The Boy Next Door

fifty five

a few days later
AMELIAS POV
I've been at Owens house for 4 days. I really do love it. His mom doesn't act like I'm insane and I get to see him all the time. I did talk to my family yesterday and saw them and reassured my mom that I'm okay but she still looks at me with her worried eyes and I hate it. I was walking in the hallway to accounting right now which meant the day was almost over. I walked in and stopped. Someone was sitting in Ryan's seat. That was the first time that has happened since I've gotten back. I froze.
"Excuse me," I heard someone behind me and I rushed to my seat. I swallowed hard and grabbed my notebook. I couldn't get the idea that someone would sit there out of my head. Someone took my chair but I didn't care about that. Ryan's bothered me. I quietly took notes and the bell rang. I put everything in my bag and I felt sick to my stomach.
"Hey," I heard Owen say as I opened my locker.
"Hey," I said.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Why wouldn't I be okay?" I asked.
"I'm just checking in," he said.
"Okay," I said. I grabbed my books and grabbed his hand and we walked to the parking lot, and all I could think about was Ryan's seat.
OWENS POV
Amelia was off. I noticed it right away. But I have to be gentle. I have to be. I can not force anything out of her because it'll just upset her. But I am worried. And concerned. Really concerned. We got home and she has barely said anything.
"Hey do you want something to eat?" I asked.
"Sure," she said.
"Okay," I said, well it was a good sign she was eating.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Whatever you're having is okay with me," Amelia said.
"Do you want a cookie?" I said.
"Yeah," she said and I handed her one, "thank you."
"You're welcome," I said, "how was your day?" I saw her face change and I knew that's what was bothering her.
"Oh it was fine," she said.
"Did you have any tests?" Maybe it was that.
"Yeah history vocab but it was so easy," she said.
"That's good," I said.
"Yeah, what about you how was your day?" She asked.
"My science test was kinda hard," I shrugged.
"Oh no that stinks," she said, "I'm sure you did fine though you're smart."
"Yeah I'm hoping," I said. She sat there silently and looked at the counter.
"You okay?" I said.
"Owen I'm fine," She said.
"Okay," I said.
"Why are you so worried?" She said.
"I'm not worried," I said, "I'm merely checking in."
"No, it's because you know somethings wrong," she said quietly. She avoided my gaze and bit her lip.
"Whatever it is it's okay," I said calmly, "whatever is bothering you, you can tell me."
"It's dumb," she said, her voice raspy and she was fighting to cry.
"No it's not," I said. She looked at me and her eyes filled up with tears.
"Can you just hold me?" She said weakly.
"Of course," I said and wrapped my arms around her. I held her close to my chest and I rubbed her back.
"Why don't we go upstairs?" I asked. She nodded and we walked upstairs. I laid down on my bed and she snuggled into my chest and I rubbed her back. I kissed her head and ran my fingers through her hair.
"You doing alright?" I asked. She shook her head no.
"It's really dumb," she said softly.
"Amelia you can tell me," I said.
"Someone sat in Ryan's seat today, I don't know why it bothers me so much," she said.
"In accounting?" I asked.
"Mhm," she nodded.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"It's not your fault, it's nobody's fault, it's stupid," she said.
"It's not stupid, hey, look at me, it's okay to be upset," I said.
"I just want my mom," she said as tears fell down her face, "I just want my mom but she's going to think I'm crazy and send me back."
"She's not going to think you're crazy," I said, "she wants to help, if you let me help, why can't you let her?"
"I don't know," she said crying.
"Do you want me to call her?" I asked. She nodded as she cried into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and grabbed my phone off my end table.
"Can you come over?" I sent to Carolyn.
"Of course, is she okay?" She sent.
"She really needs you," I said. I put my phone down and Amelia was holding onto me like she never wanted to let go.
"Shh honey it's okay," I said softly, "you're okay, she's coming over."
"Okay," she said quietly.
"You're okay," I said. My bedroom door opened and it was my mom and Carolyn.
"What happened?" My mom asked quietly.
"Mom," Amelia said as she hugged her mom.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Carolyn said.
"I love you," Amelia said and hugged her again.
"I love you too Amelia," Carolyn said.