This New Life

Chapter Three: Summer Days

***Chandler is now back in America.He and Amelia have been constantly writing letters to each other. He visited his grandparents and aunts and uncles. Everyone knows what happened and everyone now knows he's okay. Thomas has kept a close eye on him.****

***Amelia to the right***

June 12th, 2027

"Has anything new come up with work? Met any American kids? Haha. So, I know you don't have any kids. Your favorite things are sunshine, flowers, and your pet cat Lotus. You can play acoustic. Your parents live in Rome and own a vineyard that makes a lot of money. They send you a check every month that you never use. So why don't you use some of that money and come visit me?" My cursive hand writing was neat without a splatter of ink. I was writing Amelia. We had been writing ever since I had gotten back to America. She and I sent letters constantly. It almost felt like romance but she's 24, that's half my age. I only wanted her as my friend anyways, it's just in the movies this is what it's like.

I jumped to the sound of the doorbell. I shouted "I got it," as I ran down the stairs. I checked through the curtains from the side windows of the door. It was Stella. I hadn't seen her since the day I was kidnapped. I swung open the door and jumped at her with an embrace. 

"Oh, Chandler. I've missed you so much!" She said, she was crying. I felt bad for not thinking of her earlier. 

"It's okay. I'm so sorry. Please don't cry." I told her calmly. My brotherly side of me kicking in. 

She broke apart our hug, stepping back, and standing uncomfortably at my door. I asked her if she would like to come inside so she did. My mom was in the kitchen cooking dinner. It smelled so good. She always wore her red apron and her hair up when she cooked. My dad told me that she use to not be able to cook but he taught her so she could cook for me, like she wanted.

I told my mom Stella was here and that we were going to go upstairs and play video games. When we entered my room, that I wasn't afraid of being in anymore, we sat on the floor, and Stella sat in between my legs like she always did. 

Some people may think that I would gain feelings for Stella by now since we've been friends for so long but I think that would be weird and ruin our great friendship. Honestly I don't see Stella as my type anyways. She's more tomboyish. I like girls who like to spend time doing their hair and who wear the girl stuff. I'm sure Stella would raid my closet if she could. 

"Did you hear about the kid who moved in next to the Lanterns?" Stella asked me, mashing buttons on her controller.

"No, what's their name?" I asked her, curious. No ones moved here since the Lanterns. That was 13 years ago? 

"I think his name is Evan... Taylor. He's a real nice looking guy." She told me. I nodded my head.

Evan Taylor? Might have to go introduce myself today. 

"Ha! You died!" I cheered, jumping up, doing a little dance.

"Yeah yeah. How about we go say hello to Evan?" Stella suggested. With that I grabbed my beanie and we ran down stairs.

"Going to meet some new neighbors, Mom!" I shouted, walking out the door.

"Okay. Dinner in 10 minutes!" She shouted back. With that I slammed the door and ran down the steps of my porch.

We walked past the Lanterns house, I looked up at Linely's bedroom window. I gave a second take to see her blinds were up and she was putting her bathing suit top on. I felt like a perv watching her with my mouth wide open but I couldn't help myself.