Someone Like Hugh -Draft Complete And EDITING-

Chapter Fifteen

Amelia's POV:

"I know it's stupid to let that bother me, but coming from someone I had loved so whole heartedly, and everything that happens here, it is like it validated his words," I continued. "I just remember seeing an entire classroom staring on as he told me all of this. Twenty eight other students, and I had to give a presentation to that class that day. All period, I worried about getting up in front of everyone, refusing to break down. My teacher who had heard the whole thing, took pity on me and announced that the presentations would be pushed off. He let me.start coming to his class during lunch to help mentor the freshmen, so that helped. Well, at least until Courtney started a rumor that I was sleeping with him."

I took a deep breath as I layered the rest of the ingredients on and placed another tortilla on top. I moved to get the pizza cutter but Hugh swept me into his arms and hugged me. He didn't say anything, he just held me closely. I could have stayed like that happily forever, but I had to flip the food.

"Thank you," I said softly as he returned to the sink and washed the last of the dishes. I flipped the food onto another plate and cut each into six pieces. I brought the plates to the little breakfast nook table and returned to the counter. Hugh was already washing the dishes from preparing our private dinner. "What would you like to drink?"

"Ginger ale please," he smiled.

I grabbed two cans from the fridge and quickly dried everything and put it away. We made our way to the nook with our drinks and began to eat. "This is amazing," he smiled.

"Thank you." We quickly ate and disposed of our paper plates.  Before long we were walking back up the stairs. I pulled the pins from my hair, letting it fall freely. I let out a small sigh of relief as I ran my fingers through my hair.

"You do look gorgeous tonight," he spoke. Walking me to my door.

"You're just being kind, I'm a mess," I laughed. "Oh before I forget, here's my number in case you need anything," i smiled handing him a small paper.

"Thank you. When I return to my room, I'll text you so you have mine," he smiled taking the paper. "Good night Amelia," he spoke kissing the top of my forehead.

I couldn't help smiling again as I turned and entered my room. I turned on the light and my mother stood there waiting.

"So you're flirting with our guest," my mother sneered throwing me to the ground. She started kicking me in the stomach and ribs. "Keep your distance Amelia, or you might just have a little accident that keeps you from spending time with him. Tomorrow, you will not leave this room." She then left my room

I laid on the ground for a few moments after she left. My body felt as if it was on fire, inwas drenched in a blanket of sweat. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I painfully pulled it out.

"Thank you for offering me a place to stay today. I don't know what I'd have done without you. I'll find a way to make it up to you, I swear," his text read.

"Don't worry about it. You don't owe me anything Hugh, sometimes people just need a bit of help. I didn't do it because I wanted something from you, I did it because I could tell you needed it," I sent back.

"Not many people would have done the same thing Amelia, especially not after getting pulled into an alley by a strange man. You took me in and helped me. I'm grateful for that," he replied. I painfully crawled towards the bathroom.

I used the counters to pull myself up. I gazed at myself in the mirror. My hair was disheveled, my makeup smeared from the sweat. My phone buzzed again. I looked down at it. "Tomorrow can we go into town so I can get some new clothes?"

I remembered what my mother had said. "I can't tomorrow. But I'm sure my brother would love to take you," I replied.

"Alright."

I quickly pulled off my dress, and gazed at my body. I was covered in newly forming bruises. A day in isolation would be a blessing.

"Thank you for today," I sent back to him.

"For what?" he replied. I quickly washed my face and brushed my hair before pulling on leggings and a tshirt.

"For trying to get me to talk about it, and when I did, simply holding me. I forgot what that kind of affection felt like."