Never to forever

chapter 4

Amalia's past,

It's one among the rare childhood memories that are still clear in my mind.Rhys Ackroyd my neighbour, my bestfriend, my  partner in crime , my first love there are not enough words to explain how much he meant to me from the first day he moved to our town. His house was just opposite to mine.
I still remember 13 years ago, how he came into my life as I was sitting on my father's lap playing with his spectacles. As he came with his mother and a fully loaded truck. They were moving into the house from where I used to pluck flowers. I was obsessed with the flowers which grew there. My dad knew that so he took me to water those plants so that they don't die. As they entered the gate I looked as my dad questioning " Papa are they going to take all my flowers." and he laughed "No they are good people too" but he was uncertain which I didn't knew back then. " Look there's a little boy like my little Amelia you can sure befriend him. You see he is new. He is alone. No friends. Won't little Amelia make him her friend." He tried to distract me. I looked at him with my big black eyes and nodded, "Don't worry papa I will take care of him. We will together take care of my flowers" he laughed and pinched my nose "That's my baby" and I join him laughing.
That evening, me and my dad went to pay them a visit, as I remember it was the time when we water the plants. I took my little watering can in one hand and held my Papa's hand with other.
Papa rang the bell it felt akward as we never do that. After some time a very pretty lady came out of the door with a smile and dad returned with one of his. Without wasting a moment dad introduced himself and me " Hello I'm Albert Brooke and this is my daughter Amelia we live just opposite to your house and will be glad if you join us for lunch tomorrow." She smiled and invited us in. " Hello I'm Elenor Ackroyd" and pointed towards a little boy peeking from a room "and that my son Rhys. Thank you for being so kind we won't miss it for anything." She smiled and called Rhys. He came running and asked "Mom. Is she a doll, a living one" Aunty and papa chuckled and she questioned back to him , "No why do you think so. Rhys". "Cuz she's pretty like a doll can we keep her" he sound excited. " No but you can play with her" she smiled and I walked towards him. " Hi. My name is Amelia and you are Rhys that pretty aunty told me." I told him and he nods "Yes, I'm Rhys. Now will you come and play with me" he asked me. "Yes but only if you water my flowers with me everyday" I told him and he looked confused. "Actually my daughter loves the lilies that grows in your backyard. We used to water them everyday." My father explained and immediately Rhys announced, "Don't worry Amelia I'll take care of your flowers like I take care of my mom, you can rest assure. I promise" and my eyes lit up that was all i wanted back then.
Rhys and I connected in a very little time. So did our moms. Rhys father was a captain in cruise ship so he was rarely home. Rhys joined the same school as I did and years rolled and our bond became stronger each passing year. He never did celebrated anything unless I was beside him. He developed a liking towards the lilies it was no longer just my favourite it was his too.
At school it was always like we were always found together. There was no Rhys without Amelia and no Amelia without Rhys.
Rhys turned out to be athletic and I was a studious. I lived in my fantasy most of the time.
Before I could notice I used to watch him run and work out and smile. I was slowly falling in love with him. Our family were close. His dad loved me so did his mom and I had a feeling that somewhere Rhys used to love me from day one we were kids then but may be.
The girls around me always used tell me we were a match. I loved it when he ignored all the other girls, who drooled for him, to give attention to me. I used to get lost thinking about him while reading my novels and he used to pull me out of that.
"Amy!" He pulled me out again. " You read all these romance novels all day long yet you manage to score the highest without sweat. Don't you feel bad that your best friend is struggling to pass." He whines. I hit him with the book in my hand and huff "well then study with me". He nods and speaks "That's a great idea as you know I'll be busy all day due to soccer ahh I love soccer_" and I love to watch you playing soccer. " Plus the coach won't let me miss the practice so being my bestfriend and my neighbour please can you and me study at your place during night" I choke At night! not a problem at home as they know us it's been 11 years since we know each other he holds my hand pleading "Don't say no Amy I need this please Amy" how can I tell him no. I give up and laugh " yes that's fine" and he pulls me into a hug "Ahh I love you so much Amy" and my heart skips a beat. I want to reply with I love you too but instead the words "yeah whatever" comes out of my mouth. He smiles and scratches the back of his neck "see you at night my pretty doll" he winks and jogs away. I pack my bag and head towards the ground. How can I concentrate after all he has said. I missed being around him all the time since he joined the soccer team.
Later that day he had a match I took  my seat at the third row cheering at him as he winked at me. I love the way he pointed towards me when he scored a goal and after the match today he was all excited and tired. That win was for me he declared and I rolled my eyes and laughed but deep inside my heart swelled at his words. He rested his arm around my shoulder and started taking about the most exciting parts of his game.
I looked at myself in the mirror for more than fifteen times before Rhys knocked at the door I had to be sure that I don't look over dressed but not under dressed too I was wearing the best of my pajamas and tied my hair perfectly into a messy bun. My dad smiled as I rushed to open the door I heard him he was chuckling "Calm down it's just Rhys." I smiled and opened the door It was Rhys ofcourse in his comfy clothes. "I didn't bring any books as you've enough plus notes you know I don't have them. Help me. Please don't kick me out." He smiled innocently rubbing the back of his neck and I gesture him  to come in. He greeted mom and dad and we went up to my room. He had been here for numerous times but it felt different that day. He jumped on my bed as I rolled my eyes and went to my shelves and pulled out my notes. I placed them infront of him and take my place. "Do we really have to start with history. Amy it's boring"He whines. "You can't run away from it forever" I rolled my eyes and he chuckled "but I can stay and annoy you forever."
"Ok enough talking. Let's start" I say and start explaining him the lessons. "Ahh time out " he groans and I laugh "Ok mister whiney if you study with me for an hour and half more you will get anything you ask from me but it should be something which I can give you okay. You can't ask for some impossible things." and he raises his eyebrow. "Done" a wave of energy fills in him again. He sincerely studies with me which surprises me a little. "And done" I announce and after exact 90 minutes I close the books arrange the notes and everything. Rhys helps me with that.
"Amy."
"Hmm"
"Can I ask for anything I want from you"
"Mmhmm"
We speak packing things up. I go back to my shelves as he speaks "you should start your dance rehearsals again" he says and I turn back to
find him dangerously close to me. I can feel his breath touching me pulling me closer to him. And there's a knock on the door, ofcourse which pulls us back to reality. "It's open" I groan and it's mom "Hot cocoa for two"she smiles handing over our cups of cocoa."so Amy, Rhys you need anything.. as I and Albert are heading to bed you finish up your studies quickly Elenor was worried about you." My mom informs and Rhys nods "yeah only a little is left you go ahead aunty I will head home after some time." and leaves me confused. My mother leaves and closes the door I hear her going downstairs back to her room. "As I remember we had some unfinished business left"he smiles and moves closer to me and takes my hand in his. I take a step back as he takes one forward and finally my back touches the wall.
"Amelia I have loved you since I saw you. I've always wanted to make you mine but only if you allow only if you want the same it's not that just I flirt with every passing girl. You know me. I'm all yours from the day I've met you. I never had the courage as I didn't want to ruin our friendship but I.. I just want to say I love you Amelia more than you can think I love you my pretty doll"He confesses with his eyes never leaving mine.
"Tell me Amy, say something at least just let me know I don't expect anything. You can take your time, just don't keep me hanging for long doll I just wanted to confess_" I hold his face in my hands and he stops talking. I look into his eyes. They fluctuate from my lips to my eyes. He comes closes each passing second and I meet him in the mid way then press my lips against his. He moans, I made him moan, and it sounds like music to my ears. He opens his mouth so does I and his tongue shoves into mine. I've imagined this, kissing him but it was nothing compared to kissing him in real. His lips taste so good like hot cocoa but a million times better, his hands move to my waist as mine moves towards his neck. We kiss passionately after some minutes he breaks the kiss and pecks on my lips. He smiles and I look down and smile. He touches his lips and speaks, "does it means what I think it means". I nod. I don't dare to look up I can feel all my blood flushing into my cheeks. He smiles and holds my hand and kisses them.
"Thank you for being born for coming into my life. I love you. I've always loved you and You are the only one I will ever love"he sounds happy, happier than I've ever heard him.
He kisses my forehead, "I've to go love mom won't sleep until I'm home. Thank you for loving me back. You've made me the happiest person alive today." He doesn't know how much I've wanted him too how much I've loved him but I'm sure he loves me more than I love him I want to speak but for now I've lost that ability. We go downstairs. Mom and dad are really asleep they fall asleep soon and are heavy sleepers good for me. I hold his hand and lead him to the door. He pecks me again and leaves. I go back to my room trying to sleep. Him kissing me is what I think all night I smile I blush and don't know when I doze off hoping that some day I doze off in his arms.