(Ethan's Point of View)
I was at Valentina's house. Her parents were out of town for a business trip. We were in her room... doing things. Suddenly my phone rings. I hear Valentina groan in annoyance. I sigh and sit up straight and answer the phone. "Hello?" I answer, putting my shirt back on. "Hey. It's Andrew. I just called to tell you that Amelia was looking for you." Oh shit. I had gotten so carried away I forgot about her. "Oh ok. Thanks for telling me." I tell before hanging up. "What's wrong babe?" Valentina purrs from besides me. "Nothing. Listen I uh have to go." I say. "Oh. Okay then. I will see you at school on Monday." She said as I put my pants back on.
I take my phone and go outside her house. I take my phone out and look for Amelia's number. I had saved it the day she gave it to me in bio class. After a few rings I hear her soft voice question "Hello?". "Hey! This is Ethan. Look I am sorry for leaving you at the party. Just wait there for a second. I will come to pick you up and drop you home." I say. Gosh is she gonna be mad? I hope not. I mean I am the reason she went to the party. It wasn't really kind of me to just leave her. "Oh. No, it's fine, I walked all the way home. You don't need to drop me. Plus there is nothing to be sorry about. You never said anything about dropping me, you just took me there. Anyways thank you." She said. Wow, here I thought she would be mad at me but she is not. She really is something else. Any other girl would have killed me for leaving them. "Oh. Well I guess I will see you tomorrow I guess." I mumble.
There was something different about Amelia, something that made her her. Sure she could be weird and annoying sometimes. She could be sassy and kind at the same time. There was also this look of hurt in her eyes all the time, she doesn't notice it, but anyone who pays close attention could see it. I have no idea why the hurt is in her eyes, but for some reason I want to know, I want to get close to her. Her smile is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen, her real smiles not the fake ones she gives. It's hard to get real smiles out of her, she doesn't seem to know that, but when she gives them it is amazing, like a lifetime opportunity. I don't think she realizes how many fake smiles she gives. But it's quite a lot. I don't know much about her, I just know a few things, like her grandma's condition and how she is smart and other stuff. That day when I brought up the topic about her family she seemed to have tense up. I let it go from there. I have really tried figuring out this girl. But it seems impossible. I wanna know why she has no friends. I wanna know what about her family is so messed up. I wanna know why she is so closed up. I wanna know what the cause of that pain in her eyes is. God, this girl is driving me crazy.
Knowing that I probably look like a freak standing in the same position for so long, I make my way towards my car. I will probably just go home. I unlock my car and get in. I start the ignition and drive.
After a few minutes or so I reach home. It's not early in the morning so I doubt grandma is up, so I can probably just sneak in with the extra key I have in my car. I park my car and look for the key I keep in here. I finally find it and get out of my car. I unlock the door and step into the house. I went up and was about to pass Amelia's room, when I heard a few voices from inside. I know it's not good to eavesdrop but I am curious.
So I press my ear against the door. "Why did dad pay for your hospital bills?" I hear Amelia ask. "We couldn't afford them. We had tried but we couldn't. Your mom had someone manage to contact him and she threatened him if he didnt help us financially she would expose you to the public. Jackson didn't want the public to know he had a daughter, so he agreed." I hear Amelia's grandma, Margaret, say. "What do you mean by 'daughter'?" Amelia asks. "H-he never wanted a daughter. He wanted sons, who could manage his company. He always thought girls were weak. He was embarrassed to be your dad." I hear Magaret say, her voice breaks in the end.
Wait, what are they talking about. Jackson? As in Jackson Henderson? The successful billionaire, Jackson Henderson was Amelia's dad? No.. It couldn't be. I don't think I was supposed to hear all this. This is family drama that I shouldn't be part of. I need to pretend I didn't hear that. I am sure there might be some other Jackson who might be famous or something, it just cant be possible that Amelia is the Jackson Henderson's daughter. Can it? I mean they do look similar, quite similar if you think about it. From her brown hair, facial features, etc. But she might have gotten them from her mom. I haven't seen her mom yet. Let me not just jump to conclusions.
I sigh and make my way towards my room. I remove my shoes and socks and throw them on one side of the room and jump onto my bed. Soon enough I have fallen fast asleep.
I wake up the next morning to my brother jumping on top of me. "What do you want Adrian?" I groan in a grumpy voice. "Mia is not home and I am bored. Plus it's like 12 in the afternoon so get up." He says still jumping on top of me. "Who is Mia?" I question rubbing my eyes. "Amelia you dummy." He says in a duh tone. "Oh. Where is she?" I ask. "She went to her grandma's store this morning. Both of them left at around 10." He says getting off me. I just nod and sit up, I look at the time on my phone and it indeed is 12:18 in the afternoon. "So what do you wanna do?" He asks me. "What do you mean?" I ask, confused. What does this kid want to do with me? "Me and Amelia usually watch movies, or colour. Oh and sometimes she takes me to the park too! We also have some food competitions sometimes. Right now she is not here and I am bored. So you will have to do these things with me instead." He shrugs. "How about I take you to Margaret's store and maybe you can help Amelia there." I suggest. "Nope. I wanna do something fun. Plus Amelia said she will be home by lunch. I will wait. Now get up!" He says. "Ok, geez." I say getting up. God, this kid has hell lot of energy.
I go up to my bathroom with Adrian trailing behind me. I pick up my brush and toothpaste and start brushing. "Do you think Amelia is pretty?" He says out of nowhere. I literally choke on my own spit. "What?" I ask once I come back to my senses. "I mean, she is really pretty. I love her dimple. Oh, and the way her hair smells!" He says, his eyes taking a somewhat dreamy look. "Yeah, sure and she is also 17. 10 years older to you." I say, placing my toothbrush back in and cleansing my mouth. "Who cares! Age is just a number right?" He says. Jesus, this kid has a crush. "Sure. So you like her?" I ask him. "Yes. I do. That's why I need your help. I wanna ask her out on a date!" He says.
That's when I lose it and start laughing. "Adrian. Amelia is 17! You are 7! She could be your mother, not girlfriend!" I say, wiping the tears out of my eyes that had managed to fall out while laughing. "Shut up! You're just jealous!" He says. "Why would I be jealous?" I ask him. "Cause you know she will go out on a date with me and then you will have no chance to date her!" He says in a matter of fact tone. "Yeah. Sureee. As if. I don't even like her. She is just too weird for my liking." I say. "Ok. Anyways can you please please help me ask her out? I really need your help!" He says joining his hands together and begging me. This kid is whipped. "Adrian, where would you even take her? You don't have money to take her to a restaurant." I say walking out of the bathroom. "You will be my chaperone. Plus maybe we could watch a movie at home!" He exclaims. "Adrian. Stop daydreaming. Plus where did you even learn about all this chaperone and date stuff?" I ask. "Oh from the movies me and Amelia watched last Saturday!" He says. "Listen here kid. Amelia is too big for you. Why don't you try a girl your age?" I ask him, while sitting on my bed. "You don't get it Ethan. I really like Amelia." He says. "Okay. Okay. Fine, I will help you ask Amelia out. But dont cry when she says no to you." I said pointing my finger at him. "Fine! Plus what if she says yes. You never know!" He says running out of the room.
I know for a fact that Amelia looks at him like a little brother. But she might just say yes to make the kid happy.
By 2 in the afternoon, I helped Adrian with everything. He is currently standing at the door with a bouquet of roses in his hand and he is wearing a formal tux. I am standing beside him trying not to laugh. This is too much for just a date. The kid is super whipped. Finally the door opens and Amelia steps in, her grandma is not with her so I think she decided to stay back at the store. Amelia closes the door and is yet to notice Adrian and me. Finally when she stops Adrain her eyes seem to pop out of their sockets and I try not to laugh. "Amelia. I like you so much! I like the way your hair smells and I like your dimple on your right-" "Left." I whisper, cutting him off. "Oh yeah. Left cheek. I think you're very pretty. So Amelia will you go out with me?" He asks, going on one knee and putting the flowers out for her to take. She almost laughs but holds it back and bends down. "Adrian. You're super cute and I like you too. But as a little brother. I am so so sorry. I am sure there are many girls who would love to go out with you!" She says as she puts her hands on his shoulders. Ok, that's when I lose it and start laughing. Amelia gives me a 'shut up you're not helping' look, but I ignore it. "O-Okay. But are we still on for movie night?" Adrian asks. Gosh, the poor kid just got heart broken. "Of course!" Amelia says, and she lifts him up and kisses him on his cheek. Adrian becomes as red as a tomato at the gesture. "Ok, now go change. We will go to the park." Amelia says, as she puts him down.
Adrian runs upstairs and I turn to Amelia. "You know you just broke my little brother's heart." I say. "I know. Not the best thing to do. But I love the kid, like a little brother." She says. "Let me guess. It was the first time a boy actually asked you out?" I ask. She turns bright red in embarrassment and nods. I start laughing, "A 7 year old kid was the first person to ask you out! This is legit!" I say in between laughs. "Shut up." She grumbles. Before I can say anything Adrian comes running down in his normal clothes. "Lets go!" He yells. Amelia smiles and nods. Adrian holds her hand as both of them walk out.