Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 17

October 22nd, 2019

"So tell me about yourself," Neo asked me as we walked along the park. Neo had bought us candy floss, which I discovered I absolutely loved.

"I'm not that interesting," I deflected, shoving another piece of the sweet fluff in my mouth. Neo smirked.

"Liar," he teased. "I think you're very interesting," I felt my cheeks blush.

"Well, what do you want to know?" I inquired, willing to give him insight into my life. We continued to wander through the booths.

"I dunno, just tell me everything about yourself," he answered, giving me a gentle smile.

"Well my favourite colour is blue," I started. "I first moved to Italy when I was four years old. I like to sing, and I really love reading Shakespeare,"

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite," Neo quoted, his eyes shining. I smiled.

"Romeo and Juliet," I said. "You know it?" He nodded, a loose grin tugging at his lips.

"Sure, every ninth grader reads it. I just happened to have read it again," he paused, "You like Shakespeare?"

"Yes. My dad has a fancy Italian collection. I've read them each about a dozen times," I told him, feeling a warm, fluttering feeling in my heart. It was as if I could tell him anything.

"Is it weird being back here? In America, I mean," Neo asked me. I shrugged lightly.

"I suppose so. It's different from back home but I do like it here. If I'm being honest, I can't really remember anything from when I lived here before anyway," I explained. "But America is nice. What about you? Have you lived here your whole life?" Neo nodded.

"Yeah, I was born here. My parents are from Puerto Rico though - that's where my older brother, Felix, was born," he paused. "Ma was pregnant with me when they moved here, so we've lived here my entire life,"

"Your family seems nice," I commented wistfully. I wish Ella were here with me. She would've loved Luna Park.

"You should meet them sometime," Neo said. I smiled softly.

"Maybe," My eyes caught on a small stuffed red panda plushie hanging from one of the booths. I couldn't help but stare.

"You want it?" Neo asked, a grin on his face. I quickly tried to cover it up.

"No no, it's fine," But he'd already marched over to the booth. He handed the girl a ticket and she gave him three little bean bag squares.

"You just have to knock over three of those aliens there," she instructed him, pointing to the cutouts of little aliens standing on the table. Neo had a devious look on his face as he stepped up to play the game. He threw the bean bags with such force, the aliens tipped over immediately, despite looking rigged to never fall down. He gave the girl a smirk, pointing to the prize he wanted. Neo came back to me, handing me the panda.

"Neo, you didn't have to do that," I informed him, accepting the plushie gratefully. He shrugged.

"It was for a good cause," he replied. I blushed, smiling brightly as I hugged the panda to my chest.

"Grazie," I whispered. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as we walked on.

"So you sing, huh?" Neo asked after a little while.

"Only a little," I answered. "Just to Javi, really. It helps him fall asleep," I hoped Javi was doing okay at home by himself. I missed him terribly, and I felt bad for leaving him.

"You should sing right now," Neo said with a grin. I stopped walking.

"What? No, no way,"

"Aw, why not?" Neo pouted. "I bet your voice is lovely," I folded my arms, biting back my smile.

"No, we're in a giant crowd," He pursed his lips.

"Fine, you win," He held his hands up in mock surrender, chuckling slightly. He looked really nice when he laughed. His cheeks turned up in a handsome smile and his warm brown eyes seemed to shine. He was still wearing what he wore from school - joggers, a T-shirt, and his gang jacket. Even so, he made my heart melt.

"So is Mia your full name?" Neo questioned, picking back up on the conversation starters.

"No, full name is Amelia," I told him shyly. "My sister started calling me Mia when we were kids," He smiled again and I couldn't help but smile too.

"That's really pretty," he commented.

"Thanks," We'd come near the edge of the park where fewer people were, and I took a seat on a nearby bench, Neo sitting beside me. I studied the red panda toy in my lap, a soft silence spreading between us.

"Why did you help me?" I asked quietly. "On my first day of school," Neo shifted slightly.

"Because you needed it," he responded.

"Even though your friends told you not to?"

"You were the first person who spoke to me without being scared of who I was," Neo said softly. "Plus you spoke in another language. What else can I say? You drew me in," His face was slowly getting closer to mine and I felt my heart flutter in anticipation.

"I'm not that special," I whispered, my face only inches from his. I had no idea what I was doing, my body was moving on its own. Neo grinned softly, his eyes searching mine.

"You are to me," Our faces were so close I could feel the warmth of his breath on my lips. It felt so magnetic - like I couldn't move away. But I don't think I wanted to.

Brrrriiiinnnggg! The bell for one of the rides rang out, and both Neo and I jumped back, red tinting our cheeks. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. I glued my eyes to my feet, embarrassed that I almost kissed him.

"Do you want to go on the ferries wheel?" he asked awkwardly. I nodded, rising to my feet.

"That sounds fun," I said softly. I followed him over to the wheel where a guide helped us into one of the passenger bubbles, shutting the door. We took seats on opposite sides of the bubble, avoiding looking at each other as the ride started.

I stared out into the night light of the city, and everything completely melted away.

"Wow, it's so beautiful from up here!" I exclaimed, putting my hands up to the glass.

"Yeah," Neo said, moving to sit beside me. "This is one of my favourite places. My dad always used to love it up here,"

"Do you miss him?" I asked gently. He nodded.

"Everyday," He paused. "You should meet the rest of my family. Ma would just love to meet you," I felt my body tense. "Can you and Javi come over for dinner on Saturday?"

"I'll have to ask," I fibbed. "But we'd love to," Neo grinned, a cute blush tinting his cheeks. He looked so handsome when he smiled.

"That sounds great, Mia, thanks,"