Someone Like Hugh -Draft Complete And EDITING-

Chapter Eleven:

Amelia's POV:

I pulled my gloves from my arms and tossed them onto the counter. I grabbed my apron from the closet and wrapped it around myself. I fought back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. I took a deep breath and began cleaning the kitchen.

I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I scrubbed at a stain on the counter. "Hey," Hugh spoke, resting his hand over mine on top of the sponge.

"I need to clean this mess. You should go finish dinner," I replied, wiping my tear.

"Hey," he said again, turning my head gently so I could face him. "Are you alright? I realize that seems like a silly question."

"It's nothing I can't take. I'll be fine in a bit," I spoke breaking free from his grasp and turning away. "Hugh, I'm fine, go eat."

"I'll stay here with you. I really don't think I could be trusted in there right now anyway," he smiled leaning against the counter.

"Why are you so nice to me?" I asked cocking my head to the side.

"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked genuinely.

"It's weird," I replied scrubbing at the counter again.

"What's weird is that this is your normal. Why does your own mother hate you so much?"

I looked up at him. "Why does it matter? Why does any of this matter, Hugh? You are only going to be here for a short while. I love that you want to help. I truly do but don't go messing around with something that you don't know about. Especially when you won't be here for the fallout. It's nice having someone in my corner for once. I almost forgot what that feels like, but I don't want you getting mixed up in my drama." I refocused my attention on cleaning. 

"Amelia, when I leave here to go home, that doesn't mean I won't ever talk to you again," he spoke, taking my arm gently in his hand and rubbing it reassuringly.

"I'm not naive, Hugh. We were brought together by circumstance. Once that's over, we'll go our separate ways. Maybe we'll share Christmas cards every year or talk every once in a while. But I'm not the kind of person you'll want around for the long haul. You'll realize it soon enough," I replied pulling away from him.

He moved to stop me, and for a moment we gazed into each other's eyes. I slammed the sponge down on the counter and took off my apron. I tossed it onto the counter. I stepped back and pulled up the bottom of my dress. "Amelia, wait," he spoke, noticing the shift in the atmosphere. 

Before he could stop me, I rushed out of the back door. It was dark out and cold. I wished I had brought my gloves or at least my coat. I could hear him behind me, but I didn't want to talk anymore, I just needed to breathe. I rushed toward the garden, I just needed a moment to myself. I carefully entered the maze and wove in and out of the makeshift walls. 

I slowed as I got closer to the center. I wasn't sure if  Hugh was still following me. I turned the last corner and reached the center. It was a little private oasis and my favorite part of the property. Something about being here at the center of the maze, surrounded by flowers. I walked to the fountain that sat in the middle of the space.  Fairy lights twinkled, illuminating the space. I sat down on the edge of the fountain. I shivered slightly as I laid back on the wall surrounding the fountain, careful not to let my skirt slide into the water.