Chapter 36- Taunting Gestures

* WARNING: TRIGGERING SCENE AHEAD *

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[] L E O []

The ride home was silent. I didn't say a word, in fear that I might blurt out something absolutely stupid to Amelia. She didn't say much either, only looking over at me every so often. Once we reached the campus, I dropped her off at her dorm. She thanked me once again, her eyes shining with so much happiness that I had to look away. I only nodded to her and she left saying goodbye.

Once she was in her building, I let out a deep breath and put my head against the steering wheel. After a few minutes, I pulled back and sighed. Then, I headed for my apartment.

When I got to my building, I parked in my usual spot and slowly got out of my car. I trudged towards my apartment with a heavy heart, and headed inside.

The silence of my house greeted me when I entered, and I sighed, making my way further in. I walked into my living room and slumped on the couch. Throwing an arm over my eyes, I settled further into the couch, letting the silence consume me.

My mind was in a mess. Thoughts plagued every corner of my brain and I didn't know what to focus on anymore. Suddenly, Clara's words popped into my head above all others.

"I was about to die that day Leo. When Carl broke up with me, then the whole bus scenario. I was about to die if she hadn't saved me on that bus."

And now, I was picturing all the scenarios that could've happened if Amelia and Clara hadn't met that day.

A lifeless Clara on the ground-

Blood surrounding her-

Paramedics-

Mom crying somewhere-

And Clara's soulless eyes looking back at me-

I jerked awake, my eyes snapping open and quickly looked around my apartment. Everything was still the same.

I let out a breath and settled back into the couch.

'It's okay. Clara is safe. Amelia saved her.'

I let out a few deep breaths to calm my erratic heart down. After a minute, I finally composed myself. The last thought clung to me, and I couldn't help but think of the day Clara was telling me about.

It was an odd day, that one. Mom had gotten a call from the school that Clara had left the grounds at lunch, however, no one had seen her leave. Instinctively, I kept dialling Clara's number, but she never picked up. As I went to the balcony for fresh air, and also to be on the lookout for her, a cab suddenly pulled up in our driveway. When I saw Clara through the window, I had immediately ran to her. Clara then came in the house, happier than I had seen in months, and talked about getting therapy. Then she told us about the girl she met who showed her that life was truly worth living.

I thought about the mystery girl day and night. I couldn't help but think of how someone so pure and angelic is only made for the heavens. When no one else was willing to help my sister when she struggled in her wheelchair, she stepped forward.

And of course, that girl happened to be Amelia Harrison of all people.

I don't know how it turned out this way. The girl who caused my heart to skip a beat nearly four years ago, was the same one who was causing the volcanic emotions erupting through me now. She had saved me before we even knew each other.

And somehow, that thought made me smile.

* * *

[] A M E L I A []

Something switched in Leo ever since we came back.

After our silent ride back home, I stayed up most of the night wondering where I had gone wrong. Leo was simply silent the entire ride, making my worry increase. The Monday after, I stuck to my classes, only meeting up with the rest for lunch. Since Leo had a class at the time we met up, I didn't see him. Then on Tuesday, I acted completely neutral with Leo in English. To my surprise, he was completely different that day.

I sauntered into my class Tuesday morning, a light frown on my lips. I was feeling awfully tired, since I barely got time to relax after coming back. When I made it to my seat, Leo was already seated in his.

"Morning," I greeted while sitting down.

He nodded back. Then, I started rummaging around in my bag for all my supplies. I pulled out my notebook and pen, and set it on the table. With a huff, I finally sat upright in my seat. I felt Leo's gaze on me and I turned to face him.

"Rough morning?" he asked.

I sighed and nodded.

"I'm still tired from the trip."

He chuckled a little, making my frown lessen.

"Well, you're gonna have to get used to it. That was definitely not the last time my family wanted to see you," he said, grinning by the end.

I turned scarlet at his words and I snapped my head to the front so he couldn't catch me blushing.

"And of course, I have to still get back at you for drenching me with snow."

At this, I turned back to face him with a flat look.

"Maybe if you didn't start it, I wouldn't have to hit you back," I retorted.

In response, he stuck his tongue out at me. I sighed in defeat, and looked towards the front again. The professor had just walked in, indicating the lesson was about to start.

"Oh, and Moonie?"

I looked back at Leo with my eyebrows raised in question.

"You look pretty today."

I shook my head to get rid of the memory. Every time I thought of it, my heart felt as if it would burst into a million flames.

He didn't end there. For the past two days, Leo had been showering me with nonchalant compliments, making me go absolutely haywire. He always did it when no one was watching, or when we were in class, making it seem as if he was telling me a secret that he didn't want others to hear. Not only that, he had bought me at least 4 cups of my favorite coffee since then. And of course, his knowing smirk was all he greeted me with. As if he knew something I didn't.

I didn't know what to do.

At first, I brushed it off, thinking he's probably in an easy-going mood. However, when I realized that he was only being this way for me, and not the rest of the group, I couldn't help but think more of his actions.

Why was he acting this way?

Did he...

Did he pity me?

That would explain a lot. The way he took me to his house, the way he's been treating me for the past few days. It all added up.

But that thought made me nauseous.

If he was only with me because he pitied me, then I don't know what to feel about our friendship anymore.

However, why would he pity me now?

I told him about my past over a month ago. Then what changed in the past week? It wasn't that he friendly with me before I told him about my past, but things have been extremely different now. Now, he's so carefree with me.

"Hey!" a voice called out, snapping me back to reality.

I jerked in surprise and quickly whipped my head up to Gemma.

"You okay? You zoned out for quite a bit there," she said, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

I sighed and nodded.

"I'm okay."

I took a look around the full library,  and wasn't surprised to see that most students had their head in their textbooks, while others were simply relaxing. Gemma and I had also met up for a study session, but I clearly wasn't very focused.

"Amelia," Gemma said again.

I turned to her her once more, still slightly distracted.

"Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.

I let out a breath, and for once, shook my head in disagreement. Gemma's eyes widened in surprise. She quickly shut her textbook and leaned towards me expectantly.

"What happened?" she asked.

So I told her.

I finally told her about the details from the trip that I couldn't share in front of the boys all this time. I told her about Leo's behviour since then. I even told her that I thought he's been doing all this out of pity.

All the while, Gemma didn't waver. She stayed silent, intently listening to everything I was saying. After I was finished, I sighed and leaned back in my seat.

"Amelia, he most definitely does not pity you," was the first thing she said.

I frowned in confusion.

"There's no other explanation Gemma. I've thought about this long and hard. There's no other way to describe his actions towards me," I stated simply.

Gemma sighed dramatically and leaned towards me on the table.

"Really Amelia? You can't think of anything else?" she asked dubiously.

My frown deepened.

"No. Why? Can you think of something else?"

Gemma sighed since more and shook her head in defeat. She then leaned forward once again, a mischievous glint in her eyes this time around.

"Okay Amelia, let's forget about him. Let's talk about you. What do you think of him?"

For some reason, the way she phrased the question made me blush. I couldn't figure out what to say to her. My mouth kept opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Yes, go on Amelia," Gemma tsked.

For a moment, I thought about it. I thought about what she said and tried to say it in a way that wouldn't give her the wrong idea.

"He just... he makes me feel normal, Gemma. And that to me is paradise," I finally said.

Gemma's eyes widened at my words and she smiled in content.

"And does that make you like him Amelia?"

And there it was.

The question I had been dreading for quite some time now.

Did I like Leo Kennedy?

I stayed frozen in my seat, my heart barely beating at her question. I didn't know how to respond to it. It was as if my brain and heart were both shouting different things at once.

Ever since I've arrived here, my life changed drastically compared to the four years prior. Not only was my closet lively again, but so were my days. I found myself finally opening up. And somehow, this all lead to Leo.

If he never accepted my past, I don't think I'd ever have this courage. Because if someone like Leo, someone who didn't like me at first, didn't exactly enjoy my company until only a few weeks before I told him about my past, then others could as well.

He somehow made me confident.

But then, it was all about him. The way he sheltered himself, the way he built a shell around himself to protect him and his family, it was all worth praise. I never could have thought that a guy like Leo, someone who was surrounded by friends, someone who was so normal could have such a heavy past. He made me want to try harder to finally be myself again.

And did everything he's done for me so far make me sort of like him?

I don't know.

I stayed silent in front of Gemma, making up my mind to go see the confusing boy himself. Maybe if I met him, things would sort themselves out.

"I need to leave Gemma," I said, suddenly standing up.

She was startled by my sudden urge to leave and stood up as well.

"Where are you going Amelia?"

I sighed.

"I need to see him. I don't know why but I just do."

Her eyes widened at my words and she nodded with her mouth agape.

"I'm sorry, but I really need to sort this out," I said.

Gemma nodded reassuringly at me.

"Don't worry, I'll take your stuff to my place. You can get it whenever."

I gave her a thankful smile and grabbed my phone. Then, I started heading out.

Once out into the dark starry night, I thought of what I was doing again. It sounded quite stupid now that I thought about it.

What was I going to do when I saw Leo?

And what would he say?

I quickly shook off my thoughts and continued heading in the direction of his apartment, where I hoped he was right now. Once I was away from the campus, a certain eerie feeling crawled up my spine.

It was deadly quite for a Thursday evening, with not even a single car on the streets. I wrapped my arms tighter around myself and quickened my pace. I wasn't far from his house now, only nearly ten minutes away, but in the dead of the cold night, it felt as if it was miles away.

I sighed and continued walking, making sure to keep looking behind me and around me. Puffs of air left me and the sound of the snow beneath me made me feel more relaxed. I was almost to his apartment now, and I could even see his balcony from where I was. His light was on, causing my heartbeat to quicken.

I froze midstep and stared at his place long and hard. For a moment, I thought of going back in the direction I came from.

This was stupid. I had made a rash decision and didn't know how to go through with it. I didn't know what to say to him, and whether I should even bring this conversation up. Because right now, the most important relation I had with Leo was our friendship. And that was something I couldn't risk with my stupid questions.

Suddenly, all this felt worthless. I didn't want to be here anymore. I didn't want to figure this out. I needed to leave.

I slowly turned around, and to my surprise, someone was standing there. I let out a small squeak and took a step back.

The person in front of me wore a hood and I couldn't clearly see his face. His posturewas rigid, almost threatening, and I found my breath getting stuck in my throat. For some reason, I was terrified.

I took another step back, muttering an apology. The person stayed silent and now, I was starting to feel uneasy. I thought of whether or not I should walk the twenty minutes back to my place, or simply head to Leo's to avoid this stranger. Thinking quick, I turned around and started making a beeline for Leo's building.

However, before I could get far, I was suddenly yanked back my by arm.

I gasped in surprise and my free hand immediately latched onto my captured one. I turned to the intruder right away, tugging and pulling at my hand. I heard him let out a slow maniacal laugh and that's when I froze. That's when everything fell into place.

I held my breath as the person tugged down their hood, the same ugly grin greeting me right away.

I gasped at the sight before me. And again, it was as if my body completely shut down.

I whimpered and pulled at my wrist one last time to try to free myself.

It didn't work.

And it only made him laugh harder.

And then he was dragging me to the the nearest alley.

Then he pushed me against the grimy wall, my back hitting the bricks painfully.

His dirty hand came to a rest beside my head on the wall.

Tears ran down my cheeks, and I whimpered out for him to leave me alone.

He only barked out a, "shut up, you bitch. This'll only hurt as much as it hurt her."

That's when my world felt as it would shatter around me.

And amidst this chaos, somehow, some way, I thought of Leo.

And that's when I screamed.