Gently into the good night

Chapter Eleven- To A New Beginning

I press the cushion on my ears trying to avoid the clamorous noise from entering my ears in the middle of the night. There is a karaoke party going on ground floor but I refused to attend it, no particular reason well I just didn't want to go. I can literally hear the ladies giggles and the men trying to flirt their way into some woman's heart or whatever and the sober community getting their blood turned into alcohol. I would rather stay in my room isolated than try to fit into the melee. I just can't handle any depressed maudlin guy or girl in the party and every party has a bunch of those.

Jane's words are still ringing in my head. I need some peace at the moment both inside and outside but I just can't find peace in me. I feel tired and nauseous. My head is throbbing and I really want a little rest but nothing seems to be in my favour. I remember the times when Paul hugged me when I felt sick or stressed out and how Jordan always tried to stop me or protect me when he felt ominous. I just want to be cocooned into Jordan's arms under the moonlight at the moment. Tears fill my eyes and I go to the washroom. I splash some water on my face and plead god for some peace. But with every second the noise gets louder, the laughs get wickeder and the party gets wilder.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK

Who is it at this hour? I open the door and somehow I am not at all surprised to see Chris. "What is it?" I ask and instead of being annoyed I feel really happy that he's come to me. "Nothing really" he stutters. He looks drunk, his eyes are drowsy and his head looks heavy and his breath smells of alcohol. "I suppose you are not sober?" I say in a strong British accent. He just walks in and lies down on the bed without my approval and giggles for no particular reason. "And a little out of your mind" I add. I slowly go and sit down beside him and he stares at the ceiling with shimmering eyes and his grin lighting up the room dark room. "Well alright I should go and reside in your room then." I say placing the quill on him to keep him warm. As I am about to leave he says "I need you, please stay" He does need somebody I guess. I close the door and go sit beside him. Suddenly his expression changes and I know something is wrong, he looks nauseous. I help him sit up and even with the heavy head he trembles to the washroom fast enough. There is an uneasy silence for a moment while I make my way to the washroom and then he throws up. I'm thankful that he is in the washroom. After he is done he comes back inside while I get him some water. I feel really worried I hope he hasn't let alcohol take over him too much. "Are you okay?" I ask .He slowly takes my hand into his hands and just stares at me. His hands feel so soft and warm; I never want to leave it. I feel something strange, a connection I never felt before. I'm not going to state the romantic cliché where 'I felt like I knew him for years' BLAH BLAH BLAH!

I did not feel that way but I felt like I knew him some part of him. I felt I understood him, a part of him. Then for a second I felt like I saw Jordan's reflecting in him. Well, maybe because he was always comforting. I stroke his hair and his grip on my hand loosens a bit, he falls asleep. I am in a bit dilemma whether to sleep beside him or the little couch that I hadn't noticed before. I choose the couch and I lie down adjusting my body so I am able to fit in the little space provided. Eventually I fall asleep.

"Amelia?" I hear Chris say, my sleep is very thin and light so it doesn't take me time to wake up. "Yes Chris" I say my eyes closed. "I'm sorry" he says, I don't know which part of the room he is but the intensity in his voice tells me he is close by. "For what?" I say opening my eyes and he is sitting right in front of me. "I slept on your bed and even threw up and for whatever I said or did" he says morose. "It's all right I didn't mind" I say with a grin. He slowly removes the strand of hair falling on my face and cups my face.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! The best possible timing.

"Good morning Amelia, it's time for breakfast" I hear Mrs Peterson's voice penetrate through the closed door, cheerful as ever. "I will be down in a minute" I reply and get up.

For breakfast we sit in the garden. My feet impale the ground, and the grass crunches under my weight. A shiver from the down, but delight in the satisfying sound. The lively bright coloured flowers dance with the flowing music of the wind. The chairs and table look as white as ivory. I sit down and this time Chris sits beside me. He gives me a comforting smile and talks to Jane who is sitting opposite to him. Mrs Peterson serves us tea and goes back inside. Jane begins to talk about this lad called John who is apparently her boyfriend or whatever and I just smile throughout the conversation. "How are you so sure that he's the one?" Chris asks teasing her. "Because you need them and want them like crazy" She says, her words pour out honestly and I look at her and pass on a smile of narcissism. Chris gets up and goes inside to use the loo. "Your parents like him?" I ask "they don't know him yet but I haven't crossed the line my parents set for me" she says. I chuckle and sip my tea "Oh don't worry you can do anything with your man. He doesn't have anyone who would set boundaries for him" Jane says and her voice sounds sad. I just look at her and she is staring at the gate. Chris is an orphan? What must have happened to his parents? He never told me anything? I wish I had Wikipedia at the moment. Well maybe some answers are not on the internet! Then suddenly I hear a cycle's ring which parts me from my thoughts. The cycle stops at the gate and a young lad with curly blonde hair wearing a casual outfit appears. He looks at Jane and gestures something and she slowly gets up to leave "If mom asks, tell her Anna called me. She's my neighbour." she says and runs to him, they unite in a kiss and she gets up on his cycle and he paddles away. It looks madly adorable and sweet.

Chris comes back after a while. "Where is Jane?" he asks puzzled. "Anna called her" I reply with a grin. "She isn't at Anna's. She went with John to have some romantic time alone" Mrs Peterson says placing a tray of chocolate chip cookies and egg, bacon and sausage sandwich for each one of us. "But how do you know? She never told you right" I say a little perplexed. "Amelia, she's my daughter. She doesn't have to tell me anything. I will know. I don't have any problem with John, he's a respectable lad. I'm just going to wait for my daughter to be honest with me. When she is I will know she loves me and trusts me and that is going to be the biggest achievement for me" says Mrs Peterson and suddenly I remember mom. I feel guilty at the fact I tried to hide the whole Alex and Facebook thing from them.

After about ten minutes we are done with breakfast and our last good byes. I hug Jane and Mrs Peterson and as Mr Peterson isn't present I tell Jane to convey my good bye to him. Lucky we reach on time. The train journey is once again excruciating so I am not going to mention anything about it.

After we reach Liverpool we take a taxi to Chris's house. He looks insanely excited and contented. It feels divine to see him happy. We reach the beautiful house on the old side of Liverpool. His house is between a series of houses just like English houses. He springs out of the taxi and knocks on the door vigorously. An old man opens it and says "Hello there Chris. How are you doing mate? The house is clean and tidy just as you wanted it to be. All furnished and your music room is also cleaned. I was waiting for your arrival. Good to see you after so many years, I still remember you when you were the small eleven year old now look at you a young lad of twenty....." they have a little conversation and everything.

The house is specious and well furnished. There is a spiral staircase to the next floor; it also has an attic and basement. It's all neat and tidy and the adornment is opulent yet simple. The bedrooms are indeed ornately instinctive with velvet cushion covers and gleaming table tops. After a little house tour we go and buy some edibles for the week. "We have a problem" he says bashfully. "What is it?" I ask intently. "I don't know how to cook" he says and looks at me apologising. I laugh and say "Don't worry. I know how to. I can do it" I say.

At night when we go to our separate room to get a good night's rest he says "This house brings back beautiful memories. Good night Amelia."