Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Amelia's p.o.v;

At the college,

How will I learn about the argument between Andrew's parents and mine? Even now, I'm not sure where to begin. There are a tonne of locations to start, a wide variety of individuals with whom to start, and a tonne of things to look for. Without ever knowing the reason why they fought, how am I supposed to start my search? I believe the storage room would be a good place to start my quest. To find out what actually transpired back then, I believe I will need to go into their past.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?" asked Hannah as she gave me a headbutt.

"Nothing. Just some random thoughts."

"I heard Andrew broke up. I don't know why but I feel happy."

"Why is that? Did you also like him secretly?"

"Not in that sense; I was pleased to see your rival's wounded heart. Aren't you happy as well?"

"Let me tell you this, Andrew was no longer my opponent because my brother and his sister are in love and are getting married in the future. So we're not in the warzone anymore. Did you comprehend?

She displayed amazement in her face.

"I realise it's a lot for you to take in, but it's the truth," I continued.

"His sister and your brother are dating. So that means You're going to be related to him."

"Yeah."

"But his parents are competitors with your parents. How did you all of a sudden become related?"

"Did you know that the phrase "enemies to lovers" exists? In that case, we will be related."

"That phrase referred to lovers. How did that phrase function within families? So you also helped arrange the wedding? Your brother, though, is still a student. How are you going to convince him to get married now?"

"At this time, marriage comes after completing studies. It's been decided."

"Does that mean Andrew is no longer our opponent?"

"Who is to say we can't? In our music club and against the academy, we can still compete with him."

Hannah poked my head and inquired, "Is my friend Amelia still inside? Who is this woman I was speaking with?"

"Stop talking gibberish."

Teacher arrived.

I was grinning to myself as she left and removed her notebook as I was still thinking about what I had said to her. I ought to have gone to the house sooner to look for it.

In the music club,

"What a shock! For the practise, you arrived early." Jacob, a senior, remarked as I walked into the music club.

"Sorry senior, I came here to ask for an excuse since I hadn't yet been here to practise. Tomorrow, I'll arrive early and work out in the club."

"However, they requested that we perform tomorrow."

"Really? Today or tomorrow?"

"What place are you going? Is it critical?"

"Yes, I need to get somewhere right away."

"I'm good, go. Is it alright if we practise tomorrow but you can't go to any morning classes?"

"Yes, I'm completely fine with it."

"You're free to go now."

"Senior, thank you so much."

I quickly left the music club and made my way to the college's front entrance.

I rode in a cab to my house.

Oh my goodness, I was first. I entered the house and then locked it behind me.

I entered my parents' rooms and began quietly going through each cabinet. I was concerned about tampering with the materials we had so much of, but surely I wouldn't be the one to do it?

I searched for a while before discovering the spare key in one of the cabinets' drawers. When I pulled out the key, I wondered, "What does this key open to?" I kept it in my pocket and kept looking around. I looked inside the cabinets and all of the drawers.

Despite the fact that I had no idea what I was looking for, there were no useful items for me. Nothing.

I checked the other rooms after locking the final cabinet that contained all the keys. Everything appeared to be in order and in place. I came to the storage room in order to look for this item. Everything from my parents is thrown in this. I'm so certain that something must be within.

The lights went out as I was looking, and a few items tumbled to the ground. While scooping them up, I had the thought, "Fu*k," wondering why the lights had suddenly gone out as I could hear footsteps coming.

Who might it be? Did my parents come back home?

"What are you doing?" He questioned Ash when I saw him standing in front of me. "Are you okay?" He remarked, "This place looks dark. What happened to the lights?"

I replied as I emerged from the storage area "I recall keeping a guitar cover in this area, but I couldn't find it. The lights abruptly went out, making it challenging to find it."

"Can I help you with it?"

I questioned him, "It's fine. Did mum and dad tell you when they will return?" as I was making my way upstairs.

"Tomorrow."

I still have today, then. Okay. Tomorrow, let's examine the storage space once more.

Senior Jacob invited me to play a song tomorrow at some occasion. How did I get caught up in all of this? Should I inform him that I am unable to play the song? No, he said that one of the judges personally contacted him to invite me. They will also have negative opinions of the senior Jacob if I refuse the offer. I cannot allow him to experience that. Okay, I'll quickly finish my song and head back home to look in the storage. There isn't anything more I can do but this.

I requested senior Jacob to transmit the music I would be singing at the event when I phoned him. I began practising the song when he sent the notes.

"I haven't heard you play guitar in weeks." Andrew said after hearing me play.

"I'm rehearsing for the song Senior Jacob asked me to sing at an event."

"Has your hand fully recovered?"

"Yes, but occasionally I feel numb."

"You wear the splint for a month, is that correct? That is why you are feeling numb. Your elbow and forearm should be compressed with ice cold water."

"I have no idea how to accomplish it."

"I'll do it for you then."

I questioned him as he attempted to exit via my door, "What are you doing?"

"Your parents aren't at home, right?"

"My brother is still here, though."

"I'll move quickly so he won't see me,"

I eventually heard the door creak and the words "you really came swiftly."

"What?" I saw Ash when I looked up.

"Nothing."

He sat next to me and inquired, "What do you have to say? Why would you want to stain your hand in this way? You should get more sleep."

"It's so cold that my fingers are going to freeze," Andrew said to me while entering the room where me and my brother were.

He saw Ash beside me and came to a stop at the door.

Ash questioned Andrew, "You're still visiting her through the window," as he turned to face us both.

"Yes", Andrew replied as he set the water down next to me.

"What is that?"

"The water is chilly. She can play the guitar easily if we apply cold water compression to the hand, which will prevent it from going numb frequently."

I observed them both speaking intently.

"Okay, practise carefully," Ash said. Take care of her" he added, turning to face Andrew. then went.

Andrew started doing cold compressions to my hand as we both laughed.

"I'm grateful,"

"Don't thank me in this manner,"

"Then?"

"Thank you for playing the song so beautifully," I said.

"Okay."

He nodded along with the song's beats as I continued to practise. He nodded in a charming way, and I grinned at him.

I went downstairs to eat dinner after he left.

Ash asked me, "Did he leave?"

"Yes."

"Ask him to stop visiting your room any longer."

"Why?"

"Don't you understand the cause?"

"I fail to comprehend, brother. You were the one who initially wanted me to get along with him, but now that we're getting closer, you're against it. I don't get it."

"Because you have a thing on him and he recently broke up with someone. Do you anticipate a successful conclusion? What are you expecting from this? What if you two step over it and something bad occurs?"

"I stopped liking him after I found out he's dating a girl. Right now, I don't feel anything for him. For the time being, I'm simply his friend. Just a friend. Brother, we are just buddies and that is all we have between us. You should not worry that I will take advantage of the circumstance to have a sexual encounter with him." My eyes started to tear up as I finished.

I got up from the meal, went to my room, and sobbed uncontrollably.

Ash came running after me and gave me a hug, I returned the favour while sobbing in his arms "Brother, I don't steal boyfriends. I don't steal the man from another girl. To me, Andrew is merely a friend. Look at my phone if you're still unsure, I've deleted every recording I've made of him playing the cello since I bought the phone. I no longer consider him to be my secret crush. He is a friend to me just as I am to him. I merely desired to be by his side and a good friend to him."

Ash, "I made a mistake by seeing it in the wrong way."

The following day,

Why did Jacob, a senior, invite me to visit Ash's university today?

Since the area seemed unfamiliar to me, I took a look about. I'm clueless on what to do and where to go. Have I arrived at the correct address? I double-checked the address and saw that it was only mentioned here.

"Amelia."

I'm being called by someone. It was Mike, your brother's basketball team friend, he replied as I was pondering the person's name.

"How are you doing, by the way?"

"Good. How are you doing?

"Doing fantastic."

"Um, what are you doing here?

"I came for the occasion, I guess."

"Oh, I see, in the theatre. You know they already got going on it, right?"

"I got lost while trying to find the location."

"Being lost at this university is rather common because of its size. Follow me here. Let me drive you there."

I nodded and went after him.

"I had no idea you could play the guitar."

"I just got started with it."

"Really? So why did they ask you to perform for them?"

"I took part in the event just once. My playing was liked by one of the judges who attended the competition. I was asked by her to participate in the event."

"Oh, I assume you must have impressed her."

I followed him as he walked by shrugging my shoulders.

He told me to enter the auditorium because that was where the event was taking place when we arrived.

"I appreciate your helping me,"

"Not a problem."

I questioned him when he attempted to enter, "Aren't you coming in?"

"I avoid events. Not my domain." and made a forward movement.

"I'd appreciate it if you gave my music a listen."

"What did you say?" he asked as he halted his stride and turned to face me.

"I'd appreciate it if you gave my music a listen. That's what I said."

"Why is that, then?"

I gave a shoulder shrug and turned to face him.

"Thank you for inviting me" he grinned and added, "But I have to be somewhere right now." He nodded at me.

I yelled, "I'll be performing at the end of the event, I would be glad if you turn up!," as he was walking away.

I walked in and into the auditorium. Jacob, a senior, was there among the audience.

"Senior!"

He gave me the go-to signal. When I approached him, he remarked, " Where did you go? I was looking for you everywhere. You claimed to have arrived just ten minutes ago. What were you doing?"

"On the campus, I was lost. The search area was very large. I was driven here by a friend of my brother's. Otherwise I wouldn't make it here."

"All right, go backstage and rehearse the song."

"Did you not state that I would play the song at the conclusion of the event? Why should I practice now?"

"Yes, but practise it once more. You must avoid making a mistake."

"What if I messed up?"

"Ms. Harris was one of this university's chairs when she invited us here."

"You've got to be joking, right?"

"It's accurate, which is why I'm requesting that you rehearse."

"After hearing it, I'm immediately feeling uneasy."

Senior Jacob quickly hugged me and exclaimed, "You got this. And, stop asking questions. Go backstage." and pushed me off stage.

With others who were preparing to perform after me, I returned backstage and watched the action from behind the screen.

Many attractive men attend this college. Because of Andrew, I now regret enrolling in my institution. Every man in this university is taller than the man in my university and handsome too. Girls also appear cute. Is this the motivation for my brother's desire to attend this college? Hahaha. Apologies, brother.

I finally got to play the song after a number of things happened.

When my turn came up, I nervously walked on to the stage, gave a little introduction, and slung my guitar around my neck to start the song. I looked around to see whether Mike was present before giving the music my OK. I was staring when I noticed someone waving their hand. Mike here. I grinned to myself as I put the song on. I usually sing the song while focusing on the folks up front, but I turned to look at him as I was singing. I don't know why I did that. He was bobbing his head to my beats, giving the impression that he was enjoying it. It looked cute. Seeing a 170cm guy nodding cutely to the beats of my song, it made me smile while singing.

After the song finished, I said once I had completed singing, "I appreciate you giving me this chance, Ms. Harris. I'm happy to be in your presence and sing a song for you. I'd like to thank everyone for listening to my music. Thank you."

I left the podium and went to senior Jacob. He stated, "You performed admirably. It was excellent."

"Thank you, senior."

I went out of the auditorium with the seniors like everyone else did. I noticed Mike making his way my way through the crowd. He suddenly appeared behind me, which alarmed me.

"I liked your voice" Mike said in a low voice which gave me goosebumps.

I discovered that I was getting closer to him as I turned to face him when there was a crowd trying to get out of the podium.

He extended his arms and shielded me as someone bumped into me, assisting me in leaving the theatre.

Jacob, a senior, stepped out after us "Ok, can you go from here and go to your place? Should I call a cab for you instead?"

"Thank you for asking but I can leave by myself, senior."

I searched the area after senior Jacob departed but was unable to locate Mike. What happened to him? Where did he go? Wasn't he walking after me while exiting the auditorium?

"Are you trying to find me?" Mike suddenly materialised.

"No."

I made a move to leave the auditorium.

"When you thanked me for seeing your performance in front of the entire institution, I was taken aback."

"What? Did you miss what I just said? I said, 'Finally, I'd like to thank everyone for listening to my song' in case you didn't hear me correctly. I made notice of everyone. I clearly remember not saying your name."

"I'll think what I want, and you can think whatever you want." and he gave me a smile.

"Your wish."

"Are you now leaving for your home?"

I nodded at him.

"Wait as I dial your brother's number."

"No!"

"You scared me," he said.

"Sorry, but I can travel alone. I want to avoid bothering him."

"Okay then, I'll accompany you to the entrance then."

I gave a little nod at him.

After a while, Mike said, "Do you go to universities to sing songs like this?"

"Nah, this is my first time singing other than my university."

"Really? But you didn't seem like you were an amateur. That was clearly professional."

"FYI. You don't have to compliment me just because you liked me."

"I'm not. I'm telling the truth. Believe if you want to."

"Wow."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. I like the way you speak."

"Only the way I speak?"

"Why do I feel like you are flirting with me?"

"It's you who started it first. I didn't."

"Fine. I'll just stop it then."

He stood in front of me suddenly and looked at me.

"What is it?"

"I heard what happened through Ash."

"What did he say?"

"The guy you liked having a girlfriend."

"So? What do you expect me to do? Should I chase after you since the guy I like now likes someone else?"

"I know you don't mean it. You're just saying because you don't want others to see you as weak."

I moved closer to him and said, "Don't act like you know me well. You don't know about me. You're just blurting out nonsense."

Suddenly, he held my hand and said, "You don't have to act strong in front of me. You can just be yourself when you're with me. I can be there for you if you want me to."

I snapped his hand off and said, "F*ck off!"

When I tried to leave, he said, "Why did you look at me out of all the people in the auditorium? How did I get your attention?"

"I got hurt a lot recently. The guy I have liked since childhood has a girlfriend. And, I didn't know that. My brother hid his love from me for six years. I got into a fight with my parents. I don't know why I'm saying this to you too."

Suddenly, he hugged me which left me in a shock.

He said while hugging me, "I lost you once. I'm not ready to lose you twice."

I broke the hug and said, "I-I need to go." And walked out of the college while feeling the heartbeat placing my hand on my chest. What the f*ck was that?