The Silence in Loving You

Twenty. After The Second

My drink bottle has been clasped tight against my chest since the moment Amalie and I arrive at the party, something we haven't done together since that night. A positive note to that, is that she successfully made Micah uncomfortable enough to not be here, and although that might change, I am holding out hope.

It's the attending a party with Travis and Jeremy part, that has me stumped.

"I can't believe I am leaving tomorrow" Amalie sighs as she joins me on the empty sofa. "Confirmed though, I am moving her for senior year without a doubt and don't give me that look, I don't care if it is a hassle for one year. I am not spending another year and a half without you; besides, it is almost semester break so we will plan everything then"

"We don't even have a plan yet"

"Last minute plans are always the best kind of plans, I'll come here, and we can do something together, I know you won't spend it all alone this year but you're still family"

"Fine but don't go overboard with the price"

"You could always save money by moving in here" She teases, nudging my arm and wigging her dark brows at me.

"Or I could just wait till you're here too?"

"You say that, and I love it, but I call you living with Storm by then, one hundred percent"

"That's insane, and moving way too fast"

"Well, do you love him?

"Like I would let him... do things if I didn't"

"Touch you?" She squeals, making me slap a hand over her mouth so she doesn't draw too much attention to us.

"Shut up!!!! And yes"

"I think I might cry" Her voice wobbles with pride, "My little baby is growing up"

"So dramatic but maybe a little"

"Have you spoken to your parents much recently" Amalie asks after a beat of silence.

"No? They know nothing about where I am or who I am now, how could they"

"I thought as much" She shrugs.

"You can't just leave it there; we never talk about my parents"

"I just, -look, your Mum has been hanging around your house for at least a month looking for you, I steer clear of her, but I can't be the only one who has noticed"

"Why would she do that?"

"Beats me Nel, probably something you guys never settled on. I am sure there's a lot of lose threads from when they left you"

"They said I was a disappointment of a daughter; they have no reason to be looking for me"

"Nel, don't say that"

"They said it first" I shrug.

"Of course, they did" Amalie huffs, "I just thought you should know she is there looking for you, it's not like you'll ever be back so it doesn't matter"

"I don't know if I can"

"Right, but if Storm asked you it would be different right? Just like how talking to him is different?" My mouth drops open in shock, "Everyone else might not notice but I did, glad to know just how much you trust me Nellie"

"A, please, it isn't like that!!!

Let me explain"

"I really don't want to listen to it" She declines, shaking her head sadly and leaving me behind on the sofa.