Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 4

October 1st, 2019

I walked briskly down the streets, hurrying to get Javi from school. I arrived at the front entrance, scanning the sea of kids and parents. I spotted Javi and saw him nervously looking for me.

"Ehi Javi! Qui!" I called him. He heard my voice and glanced at me, a relieved look coating his face as he ran over and grabbed my legs in a hug.

"Ciao Sorella," he mumbled into my legs.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't understand the English. They laugh," I frowned, and bent to hug him properly.

"You'll get it, I promise. And you'll make friends soon enough too," He smiled and took my hand.

We walked down the streets, avoiding the rush of people. After about twenty minutes, we reached the cafe. I opened the door and greeted Janie, my coworker, and headed for the staff room. Putting my bag in my cubby, I loosely plaited my hair down my shoulder and fastened my red apron and name badge. I slipped my notepad and pen into my apron pocket and stepped back into the cafe.

"Hey, Mia!" Janie called. I waved, joining her behind the counter. "You want the counter or floor today?"

"I'll take the counter," I answered. She laughed.

"Just like every day," Javi seated himself at the counter, pulling out a notepad and a pencil. I noticed a tall dark-haired boy sitting at the counter a few stools down. I approached him, making him glance up.

"Alan?" I asked in surprise. He smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry I followed you, but things ended kinda weird at lunch," he said. I nodded.

"Can I get you anything?"

"Strawberry shake," I raised an eyebrow.

"You? Strawberry?" He shrugged.

"Hey, I like what I like," I smiled, turning to fix his drink. I hummed quietly while I worked, and I placed his milkshake down in front of him, which he happily grabbed. I grabbed the rag from the bucket and wiped down the counter.

"Sorella, ho bisogno di aiuto con i compiti di matematica," Javi called, drawing my attention.

"Si, Javi, solo un minuto," I answered. Alan was staring at him.

"Is that your brother?" he asked finally. I nodded.

"Yes," I tossed the rag back into the bucket and glanced over Javi's maths homework. "Okay, hold up four fingers," He complied. "Now hold up six more," he counted slowly on his fingers.

"Dieci?" he asked. I nodded.

"English?" Javi thought for a moment.

"Ten?" I nodded, making him grin. I helped him with a few more problems before returning to Alan, who had already finished his drink.

"So you moved here from Italy?" he inquired.

"Yes, just Javi, my dad, and me," I replied. "We came from Lecce," His face scrunched up.

"I've never heard of it," he said. I shrugged.

"It's on the heel of Italy, by the Adriatic Sea. It's small but very pretty,"

"I've only been to Pennsylvania. It's where we got these," He pulled his sleeve back and showed me a tiny tattoo of the initials A. A. on the inside of his left wrist.

"What does it stand for?" I asked softly.

"My twin sister. She disappeared from foster care about thirteen years ago after our parents died," he answered sadly. I felt my cheeks blush pink.