The Boy Next Door

fourteen

CAROLYNS POV
Owen was here for a little while and then he had to go back home. They went on a first date yesterday and I hope they start dating soon. She is a totally different person with him, a better person. She came inside and she was wearing his sweatshirt.
"Hey," I said, she looked a little upset and I got scared something happened with her and Owen.
"I don't want to visit LA," she said, "I don't want to see Nancy's prissy perfect college life. I don't care. I don't want to see Liz's perfect friend group or Derek and Addison who obviously still love each other. I have nothing and nobody to go back to."
"So what you want to stay here by yourself for the weekend?" I asked.
"Well, you see here's the thing, Owen said I could stay at his house," she said.
"Did his mom say it was okay?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
"Amelia we can go to the beach and have fun," I said.
"And what? See james? See the store dad was shot in? See the house my best friend killed herself in?" She said with tears in her eyes, "is that what I'm supposed to do?" I sighed and knew there was zero chance of me winning this argument.
"Okay," I said, "behave yourself over there and be respectful."
"Thank you," she said.
"And I'm sorry," I said.
"About what," she said.
"About Michelle," I said, "we never really talked about it."
"I miss her," she said.
"I do too, I said.
"She - she deserved so much," she said, "she was my best friend." I went to go give her a hug and she ran upstairs and slammed her door shut.
DEREKS POV
Something was up with Amelia. She was so moody today. I mean she was always moody, but today she was extremely moody. I knocked on her door and I could hear her crying.
"Hey Amy," I said and opened the door. She was curled in a ball in the corner of her room crying.
"Hey, hey what's wrong?" I said. She just sobbed and crawled into my arms. I wrapped my arms around her and rubbed her back.
"Did Owen do something?" I asked.
"N-no," she stuttered.
"Okay what's wrong?" I asked.
"Michelle died," she said. I knew she hadn't come to terms with it in a while.
"I know she did Amy," I said, "and I am so so sorry."
"She couldn't escape her demons and I'm afraid I can't escape mine," she said shaking.
"You'll be okay, I promise, you're so strong Amy, look at you now, you have such a nice group of friends, and a nice boyfriend now," I said, "assuming he's your boyfriend?"
"He is," she sniffled.
"Okay," I said.
"I hate this," she said.
"Hate what?" I said.
"Me! All I do is ruin everything! I get upset about everything! I can never be happy!" She cried.
"Okay, just come down," I said, "you're happy with Owen."
"I am," she said, "I think he saved me."
"Saved you?" I said.
"If I didn't meet him I'd be so angry and mad here," she said.
"Well you have him, and you have me, and contrary to popular belief mom and Liz do listen to you so," I chuckled.
"You're easier to talk to," she said.
"I mean I know I'm awesome but," I chuckled.
"Shut up," she said.
OWENS POV
The sunset was so pretty right now. I was looking out my window and Amelia's was shut and her curtains were closed.
"Window?" I texted her.
"I can't I'm sorry," she sent.
"Are you okay?" I sent.
"Yes, just busy. Can't tonight. Sorry," she sent. I was worried about her. I think talking about her dad really upset her today. After a while I saw her peek at me from the corner of her curtain. I waved and she froze.
"You good?" I texted. She responded by opening her window and sitting on the ledge.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," I said, "you okay?"
"Yeah, I just, I had, I, well, I had kinda a mental breakdown before. It was nothing I'm fine," she said quietly.
"Okay," I said, "you wanna talk?"
"I'm okay," she said, "oh also my mom said yes to this weekend."
"That's awesome," I smiled.
"I'm excited," she smiled, "a weekend with you."
"In my bed," I chuckled.
"Ew you're dirty," she chuckled.
"Shut up I didn't mean it like that," I laughed.
"I know what you meant," she said.
"Good," I said. She was so pretty, she was also still wearing my sweatshirt which was so cute.
"Hey I'm gonna call it a night okay?" She said.
"Okay, good night," I said.
"Good night," she said.
-
I hadn't heard from Amelia this morning. I don't even know if she's coming to school. Something is up with her, I'm really worried about her. I feel bad, she has so much she deals with and she doesn't have to hold it all in. I walked into school and saw her at her locker.
"Hey," I said.
"Oh my gosh, hi, I'm so sorry I was running late this morning and I totally meant to respond to your texts," she said.
"Hey it's okay," I said and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear which made her smile. She seemed happy this morning which was good. I kissed her cheek and she smiled.
"What are you doing today after school?" I asked.
"Nothing," she chuckled.
"Perfect, let's grab food after school," I said.
"Okay," she smiled.
"Sound good?" I said.
"Sounds good," she smiled.
"You're all smiley this morning," I chuckled.
"Yeah, because of you," she chuckled and hit my arm. I put my arm around her and I walked her to her first period class.
"I'll see you at lunch?" I said.
"Yeah," she said and kissed my cheek before walking into the room.
AMELIAS POV
I was happy this morning. It felt weird. But I liked it. Owen made me happy. I was walking out of Spanish when I saw Callie.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," I said.
"You're all smiley," she chuckled.
"Owens made me soft," I joked.
"Are you kidding? You've made him so soft," she chuckled, "He's never been a romantic."
"Really?" I said.
"Yeah," she chuckled, "you're very special to him."