More Than Words

Chapter 1:New Mornings, Old Feelings

Ameria stood in front of the mirror, fingers toying with the hem of her oversized t-shirt. The acceptance letters from both Harvard and Yale lay on her desk, crisp and untouched, but their weight was pressed on her chest like a boulder. Her bedroom was small but cosy, with walls painted a soft lavender, with posters of Maya Angelou quotes and old gospel records decorating the space. The morning light seeped through sheer white curtains, casting a golden glow over her bed, which was strewn with textbooks and a half-eaten chocolate bar.

She let out a breath, her dark brown eyes scanning her reflection. Her full cheeks, rounded arms, and thick thighs were all parts of her she had spent years scrutinizing. She ran her fingers over the stretch marks on her arms, tracing the faint lines that reminded her of growth, of change. Even now, dressed in cargo pants and her oversized tee, she felt like she took up too much space. Her knotless boho braids cascaded down her shoulders, a mix of dark brown and honey-blonde curls framing her face. She reached for a hair tie, gathering some into a loose bun while letting a few curls fall in front.

"Ameria! Breakfast ready!" Her mother's voice, rich with the lilt of her Jamaican heritage, broke her out of her thoughts.

"Coming, Mama!" she called back, grabbing her backpack before making her way downstairs.

The kitchen smelled of freshly brewed coffee and the rich, savory scent of ackee and saltfish. Sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, highlighting the wooden cabinets and the small potted herbs on the windowsill. Her father sat at the head of the table, newspaper in one hand, coffee in the other. Her mother bustled around, placing a plate in front of her.

"Morning, Daddy. Morning, Mama."

"Morning, baby. You sleep well?" her mother asked, studying her with those sharp eyes that always saw too much.

"Yeah," Ameria lied, forcing a smile. Her mother hummed but said nothing, choosing instead to press a kiss to her forehead before turning back to the stove.

"You thought 'bout where you going yet?" her father asked, lowering his paper to look at her.

She shifted uncomfortably. "Still thinking."

"Well, you don't have much time, love. A decision will have to be made soon."

She nodded, shoving a bite of food into her mouth to avoid answering. Before her parents could press further, her phone buzzed. A message from Kai. Outside. Hurry up before I leave you.

Ameria wiped her mouth and grabbed her bag. "Gotta go! Love you guys!"

"Love you too!" her parents called after her.

Kai leaned against her beat-up blue car, scrolling through her phone. The sky was a pale blue, wisps of clouds drifting lazily. The school parking lot was already half full, students in clusters chatting or rushing inside. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of freshly cut grass and car exhaust.

"Took you long enough," Kai teased, flipping her long dark braids over her shoulder.

Ameria rolled her eyes as she slid into the passenger seat. "Had to survive the parental inquisition first."

Kai smirked. "Harvard or Yale?"

"Still don't know."

"Girl, you're gonna be amazing no matter where you go. Now, let's get through another miserable day of school."

The halls of their high school were alive with energy—lockers slamming, laughter echoing, the scent of old books mixed with cafeteria food lingering in the air. As soon as they reached the entrance, Ameria tensed. The usual suspects were waiting—Ashley and Madison, the school's resident mean girls. They stood near the bulletin board, arms crossed, whispering and smirking.

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence," Ashley sneered. "Still wearing oversized clothes to hide your body? Like that t-shirt is fooling anyone."

Madison laughed. "Maybe she thinks Harvard and Yale sent the letters by mistake."

Ameria's stomach twisted, but before she could say anything, Kai stepped forward. "Y'all really obsessed with her, huh? Maybe get a life?"

Ashley scoffed. "Whatever. Let's go, Madison."

Ameria exhaled as they walked away. "Thanks, Kai."

"Anytime. Now, let's go before we're late."

The first class of the day was English. The room smelled of chalk and coffee, and the walls were lined with bookshelves filled with well-worn novels. Ameria sat in her usual seat by the window, watching as students filed in. Just as she pulled out her notebook, Andeal strolled in, hands in the pockets of his ripped jeans, his leather jacket slung over one shoulder. He slid into the seat behind her, kicking the leg of her chair lightly.

"What's up, Harvard? Or is it Yale?" he teased, eyeing her oversized shirt. "Still pretending you don't belong in either?"

Ameria's fists clenched. "Mind your business, Andy."

"But teasing you is my business, Berry." He winked before leaning back in his chair.

Kai turned around with a knowing look. "You totally like him."

Ameria shot her a glare. "I do not."

"Uh-huh. That blush says otherwise."

"It's just... irritation!"

Kai smirked. "Right. Keep telling yourself that."

By the time lunch rolled around, the cafeteria was a chaotic mix of voices, the scent of pizza and fries hanging in the air. Ameria and Kai grabbed their trays and sat at their usual table near the windows.

"So, about the party tonight," Kai started, wiggling her eyebrows.

"On a school night?" Ameria frowned, picking at her salad.

"Yes! We're almost done with high school, and you barely have fun. Let's do something wild."

"Wild? I don't think going to a party qualifies as that."

"For you, it does. And you know Andy's gonna be there."

Ameria nearly choked on her drink. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Kai grinned. "Oh, come on. Maybe if you loosen up, he'll stop seeing you as just 'Harvard girl' and start seeing you as 'Ameria, the fun, carefree girl.'"

"I don't care what he sees me as."

"Mmm-hmm. So, you're going."

Ameria hesitated, staring down at her tray. "I don't know..."

"I do. You're going." Kai grinned, her eyes dancing with mischief. "It's time to break loose, girl."

Ameria,sighed knowing she won't be able to escape this time.