Double Dates

Chapter 5: Presents and Parties

"Lazy days in," Amelia hummed, the tune getting annoying very quickly. After about another twenty minutes Sky slammed her hand over her best friend's face.

"You licking my hand is doing nothing."

"Shut up," Percy hissed. James, who was half asleep on the recliner, waved his hand in Amelia's defence.

"Why can't we leave?" Percy groaned, shoving his face further into his pillow.

"Number one, what's keeping you here? And two, I promised Amelia I'd help her with Latin roots."

"Answer number one, you know why. Follow up question, why do you know Latin roots?" he sighed, rolling around.

"We took Latin all through high school," Amelia answered, trying to cram the rest of the roots into her brain. Sky grinned and flopped onto her boyfriend, who let out a grunt then wrapped his arms around her.

"Nerds," he commented, nuzzling into her neck.

"Latin reminds me of Ms. Quinn," Amelia said, pointedly looking at James, who seemed fully awake at the name of his 'rebound' girl.

"What do you mean you won't be home for dinner tonight?" A gentle monotone voice sounded from outside the door. Amelia stopped to crane her head a bit to hear more through the thick door.
"I mean I'll be working late and won't be home for dinner," Amelia heard Mr. Killian say.
"But my brother and his wife are coming down and my parents," the voice said.
"Well I'm sorry, but there's a big test in forensics tomorrow and some kids are staying after to get help."
There was a pregnant pause between the two people. The soft clicking of heels sounded as the woman with the monotone voice came closer to the door. Amelia's eyes widened and she looked around. The halls were empty so there was no possibility of disappearing into the crowd. Only if Sky was here, Amelia thought.
She took a shaky breath and knocked on the door. The heels stopped and there was some intense whispering.
Mr. Killian cleared his throat, "Come in."
Amelia stepped in with a wavering smile, "Hi I, uh, was just wondering if you could read this over..."
"Yeah, sure," Mr. Killian said as he walked over and ran a hand through his dark hair. Amelia blushed and handed over the paper. Mr. Killian's hand brushed hers as he took the paper.
"Um, and I could stay after a different night if you have plans," Amelia quietly whispered. Mr. Killian looked worried and his eyes bolted over to the cabinets then fluttered back to the paper.
"No, its fine."
Amelia nodded and started to leave but stopped at the door and turned to face Mr. Killian.
"You're, um, off a button there," Amelia said nervously. Mr. Killian tried to fix it but it resulted in a shirt bubble. "Lemme just-- here," Amelia said with a sweet smile. She unbuttoned the top two and then rebuttoned them. "And just, you've got a little something," Amelia whispered as she brushed an imaginary speck of ballistic powder from his cheek. "Just some ballistic powder."
Mr. Killian backed up a bit and Amelia took in a shaky breath then nodded and left. Amelia gently closed the door behind herself. She leaned heavily against the door with a beating heart and watery eyes. She heard the clicking of heels behind the door and the smack of a skin on skin slap.
"I was a fool to think it would only be me," someone spat.
"Victoria! Victoria!" Mr. Killian called as she stormed from the connecting door in Ms. Trappini's room to the hall. She threw a glance down the hall at Amelia who was against Mr. Killian's door. She shook her head and covered her mouth. Mr. Killian opened the door and Amelia fell into his arms.

The inevitable time came when the bells of the church down the street struck 5 am on Christmas morning. Everything was quiet in the girls' apartment besides the breathing of it's four current residence and the radiator whistling, but as soon as those bells rang, feet hit the rug under Sky's bed.