THREE - Daniel Ricciardo

Chapter 75 - Time

AMY

My mom peered over my shoulder as I cried over Rachel's text for the millionth time, not quite processing her words, telling me she had eventually chosen to work with Heidi than stay with us.

"Poor Michael." My mom whispered as she locked my phone for me and held me close to her chest so I could sob. She ran her fingers through my hair as my body slightly shook. "I'm sorry, darling."

"She's been my best friend for years." I blurted out as I pulled away from my moms embrace, wiping my eyes with the sleeves of my jumper. "Now, she does this?"

"Honey, people change. Maybe it's for the best." My mom tried to comfort me as my bottom lip trembled and the tears simply wouldn't stop. "Just give yourself time. Time heals all wounds."

"Thanks for the cringey advice." I manage to stifle out a laugh as I wiped my face again using the fabric of my clothes. "Why is my world crumbling down again?"

My mom gave me a sympathetic smile before reaching her hands across my cheek, tucking back the hairs which had fallen out of place from my ponytail, exposing my fresh skin to her view.

"Talk to Daniel and see what he has to say. I think you need to reach out to Michael, as well. He's going to be crushed." My mom said as I nodded, sniffling in the process.

"I'll speak to them tomorrow. I just want one night of peace." I spoke as my mom nodded, letting me go as she pulled herself away to her bedroom.

I sat in the window seat of my bedroom, leaning my head against the window as I stared out towards the night sky, the abundance of stars lighting up the darkness.

The silence was peaceful and it allowed me to finally focus on nothing but myself, placing my hand across my stomach as I became accustomed to the rigorous movements from inside.

Startling me, a loud knock came from the window breaking my focus away from my stomach as I looked down at the floor below. I couldn't see much until another loud crash came from the same place.

Pushing open the window, I took a closer look, grabbing my phone and turning the torch on to see where the noise had come from.

By the front door of my parents' home was Charlie. Several rocks were in the palm of his hand as he looked up with a sheepish grin. I held my index finger out to indicate that I'd be down, as I closed the window and moved myself out of my bedroom, wrapping my dressing gown around my body and tying it at the waist.

"I didn't mean to wake you." Charlie said as he noticed the time whilst looking at his watch. "I know it's late."

I smiled over at him as I clicked the front door shut behind me, meeting him outside in the brisk evening air.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I kept my arms around my body, the cooler breeze making my skin rise with goosebumps.

"I need to talk to you." Charlie exhaled, taking a seat down on the front step of their home. Reciprocating his actions, I also took a seat down, shuffling to maintain a comfy position. "I'm so sorry, about what happened the last time we were together."

I hummed whilst biting down on the end of my nails, looking out in front of us at the darkened scenery.

"I've always loved you, Ame." Charlie whispered under his breath, letting the cool air transport his voice through the wind. "It's hard to see you with someone else."

"Why didn't you tell me this before I was with Daniel?" I asked him, pulling my gaze to the side of me so I could look at him directly.

"Like I would've had a chance." Charlie scoffed whilst turning his head to look in my direction. "You're Amy Fox! You still don't realise how many lads fancied you at school, do you?" Charlie chuckled.