His Little Amelia

|44| • Amelia

Preston drove me home, much to my disagreement.

He said he wouldn't help me take the bus back, something about him being a good friend. To be honest, I was grateful. The strength to wait on the bus stop wasn't in me today. After crying like a big baby in front of Binta, I was drained.

"You know, every time I drive you, you're sad, or at lease experiencing the aftermath of it." Preston chirped in after a moment of silence. He gave me a sideway glance before taking a turn on the right. I knew he was an observant one, the incident of the brownie probably still in mind.

Staring at the clean dark brown fur covering the dashboard, my mind went back o all the times there was a misunderstanding between us — Everest and I. Was it more than an average couple? I mean, we had only been dating for a week or slightly more yet this was our second misunderstanding.

It sucked.

Chewing on my lips, I tried to force a smile at Preston but it didn't come. What did he want me to do? Deny the fact that his observant eyes were taking it all in? Giving up, I nodded. "You're right." Was my below the breath mutter.

"I don't want to pry, Sunshine. But do you think he's worth the tears?" His question made me flinch internally. Perhaps it was simply weird hearing all those thoughts I didn't dare to think he poured out in the air. Was Everest worth all this fuss?

A huge breath left my lips. "It's funny, because most of the time I'm the one jumping into conclusion, or overreacting. But this time, he's the one...he's the one who messed up. I don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed."

Preston narrowed his eyes at me, pursing his lips.

"But do you think he's worth it?" Oh, right. I did t answer his first question.

Turning over to him, I nodded affirmative.

Fight we're normal, right? Besides, it all worked out in the end.

But dear oh dear did I hate how soundly my heart reacted at any slight inconvenience between us.

It was like I was so attached to him, whenever he was happy, I was even more excited.

When he was anxious, or frustrated, my heart ached.

I loved him.

And it scared me.

What if he decided I wasn't the one? If he one day woke up and declared our relationship over? Would my heart really be able to take it? My stomach churned at the thought. Everest said he loved me...but he loved Florescent too and look how they ended up.

"You're scared to admit it, aren't you?" Preston spoke the words right out of my tongue.

Sadly, I nodded. Why was he so keen on reading me like a book today?

Of course I was scared to admit how much he meant to me.

I hadn't experienced this...ever! Taking a deep, exaggerated breath, I sunk into the chair, hoping it was just swallow me.

"I wonder how well you know me, you read me like a book." It wasn't like I didn't want that, I just felt...naked when I spoke to him about things so vulnerable. Preston chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "I guess it's just a talent." This made me snort.

"A talent?"

"I'm serious! My mom had it too." The more he tried to convince me, the more funny it seemed. I giggled. "What a nice talent you have there, Preston." He scoffed, a smirk light on his lips.

"But all jokes aside, sunshine. If you think he's worth it then don't feel a kind of way about it.

I'm not saying to fight for his attention or whatever.

Just...be more confident in your relationship.

Unless I'll be a chauffeur whenever you cry.

" I pursed my lips as he said this. Be confident in my relationship?

I didn't think of it that way. Perhaps I wasn't as confident as I thought.

"Okay..."

It took time for his words to sink. Going home meant I was going to face Papa and Abel once more, knowing the former, he was going to try and change my mind towards Evie and our relationship. I didn't want that. I wanted to convince him, not to be convinced!

"Thanks P." Were my words when he drove into my neighborhood. "For everything really. You're quite the friend and it hasn't even been a year since we met." He grinned, stopping the car at my gate. Putting it in park mode.

"You're always welcome Sunshine. I care about you, okay? Just know that."

Those words almost made me cry. I wanted to hug him but settled for a wide grin and a handshake. "I appreciate that, and I certainly care about you a lot as well." Preston grinned, mirroring my expression. "Cool." He replied smoothly.

It reminded me of the time Evie first said he missed me, snickering to myself, I winked his way. "Cool." Repeating after him.

I didn't want to go inside, but I also couldn't stay in his car for too long. Preston probably had better to than to baby me for another thirty minutes. Again I say, Wendy was a lucky girl.

Preston hummed, arching how brows at me. Did I say that out loud? Gee I hope not. "We're here." Preston tapped on the steering wheel, most likely wondering why I was sitting put. Clearing my throat, I perked up. "Right! Right..." I took my little bag, opening the door of his car.

"Thanks again Preston, it means a lot."

He didn't seem convinced.

"Are you okay?"

Crud! Must I always wear my emotions on my sleeves? How ridiculous. Forcing a grin, I waved my hands at him, hoping it would clear his doubt. "Psh! I'm good. Way better than before. All I have to do it face my Papa. No big deal."

"Amelia." Preston deadpanned.

"I'm serious!"

We maintained eye contact for a good minute, who was going to break eye contact? Definitely not me. Preston heaved out a breath, a low chuckle leaving his lips. "Alright sunshine, whatever you say. I'll take your word for it." I nodded eagerly.

"You should."

Gently closing the door, I took a few steps back, now waving at him. "Bye P!" He roared the engine of his car back to life, smoothly turning out of my house and down the neighborhood. Finally, I let out the breath I was holding.

"Be strong."

I muttered to myself.

On getting the spare keys from my bag, I felt a vibration against my fingertips, it was my phone. The vibration was short lived so it was most likely a text. Going to open the gate, I held my phone with one hand, quickly locking the gate back and going to the front door.

Before I got to it, my eyes caught a glimpse at the message. My legs stopped. Oh no, did I really not reply Evie's apology?! I was so caught up in crying, working and pouring out my feelings to Preston that it completely slipped my mind.

He had messaged me again.

I didn't want Everest thinking I was ignoring him because of what happened, I couldn't even stay mad at him without my heart whining for his attention. Opening his message, I didn't know I was holding my breath as I read it.

A small smile nudged my lips, he cared that much? I get giddy all over again. Before I opened the door, I rested on the frame thinking of what to reply him. How did I get to meet such a man? Heat rose to my head at the thought. I did good, didn't I?

Was that too eager? Or happy? I mean, I was a bit mad at him but it wasn't overwhelming. I didn't expect him to immediately reply me, what was he doing? Wasn't he at work?

I smiled, biting the inside of my cheeks.

I texted back with the same speed, not feeling an ounce of shame.

He messaged me back after a minute, it wasn't like I was counting or anything.

Gosh, how can a simple text make my heart beat so rapidly? It was like my heart wanted to jump out of my chest and into my phone to read the message a thousand times. Gah, this was unreal. My cheeks felt like it was about to explode from smiling so much.

Anyone in the neighbourhood would think I was mad smiling at my phone in front of my door this way.

Sucking in my cheeks, I tried to stop smiling.

Of course I replied him with a blushing emoji, telling him I felt the same way.

It was far too embarrassing to write those words, I kept on deleting it and giggling to myself.

Silly me.

When I was a bit calmer from my high, I turned the key and opened the door.

It was time to face the music.

The air was warm indoors, television playing a comedic relief on screen, I heard Papa's grunt and chortle, another voice muttering something as well. Ah, the white team was here, Abel and Papa. How fun.

Mustering up the courage, I walked into the living room, announcing my presence to the both of them. They looked up from the screen, both of their gaze on me. Abel had a knowing purse on his lips, while Papa's stare was hard. This was going to b more difficult than I thought.

"Good evening Papa, Abel."

Abel nodded, stretching from the seat beside Papa. "Are you feeling better? Who dropped you?"

"My friend."

Papa huffed, "Move from the screen, Abel." It was clear that he wasn't ready to talk, but I was. Tightening my grip on the shoulder bag. "Papa?"

It was quiet, except for the occasional chatter from the television. Abel gave me an apologetic look, clearing his throat in an attempt to get Papa's attention.

"Dad, c'mon."

Papa sighed in frustration slightly after. "If this is about that boyfriend of yours, forget it."

Abel kissed his teeth, "Dad. You've told me what happened, I get you're upset but come on. Everest isn't a bad guy, I'd know. He's been working with me for a while now." It made me feel good that Abel was taking my side, I mean, I expected nothing else from him.

Papa rolled his eyes, itching his hair. "I don't get it. All this for a man you didn't even know last year." Taking the remote, he turned the television off, crossing his arms.

"Well, sit." His voice was hard, stare far away but I knew he was talking to me. Holding in a smile, I scurried to sit beside him. Dropping my bag by my side.

"Papa, I don't know what Everest said, but I know he didn't mean it in a way that would offend you." I said gently, trying not to play with my fingers, I didn't want to seem nervous.

Papa scoffed, his thick eyebrows drawing together, was it something I said? "You don't know what he said? What? He didn't tell you? But you had no issue blabbing to him about your dream bakery school or whatever you all it."

I flinched, that was what this whole fiasco was about?

He had told my Papa about how I wanted to go to culinary school? Oh dear, I didn't even know how to feel. "Papa, I simply told him I'd like to go there and open a bakery after-"

"Now he thinks because he has money he can spend it all on you since your poor father can't."

My eyebrows knitted. What did he mean? "Papa, I don't get it."

"You don't? You don't get what I'm saying?

You're okay with another man paying your tuition to go to a crappy baking school, Amelia, this is not fucking flowers or a trip to Hawaii.

It's your education, and then what? He tells you that you owe him for life?

That he owns you? And you know the shit he said, 'I'll pay for it since you don't want to do so for your daughter', who the hell gave him that balls hm? "

"Dad, calm down." Abel interfered but his words had already drilled into me. Was that the problem? The fact that Everest would be the one to pay the tuition?

"Papa, he's not contesting your place in my life.

And if he wants to pay for my tuition, why shouldn't I accept it?

I know you want me to work for this and I am!

But this...this is an opportunity and you want me to decline it.

With or without the tuition I still...I still love him and I don't plan on breaking up with him. "

I was impressed with myself, a single tear hadn't dropped.

"I...I know the sacrifices you've made for me, and I appreciate it. So much. But this, this is the one thing I really want. Does it really matter who pays? I know it may have rubbed you the wrong way, but...can you and Everest just finish the talk so you can really understand his perspective?"

Papa narrowed his eyes, he didn't say a word.

After what seemed like minutes, he huffed, scratching his neck.

"When did you get so mature?" He asked quietly, looking at Abel and cocking his head at me. "A moment ago you were going for prom. Now you're scolding me for sending your boyfriend out." He chuckled humourlessly.

Abel smiled and said, "Told you she wasn't a kid anymore."

I held in a smile, not wanting to break character. "Dad?" Papa paused, staring at me in shock. The name was foreign on my tongue, he hummed.

"Promise me you'll go talk to him. Or, he can come here."

"Uh-sure...sure thing. I'll go talk to him, I guess I owe you that." I'm this time, I let the smile show, nodding my head. Thank God. Papa chuckled again, adjusting himself on the couch.

"Come here, my dear."

I obeyed, moving closer to him. Much to my surprise, he pulled me into a hug. I gasped, feeling strange. When last did I hug this big, grumpy man? My eyes get moist at how warm his hug was.

"You've grown into a fine woman."

He said, rubbing my shoulders. That was all it took for a tear to drop down into my cheek.