Picking Up The Pieces

Let's Talk?

Amelia's POV

The scene before me paused as if my presence alerted the two men of which one was about to be assaulted. I see my 'mate' straightening up and clearing his throat, making my eyes snap to him and then started the staring trance, much like the one in cafeteria where we neither of us were able to snap out of it.

Staring into those light brown orbs, mouth slightly agape, I hadn't realise Chloe shifting beside her brother and now those two were looking at us. I can practically imagine googly eyes animated onto them as they watched us like seeing a Christmas tree.

As soon as I looked at them, 'mate' seemed to also snap out and sheepishly scratched the back of his head. My eyes darted to his biceps as he did so, moving to his face, sharp jaws and a killer smile as he stretched his hand out,

'My name's Alex, Alex Martin', he said with a confident tone. I warily looked at his hands, briefly looking over a Chloe who looked like she needed popcorn to enjoy the show. Not wanting to seem rude, I shook his hand,

'Amelia' I said with a tight smile as I got taken aback from the sparks flowing with the contact. I guess he felt it too as he retracted his hand, not before I heard a muffled squeal from Chloe. Glaring at her as Alex spoke,

'I guess we should talk? Is it okay if we talk privately. I know the principal, we can borrow his office for some time' he suggested, his voice a little gruff as he looked at me expectantly. Halfway through the sentence my heartbeat quickened and I could tell my face was seemed panic, just as I was about to voice my concern, Chloe chipped in,

'Hey, what about the ground? You know some fresh air and I'm sure principal Robert will be busy, so why bother him' she shrugged it off like it wasn't a big deal, but I knew she said that because of me as she knew I have an issue with confined spaces especially with a stranger. Not giving Alex time to react Jake suddenly grabbed his shoulder and spun him around

'Yes! Let's go talk in the ground. Ooh we can also sit on the swings' his voice echoed through the hallway as he practically dragged Alex out. In the distant I could hear Alex protesting that he meant to talk privately but of course my friends were two steps ahead to ensure I was comfortable.

Chloe and I stayed back as she waiting for Alex and Jake to leave the hallway,
'Amelia, I want you to just enjoy this moment. This is exciting and a blessing, just know that we'll be at a distance watching so you don't have to worry, ok?' her eyes staring into my soul as she said those words, sucking all worry out of me

'Chloe, have I mentioned that I love you?' I asked relaxing my knit eyebrows as she laughed 'Well, why don't you really show it and but me icecream afterwards' she shrugged it off laughing as we went to join them outside.

To say it was funny to see Alex and Jake on the swings like two kids would be an understatement. Alex wasn't able to even fit in the swing with his body while Jake seemed to be rambling on and on about something.

'...so you see it's actually very toxic to not appreciate each other and we as men should be comfortable complimenting other men without it being gay' Jake finished as we approached. After sharing a confused look with Chloe, she soon grabbed Jake by the ear and walked away with him protesting behind her.

'How do you manage with this guy?' Alex asked with a judgy face as I chuckled thinking back to when I met these two.

Flashback

'Hi, do you need help with her?' a woman asked from behind me as I cooed my new born to sleep. Sitting in the strange hallway for my interview at this college with a newborn in arms, I didn't think I'll be able to get any help in this new place.