Still Into You

7

Alice and Amelia awoke from the alarm Alice set for the morning. It was 8:00am, Amelia's eyes were swollen from her sleep and Alice had dark circles under the eyes. They both looked at each other and giggled discussing their sleep talking moments from that night.

"Bro you're honestly demonic in your sleep" Alice yawned for ages.

"Says you girl, what scenarios were in your head at 3am?" Amelia chuckled. "Mind if I shower?"Amelia asked politely.

"Don't even girl, help yourself towels are in the bottom cupboard."

She was very welcoming and gracious when having visitors over in general. Whilst she was showering, Alice set out an outfit for Amelia on the side of the bed. Amelia admired Alice's style, she thought it was effortless and unique so she never minded when she had somewhere to go because Alice would take care of it.
Alice set up a quick avocado on toast for the both of them. Adding sliced boiled eggs on top, seasoned with chilli flakes, salt and pepper and olive oil.

Amelia ran downstairs wearing the clothes she styled for her. "I got to give it to you when I make it as an A lister, you'll be my stylist full time. Period."
Alice blushed and gave a modest look. She ate in a hurry, leaving the dishes in the sink hoping her dad wouldn't mind.

"Imma run upstairs, shower and do the rest of my shit. You good?"

"Yeah I'm ready to go, just need to brush my teeth, you got a spare?" Amelia asked.

Alice nodded and they headed upstairs, brushing their teeth. The comfortability between the two was immaculate and they didn't need much to have fun. Even sitting in silence was sometimes all they needed without the sense of awkwardness.

They headed to Cafe Lounge and ordered, as they walked out moments later with their drinks hand in hand, Chris appeared.
"Hey Chris, what are you doing here? You're usually at school around this time." Amelia smiled at him in question.

"Oh-you know well...I come here sometimes just before school to get some caffeine." Chris responded in an anxious tone. Alice could sense how nervous he was that she was without Brad.

"Well why don't you order your drink? We will wait for you, so we can walk together." Alice suggested.

He headed inside and Amelia quickly turned to Alice with a light punch to the arm.
"Girl what are you doing?" Amelia shook her head, unimpressed.

"I'm just being nice he's gonna be at school with us, he was with us last night. What's the problem?" Alice answered back.

"No-I know it's just... uh this is all confusing. He's such a sweet guy I'm gonna have to speak to him at some point and just put it to an end this whole back and forth." Amelia confusingly responded.

"Do you really think this situation between you guys will have an end?" Alice raised her eyebrows, sipping her drink whilst looking at Amelia in a questionable way. Alice knew it wasn't, he was a sweet guy, having that normalcy of a kind hearted, generous guy around it was hard to let go. Brad kept playing on Amelia's mind, it was a roller coaster of emotions on the current status of their relationship. Was she able to call it quits and be with someone good for her or was she to stay with the guy she's known forever. That didn't mean their relationship was healthy, it was mainly toxic they were so comfortable from the day they met each other, never knowing when to cut the cord entirely. Being in the same friendship group made it more difficult in a sense, other years would look up to the them being the cliche 'highschool sweethearts'. Amelia also being quite popular she was held to a standard and felt the pressure as there were constant eyes on the two of them. Expectations were the total opposite of the reality. Dealing with what it was and what it wasn't was starting to play up in her mind. She never got to go on dates with Chris as it didn't last long until Brad and her would try again. Chris and herself would hook up, their feelings for each other never seemed to go away, how strong were they? She wasn't able to figure it out with Brad in the picture. Maybe this summer it would be different for her she thought.

"Alice.." She looked puzzled, sending hints with her eyes. Alice confirmed it was just beginning...maybe?
Chris stepped out, as the door closed the bell tinkled. He began settling into their conversations, himself and Amelia would low-key brush each other's hands as they strolled. Alice noticed but kept her mouth shut she liked it in a way it felt more normal to her then Amelia's own relationship. Amelia giggled the whole way when Chris would make jokes, his banter was one of his best qualities. Only the closest people or anyone he was comfortable with would see this side.
Arriving at school, walking the hallway, Brad was eyeing them down in the distance and continued to do so as they came closer. Amelia looked his way with no excitement and turned without hesitation, continuing to walk to her locker. Brad in shock nudged Connor to look at the three of them and instead Connor being unbothered rolled his eyes. Brad stormed the other way straight to class. Chris went up to Connor chatting about the football game that was on tonight.

Grabbing Amelia by the arm and linking arms Alice asked, "What was Brads problem just then? He looked like he was gonna fight someone."

"Alice the other night...you know what don't worry I should talk to him." Amelia responded to changing the conversation midway.

"Alright later bestie."

Amelia got her books from the locker and went to the back of the school where Brad usually went to smoke in the hidden area underneath the stairs before class. She was sure he'd be there and evidently he was.
His blonde scruffy hair was messy at the back and pushed back at the front she didn't particularly enjoy his hair all that much. Although his pretty boy features is what captured her attention at first sight.

"Babe... Hey." She leaned in for a kiss.

He looked down shaking his head. "At this point I don't get what you're doing. It's obvious you like the attention but what are you trying to get at. Huh?" Waiting for her to respond which she didn't, she was blank in the face. He continued, "Do you wanna break up? Because I'll find another bitch anyway in two seconds. It's not hard for me. I only got back with you because your lonely. I take all your complaining every fucking day, what is it you want? You won't find anyone else as good as me." He said freely. Zero hesitation.

"What are you on about? You do this every time, you're fucking jealous I can't do anything without you-" cutting her response short with a hard slap to her face.

"We're done here." He stated. No remorse.
Stepping on his finished cigarette, he picked up his backpack and headed to class without a care in the world. Amelia wanted to swallow into a hole, she had never been treated by anyone else like this, ever. She didn't know any better, who else was in her life besides the friends she had? This was the last straw and she could never go back. Her face was hot and burning, eyes were filling up slowly with tears.

She ran quickly to the bathroom not far from where she was and locked herself in the cubicle. Pulling the toilet lid down she slammed herself down, sobbing hard. How did this happen today? She hoped no one saw. Many times before today and that night at his house his violent actions going a step too far. It was many moments of fear being in his presence. The emotional struggle she felt when she said what she felt or how he was treating her was a kick in the gut every single time. How could someone be so vile, disrespectful, violent and could just get away with it. She knew she couldn't say anything to anyone, with no makeup on she tried to clear up her face by wiping her face and tears on the oversized back zip jacket.
She got out of the bathroom stall and noticed she was by herself, she felt a sense of relief, She needed to be alone, have her own space to say the least. A red blotchy hand mark was appearing on half of her face and was going more red the more she stared at herself in shock, she had to leave. Having no one to go home to, just Amelia and a home of desolation. Where were her parents when she needed them?