Between classes, tutoring, working with Sebastian, and Poppy's constant commentary on Olive and how she believed Olive was using Sebastian for his fame, Amelia found November was quickly eaten away. Sebastian continued to show up for tutoring, causing the music wing to become a popular hang out spot for the two hours Amelia tutored.
To Amelia's annoyance, her connection with Sebastian learning the drums made everyone's attention fall on her. She found the best solution was to play dumb and ignore nosey questions. It was a relief when Thanksgiving break came around and she knew she wouldn't have to deal with intruding questions for at least four days.
********
The airport crackled with the sound of hurried footsteps, rolling suitcases and urgent chatter. Amelia sat at a small table, her book face down before her. She watched as people ran to catch flights, people ran to catch cabs and parents ran to catch kids. Charlie was passed out across three seats at their gate, his glasses sitting on the edge of his nose.
Amelia finished off the last of her tea and stood, sliding her book back into her satchel. As she moved through the horde of travelers to her gate, a familiar face crossed before her and she paused. A second later Jones passed by.
"Sebastian?"
Sebastian froze. Jones moved instinctively to his side, looking back. Amelia met his gaze and waved. Jones whispered to Sebastian and he turned back towards her, shoulders relaxing. He wore a pair of ugly, old fashioned glasses, a worn baseball hat and ragged clothes.
"Hi?" Amelia said.
"Amelia. I didn't expect to see you here," Sebastian said, his tone formal.
"I'm heading to London."
Confusion flashed across his features.
"I'm from Hartford Connecticut, but my grandparents live in London."
"Your parents meeting you there?"
Amelia paused for a moment.
"No, my parents passed away."
There was a slight pause.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Sebastian said.
"Thanks. It was six years ago. What about you? Where you headed?" Amelia asked, forcing the conversation on.
Sebastian hesitated.
"Paris."
"Olive should be excited."
"Actually she is spending Thanksgiving with her parents," he said, his voice controlled.
"Why Paris then?"
Sebastian shifted.
"A surprise for my family. I'm heading out to meet them there."
"Your parents must be really proud."
The muscle in Sebastian's jaw flexed.
"My whole family has been extremely supportive."
A storm of emotions darted through his eyes, but disappeared before Amelia could read them. A figure appeared by Amelia's side. She turned to face the unsteady form of Charlie. His glasses were off and he was rubbing his face with the palm of his hand.
"Hey Aims, we're boarding soon. Whose this?" Charlie asked.
He slid his glasses back on and stared at Sebastian, recognition dawning in his eyes.
"Sebastian Colfax."
Sebastian offered his hand.
"Charles Dawson. It's a pleasure to meet you," Charlie said, shaking his hand.
"Likewise. I'll let you get to your flight," Sebastian said.
"Enjoy Paris. Happy Thanksgiving," Amelia said.
"Happy Thanksgiving," Sebastian said.
He gave a nod and walked away, Jones fell into step behind him. Amelia and Charlie watched his figure until it was absorbed into the mass of people.
"Come on. Home we go," Charlie said.
**************
Amelia followed Charlie off the plane and smiled at the attentive stewardess who was still gazing after Charlie. They lead the group of departing passengers to baggage claim. They walked up to a stout man in a black suit and hat, holding a sign with their names on it.
"Hello Albert," Charlie said, casually.
"Good afternoon sir, miss. Luggage?"
They both shook their heads. Albert directed them outside and into a waiting town car. The sky was overcast, dark with gloomy clouds. The air was chilled with mist. As they pulled out of the airport, small rain drops formed small rivers down the window and danced on the roof, tapping out an uneven beat. Amelia leaned her head against the back of her seat, her eyes trained on the quickly moving scenery, staying silent through the drive.
As they crossed the bridge to the other side of the city, Amelia was hit with memories. Her mind flashed back to when she had been fourteen making this trip without her parents.
Her grandmother's soft, supportive hand holding her shoulder as they left the airport. It had been Amelia's third time in London.
The city had felt too big, too strange. The sky had been a brilliant white blue and the color seemed unnatural at the time. She had felt numb as her grandparents showed them around the spacious manor, finally showing her the room that they said was now hers.
The four poster bed with its soft cream duvet comforter was too large. The warm gold, creams and light blues of the room feeling cold in the bright light from the lawn facing windows. Amelia had moved dumbly around the room while her grandparents watched anxiously, their hearts aching. Her hands had drifted over each piece of furniture, not registering what she was doing or touching. She had moved to the tall, narrow windows, peering out onto a wide lawn with a lake, the backyard that wasn't her backyard.
She remembered that night, huddled in the claustrophobic folds of her blankets, crying at the unfamiliarity of it all, longing to be home. Her door had squeaked open, letting in a small shaft of light that was soon blocked by a figure. Charlie sat on the edge of her bed and she instinctively wrapped her arms around him. He was the only solid thing in the nightmare she was in. They had clung to each other in the dark, the weight of their loss less heavy with each other.
Amelia blinked at her reflection, coming out of her reverie. The car tires crunched on the gravel drive and the tall stone manor came into view as they rounded the fountain. Steps ascended to a wide patio, that wrapped around the house, thick ivy crawling its way up the sides. The front French doors were swung open and Amelia's grandmother rushed out.
She was a tall, thin woman with short white hair that curved in on her soft, youthful face. Her eyes smiled behind her rimless glasses and her laugh lines widened as she saw Amelia's face.
"Oh lovey it's so good to have you home," Eleanor said, holding onto Amelia.
Pulling away, she studied Amelia at arms length.
"You need something to eat and a good pot of tea," she said.
Charlie's shoes shuffled over the small pebbles as he moved to Amelia's side.
"Charles!" Eleanor said, reaching up to embrace him.
He bent over his grandmother, his long arms encircling her small frame.
"Come, both of you are in need of food and tea," she repeated. "I'll send Timothy out for the luggage."
************
The late afternoon slipped silently into evening by the time tea with their grandmother had ended. The table had been cleared of all the food and the tea pot had been replenished twice. They sat laughing and feeling at home when their grandfather had called out hello. He had peered around the doorway smiling.
"I though I heard the strange sounds of a couple of Americans," he laughed.
Amelia was the first to stand and hug her broad shouldered grandfather, his trim beard tinkling her face as he kissed her cheek.
"You look more and more like your mother each time I see you," he said, his bass voice warm with affection.
Amelia smiled up at him. Charlie pushed her gently aside and hugged him.
"Charles, beware how you smile at girls, you're likely to break their hearts," Harry joked.
"Too late," Amelia muttered.
They all moved to the dining room and spent the rest of the evening talking and eating, the lights of the candles growing brighter as the light outside faded into a starless night.
****************
Amelia stumbled through pulling on her pajama shorts and a worn t-shirt, leaving her discarded clothes littered on the floor. She crawled under the thick covers as she heard a tap on her door. Light pooled on her floor as Charlie stepped in and noiselessly closed the door. Amelia sat up and scooted over to make room for him. He settled in beside her. Peaceful silence filled the room, broken only by their quiet breathing.
"How are you doing?" he asked.
"Alright," she said. "I feel like these past few weeks they have felt so much closer than before. For the first time I feel like I'm really doing something they would be proud of and... I can't tell them."
"I'm sorry Aims," Charlie said. "I know that they would be incredibly proud of you."
"Thanks Charlie," she said, giving him a tired smile.
They let silence engulf them again, no words needed, only the presence of each other. Charlie eventually wrapped his arms around Amelia and hugged her tightly before letting go.
"I'll let you get some sleep. Night Aims."
He slid off the bed and walked to the door.
"Night Charlie. Sleep well."
Amelia's head fell to the pillow and she was fast asleep by the time the door clicked shut.
**********************************************************************
Hi!
So I find this kind of funny that I casted the two British actors as Americans and the a two non-British actors as Americans. What a crazy world this is!
Vote, comment, follow! Tell me your thoughts!