Normal People - Strange Encounters Book Two

Chapter 24

Amelia was discharged two days later but still had hardly left the hospital. She spent most of her time with Spencer in his room, in-between family visits and her friends dropping by. Spencer was glad she was mending her relationships with Miranda, Anna, and Smith because he knew that she truly needed her support system after everything she'd been through.

Sunday afternoon rolled around, Amelia perched on the edge of Spencer's bed lacing up her converse.

"Miranda's still here, so I said I'd go grab coffee with her. I'll grab you a blueberry muffin?" She chuckled at his excited expression. "No coffee yet, though. So I'll get you some tea." She straightened up, fussing with her hair in the mirror. 

"Why are you nervous?" Spencer asked, knowing her all too well.

Amelia looked embarrassed. "I, uh, I think she wants to ask about the living situation. I just think.. it's gonna dredge up everything. I just feel bad for the position I put her in."

Spencer held his hand out toward her, and she slipped hers into his. He pulled her closer. 

"She'll understand, Lee. Even if she's upset at first, she was just worried about you. Plus, I think she has a lot to fill you in on" he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"What does that m-" she looked down as her new cell started ringing. "Oh, she's here." She bent down and placed a soft kiss on Spencer's lips, his hand grabbing her chin as he dusted light kisses over her cheeks, her nose, her forehead. He smiled, hearing her airy giggle. 

"I'll be back soon, baby."

"Have fun, Lee."

He watched as she flashed him a smile as she used her crutch to hobble out of the room. He leaned back in the bed, grateful that despite everything they had been through she seemed to come out resilient.

"I found this on a cart out there.." Emily walked in, an abundance of jello cups in her hands. She laughed as she saw Spencer's face light up at the site. "You are the only weirdo who actually enjoys this shit.

"It's a textural thing. Any chance you have any green in there?"

Emily rolled her eyes as she tossed him a green jello cup as she picked out a red for herself, and settled into the chair near his bed. They both quietly ate for a few minutes.

"You know, Lee just went to see Miranda" Spencer said without looking up from his jello.

"Yeah, Miranda m- I mean. Yeah, I know." Spencer cocked an eyebrow as he watched Emily's eyes roll up. "How long have you known?"

"Since about two weeks after Lee disappeared. I had called Miranda to pick something up from Lee's things and she mentioned that you guys had been in touch. Plus even after that first dinner in DC, she'd been asking about you." He watched as this news registered with Emily. "So, is it serious?"

She shrugged, shoveling a spoonful of jello into her mouth."Mmmidunno, I think so?" She mumbled through a mouthful. Spencer chuckled.

"Well, I'm happy for you both. She's a handful but if anyone can handle her, it'd be you." Spencer watched his friend smile, lost in her thoughts. 

"So, Amelia's gonna move into the apartment?"

"That's the plan. I think, uh, she's gonna stay with me for a week or so after I'm discharged though."

Emily nodded. "I think that's good. She's, ah, vulnerable right now."

"How do you mean?" Spencer watched as Emily fiddled with her spoon. "Emily.."