Can Love Overcome Amnesia?

Chapter 5: Unknown Danger

~Josh~

As my parents and I walked away from the lobby I looked back at Annie, making sure that her image would be forever burned in my mind. I'll do whatever it takes to raise my grades up so I can come back; the sooner, the better. I'll prove to my parents that they were wrong for making me move. I'll show them that this was a big mistake.

"Josh, sweetie, you're going to trip if you won't keep your eyes where you're going." I turned and saw my mother gazing at me with tears in her eyes as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I can take care of myself," I snapped and brushed her hand away, stinging myself in the process. It pains me to see her like this. Between my parents, my mom has been the closer one to me. But I didn't feel the affection I always did when she gave me that warm, comforting smile. Instead I just felt burning hatred.

"Don't you use that tone on your mother," my father said sternly, not looking back as he pushed his cart ahead of us.

I scoffed and glared at his back, hoping that he can feel the intensity of my stare.

We reached our designated gate just as the guards were about to close it. Damn it. If only I stalled my parents for a little bit, we could've missed our flight. But as I handed my cart to a flight attendant for it to be placed in the conveyor belt where all the luggages go, I realized that my parents would still find a way to get me to another plane.

We entered the plane and as I trudged along behind my parents, I saw two childresn sitting next to each other, playing a tic tac toe game. My chest tightened. Tic Tac Toe was Annie and I's favorite game during long rides. No matter how long the ride is, we would always play it. I never realized how boring that must sound to other people but with Annie, nothing is ever boring.She can make staring at a wall as fun as going to an amusment park.

I pursed my lips and looked away. Just as I turned forward again, my mother suddenly stopped causing me to bump into her.

"I'm sorry, darling," my mother said as she sat down on the tan colored chair. My father sat down next to her and immediately opened his laptop. First Class passangers only have 4 chairs on each row with the isle going through the middle.

I glanced at the other empty seat across the row. It was next to a girl with crazy red hair and bright blue eyes, who was reading a magazine. She looked up as I sat down.

"Hi," she held out her hand. "I'm Amber."

"Josh." I shook her hand, feeling impressed at her boldness. I couldn't stop staring at her eyes, for they were the exact same shade of Annie's eyes.

"That's a nice necklace you have there," she said after a few moments of awkward silence.

I instinctively held the half heart, wondering if Annie was doing the same. "Thanks, my girlfriend has the other half," I blurted out.

I felt my face burn as I hastily stared at my shoes. What on earth made me say that? Did I really consider Annie as more than a friend now? I felt my lips curl up at the thought. Maybe that's how I've always seen Annie, as more than a friend, I just never had the guts to say it out loud. It sounds perfect, as if she was meant to be my girlfriend.

"It's pretty obvious in your smile that you must really like this girl," Amber laughed, flipping a page on

her magazine.

I laughed nervously, wondering what else my face is giving away. "Yeah, I really do."

"Are you going to meet her in England?"

My throat tightened and I felt my heart skip a beat. "Uh, no."

Her bright blue eyes bored into mine, and I felt as if I was being x-rayed. She looked at me expectantly and when I didn't speak for 2 minutes straight, she turned back to her magazine and said, "Oh."

I immediately felt like a jerk. Here was a nice girl, trying to make conversation with a love struck boy, when all I do is be rude.

"Look, I'm sorry," I stammered. "I just...I..."

"You don't have to say anything," she turned to me and suddenly smiled, her slightly crooked teeth gleaming brightly under the plane's flourescent lights. "I totally understand."

I smiled, feeling relieved. I glanced at the magazine in her hand and saw that it was about horses. A tac tic at redeeming myself for my rudeness formed in my mind. "You into horses?" I asked.

She nodded and grinned. "I love them!"

"Just like Annie, my girlfriend." I laughed, feeling more confident to use Annie's name and the word gilfriend in one sentence.

"I'm not surprised, horses are just plain lovable." Amber smiled and lovingly petted the magazine's cover where a horse stood proudly next to a man with dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. The same eyes as Amber's.

"He's my dad," Amber said, reading my mind. "He's the top horse breeder and seller in England."

"That's amazing," I said in awe and made a mental note to get Amber's email address. Annie would love to meet her. "Are you going to back to England to help in the family business?"

"Yeah." She looked away suddenly, and I wondered if I said something to offend her.

"Cool," I said and fiddled with my shirt. Strike two for the jerk boy.

"I don't want to be a horse breeder though," Amber said, still looking away. "I want to be a racer."

"You mean a horse racer?" I asked, wondering if I'm being too direct and nosey.

"Yeah," she said, oblivious to my bluntness. "My dad says it's too dangerous for me, but I know he only says that cause I'm a girl. He let my older brother race but not me, which I think is totally unfair."

So she's being forced into something she doesn't want, huh. That's something we have in common.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I finally said. She nodded absently, her fingers gently tapping her magazine.

"So," I said, dragging the word on until I think of another subject. "Who are you with?"

"Just me." She turned back from the window, and I knew she was back from her reverie. "What about you?"

"Parents," I said sullenly. "Hey, what part of England are you going to?"

"Josh," my dad's voice spoke behind me.

"Birmingham," Amber said, glancing over my shoulder. I hope whatever my dad's expression was won't make Amber think anything wrong about me.

I ignored my dad and said, "Me too!" I said, feeling glad that I would at least know one person when I go to a new place. "What's Birmingham like? Are there any beaches and--"

"Josh," my dad repeated with a stern voice.

"What do you want?" I turned and glared. First they force me to leave my life behind and now they act as if we're just going on a family vacation?

My dad frowned at my tone and in a surprisingly calm voice said, "Do you want to use my laptop? Your mother told me that your laptop's battery died and I figured maybe you want to check your email or go on IM?"

I stared at him, not knowing what to say. If this was his way of redeeming himself he's got a long way to go. I glanced at his laptop, feeling the familiar anticipation of seeing Annie through WebChat. I was about to nod when I remembered the time.

"No thanks," I said indifferently and turned away. As much as I want to use it I'm not going to give in to my parents. If they're gonna play hard then I will too. Besides, Annie's probably either studying or asleep. I wouldn't want to ruin her concentration. I'll just check on her when we land.

I'm sure she'll be awake by then.