amelia

six

"Is that my notebook?" the redhead standing in the doorway widened her blue eyes, dropping the bags she had in her arms and headed towards her mother. "Where did you find it?"

Before Mrs White could say anything, Penny stood up, her eyes lowered to the ground. "We took it, Lia."

"What?!" Amelia's words were threaded in shock. "You knew how much it meant to me! How could you? I trusted you!" 

"I'm sorry, Amelia," Penny felt tears stinging in her eyes. "It's all my fault."

Suddenly, Rachel stood up. "It's not just her fault, Amelia. We all were in it. Don't just blame Penny...blame all of us." 

"How could not blame you?!" Amelia screamed, losing her vicious temper. "You're bad friends! All of you! Do you know how much I trusted you? How much I care and love for you? And how I wish I'd never lose you? Do you know how everyday I'm thankful for having three best friends that I could trust in, that didn't bully me, that always try to cheer me up even you know it'll be useless? Do you?" Amelia screeched, her face flushed with anger. She gave a malicious laugh. "But you're just the same as everyone else.

Mr White, knowing how vicious Amelia's temper could be, coaxed, "Amelia, I know you're mad--"

"Don't, Dad," Amelia interrupted, still shooting glares at the three girls she had once considered friends. "Don't let me be mad at you too."

"Lia-" Penny tried to reason with her, but it was useless. 

"Don't call me that!" Amelia screamed again, and Penny shrunk back in fear. "I hate you! Get out of my life, all three of you!" And with that, she stormed upstairs before they heard a door slamming shut.

Penny, Rachel and Roselyn all looked ashamed. Penny tried to fight back the tears stinging her eyes. All five of them stood in the living room, the silence too loud to bear.

"I'm sorry for the row, Mr and Mrs White," Roselyn said finally. "I think it's best we leave."

"No, not now," Mr White said firmly. "You still haven't told us how showing us her stories would make her happy again." Mrs White nodded in agreement.

Penny exchanged glances with the other two, hesitancy clear on her face.

"Well?" Mr White raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Well..." Penny said hesitantly, but Rachel cut off.

"I'll say it, Mr and Mrs White," she replied boldly. "We thought we could publish some of these story ideas. We know how Amelia wants people to see her stories more than anything, but she's too afraid to speak up."

Realisation dawned on Mr White's handsome features. "Oh."

Penny blurted out, panicking, "Well, we went here to have your approval first, but if you don't want to-"

"Brilliant." Mr White interrupted, a smile adorning his face. "What a brilliant, brilliant idea."

"I agree and approve very much of this idea," Mrs White gave a satisfied smile. 

Penny hasn't been any more relieved in her entire life. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her and a grim expression crossed her face. "But... how are we supposed to break it to her?"

"Good question," Roselyn frowned. 

"That's not going to be easy," Rachel gave a grim smile. 

"True," Mrs White mirrored Rachel's expression. She shrugged. "You have to come up with something."

Penny's face suddenly brightened. "I have an idea!"

"Spill," Roselyn demanded. Everyone turned to look at Penny.