It wasn’t a planned trip. Cooked up at the last minute by some weirdo named Patrick who was gonna leave the country to Harvard university and wanted a getaway with friends before that.
I’d gotten a call from Adrien. He apologized. He said he had no idea what was going on. And that he would be back soon.
A week and a half.
Does this sound soon?
I understand. Adrien deserved a little party after the hectic time he had to go through prepping for his baccalaureate examination.
Unlike in the US or well any country in that matter, in France, a graduation ceremony didn’t take place. Maybe it did in certain high schools. I’m not really sure, but in a prestigious school such as Harriet High, a graduation ceremony wasn’t on the school agenda.
Funny isn’t it?
You just check the internet to see if you’ve scored enough to get into the college of your choice.
I’d continuously prayed that Adrien would get accepted into college.
But how could he have done that!?
Asking me to wait until exams are done and then soon after left me stranded here while he enjoyed himself.
Urgh!
Tomorrow, the kids from school, majority being the fans of the Student Council members, have arranged a graduation sort of party for the seniors.
Which was why the escapees had returned from Paris.
And so you find me marching home to give Adrien a good scolding.
Ninnon and I were hanging out at a I when Aunt Fel called me saying her stupid kidnapped son is back.
“Amelia please,” Ninnon begged as she grabbed my hand making me stop. “I’m afraid you’re going to slap him for no reason” She finished.
I raise a brow at her.
Did I really look that savage?
“I won’t do something so ridiculous Ninnon.” I roll my eyes at her.
She still looks at me doubtfully.
I sigh and raise my hands in surrender.
“I just want to see him. Alright? Happy?” I admit and she gives me a smile.
“Now that’s the truth.”
We both laugh as we make our way home.
The front door was open and so we just walk in. Somehow the whole house was crowded.
Where the hell did all these people come from?
It’s like the whole of Lyon is here.
Okay, I’m exaggerating but still.
“Oh honey-pie, there you are!” aunt Fel came rushing towards me with a sweet smile she always has. “You will not believe this!”
Okay?
Why is she so excited?
“What happened? Why are there so many people here?” I ask. Her eyes continue to gleam but she doesn’t say anything.
I have a strong urge to sigh but I don’t.
“Mom, why are you breaking the news to her? That’s my duty.” Aunt Fel’s kidnapped son says from behind her.
Yup. I’m calling him kidnapped son from now on.
“Well if it isn’t the rude boy who ran away,” I say dryly with a blank expression.
He didn’t feel guilty. Instead, he laughed.
Fuck. My weakness.
Aunt Fel had somehow disappeared with Ninnon, leaving just me and Adrien alone in the hallway.
“You know it wasn’t my fault Mia.” He said as he took a couple of steps closer.
I remain silent.
No, I’m not being arrogant. I’m just speechless in happiness of seeing him!
“I even apologized. C’mon cut me slack will you?” He pleaded. I grinned at him and he sighed relieved.
“So what’s the occasion? And why is Aunt Fel so excited?” I ask eagerly.
“Well...” He drags driving me impatient.
“Oh for the love of God. Just spit it out already.” I exclaimed. He laughed at my impatience.
“The results of the Baccalaureate Examination is out.” Was all he said.
I guessed the rest.
Which was why heads popped into the hallway as they heard a loud squeal and a loud noise as I jumped on Adrien and he knocked his back on the cabinet.
“Oh my god! Adrien Congratulations!” I was practically screaming.
Who cares?
His arms went around me as he held me in place.
I was so excited that he had passed, that I didn’t feel the loud beating of my heart.
“Thank you, Mia.” He breathed out quietly which only I could hear, as he leaned and placed his forehead on mine.
We don’t really say anything. We kept quiet just staring at each other.
I’ve never been in such an intimate position with any guy before. It’s was so new to me I wasn’t even sure how to feel.
“Mia, listen... About what I wanted to say to you... It’s that I...” He paused and I don’t fail to see his flawless fair skin dusted a light pink.
Oh god...
Why is my chest hurting so much from beating?
Am I even breathing?
“Mia, I....”
“Adrien come here.”
Out of the blue uncle Cam came into view. He doesn’t even mind that we were standing so close. He grabbed Adrien’s hand and dragged him off.
“You have to meet people. They are here to congratulate you, buddy.” He said excitedly and Adrien looked back at me with an apologetic expression. I just shoo him off.
I’m glad uncle Cam had come barging in. I didn’t know if I could have managed the situation.
“Now that was interesting.”
Aunt Fel and Ninnon said in unison as they peeped from a corner.
What the fuck?
“Urgh! I can’t believe you two were eavesdropping. Aunt Fel you too?”
These two were unbelievable!
“What can I say? He was so impatient in meeting you as soon as he was back. I was curious.” She said with a teasing glint in her eyes.
I groan and earned their laughter. Aunt Felicity really is something.
I run-up to my room to get changed. Wearing butt shorts and a strappy blouse isn’t really proper to greet people now is it?
Throwing on a knee-length dress and combing my hair to a messy bun I run back down.
Adrien’s parents ended up throwing a party to commemorate Adrien’s achievement. It went on till late at night and even after that some relatives and friends stayed back.
I never got an opportunity to be with Adrien alone and thus the day ended with me falling asleep even without knowing what it was that Adrien wanted to tell me.
CHAPTER THIRTY
It was just like any other ordinary day at school. The only difference was the seniors openly mingled with the rest of us.
They didn’t have any restrictions anymore. No exams to prepare for. No books to cram into.
They had all passed the Baccalaureate Examination and were now free to stroll around the school.
I stand by the side with Ninnon and Ethan. Pierre had somehow been kidnapped by some seniors. Ninnon grumbled that he brought in too much attention.
Was she jealous now?
Let’s keep quiet about it unless we want to be strangled to death.
We had no classes today. And so not a single student remained in class.
I find the Student council members surrounded by a group of kids. Everyone wanted to talk to them. Just looking at girls crawling their perfectly manicured nails up and down Adrien’s arm made me pissed off.
What’s with him? Can’t he flick their hands away?
“Your jealousy is shown very clearly on your face Amelia,” Ninnon said teasingly.
“Oh shut up.”
She chuckled and even Ethan joined in making me fume even more.
Adrien’s eyes wandered about and then landed on me.He waved and well, I waved back. He gave me a dead gorgeous smile which earned me hateful glares from the girls nearby.
I stared at him blankly and he returned a confused look.
If I end up dead it’s his fault!
“My, aren’t yo
u two close enough to share eye contact.”
If Ninnon was just an ordinary girl I would have kicked her ass.
“Stop teasing her Ninnon.” Ethan came to my aid but the smile he had didn’t waver. He so thought this was funny as well.
“How come I’m being ignored?” I heard Adrien’s voice close.
How come he was so close when he was standing so far? I turn around almost crashing into his chest. I quickly staggered back.
“Woah there.” He grabbed hold of my arm and supported my footing. President Evan and his girlfriend Esmee were beside Adrien.
Too bad they were leaving school. I’ll miss these two tons.
Throughout the time I’ve been here, we somehow connected and formed a good friendship. I heard from a couple of Adrien fans that Evan and Esmee were planning on entering the same college as Adrien. They had enough scores to enter into different sections of the same college.
Amazing huh? Together since junior high. Their relationship was really strong.
I kind of felt a pang of an ugly feeling when I heard Esmee and Adrien were going to spend another 4 years together.
I wonder what that feeling was?
Oh well. Nothing I can do.
It made Adrien ecstatic to know his best friends were going to be with him.
“Why do you keep blanking out?”
A hand waved in front of my face making me blink twice and my vision cleared.
Oh.
“I’m not blanking out. Stop waving your hand so close. You’re going to prick my eyes.”
Adrien rolled his eyes as he dropped his hand to his side.
“Ameliaaaaaa....”
For god sake. This guy should seriously stop dragging my name!
Pierre came rushing towards us like a bull. When he saw the Student Council members he comes to a halt.
“Oh. We’ve got company.” He said in this weird serious tone. Ninnon, Ethan and I slapped his head and he backed off.
I took a moment to look at the circle of friends around me. Amazing how I, a new girl who had no one at the beginning was surrounded by amazing people now.
I only wish we could all be this way forever.
Perhaps I’m being greedy.
While Ninnon and Pierre were bickering with an annoyed Ethan in-between, and Evan and Esmee enjoying themselves with the show, Adrien slides towards me and whispered so only I could hear.
“Once this stupid party is over and Cam is done with his goodbye speech, meet me at the usual spot.”
My ears tingled where his breath had touched.
I knew the usual spot. Our spot.
Soon the three of them were called by a couple of other seniors and so they left. I pried Ninnon and Pierre apart and the four of us made way to the gymnasium where the graduation sort of ceremony was to take place.
As we entered the gymnasium, I find Florence waving madly at us. She’d saved us seats. We quickly made our way and I plopped myself on the seat next to her. Within a couple of minutes, Evan got on stage and the ceremony began with a speech by him, the Student Council President.
It was emotional. His speech really shook teachers and students. Some seniors were close to tears. I could never imagine the kids at my old high school back in Miami crying at graduation.
It was sad though. I’m sure Evan and the other two members of the Council would miss school the most. They had been involved with every single activity and every single student.
As Evan continued speaking, it strongly hit me that I would never see Adrien in school again.
The delinquent Vice Prez with his stylish way of wearing the uniform, and his twisted personality earning him the ‘bad-boy’ title.
It made me really sad.
As Evan was done, Uncle Cam was next. As the school Principal he had to bid his precious students goodbye. I still remember how he had wept like a child when he had been writing his speech.
Just the thought makes me mad. Aunt Fel had to hit him with the Frying spoon she had been holding at the time.
The ceremony went on and on and finally, it was done. Everyone got off their seats and left the gymnasium. I see a movement from the corner of my eye.
Adrien was standing in my view. He tilted his head to the direction of the place we were to meet. I give him a nod and excused myself from my friends.
Ninnon gave me a wink. She knew it was finally time.
The moment where Adrien revealed to me what he had been struggling to say me all this time.
CHAPTER THIRTY- ONE
Once we reached the isolated stairway aka our hideout, Adrien stopped to stare at the place, a look of nostalgia running through his face. We hadn’t been able to come here for quite a while now. The stairs looked even rustier.
“So? What is it?” I ask breaking the silence.
Adrien looked at me with a strange determination in his eyes.
“Mia... I...” He struggled to put out whatever it is that he’s been trying to tell me for a long time.
“Seriously Adrien. Just tell me. Your fans would already have started looking for you.” I sighed
His gaze hardened.
“I don’t care.” He said carelessly.
I scoff.
“Well, I care! I mean have you ever seen those nails they possess? Claws I tell you. And I definitely don’t want them clawing my face.”
To this, he laughed.
This guy is unreal. How could he laugh at my horror-stricken face?
He took a seat on the dirty staircase not minding his uniform getting dirty. I followed him, sitting next to him.
“I’m going to miss this spot.” Adrien sighed as he trails a finger on the rusty rail of the steps.
“Mmm... Me too.” I say quietly. He stopped and looked at me. I realized that we were sitting so close.
“Will you now?” He asked. I give him a strong nod.
This spot had been a getaway to me who had not fit in with this school at the beginning. Just thinking about the time when all I wanted to do was hide, it made me appreciate Adrien more. He had always been by a corner, ready to stretch his hand to me.
I couldn’t stop admiring him.
He truly was my savior.
“What?” He asked. His eyes search mine trying to figure out what it was that I was thinking.
“Thank you,” I say grabbing hold of his hand and holding them firmly. He raised a brow confused.
“For always being there for me. Yes, you were a complete douche at the beginning,” to this he scowled, “but no matter how much you hated me you never abandoned me. For that, thank you.”
He took his hand off my hold and gripped mine tight.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t the best person you could turn to when troubled.”
I shook my head in disapproval. He had somehow always been there to help me.
“From now on, I’ll be the first to be by your side if anything happens.” He stops suddenly, “no, let me rephrase that. I’m never going to let anything happen to you.” He said strongly.
I don’t know why. But at that very moment, I knew I could trust Adrien more than anyone. A strong feeling of belonging and warmth entered my heart.
“Mia...”
“Yes?”
“I like you.”
My heart literally stopped. My throat felt dry. And my stomach squeezed in.
“I like you, Mia.” He repeated. “No, it’s more than just like. I Love you.”
How can one confess so easily?
Is he confessing to me?
What am I to do?
Fuck, my head’s spinning.
“Say something.” He pleaded. For the first time, Adrien looked afraid.
Because of my reply, Adrien looked frightened.
“Since... When?” It hurt to even talk somehow. My throat was so dry.
“Ever since the time you helped me out. Back when I felt like I had no one to turn to, you hugged me saying everything was going to be alright. That’s when my heart stirr
ed for you.”
“I... I’m not Esmee.”
I regretted saying her name. I hated being kept in the same league as her. I could never be as close to her. Adrien deserved someone as pretty, well-obedient and sweet like Esmee.
So why was he here, saying to me that he likes me.
I don’t understand.
“Are... Are you doubting my love for you?” Adrien asks coming even closer.
“It’s just... This... This is so sudden. I- I don’t know what to say” I can’t believe I’m stammering so much.
“I don’t know myself.” He grunted as he turned straight leaning in front, resting his arms on his knees, feet apart.
“I’ve thought so many times. Maybe this is just an infatuation. I try to somehow hate you. Get mad at you. I’ve tried ignoring you!” He sighed exasperated. “But no matter what, I’ve never been able to stop this ridiculous beating inside my chest whenever I confronted you. This crazy smile I always have when I look at you from afar. The anger that wells up inside of me when you talk closely with a guy.” He looked at me with sad eyes, “the sadness I feel when I think I can’t be the one who earns your love.”
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I’ve been confessed to many times in the US. But none made me feel so overwhelmed. Feel as if my tear ducts were gonna blast anytime.
“Mia look at me,” Adrien sat up and turned to look at me straight. “I’ve never felt this way with anyone. What I had for Esmee is a crush compared to what I feel towards you, Mia. I’m very sure I’m in love with you.” He looked so embarrassed blurting it out.
I remain speechless unable to give a reply.
I like Adrien. A lot.
So why am I being this way?
I felt afraid.
Why?
One day I have to return home back in US. I couldn’t bear to leave Adrien back in France if we end up in a relationship.
It’s best to hide my feelings and turn him down.
But the thought of saying no was eating me up. It was like there was something stuck in my throat. I couldn’t say anything.
“Are you afraid to like me back because you will have to leave the country once high school is done?” Adrien asked like he had just read my mind.
Where I Belong Page 24
