Wait. Did she just say WE!?
Loud noises could be heard from the Living room. High pitched voices. Laughing and giggling. Words I couldn’t literally understand.
Vivienne lets go of my hand which she had been having a hell grip on and step aside to clear my view.
My head swirling is an understatement of the century.
There in my living room, inside my house, in Miami America, were the kids from class in Lyon.
The whole class was here!
“What...” before I could finish, Florence came flying, and hugged me so tight, I was left in shock wondering if this petite girl had been wrestling.
“Amalia.” She breathes. Oh, how I’ve missed the way she says my name.
Pierre, Ethan, and Ninnon join the class. Florence lets go, taking Theo’s hand in hers.
Familiar faces, smiling back at me. Tears well up in my eyes.
“Mia.”
I jerk my face to the right hopefully. I couldn’t have been any more obvious.
It was only Dad. Seated on the Love seat, a grim look on his face.
“Are you sure that’s your Dad? How come he looks so mean?” Pierre whispers in my ear. I shove his face aside.
“I thought you had planned all this, but seeing your reaction, you seem to be ignorant,” Dad speaks and I could only nod.
“Oh for the love of God. Let me...” Vivienne starts but she’s cut mid-sentence by Pierre and Benjamin who covers her from view rudely. They snicker at one another.
“I’ll explain Mr. Brooke,” Ninnon says and so she begins.
“Principal Andreas, we’re going to go to America and bring Amelia back,” Ninnon said banging her hand on his huge desk.
“Excuse me?” Camille stared at the three students in front of him. Out of nowhere they barged in and spouted something out of the blue.
“No matter what you say. Be it suspension or expulsion. We’re going!” Pierre said sharply, then turns to Ninnon and whispers, “We won’t be expelled right?”
“Expel? Suspend? What are you kids talking about?” Camille said eyes wide. Ninnon is about to argue but then stops surprised in what the Principal says next.
“What took you damn brats so long!? Just tell me when and I’ll prepare a letter of excuse.” He says getting to his feet and leaning forward on the table, staring at the three excited.
Ninnon face palmed. What had she been so worried about? Of course, the principal would assist.
After some words passed between the four, Ninnon, Pierre, and Ethan make way to their classroom. It was the very next day, right after Amelia had called Ninnon, heartbroken.
She had confided with Ethan and Pierre, and the three came to a conclusion. Get Amelia back at all costs.
“Right so the principal is out of the way. We’ve to now get our parents to give the green signal.” Ethan says as he takes a seat beside Pierre.
Ninnon grabs a notebook and sits on Pierre’s seat, while he climbs onto the table.
“Okay, so we’ve got a flight to book. How about housing?”
“Let’s just crash in at Amelia’s place. I get her bed!” Pierre screams aloud earning a few weird stares.
Ninnon hits him with the back of the book. “Shut up. And keep quiet!”
“How much does the ticket to America cost Ninnon?” Ethan asks. Ninnon who had already checked up on that the previous night leaves through her pages and finds the one where she wrote the cost.
“Its 350 euro per person.” She says. It wasn’t much. They could afford it.
Never had the three ever been so happy to be a rich kid. All they need was to get their parent’s approval, and they could easily get the flight expenses covered.
Ninnon jotted down everything that’s to be done and what’s needed. Unbeknownst to her, Benjamin was peering from behind.
“Woah. Are you people serious? You guys are actually flying to America?” the idiot yelled so loud, Ninnon was sure the whole floor heard him. Everyone in class stopped their work and stared at the threesome.
“Is that true Ethan?” Theodore, the class president asked, taking a step away from his girlfriend and towards where Ninnon and the rest were seated.
Sighing Ethan nodded. The cats out of the bag it seems.
“To bring back Amalia?” Florence joined Theodore, and stared at Ninnon hopefully.
Ninnon gives the sweet girl a nod and then relates everything from the beginning. Right from the day, Amelia had left and the conversations she’s had with her since then.
“So when are we leaving?” Vivienne’s cocky, arrogant voice cuts through the heated conversation.
“What?” Ninnon, Ethan, and Pierre say at once.
“Are we not bringing that girl back?” she asks confused.
“Uh, WE are. Pierre, Ninnon and myself.” Ethan says, putting a strong emphasis on the’ we’.
“If it’s about plane ticket, I can buy them. Non des soucis.” Vivienne says flicking her shiny hair, a look of superiority plastered on her face.
Her Mom is after all a famous magazine model, while her Dad is a movie Director. If she wished, she could buy a private jet.
“It’s not the money that’s the problem. But permission.” Ninnon retaliates. Getting the Principal’s approval for the three of them isn’t a big deal since they’re acquainted with him. But for the entire class? He’s definitely going to decline.
“Vivienne’s right. For once in her life.” Theodore said earning a glare from Vivienne for the latter part. “If we’re to convince her hard-hearted Dad, we should all try pleading.”
“This could get ugly you know? If the parents start a riot at school, for students’ personal behavior...” Ninnon says. She tries to make everyone back out somehow but to no vain.
Everyone was hell-bent on leaving for America as well. Ninnon smiled to herself. Never had she thought the class would get together as one for a single purpose. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought the bitchiest girl of all could be tamed.
Amelia was a fool if she thought anyone of us had ever given up on her.
“Alright then.” Ninnon gets to her feet. “Tomorrow, everyone brings a letter of approval from their parents respectively. No funny business. If by any chance anyone’s parent tries to cause an uproar,” She didn’t have to finish. Everyone understood the consequences they had to face if things went wrong.
And so miraculously earning the silly, excited principal’s approval, and the parents’ who somehow thought of this gesture as the sweetest thing ever committed, let their kids leave the country. Of course, being under-aged, Florence’s Mom agreed to come with us as adult supervision.
The parents of each kid even bought the plane tickets for them. They didn’t have to use their saved allowances.
“And so you find us here. Right now.” Ninnon finishes.
The room is silent, with nothing but the sound of everyone breathing. Dad remained still, not uttering a single word.
I sure am a crybaby. Just like how Ryan and Lara had commented. A snotty brat.
The tears flow down my cheeks.
My heart ached so much with happiness, even hugging everyone in the room wouldn’t make my heart feel alright.
I take a quick glance at everyone’s face. They’re all smiling at me. Vivienne holds a smirk along with her sidekick Noelle, who sports an identical expression.
I bet these girls are enjoying my make-up ruined runny red face. But who cares? I wanna hug them too goddamnit!
I turn to face my Dad with a grim look, eyes blaring.
No way in hell am I backing out now.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
It’s been a year since Sarah’s death, and not once have I ever visited her grave. After her funeral, I completely closed myself up.
Standing in front of her gravestone, her name staring me in the face, felt sickening.
Taken from our hearts, but never from our lives. Here Lies Sarah Forbes. Loving Daughter and Friend.
Crouchin
g, I wipe the little dust that’s collected.
“Hey, girl,” I say softly, smiling at the gravestone, Sarah’s face coming into view. I could almost imagine her grumpy and annoyed, turning her face from mine cause I haven’t visited her.
A chuckle escapes my lips. A sad one. Heartbreaking. Chest clenching.
“There’s so much I need to tell you. It’s been hell without you. I guess you really did mean it, when you said, ‘I’ll haunt you forever when I die’.”
The soft breeze calms my nerves. I pull my jacket closer and adjust the beanie cap on my head.
Sighing, I talk to myself on everything that’s happened, hoping she’s hearing me out.
She’s always lent an ear to me, and I believe she would do so even now. Maybe from Heaven.
“...And the jackass. The jerk didn’t even bother calling. At least a text.” I continue. “I’m supposed to be mad at him. Loathe him. But somehow the thought of being able to see him again brings joy within me. I’m sick ain’t I?” I finish with a light laugh.
That’s right. I’m going back to France. To Lyon. To the Valentin household.
To Adrien.
That night, a month back after so much of arguing, pleading, a tear here and there, and of course holding Vivienne back from yelling at Dad’s face, we came to a conclusion where he said he’d rethink his decision.
That’s a good sign, right? I mean, better than an immediate no.
The very next day, everyone left back to France. They had me promise them, that I’ll come back for sure.
“Three days back, he asked me out for an evening walk. Just dad and daughter. We had a heart to heart. And finally, he agreed to send me back.” I continue talking to Sarah’s gravestone.
If someone passing by saw me, they’d report me to the cops right away.
A crazy girl, talking to a grave.
Dad had already spoken to Uncle Cam and aunt Felicity, asking if it’s alright to have me live with them again. They were more than delighted. Uncle Cam got a good earful for supporting the kids in flying to America. He just dissed Dad with a laugh.
I can’t wait to see him again.
Without further delay, I’d booked a flight back to Lyon. Taken my leaving certificate from the school. Bid farewell to whom I was close to in school, along with the teachers.
Oh, and I most sincerely humiliated Noah Flinn, in front of the entire school, in the cafeteria.
No more Noah Flinn in my life.
What had been the most surprising was how my friends took it in.
I thought they’d be mad at me for leaving again. But they only laughed and sighed relieved. They were happy for me and wished me the very best for a better life.
Ryan had been so happy, he was close to tears. He almost ran downstairs to hug my Dad.
God, it took all four of us to tie him down.
The memory made me giggle.
“Hey Sarah, what should I do?” I ask and get no response. Of course, I wouldn’t get.
Move on Mia.
My consciousness whispered inside of me.
That’s what Sarah would have said in this situation. To move on. I thought back to an incident that had taken place a long time ago.
“What would you do if I suddenly die?” I ask Sarah, who stares at me. God knows why I asked something so weird out of the blue. But then she goes deep thinking mode, rather than ignoring me.
“Mmm... sit by your grave and show-off all the candy I could eat but you couldn’t?” she says. I sigh.
This girl is never serious.
“I’d move on of course” she suddenly says, taking me by surprise. Not the fact that she’d move on, but her giving me an honest serious reply was what made me surprised.
“What?”
“I’ll move on. And live my life to the fullest.” She says with a soft smile. “Isn’t that what you’d want me to do Mia?”
I nod vigorously.
Of course, that’s what I’d want her to do.
“It’s the same with you girl.” She says. I keep my eyes on her. “If by some chance I die before I could become a nagging granny, who annoys the shit outta her great-grandkids... I want you to move on and stop crying over my dead body.”
I felt a sudden chill. My blood boiled. The very thought horrified me.
“Sarah!” I yell at her with rage. She just continues staring at me.
She then takes a seat beside me, on my bed and places a hand on my shoulder.
“Promise me, Mia. Promise me, that you’d move on.” Her gaze was sharp, penetrating my soul. I couldn’t do anything but promise her.
She then grins and gets back to her feet.
“Good. I don’t want a stylish snotty bitch, crying by my grave, while I’m ugly and rotting away.” She jokes and the two of us laugh.
The old memory from before when Sarah had been alive hit me hard.
Finally, tomorrow was the day when I go back to the place I’d been pried away from. A ghost of a smile appears on my lips and then turns to a full out grin.
“Just you wait Sarah. I’m going to live a life you’d be proud of. No more tears.”
I get to my feet, dusting my jeans. I adjust my jacket once more and look at my soulmates grave one last time, and with a soft kiss and farewell, I leave.
My mind cleared. My heart soaring.
Pulling my luggage along with me, I come to the waiting area. Taking a deep breath, I look around with a smile.
I never thought I’d be back so soon.
Unlike last time where I’d arrived as a bloody walking corpse, this time I was well and alive. I took in my surroundings. The airport never ceased to amaze me.
“Mily!”
With the widest grin I could muster, I turn around to find Uncle Camille rushing towards me along with his sister and brother-in-law.
Before he could cling onto me, Aunt Fel pushes her dorky brother aside and drapes her arms around me, pulling me in for a hug.
“Oh, Honey-Pie. Welcome back,” she breathes out, tightening the hug. Her husband, Uncle Timmy joins us, ruffling my hair, a smile on his face.
Uncle Cam was grumbling about how he wanted to be the first to hug, but then his expression changes and he was once again grinning.
They helped me with my stuff and we made way to the exit. All the while my eyes roamed about, hoping for a glimpse of a certain dark head.
“He’s not here Hun.” Aunt Fel’s voice registers on my mind.
“What?”
“Adrien. He’s not here.” I bet my face looked disappointed. “It was Sports Day at the school yesterday. He’s busy with clean up today.” She explains while smiling.
Hmph! Like that’s enough reason to keep him from coming.
I bet he doesn’t even care.
Wait, why the hell do I even care? The last time, didn’t I yell at him that I didn’t wanna ever face him?
Geez Amelia, stick with your damn words!
“I don’t care,” I say and quicken my steps. From behind me, I hear the three of them chuckle, and my face heats embarrassed.
Was I THAT obvious with my disappointment?
In a while, we reached home. I open the car door and rush outside. Standing in front of the front door, I couldn’t stop grinning.
Finally, I’m back.
Flashbacks of when I’d first arrived here, flood through my mind. Pipping down my grin, I sport a soft smile.
Things have changed. This is no longer a place I escaped to, but a place I want to always return to.
“Let’s go. Let’s go.” Uncle Cam pushes my back, escorting me inside.
The interior is as it was before I left. Not a single thing moved nor replaced.
“It’s not just over here. We left your room as it was.” Aunt Fel says as if she had read my mind.
With a quick nod, I grab my duffel bag from Uncle Cam’s hand and rush upstairs. Passing Adrien’s door, I come to an abrupt halt. Touching the teak wood, I run my fingers on it.
&nbs
p; “I’m home Adrien,” I say softly, imagining him seated on his bed inside, flipping through his favorite sports magazine.
I trudge down the hallway and turn the doorknob of the room I’d occupied during my short stay. Going inside, I notice, yet as Aunt Felicity had mentioned, nothing was out of place.
Back home, in Miami, I owned a queen-sized bed, a closet filled with clothes from almost every latest fashion magazine. My room is color-themed according to how I wished it for; Turquoise and purple. It’s spacious and enough to fit my entire class.
The room I owned here, in Lyon, wasn’t all that big, with a single bed, a dresser, a small-sized closet, and it was painted a baby blue. It was nowhere nearly as grand as my own room, yet somehow, it felt more homely than anywhere else.
Falling back onto my bed, I stare at the cream-colored ceiling, sighing content.
From now on, it’s only going to be happiness in my life. I’m going to make the utmost efforts in living life the way I want.
Even jerk-face Adrien can’t ruin it for me.
I sit up at once. That’s right. Ninnon!
Rummaging through my bag, I locate my poor abandoned smartphone and pull it out. Dialing Ninnon’s number, I wait for her to answer.
“Where you at?” Ninnon asks first thing as soon as she answers.
“Yeah, hey to you too.”
She chuckles amused.
“So, where are you?” she demands. Sighing I shake my head.
“Home sweet home. I’m back babe.” I couldn’t keep the excitement from my voice.
Her squealing was so loud, I stared at my screen in utmost shock. Ninnon squealing? WTF?
“Why didn’t you tell me you’d be arriving damnnit?” she scolds and this time I chuckle.
“Just wanted to surprise you.”
“I’m coming over right now.” Before she could cut the line, I quickly stop her.
“Don’t. I’ll come over. No, wait. What about clean-up? The school?” I ask confused.
“We finished our duties earlier than the others. Our class has free day today.”
“Woah. When did you guys get diligent?” I tease. I mean, wasn’t everyone lazybones? Especially Theodore, the lazy-ass class President.
Where I Belong Page 14
