Where I Belong

by Stella Andrew

  And so I blush so stupidly.

  I hear Pierre’s yells and looking down I find him waving in all directions. I stifle a laugh as I wave back at the goofball.

  Ethan looks uncomfortable while Ninnon stands neutral.

  I’ve got amazing friends with different personalities.

  “The next game which is also the final one since we are almost out of time is the ‘Blindfold quest’, in which the boyfriends are blindfolded and have to touch each girl’s hand and guess which hand belongs to his girl.”

  Wow... This was going to be one tough game.

  Two guys come in front to tie the eyes of the boyfriends. Before Adrien was taken aside he gave my hand a squeeze assuring me that he’ll get me and walked aside to get blindfolded.

  The girls and I stand to the side in a row.

  The crowd was asked to keep quiet and not cheer for the guys as it could give them a hint on who’s the girlfriend.

  And so the game began.

  The guy named Eric was first. The three remaining girls were asked to stretch their hands out. In addition, two college girls joined in just to confuse the guys even more. Eric started touching each girl’s hand. He grabbed his girlfriend’s and she grinned but then he let go and touched the next one and said she’s the one.

  Even before he took off the blind, his girlfriend yanked it off and started shouting at him in French. The crowd laughed as the couple gets off stage.

  Next, it was the guy named Raymond. A boy with a face full of freckles but a cute dimple when he smiles.

  I was sure he was the kind who was so in love with his girl that he would guess her hand right away.

  Only, when he starts touching did I realize he was a douche. He went beyond the limit of the palm. Up the arm and he did squeezing as well.

  I looked at his girlfriend and her facial expression wasn’t that pleasing. When he was about to grab my hand, he was pulled back by the hood of his hoodie.

  “Don’t even think about it bastard,” Adrien growled as he lets go of the guy.

  Everyone was silent. Raymond took his blind off at ones and acted as if he had done nothing wrong.

  I know Adrien so well that just him gripping his fists made me move in front and touch them. He was about to punch the guy.

  There was a bit of a commotion but then the girl of Raymond apologized and dragged the dude away.

  Geek boy tried to smoothen the mood and get back to the game.

  Adrien wanted to leave at once but since we came all the way, I begged him to keep playing.

  “Wait how did you know he was going to touch me? Weren’t you blindfolded?” I ask confused. He gives me a shrug.

  “I don’t know. I had this bad feeling and took the blind off in time to see what the ass was doing.”

  Damn.

  He is superhuman.

  “Next can we have Adrien Valentin?” Geek boy called out and grumbling Adrien went back to put on the blind.

  Since there’s only me left with two other girls who had just jumped in. Two more were asked from the crowd to come up. They were more than happy to get on stage, just so they could get Adrien to touch their hands.

  No point rolling my eyes and wasting my strength on them.

  “Begin!”

  Adrien comes up and does nothing. I’m standing second in line.

  He doesn’t touch the first girl’s hand, who happened to be one of the excited girls from the crowd. She frowned and was about to ask him what’s wrong.

  He then sighed aloud and touched her hand. But for a mere second. He quickly let’s go and she scowled.

  He then moved to the next girl; Me.

  “Why the fuck should I touch these girls’ hands?” He grumbled under his breath.

  I stifle a giggle. He is being so cute right now.

  He then reached out and touched mine.

  And to the surprise of everyone, he doesn’t just move to the next but grabs hold of my hand tight and pulled me to him. I bang on his hard abs chest and at the same moment he planted a soft kiss on the crown of my head with a smile.

  “She’s my girl.”

  The crowd went completely mad. The announcer kept mumbling on and on. Pierre and even Ethan applauded.

  “Would you believe it!? Not only did he guess right, he confidently pulled her to him without a second thought!”

  Adrien took the blind off and grinned at me.

  “Told you I’ll get you.”

  “That... That was just luck.” I tried to stay calm.

  Fuck, I have an army of butterflies on war inside me.

  Adrien scoffed and rolled his eyes.

  “Luck? Please, Mia. Your hands are the only ones I’ve held a million times. I’ve never even held my mom’s that much. And you think it was luck? I’ll know your hands no matter how many girls stand in line.” He said so openly in front of such a huge crowd.

  There were hooting and whistles that’s passed.

  The geek boy had been waiting for something juicy so he could jabber away whatever he wants.

  “Is that a second confession we hear?” He screamed into the microphone and there were awww’s and cheers.

  Adrien got annoyed and grabbed the microphone.

  “It’s all your fault I’m in this embarrassing mess Pierre. I’m going to kill you!” He threw the mic aside and was about to leave with me when the announcer said that we’ve won an all-out ticket for free desserts at a famous pastry shop.

  At the mention of dessert, I look at Pierre and yep, he’s grinning and gleaming so much I laugh.

  Adrien grabbed the tickets and we walked down the stage. Adrien dumped the tickets in Pierre’s hand and pulled me away from the crowd.

  “Take that emo chic who throws shoes and go enjoy yourself, idiot.” He turned back and shouts at Pierre.

  Like an obedient child, Pierre nodded happily. Even Adrien chuckled at his childish behavior.

  Before we were completely away from the crowd we heard Evan saying to Esmee,

  “Those two are such a perfect couple, they would definitely surprise us all ten years from now with a child.” Esmee chuckled to that while I noticed Adrien’s ears turning red.

  Adrien doesn’t stop walking until we were out of the college entrance and seated on a bus.

  “Why the rush? I didn’t even get to sightsee.” I said pouting.

  He squeezes my lips making me look like a duck.

  “Another time when there are fewer kids. It’s embarrassing when they keep going ‘Bad boy this and bad boy that’.”

  Oh... That’s a valid reason.

  “So where are we going?” I ask

  “Home.”

  “But why home? We could go back to the school festival. There’s no one home.” I say.

  Adrien turned sideways and gave this sneaky grin I’ve never seen him have.

  “I know.” He said in this quiet husky voice making my heart thump.

  Just what is he planning?

  CHAPTER THIRTY- SIX

  Months passed and we were finally heading towards our Baccalaureate examination.

  I can’t believe time flew by so fast and now it was nearly the end of the year. Everything that had happened throughout the year had been in the best for me.

  Adrien’s confession had been the best among the best. And to top it off with a cherry was what had happened on my eighteenth birthday.

  Just thinking back to it makes me blush.

  I had been so happy to wake up in the morning and thought of all the fun things I could do with my friends and most importantly Adrien. But then everyone had apologized so much for having other stuff in their schedule.

  Ninnon had to fly to Paris with her parents. Pierre had a soccer match he had bought tickets to. Ethan was flying to America to check colleges since he has decided to enter a college in the states. Evan and Esmee had a family outing and well Adrien was off to see his aunt who somehow miraculously appeared from nowhere and demanded to see him.

  Even A
unt Fel, Uncle Tim and Uncle Cam had different programs!

  I was all alone.

  Yes, they apologized. Yes, my parents and friends from Miami all called and wished me.

  But nothing beats the fact that I was to be all alone on my big day.

  And it was my eighteenth birthday!

  I was walking into adulthood. And I had no one beside me.

  I had a small I date with Florence who felt sorry for me and then I headed back home early to call it a night. No one was home but when I had gotten closer, I could see the flicker of lights inside.

  I quietly crept to the door and find it open.

  Fuck I had been so terrified when a hand grabbed me and pulled me. I was about to scream “rapist” when a hand covered my mouth.

  Warm breath fanned my neck as a head came in closer.

  I remember it so well. The figure lead me to the living room and before we entered it a voice whispered into my ears making it tingle and goosebumps filled me up.

  “Happy Birthday Mia.”

  Was I to cry that it was Adrien behind me or the fact that the living room was filled with mini candles and rose petals spread all over the place, with a cake set on the table.

  I cried anyway.

  I wept for a long time.

  Adrien came to the front and hugged me tightly. So tight that I could feel the racing of his heart.

  “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I said repeatedly with tears in my eyes until he bends down and takes my lips with his.

  A soft, gentle yet a kiss so powerful was shared between us.

  He then let go and I saw his handsome face as he smiled down at me.

  “You really thought I’d pick an aunt over you?” He asked teasingly. I whack him on the chest and he laughed making the goosebumps enter my body once more.

  We had cut the cake, watched a movie, had dinner, a bit more of kissing on the couch and then decided to head to bed.

  I had bid Adrien goodnight and walked into my room, but before I shut the door he stopped with his hand and came into the room as well.

  He kept gazing at me with so much love in his eyes. He had captured my lips once more. It wasn’t gentle. It was hungrier like he was ravenous. I synced my movement with his.

  Adrien pushed me to the wall as he deepened the kiss. His kiss had gotten more demanding. I could feel his tongue as he asked for permission to get inside. And I, of course, granted it without a second thought.

  It was a sloppy kiss since it was the first time since we started dating that we were kissing in such a way. But it was very warm and passionate.

  I reached my arms out and entangled it around his neck closing in our distance.

  Adrien moved his lips down my neck, leaving soft kisses. He reached my collarbone.

  Warmth radiated from the spot where his lips had touched and it slowly enveloped me.

  Adrien stopped before he got further.

  He looked at me with desire in his eyes. But I would never miss the love that was blended in as well.

  He cupped my face in his hand as he kept staring into my eyes.

  “I want to make you mine Mia. Heart and Body.”

  He didn’t need to ask for access. He should already know that I was his and his alone. This was Adrien. He always placed me even before his desires and wishes.

  I placed a hand on top of Adrien’s and gave him the gentlest smile I could muster.

  “I no one I would give my heart and Body to but you Adrien. I am and will always be yours alone.”

  And so clothes flew in every direction as we bonded as one.

  Our love grew stronger as I gave myself up to Adrien that day.

  The next day I came to know that my friends and even Adrien’s family had all been in the setup where Adrien and I were given space to be alone to spend my birthday together.

  Only Ninnon know until now of what actually happened.

  When I’m done reminiscing my birthday, I cover my face to stop myself from being seen by someone since I was pretty sure my face was red.

  “How many times are you going to keep thinking back to what happened?”

  I find Ninnon in front of me holding books in her hand.

  “Sorry. I can’t help it.” I say with a shy smile. She shook her head but smiled at me nevertheless.

  “Whatcha talking girls?” Pierre popped up. He slipped towards us and Ninnon rolled her eyes as usual and turned away to walk to the council room.

  Pierre stopped beside me and gazed at her. A touch of fairy pink dusted all over his cheeks.

  I knew this expression so well.

  Over the course of the year, Pierre had somehow started to grow a crush on Ninnon.

  “You’re drooling bud,” I whispered and he quickly wiped his mouth with his sleeve. There was nothing there. I just wanted to tease him.

  “Ameliaaaaa... Stop teasing me all the time” he whined.

  Only Ethan and I apart from Adrien know about his cute crush. I’ve been pushing him forward to confess but since he always made her mad he was scared to confess and get rejected.

  The thing he hadn’t realized was that Ninnon only bothered to get mad was when it came to him.

  Oh well, let the guy figure it out.

  I bounce off and walk with Ninnon leaving behind Pierre.

  “Are you coming or do I have to drag you along?” Ninnon just as I had expected said to Pierre. He gleamed and came rushing towards us.

  This boy is so adorable.

  Since the examination was closing in, we were relieved of our council duties. Now we just had to concentrate on our studies and of course, decide who is going to be the council members.

  I voted Shyne as President and to my surprise, everyone agreed.

  He somehow ended up being an outstanding student. He gave up his girl fetish and was more into sports now.

  Ninnon dropped the books on the table in the council room and left the room with Pierre tagging along behind her. I take a moment to look at the room which had been a homely space in my final year of school. With one final touch on the table, I turned around to leave the room and join my friends. I shut the doors and I find Ethan there waiting to walk to class with the three of us.

  And so we head to class, putting behind us the responsibilities of the Student Council.

  CHAPTER THIRTY- SEVEN

  As I got on stage for the final time, I heard the students below and teachers who were seated to the side give applauds. My only wish before I started my speech was to finish it without crying out.

  “Hello everyone. So I know I’m not the president. I can clearly see the disappointment in many girl’s faces. But when Ethan was asked to give the speech he somehow walked up to me and said “since you pushed the president title to me, I am pushing the speech to you Amelia”, and so here I am.” I stop to chuckle and the students’ chuckled as well.

  “To be honest I don’t really know what to say. I woke this morning and got dressed as usual and headed to school. My aunt didn’t say a thing at the breakfast table. My boyfriend remained silent as well. It was when I entered school grounds that it knocked me hard, “oh, I’m graduating today”. It knocked me so hard that I took a moment in the washroom to get myself together.” I paused to take a breath.

  I take a few seconds to look at the kids seated in the gymnasium. All eyes staring at me, their Vice President expectantly to deliver a good speech. The seniors looked excited and at the same time sad for they were about to part ways with the school. Pierre, Ninnon, Ethan, And the rest of my class were seated together. They all had smiles on their faces as their gaze met mine. And so I continue.

  “As many of you are aware, I came to this school as a transfer student from America. I hadn’t been in the best shape. I came to Harriet high only to satisfy my dad. But coming here had been the best choice I had taken in my eighteen years. My life had completely changed. I met the most amazing people who till to date have supported and been with me all the way. I’m pretty sure many of you
had a life-changing experience in this school just like I did. Amazing teachers and the most wonderful Principal. We could never imagine such luxury in any other school.”

  I look behind me at uncle Cam who was seated. He gave me a watery smile.

  Goodness, this man is so sensitive. He truly was the best Principal we could ever wish for.

  “I don’t want to keep talking because, to be honest, I just want to get back to my friends and go around reminiscing good old memories. And so with a hearty congratulations to all seniors graduating and the best of luck to the students who will remain in school, I leave this stand. Once more, thank you to everyone who helped in making our school life memorable. Thank you for accepting me as your Vice President. Goodbye and farewell.”

  I quickly got off the podium and rushed to my friends. Ninnon had saved me a seat and so I drop myself on it and sigh aloud.

  Ninnon extended her hand to me in which she was holding a tissue. I wasn’t able to make my wish come true.

  Yeah. I’m crying.

  The senior guys in front of me who had been in the classroom next to ours, sat up straight to cover me from the view of the other kids who would be able to see me tearing.

  Thank you.

  Pierre seated beside me patted my back comfortingly. Uncle Cam had taken the stand and was talking.

  He’s amazing. No matter how much he was upset, he held a perfect expression.

  With that, the ceremony came to an end and one by one everyone started leaving.

  “Let’s go, Amelia.”

  I don’t know who said it, but I follow my friends.

  This was it. Finally, it all came to an end.

  Since it’s a free day, no students remained in class. It was my luck as I wanted to go back to the first classroom I had entered upon my transfer.

  I stand near the teacher’s table looking at the empty classroom. So much has happened since I first stood here.

  Friends. Fights. You name it.

  I shut my eyes to take a good breather and when I open them, I find Pierre seated at the exact spot he had been the first time he had waved at me.

  Ninnon sat beside the seat I had been assigned to back then. And Ethan sat at the back, his usual spot.