Coffee Shop

Chapter 17

Amelia was sitting in the stands near the rival entrance and she wasn't paying attention to if anyone else was around. Looking up she sees a shadow on the track. She watches the figure jog as she debates whether she needs to leave. The figure looks up and sees her and waves. A minute later her phone is ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hey Amie. I just got a text from Cat. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Is that you on the track?"

"Yeah. I normally jog at night to do some thinking and it's less crowded. "

"Hold on I'm coming to you."

"No you're good. Let me come over there. Cat will be a while." The line goes dead and Amie smiles. It's just a friend. She looks at her hands as she closes the phone and notices her hands are shaking. She has so much adrenaline coursing through her and so much anger she can't help it. 

Amelia starts crying because it wasn't supposed to be like this again. This time though she knew she was going to have to do something before he hurts her or Greyson. This time she doesn't think he will stop with just her mother. 

"Hey. " Benjamin studies her hands and notices her shaking. "Did he hit you?"

"No. He didn't hit me or Greyson, my little brother, he hit my mom. She has a bruise across her face." Amelia was defeated. Her Mom is back to who she used to be. Amelia started crying quietly. She was trying to discreetly wipe her tears away but Benjamin noticed the movement. 

He pulled her into him and held her. She was shocked and rigid due to the unfamiliarity. Amelia relaxed and continued to cry. he was warm and comfortable. He smelt good too.

"Benjamin, I'm sorry you keep seeing me like this."

"Amie it's not your fault." Benjamin sighed and Amelia felt her body move with his. "You're always so strong. You deserve to be weak even if it is a lot all at once."

Amelia jerks away and Benjamin turns his head sharply as they hear footsteps.

"It's just me Amie." Cat said. Amelia could tell she was trying to ease their tension.

"Okay. I'm coming." Amelia dried her face and grabbed her bag. Benjamin looked at her with a small smile. Amelia hugged him goodbye nd started walking with Cat. They were quiet as they walked to Cats' car. 

They were quiet the entire way to Amelia's' grandparents house. 

"I'm only going to be a minute. Stay out here." Amelia told Cat. She mustered up all her courage and knocked on the door. Amelia didn't want to ring the doorbell and wake up her brother.  She was waiting for a good five minutes when the door finally opened showing her grandfather in his night robe and slippers.

"Oh Amelia it's you. What's wrong?"

"Oh pepaw we both know what's wrong. I was just bringing some clothes for Greyson over. I don't think he needs to go home for a while." She said grabbing out her brothers clothes and folding them quickly.

"Where are you going to stay?" Her grandfather asks with concern filling his eyes. She knew he was offering her refuge to that she didn't have to go anywhere else but she was sure that would bring everyone down on her grandparents. At least her brother was known to be there. Cat doesn't care and neither does her family. they would call the cops easily and her father would hurt Amelias father before he let anything happen.

Amelia gives her grandfather a hug and locks the door on her way out. She let out a sigh of relief and hurries to the car. Cat stays silent until they are in her driveway. 

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Cat looks at Amelia. She wasn't prying and Amelia could tell that she wasn't. 

"I came home after my shift about to tell my Mom I was promoted-well about to be promoted- to assistant store manager and when she turned around I couldn't continue. She had a bruise on her face from where he either punched or slapped her. The he came downstairs and he told me I wasn't allowed to open the store every morning. I told him I wasn't asking. I don't know where it came from then I threatened to hurt him if her laid a hand on Mom again."

"Yes!!!! Amie you did it! He deserved it. Wait how did he react? Did he hurt you? I swear-"

"No Cat" Amelia started chuckling," He grabbed my arm like he did the other day but then after I said what I did he kind of just stood there in shock. So I took the chance and packed a bunch of clothes for Greyson and ran to my room. I barely got to shut and lock my door before he barreled into it. It's probably off it's hinges now."

"So you escaped out the window like a rebel, ran to the café to grab your phone then here?"

"Yeah. Sums it up."

"Did you let Benny know?"

"No. He said you told him where I was but he was already at the track. I was so focused on calming down and hiding in the shadows that I didn't even notice him. he called me then met me on the bleachers."

"And when I showed up he was holding you." Cat lifted her eyebrows and smirked.

"Well I broke down again. Plus he knows and I don't know. It's- I'm- He is a safe space I guess."

"Honey I hate to tell you but you like him."

"No I don't. I don't like him like that. He's a friend and he's sweet. And I have bigger fish to fry right now than my non-existent love life."

"You don't have to tell me twice. Come on. Dinner should be ready by now."

We hugged quickly and opened our doors simultaneously. Amelia let out another big breath hoping her mother wasn't hurt. 

"Hey, your Mom will be fine. You needed to think about yourself and Greyson okay. You did the right thing." Cat said as if she could sense the turmoil going on in her head. 

Amelia froze for a split second. This was the first time she actually cared about herself first rather than her family. Well, her brother then herself, but Greyson's in middle school and he is still a little young to realize everything. He's not stupid but she believes that if it came down to it Greyson would jump in front of their Mom before she got hit. Amelia couldn't stomach the thought.