Broken

||Chapter Eleven||

I looked at Amelia as if she were insane; out of all the places to hide out, she chose the one girl that never wanted to see her again.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked cautiously.

"You got any other bright ideas French toast?" she whipped back sarcastically. "It's best we just lay low for a while."

"You know, I thought now that you know who I actually am you would give the nicknames a break, I thought very wrong." Secretly I liked the nicknames, I've never really had one before. I never really had friends that would think of giving me one.

"Just because I know who you are wouldn't stop this. You're still french toast." She smiled widely, looking at me.

We were downstairs in the living room, sitting on the couch, while Amelia started telling me her plan.

"I was thinking we could stay at... A friend's house, though I'm not sure if she sees me as such anymore." She said smiling humorlessly.

I instantly got curious, as I sat up straight, staring intently at her. "Who is it?"

"Her name is Celeste... She's my ex-girlfriend."

"I know," I said silently.

Her brows knitted together in confusion as I said that. "How-"

"We've met." I simply said.

"What??? When?" She asked in disbelief.

I wasn't sure if I could tell Amelia what happened. She would start worrying, she would get angry and we didn't need that drama. That's why I made sure to keep the injured cheek away from her sight. I know I couldn't keep it up for long, but at least until I could make up what happened.

"I was looking for you at your house. She was there." I said lying back on the couch trying as much as I could to come off lackadaisical.

"Why was she even there?" She persisted. I was beginning to get irritated with the question but I tried to remain calm.

"I don't know, does it matter?" I spoke, hoping it doesn't sound and harsh as it did in my head.

"Right, sorry about that. It's just been a long time since I've seen her." She sighed, her blue-gray eyes held a blank gaze, seemingly out of focus. I was about to beckon to her but she regained some focus and turned to me.

"Back to the plan, she lives on the other side of the city. If we start driving tonight we might be able to make it in a few hours."

Celeste told me she doesn't want to see her again. I can't tell Amelia that. Not when she looked like she still had unresolved feelings for her. Which brings me back to now.

"You're still very much French and that lovely accent of yours is still there; even though you're Darcie." A kind smile took over her features, it was infectious. I couldn't help but smile as well, which only made her smile widen. She has such a beautiful smile.

I decided to speak before I stared too long. "So we're really doing this? We're leaving tonight?" I asked, finalizing this plan.

She scratched the back of her neck nervously. "What have we got to lose?"

***

We had gathered everything we needed and put them in separate duffle bags. Clothes, toothbrush; I brought my own bath wash. After we put together everything, we decided to head out. It suddenly dawned on me that Amelia came here on a bike. Simon had brought it around for her after she had fainted.

"I didn't know you had a bike." The statement sounded more like a question.

"Uh, no. Dan gave it to me, to hunt you down I guess." She chuckled a bit.

"Well, you found me," I said smiling despite the situation. She always could get me to smile when I didn't want to.

"No Des-Er Darcie. You found me... You haven't seen me in years, but you found me. How?

We were at my car, she was standing by the passenger side and me by the drivers' side. The cool air whisked between us, blowing my hair gently across my face. My hair was done in such a way to hide my cheeks, but I still slightly turned my head, just in case. I wouldn't know where to begin with that story. She stood there waiting for an answer.

"I knew that you would still be in Boston...I don't know why. I just felt that you would. So when I decided to live here, I knew I was in the right place somehow. With Dan's base being here as well... I guess it made it a tad bittersweet, but... I guess finding you was worth it. So I started wandering around. Until I noticed you in that grocery store window..." I trailed off, feeling I was talking too much.

"You recognized me?" She asked shocked but softly.

"Of course I did. Even though it was years ago Amelia, you really didn't change much. Your haircut was surprising, to say the least. But your eyes still held that fire and determination in them." I smiled, remembering.

"I feel terrible. You remembered me but... I didn't even think twice that it could be you-"

"Don't be, your mind was clouded by the fact that you thought I was dead. Even if I looked exactly the same, you still wouldn't think it was me." I rationalized.

She nodded, up turning her head towards the now darkening sky. The sun was going down now, it was time to leave. I made the first move to go in the car, followed quickly by Amelia.

I shoved the key in the ignition and turned it, the car purred to life and I set off for our long trip.

"Wait." Amelia started. "You don't like my hair?!" She asked incredulously. I just laughed heartily as I continued down the street.

***

We've been driving for a little over two hours now. Amelia has been directing me the whole way so far, and according to her, we have about an hour and a half left. Suddenly the gas light started blinking. We would be out of gas soon. It's a good thing gas stations are every few kilometers. We would be approaching one soon.

"I'm going to need to pull over for gas soon," I said glancing at Amelia, who's gaze was focused out the window. "What's on your mind?"

She turned to me as she spoke. "A lot." She chuckled. "Between me finding out you're Darcie, the whole thing with Dan and Celeste. My mind can't stop at the moment."

"What if she doesn't want to see you again?" I inquired.

"I don't know. I still don't understand why she broke up with me."

"Do you still have feelings for her?" I asked this because, ever since Amelia left, and she found out my secret, it's as if we've been reset. She hasn't mentioned what has happened, she hasn't explained why she left. I'm starting to think she wanted more with Destine but nothing more with Darcie.

"No, I don't think so. I think I've let it all out through the years. It's just this niggling in the back of my head about why."

"Oh." Was all I could muster as I saw the gas station come into view.

I got a quick refill and some snacks at the convenience store and hopped back into the car.

As I started the car, I only heard Amelia say three words.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too Amelia," I said softly. And I really truly did. Keeping my true identity from her killed me. Even though I hadn't meant for her to find out, I'm glad she did.

We sat in a comfortable silence after that. Not needing any words in that moment. After about half an hour she spoke again.

"So." She started.

I glanced at her confused. "Soooo?" I drawled.

"When are you going to tell me what happened to your cheek."

Shit.