His Little Amelia

|63| • Amelia

I had a suspicion Evie was hiding something, but felt guilty for thinking that way.

Was I simply overthinking? Goodness, I hope I was.

Whenever I asked where he'd been on particular days, he'd brush the question off with a chuckle, saying he'd rather hear about my day.

At first, I thought it to be sweet and selfless, but my shoulders began tensing when he did this.

Where did he usually run off to that he didn't want me to find out about?

I was tempted to stand my ground today, stomp my feet and demand to know what he was doing so sneakily, but then again, it was his life.

It wasn't as though he was obligated to tell me his whereabouts, but his often 'It's nothing,' 'I was just here and there.

' smelt fishy, darn suspicious if I must say!

A tiny part of me thought he was sneaking off to see Florescent, but no.

..he promised he'd sever ties with her. I trusted him to do just that. So what was it then?

The day I asked him to go bowling with me he did the same thing that put needles under my skin.

I asked and he dismissed it, saying it was nothing.

After the call, I rang Abel, asking if Everest worked today, and he said no.

My heart clenched at that answer, but I took deep breaths, telling myself he probably had his reasons.

"Amelia?" Everest called out my name, his hand going to hold mine, making me nearly flinch.

Nearly. I plastered a smile on my face, looking over at him.

He looked as innocent and handsome as ever.

He definitely wasn't doing anything suspicious, right?

Humming, I raised my eyebrows in response.

We were currently driving to the bowling centre, where he'd officially meet my friends.

I guess I kinda of left that part out, the part where it was going to be a group date.

I just...wanted to surprise him a little.

"There you go again spacing out. Are you feeling okay?" He asked, concern in his voice as he looked over at me before facing the road. My heart felt heavy. Shuffling in my seat, I nodded with a reassuring smile. "I'm alright, I was just thinking," I say, glancing down at our intertwined hands.

Squeezing it slightly, I didn't let his hand go.

I didn't want to, it felt as though if I did, he'd slowly start to disappear and the thought terrified me.

What would I do if he decided he wanted out?

If he decided he didn't want to continue.

I could hear the drumming of my heart against my ribcage, my hands were getting cold now.

"Hey sweetheart, you sure you're okay? Your hands are quite cold now.

" Evie said softly, caressing his thumb against the back of my palm.

Snapping back from my thoughts, I looked at him with wide eyes, was I seriously tearing up right now?

Narrowing my eyes, I nodded to his question, focusing on nature.

It did seem to calm me many times before.

I felt my hand lift up before his lips laid a gentle kiss on it.

"Not that I mind much, anyways." He mumbled against them before kissing them again.

I smiled, his kisses felt reassuring. That did the trick to wave those thoughts away.

Thankful, I glanced up at him, still peppering kisses on my palm.

"Thank you..." I heard myself trail off, leaning closer to him.

He hummed, "For what?" Everest questioned seemingly confused.

This made me smile, it was a good thing he couldn't read my mind, where for a brief moment I was doubting him.

"I just felt like thanking my awesome man, Am I allowed to do that?

" I teased, tilting my head. He threw his head back, laughing.

"Oh, I see. I appreciate the compliment, my lady." Everest said, still holding onto my hand, "Of course you're allowed to." Another kiss was placed on my hand, specifically my fourth finger. I blushed, loving the shower of affection he was giving me.

"So how's Gabe doing?" I decided to ask, It had been a while since I'd seen him, and I knew how close he and Evie were.

"Gabe? Oh, he's good actually. He got a job recently, a remote one though, he said he wants to spend more time at home with Penelope.

" Hearing this made my heart swoon, he was such a sweet man, that was for sure.

"I'm certain you and Gabe would get along just well actually.

" Everest continued, dropping his hand on my lap. "Why's that?"

"Well, for one he's always taking your side, and I mean always.

And the two of you are kind and put almost everyone before yourself.

I'm a lucky man, I'd say. To have my friend and woman be such amazing people.

" He completed, his eyes on me as he said these.

My cheeks felt hot from how hard I was smiling, hiding my face into my shoulders, I sat in his compliment.

"It would be nice to have him and Penelope over sometime, right?

" I asked. No one had come to visit before, and it'd be nice to have his friends over for lunch one day.

Everest nodded, tapping the side of my thigh.

"Yeah, you're right. I'll bring it up with him soon.

On that note, when are you planning on seeing your father and brother? "

His question made me remember that I rarely visited my papa, even when I promised to do so every weekend.

I always had something planned and forgot to go back home.

Papa must be disappointed in me now. Sighing, I sank in my seat.

"It honestly didn't even cross my mind until now.

I'm such a bad daughter..." I muttered more to myself, the reason Papa let me go was because I promised to see him every week.

When last had I even called him? Geez. Way to go, Amelia.

"Hey, don't say that. Things come up, but that doesn't mean you're a bad daughter." Nibbling on my lips, I looked over at him with sad eyes. "Let's go visit them next week, okay? The two of us." I sat up. "Really? Do you want to come with me? You don't have to if it'll inconvenience you--"

His chuckle cut me off. "I want to, baby. I also want to talk to your father about something." My eyebrows rose in confusion. Were they best buds now? "What about?"

"That's for the men to know." He teased, huh?! Huffing, I grabbed his hand on my lap, "Hey! No fair, he's my Papa you know?" Evie smirked, "I'm well aware, sweetheart." There he goes hiding things from me again! What a jerkface.

Okay, I didn't mean that.

But that's what he gets for hiding things from me!

"Stop glaring at me, baby. It won't make me tell you, anyways.

" Rolling my eyes at him, I looked away.

I'd just have to ask Papa when he was done speaking to him about 'men stuff'.

Hmpf. I heard Evie laugh, his hands sliding to my lap once more.

This time, I swatted it off. He gasped, feigning sadness.

"What, I can't touch my princess again?" Gosh, where did he store all these endearments?

My heart skipped when he called me this.

His princess? That wasn't fair, now I wanted him to touch me.

Not in that way!

Huffling, I dropped my hands in defeat, watching his hands go to hold my lap again.

"W-whatever," I muttered shyly. I could tell he was smirking, I saw him in my peripheral view.

He thought he was so smart, huh? If he wasn't driving right now, I'd have climbed on top of him and made him blush as well!

"What? Do you like that name? Hm?" He asked, driving into the bowling centre, before putting his car in park.

Now he had my full attention, he turned to look at me.

"Do you like it when I call you my princess?

" He asked again, tracing circles on my lap.

My breath hitched, goosebumps being a residue of the shiver that travelled through my body at the speed of light.

A sigh left my lips when he leaned in to kiss my neck.

"Y-yeah..." I gave in, not being able to continue the silent treatment I thought of giving him.

"You do, don't you, my princess?" I giggled when he kissed my neck again, feathering kisses until he reached my forehead.

"You look pretty today, I forgot to tell you this morning.

" He whispered, kissing my forehead again.

I couldn't help but touch his beard, the brown strands tickling my fingers.

I liked how it felt to stroke his beard.

"Thanks, you look handsome as well." He did look handsome.

He'd decided to go semi-casual. He put on a black button-up shirt which he unbuttoned until it reached his chest, matched with a pair of grey jeans and sneakers.

Not to mention, he scented mighty good today.

Pulling his face down to my level, I placed a kiss on my lips, before letting him go.

He smiled, parting his lips slightly for another kiss.

How could I say no? When he kissed me again, I held his shoulders, "Don't forget your car isn't tinted.

" I said, almost out of breath. It was still bright, so anyone who cared to look would have to see some not-so-public display of affection.

"So? Let them stare." He said, about to pull me over to the driver's seat.

I could already feel myself being lifted off my seat!

"B-baby, wait..." I trailed off shyly. He might not care, but I certainly do.

Everest sighed, placing his head on my chest. "My bad, sorry about that.

" He knew what I meant to say without uttering another word.

I would have run my hands through his soft hair if it weren't for the gel he put to keep it in place.

So I settled on his nape, letting my cooler palms cup the back of his neck, his perfume making me tingle.

"Don't be sorry, let's go in," I tell him, not willing to let him go yet. Even though we lived in the same space, our different lives still made us busy enough not to have time for each other sometimes. I missed him, I missed his warmth.

Everest laughed.

"You say let's go yet you're holding on for dear life." He spoke softly, blushing, I let him go. "Oops." Everest raised an eyebrow, leaning in once more to peck my cheeks. "I don't mind."

·

The bowling centre was dark, with blue lights doing its best to illuminate the place.

There were people scattered all across the room, the sound of the bowling bowl smashing the pins and some celebratory squeals sounded along with the music playing from the ceiling speakers.

We walked in with our hands intertwined, looking around, I tried to spot Raul and the rest.

He was the one who came up with the idea of bowling. He said he and the group usually did it to unwind once in a while.

"Aren't we meant to register first?" Evie asked above the noise. Oh right, I still hadn't told him it was a group date, now I felt a tad bit nervous. Deciding not to answer, I held his hands until we reached where the gang was. Kaji was the one in front, handling the bowling ball like a pro.

"She's here!" Raul was the first one to notice us, he sprung up from his seat eagerly, gulping out of his glass before setting it down and jogging towards us.

I smiled, I guess they'd started the party without us.

Letting Evie's hand go, I waved at Raul but instead, he enveloped me in a hug.

I froze at the sudden movement. He nearly lifted me off the floor!

Squealing, I hit his chest so he'd let me down.

"Someone missed you," Arnold said, coming up from behind Raul who was just now letting me go.

"Hey! That scared me, you know?" I scoffed, glaring at him.

He cheesed, shrugging his shoulders. "I was starting to think how I asked you the other day scared you off," Raul said, making me recall how he told me about this group date, saying he wanted to 'take me out', Gee, that gave me a scare.

"It didn't." I waved off, smiling.

"Arnold! It's your turn! Oh, Amelia is here!

" Another bone-crushing ug came my way, this time, it was Kaji who jumped on me.

I giggled, happily hugging her back. "Girl!

I missed you. I was wondering when you'd come, and oh.

..you brought your man!" Kaji gasped, pulling away before making her way over to Everest. I tensed up, realizing he must have seen the way Raul hugged me.

"Hi! Remember me? I'm Kaji. It's nice to see you again.

" She said, extending a hand for him to shake, which he did.

"Yeah, I do. The pleasure is mine." Arnold shook him next, asking how he'd been.

I looked over at Raul who had a look on his face.

He then stared down at me with a questioning look.

'What?' I mouthed to him. He raised his hands as if asking why I brought Evie along.

"A-Anyways, guys, I hope you don't mind. I wanted to bring him along." I said, realizing Raul had turned his back to take a seat without greeting Everest. Rude.

Arnold shrugged, "It's cool, we're about to finish this round anyways.

" I looked over to Kaji who just shrugged, "It's fine, come on, let's go.

" A breath of relief left my lips, just as I was about to follow them, I felt a tug on my hand.

"Baby, wait a second." It was Everest. I stopped in my tracks, turning around with thin lips.

"Y-yeah?"

"You didn't tell me this was going to be with your friends.

I thought it was just the two of us." He said, sounding conflicted.

Looking down, I realized it might have not been a good kind of surprise for him.

"Oh yeah, Raul asked if I would join them for the hangout, and I thought it'd be nice to bring you along. .."

"Without telling me the full details first?" Oh, he didn't sound so happy.

Shuffling in the spot, I tried to think of something to say, but I was tongue-tied. "From the looks of things, they weren't even aware I was coming, and...I think it'll be better if you guys had your fun without me."

My eyes widened.

"W-what? Why's that?"

"Baby, I'd love to come bowling you with, just you.

I honestly feel like I'm intruding on your friends.

" No...this wasn't what I wanted. I didn't want him to feel odd, I just hoped he'd get closer to my friends.

Then again, he was quite older than us, he might have felt weird with us. My chest hurt.

"Evie..."

"Sweetheart it's fine, just go have fun, okay?

I could pick you up when you're done." No!

This wasn't what I wanted...My hands tightened around his.

I didn't want him to go, but I couldn't force him to stay if he didn't want to.

Had I ruined this for him? I should have told him from the start, better yet, I should have declined the group date and spent the day with him instead.

I didn't think this through.

Darn it.

"Hey, are you there, Amelia?"

Dropping my eyes to the floor, I nodded. Darn it, I felt so stupid now. "I'm sorry, I should have told you, I-" He held my chin, raising it with a slight push. "It's fine. Go have fun, okay?" He leaned in to kiss my cheeks. I could feel tears threatening to cloud my vision. "See you later?"

Without looking, I nod. "O-okay, later." Turning, I sadly made my way over to the group. I felt ashamed, to say the least.

"Huh? Where's the boyfriend?" Raul asked, sitting beside me.

What was I going to tell them now? That I didn't tell him it was going to be just us and he didn't feel comfortable intruding even though I thought he wasn't. Forcing a smile on my lips, I looked over to Raul. "He uh, he had something to attend to."

"Awn, that's too bad, I was looking forward to seeing him play," Kaji said, taking a whiff of her drink. Chuckling, I shrugged, looking over at the screen so I wouldn't start bawling at any given moment.

"Amelia," Raul called out.

It was then I realized he had gotten closer to me.

"Are you okay? You look sad." Thank goodness he was whispering, I wouldn't want to entertain another pair of eyes on me.

Sighing, I nodded my head. "Let's not talk about it, okay?

" I asked with a hopeful stare. He nodded immediately, taking his cup and pouring a drink into it. "Here, it would help you relax."

Staring at the alcohol, I decided to use it to forget the gutting feeling that was swelling in my body. "Okay, thanks." Taking a sip, the acidic taste burned as it went down my throat. It made me huff out, squeezing my face at the taste.

"Hey guys, I wanna take Amelia here to register, so we could start again," Raul said, taking my hand to pull me up. I had taken another sip of the alcohol. "Thanks," I muttered lowly. Kaji nodded. "Alright, be quick, I'm in the mood to get a dozen strikes!"

"Says the person who can't even get her hands on one." Arnold snorted, making Kaji huff. "Shut it, weeb!" She seethed, pointing at him with a glare. I smiled at the sound of the two's bickering.

"It's not your fault, you know?" Raul said when we were out of hearing.

I hummed, looking up at him, the glass still in my hand.

"It's not your fault if he doesn't want to hang out with your friends.

" Oh, he was talking about Everest. I pursed my lips, not wanting to speak about him.

"I kind of guessed that was the reason. If he doesn't want to then that's on him.

Don't let it ruin your night, pretty girl. " Was I that obvious?

"It's fine, don't worry about it," I told him, taking another sip. "Hey, easy. I don't know if you're a lightweight or not." He laughed, taking the drink from me to gulp down the remaining liquid in the glass. "Hey!" I whined, huffing. "I wanted that."

"I'll get you something better." Raul teased, going up to the counter to register me with his group, so he could restart the game.

As he did, I watched him, he didn't let me do it myself, he even picked out the shoe for me, buying the socks that came with it.

When he was done, he bent down to take off my sandals.

I hiccupped, pulling my leg back. "H-hey, I can do it myself you know." Raul looked up, still on his knees.

"Let me take care of you for today, pretty girl." He said smoothly, a smirk playing on his lips. Narrowing my eyes, I shrugged my shoulders, giving in. It wouldn't hurt to let him do this for me just this once, would it?

When he was done tying my shoelaces, he handed over my sandals to the man in front, where he stored my shoes in a cabinet. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he led me back to our space. "How'd you know my shoe size?" I asked, making him look down at me with a grin.

"I stalked you."

"W-What?"

He chuckled, making his way to the booth, and restarting the game. "Alright guys, it's done. Amelia will go first." He said, signalling for me to come.

"Do you play well, Amelia?" Kaji asked, It had been a while since I played this but I guess I had a hang of it. "Kinda," I grinned, going to select a ball. Raul was beside me, watching. Finding one my fingers didn't drown in, I lifted it with a groan, walking towards the middle line.

"Want me to teach you?" Raul asked flirtatiously, making me roll my eyes. "Back off man, her boyfriend might be watching," Arnold responded, taking a sip out of his drink. Kaji snickered, seconding that with a nod. "We don't want a brawl right here now do we?"

Raul snorted. "Trust me, he's not here."

Letting them bicker it out, I aimed for the middle, shutting one eye to angle it correctly.

Raul was right, I wouldn't let this ruin my night.

I could always go out with Evie another time.

Taking a deep breath, I swung the ball and it rolled until it struck the middle pin, all others coming down after.

I squealed in excitement, it was a strike!

"Damn! Kaji, take note." Arnold teased.

"I didn't know you were good," Raul said, walking up to meet me. I chuckled, puffing my shoulders. "What can I say? I dabble."

He smirked, taking my hand in his, "Maybe you should teach me then, pretty girl."