This Is England » Freddie Highmore

48.

HE HELD ME close as my answer escaped my lips. Hearing his heartbeat against my ear made me feel content. I know he's changed. I know he has.

But why was there a slight pang at my chest, questioning my decision?

"Amelia?"

I look up at Freddie, shaking my head slightly as I snapped out of my daze. His eyes were softening to a brown color as I stared into them; feeling his thumb trace a circular pattern on my cheek.

"Yeah?" I ask, my mouth slightly open.

"Are you alright?" his soft, English accent asks, scanning at my lips then back at my eyes once again. "You seem a bit. . . out of it."

I nod. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Freddie furrows his eyebrows, not fully convinced. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Freddie." I reply. "I'm fine."

"Okay," he says. "I'm just making sure, love."

I smile, then lean my head onto his chest. I shouldn't be doubting him. For all I know, he could decide to stop using drugs. For all I know he has changed completely.

Why should I be doubting his capabitlity of doing great things?

Because you know he's bound to hurt you.

I quickly shook the thought out of my head, not wanting to listen to the subconscious part of my mind tell me otherwise.

"What's next?" I ask, staring at the door. Freddie wraps his arms around my stomach; rubbing his thumb over my hands as they were clasped together.

"We travel. Live free. You haven't been free, Am. I want you to be."

"Why?" I knit my eyebrows together, not fully understanding what he was saying.

"Because," he begins, resting his chin on my shoulder. "You deserve nothing but happiness, babe."

He kisses my cheek, allowing a breath escape his lips.

"Nothing but happiness."

..

The streets of New York were dampened by the heavy downpour that occurred awhile ago. Freddie kept his leather jacket hung over his shoulder as he lit up a cigarette. I wasn't surprised he didn't put it on, he is from England.

"Where do ye want to go?" he asks me, the smoke tendrils escaping his lips.

Across the street from the hotel, I saw most of my friends. They were leaning against the lamppost; smoking and laughing.

"Over there," I motioned to the group of smoking adolescents. "I want to introduce you to my friends."

"Friends?" Freddie archs an eyebrow, the cigarette dangling from his lips.

"Yeah," I chuckle. "I went to high school with them."

"Ah." he nods. "I see."

I take my hand and lace it with Freddie's free hand. We hurry across the rambunctious streets of New York City; hearing the cars honking as we passed through the vehicle tsunami.

"Hey guys!" I exclaim, meeting my friend Claire and her possy.

"Amelia!" Claire exclaims excitedly, pulling me into a tight hug. I hug each of my girls and smile. I've missed them so much.

Ralph, one of my old flings, smirks in my direction. He nears close to the girls; scanning at me up and down.

"Well if it isn't Amelia Parker," he says slyly. "Come to New York to visit, I see."

I nod. "Yeah."

He motions to Freddie, chuckling slightly. "And who's he?"

"Freddie." I say, turning around to see Freddie nod his head upward. He didn't say anything.

"Well, Freddie," Ralph says, snaking an arm around me. "Amelia and I got a lot of catching up to do. I hope you don't mind."

"I do." Freddie replies coldly. "She isn't yours to take."

Ralph smirks, then pushes me back.

"We'll see about that."

...