amelia

two

It was a bright Tuesday morning the next day. The shining sun shone through the window of Amelia's deserted classroom as she finished the story she had been writing for two weeks. She didn't notice her best friend hovering over Amelia's bent head, reading what was top secret to Amelia.

"Nice ending," Penny commented.

Amelia squealed and jumped up, clutching her notebook to her chest. Amelia felt relieved to see it was only Penny, but after a second, relief turned to anger.

"Why did you have to do that?" Amelia huffed angrily, snapping her notebook shut. "You know how easily scared I can get!"

"What got your knickers into a twist?" Penny raised an eyebrow, throwing her arms up in defense. "Relax, Lia, I didn't mean to scare you."

Amelia glared at the dark-haired girl for a moment before lowering her violet eyes. "I'm sorry for being snappy," She gestured Penny to sit next to her. "Luke and I fought this morning. Actually, scratch that, you would have thought the world was coming to an end."

"It's not surprising," Penny chuckled. "You are always fighting with each other."

"But -- it's tiring, Penny," Amelia buried her face in her hands, her voice becoming muffled. "You wouldn't know because you're the lucky, only child. You get to have everything you want."

Penny offered a rueful smile, sitting next to the redhead. "I'm not lucky, Amelia," she stated. "You just think that because I'm an only child. Because my parents are rich and that I have a big house with a swimming pool. But no, Amelia. It's not."

Amelia did think that. Wasn't that how Amanda's life was? Wasn't Amanda living a happy life? Amelia honestly didn't know what to say. Luckily, Rachel and Roselyn came up at this very minute, English textbooks under their arms. Rachel gave a small smile.

"Hi guys," she chirped. Rachel, wearing a polka-dotted white dress, took in the seat in front of them, with her best friend Roselyn following suit.

"Good morning," Rose cooed, turning to face her three friends. Smoothing down her sleeveless black tee dress, she stated, "How are you guys today?" She didn't mention it, but everyone knew the question was especially directed at Amelia.

"I'm fine," Amelia forced a fake smile. Penny and Rachel echoed her words. Amelia couldn't stand the stares from her good friends, she knew it would only make her more irritable than ever. She cleared her throat. "I'm going to the restroom." she said and left, leaving her friends speechless.

"Okay, what happened?" Rachel broke the silence. She turned to Penny, her eyebrows raised.

"She apparently fought with Luke this morning -- and that's nothing new," Penny shrugged. "I don't know how you can fight with someone your own blood." She had a questioning look on her face, looking at Rachel. But Rachel paid no attention.

"We need to make Amelia happy," Rachel mumbled, twirling her platinum hair.

Penny rolled her dark green eyes, glaring at Rachel. "And you think we -- I haven't tried? Where have you been, under a rock?!" she yelled. "Don't you know how long I've been trying? Six years, Rachel, six years! For six years I have been trying to keep my patience. For six years I've been holding my frustration. And still after six years..." Penny gave a bitter laugh. "Nothing ever changed."

The two listening girls was stunned to silence for a moment, for Penny was a kind, good-tempered and sweet girl, who rarely lost her temper. It was like finding a diamond in the rare.

"We need to make that change then," Roselyn said with determination. "Think of something we've never thought of before. Put your thinking caps on."

"What about that?" Rachel nodded towards Amelia's blue notebook. "We could show her parents one of the stories she has written. I know she wants other people to read it, but too afraid to speak up. They'll know it's marvellous, and get it published!" Roselyn agreed immediately, nodding their heads vigorously.

But Penny had other thoughts. She gave a firm shake of her head. "I won't take her notebook," she stated, "I can't take her notebook! It means so much to Amelia! She'll go crazy if she realises it's stolen!"

Roselyn rolled her eyes. "Penny, you want Amelia to be happy, right? After all these years of being friends with her? You tried for six years, right?" she mocked.
Penny was oblivious to the mocking tone. "Of course I do," she nodded. "If I finally made her happy, that would be one thing off my bucket list."

"Then we'll take -- not steal -- her notebook and show her parents. It's the only, best, possible way to ever make her happy," Roselyn made a point. "Come on, Penny. You're her best friend, aren't you?"

Penny turned red as a beetroot. She didn't want to betray Amelia's trust, but seeing her best friend happy would mean the world to Penny. Will stealing her notebook be worth it? She gave a heavy sigh.

"Alright then, count me in," Penny said finally, not looking pleased. "But we won't take the notebook now, and when we do take it, we will give it back to her immediately."

"That's the spirit," Roselyn grinned, showing off her pearly white teeth. "Now be quiet, Amelia's here."

As Amelia stepped into her classroom, she was oblivious to the fact that her life would change in a matter of a few weeks.

-:-

Amelia and her friends always spent their weekends with each other. It was a routine that they made up ever since they became best friends. They would either spend their time in nearby malls, or at Penny's house, since it was the biggest.

Today, though, they were at the mall, since one of Penny's favourite clothing stores were having a sale. Penny promise to treat her friends some new clothes. Rachel, who loved fashion, agreed enthusiastically, while Amelia and Roselyn just shrugged.

"There you are!" Penny cried, standing up from her chair. Amelia, Rachel and Penny was having Baskin Robbins ice cream while waiting for Roselyn. "You've been ages! What happened?"

"Sorry," Roselyn muttered sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. "I completely forgot all about it."

Penny rolled her eyes. "Well come on now," she grabbed her purple purse that matched her purple highlights. "The sale starts in two hours. We have barely any time to get in line."