Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Amelia's p.o.v;

In the home,

I went straight to the storage room as soon as I got inside the house. I turned on the lights and began rummaging through each rack in search of anything connected to my parents. On the racks, there were a large number of boxes. The boxes contained trash and outdated appliances. Why don't they dispose of the unnecessary items? Why are these being stacked here? Since there were so many items and I wasn't sure what I was looking for, searching was challenging.

I knocked over several boxes when I stood up, and everything in the box dropped to the ground. Sh*t!

I knelt down and began collecting up the items I had dropped, and I discovered photos of my mother in a school uniform. I took them one at a time and saw those images. She placed her school pictures in these bins for what reason? Doesn't she need to store these things in a more secure location?

I came across a picture that confused me when I was choosing the images. My mom and that girl looked close in the photograph. I recognized the face of the girl who was with my mum. I retained the box from where it fell and took the picture with me while rearranging other items within.

I carried the photo out of the storage space and made my way to the living room.

"Amelia, when did you get back home?"

I hid the photograph behind me as soon as I heard Ace's voice.

"Few moments ago."

I tried to go upstairs while concealing the photo behind me.

Ash, "Why didn't you tell me before that you were visiting my college today?"

"I didn't understand till I entered your college. Your campus is really large, why? I spent ten minutes looking for the auditorium after getting lost on the campus. Thank God your friend came to my aid. I would have circled your University until now if he hadn't arrived."

He responded with a smile, "He is always that way. How come you didn't wait for me? I mean, we could have gotten together at home, right?"

"I needed to finish some work so I departed early for that reason."

"Okay."

After entering my room, I closed the door behind me.

I pulled the picture from my pocket and examined it. Who is the girl standing next to my mother? Why does her face look recognisable yet I can't place it? Is she somewhere I saw her? What makes it possible? This image was captured many years ago. She would be my mother's age right now.

I tucked the photo away in my backpack and went outside to play my guitar. Every time Andrew is feeling depressed and uncertain, I catch him playing his cello. Let's use his approach. I stopped playing, but my thoughts were still jumbled. I believe it just functions for him. Not right.

I set my guitar aside and lied down on the mattress.

I eventually heard someone knock on my door. I got out of bed and unlocked the door.

"Why didn't you join me for dinner downstairs?"

"I lost my appetite, brother" ,I replied as I lay on the bed.

He sat next to me and inquired, "What took place? Since returning home, you haven't looked at me. Is something bothering you?"

"I'd like a hug." I said as I widely opened my arms to him.

He approached me, hugged me, and inquired, "Are you okay?" as we were still in the embrace.

I questioned, "I'm frightened, brother," and nodded.

He released the hug and questioned, "Why do you say that, exactly? What frightens you? Did you get bullied again?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head.

"What are you terrified of, then?"

"I have no idea either."

"Go away, go away, every unpleasant thing goes away," he kissed my forehead.

I said, "I'm not a kid anymore, brother," while laughing at him.

"But you laughed at it. And even when you're a grandmother, you'll still be a youngster in my eyes." said as I squeezed my nose.

I gave him a shoulder bump and question2

"What is it? I appear to be happy

I'm not sure. You make such a wonderful actress. It's challenging to discern your true emotions behind this smile."

"I'm not sure why you asked, but I'll be honest: I'm glad." He gave me a head pat before leaving to.he

"Why do you pretend as though everything is okay?"

I glanced at Andrew by chance while I was worrying about my brother and saw him playing the cello. He also doesn't appear well. He seemed really dejected while playing some melancholy music. Why do I always finding myself in this predicament? Although the people around me weren't happy, when they chat to me, it seems like everything is fine.

Let's repair Andrew's relationship with Cathy first, then we can search for the girl in the picture. It's my responsibility as a friend to bring him joy. He gave me so many smiles and kept me happy while he was my secret crush, therefore I must repay him for this favour.

The following day,

"What were you planning to tell me?" Cathy questioned me.

"Without further ado, let me state the obvious. Why did you break up with Andrew?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because he's my friend. And, I care about him. I don't want him to be sad."

"If he's your close friend, why didn't he tell you by himself?"

I answered, shaking my head, "I don't know. Maybe we're not that close I guess. Whatever. I came here to ask you because of that."

"Are you genuinely curious?"

I nodded.

"Fine. Let me tell you the reason, I ended our relationship because of you."

Those statements shocked me. What!? as a result of me?

"What exactly did you say?"

"I am aware of your two having a relationship. I know that you guys are not just friends. I am aware that we have come a long way and that having several girlfriends at once is not a huge deal. However, I dislike sharing my lover with anyone else."

"What led you to believe we were having a relationship?"

She pulled out her phone and showed me pictures of Andrew and I hanging out in a dessert store, as well as other locations we visited while eavesdropping on my brother, before showing me a photo of me kissing Andrew. Who took this picture?

"Argh! I believe this is sufficient for a female to break up with her partner since it makes me look foolish for showing you the photos if you're already in them. I can use this as a reason to end our relationship, right?"

"Those pictures were not like how they were depicted. That was a totally different story behind those pictures. And, for the kiss, it wasn't intentional. We were both drunk and wasted. Actually, he helped me with my work… I don't know how to explain this to you."

When she tried to leave, I held her hand and continued, "I'm sure you won't believe what I have to say, but please hear me out. I have never in my life told anyone this, but I have chosen to do so now to avoid having you perceive him incorrectly. Can you hear me out?"

"Go on. All ears, please." She said as she folded her hands and looked at me.

"Andrew and I are neighbours. We are already rivals because our families compete in nearly everything. So we both grew as rivals too. But those things didn't stop me from liking him. Okay, I admit that I had a crush on him. But he wasn't. He didn't even know what I had on him. He only saw me as his friend no matter what I did. It's not like I did things to make him like me back though but I was yearning for his care. Those were before knowing that he has a girlfriend. I never knew he had a girlfriend until you appeared in the music club with him. He didn't tell me that he has a girlfriend, it's not like he intentionally did it. It's just we weren't close even as friends. After knowing that he has a girlfriend, I distanced myself from him. I stopped seeing him like I did in the past. I had to start off by telling you something."

I continued by telling her everything about Andrew and me "I stopped like him once I learned that he has a girlfriend. After that, I never again saw him in that light. Right now, he's only a friend to me. And it hurts to witness the guy who used to make me smile now inconsolable. He yearns for you because he loves you so much. When he plays the cello, there is always a sense of loneliness in his music. Don't fight with him for me, please. He told me about your story, saying, 'Cathy, not everyone is lucky to be loved back.' Believe me, I relate to it so much more than anyone else."

She suddenly hugged me and apologised, I was taken aback.

She pulled away from me and remarked, "I don't have many real friends around; everyone talks to me for different reasons, most of them are financial. I place my trust in them even though I am aware of their motivation for wanting to be friends with me because I don't have any pals. I've never seen anyone act in the way you did when you spoke on behalf of the boy you like to the girl he loves while crying. Why didn't I have you as a friend, and how did I miss this girl, I wonder. Will you be my friend, as my real friend" she brushed away my tears and questioned me.

"Andrew?"

"Tell me, because you're my friend, should I speak to him?"

I grinned while nodding.

"Okay, I'll speak to him now. However, it's only for you."

"Regarding the kiss"

She asked, "Kiss?" while keeping her finger on my lips. "What kiss? Are you asking for a kiss from me? Do you want me to kiss you? However, I've never kissed a girl before."

What she is talking about eludes me.

"I don't mind the kiss though." she continued. She drew nearer to me and astonished me by kissing my cheek before saying, "Not bad."

"Did you just give me a kiss?"

"Yes! Hey, it's not against the law to kiss, so I don't mind. Actually, I am aware of your relationship, but I was curious as to what was going through your head. I requested that my pals photograph you and Andrew together. Regarding the kissing photo, Andrew took it by himself. He claimed he was using that to tease you. I ended our relationship by claiming that he was seeing a girl behind my back in order to understand how you felt about him. That's why I ended our relationship. I didn't think that you would come in person to talk to me for him."

"So you intended to do it? Was that an act?"

"Yup! I now recognise Amelia. I'm sorry for what I did. I thought it might be a help."

"Is this what you refer to as help?"

"Wait, tell me how you're feeling right now before you say anything,"

I exhaled deeply and murmured, "I... I feel relieved somehow."

"Exactly! That is what I'm referring to. Nothing good can come from keeping things to yourself."

"How did you discover about me? I didn't let anyone know about it."

"I don't stalk people"

"What?"

"Wait."

She reached inside her pocket and handed it to me. There was paper involved. I discovered my writing there when I opened it. This was the note I attempted to slip in Andrew's locker, but I was unsuccessful since I noticed him and fled the area.

"How did you acquire this?"

"I've got more,"

I received another piece of paper from her. "Sorry for the flowers you loathe," read the paper. It was also written by me for Andrew when I heard that he despises flowers.

She stated, "This can be found in Andrew's locker. And I discovered a tonne of things that ultimately brought me to you."

She stunned me with her comments, and I was unable to respond.

I said, "Don't tell him about this, please. I know he won't get mad at me but at the same time, I don't want him to feel sorry for me."

'You can depend on me on this,'

"Thank you. I'm glad that Andrew has you. I really like you."

Cathy told me to "wait" when I attempted to leave.

"Huh?"

She handed me a picture and said, "You must own it. It escaped from your bag."

When she spotted the image, she questioned, "Why are you carrying Anna's picture with you?"

"What?"

Cathy said, "Look at that girl over there," pointing to the girl beside my mother, "Anna, am I correct? Big sister of Andrew."

I grabbed the picture out of her palm and carefully examined it "It certainly resembled Anna. Now I know why this girl's face appeared so familiar. You are brilliant, Cathy." I gave her a hug and said, "I greatly appreciate it. You were a big help. Without you, I would have lost my mind trying to figure out who this girl was."

"Buy me a treat then." Cathy said.

"Yes, but not this time. I have to go to class. Goodbye, Cathy. I want to thank you again for assisting me."

She remarked as I was walking away, "Ask me if you need any assistance. I'm not just Andrew's girlfriend, I'm now your friend too."

"Okay," I shouted at her. I made my way to class.

during class,

Hannah asked me, "Where have you been? I recorded your attendance as well."

"Did she discover it?"

"No."

"Thanks."

I listened to the whole talk.

While on break,

I dozed off while leaning against the table. "Look outside", Jack tapped my shoulder and murmured.

I cocked my head to the side and saw Andrew standing at the door. "Why is he in this place?"

"What are you doing here?" I demanded as I got to my feet and approached him.

His sudden embrace of me left me shocked.

"Did you speak to Cathy?" he inquired as they parted ways.

I nervously laughed and enquired, "Did she tell you already?"

He answered with a nod "Yup! She then returned to being my girlfriend. Thank you. I heard that you talked it out with her."

I answered with a smirk, "Hold her firmly this time, after that. I'm not able to save the day by being near you."

"Then, where will you be then?" he asked, pinching my cheeks.

"What happens if I travel abroad like your girlfriend? What will you do then?"

He seemed upset and then suddenly went silent.

"What took place?"

"You cannot leave."

"Why is that, then?"

"Because you're a friend of mine."

"You have a lot of friends, Andy."

"You, however, are unique. Do you have any knowledge? When it comes to girls, I have no pals. I have never felt close to anyone before, with the exception of Cathy. Following Cathy, you are the one with whom I feel at ease."

I added with a smile, "Avoid being too loud. How would you feel if your girlfriend heard you talking like that while she's hiding behind the door?"

"How did you discover me?" Cathy emerged from her position at the door.

"My eyes are large and goofy and my ears are clear as water."

"Oh seriously, could you demonstrate its size?"

"You two look like sisters," Andrew remarked as he noticed me gazing at her.

Cathy, "When I said it, you didn't believe me, now you're saying it on your own."

I questioned Andrew, "Don't work together to tease me. Did you two come all the way here just to make fun of me?"

To Andrew, Cathy "Inform her. Stop keeping her waiting."

"Andrew, what is it?" I questioned.

Andrew, "We bought you a gift,"

"A gift? Why?"

"Give that to her", Andrew says to Cathy.

"Go ahead, open it" Cathy said as she handed her something in the form of a box.

I discovered a guitar pick inside the package when I opened it.

"A guitar pick? Really? What got into you two?"

"There's more," said Cathy.

She extended an invitation to me and stated, "It'll be my birthday in two weeks. And I'd like to see you perform for me."

I hugged her and congratulated her for birthday and said, "You've asked me to perform at your birthday celebration. I mistook you for an invitation."

"I want you to sing for me," she said.

"OK, I'll carry it out."

"Because I want to know how the guitar pick we selected works." Making use of the guitar pick.

"Okay." I said with a smile on my face for them.

I entered the classroom again after they had left.

As soon as I took my seat, Hannah asked me, "What was that?"

"To celebrate her birthday, Cathy invited me. Do you want to attend? Cathy is quite wealthy. There will be a large celebration, lots of wine, and cakes. Can you make it?"

"Why invited you, exactly?"

"Will you be there or not? I'll perform a song as well."

"Are you attempting to flex your new friend?"

I prodded her face and inquired, "Are you envious?"

She turned her back to me and faced the other side.

"No matter how many people I meet and make friends with, you'll always be the one one I have." I tell her as I sit in her chair and squeeze and hug her and give her cheek a kiss.

"What do you have to say? You kissed me, but why?"

"Could I not kiss you? can't I kiss my pal, can't I?"

She exclaimed while laughing, "Okay, do whatever you want."

I gave her a cheek kiss again before settling into my seat.

"Come with me, please. I don't know anyone in that place."

"You know Andrew and Cathy."

"They're a couple. I will look like a third wheeler while being with them."

"Are you asking me to accompany you just because you don't want to feel alone?"

"No, it's because you're my only and best and close friend of mine. Please, come with me."

"Okay, okay. I'll come with you. I couldn't stand your nagging anymore."