glitched | ✔️

t w e n t y t w o

Amara POV

I glanced down at Destiny, cringing a little at the bold words on her black vest: proclaiming her to be a certified service dog.

Once it had become clear that it was nearly impossible for me to function with the constant panic attacks I had been going through, Larissa and Walter decided something had to change.
Destiny was the key to that change.

She had a way of calming me, comforting me when the walls closed in.
And so she went through some training, took some tests, got a license, and this thing.

I was overjoyed that Destiny would be able to accompany me anywhere, but at the same time her vest told the world that I had a weakness, a weakness that I needed assistance in fixing.
And I didn't want anyone to know how weak I was.

My first day back at school.
Sigh.
The weather had warmed significantly now that winter was passed and I was wearing frayed denim shorts and a white ribbed tank top with white converse.

I adjusted Destiny's leash, taking a few deep breaths as I got shakily out of the car.
Destiny nuzzled my fingers and I cracked a small smile.

Most of the kids were inside already, away from spring allergies, but Peter waited on the front steps.

I felt a mix of happiness and anger surge in the pit of my stomach.
I hadn't seen him in so long. Where the hell had he been?
He better have a good excuse.

I marched up the steps and wrapped my arms around his muscular body, squeezing tightly.
He hugged me back.
I then proceeded to push him away angrily.

"Where have you been, Pete? I haven't seen you in an eternity? You can't just blip out of someone's life like that with no explanation!"

Peter winced.
"I'm sorry, babygirl. I had some missions and extractions that I couldn't back down from. They took longer than expected."

I looked away, angrily.

"But... you're okay, right? Not feeling dizzy or anything?"

I rolled my eyes.
"I'm fine. I have Destiny to help me. You don't have to be such a big brother about it."

He flinched a little at that too.
"Amara, after all this you don't really think that I think of you as a sister, do you?"

I sighed, not wanting to meet his eyes.
Until Peter I had always been a flirt, a player of sorts.
But now... there was something about him. Something that made me want him, and only him.
And it scared me.

I was freaking terrified.

The warning bell rang from inside the school and Destiny tilted her head curiously.
I smiled, rubbing her between the ears.

Peter wrapped an arm around my shoulders in an act of both concern and protectiveness.
I grinned at him.
"Seriously, I'm fine."

He sighed.
"I know, I know. But I almost lost you, and now I feel like if I'm not holding onto you, you might dissolve any moment."

I pushed open the doors to the school, ignoring all the stares.
Everyone was looking at me, Peter, and Destiny.
Especially Destiny.

"Hey. I'm solid. I'm here. I'm not going to dissolve, Ty-Ty, so relax." I said softly.

Peter didn't reply.

(200 explanations of why Destiny was with me later...)

"Hey, you want to see a movie, muffin?" Jamie purrs seductively, her hand propped flirtatiously on her hip.

I clench my fists, anger boiling through my veins.
Who does she think she is?

Peter looks uncomfortable as heck.
"Um, sorry, but no. Not particularly."

I scoff.
Ever the nice guy.

"Awww... why not? Going somewhere with your scaredy-cat girlfriend? Make sure not to take her to any horror movies- she might faint."

I slowly and silently unclipped Destiny from my belt and gestured for her to sit. I would need both of my hands for this.

Peter tensed. "Apologize to Vickie. Now." He growled.

Jamie giggled. "Why? I'm only telling the truth. And she's not even that pretty anymore- look at that scar on her cheek. Nasty."

"I'll make you eat your words!" I snarled, leaping forwards and throwing a perfectly executed punch at Jamie's stomach.

She let out a groan, doubling over.

My eyes widened, very aware of what I had just done.

Peter grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Jamie, Destiny following.
Thankfully we had been outside the school with no security cameras.
Nobody had been watching.
It would be Jamie's word against mine, and I was great at lying.
I lived a lie.

Peter's iron grip on my arm began to grow uncomfortable.
I opened my mouth to protest but one stern look from him made me think better of it.

When we were somewhere private he finally let me go.
"Amara, what in hell were you thinking? That could have been caught on camera!"

"But it wasn't."

"If anyone with even half a brain was watching they would have been able to tell you were a trained fighter!"

"Oops. Guess I should have thrown a lousy punch instead." I deadpanned.

Peter growled in annoyance.

Destiny licked my hand and I grinned at her. "See? Destiny is proud of me."

Peter grabbed me by my shoulders, looking deep into my eyes, his own emerald irises burning into mine with worry and...

"Amara."
He used my real name.
"Amara you can't keep doing this to me. I need to know that you're going to be okay. I need to know that they will never find you. Because, damn it all, I can't live without you. Do it for my sake, if you even care, please sweetheart."

Sweetheart.
How he said it this time was so different than how he said it back in science class that day when we we're dissecting squid.
He meant it this time.

I was quaking.
He really liked me.

But I couldn't do this.
I couldn't.
I...

"Peter. I will be fine. You taught me to be fine. But you can't keep clinging to me like this because one day I'm going to go somewhere you can't follow. I'm not the girl that backs down from a fight for worry of breaking a nail. I'm the reckless, stupid, girl who runs into a war and fights to her last. You can't keep me chained down forever. But you have to trust that I can take care of myself. You won't always be there to get me out of trouble. You must know that."

Peter looked away than back at me.
"You know it may have been my job to protect you. But now it's my priority. I'm sorry, Amara."

He walked away.

I stared emptily at the road, watching as cars passed by.
I had lost him.

•••

It was so satisfying to make Amara punch Jamie.
Like... yes. Just yes.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!