't-you-dare-start-this-again' look and she finally threw her hands up in surrender.

"Alright. You don't want to push him, but its also eating away at your soul what he's hiding from you, correct?" she summarised.

I nodded and she clapped her hands once. I jumped with the sudden sound but Gemma paid no mind to me. She looked off to the distance, the wicked grin back on her lips.

"Well don't you worry Amelia Harrison, I can help you out here."

And for once, I doubted her.