Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Amelia's p.o.v;

I was finally released from the hospital and returned home today. It seemed like nirvana as I was laying in my bed. No longer did I have to listen to that awful doctor's voice and advice, it felt good to be back at home. My mind wandered over the events of last week…

"You had only been gone from the house for a week." Ash commented on me after helping me to lay on my bed.

"Even though it's a week, I really missed this place." And attempted to roll over, but remembered my cast hand and pouted my lips.

"You're going to loathe it soon," he joked.

"Why do you say it that way?"

"Because you'll be at home for another two months."

"You're wrong. It's not two months. There is only one month left. The doctor indicated I may return to college in a month."

"Oh, you're serious? I think you didn't know it yet."

"About what?"

"Mom will inform you on her own. I don't want to ruin the surprise, so wait for it, sister. And, remember that you have a cast on your hand so be careful." And exited the room.

"Ash, what is it?"

I shouted while being on the bed but he didn't respond and left.

What was he on about? What kind of surprise was he talking about?

Mom eventually came in after some time Ash left my room.

"Mom?"

She sat beside the bed and started, "How's your hand? Do you feel pain anywhere, babes?"

I shook my head and said, "No, mom."

"Don't hesitate to call me when you feel pain, understand?"

"Yes, mom."

"I asked permission for a two months absence from your college so stay at home and take a rest, okay?" she added as she sat opposite me.

"What? Why did you do that?"

"Because I don't want you walking around with a cast on your arm and getting hit everywhere you go. Listen to me, once you're healed, you can go to college, you understand?"

"Yes, mother."

"I'll get you a lot of fun and intriguing stuff to keep you busy, okay? You will not be bored at all. I asked Dad to put a television in your room so you can watch movies while laying in bed, okay?"

"Yes, mother."

"And, if you need anything, call me," she continued as she returned my phone back to me and. "Don't stress yourself out by going around the house, okay? Call me, I'll be down there."

"Mom, I have a cast in my hand, not my leg, and I can walk."

"What if you run into something while walking around? It is safe to remain in your room, babes. So, please, stay in your room till your hand heals."

"Yes, mother."

I leaned back on the bed and gazed at the ceiling after mom left the room. I could hear her footsteps as she made her way down the stairs, and soon enough, she was outside, leaving the house and locking the door.

I'm already starting to feel lonely here. I never thought I'd be an outcast in my own house. What am I going to do with a cast on my hand for the next two months? It will take me weeks to even walk around without looking like a zombie, and it'll get better, but what if I never want to move from this place again? I mean, what happens when I go back to college after this is all over? Will it be different between me and Andrew?

In the evening,

"There's a collection of new movie CDs for you so you won't feel bored," Dad added as he set a television in my room. "I also link it to WiFi so you can watch movies online. Do you watch porns?"

"Dad!"

"Get better soon so we can go to the motorway where you nagged me," he joked as he sat near me.

"Really? But how did you decide to change your mind? You always mentioned that it was a risky sport to watch. What if there was an accident in the middle of the track, and what if we get injured... Dad, what happened to all of those words said to me?"

"How come you keep reminding me of those things? Aren't you relieved that I accepted?"

"That's why I'm perplexed as well. Is it due to my hand cast? Are you trying to make me happy, dad?"

"Yes, and I don't think not allowing you to go anywhere is going to keep you safe either," he ruffled my hair. "You're going to be nineteen soon. You're a grown-up now so I don't have to worry about you anymore. It's time to enjoy those things, therefore I promised myself I'd take you there once you're well."

"Thank you, dad," I said as I hugged him.

He stroked my back and whispered, "It's time to go to bed. You did take your tablets, right?"

"Yes, dad," I answered, nodding.

"All right, get some sleep. Have a beautiful dream, sweetheart," he kissed my forehead. And exited my room.

'I had no idea there were perks for the damaged hand,' I thought after he left. I guess I should have done this sooner. Hahaha.

I was trying to sleep but got distracted when I heard knocks on the window. I sat up straight and gazed out the window. It's Andrew calling. What is he doing here right now? I motioned for him to enter.

He burst into my room and approached me.

I asked him, "What exactly are you doing here?"

"I stopped by to visit you."

"Now?"

He sat down nearby and inquired, "How's your hand?"

I remembered the CPR as he was talking to me looking into my eyes. Why am I recalling it now? It's not the time to consider it, Amelia!

"Good."

"I'm feeling bad."

Huh? What is he feeling sorry about? Was it about the CPR? Sh*t! Stop thinking about the CPR already, Amelia!

"Why?"

"You broke your hand and got cast because of me. You wouldn't have been cast in the first place if you hadn't tried to save me. Thank you for coming to my aid."

"I should be the first to thank you. Ash stated that you carried me all the way to the street and asked for help. Thank you very much. Okay, Tell me about it. Everyone assumed you had travelled abroad with your parents, so why were you still at home? And why were you in an unconscious state?"

"Promise me you won't tell anyone about this."

"Such as with whom? No one knows that we talk to each other in the first place, who do you think I'll tell this to?"

"Why are you talking differently?"

"What?"

"You sound different."

Sh*t! Did I just let out my anger on him? No! What if he takes me wrong? What should I do now?

"Um… I'm sorry, I had a fight with my brother and I… just forgot it. What were you saying?"

Yes, I lied. I can't believe I lied to Andrew. Seems like I'm going to lie a lot from now.

"I did drugs."

For a brief while, my mind was blank. What exactly did he just say? Is Andrew a drug user? How come I didn't know this?

While I was still stunned after hearing that, he said, "It's not like I'm a junkie. My buddies and I were getting beverages for the party while I was at Gina's. We sampled the drinks after purchasing them. Someone snuck something into my drink. I returned home to change my attire for the party, but I passed out due to the narcotic in the beverages. My father covered it up by talking to the doctor with his power. You were harmed as a result of my error. If I had known about the drug, I would not have ingested it, would not have fainted, and would not have gotten you into trouble."

"I-It's fine. You're all right now. And I'm fine as well. No one has been injured."

"No one was harmed? How can you say that while having a cast on your hand? I'm sorry. Do you want my help?"

"And for what?"

"I can get the notes for the lessons you're going to miss. I can get the recordings of the practice session. I can do anything to help you."

"Doesn't it look strange?"

"Sure, it will. It will be embarrassing if I suddenly enter your class and ask for notes. Is there anything I can do to assist you?"

"I'm going to spend the next two months in bed. Mom delivers meals to my room. Dad has now installed a television in my room to keep me from getting bored. I don't believe I require anything else. Anyway, I appreciate your offer to assist me."

He nodded and attempted to flee.

As I watched him leave my room, a thought hit me. The concept that makes him come to my room every night, that makes us talk every night, that makes me meet him every night.

"Actually, you can assist me with something."

"What is it?" he questioned, turning around after stopping from jumping out.

"Please have a seat. It's going to be a lengthy one."

"Promise me you won't tell anyone," I said after he sat down.

He gave a nod.

After giving him the password, I showed him my computer and requested him to open it. I requested that he sign into an account.

"That's my page," I said after logging in to a user account for the application.

"What?" He asked, perplexed.

"I'm a writer. Under the pen name Wallflower, I create fantastical romance stories. I don't have many followers, but I prefer to write for my personal interest," I said, opening my author centre. "I've now completed four novels. I'm also currently working on 'The Monster and the Flower.' I need to finish this novel by the end of the month, but I don't think I can right now. I was about to put it on hiatus until you offered to help."

"What exactly is a hiatus? Sorry, I'm not a big reader, thus I'm not familiar with the term you described. What does it imply?"

"It's a notice that the author is not well, that the author is depressed, or that the author is struggling to accomplish work right now."

"Don't do it. I'll assist you."

"Really?"

"But I'm not sure how to write stories. What can I do to assist you?"

"I finished the story but did not edit it. You simply need to edit and upload it on my page. There isn't much to do. Furthermore, I will assist you in modifying it."

"Then it's settled," he said, nodding. "So, when should we get started?"

"We don't have to talk about it today. That is something we can do tomorrow."

"You appear cheerful while you're talking about work," he said with a smile. "Do you enjoy it that much?"

"Yes," I answered, nodding.

"All well, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

He stood up and walked out the window of my room.

Since childhood, my only passion has been chasing after Andrew, aside from that, I find satisfaction in writing. I can't believe I asked Andrew to help me with my work. I never told anyone about this, and even my brother is unaware of it.

I kept it hidden from everyone. This is the first time I've said this to someone... to the person I'm crushing on. I was relieved and pleased that at least one person was aware of it. I had no idea that person would be Andrew.

When I realised I'd be staying at home for another two months, the first thing that came to mind was, "Can't I see Andrew in music class?" I attended the class to see him, but I can't go to college to visit him. How am I going to get through the next two months? While I was thinking about it, Andrew came up to me and offered to help.

The deadline for the book I was working on was not this month. It still has time, but I lied and said it needed to be submitted by the end of the month because I don't want him to leave. I'd like him to remain a little longer. I wished I could see him every day. I wanted to sit next to him and chat with him. That's why I lied about the deadline's timing.

Even though he despises literature, I never expected him to agree to this. Yes, I know he despises books because his sister once gave him one for his thirteenth birthday. He received it in front of her, then threw it away as her sister departed. That's when I discovered Andrew despises books.

He despises everything except his study material, including comics, books and novels.

I was hesitant to ask him because he despises literature, but I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving my room.

I'm curious what's going through his head right now concerning the assistance I requested from him.

"Amelia!" I heard knocks on the door. Mom called out my name.

"Please come in."

"What is it, mom?" I said as soon as she walked in.

"What keeps you awake? After taking the pills, you should retire to bed. Otherwise, it will not operate."

"I'm not a kid to believe that, Mom."

She sat by the bed and said, "Can't sleep? Does your hand hurt?"

"No, but when I fall asleep, I get bumped on the bed with my injured hand."

She kept pillows on either side and said, "Now, you won't get bumped. Now go to sleep."

When she was about to leave the room, I called out to her and asked, "Mom, I don't want to stay at home."

"Go to bed." She left the room.

'Will he really come tomorrow and help me?' I wondered as I gazed at the neon stars on my ceiling.

I fell asleep unwittingly while thinking about Andrew.

I awoke in the middle of the night due to interrupted sleep. I generally roll over on the bed when sleeping, but I can't due to the cast. I have to be cautious, therefore I couldn't sleep well. The pillows didn't help though since I kicked it out of the bed during my sleep.

I closed my eyes again and tried to sleep, but I couldn't. I stood up, drank some water, and took a tour around my room.

I exited my room and headed down the passage to the basement. I heard giggling sounds behind the door of my brother's room as I passed by. Was he talking on the phone? When I tried to pass through the door, I heard more laughter, which made me wonder who was he talking to?

Whatever.

I went downstairs and opened the fridge to get something to eat. Thank goodness there was ice cream inside.

I pulled the ice cream out of the fridge and started eating it. Why does it taste so good? I realised why people prefer late-night nibbles.

I put the ice cream back in the refrigerator and shut the door.

I walked upstairs to my room. There was still laughter emanating from my brother's room. Is he talking to a girl? Was he madly in love?

Let's ask him tomorrow.

I came to my room and laid down on the bed but I couldn't sleep. Why couldn't I sleep?

While I was struggling to sleep, I heard a cello coming across from Andrew's room.

I stood up and walked to the window and opened the blinds to see Andrew. He was playing cello in his room. Was he awake for all this time? Didn't he sleep a bit? Why does he play cello in the middle of the night?

I placed the pillow on the window sill and sat on it to watch him playing the cello. I leaned on the window and saw him through it.

Suddenly, He abruptly stopped playing the cello when he recognised me and stopped playing the cello. He walked to the window and asked, "Aren't you sleeping?"

"I couldn't because of this." Said while pointing at the cast.

He had that guilty grimace on his face again.

"When are you going to stop making that expression? It's amusing to see it again and again."

"Why are you awake?" he asked, with a smile.

"I have an assignment to complete."

"Then instead of playing cello, you should work on it."

"I was tired, so I boosted my stamina by playing the cello."

He has a hilarious voice. This is the first time I'm having a proper conversation with him. I should have done this a long time ago. Why did I stay back and avoid speaking with him? I was a moron! He's practising cello to increase his stamina. That was something new I learned about him today. Actually, I've recently discovered a lot of fresh information about him.

It's as if I'm learning about it for the first time. He requested me to keep a secret today, which made me feel special.

"What are you grinning about?"

"Nothing."

"Can I play you a lullaby to get you to sleep?" he asked, smiling.

"Do you believe you can?"

"I'll give it my all."

I grinned and gave him a thumbs up.

He started playing some soft music, which put me at ease. My mind was wandering from time to time, but for the most part I enjoyed the song. When I dozed off while sitting on the window, he played the high note which woke me up.

"Sleep on the bed." He said.

I nodded at him and stood up and headed to my bed, where I lay down. He continued playing the music. I closed my eyes while listening to his music and went to sleep.