Before you knew

46. Leave.

'Why do you think that?' Clay asks as he looks at me. I bit my lips to stop it from trembling. My eyes tear up again. 'Amelia... why?' He asks. 'My ex flew to Florida to see me.' I say. Clay frowns, confused and not happy with my words. 'Does He know where you live?' He asks. I nod. That's the whole point. He'll come here to find me.

'I should ask my uncle, or Nick.' I say. 'But-' I look back at Clay as he stops himself. 'How long will you be away?' He asks. 'A week? I'm not sure.' I say. 'Can't you stay a bit longer, maybe he just doesn't come.' He says. 'He flew all the way over.' I say. 'Are you sure?' He asks. 'I'm not, but it's something he could do.' I say. A short silence falls as both me and Clay break eye contact.

'Don't leave.'

I look up at Clay. He bites his lip as he looks to the side. 'I don't want to see him, Clay. I don't want to get hurt again.' I say. My vision blurs as tears threaten to spill. 'You don't have to. I'm here.  We can ask Nick to come as well. We'll keep anyone away who could hurt you.' He says. I let out a chuckle as a tear leaves my eyes. My chuckle crosses over into a soft sob as I start to cry. 'Hey, you'll be alright.' Clay says softly as he steps closer. He places his hands on my arms 'I'm here. You're safe, I promise.' He whispers. I sniffle as I try to get my lip to stop trembling. I step closer, resting my forehead against clays chest. I wipe my tears as more slip out. 'I'll be right here.' He says softly as he hugs me. I hick and let out a soft sob and he holds me in his arms. 'You're safe. Just please don't leave me for that long.' He says.

I pull back and wipe my eyes with my sleeves before looking at Clay. I sniffle 'Come with me then.' I say. He's a little surprised by my words but he soon smiles softly. 'Sure.' He says. We walk into the living room and sit down on the couch. I hug my knees to my chest. 'I'll ask Nick if we can go to him for one night.' I say. 'We could visit my family and stay there as well.' Clay suggested. I nod as I chew my lip. 'And I bet we could stay a night at my uncles place too.' I say.

'Alright. Three nights away from home. how's that?' He asks. 'Good.' I say softly. Patches walks up and jumps onto Clays lap. Purring as he looks at his owner. Clay pats him 'let's just stay here tonight, okay?' He asks. I nod as I take out my phone and text Nick.

You: hey Nick! Could Clay and I stay over for a night?

'So your uncle lives here too?' Clay asks. I nod. ' that's the only reason I was able to come here.' I say. 'How so?' He asks. 'Well I was seventeen when we moved here together. I couldn't have on my own.' I say. 'Oh, that's nice,' Clay says. My phone buzzes in my hand.

Pandas: Sure! Party time 🥳

You: hihi when will be okay?

Pandas: anytime!

You: tomorrow?

Pandas: sure.

'So Nick is okay with tomorrow.' I say. 'Then we'll go to his tomorrow.' Clay says.

The doorbell rings and my heart stops for a second as I look at Clay. 'I'll get it.' He says. He walks out of the living room. When he comes back he shows me a small box 'package!' He says.

I sigh in relief.