I Don't Need You

Chapter 3: Tree

Amelia's P.O.V

Theo's mom, who I knew all my life was standing there. 

"Amelia, honey. I haven't seen you in a while." She said with a big smile. I was genuinely happy to see her and smiled back at her, getting up from my chair.

"Theo kept telling me you were busy studying and planning out your life after graduation." She said making me feel guilty in my heart. 

They were like family to me and ignoring them like this breaks that connection. I assumed Theodore would've at least mentioned something to her. He was always a mama's boy.

She pulled me into a giant hug that I held on to for longer than a normal one. I missed her, she always made me believe everything will be alright.

"Yeah, sorry I've been overwhelmed with class." I said with a smile after she let go of me. She searched around the room and then looks back at me with eyes filled with excitement.

"Please join us for dinner. I am pretty sure your mom and dad are working late nights as usual." She said with a tight smile. If only she knew my life, now.

This made it hard to say no to her. She always had the right words to say that did not make me feel like I was overstepping. Late nights when my parents used to argue and scream at each other. I would always end up at Theodore's house having a sleep over. No questions asked but Theo's mom just welcomed me with open arms.

The Singh's did not make me feel like a burden to them.

"Mom, she is busy." Theo said coming from behind me putting an arm around my shoulder so casually.

"I will be there. Excuse me, I am going to grab a drink." I said with a soft smile. I disappeared into the crowd ignoring the glare from Theo.

*

Theo and I were silent in the car ride home as the music on the radio was filling the void. I stared directly out the window with my bag on my lap. Theo's parents parted ways with us to pick up Theodore's siblings from school. Jasmine, Theo's mom, thought it would've been a great idea that the both of us get started on dinner by ourselves.

"So you cook?" I teased, looking at him glance at me and then back on the road.

"Yeah, I had a lot of time on my hands" He said gripping the wheel.

"And by that you mean, taking care of everyone" I said as he scoffed at me.

"Don't pretend we are friends just because you are having dinner with my family" He said letting his annoyance show. His words felt like swords cutting me up. 

"Don't have to be an ass." I said and he shot a glare at me.

"Why did you even agree?" He asked keeping his eyes on the road.

"Because they are family" I said lowly turning away from him. I felt his eyes burn into my skin. He knew what I meant. He was the only person who knew why I had to stay those nights at his house.

Entering the house, Theo turned all the lights on and went straight to the the kitchen. I took off my coat and hung it in the closet. I walked into the kitchen putting my hair into a ponytail and washed my hands.

"So what can I help with?" I asked drying my hands off with a paper towel.

"You don't have to keep me company." He said bluntly.

"You never told your mom that we were not friends anymore" I asked raising an eyebrow at him. Theo paused cutting the carrots and looked me in the eyes making me narrow my eyes.