Tears welled up in my eyes and fell down my cheeks. I’m a bitch.
Heath wraps a hand over Lara’s shoulder and gives me a sympathetic smile. He extended his hand to me. I place my shaky palm on his and he pulls me for a hug along with Lara. Amethyst joins and the three of us girls break down completely. Heath’s hoodie is going to be a mess with so many tears on it but who cares?
I apologize to them countlessly over and over. Ryan, who had also joined us shushed me and holds me close, tight, like he’d never let go.
When we are all out of tears and hiccups and snots and whatnot we sit on the stairs and stare at each other. Then we burst out laughing all at once taking in our pathetic faces wondering what the hell just happened.
I talk to them about everything that was locked in my heart. The pain. The suffering. The sadness. I shared it all and everyone, they understood. They all extended a hand this time and once again we formed an awkward group hug giggling and chuckling like weirdos.
“Will, you not come back?” Ryan asks me when we were ready to go back. I shake my head and smile at him.
“No. I want to be here. This new place I’ve come to. I met some amazing people and I don’t feel like growing apart from them just yet.”
Ryan nods smiling understandingly but a fool could see the sadness latched in it. I squeeze his hand.
“This isn’t the end for us. No matter where or when or what happens. We’ll always be together. Always!” I say and he squeezed my hand back firmly.
Ryan, Heath, Lara, and Amy went back to the hotel they were going to stay at. They had just reached Lyon and had come directly to the school straight from the airport. Jet-lagged and beyond exhausted the four of them promised to meet up once they’ve gotten some rest.
Uncle Cam seems to have known these guys would be arriving. No wonder he was fidgety at the dinner table last night. He’s the one who had been helping them and giving them details. Meddlesome man. I most definitely need to thank him later for everything.
I didn’t mind walking back to class alone, but now standing in front of the closed door of my classroom was more nerve-wracking than facing the damned French paper.
Clasping and unclasping my fists, I finally decide to settle everything once and for all. And so I open the door and walk inside to face my class.
Pierre and Ninnon seemed to have been in a heated argument, but they stop and rush to me once they spot me.
“Amelia!” They both call out in relief at once.
Ethan, once again surrounded by girls I’ve never even seen, looked our way and quickly walked up to us.
“All good?” He asks with a frown.
“Frown so much, and you’re gonna have permanent wrinkles.” I tease and he chuckles slapping my shoulder lightly.
“Good to know you’re back, Queen of sarcasm.” He says ruffling my hair like I was some kid. Ass!
“Are you alright?” The class President, Theodore asks, concern written all over his face. Florence whom I noticed was trying to run away from a bunch of guys was standing beside me now and slowly took my hand in hers looking up at me worried.
I don’t deserve such kindness. After how I’ve treated everyone in class with a cold shoulder the past two months, they’ve every right to hate me.
I give Florence’s hand a gentle squeeze and face the rest of the class.
“There’s something I have to confess to you all.” I manage to speak out.
“Wait.” A guy from my class whose name I think is Benjamin says quickly. And then he, Pierre and another guy from my class start shooing those unwanted from the classroom. The girls who had been crowding around Ethan, the guys who had tried flirting with sweet Florence and other standby kids who had visited our water-balloon booth left with annoyance.
“Alright. Now you can go on.” Benjamin says once he closes the door and gives me a thumbs up.
Only my classmates remained and everyone was giving me their fullest attention now. Even Vivienne seemed slightly curious.
Ethan patted me on the head and beckoned me to go on. Ninnon and Pierre who like everyone else were confused gave me a persuasive smile.
And so I begin the dark story of my past. Once I started I couldn’t stop and just like when I had shared it with Ethan, when I came to the part where I saw Sarah in the hospital I broke down. The memory was still fresh in my mind and I’m sure it’ll remain that way for years to come. I wouldn’t have kept going if it wasn’t for Ethan’s hand holding mine.
When I was done, I looked up at everyone’s faces. Their expressions were a mix of anguish, sadness, horror and most of all understanding.
No one said a word. Not even Pierre who always had something to say. Ninnon stared at me without blinking even once. Will she hate me now that she knows what had happened? I wouldn’t blame her though.
“It wasn’t your fault though right?” Someone finally broke the silence. It was Noelle. Vivienne’s sidekick. The one who had started the rumor was now backing me up with a guilty look on her face.
“Yea, like didn’t you warn her beforehand? I like have no idea who’s at fault, but you most definitely aren’t at fault right?” This time it was Vivienne speaking.
I couldn’t say anything. Let alone breath. Did the girls who had bullied me just stand up for me?
And little by little everyone else joined in and agreed with the two of them. No one, not a single soul stood against me. Slowly they all moved to the front and gave me the kindest smile I’d ever seen. Even Vivienne gave me a nod and looked away.
“You should have told us all this right from the beginning you imbecile. We would have understood.” Theodore said ruffling my hair and looking at me with mocking disappointment but he couldn’t hide the smile that followed. The others nod in agreement.
Pierre broke through the fort surrounding me and hugged me tightly, thankfully not choking me. The idiot was in tears and I couldn’t help but hug him back. What’s he crying for?
Ninnon though remained silent all the while. I pulled back from Pierre and stepped in front of her. She only kept staring. A look of betrayal in her eyes astounding me.
“Ninnon?”
“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?” she asks.
“I...”
“Why Ethan but not me? Why am I knowing all this only now? Did you ever trust me? Am I not reliable? Why Amelia?” She sounded hurt.
I embrace her in a tight hug and she wraps her hands around me without holding back.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. From now on you’ll be the first to know everything. I promise.” I mumble and thankfully without pushing me away, she nods.
“Yeah, You better. I don’t know about your past. Neither am I going to judge you based on it. The Amelia I know is the one standing before my eyes. She’s the only one I know and care for. You must still be hurt after what happened to your previous best friend, but I’m your best friend NOW. Rely on me more.” Ninnon says without taking a break.
I don’t remember signing a best friend pact with her but somehow her saying so felt like I had an extra shoulder to help me lift my burden.
I give her a watery nod and bawl my eyes out. Everyone chuckles and laughs and tries to comfort me.
If only the classmates back home had been this kind, rather than sending me cruel, harsh texts. If only but one had been on my side, perhaps I wouldn’t have felt like a shitty person I’d always been feeling as.
But I guess all that happened so I could meet these amazing people.
Thank you, God, for saving me from complete darkness. Thank you for giving me such amazing classmates. I’ll forever cherish them all.
Wiping my tears away and laughing together with everyone I look up and notice the door sliding shut. Before it’s completely shut I catch a glimpse of Adrien Valentin.
CHAPTER SIX
“Morning Amelia.”
“Morning.”
“Bonjour Amelia.”
Everyone in class greeted me when I entered
the classroom. I wouldn’t say I’ve completely healed. The wounds are still present in my heart. Sarah’s loss will forever be a downfall in my life. But I could say I’ve begun to live my life rather than stay closed up in a shell. Ever since the drama that occurred in class on the day of the festival, everyone’s gone through extra lengths to be nicer towards me. My classmates had helped to wipe out the rumor that was circling around the school. Ninnon and I were much closer than we already were. Ethan and Pierre somehow became really good friends of mine and so the four of us were always seen together
The best thing that happened was, I wasn’t hiding from my beloved friends anymore. I video chat with them every single day. Not a day goes by without a single call from either of them.
My life wasn’t perfect, but I was trying. Yet there was one difference from how it was before my outburst to my classmates.
Him.
The guy who had always been sticking out for me even if he’s a major annoyance, stopped talking to me altogether. He didn’t come to fetch me during lunch breaks and so I ate in class with my three friends. Adrien was never home when I got back from school. I rarely got to see him. If not for school and him being the Vice President, I wouldn’t be seeing him at all. I don’t get it if he’s ignoring me or relieved that his babysitting job is finally over what with me being in good terms with everyone in class now.
Just thinking about him makes my head hurt. I sigh aloud unaware Ninnon had been staring.
“You good? That’s quite a sigh at the beginning of the day.” She asks.
“Yeah, all good. Was just thinking about Adrien.”
Shit. Big mistake.
“Well well well. Is that right? Adrien huh?” She teased in a really weird tone, winking at me playfully. I grab my textbook and tried whacking her with it, only to have it get pried off of my hand.
“Hey!” I holler when my book was grabbed. Theodore was standing with my book held high up.
“No violence. Oh, and the Student body President asked for you.” He said nonchalantly like it was no big deal.
“Say it sooner!” I push him out of the way, and rush outside the class and run towards the Student Council room on the second floor.
I almost bang my hand on the door, but remember my manners and stop in time. Taking a deep breath I knock lightly and hear an “Enter” from inside.
“Oh, Amelia. Come in come in.” Evan says when I pop in my head. Esmee is seated on the couch while he’s at the big table papers scattered everywhere. She gives me a smile and a nod.
“What’s up? You called for me?” I ask and he motions me to close the door before speaking up.
“Have you heard anything from Adrien, Amelia?” Evan inquired which makes me frown.
“Adrien? Isn’t he in school right now?” I say and this time the two of them frown confused.
“School? You mean he left for school this morning?” Esmee speaks up, getting off the couch and standing beside Evan now.
“That’s what his Mom told me this morning when I asked her where Adrien was. She told me he left early saying he had some unfinished work at school.” I explain to them. Evan rests his chin on his clasped hands and thinks deeply.
Adrien is not in school? What’s going on? Where’d he go wearing the uniform?
“I’ve been meaning to ask you two. But has something been kind of strange with him lately?”
“Strange? How so?” It was Esmee who inquired.
“Well, to begin with. He’s rarely home. He looks dead in the school. There are dark circles under his eyes. And most of all he hasn’t come to get me for lunch ever since the festival ended.”
Esmee smiles at me. Evan has a playful smile stuck on his face as well.
“Isn’t that just you worried he’s not spending time with you?” Evan says teasingly. Esmee chuckles. And I blush furiously.
“Huh!? Wha... why would you even think that? I- I don’t care if he spends time with me or not!” I mumble in a rush which makes the two of them chuckle further at my bemused state.
“He’s a strange one, Amelia. Leave him be. He’ll come back to his senses sooner than you think.” Evan says getting up and grabbing his bag off the couch. Esmee does the same.
“I don’t care. Let him be a douchebag all his life. I’m late for class. Have a good day.” I say and sashay myself out of the room before embarrassing myself any further.
I quicken my pace and stride towards the first floor. But then stop. Something doesn’t feel right. I’m sure of it. I just couldn’t figure out what it is.
I pry the door open. Miss Valerie is already present and had started the class. I excuse myself and plop myself onto my seat. Ninnon raises a brow at me and I look at her, telepathically trying to convey to her that I’ll explain everything to her once class was done. She seemed to get what I meant, gives me a nod and faces the front of the class before we get pulled up for talking.
As the final bell rings, I grab my bag and stash my books and pencil case inside and zip the bag closed.
“I’m heading home sooner today. Text you later Ninnon.” I say turning to face her. She was still stacking her books and organizing her bag. She gives me a thumbs up.
I turn back and wave at Ethan and Pierre. Ethan gives me a nod while Pierre looks like some lost puppy.
“What?” I ask and his pout furthers.
“I thought we could grab a cake and some coffee.” He says.
“We’ll do it tomorrow. Don’t worry.” I say and his face glows like he had never been sad in the first place. Weird guy.
“See ya!” And I quickly walk out waving at Theodore and Florence along the way.
Since Uncle Cam’s place wasn’t too far, I was lucky to get home soon. I open the door and was immediately welcomed by the sweet aroma of Aunt Felicity’s cooking.
“Welcome back sweetheart. Adrien arrived just five minutes back.” Aunt Felicity calls out from the kitchen.
He’s home!
I strut upstairs in a hurry and quickly get changed. Then I walk across the hallway and knock on his door.
Since when have I been decent with him?
There’s no reply from within. So I knock again.
Silence.
“I’m coming in,” I say, turning the knob and opened the door slightly ajar. The curtains were drawn and the room was quite dark except for the doorway which was lighted with the light spilling in from the hallway.
I hear slow breathing and find Adrien slumped on his bed fast asleep. Still clad in his Uniform, the blazer thrown on the floor.
“Adrien?” I call out but get no response.
I walk further in and stand beside his bed taking in his tired face. He looks so vulnerable.
His bangs were tickling his nose. Afraid he’ll wake up, I move my fingers to brush them aside.
Big mistake.
He suddenly grabbed my hand and pulls me with such force I tumble and fall on him with a shout.
He must have done so while half asleep, with me screaming so barbarically he blinked his eyes rapidly and now stared at me wide-eyed.
“Is everything alright up there? Amelia?” Aunt Felicity called out from downstairs.
I panicked.
“Tell her you tripped you fool.” Adrien snarls.
“Everything’s alright Aunt Fel. I slipped.” I call back and she shouts back to be careful and everything goes silent once again.
Adrien pushes me aside and gets to his feet, messing his hair with both hands in frustration. He switches the light on and shuts the door.
He was a sight to see. The dark circles had gotten worse and his face was latched with fatigue.
“Are you...”
He cuts me off.
“The fuck are you doing in my room?” His voice sounded so venomous.
“I- I knocked. You didn’t respond. So,” I stammer.
“Then you should have left. Not barge in.” He says with the same tone as before.
The hell? Be a little nicer? I
was worried for shit’s sake.
“What’s gotten into you? You’ve been weird lately Adrien. Weirder than usual. You even missed school today. Evan and Esmee are worried.” When I mentioned his friends’ names he stared at me in shock.
“Did you tell them anything?” He demanded.
“Not really. There was nothing to say. Just that you’re never home and have been acting strangely these couple of days.” I say with a shrug. I mean, It’s not a big deal?
“Esmee was present when you were talking to Evan?” He asks me carefully. I raise a brow at him curious.
“Uh yeah? I just said so. Evan and Esmee are worried.”
“Get out.”
“What?”
“Get the fuck out of my room, damnit.”
I didn’t need to be said again. I got to my feet and strode past the sick guy, I couldn’t recognize anymore. I banged the door shut after me. I heard crashes from inside his room but didn’t bother.
That night Adrien didn’t join us at the dinner table.
A week passed and things remained the same. If not worse. Adrien got into trouble with his parents for always sneaking out of the house late in the night. He would never explain himself. He snapped at his juniors and even the seniors. Didn’t pay attention in class and was called to the principal’s office.
Uncle Camille loved his one and only nephew to death, so did Adrien. He was very fond of his uncle. But the past few days they interacted less and less.
“Amelia, would you mind going over to the principal’s office please?” Miss Racheal, my P.E teacher said coming into the classroom disrupting mine and Ninnon’s conversation.
“Everything alright?” Ethan asks coming over and standing beside me.
“Yeah. I bet he wants to ask me about his stupid nephew.” Saying so I leave the classroom. It was free period so I could talk with Uncle Cam leisurely. The timing was perfect. I’ve been meaning to have a talk with him in private.
Where I Belong Page 5
