Where I Belong

by Stella Andrew

  “Quoi!? Amelia, what is Ninnon talking about? You... you’re going back?” He sounded like some puppy who had finally found his master but has to let go again. He sounded so hurt.

  “Pierre... I...”

  “No... no no no no. Amelia you cannot! How could you leave us?”

  “What am I to do? Huh? What am I to do when my dad is so freaking mad on getting me back home! Tell me, Pierre.” I didn’t mean to yell, but I’m frustrated too. I want to stay too. God, I don’t want to leave these guys.

  He remains quietly unable to give a reply.

  “Yes, I have a family there. Yes, I’ve friends who are like soul mates there. But I just can’t leave Lyon. I don’t want to leave the life I’ve built here.” Hot tears crept out of my eyes burning down my cheeks. “I want to be with you guys.”

  Ninnon’s arms go around me pulling me close. Ethan places his hand on my head gently. Pierre had a guilty look on his face now. This idiot.

  “Just join the hug you fool,” I say extending a hand and he grabs it. We were in such a ridiculous position, but who cares?

  “So there’s no way you could convince your Dad?” Ethan breaks the awkward silence.

  I shake my head dejectedly. I’ve tried everything. There’s really nothing more I could try.

  Sigh

  Ethan and Pierre had let go, but Ninnon’s grip on me only tightened.

  “Ninnon?” I ask, pushing her back slowly so I could see what’s wrong.

  She doesn’t meet my gaze, instead, look the other way.

  “I wish we’d never been friends in the first place. If in the end, you are just going to leave us behind.”

  Woah, what!?

  “But I’m also thankful that you came to Lyon, to our school, to our class, to us.” She finishes finally looking at me, a slightly sad smile on her face. “Look at me! You’re making me say all sorts of sappy dialogues.” She laughs now bumping my shoulder with hers.

  I couldn’t help but chuckle as well. The Ninnon I know was never a drama queen. But I guess there are times when even the strongest heart could falter.

  “Yep yep. I’m very thankful the oh so almighty God, for sending me, Amelia.” Pierre just had to say something to spoil the moment.

  “I mean look at us. Who’d have thought we’d form a deep bond? Hehe,” and he slings an arm over mine and Ninnon’s shoulder, his goofy grin back on.

  Ninnon flicks her hair and looks proud. “Of course Amelia and I would have bonded. It’s you who’s the miracle. Oh, wait, more like bother?”

  And the two fight again. Is it love or hate between them, I have noooooooooooo idea.

  “Well if there’s no hope of stopping Amelia. We might as well make the best use of the time we’ve left together.” Ethan says with a smile towards all of us. We nod in agreement.

  I feel so much lighter. So much better after confiding with these guys. Thank god I made my mind to come out with the truth to the three of them.

  Adrien is a different story though. He still has no idea.

  When will I have the courage to face him and tell him that I’m leaving?

  Ninnon sensed something was on my mind. She always had her way of figuring out my moods and thoughts. She holds my arm and gives it a gentle squeeze. She’s saying me It’s all okay.

  Why do I have to leave her? Just when we’ve started deepening our friends bond. Just when we’ve started opening up to each other and accepting each other like BFF’s.

  “So when are you going to leave?” Pierre cuts through my thoughts.

  “Right after the exams are over. I might not be here to spend the holidays with you guys. Since France and America are different. I have to go back soon to enroll myself in school over there.” Urgh... just the thought of going back to my previous school gives me the jitters.

  It’s alright. I’ll have Ryan. I’ll have my friends. Everything will be alright as long as I don’t catch sight of Noah. Cause I can’t guarantee his safety.

  “Not much long huh. I mean the final exams are right around the corner. How are we going to manage time to study and hang out?” Ethan says looking back at Ninnon and me.

  “We’ll manage somehow. We could study together most of the time. God everyone Knows Pierre needs a lot of help if he needs to advance to the next year.” Ninnon says giving Pierre a your-annoying look, to which he sticks his nose in the air. Dude don’t feel so proud.

  Ethan’s right though. In a month we’ll be sitting for our Freshman year final exams. Ninnon, Ethan and Pierre would advance to Sophomore year together while I will be far away in another school.

  Life can really be unfair sometimes.

  It’s all Dad’s fault!

  “Oh look, there’s...” before Pierre could finish whatever he was trying to let the world know, someone called out to me.

  “Mia. Wait up.”

  Oh no!

  “Ninnon, tell him Ms. Valerie asked me to help her with some shit.” And I took off running the opposite direction.

  “Mia!?” Adrien calls out louder. I could only quicken my pace. I’m not ready to face him after last night. This morning I even woke early, got dressed and ran to school to avoid meeting him.

  Please, please, please God don’t let Ethan or Pierre reveal anything to Adrien.

  I turn a corner and stop to catch my breath. Slowly I peek out to see if Adrien was following. Thankfully he was having a chat with Ninnon. He lifted his face and I quickly stepped back to stay from view. Once again I looked out and he was walking the other way.

  As soon as he was out of sight, I rush back to the threesome.

  “Back so soon? Weren’t you going to help Ms. Valerie tidy the storeroom?” Pierre asks confused.

  I stare at Ninnon and she raises a brow and shrugs. Seriously girl?

  But then her expression deepens giving me a hard stare. She knows. Of course, she’d figure it out. Then she sighs shaking her head.

  “Hey, what’s with the stares and the sighs and the mumbo-jumbo expressions? I don’t get a thing” Pierre whines. Ethan gives him a slap to the back of his head. Ninnon and I ignore him and walk away.

  How am I going to say, Adrien, I’m leaving? Will the reaction be as bad as I fear? Or am I the only one who’s over-reacting? Maybe he wouldn’t even care and laugh at my nerves.

  Just the thought that he’d brush off my leaving hurts my chest.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The days pass by in a blur. Before we knew it, the Final exams were here. The four of us as planned, always stuck together whenever possible. We studied together. Hung out together. Had many sleepovers, much to Adrien’s annoyance. We even went to and from school together most of the time. The three of them made sure I was always having the company of either of them.

  Uncle Cam had prepared my transfer letter and informed me about it two days back. He even hugged me close saying he’ll miss having me around.

  Adrien oblivious to what’s happening around him, was normal as always. He paid more attention to me which felt a little suffocating, what with me hiding a damn huge secret from the guy.

  He wasn’t the Adrien I knew when I first arrived at Lyon. The arrogant, smart-ass, rude, sharp-tongued yet generous and gentle at certain times. Now he was only gentle and caring towards me, with a little of yelling at me for ruining his meals or stealing his stuff.

  What would we do without his anger huh?

  It pains to know I’ll have to leave him behind. Since when I became so attached to the guy is beyond me.

  Ryan is a whole other story. We’ve known each other since toddlers. Adrien is someone I met just recently, so how in the world did he manage to creep inside of my heart?

  Many a time he asked me if something is wrong, the brilliant head always tried to figure out what’s going on. I somehow or the other convinced him, that he was overthinking.

  I make my way towards my classroom. By now everyone knew I was going to leave. Even Vivienne and Noelle, the ones who despise me, kept botherin
g me asking if I’m really leaving and if there’s no way I could stay.

  Shocker huh.

  Florence, our class’s nightingale would have broken out to tears if Theodore, our class President, whom she’s dating now, hadn’t squeezed her shoulder to calm her down.

  After making myself accepted into this place, I’m going to just leave everyone? The very thought dug deep within me, tearing up my mind.

  Esmee and Evan had to know since they’re the Student Body and always knew what’s going on in school. They promised me to keep Adrien in the dark, but Evan had been so unwilling and pleaded me to let him know before he heard of the news from someone else.

  Easier said than done. Every time I prepare myself to march up to him and cough out the truth, something feels like its choking me and I fall back.

  I step into the classroom and greet everyone. The air was tensed. A majority were doing last-minute catching up and referring textbooks. Referring as in turning pages in super-human speed.

  Ethan stared outside the window, while Ninnon waved at me calm and composed.

  What was most out of place and honestly ridiculous was Pierre.

  The guy sat still, looking paler and paler by the second, mumbling something. He was seated cross-legged on his chair, hands clasped together as if in prayer. Walking closer I catch on what he’s muttering.

  Is he actually praying!?

  The fuck?

  “Leave him. He’s been like that for the past fifteen minutes.” Ninnon says with a sigh.

  Fifteen minutes!?

  He really needs help.

  “You ready to ace those papers?” Ninnon asks with a smile. I give her a wink and a thumbs up.

  I was super ready. I was a straight-A student back home. It’s anything to do with French that was nerve-wracking. But with Ninnon and of course Adrien and even uncle Cam’s help, I caught up and now I’m so fired up on writing the French paper.

  “Alright, you brats! Get to your seats and throw away all your stuff except for writing materials.” Miss Valerie barked out, as she stormed into the classroom. “Vivienne it’s you every time! Leave Ethan and go sit down.! And goodness, Pierre? Why are you seated like Buddha?” To the latter, the class erupted in laughter. Everyone except the said guy who still remained at peace, praying to the dear Lord to miraculously pass him.

  I turn around and hit Pierre with my pen, bringing him back to his senses. He looks around taking in his surroundings.

  “Stop acting as if you’re in some reality show.” I say sighing aloud at his childishness.

  Seriously this guy.

  “Ameliaaaaa.” He whines, grabbing my hand and shaking it vigorously. “What do I do? What if I fail? Everyone will be sad if I’m held back a year!”

  Wow. Big-headed much?

  Sighing I pry my hands away from him before he could tear my arm out with all the shaking. “You’ve done your best with studying. Just cough up all that you’ve swallowed the past weeks. You’ll be fine.”

  “Ameliaaaaa.”

  Now what?

  “My Amelia is cheering me up.” He says wiping fake tears which wouldn’t even be visible to god.

  When did I ever become his? Someone change my seat already.

  Miss Valerie hands out the question papers and when she gives the Go signal we begin the test at once.

  I skim through the questions first. That’s a habit of mine. Always read through the questions first and complete the easier ones, leaving the harder questions for later. Saves time that way and I need not miss out easy questions while struggling to answer the difficult ones.

  I look to my right. Ninnon had already started filling out the answers. I tilt my head slightly so I could look at the back without being noticed by the teacher.

  Pierre was scratching his head with the tip of his pen, staring at the poor paper so intently he’ll burn a hole if he doesn’t blink. Ethan was facing down, writing calmly.

  Some were either writing fast, thinking, while the rest grumbled and groaned and I bet were secretly cursing the teacher who made the paper.

  I couldn’t help but smile. Somehow, I’ve come to love this class a lot. Everyone here was wonderful in their own way. Sure I’ve friends back home, but something here made me feel like I belong. A place I could always return to.

  I let out a sigh as I look back at my paper. I’m going to miss you guys.

  The bell rings signaling the end of the test. We hand over the answer sheets and I sit back letting out a yawn. Someone crashes into me almost making me fall on my butt.

  “What the…” I turn to glare at whoever it is that tried to push me off my seat, and come face to face with a doe-eyed Pierre.

  He hands me his question paper with both his hands like some kind of offering.

  “Please tell me if I’ve done well. I’ve jotted down the answers so you could check them out later on. Please tell me I passed the Math test.” He was pleading.

  I skim through the sheet ticking off the correct ones with a red marker. So far so well.

  “Well? Well? Well?”

  The guy was jumpier than a damn rabbit!

  “Pipe down already!” I snap at him and he shuts up. I hand him his question paper and glance his way with a sad expression and make my way outside of class with Ninnon, leaving behind a crazy friend, grabbing Ethan by the shoulder and demanding to re-do the test all over again.

  I couldn’t stop myself from giggling and Ninnon gave me a weird look.

  “You pass Baseball head,” I call out with a grin.

  What? I can’t mess with my friends?

  Pierre stops pestering an annoyed Ethan and stares at me as if he’d just won a million-dollar.

  I slowly inch away and then rush out of the classroom. Knowing that fool, he’d definitely jump on me.

  “Ameliaaaaaaaaaa” came out an excited cry from behind and footsteps.

  Shit! Run Amelia run!

  I quicken my pace and dash around the corner and hide under the staircase. Pierre runs past like some happy-ass puppy with a Christmas tree lighted up expression.

  For crying out loud. This is only the first exam.

  Sighing I continue crouching under the staircase, clutching my knees close to my chest as I rest my head on them. I don’t wanna leave. I don’t wanna leave. I don’t wanna…

  “Is this your idea of spending break time?”

  I know that voice!

  Looking up fast, almost cracking my neck, I stare into the deep Emerald green eyes of none other than Adrien Valentin.

  His lips turn up to a smirk, as his expression morphs to pure sarcasm. I don’t reply and glare at him. He lets out a chuckle and reaches out to grab my hand and pull me out.

  “Let me guess. Pierre ambush?” He asks with a light chuckle. I groan and he laughs sending a sweet tingle all over me. I look over and smile at him.

  We make way to my classroom so we can grab my lunch and head to our secret hideout. Adrien walks in front and I stare at his back sadly. He’s ever so oblivious to the fact that I’d be leaving soon.

  Would he miss me? Would he be relieved?

  Unconsciously I grab hold of his arm. He stops and stares back at me, a brow raised.

  “Everything alright?” Adrien asks. I realize I’m gripping his arm tight and quickly let go.

  “Everything’s fine. All good” I mumble fast with a nervous laugh. Adrien gives me a doubtful look. It’s the same one he has been giving me these past few weeks ever since I’ve been hiding the fact that I’m leaving from here.

  Adrien doesn’t pester me and continues walking ahead and I follow close behind, my shoulders drooping.

  Why me?

  The days pass by with the blink of an eye. Maybe it dragged on for the others. But for me, I wish the exam period would lengthen more. So I could remain in Lyon a little longer.

  It was precisely a week before my due flight to America. Mom had been calling every single day and god was she excited. I really can’t blame, what with h
er seeing me as a corpse the last time I had been home before flying to France.

  It was the last day of our final test, French (barf!). I managed to complete the entire paper, nd not leave a single question blank. Once the papers had been collected, the class erupted in cheers with majority throwing their question papers into the air, which must I say was a huuuuge mistake what with Miss Valerie still present.

  And she being the noble teacher she is, note the sarcasm folks, demands everyone who threw their papers to help clean up the cafeteria.

  And Pierre was asked to clean the janitor’s closet in ever floor alone.

  Why do you ask?

  The bastard went extra lengths and tore his question paper. He actually started ripping it!

  The poor guy slouched and walked behind Miss Valerie with the rest of the victims, and we the ones remaining couldn’t stop laughing.

  “The perfect way to end the final exams.” Ethan jokes walking up to Ninnon and me. I give a nod still laughing thinking back to Pierre’s happiest face ever and then the shock when Miss Valerie stood in front of him. Ninnon cracked up again too. And Ethan followed suit.

  The class started walking out one by one after waving and screaming ‘Happy Holidays’ to one another. Ethan, Ninnon and I play a game of truth-or-dare and other types of games we could come up with to pass time. A tired Pierre walks into the class, muttering to himself. When he spots the three of us he stops and stares, wondering why we haven’t left yet.

  “Oh stop looking so surprised. Didn’t we make plans to hang out and visit that new patisserie you’ve been eyeing?” I say to Pierre.

  The guy is wonderboy I tell you. One moment he looks so tired, he’d fall asleep on the floor, the next he comes running towards us with outstretched arms.

  “You guuuuuuuys!!!!!!” And like I predicted he throws his arms over me crushing me with a bear-hug.

  “You say ‘guys’ yet always run towards Amelia only, suffocating her with your absurd hugs,” Ninnon says coldly shaking her head left and right. Pierre smirks at her.

  “What? You want a hug from me too Ni-Ni?” he teases. Wrong call dude. Wrong call.

  Ninnon swings her bag onto a shoulder, hitting Pierre right on his face. Bam!