|82| • Amelia
"You don't have to. I can take the bus. Besides, you took a half day off yesterday, remember?" I cooed, grinning from ear to ear at how adamant Everest was talking about dropping me off at school. He pouted, pulling me by my waist.
After spending the night at his family's house, we returned to the apartment the next day, which I was grateful for. It was nice having him back here; the apartment didn't feel so lonely anymore.
Seeing as it was almost time to head out for class, I told him so, and he offered to drop me off.
"I don't mind going a bit late to work." He said, peppering kisses on my cheeks.
They tickled my skin and made me grin, holding his shoulders with tipped toes.
"I'll be okay, baby. Besides, when you teach me to drive, you'll rest assured knowing I'll drive myself to class. " I snickered, kissing his pouted lips.
Everest hummed, holding onto my waist, "Have I told you that I love when you call me baby?"
My cheeks felt hot as he pointed this out, I didn't call him this often because the words sometimes betrayed me and got stuck in my throat.
"Yes, yes you have." I teased, he was like a big teddy bear, hence the endearment.
Evie grinned, looking dashing in his clothes.
We had set out at five o'clock in the morning so we could reach the apartment before my classes started.
Seeing as I had on another of his oversized shirts and shorts, I went in to change.
"And you look pretty in my shirt." He complimented slyly. Okay, maybe I decided to leave the shirt on and replace the shorts with a pair of leggings matching with a pair of chunky sandals. His polo stopped mid-thigh, so it didn't entirely swallow my body.
After yesterday and our conversation, it was safe to say that I was currently gliding on the clouds.
Knowing he was going to be patient with me gave me the reassurance I needed, as though it wasn't enough, he'd been exceptionally thoughtful and cute since we woke up.
"I do, don't I?" I responded to his compliment with sass and he squeezed my waist with a smirk of his own.
I honestly preferred the loose fitting of his polo to mine, it gave me warmth and the scent would remind me of him.
Who wouldn't want to be scenting like their man?
"And I was thinking...have you stopped going to therapy?
" I knew he wasn't anywhere near the apartment these past few days and the thought of him driving for therapy seemed like an odd chance.
From how long he'd taken to tell me, I realised it was probably a touchy subject, perhaps that was why my voice lowered when I asked him this. Everest sighed, narrowing his eyes.
"I have...unfortunately." He looked like a baby receiving a scolding.
I almost giggled at this but we were being serious here.
"That's okay," Were my pacifying words, cupping both of his chin to caress it.
"It doesn't matter as long as you give it another go, right? " Surely he didn't think of stopping.
This time, he smiled. "I guess you're right. I should probably call her to reschedule." Those were like music to my ears. "That's my baby." I decided to tease and the reaction was even better than before. He smiled, looking away. From the way he acted, I assumed only one thing;
"Are you blushing, old man?" Teasing him was much more fun than before. He groaned, trying to pull my hands away as I tugged on his cheeks. "Am I your baby or an old man, hm?" He replied with a playful scoff. I giggled, tilting my head at his cute pout.
"Who said you can't be both?"
"Well, this old baby wants a kiss." He cooed, pulling me in. His words made my giggle turn into a laugh, especially with his pouted lips which were ready for a smooch.
"Old baby?" Where did he get that from? Tip-toeing to reach, I left a quick peck on his lips making him hum.
"I love you," Where was all this boldness coming from?
Maybe it was just the newly found certainty that fuelled it.
Gently placing another kiss on his lips, I smiled against them.
Evie was already smiling against my lips, his opening to speak.
"I love you so much, my little Amelia." His forehead was touching mine, hands secured against my waist, I was sure he'd lift me off the floor easily if my legs gave out. I felt...secure. I liked that. Registering his words, I let out an airy laugh.
"Hey, I'm not little."
"Says the girl on her tiptoes." His lips found its way to my forehead. "It looks good on you."
"What? Shortness?"
Evie laughed, throwing his head back. "Is that what they call it?
" My eyes rolled back playfully at his words, and I pulled away to get my bag on the dining table.
He walked after me. "I made something quick when you went to change, don't leave on an empty stomach, okay?
" I saw the sandwiches in a brown paper bag and I smiled; his sandwiches always tasted lovely.
Especially with the crisp bacon and yummy eggs on top.
"Thank you."
I did miss his cooking. "Of course, you're very welcome." His hands found its way to my waist again, pecking the nape of my neck.
Was it just me or did he love touching today?
I definitely wasn't complaining, I'd hug him for days on end if I didn't have classes.
Giggling at the ticklish feeling, I tried to wiggle away.
"How about I come to pick you up today?" He asked, the words vibrating against my neck.
Goodness, he was spoiling me with the attention.
Taking the brown paper bag, I tilted my head to give him a kiss which landed on his forehead.
"I'd appreciate that, thank you." Everest hummed, hugging me.
"Alright then, I will. Have a great day, okay?
" His words warmed my heart. I was a teeny bit tempted to call in a sick day and omit all my classes just so we could stay together.
Everest was finally back in the apartment with me and I had to go for classes. Gosh.
Was it this hard leaving before?
"You too. Have a great day, and remember to call your therapist." He nodded when I said this, pecking my cheeks once more before letting go. Now he was off me, I missed his warmth.
"I'll see you in a bit, stay safe," Everest called out when I was almost out the door. "I will! See you!" I was most definitely still gliding on the clouds. The smile on my cheeks remained even as I waited to take the bus.
The bus finally came after a moment of waiting and I was off to Gaston's Culinary Dream.
·
"No wonder you're buzzing with excitement," Kaji said with a snicker, leaning against the wall.
I was buzzing with excitement. I didn't realise it.
Classes had just ended for the day and I was with Kaji sun the hallway, waiting for Arnold to show up.
Throughout the day, even though I missed Evie like crazy; the classes were still interesting.
We learnt new recipes and techniques from Chef Gaston himself, that was probably why it was so intriguing for me! He worked with years of experience on his back, it was difficult not to see it. I made a mental note to try out those recipes when I got home.
Home. Though it was a bit weird calling it that, I preferred it.
The apartment wasn't home when Evie was gone; but now, it was.
A smile stretched my lips when I remembered that he was coming to pick me up today.
I made sure to snag a few pastries when they told us to have a taste and put them in a white cardboard box.
Everest wasn't a sweet tooth, I knew that, but these pastries did taste amazing and I wanted him to have a try of it. Especially when I participated in making it.
Shifting the box to my other hand, I nodded at Kaji's remark.
"I'm super grateful that I went to visit my brother the time I did.
If he didn't encourage me to call, who knows where we'd have been?
" It did cross my mind a few times, would he have reached out if I didn't? Saffron made me know how much he was hurting, she even used the term 'depressed'.
"Don't think of that anymore, you two lovebirds are good now, right? "
"Uh-huh," I said with a grin.
"I hope you learnt your lesson, I doubt he'll come around if you pull something like that again.
" Kaji seethed, pointing her index at me with squinted eyes.
At the thought, I shake my head profusely.
"No, it won't! If I ever show signs of that, knock some sense into me.
" I told her with determination and for some reason, she laughed.
"You bet I will." Her hands formed a fist and she knocked my head.
"Ow! Hey! I didn't show any signs!" The spot she'd knocked throbbed.
Rubbing it to soothe the slight pain, I glared at her.
"I was just testing out the new given power.
" She hummed, inspecting her hands like they'd given her a new pair.
Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but laugh at her silliness.
"Oh yeah, before I forget. Are you and Arnold still not talking to Raul?
" I knew I couldn't hate him forever, I just didn't think it was completely fair for them to cancel him out because of my sake.
I wasn't going to be talking with him anymore; but before I came into the picture, they seemed close.
Kaji's smile dropped and she shrugged. "To be honest, I don't know.
Sure he's a cool friend and all, but he can't just take advantage of girls like that.
If he shows that he's ready to change then yeah, I don't mind putting the past behind us.
Though, I bet it would be a bit uncomfortable for you, huh?
" At a moment like this, she was still thinking of me.
How sweet of a friend could she be?
"Don't worry about me, he was your friend before I ever came along."
"Yeah but now you're both my friends." She replied adamantly. My eyebrows pulled together as I pouted, she said this so confidently it tugged on my heartstrings. "You're going to make me cry," I was only joking, kind of. Kaji grinned, rolling her eyes. "Please don't."
Heavy footsteps made me turn my head, being met with an almost out-of-breath Arnold. He stopped where we stood, panting. "Amelia, Everest is here." Those words were like music to my ears, turning around fully, I grinned.
"But...but Raul, I saw he and Raul. Just come on." He gave up, taking my free hand and pulling me to where he came from. What did he mean? Raul was with Everest? Why? I was confused, to say the least.
Why was Raul with Everest?
As the words sang in, I got all the more anxious. I hoped Raul wouldn't say anything to piss Evie off. From the little I knew, they never did see eye to eye, and after what had happened, Everest had it out for him.
The moment we reached, I quickly scanned the area to see a livid Everest and Raul who had his back turned.
It seemed like he was saying something which surely pissed Everest off.
My heart was beating rapidly, anxious about what was going to happen; the way Everest's hands clenched made me realise it was going to get messy if someone didn't interfere.
"Hold this," I said in haste, shoving the box of pastries to Arnold before running towards the scene unfolding before my very eyes.
"Don't piss me off, boy." I heard Everest seethe, his gaze sinister and his face rigid. From where I stood, shivers didn't fail to move through my entire body. They were talking about me, weren't they? That had to be the reason.
"Everest!" I called out with a shaky voice.
His gaze dropped to mine, still hard. "What's wrong?" That was a dumb question, I just asked that to delay whatever tension was growing. Raul turned as well, he had on a smirk, looking triumphant. "Hey love, long time." Was he trying to piss him off? I grimaced at him, most especially his words.
"Don't call me that, please leave Raul."
"Relax, we were just having a man-to-man talk, right Everest—"
He didn't complete his statement, because within a second; Everest's fist connected with his jaw so harshly I thought it would crack right off.
A gasp left my lips; it was as though the breath had been sucked out of my lungs.
My eyes widened in horror as Raul doubled over, falling to the ground with force.
With my hands on my mouth, I watched it all unfold.
With one look at Everest, I could tell he wasn't a tiny bit bothered, his gaze felt hot and angry.
"Don't you dare speak to her,"
My shoulders tensed up at the command, he wasn't speaking to me yet my legs and heart gave out.
Raul groaned, blood-filled saliva hitting the hard ground as he spat. He tried to get up and I found myself shaking my head. If one punch dumped him to the ground, the next would most definitely send him to the hospital.
"Stay down or I'll knock you out."
That wasn't up for discussion with his brash tone, his gaze holding Raul in place.
The latter stopped trying to get up, the blood still dripping out his mouth.
Raul glared but lay defeated on the floor.
A crowd was forming now, wondering why someone was on the floor and the other looking like he would wrestle a lion and win.
"E-Everest..." My voice was shaky, I'd never seen him this pissed. Anger was a different view entirely, he looked more murderous than angry.
Everest leaned his head back with a sigh, running his bruised palms through his hair. "Get the hell out of my sight, boy." He spat and that was all Raul needed to scramble to his feet, walking away with his head down.
"How annoying."
He scoffed, shaking his head. It was as though he finally realised I was there because he turned to face me. "I'm really sorry about that, sweetheart." Everest was back, this made my shoulders relax; he wouldn't hurt me.
"He just gets under my skin." He explained but I shook my head, walking over to him and inspecting his fist. "You're bruised up," His head was a bit red, I could only imagine the force he used to punch Raul.
"My therapist did say to be more expressive.
" I scoffed at his poor attempt to lighten up the mood, my lips still managing to turn upwards a bit.
"You're lucky the people around here aren't so nosy. "
"Oh my days, I'm officially a bit scared of you."
"Did you see him fly? Gosh, his jaw probably shifted-" Kaji and Arnold made their way to us, their eyes still widened from shock.
Everest nervously looked away, as though realizing they all saw what he'd done.
"Hey guys, my apologies." He said once more, hiding my bruised hand at the back of his neck.
"Who knew you could throw a punch like that?!" Kaji gasped, seeming more bewildered than cautious. "Well, Amelia did say he trained in the military." Arnold seconded and they both nodded, whipping their head at Evie. "What did he say to get you so angry?" It was Kaji who asked.
"Okay guys, that's enough."
The last thing I wanted was for him to remember the very thing which drove him to the edge.
Waving my hands at their questions, I took the box from Arnold's hold, turning to face Everest. "We should get going, right?
" I knew he didn't want to be here anymore, especially as his eyes roamed around, as though searching for an escape.
Everest seemed pleased with this, nodding hastily before opening the door for me.
"I'll see you two later, bye!" I hugged them both, climbing into the truck with a little aid from Evie.
Once we were both in, he sighed.
"That was kind of embarrassing."
Evie put his head down on the steering wheel, shutting his eyes.
My hands went to his shoulder, caressing it.
"I mean, you were kind of badass. 'Get the hell out of my sight boy,' 'Stay away from my girl.
'" I mocked his sinister tone and he groaned, covering his face in embarrassment.
I admit, it was a teeny bit hot seeing him so furious. Was I weird for that?
"I'm teasing you, I'm sure people will forget about it before they reach their house."
This time, he chuckled. "I hope I don't start a rumour, that'd be uncomfortable for you." He turned the ignition and the car roared to life. Smiling to myself, I buckled up as he left the school premises.
When he stopped at a red light, he faced me.
"I hope I didn't scare you..." Was he worried about that?
Everest's hands lifted mine to touch his lips, "I don't normally go around punching people.
" He continued and I giggled. "I know that.
I've been with you for quite a while, you know?
And to answer your question, I was scared to see you angry, because you hardly get angry.
But...it wasn't as though I was scared of you.
"I didn't want him to think I was scared of him because I wasn't.
He kissed my palm again.
"I won't hurt you," Everest uttered so strongly that I believed him without a doubt.
He was still the same sweet, big baby I knew.
Of course, he wouldn't hurt me, a well-deserved punch wasn't going to magically make me think otherwise.
Before the light changed to green, I inched up and kissed his cheeks.
"I know."