Hidden Tale - 18+

Ch. 5 - Amelia's POV

Saturday...

It's 9:58 AM, and I sit on my bed, the sunlight streaming through my small, cluttered room. Amber is pacing as she impatiently types a message to Alicia.

“Come over now. We need to talk!” the text reads.

As soon as Alicia arrives, Amber and I guide her up the beige carpeted stairs, urgency still hanging in the air. Amber plops her down into my oversized bean bag chair while Amber and I take our places on the edge of the bed.

Alicia's eyes widen, panic flickering across her face. “What’s wrong? Did I do something?”

I lock eyes with her, trying to steady her nerves. “Soo... when did this happen? When you said he drove you home yesterday...”

Amber leans forward, curiosity etched on her face. “And why did it happen?”

Alicia exhales sharply, attempting to keep her cool. “Guys, it’s really not a big deal. Nothing inappropriate happened. Amelia, it happened on Monday. Amber, I got a ride because it was raining and cold. He didn’t want me to get sick.”

I nod slowly, catching Amber's skeptical gaze. “Okay, but... why not just ask your parents to come pick you up?”

Alicia's frustration spills over. “Because he insisted! By the time I thought about it, he was literally honking his horn. What was I supposed to do- run in the rain?”

“Yeah, but you could’ve waited for your parents. You didn’t have to jump into a stranger’s car!” I challenge, a bit too sharply.

“Not a stranger!” she snaps, her voice rising. “To you, maybe, but come on! I hate waiting, and his car was a nice ride! So sue me!”

Amber cuts in, raising her hand. “Alright, you two, enough. No arguments right now. Let’s focus, okay?”

We both fall silent, the tension still crackling in the air.

“Are you guys free to come to my tennis game on Sunday?” Amber asks, her voice lighter, laced with hope.

I exchange a glance with Alicia, and we give her a thumbs up, grinning.

“Sweet! I’m so glad you both can make it,” Alicia beams, her relief palpable.

Alicia shoots Amber a knowing look: Of course we’ll be there—at least this time!

“Right, and we’ll scream our heads off for you!” I tease, leaning back with a grin.

Amber smirks, “Okay, but don’t make my ears bleed from all the racket, you goof.”

Alicia chuckles, her eyes twinkling. “How about we turn it into a civil war? That could be fun!”

“Oh, so we’re talking about a flood of bloody ears?” Amber counters, pretending to be shocked.

“Sure, why not?” I raise my brows dramatically at her.

“Oh yes! Just imagine, breaking news: ‘A tennis game turns into a chaotic disaster!’ How would they even air that?” Alicia’s eyes light up with excitement.

Amber and I burst into laughter, enjoying Alicia’s wild imagination.

“Amelia, you’d agree, right? Imagine this happening at every tennis game. The whole town would be drenched in chaos!” Amber nudges me, trying to keep a straight face.

“Oh my gosh, you’re right! This could be the craziest event in history!” I squeal with excitement.

“Okay, let’s celebrate this ridiculous idea by marching in a circle like total weirdos while we sing ‘The Flood of Bloody Ears!’” Alicia jumps up from the bean bag, stretching out her hands to us, her smile infectious.

We take her hands, laughter bubbling up as we join in her zany celebration...