The Last of the Old Ones

Colin

Chapter Thirteen

The next morning Amber and I walked down the same amber color walled hallway to the dining hall together as we had every day since Amber's arrival. We had breakfast together as usual. As we were finishing up, I turned to Amber and told her, "I have some research my dad wants me to do today, you think you can manage not to die of boredom without me?" I chuckled and threw her a sly smile, giving her cheek a light pinch.

"I actually was planning on doing some exploring for myself." Amber told me. "So that actually works out great for both of us, and if I get lonely, I always have Astrid." Amber smiled at Astrid who was sat across from us at the table. Astrid nodded and gave us a thumbs up.

"You hear that, Colin? You are replaceable!" At that statement from Astrid, her and Amber started laughing. I put a hand over my heart and feigned hurt.

"What? My services are not needed?" I stifled a laugh, but also felt a wave of relief that she already had plans today that would keep her occupied.

After we were all done at breakfast I headed up to the office, which was empty, and began searching for the old news articles. I looked at the small stack awaiting me to sort through and copy its contents.

The first one I pulled out was one explaining how Amber's parents were two up and coming scientists who were beginning research in creating synthetic Iodine. I copied that one first and pulled out an old leather scrapbook that had been left behind by her parents (they had meant to make one of the letters and such but never had the chance before they were killed so the scrapbook sat untouched for the past six years since their death) and slid the original article into the scrapbook. I had talked to my father about my idea, and he wanted Amber to have the original copies, we could do with the extra copies. I agreed whole-heartedly, there was something about the memories the smell of the old paper held; it just felt more special to give her the articles that were rightfully hers anyway.

I began to find article after article of her parents' research and the announcement of her birth. I found her birth certificate as well to put in the scrapbook. After I found at least ten articles and slid them in the protective sleeves, I pulled out the stack of letters that had been written for her by her parents and slid them in one by one. I did not dare read any of them, I had no right to. They had already been piled in a stack in a certain order by her parents; they had trusted my father with the stack before they passed. I was even able to find several pictures from the four years Amber had still been with her parents and the protection program. I smiled to myself, thinking about how much Amber would love this.

Now I had just one thing left to get ready for her, the tapes. I stacked them together, wrapped them and tied them with a ribbon, well the best I could and made a little bow on top. I knew it wasn't perfect, but I also knew that Amber would love the gift for what it was. I put everything in the drawer and locked it up so she couldn't find it and even if anyone got curious, they would not just come across the gift. Thinking of Amber finding things, I wondered what Amber was up to, she said she had wanted to explore today. I looked at the clock and realized I had been working on Amber's present for almost five hours because I had sat and read all the different articles. Not to mention the amount of time I had spent copying those articles so she could have the originals.

I headed back to my room and got dressed for dinnertime, I had been wearing my pajamas the whole time I worked on Amber's present, so I changed into jeans and a v-neck. I didn't mean to spend so much time on Amber's present, but I didn't mind. I wanted it to be just right. And for now, at least, this might be the best way I could show her my feelings since pinning her against a wall to have my way with her wasn't exactly an option on the table.

Just then the dinner bell rang, I met Amber and Astrid down in the dining hall. Tonight was pizza Friday, my favorite. As much as I loved fresh cooked meals it was nice to get laid back ones every once and a while. I grabbed a few slices and headed to the table, taking a seat next to Amber, still thinking about how her lips might taste. "So Amber, how was your day of exploring?" I asked curiously, hoping to steer my brain away from the thoughts that continued to verge on dirty.

"Well, "She started and told me about her adventures of the day...