Chapter 52- Taunting Departures

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Did she know she looked angelic when she slept?

Her hair sprawled out behind her, her lips slightly parted, and the damn sun that was glowing over. She was lying on her side, her leg sprawled over my own, leaving a warm trail running through my body.

She looked like something straight out of heaven.

I had woken up nearly an hour ago, but I couldn't bring myself to move. I could only stare at Amelia, stealing a kiss every few minutes or so. I couldn't help it. She looked breathtaking.

I watched her freely, basking in everything that was her. Unable to help myself, I slowly brought a hand up and trailed it over her features. First her arms, then the crevice between her shoulder and neck, then her jaw, her eyes, her nose, and finally, her lips. I sucked in a sharp breath, remembering how she grabbed me and crashed my lips to hers last night. And God, what a kiss that was.

For being my second, I think it was the best I could ever have.

My first was also her. And granted I hadn't kissed her properly then, but she was still my first, as she was with many other things. For one, she was the first girl I had ever sang to, and more importantly, apologized to. She was the first person I could freely share my past with. The first person I planned a date for. And certainly the first girl I ran to the supermarket to get makeup wipes for. The first one I setup a bath for. The first one I had introduced to my family- the list could go on.

Amelia was my first for many things. But with her, I never wanted it to end. I wanted to experience everything with her. I wanted many new firsts with her. I wanted to be with her.

And now, staying away from girls all my life didn't seem so bad. Because at the end of it, Amelia was waiting for me. And that was an ending I could spend all my life as a loner for.

I left one more kiss on her cheek, and that's when she finally stirred. I slowly pulled back, resting my cheek on my palm with my elbow propped up against my pillow, simply watching her. I watched as she slowly opened her eyes, sighing and stretching out a little in her spot on the bed. She moved her leg away from mine and leaned back onto her back.

That's when her eyes finally landed on me. She smiled shyly at me, causing my heart to stir.

I laughed lightly at that, her shyness seeming amusing to me in this situation. We had slept together many times before, and never got shy afterwards. Awkard, angry, sad, but never shy. This confirmed that something had changed in Amelia's feelings towards me, and that caused my heart to soar.

I finally let out a breath and spoke.

"Morning, Moonie," I said, reaching forward to cup her cheek.

"Good morning, Leo," she replied, her face snuggling into my palm.

I grinned down at her, and unable to help it, I quickly reached down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. She squeaked in surprise, and I laughed lightly at her before quickly pulling myself away from her. If I stayed in the same bed as her for a minute longer, I don't know what I'd end up doing with her.

I stood up straight, stretching out my limbs that had been paralyzed for the past hour or so. As I did this, I noticed Amelia discretely checking me out, and I couldn't help but feel pride in that.

My girl was checking me out.

I repeat, my girl was checking me out.

And I didn't mind that one bit.

She quickly looked away quickly, her cheeks crimson, and pulled the covers higher around her. I smiled under my breath, wondering just how much cuter she can get.

I decided to get food for us, since there was nothing in my house, and I didn't think Amelia would want to leave my house today. Yesterday took a big toll on her, and no matter what I did, I knew that she would want some space to herself for a bit. So after asking her if she wanted to come or not, I headed for the bathroom. I quickly got ready, and then went out into my room again. I saw Amelia still on my bed, a faraway look in her eyes.

Without thinking twice, I walked over to her and left a quick kiss on her cheek, wanted her to snap out of whatever thoughts she was having. She was startled as I did this, and she turned her head to look at me in surprise. However, I acted as if whatever I was doing was normal, and started rummaging in my sidetable for my wallet. As I did this, I pulled out her phone from there as well, placing it on the sidetable. Gemma had handed it to me last night before she left, and I had forgotten to give back to Amelia until now.

I grabbed my wallet, and turned to Amelia once again. She was looking at me with a small smile, and I smiled back at her. I started heading for the door, wanting to leave and be back as quickly as possible.

"I'll be right back Moonie. Don't you dare go anywhere," I called out, turning my back to her to get the door.

"I'll be here, Leo," she replied.

My heart warmed at her words, and I smiled under my breath, wanting to keep hearing those words over and over again.

And that was the last thing I heard from Amelia before I left.

* * *

I went to go get breakfast after that. There was no way I could stay in close proximity with Amelia the morning after I just woke up next to her. I needed to make sure I didn't do something completely stupid with her. Waking up next to her was causing all sorts of emotions to run through me.

I couldn't imagine waking up any other way.

Ever since she came over to my house for the first time, I've been imagining it over and again. I've been thinking of the day when I could actually hold her as we fell asleep together. I never imagined it would come true.

Before Amelia, I never gave much thought to relationships. I was too engrossed in my family matters that I never really thought about it. It was always me rushing for Clara's appointments or staying home with Clara on Friday nights, or trying to catch up in my classes. Once I saw how good James was with her, I couldn't help but want to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor too. Although my mother was also a nurse, there was just something about the way James was with people that was so admirable. I was happy for my mom when I found out she wanted a second chance at life with him. It was worth it. But since all of these family matters kept me busy for most of my teenage years, I could never do much. Granted, I would never change it for the world, but I still wished I got out more. I wish I let more people in, made more friends. Maybe even had a relationship.

However, I feel like everything I ever did, was preparing me to come across the soul that was Amelia Harrison.

Every party I didn't go to, every movie I missed out on, and every girl I never took a second look at, seemed worth it when I met Amelia. I feel as though even if I did go to the best parties ever thrown, none would ever compare to the way Amelia looked at me as we danced last night. No movie night could ever compare with the one I had with Amelia, the night I crashed her place for our first date.

And no girl, no being, could ever compare with the force that was Amelia Harrison.

I couldn't stop the smile that rose on my lips as I entered through the doors of the mini market on campus. There was nothing to eat at home since I usually grabbed takeout for breakfast with Jamal and Andre. But since Amelia was here today, I wanted to do something special. I wanted to treat her well, treat her how she should be treated.

I quickly bought what I needed, wanting to get home as fast as I could. I was excited to head back home. However, the faster I wanted this to happen, the longer it was taking.

I just realized that we were already nearing the end of November, which meant that finals were coming up soon. This also meant that students had started buying everything they needed for the month starting now. It took me nearly an hour to get what I needed, and then another thirty minutes to pay for it. And by the time I trudged to my apartment, nearly an extra 30 minutes later, I was beyond irritated.

I huffed my way up my apartment stairs, grumbling as I shook the snow off my hair. It only snowed a little bit, but it was enough to irritate the heck out of me.

I finally made it to my apartment and stopped with a puff. My hands were swallowed by the 6 bags I was carrying, and with great effort, I started rummaging my pockets for my keys. Once I found them, I brought it out and stuck it through the knob. However, as I turned it in, I realized my lock was already open. I frowned in confusion, knowing I had locked it properly before leaving. I shrugged it off, thinking that maybe the boys and Gemma had come in and forgot to lock it behind them. I walked into the apartment, frowning when I didn't see extra shoes inside, only Amelia's heels from last night.

I frowned deeper, closing the door behind me. I kicked off my shoes, landing them right beside Amelia's heels, and then walked further into the apartment. I set the groceries on the counter and took off my jacket.

The apartment was the same as I left it, my bedroom door closed. I hung my jacket up and started making my way to my bedroom.

"Moonie?" I called out, just as I opened the door.

Silence greeted me.

I frowned and stared at the empty room before me. My eyes landed on the bathroom door that was wide open, not a soul lingering in there. I stood there, still for a moment, trying to process the scene before me.

This wasn't happening.

She was probably hiding somewhere to scare me. I can just imagine her, holding a hand to her mouth as she watched me through my closet, stopping herself from laughing so I wouldn't catch her.

"Amelia? This isn't funny. Come out right now," I said loudly, slowly looking around my room.

Utter silence.

I quickly walked to my closet, and ripped the doors open.

Nothing.

I quickly whipped my head to the side, just noticing that Amelia's phone was missing. I whipped out my phone then and quickly dialed her number. However, the bell went straight to voicemail. I let out a growl and tried again, frustration and worry filling me to the brim.

"The number you have dialed is unavailable-"

I let out an angry breath and started heading for my door again. I checked all possible places she could be hiding in my apartment, because that had to be it. This has got to be some sort of joke. There is no way that she left. Not a chance.

"Moonie, come on. This isn't funny," I said, my voice shaking towards the end.

I was freaking out.

I was utterly terrified.

'Where could she have gone? Did Jackson get her?'

The last thought had bile rising in my throat. What if that was it? What if it was payback for what I did to him last night amd before that?

A small gasp shook me apart and I had to lean against the counter for balance.

No.

There is no way he got to Amelia. Over my dead body.

Thinking fast, I headed for my jacket and shoes again, sloppily throwing them on. Then, I quickly started heading for the door again, getting ready to go looking for Amelia.

Just as I made it outside, I noticed a figure walking my way. As she came closer, I noticed that it was  Martha, my next door neighbor, walking towards me.

"Ah, Leo," the old lady greeted politely.

"Hi Martha. I'm sorry I can't stay for a chat right now, I have to go find someone," I said quickly.

Martha's face marred in confusion.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Mooni- uh, Amelia," I corrected.

Martha's frown deepened.

"A girl?"

I nodded, already starting to make my way around her.

"I'm sorry, Martha. I really have to-"

"Wait, Leo."

I stopped and turned to her.

"A pretty girl, yes? With long brown hair?"

My eyes widened in surprise. And then, panic.

"Did you see her Martha? Where did she go?"

"I saw her through my window nearly two hours ago. She was leaving the building barefoot! I tried to call out but my voice couldn't reach her from  here. It seemed like she was heading back for the campus."

That was all I needed to know.

Thanking Martha quickly, I started heading for the campus.

Getting to her dorm was a blur. I had surpassed the falling snow, and managed to slip on the icy grounds only a few times before I got to her place. To my luck, a few people were just leaving as they saw me approach. They held the door open for me, and I thanked them as I made my way in.

I quickly walked to her dorm, having it memorized by now. I knocked loudly on her door, wincing when my bruised knuckles made contact with the wood.

I waited for her to answer.

And then waited some more.

No answer.

I knocked again.

Nothing.

I pulled at my hair, frustration clawing at me.

'Where the hell is she?'

Just when I was about to knock again, the door beside me opened. I turned to it, making eye contact with Amelia's neighbor. My eyes widened in desperation and I turned to her with a silent plea.

"Oh, hi," she said in surprise.

I nodded at her.

"Is Amelia here?" I croaked out.

To my despair, she shook her head.

"She did come in just a while ago, but then left again. She didn't tell me anything, so I'm sure she's-"

Just then, the shrill sound of my phone cut between us. I reached into my pocket and brought out my phone. Gemma's name flashed on the screen. I nearly felt like smacking myself in the face. How could I not think of calling Gemma? Of course she would know where Amelia is.

I quickly answered the call, worry filling my bones. As I brought the phone to my ear, my stomach filled with nerves.

Dread consumed me when I heard Gemma's sobs on the other side.

"L-Leo?" Gemma sobbed out.

"What happened, Gemma?" I asked, a masked sadness filling my tone.

"She's gone. Amelia... she's gone Leo."