What Little Worlds

Seven

The months after she and Adrien had said their final goodbye, at sixteen years old, had torn apart Amelie's heart. She had felt the ache of his absence in everything that she did. Walking home from the bus stop had made her clench her fists and feel as though the very sky was pushing down upon her, like she was trudging through the pressure of water, rather than air.

She would think in circles, trying to rationalize her way out of the feelings, but every time she would get chocked up thinking about the finality of their goodbye, and circle back to despair.

They had met up in New York City that year. She had skipped school and taken the train on her own. After the previous year, when Adrien had come all the way from DC to her, she decided she could adventure out to meet him.

Even eight years later, she could still picture Adrien's tear-filled face laying in the Central Park grass next to her as he had said the words that broke her heart for the first time in her young life.

"After this year, I'm being sent abroad to complete my training. I don't know where, we have stations all over the world. And I don't know if I'll ever get to come back." He had sniffed and reached towards her to cup her face in his hand. She had grabbed his free hand in hers and squeezed, unsure of what else to say.

He had then brushed his thumb lightly over her cheek, sparking a sensation that would replay in her head for years afterward.

__________________

Amelie fought to keep her hand away from her face as the memory flashed through her mind.

They let go and Adrien followed her to the couch, watching as she sat down on one edge and pretzel-crossed her legs. She turned towards him and gestured for him to sit, then grabbed a cookie and leaned back against the arm of the couch, still facing Adrien. He mirrored her position, facing her and sitting criss-crossed on the other side of the couch. He reached for a cookie but before he could she grabbed the bag and ripped it away. She grinned childishly and said, "You haven't earned one yet," mimicking their conversation from years ago.

He smiled sheepishly and shrugged as if to agree.

"So where have you been? And why are you here? Eight whole years of nothing, Adrien. I thought you were my friend. You really hurt me, you know that? I'm glad to see you but rationally I cannot understand why you keep so much distance. I barely feel comfortable letting you in my door to be honest. Also, speaking of, how did you find my door?" Amelie knew she was rambling, but she also knew that she deserved a lot of answers.

Adrien sighed and looked away. "I don't know what I can tell you, Amelie. It's so complicated." He threw his head back on the arm rest and looked up at the ceiling. "You remember that stuff I showed you with the water? When we were fourteen?"

"Yes of course, Adrien. A girl doesn't just forget it when her friend admits he essentially goes to Hogwarts," she replied quickly.

"Ok. please don't hate me, Am. I messed up all those years ago. I should have told you from the beginning. I knew. Even at ten, I knew—" Amelie waited patiently for her friend to get the courage to say whatever it was he came here to say. He had always struggled with his words, she remembered fondly, and she knew to give him the space to untangle his thoughts before he blurted them in a confusing jumble.

"— you were one of us. I just didn't know how to tell you. I knew you wouldn't believe me and I wanted to protect you from it all. As soon as they found out who you were your life would completely change."

Amelie was at a loss for words. Adrien wasn't making any sense at all. She uncrossed her legs and pulled them up so she could wrap her arms around them. "Adrien....what are you saying?" she asked, anxiously, "I don't understand, and you're scaring me."