amara haven
I texted David as soon as we were off of the plane, asking for a ride.
Nic and I were leaning against the airport by the front doors, he had his arms crossed and he wouldn't talk to me.
I rolled my eyes, "You're being childish."
"Well, I'm only-"
"Twenty, you're an adult, but good try," I went to ruffle his hair but he pulled away.
"If you don't cheer up right now, I'll hug you," I threatened.
I swear I saw him smile for a second, "And what would that do?"
"I don't know, force you to not be mad at me because I asked your Dad for a ride," I replied, trying to accentuate my words and make him feel as bizarre as he sounded.
"I'm not mad at you, Amara, I just don't want to see him right now," he looked down at me.
"All he wants is to help you get better, Nic. Which is also what I want, and you're happy to see me, right?" I assured.
"Well, yes, I'm happy to see you, but that's because you're my best friend and I love you," he said.
I could've died on the spot.
I knew he meant it platonically, but still, some part of me hoped he meant it as a bit more than that.
"You love David too, Nic, I know you do, somewhere in this empty heart of yours," I placed my hand over his heart.
He chuckled, holding my hand there, "How are you always right?"
"I'm pretty wise," I giggled.
He smiled, moving closer.
I felt myself leaning into his presence.
Our faces were millimetres apart, my heart beating out of my chest.
"Hey, kiddos."
We sprung apart, "David!" I smiled, running over to him.
He caught me in his arms and laughed, "Are you two alright?"
I nodded, "We're okay."
I let go of David and Nic walked up next to me, "Hi."
"Hey, son," David said.
Nic looked at me for a split second and I nodded.
He moved into his Dad's arms and they hugged like it was the last time.
I wanted to appreciate the moment, but I was troubled by my thoughts.
Were we... about to kiss?
No. Absolutely not, I was dreaming.
When my parents told me to 'Dream big, Amara' they definitely didn't mean 'Dream about kissing the crush you've had for almost six years, Amara.'
"Well, I'm glad you two are okay and alive. Your Mum called Amara," David said, removing me from my thoughts.
"I don't care," I muttered.
"She was worried out of her mind, she wants to talk to you," he urged, "I don't know what happened, but I know something did, and you can stay with us for a few days if you need to, but call her, okay?"
"She was cheating on my Dad," I said.
He hesitated, "I'm sorry, Amara."
"It's okay," I sighed, "Let's stop at mine and I'll grab a few things to stay with you."
He nodded, "Of course."
We put our luggage in the trunk and Nic sat in the front while I called Leah.
"Hey, Amara, oh my god. Are you okay? Do you need anything?" She asked.
"I'm fine, Leah," I chuckled, "But we need to talk, like in person for at least an hour talk."
"Of course, I'll meet you at Starbucks later?" She offered.
"Yeah, like four?" I agreed.
"Sounds good, and hey, I'm glad you're okay," she said.
"Love you," I muttered.
"Love you," she made a kiss sound and hung up.
We pulled up to my house not long after, I took a deep breath.
"Do you want me to-"
"Yes," I said.
Nic laughed, "We'll be back, Dad."
David nodded.
We both climbed out of the car and I took a deep breath.
"You'll be fine," Nic took my hand and let me guide him to the door.
I knocked, unsure if I should just walk in.
The door opened and Kinsley's face lit up, she jumped into my arms and I hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry," I murmured into her hair.
"You have nothing to be sorry about," she replied.
I pulled back and Valeria did grabby hands up at me.
I leaned down and picked her up, holding her, she laid her head on my shoulder.
"I missed you," she muttered.
"I missed you too, Vally," I kissed her temple.
Mum came out of the kitchen as I put Valeria down.
"Girls? Who is- Amara!" She sped her walk up and went to hug me.
I crossed my arms and stepped back, holding a hand out to block her.
Her mood fell a bit but she composed herself, "Nicolas! My god, it's been too long. You've grown up so much."
He gave an awkward smile, "Yeah, two years is a lot of time, Mrs Haven."
"Kinsley, Valeria, do you remember Nic?" I said, reintroducing them.
Kinsley nodded and Valeria shrugged.
"Nic, you remember my sisters," I said.
He nodded, "Of course I do."
"I'm so glad you're home, sweetie," Mum said.
"We aren't staying long," I stated.
"What?" She asked.
"I'm going to stay with the Sheffs for a while," I replied, Nic nodded.
"Mum, could you go to your room or something?" Kinsley asked.
Lillian nodded, "I suppose so, yes."
"You guys can come in," she said, clearing the doorway.
"I'm just gonna go grab a few things," I whispered to Nic.
"You're leaving me here?" He asked.
"You'll be fine," I assured, running off up the stairs.
nicolas sheff
I ran a hand through my hair and stood awkwardly.
"Let's catch up a bit," Kinsley suggested, her and Valeria sitting down on one of the couches.
I nodded, "Sure."
I took a seat across from them.
They had grown up a lot.
"Do you love her?" Valeria piped up after a long silence.
"What?" I questioned, taken by surprise.
"Amara, do you love her?" She asked again.
"She's my best friend, of course, I love her," I replied.
How did I find myself having the same conversation with her siblings as I did with mine a few weeks back?
Was it obvious?
Because if it was, Amara was being a bit of a jerk.
"Not like that, idiot. She means do you love love her," Kinsley clarified.
"Oh- uh-"
"You two aren't bothering him, right?" Amara teased, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.
I smiled, "Not at all."
"Okay, well, I have my stuff," she motioned to a bag in her hand.
"You're leaving again?" Valeria asked, standing up and looking at her.
"I'm going to stay with Nic for a few days," she said, dropping the bag and leaning down on her knees to be on Valeria's level.
"Why?" She asked.
"Because I don't want to see Mum, right now, and Nic needs me. But, you can call me on Kinsley's phone anytime and I'll answer, okay? And I'll come to see you," Amara whispered to her.
I felt a bit guilty, but I really did need her.
"Why don't you want to see Mum?" Kinsley asked.
"I'll talk to you after, Kinsley," Amara replied.
"Patronus missed you," Valeria said.
"Did he?" Amara asked.
Her little sister nodded furiously, running to the back door.
"So, why are you avoiding Mum?" Kinsley queried.
"Kinsley," Amara began, sitting down next to me.
"What?" She laughed nervously.
"She was cheating on Dad with Rick before he died."
Kinsley hesitated, "I know."
I couldn't help but ask, "What?"
She looked at me, "Mum told me."
"And you're not mad?" Amara asked.
"Oh, no, I'm mad, believe me. But unlike you, we don't have anywhere to escape to, so we don't have a choice," Kinsley replied.
Again, guilt.
I felt Amara tense beside me at her sister's words.
"I'm sorry, Kinsley. As I said, call whenever you need to," she assured.
Valeria ran back into the room with a miniature Australian Shepherd behind her.
Patronus jumped up onto Amara and attacked her with affection, making her smile and laugh.
I held back my smile.
"So, Nic, how are you?" Kinsley asked, I hesitated.
"I guess I can't complain," I replied.
"Don't be modest, Nic, you could've died," Amara said, she looked slightly worried.
"I'm okay, Mara, I promise," I vowed,
She offered a half-smile and returned to petting her dog.
When she wasn't looking, I patted my leg gently, making Patronus move off of her and onto me.
She pouted and I chuckled.
"We should probably get going," she said.
"What? So your dog chooses me and you wanna leave?" I teased.
"Well, that, but also because I'm meeting Leah in like an hour and I want to take a nap," she stood up.
Her sisters both jumped up and hugged her tightly.
"I love you both," she whispered to them, "Don't be shy about calling, okay?"
"We love you," Kinsley replied.
Amara kissed both of them on the head and grabbed her bag.
I stood up and opened the front door, "Ready?"
She nodded.
"Bye, guys," Kinsley said.
We both muttered a 'goodbye' and headed back towards the car.
I followed after Amara, admiring her.
I couldn't stop replaying the moment at the airport, did she feel it too?
She had to have felt it, she leaned in too.
Though I supposed she'd always just be my best friend, I'd take that over losing her again.