amelia

one

AMELIA watched wistfully as a younger girl greet her friend with warm brown eyes and a lovely, wide smile. They were talking animatedly about a book that just came out. Amelia wished her life was happy. How does it feel to have many friends and be popular?

She sighed heavily and continued reading her mystery thriller that she had read so many times before.

All of a sudden, Amelia caught a whiff of Meow by Katy Perry, a perfume's smell that she had become familiar with almost every day.

"Pen!" Amelia sighed in relief and hugged her best friend.

"Hi there." Penny grinned cheekily and sat down next to Amelia, brushing off some lint off her dark brown pants. "I didn't think you would come early."

Amelia faked a laugh, playing with her flaming red hair. "I didn't think you would come early."

Penny smiled again. But this time, it didn't reach her eyes. She had known her best friend for more than six years, and she could read Amelia like an open book. She knew that Amelia would never laugh genuinely, and she didn't know when she ever will ever laugh again. It saddened her. Penny opened her mouth to say something.

"Ameli-"

She stopped when Nancy, one of Penny and Amelia's bullies, came up and snapped, "No talking!" As Nancy turned back, tossed her brown hair and cackled, Penny made a face and Amelia frowned.

"Don't listen to them, Amelia," Penny rolled her walnut brown eyes. "Anyway, as I was just about to say, did you bring anything for art today?"

Amelia turned red as a beetroot. "Not really."

The other girl chuckled. "It's a good thing I brought extra."

-:-

"Amelia, catch!" Penny cried out as she tossed her paintbox over to the redhead. Swiftly, Amelia caught it with one hand.

Art had just finished, and the next class was music. But since the music teacher was absent for some personal reasons, it was a free period for the entire class.

"Do you have a paper? I want to draw something." Penny asked as she next to Amelia.

"Yeah, sure." Amelia said softly, tearing off a page from the notebook she cherished so much.

"Thanks." Penny smiled gratefully. Starting to sketch a girl holding a sword, she nudged Amelia, raising an eyebrow. "Have you revealed your talent to your parents?"

"It's not a talent, Pen, it's a hobby." Amelia shrugged. "To be honest, it's not even a hobby. It's just something I do occasionally. I'm not gifted with a beautiful talent like you." She gestured to the drawing Penny had started to draw.

Penny shook her head. "You're crazy talented, Amelia. You-"

Penny was cut off by another one of her bullies, Amanda. "Amelia? Talented? Oh my god! When pigs fly will she be talented!" She gave an evil laugh, throwing her blonde head back.

The easy tears came to Amelia's blue eyes. Rage and hatred was clear in Penny's eyes, for amongst all of the people that ever bullied her, she hated Amanda the worst. She couldn't stand even looking at that dumb blonde.

"Shut your pretty mouth up, Amanda!" Penny snapped, rubbing Amelia's back.

Amanda only smirked in triumph and walked away.

Penny gave one more glare behind the blonde's back and turned to her unfinished drawing. Amelia only helped Penny, hoping that things would be better for her. They sat in silence, not saying a word of what just happened. They didn't need to.

Amelia and her friends always had break together, it had became a habit.

"Want some Skittles I bought, Amelia?" Rachel offered, a strand of silver hair falling over her brown eyes. They all knew that Amelia was unhappy, and did anything to help, even though Amelia had told them not to.

"Sure, thanks," Amelia forced a smile, reaching to take the small gray plastic bag. She took one red Skittle out, biting a small piece off it hesitantly.

"Are you sure you want that?" Roselyn asked jokingly.

The redhead nodded. "Only one," Amelia mumbled, "I'm fat enough to explode."

Penny rolled her dark green eyes while Rachel slapped her forehead.

"You're not fat," Roselyn protested, even though she knew Amelia's answer. She twirled her rose gold hair, hoping Amelia wouldn't lose her temper, for it wouldn't be a pretty sight.

"Whatever," Amelia sighed, swallowing the small pellet and stormed off without saying another word.