Faded Memories

Chapter 14

I squeezed Carter's hand as we sat on the steps of my porch the following morning whilst Michael and some of his co-workers searched my house, looking for anything even slightly suspicious to show that somebody had been here. The sun was lacking this morning, my mood reflecting the dull grey sky that was hanging overhead. I stared at the same spot in the road, watching aimlessly as the cars passed by, as everybody else got on with their lives.

I didn't even notice Trevor exit his house, I didn't notice him as he ran up the driveway towards me, I didn't even notice him when he was standing right over me on the porch - not until Carter nudged my shoulder to bring me back to reality. I glanced up, a smile automatically forming on my face as I realised who it was.

"Amelia, what's happening honey? Are you okay?" Trevor rushed his words as he glanced at the few police officers in my house, a worried look on his face.

"I'm okay, Trev, I promise. Just forgot to lock my door last night and so I'm being extra cautious, don't worry about me." I smiled sweetly at him, as the worried look minimised slightly when he glanced back at myself and Carter.

"Well if it eases your mind, I didn't notice anything suspicious last night. The only people I saw were yourself and this young man stopping by before leaving again." He announced, putting my mind at ease slightly.

I know that Trevour watches the neighbours quite often out of the window, especially when Ellen is watching one of her gossip programmes that she adores so much. I know that I'm being overdramatic, but after past experiences it is better to be safe than sorry. Trevor announced he would leave us to it as he wandered back towards his house, waving over his shoulder at us. I loved that man so much.

"I understand why they're so protective of you now, Trevor and Ellen. Knowing that you live alone is making me feel like I need to stay with you constantly, I can imagine the parental instincts of them both kicked in when they found out." Carter whispered at me as I leant my head on his shoulder, knowing they would come out any moment and tell us that they've found nothing. I could feel it in my gut - something just felt wrong about all of this. A cough behind us both interrupted my thoughts suddenly.

"You'll be happy to know that your place is fine, you simply must have forgotten to lock the door. We checked every room, every cupboard and everything looks okay to us and there is nobody hiding anywhere." Michael announced, as his coworkers came out behind him. I watched as they drove away, having more important things to do than worry about a silly little teenager living alone in a beach house.

"There's a match tonight, right?" I asked Carter as I stood outside my front door, needing a few more minutes before I built myself up to enter. He looked surprised as I asked him that question, leaning against the wall with a smirk lining his face.

"You remembered." My heart beat a few times faster as I watched him, not knowing what to say next as my heart had begun to cloud my vision. I needed to stop acting like a child around him - I didn't come to this town to fall weak at the knees for the first boy who even looks in my direction.

"Well, I figured you could use all the luck you could get... and you know, they do say that I'm a good luck charm." I smirked back at him, folding my arms over my chest. "What time should I be there?" I cocked my head, enjoying watching as he shook his head as he smiled, laughing at the tension between us both that was visibly present. The air felt so thick, as if taking a breath was ten times harder than usual.

"I'll pick you up at 6:30. I'm not letting you walk to the school, and besides - Leo will need a babysitter as my parents are working." He began to walk down the steps and away from the house, leaving me standing alone on the porch with a cheesy grin on my face like a massive idiot.