Chapter 54- Taunting News

[] A M E L I A []

I pulled up in the driveway of my house. My car kept up with the weather, allowing me to make it home in one piece. The snow had also stopped, and the quietness of the highway got me here within 3 hours. I turned off my iginition and sat in the silence of my car, my thoughts running a mile a minute. I suddenly remembered why I was here in the first place.

"Honey... I never wanted to do this. I know you're busy but-"

"What happened, mom?"

"They're reopening the case. She overdosed, honey. Levi possibly didn't kill her."

My world came crashing down on me once again. The sudden news shook me to the core. Everything after the call with mom was a blur. I don't remember leaving Leo's apartment, and I barely remember the drive home. I just knew that I had to come here, no matter what.

I quickly got out of my car, the harsh winter wind nearly knocking the breath out of me. I huffed and puffed my way to the front door and rang the bell.

What I didn't expect when the door opened, was to see my mom standing on the other side with a furious expression.

"Amelia May Harrison," my mom said as soon as she whipped open the door.

It wasn't rare that my mom got mad at me. Growing up, I had always been the rebellious kid in our family. Not bad rebellious, but I had my fair share of moments. Between the two of them, dad was always my partner in crime, whereas mom busted us every chance she got. From sneaking me into the house after midnight, or letting me test drive the family car (before I got my learner's), dad had done it all. His prime time was when he let me go on my first date, yes, a date. I was 15 then, and mom had completely refused. Dad was the one who made her agree. His reasoning was that if Levi was allowed to date at that age, I should be too. Not that he did though. He always only wanted Brittany.

I never made it past the first date with Josh  Jenkins since he was an absolute jerk, but the point is, dad was always the peacemaker between my mother and I. However, that wasn't necessary in the past four years of my life. I had no friends left, no life left, therefore, mom never got mad at me anymore.

That's why, I took a step back from shock, my heart thuddering at the use of my full name. Mom had her hands on her hips, a deep frown etched onto her face.

"Get inside Amelia."

I quickly complied, hauling my butt into the house as fast as I could.

Mom started walking to the living room, her footsteps livid. I closed the door meekly behind me, and took my time kicking off my shoes. I slowly took off my jacket and hung it up, a habit that was so familiar before, but it oddly felt weird in my home now.

'Why did this feel so weird? So unlike... home?'

When I was done procrastinating, I finally sighed and started heading in the direction she went. I didn't know why she was so mad, but I knew it was something big.

Did she find out about Jackson? Did she know what happened last night?

But she couldn't. There was no way.

I took deep breaths as I made my way to the living room. Once I got there, I saw mom pacing back and forth by the fireplace, as dad sat on his big chair adjacent to her. He looked up from his book when he heard me approaching, and when he saw me, he immediately stood up. I grinned and started making my way over to him. But before I took take another step, my mom's outburst made us both stop dead in our tracks.

"Freeze, both of you."

I gulped and froze midstep. Dad did the same, his smile faltering slightly. Mom had stopped by the fireplace, her hands on her hips again.

I looked down in fear, feeling like a little child again.

Why was our reunion like this? This was much different than when I last came over. I couldn't understand it. Did it have to do with the phone call? Was mom just as scared as I was?

"Amelia," mom started.

I snapped my head up to hers, feeling happy that she didn't address me by full name again.

"Yes, mom?"

Her narrowed gaze settled on my own, and I found myself gulping in fear again.

"Who told you to come here in -30° weather? I told you, I told you that we can fix this. Then why?"

I stared at her, my mouth agape.

"Did you know that there was three accidents on the highway this morning? Did you know how scared I was when I heard you were coming over here?"

Mom sniffled, and my heart fell to the ground.

'This is what she was worried about?'

"I told you we can handle this Amelia. Why can't you... why can't you just listen? I've only got one thing left. I can't have it going wrong too. "

With a heavy sigh, mom fell to the couch next to her, her head falling in between her hands.

My heart was crushed.

I quickly ran to sit beside her, my arms encircling around her.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I'm coming over. But I had to. I had to do this mom. I can't have any more secrets when it comes to this."

Mom finally pulled back a little, and my arms loosened around her to get a look at her face.

"Honey, that doesn't explain your behaviour. You should've told someone that you were coming here. We were worried sick."

"Cass is right, Amelia. You should've told us you were coming," dad said, pitching in for the first time.

"And your friends, goodness Amelia, you could've at least told them-"

My brows furrowed as I stared at mom in confusion.

"-My friends?" I spoke, cutting her off.

She sighed.

"Gemma called. She said you two reunited there."

It was then I remembered that I had given Gemma mom's number, in case of an emergency. She had done the same with me.

"She called, and a few other friends of yours were on the line."

I could already picture Andre, Jamal and Leo on the other side. My heart ached for them. In a hurry to get here, I never told them where I would be going. I briefly remember calling Gemma as I got in my car, but I don't remember what I said. I was in a state of panic then, and I just had to get out of there. The ride here had calmed me down tremendously.

And Leo.

I had just... left him like that.

My heart pinched.

I sighed and shook my head, turning to mom.

"You're right. I should've called before I left. I'm sorry mom, dad. It won't happen again, I swear. I just... when you told me the news, I just had to come."

An eerie silence settled over us then. Mom didn't say anything to that, and dad simply looked down.

"What happened?" I asked quietly, not knowing if I was ready to answer.

Mom and dad shared a silent look, something they often did when they were deciding whether or not to tell me something. Dad finally nodded and turned to me with sullen eyes.

Mom wrapped an arm around me, pulling me closer.

"There was a call last night. An officer was sorting through files and landed on an autopsy. It turned out to be Brittany's original one. We don't know the details, but when he compared the orginal to the one that was presented in court, there were differences," dad explained.

I nodded, feeling a tight ball growing in my stomach. I was itching to hold someone's hand, and as if knowing what I was feeling, dad got up and walked over to me. He sat on my free side, his hand immediately enveloping my own.

"Amelia, I need you to listen carefully alright. We don't know anything for sure yet. The lawyers and officers are investigating this as we speak. But the old autopsy showed that Brittany had drugs in her system that night. I don't know what this changes, if it even changes anything at all, but I do know that this isn't definite. We don't know anything for sure-"

I let out a heavy breath.

"-Brittany... and drugs?"

The moment I said it out loud, I felt bile rising in my throat. There was no way Brittany took drugs.

I would know.

I turned to my dad, desperately holding his hand.

"It's not true dad. She would never."

Dad smiled softly at me, his eyes watering.

He knew too.

* * *

After a tiring conversation, dad decided to call for pizza. We ordered from the place we usually did, and allowed for it to take an hour before it arrived. The weather was better here, but the roads were still dangerous.

We all retired to the dining room and started setting up the table while we waited.

I finally caught both of them up on my life in college a little, finally explaining that Leo, Andre, Jamal, and Gemma had become my closest friends.

I left out the part about Leo and I being more than friends.

Because I didn't even know if that was true any more. My heart fell to my stomach as I once again thought of how I left him this morning.

How would that have made him feel?

If he did that to me, I would be crushed.

However, the more I thought about it, the better it was. Leo didn't need the drama I brought along everywhere I went. He didn't need to know every detail of my life and be burdened by it.

I'm going to face this battle alone, so that no one else can get hurt in it.

But can I really do that? Can I stay away from him in that sense?

I thought back to how perfect last night had been, minus the whole Jackson ordeal. I could still feel Leo's hands on me as we danced, his words he spoke as he tried to make me see the truth, and his touch, his kisses, just him. I felt alive being with him.

But would I risk that feeling of bliss, for the risk of him getting hurt by being with me?

Just as I was thinking about this, a voice snapped me out of my reverie.

"-Amelia?" I heard dad say.

I turned to him startled. He was staring at me expectantly, as if waiting to hear an answer.

"What was that, dad?"

"Your hoodie- it says Biology."

I looked down in surprise, forgetting that I was still in Leo's clothes. A deep blush formed on my face, and I suddenly felt embarrassed that I forgot to change before I left my apartment.

I turned to my dad, quickly thinking of an excuse.

"It's not mine. It's a friends' hoodie."

"Really? Who's?" Dad asked suggestively.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Just a friend's hoodie, dad."

He pouted at me.

As we were setting up the plates, the doorbell suddenly rang. Dad went for it, and came back a few minutes later with 2 large boxes of pizza.

Just as I sat down to join my parents at the table, the bell rang again. I sighed and started heading for the door, wondering who it was at this hour. It was nearly 7 in the evening, and we rarely had visitors at this time.

I looked through the peephole to see who it was and my eyes widened as they landed on the person on the other side.

There was no way.

I whipped my door open and stared at her in shock. Her teeth chattering, her bones shaking, a large grin on her face.

"H-hey Amelia! L-let me in-n please."

I opened my door wider, allowing Gemma to come inside. I closed it quickly behind her and turned to her with my mouth agape.

"What are you doing here Gemma?" I asked in shock.

"F-flew here. Dad got me tickets last minute," she explained.

I still didn't get it.

Before I could ask any more questions, mom and dad came flying down the door. They greeted Gemma as if they did this every other weekend, asking how she'd been and such. They then took her up upstairs, making her feel as comfortable as they could.

I followed after them a few moments later. I made my way upstairs and found Gemma sitting at the table, mom setting a plate in front of her. I watched them from afar, wondering what the hell was happening. Before I could question it any further, dad suddenly called me over to join everyone at the table.

Dinner went by in a breeze. Gemma had already known my parents, so it was no surprise that we all got along. I was still gobsmacked however, but I tried to contain it for now.

After dinner, mom told me to help set Gemma up in tbe guest room across from mine. I complied and guided her there. Once in, Gemma started unpacking things from her backpack nonchalantly. I watched her from the door, my brain still not processing what was going on.

"Gemma," I suddenly called out.

She turned to me.

"What are you doing here?"

"You needed someone," was her only response.

A few tears escaped me as she said this. Gemma quickly made her way to me then, her arms wrapping around my shoulders.

"Stop fighting this on your own Amelia. We're here now. We've got you. All of us do."

I cried on her shoulder for a few moments, and then pulled back to look at her.

"I'm so sorry Gemma. I didn't mean to leave like that."

"It's alright Amelia, but you have to tell me what happened. Why did you have to come here?" She asked.

I sighed and wiped away the remainder of my tears. Then I took a seat on the bed, sagging as I did so.

"The case is getting reopened, since they found new evidence. Apparently, Brittany overdosed that night."

Gemma let out a gasp, and a strangled sob left me. I pulled at my hair roughly, my brain going haywire with useless thoughts.

"This just won't end gemma. There's no end to this."

I let out a sob, and Gemma's arms were around me in a rush.

"It's okay Amelia, just let it all out."

After a while, we finally ended up breaking apart. Despite Gemma putting her stuff in the guest room, we ended up heading to my room to sleep. We both lay back on my bed, our eyes wide open.

"How did you end up coming here?" I asked.

She let out a sigh, her eyes coming in contact with my own.

"Your call scared me. I called Andre over and he called the rest. Andre suggested I call someone I know, so I called your mom. We all wanted to come, but Leo thought it was best if only I came. He wanted to give you space Amelia."

I looked away guiltily, a tear escaping me as I thought of Leo.

"I'm sorry Gemma. But you have to understand why I did it-"

"I do, Amelia. I do understand. And I think he does too," Gemma said.

She then turned her body to face mine, looking as if she was ready to tell me something grand.

"When I called him, he was already at your door. Fatima picked up and asked what was wrong. He looked like he was gutted Amelia. He fell back crying, thinking you died or something. Jamal had to go get him since Fatima wasn't sure what to do with him," she explained.

My stomach and heart churned with the news, imagining Leo sitting in front of my room like that.

"When I told him that you left, on the phone, he looked on the verge of falling apart Amelia. Jamal told us that. When we figured out you were coming home, he kept saying "she's okay, she's okay," and Amelia, he knew it wasn't," Gemma explained.

My heart felt like it was ripping in two.

"And then the day of the party," Gemma started.

I turned to her surprised, wondering why she was bringing that up now. She only nodded, nudging me to get myself to just let her talk. And I did.

"When we came back, goodness Amelia. He was punching and kicking walls. I've never seen him lose control like that. Only when Jamal and Andre pulled him back, saying you were asleep, did he stop. And he cried Amelia. He fell to the ground bawling. He was so hurt by what happened. He was ready to kill Jackson, before Andre reminded him that you were in his room. Then he told us to wait while he went to go get something. And I think you know what that was. After that, we left, leaving you in his capable hands."

I sat up now, quiet sobs escaping me as Gemma told me everything. Gemma sat up as well, her arms wrapping around me as I cried once more.

"I'm not telling you this to make you feel bad. I'm telling you so you can understand him Amelia. Don't push him away. He was the one who sent me here after realizing what happened. He feels guilty for not being able to protect you, and I think that's why he's giving you space now."

I turned to Gemma, my tears relentlessly falling down my cheeks.

"He told me he loved me Gemma. And I couldn't do anything. I couldn't say it back because I was scared. And look what happened now."

A sob cut me off, and Gemma tightened her arms around me.

"The more I don't want to hurt him, the more it keeps happening."

* * *

The next morning, Gemma and I joined my parents at the dining table for breakfast. We all ate comfortably in silence, all lost in our own thoughts.

After breakfast, my parents headed for our lawyer's office, while Gemma and I stayed behind. We made our way to the living room silently. We slumped down on the couch, trying to make sense of what was going on.

After a few moments, Gemma spoke.

"I didn't know Brittany as well as you did. But I do know that she would never, intentionally that is," Gemma said.

I sighed.

"I know. But if she didn't take drugs willingly, then that means... someone drugged her, Gemma."

The weight of the situation was kicking in.

Suddenly, Gemma spoke again, her voice oddly restrained.

"Hey Amelia, there's something I need to tell you."

I turned to her. Her face was set in a deep frown, as if she was contemplating something serious.

"What is it Gemma?" I asked.

"Remember when you were asking me about Andre a while back?" She asked, biting her lip nervously.

I nodded, ready to hear the answer.

"Amelia, it wasn't what you thought of it like."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't awkward around him because I liked him Amelia."

I frowned.

"So you don't like him?"

"No, no!" she suddenly said, whipping around to face me.

My mouth fell apart in shock, completely lost at this point. Gemma blushed deeply, her eyes wide. I smiled at her, until she spoke again.

"It's not that Amelia," she sighed, sagging as she did so.

She turned away from me again and turned to face the wall ahead of her.

"Oh God," I heard her mumble.

After a few moments, she finally turned back to me.

"Amelia... I walked in on Andre injecting himself."