“Mia...”
“A ‘Goodbye’ was all I needed. Was that too much trouble for you? I never wanna see your face again.”
I turn on my heels and march out of the classroom.
“Adrien. Go after her man.” Evan shook Adrien by the shoulder. “Are you alright with this?”
Adrien dropped his head on the table covering his face with his arms. “nothing’s going to change the fact that she’s leaving.”
I reach the airport in time and make way to where the others are. I had cried myself all the way from school to the airport. I was all dried up. No more tears. No more regrets.
“Amelia! Quick. They announced your flight and wooooah. Girl what the hell happened to your eyes!?” Pierre came to an abrupt halt before me. I stare at him confused.
Florence pulls out a compact mirror and points it at me.
Wow. When did I exchange my eyes for red marshmallows?
“Honey-Pie? Are you okay?” Aunt Felicity came through and held me by my shoulders gently.
“I’ve never been better Aunt Fel.” I smile at her. A genuine smile.
“This is the final boarding call for passengers booked on flight 530S to Miami City. Please proceed to gate 3 immediately. The final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately ten minutes. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for all passengers booked on flight 530S. Thank you.”
“That’s our cue people. Everyone line up and have one last hug with Amelia. Chop chop.” Uncle Cam shouts out earning a few stares from passerby’s and a slap on the head by his sister.
I give everyone a quick hug. Some of the guys gave a pat on the back. Aunt Felicity hugs a little longer and I bask in her homely scent. I’m going to miss you, Aunt Fel.
“Take care love. And our door is always open for you. Come back any time.” She says as she pulls back and places a soft kiss on my forehead. Her husband Hugs me next with “Be safe Kiddo. Come back soon.”
Uncle Camille squashes me in a bear hug and I couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.
Finally, it’s just Ninnon, Pierre and Ethan left. We do a group hug at first which was quite awkward and end up laughing. Ninnon pulls me for a personal hug, making me promise over and over to call, text and whatever to keep in touch. I give one final hug to the three of them and make way to the gate.
Turning around I wave at everyone.
“I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!” I yell not giving a shit to what people would say. And I board the flight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 530S with service from Lyon to Miami City. We are currently third in line for take-off and.....”
I zone out as I sit back and relax on my seat thinking back to the faces I’m leaving behind and to the faces, I’m heading towards.
No regrets Amelia. Let’s start afresh.
“I’m coming home Miami.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Honk Honk Honk!!!!
Heath’s land rover’s horn was blaring from outside my house. I did a final check-up on myself.
Eyeliner? Done.
Lip gloss? Done.
Jean shorts, tank top, and jacket? Triple done!
Okay!! Now get your ass moving girl!
“Mia!!!!!! Get your pretty ass down here, right now!” Heath yelled. Calm down, boy! It’s just the start of a new school term. Not the freaking end of the world.
I rush downstairs, slinging my backpack onto one shoulder and give Mom a quick hug from the other side.
“Bye Mom! Love you.” I grab a piece of toast which Dad was about to take a bite from. Yum!
“Bye Dad. I’m still mad at you.” I say and race to the door. I’m just teasing and he knows it pretty well. I look over my shoulder and find him smiling after me.
“Well? What are you waiting for? A freaking red carpet? Move it move it.” Amy pulls down the window from the back seat and shouts at me as I make way towards Heath’s Landrover.
Why the fuck does she sound like someone out of a military school?
“Everyone stop yelling for god damn sake,” I yell back at them.
What? I’m just yelling as payback.
Lara scoots over making room for me to squish inside. I throw my bag to the back where the rest of their bags were lying. Ryan looks over to the back grinning from ear to ear.
“This feels like old times.” He says smiling. Lara who was complaining that maybe she should have worn a skirt instead of jeans and Amy doing her make-up looked over and held identical grins. Heath honked the horn as loud as a response.
“Yep! How I’ve missed...” I stop and stare at the four pairs of hopeful eyes. “Wearing casual clothes to school.” I end and have things thrown at me. Heath not having anything close by grabs Ryan’s pen and throws it at me.
“Dude!” Ryan shouts as he takes back the pen from me and hits Heath with it.
We all end up laughing like lunatics. I cram my butt on Lara’s lap since she was seated in the middle and push Ryan aside to get a hold of the tuner to increase the volume of the radio.
I sit back properly and look outside the window.
Now then, let’s get back to being my miserable state in silence.
What are you three doing right now?
It’s a week since I arrived in Miami. My parents were overjoyed to the extent they kept screaming my name the whole time. Ryan, Amethyst, Lara, and Heath came barging into our house and abducted me to the park we always hang out since we became friends.
I’d been so miserable the couple of days that followed. Of course, I was chirpy and sunshine in front of these people. Don’t want them feeling gloomy now do we? That doesn’t mean my sadness wasn’t felt by me.
Ninnon and I spoke all night. There’s a six-hour time difference, between France and America. It’s been difficult to catch each other at the right time but we managed to speak up each day. Every time we group video chat on Skype, Pierre would drag my name, as usual, and cry out aloud demanding me back. Calming the fool down was the biggest shit the three of us went through.
I miss them so much. I miss everyone back in France so much.
“You okay?” Lara’s voice brings me out of my trance.
“Yeah, I’m all good,” I reply, smiling at the two girls who peered at me worried.
“What? First day to school jitters?” Amy teases and I scoff. I might have been the crybaby (gag) and a victim for bullying once (double gag), but here in Miami, in Mectro High, I had my standards. I was in on the popular crowd and more importantly, I didn’t let anyone give a shit to me and placed a borderline to anyone who tried messing with me, or my pals.
I was just a mess when I was back in France, resulting in all those shameful acts.
“Here we are, folks. The Hell-Hole. Welcome aboard. It’s good to have the Hell-princess back.” Heath jokes as he cuts down the engine and unbuckles the seat belt.
“Good to be back, off-spring of Satan.” I joke back and he grins while Ryan shakes his head at us.
Please, I can see that smile you’re trying to hide Ryan!
We get off Heath’s car and the guys open the trunk and hands out our bags. I take a deep breath as I stare at the looming building of Mectro High. The school I’d been going to since Freshman year. The place which I’d loved going to each day just so I could be with my friends. Now it looked like just a building of bricks which I didn’t want to step foot on.
Ryan’s arm snakes around my waist and he gives a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go, babe.”
The other three had fallen into place beside us. I nod and clench the strap of my bag, and we walk towards like what Heath said, The Hell-Hole.
The first thing that hit me, was the silent whispers. The Murmurs. The curious eyes.
Like that mattered? Bitch, I lived with the watchful eyes and whispers for half a year. I’m the queen of that shit now.
Familiar faces stopped to stare. Some were polite to wave and smile. Some grinn
ed in delight.
And like any other high school, there are the jealous bimbos that glared. Their spot as Ryan’s girlfriend was in serious crisis. Again. I guess?
It’s not my fault he’s an over-protective best friend, right? So cut me slacks people!
A couple of guys appeared out of somewhere. The athletes.
They swing their bags at each other and do the guy-ish shoulder bumps and fist bumps. Ryan included. One of the guys announced that they had a morning meeting with the coach and the whole lot went ‘shit’ and ‘fuck’ and ran down the hallway in super-human speed. Yep. The Athletes ladies and gentlemen.
“Go on. Coach Pants-on-fire will have his pants on actual fire if one student is missing. I’ll be fine, so go on.” I say to Ryan and he gives me a nod but still looks slightly unsure.
“I’ll walk with her to collect her schedule. Go on man.” Heath says and so Ryan finally runs off to join the rest of the pack.
“Let’s go pretty ass!” And he drags me off towards the student center grinning. Oh, how I wish I could step on his foot!
Lara and Amy had Advanced English first period and so we dropped them off by the classroom and walked ahead.
Walking alone with Heath is like walking with a clown. The guy doesn’t know when to stop. I squeezed my sides to stop the aches from laughing.
But then I come to a sudden stop the laugh disappearing.
“Mia?” Heath comes to a stop beside me and stares at me confused.
Standing before my eyes in just three feet was the cause of my miserable state. The person responsible for the death of my beloved best friend.
“Noah.” I spat his name so venomously. Heath turns his head to the front so quick and notices the said guy with a group of girls and guys, laughing aloud without a care of the world.
“Amelia Brooke?” one of the girls call out as she stares at me with disbelief.
Bitch! You thought I was fucking dead?
Noah looks over and his eyes pop wide like a freaking saucer. What I’d do to spill hot coffee into them.
Heath moves closer, his hand grabbing my arm with a death grip. He glared at Noah with pure hatred. I guess none of them had gotten over what had happened and still harbored hatred towards the dip-shit.
Personally, I knew though, Heath’s anger was entirely based on losing Sarah, a girl he had started growing a secret crush on.
I place a hand on him and he looks down at me. I manage a smile.
“Let’s keep walking Heath. Let’s go.” And I start my steps with Heath following beside me.
The group had gotten silent. We almost walk past without a hindrance but Noah just had to open his big fat ugly mouth. What’s so kissable about it? That’s the mouth that breaks hearts and spouts lies.
“Well well well. If it isn’t the pretty Amelia Brooke.” A smirk plastered on his face.
Keep walking Amelia. He’s not worth your fist. “The girl who ran away like a coward after the death of...”
Heath grabbed him by the collar and growled at him with so much anger I was afraid he’d ruin the pretty boy’s face. Not that I care but Heath would get into trouble.
“Let go, Heath. Take your hands off of him!” I grab his hand and try to pry it from Noah’s collar.
“Listen to the girl Moore,” Noah says in a sing-along tone. Heath’s grip only tightens.
“Heath!” I raise my voice. That brings him to his senses. “You’re just ruining your precious hand touching something so filthy.”
Noah looks at me with a glare. I glare back. Bring it on Ass. I’ll dig my nails into those eyes, girls love so much until you go blind you can’t see your sex partners ever again.
Heath steps back and pulls me towards him. “Let’s go.”
With one final glare and honoring him with my well-manicured middle finger, Heath and I walk away.
As we turn a corner I stop and pull Heath back who kept walking. He stared confused.
“You alright?” I ask and he sighs aloud rubbing his temple.
“I’d have beat the crap out of that dick if you hadn’t pulled me away.” He says with an edge in his tone.
“Hun, I’d have stepped on him with my stealth heels until I dug a hole on his feet and scratched the life out of him with my pretty nail, but he’s not worth the damage to our possession,” I say flicking my hair over the shoulder. Heath cracks a smile and then chuckles as his eyes move to my hands and I wiggle my fingers at him.
Heath has a solemn look on his face once again as he leans on the wall.
“He had been suspended for three months. Just fucking three months. This school values a person’s life only that much.” He says sadly as he looks down at me with a broken expression.
“We value her more to keep her in our minds and hearts forever Heath. Fuck the school and anyone else.” I comfort him. Deep down I was boiling though. The least the school could have done is expel the guy. He could lead to another death for crying out loud.
“Three months later he just waltzes into the place like nothing happened and everything resumes to how it was.” He continues looking into the distant. “But there are smart girls who keep their distance from the dick now. I guess the death of a girl is what shows the rest what’s right and wrong huh.” He looks so miserable it pains me.
I pull Heath for a hug and he wraps his arms around me tight. I rub my hand on his back to comfort him. I sniffle as a tear drops my cheek. Heath pulls back and stares at me. A ghost of a smirk appears on his face.
“Now now. We don’t want the school to know the hell-princess cries now do we?” he teases and I hit him lightly.
“Let’s go grab your schedule. The bell will ring off any minute now.” He says as he drags me to the Student center.
“Hello, Mrs. Moris.” I greet the lady behind the counter. She looks up and a smile appears at once.
“Amelia! My dear. It is such a wonderful thing to see you again. My, I’d been ecstatic when I was asked to prepare your schedule.” She keeps talking and I chuckle at her excitement.
Mrs. Moris is loved by everyone in the school. She’s the sweetest thing the school could offer us.
“Tell me, how have you been dear? I hear you’ve been to France?” She inquires.
“Yes. I just needed some time to clear my head. A getaway was what I needed.” I say and she shows me a sad smile.
“I hope I can see the jolly Amelia Brooke once again.” She says and I grin at her, nodding vigorously. Heath appears from behind, slinging his arm over my shoulder and greeting the sweet lady.
“Of course. How could we forget the young lad with the brightest smile? Good day to you Heath Moore.”
“Nice to see you again Mrs. Moris.” He replies with the biggest grin he could muster.
“Oh right. Your schedule. Now, where did I... Oh! Here it is. Here you go, dear.” She hands me a single sheet of paper with my classes on it.
First-period Advanced English. Yes!
“Oh, we’ve lunch break at the same time except on Thursdays. And we share a majority of our classes. Neat.” Heath says looking over my shoulder at my schedule.
I wanted to be excited as well, but something else was running on my mind.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Moris, I know my request is unreasonable, not to mention you might get into trouble. But, can I see Noah Flinn’s schedule, please? I don’t want to share a single class with him. I beg of you.” I plead. She doesn’t say anything at first. Then she moves her hand to open a drawer and takes a paper from the very top.
“I figured you might ask something of the sort and had already been prepared.” She says with a mischievous smile. Oh my god!
“Thank you! Oh, Thank you. I can’t thank you enough.” I grab the paper and compare it with mine. Heath stares at Noah’s schedule as well. He’d burn the paper with his hatred-filled gaze.
“You and the other darling used to always run over to give me chocolates. You can thank me by doing the same once again.” Mrs. Moris replie
s sweetly. The chocolate is an excuse. She had wholeheartedly wanted to help me out.
A sudden pang in my chest.
The other darling she referred to was Sarah.
“I’ll make sure I bring with me Sarah’s share as well Mrs. Moris,” I say smiling. Heath gives my hand a squeeze.
“Let’s go. We’ve three minutes to rush into class.” Heath says, so once we say our byes to the lady we turn on our heels and run to class.
Heath had Algebra first. He groaned in annoyance as he waved and rushed to class.
I stand outside of the Advanced English classroom. I take a deep breath. I know Amy and Lara are inside and would most definitely come to my side at once.
Well, this is it, Amelia. This is the start of your life back in Mectro High.
I open the door and walk inside after greeting the teacher who was already present. Amy and Lara look up and grin wide, motioning me to a seat close to the two. I ignore the stares from the rest of the classroom.
I take my seat and shut my eyes taking a deep breath once again.
Wish me luck Ninnon. Let’s hope I survive the school year.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“All good over there? Anyone’s ass that needs a kicking?” Ninnon asks as a loud yawn escapes her lips.
“Girl, you need to get your ass off the freaking chair and dump it on the freaking bed, and get a freaking good sleep!” Geez, it’s freaking 2 a.m. in France. I can’t believe she insists to keep on talking.
It’s been five months since I moved back to America. As days passed by, it had gotten difficult to keep in touch and the past few days we couldn’t talk to each other at all. Which is why this crazy girl is hell-bent on staying up all night if she has to, just so she could talk to me!
Sighing I look at my girlfriend whose eyelids were drooping shut.
“Get some sleep Ninnon. You’ve got just six hours to sleep, before heading to school.” I say slightly worried. Ninnon is a smart girl. I don’t want to be the cause for her health deterioration, nor her failing any class.
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