Amelie

Prologue: Part 1 (Amelie P.O.V.)

      "Aren't you scared we'll get caught?"

      I chuckled and tugged on Ethan's button down shirt, bringing his lips back down to mine. "My mom would never suspect that my language teacher and I were having a relationship while she went about her business," I whispered sarcastically against his lips. "Besides, we've been doing this for two months and haven't gotten caught. We're fine so long as we're quiet."

      He ran one hand down the length of my leg and slipped his lips down my neck. "We're still breaking a lot of rules here, Amelie. You're just seventeen."

      I placed my hand firmly on his chest and pushed him away, shifting myself into a sitting position underneath him with my other hand. "What's that supposed to mean?"

      Ethan sighed and lifted himself off me, standing and running his hands through his messy brown hair. His hair stood up in the top, making him look like he'd just woken up from a nap. "Your mom has already expressed, and made it very clear, that you are not allowed to date, has she not?"

      I remained silent.

      "I think you and I should go back to only studying. We should go back to having a teacher-student relationship only." Ethan's green eyes wandered around the room, looking at everything except me.

      "You're breaking up with me?" I asked incredulously. I sat on my ankle, and stretched out my other leg before me to look relaxed (though I was anything but relaxed at this very moment).

      "We were never together to begin with, Ames! We were just," he paused and searched for a word. "Make-out buddies," he finished lamely. "This isn't right. And I honestly don't want to stand on a stage and having a film made out of my death just because I wanted to have fun with you. It isn't worth it when I could get the same things you offer from a lady my age."

      I scoffed. "You know what? Leave. I can find someone else to teach me French, and a boyfriend who will appreciate me. You were too sloppy for me anyways, so I am better off with someone else."

      "Ames, I still want to teach you. And we can still be friends, just not to this extent."

      "No, you want the money. Ethan, just leave." I waved whatever argument he was going to make away and rose to my feet. "Don't bother calling my mother, either. I will deal with this myself."

      He fixed his clothes, pulled on his black coat, and began to walk towards the door that would open to the living room. "I'm sorry, Ames. I didn't mean to hurt you."

      "It's Ms. Montgomery to you," I snapped. "And you didn't hurt me. I never really had feelings for you."

      He bit his lip and watched me from the doorway. I kept myself together, standing with my chin held high and a small smile on my lips; just as my mother had taught me to act. At last, he bowed his head and exited the room, shutting the door behind himself. I let my shoulders slump as soon as the door had closed and dropped to my knees on the ground, the skirt of my light blue dress pooling around me. Tears manifested in my eyes and slipped down my face slowly, but I didn't make a sound as I cried.

      I felt betrayed by his choice to stop our almost-relationship, especially since he made it sound like I could be replaced. The fact that it was so easy for him to suggest having a teacher-student relationship after everything we'd done together made things hurt even more. He had been my first kiss and first crush. Stars, he was probably the first guy I'd ever loved. He never knew that he was my first crush or the first guy I'd ever loved, but he knew he was the first guy I'd kissed. He had walked me through it, made sure that I wasn't too worried and he gave me the confidence I needed.

      I allowed myself to feel the pain of the "break up" for about ten minutes before I pulled myself together, forced all the pain away, touched up my make up, and stepped out into the massive living room. My mom was sitting on the white couch drinking tea (even though she swore she hated tea as much as I did) with my best friend Kat and her mom Patrisha. I gave them all small smiles and curtsied before I sat down beside Kat, across from my mom and hers. My mom motioned at the last cup of tea on the glass table between the couches and I grabbed it slowly, bowing my head as a silent thank you. I took a small sip of the overly sweet tea, resisting the urge to scrunch my nose in disgust.

      "Good afternoon, Amelie. How was French class?" Mrs. Patrisha asked politely, giving me a wary smile. Her brown eyes shone with curiosity, and she tapped her foot as she waited for my answer.

      "It was great, Mrs. Howard. I enjoy learning new languages and feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to do so," I answered in a sugary sweet voice. My mother beamed beside Mrs. Howard, gripping her cup with both hands.

      "That's wonderful! Kat has been doing very well in her class as well. I am so proud of you girls."

      I smiled and bowed my head, taking another sip of the tea.