If Only She Knew REVISITED

Chapter 3

   What just happened? I try to recall what happened before I blacked out. The memories start to come back quickly.

   There was a man, he did something to me, hit me, no, pushed me? I don't know, all I know is that I fell to the ground because of the force and blacked out.

   "Who's this, and what is she doing on the couch?" Hearing a female voice in the distance I begin to come back to life and open my eyes slowly.

   "It's Ava, our new neighbour, she got hurt last night. I found her on the driveway outside her house she erm..." Before the person could finish their sentence I try to sit up and search my surroundings for a sense of relief.

   I am placed neatly on a rouge family couch placed directly across from the TV, which is the first thing I hear, a blanket is draped over my body with a fluffy pillow resting behind my head for extra support.

   "Where am I?" I speak under my breath.

   Looking around the living room my eyes come to a halt after noticing Nolan and a woman whispering to each other not realising I've awoken yet. Searching my surroundings further, I see a half drunk mug with lipstick marks around the rim placed on the coffee table opposite where I am laid.

   There is not much daylight within the room as the curtains are half drawn making the area instantly feel cold.

   Nolan quickly shifts his attention towards me as he eventually notices I'm now awake. How did I end up in his living room?

   "Ava..." Nolan walks towards me on a mission and sits next to me taking a hold of my head.

   "Where am I?" I look around the unfamiliar room.

   "You're in my house now, and you're okay" He reassures me.

   "Some bastard attacked you last night." He continues as his voice becomes darker as he speaks.

   I shift my eyes over to the female who looks like she has a lot of questions that are still unanswered. Most likely about the new girl who is laid on her rouge couch.

   "Wait, what?" I ask Nolan shifting my eyesight back on to him as I was too busy examining the blonde haired woman.

   "Someone attacked you Ava, but don't worry you're safe now, okay?" His hands brush lightly over the back of my head in a comforting way. It all happened in the blink of an eye. Running my hands up my shoulders I try to comfort myself from the events of last night. As I blink I relive the memories of just before my head met with the concrete. Looking down, I take a deep breath thanking God that Nolan noticed me when he did.

   "I want you to meet my sister." He stands and walks over to the woman who is now occupying the chair opposite me however her stern eyes are fixated upon Nolan's.

   I look up as she sits and adjusts herself elegantly within the chair.

   She looks older than Nolan at first glance.

   "I'm Amelia, you must be Ava... our new neighbour." She almost grits her teeth and slaps a smile upon her face as she forces herself to speak. But I can't seem to take my attention away from her beauty. She has a smile like a goddess, her hair is the brightest blonde you could imagine. Her emotions are contagious as I see myself copying the same smile towards her. Beginning to sit up, I speak.

   "Nice to meet you Amelia and I'm sorry for crashing on your couch last night." I smile awkwardly.

   "It's okay, I'm just glad you are okay..." She laughs to herself.

   "I'm Nolan's older sister, you probably won't know that seeing as though he never speaks about me to his friends for some reason..." She glares at him.

   "Don't take it personally Melia." Nolan claps back.

   "He may have mentioned he had a sister." I speak while displaying doe eyes towards Nolan, however Amelia shifts her attention back onto him as she takes a long gulp.

   "You moved into Beechwood didn't you?" She points to my house across the street curiously.

   "If that's what it was called before me, then yes I just moved in a few days ago..." I answered hesitantly.

   There is an awkward silence amongst us that lingers for a few moments too long as my eyes travel around the room.

   "That place was a real fixer upper. Haven't seen it look so good before... I'm sorry about what happened to you last night, it must not have been nice on your first night in the neighbourhood. If there is anything else we can do we will be more than happy to help." Amelia leans forward within the chair as I take a gulp as I am forced to relive the memories once again. However what I don't understand is why is she apolgising?

   "I think you've done enough. I can't begin to thank you both for helping me out. Most people would have just walked by." Shaking my head I lower my gaze.

   "Yeah well we aren't most people." Nolan places his hands within pockets. You certainly are not Nolan.

   "I don't want to be that person but... the man that attacked you last night, did you get a good look at him at all?" Amelia questions as Nolan shoots his glance to her.

   "Amelia, stop, we aren't doing this. Not now." Nolan mutters under his breath which causes her to sink herself back into the chair. I feel the tension rise as I keep quiet to not get in between the sibling rivalry which is at hand.

   "Do you want something to eat? I could make you something?" Nolan eagerly asks, breaking the awkwardness in the process.

   "I don't think we have anything in. I haven't er— gone grocery shopping this week." Her answer almost seems staged as she paints a fake smile across her face once again.

   "No I'm okay, don't worry, but thanks for you know..." I signal to the couch as I see Nolans face dim as he hears my answer while Amelia breathes out a sigh of relief. Grabbing my phone from the floor I realise the time.

   "Shit!!" I exclaim. Realising I said that out loud I instantly move my hand to my lips and apologise for my words.

   "I'm sorry it's just, it's Monday and I forgot my first class was today at ten, and it is now quarter to eleven, great..." Trying to think of a quick lie to get me out of this situation, college isn't probably the best excuse as Nolan looks about the same age as me and probably goes to the same one as me.

   I try to grab my belongings in a hurry and steady myself. As I rise, I begin to feel a weightless rush make its way to the centre of my head causing me to stumble. Nolan notices my actions and grabs my arm, steadying me instantly.

   "Woah try to take it easy, I really think you need to eat or just rest a little more, I can make a run to the store—" He tries to give advice but I don't take it.

   "No it's fine, I'm fine please don't worry." I reassure him as I look into his eyes smiling.

   Heading for the door, I turn back once more, looking at Nolan and Amelia to thank them for their hospitality.

   "Thank you so much for looking after me, both of you, I'll see you around Nolan." I smile towards them both, but before I leave the house in a hurry, I notice a small smile emerging from the corner of Nolan's mouth which soon overtakes the entirety of his lips causing a wave of warmth to make its way through my body.