Broken

||Chapter Twelve||

||Darcie||

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

She asked the question with such calm sternness and suddenness that I was completely thrown off. Keeping my eyes on the road I spoke. "I-I um I was looking for you." I decided to pull over for a moment, I don't think I could drive through this conversation.

Her face softened a bit as I told her this. I'm not sure what that meant. "What happened?" She asked, her voice oozing concern and if I'm not mistaken, a bit of anger. Amelia has an anger problem, that much is for sure, how she controls it? Spewing as many swear words as possible. But what happens when I tell her this? Will she lose it like she once did a while back with the man who was trying to take me away for God knows what reason? She blacked out then, I could tell by the hot, red fury in her eyes. Nothing but raw anger and bloodlust. I'm not sure how she'd react to this.

She reached a hand up and turned my face so that she could see the red line trailing down my cheek. She brushed my hair from my cheek and tucked it behind my ear. She traced her finger over the length of the wound and I winced. It stung a bit. "Amelia..." I brought my hand up to cover her hand. I was at a loss of words. "It's nothing to worry about." I tried.

"I'll always worry about you Darce." She said softly but sternly. "What happened?" She removed her hand from my cheek and I instantly missed the contact of her warm, soft hands.

"I was looking for you and... I decided to go to your house to check if you were there..." I looked at her face for any sort of reaction. She was listening intently, urging me to go on. "I went up to a room because I saw a figure up there and I assumed it was you."

Amelia's face grew shocked and impatient and the slow telling of my story. "Who was it?" She urged.

"Celeste's brother..." My head dropped in defeat as I admitted who it was. "He was there looking for you and saw me and he..." I paused, gauging her face. She looked distressed, eager, and I saw the anger just behind her eyes.

"What did he do?" She asked through clenched teeth. Her hands now folded into tight fists until her knuckles were white. I leaned over, resting my hands atop hers. She visibly calmed and unclenched her fists. Her face, however, still held a strong gaze.

"He... Tried to... r**e me, he was high, or drunk or something." I watched her face as it got angrier. I placed a hand on her cheek, trying to soothe her. "But I'm OK, I'm fine Amelia."

"He hurt you, Darcie! I won't let him get away with that!" She yelled, startling me.

"Amelia, calm down, Celeste said she was going to turn him in for this," I said reassuringly. I didn't want any trouble and I don't want her in want danger.

"Celeste was there?" Her eyes were dark with anger, but her tone was a bit softer. "Why?"

"She accompanied him, she was the one who saved me."

Amelia sat up straight suddenly and turned her attention to the road. "I swear to god, if I see him when we get there, I will rip his balls off and shove them down his throat." She said it with such raw emotion and conviction that she couldn't be kidding. Though I doubt she actually rip his balls off.

I silently hoped Celeste turned him in. He'd be in a better place than there when Amelia arrived, I doubt I could stop her if she blacks out again.

"I'm sorry for yelling it's just..." She was looking at her palms while talking. "No one should hurt someone as sweet as you, you don't deserve that." She groaned as she reclined her seat. "Gimme a bit, my hands are still tingling."

I'm sure a slight blush crept up my cheeks as she said that. It's as if she didn't realize the romantic resonance of what she said. Or it didn't seem like she did.

I decided to start the car and proceed onwards to Celeste's place before it got any later.

***

We pulled up to an apartment building that was in moderate shape. It was a dull brown color, probably tired of all the sun and rain. Some shutters were crooked and leaves were all over the place as if maintenance gave up long ago. The place smelt of old leaves and almonds, it was a homely scent but it wasn't terrible.

"Not really your taste, I know," Amelia spoke, breaking the silence as she stepped from the car, closing the door in the process. She chuckled as she walked over, resting a reassuring hand atop my shoulder. Her blue-gray eyes bore into me, seemingly seeing into my very soul. I never knew eyes could be so striking. Behind her eyes, though, was something else, something I couldn't really place. It was like a mixture of fear and adoration. Suddenly her head tilted to the side, and her eyes narrowed at me, holding a playful glint to them. "Why are you looking at me like that french toast?"

I quickly gathered my bearings, when I realized I had been staring. "I'm not sure what you're talking about. Shall we go?" I gestured to the building.

"Whatever you say Frenchie." She smiled sheepishly and swaggered off towards the building. What was going on with her? One moment she's here, the next she's gone and she still hasn't bothered to explain why she's gone. Is she trying to test me? Should I just ask? Do I wait until everything's settled before I mention it? All these thoughts and more flew around my mind and I stared at Amelia walking up the steps of the building. "You coming?" She asked turning slightly to look at me.

"Oh, yes! Let me just make sure the car's locked." I pressed the button attached to my key and heard a beeping sound. Satisfied, I followed suit behind Amelia. Making my way up the steps, she opened the door and allowed me to step in first. I first noticed the dim light, illuminating the hallway. The air smelt of stale bread and something else I couldn't place. The walls were a dark, depressing shade of brown and the tilted, patterned flooring looked tired and in need of wiping. I saw a teen boy- possibly twelve, thirteen- running down the hall towards the door where we stood.

"Hey, kid!" Amelia stopped him before he got passed us. "You know if Celeste Myers still lives in this building?"

"Who wants to know?" He spoke with a thick Bostonian accent, as he shrugged off Amelia's hand. He whipped his messy bangs out of his face with a head movement and squared his shoulder.

Poor kid. He doesn't even know who he's squaring up with.

"I want to know! That's why I asked!" She leaned down, eyeing the dusty blonde haired boy. "Don't mess with me kid." He narrowed his eyes at her.

"I ain't afraid a you." He had a smug, arrogant smile on his face as he folded his arms.

Amelia pulled back from him and wiped something invisible from the corner of her lips. "Well, you should be." She then suddenly lifted the boy and slammed him against a wall. He was caught off guard, shock apparent in his eyes.

"Whoa, lady!" He shrieked.

"Listen, you little pipsqueak, either you show me where I wanna go or I'll cut your pea-sized d**k off with a rusty butter knife." She seethed.

I knew though, that she was just trying to scare him. Amelia would never hurt a child, no matter how awful and uncouth they may be. "You better listen, I've seen what she can do," I added, playing along.

He glanced at me, panicked. "OK OK! Just let me down!" He pleaded.

Amelia, satisfied, let the boy down as he led the way. "C-come on, i-it's this way." He stuttered.

"Great, now you traumatized the poor kid," I whispered between giggles.

"What? It's not like I planned this." She chuckled.

"You're awful," I said elbowing her.

"Why thank you, I do try my best." She gave me a toothy grin as we got to a flight of stairs.

We went up the first one before I asked. "What floor is she on?"

"The third." He said simply, not turning around, probably doesn't want to face Amelia again. His manhood depended on it.

We finally went up the other two and he led us down the hall. It was night now so all we could hear was a few kid's voices laughing and talking in the rooms we passed. The occasional yell of a man who's probably watching a recap of a baseball game and maybe a distant thump.

We finally got to the door. "T-this is it." He shakily said then knocked a few times on the door.

"Who's there?" A familiar feminine voice yelled. Must be Celeste.

"It's me Cee." He answered. I then wondered why he didn't just leave us after he showed us the door and allowed us to knock.

After a few clicks, the door swung open revealing Celeste clad in a white tank top and shorts, her hair caught up in a messy bun with a doughnut in her hand. "What's u- I thought I told you not the let anyone up here Alex." She said glancing at us in shock at first but quickly recovering to scold the boy.

"I know Cee, but... The taller one was..." He took a sideways glance at Amelia. "A little persuasive."

Amelia smiled guiltily and scratched the back of her head.

"Yeah, I know how this one can be." She said looking at Amelia as she said so while ruffling Alex's hair. "Get outta here." She patted his back sending him off. He ran away quickly. "And don't let anyone else up!" She yelled hoping he heard.

"Quite the security you have here." Amelia quipped.

"Yeah, well I try."

"How you been Cee?" Amelia asked softly.

"Spare me the formalities Jones, what are you doing here?" Celeste spoke sternly.

"Could we go inside to talk?" I interjected.

She looked between the two of us before reluctantly letting us in. "Yeah... Sure."

We were hit with a scent far different from the hallways. Inside smelt of vanilla. The walls were a bright beige color with a brown stripe running through the middle. Her couch set looked worn, but was cozy looking, as was her carpets. The incandescent bulbs illuminated the place much brighter than the ones in the hallway.

"Have a seat." She ushered for the couch as she sat in the armchair.

"It's good to see you again Celeste," I spoke, breaking the silence in the room.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Could we get to the point?" She asked anxiously.

"Actually I could go for a trip to the bathroom. Sorry, long trip." Amelia sat up and looked at Celeste waiting for directions to for the bathroom.

Celeste sighed exasperatedly. "It's a small place, Amelia. It's around the corner."

"Thanks." Amelia shot to the bathroom. Strange, she showed no signs of wanting to use the bathroom before.

I looked at Celeste, who was now looking at me. "Sorry again about my brother." She sighed.

"It's quite fine now. Have you turned him in?" I asked resting hands in my lap.

"Yeah." She rubbed the back of her neck impishly. "I had to."

"I'm sorry, I know that must've been hard." I looked at her apologetically.

"It's alright. He's in lockup right now, he's probably going go to trial for sentencing."

Trial? "That means I'll need to be there for testimony?"

"Not if he pleas guilty. You probably do need to report it if you haven't though."

Dammit! I completely forgot about that while looking for Amelia. I smiled, embarrassed. "I'm afraid I forgot."

"Well, if you still want him to put away for this you better make a statement."

"Right. Thanks for reminding me." I smiled appreciatively.

"Yeah. So, what are you guys doing here." Her voice became strict again.

"I'd much prefer to talk about it when Amelia comes back."

Like clockwork, Amelia emerged from the bathroom and took a seat next to me on the couch once more. Everyone stared for a while before Celeste spoke, annoyance in her tone.

"Well?"

Amelia rubbed her tattooed arm before she spoke. "We need a place to stay." She started.

Celeste's face showed shocked and distress. Maybe she shouldn't have led with that. I thought impishly.

***

As Amelia finished explaining our current situation, Celeste eased back into her chair and sighed. "I feel you guys but..."

"I know I'm probably the last person you wanted to see Celeste, but we have nowhere else to go." Amelia pleaded.

"Amee..." Celeste started. "I don't... OK." She sighed giving up.

"Thank you so much, Celeste. As soon as this blows over, we will be out of your head." Both Celeste and Amelia looked at me chuckling as I said this.

"What?" I asked tilting my head in confusion.

Amelia rested her hand on my arm looking at me with a look resembling sympathy with a glint of...adoration? "It's... Hair Darcie, out of your hair-" Amelia was suddenly interrupted by Celeste.

"Whoa whoa whoa. This is...Darcie? The Darcie?" She asked surprised. Amelia looked surprised as well as if she hadn't realized she had said my real name. She then directed her gaze to me. "I thought your name was Destine."

"Yeahhhhh, that's what I thought too up until today." Amelia chuckled a bit, leaning back in the couch.

"You lied about your name, is this because of this drug lord that's after you? What was his name? Dan?" She asked curiously.

"Yes. I try to not give my real name to people." I answered.

"Hm. Well don't worry, I won't hold it against ya." She said looking intently at me. "She's pretty, French too. I'm uh, glad you guys could finally get together after all these years."

Amelia's eyebrows shot up to her hairline. "Oh no, we're not actually... Together, together." She waved her hands.

Why did that hurt?

"Oh." She simply said, bouncing up off the couch. "Drinks anyone? I'm sure we all need one."

"I'm gonna get our bags from the car, I'll be right back." Amelia then stood. I handed her the keys and she exited the room.

"Sorry about before, I just assumed you were... You know." Celeste said coming back with two bottles of beer.

"That's alright. It wouldn't be the first time someone made that assumption." I said, thinking back to the night I had to bail Amelia out of jail. "Why did you assume though?" I said taking a sip of the beer.

Celeste took a swig from hers before she spoke. "Well, you two seemed... Close, I don't know, forget it."

Close? What did she mean by that?

I decided to voice my question. "What do you mean by close?" I tilted my head to the side.

"Yenno, like together close." She said shrugging in her seat.

I still wasn't sure what she meant but I let it pass... Or was it slide? Whichever. We sat there quietly sipping our beer before Celeste switched on the television. "Wanna watch anything?" She asked.

"Anything's fine, it's your place." I turned, facing the TV as she surfed through the channel. At the rate she was going she wasn't bound to find anything of interest.

Just then, Amelia strutted in with one duffle bag slung across her chest and the next one in her hand. I opted to assist her but Celeste stopped me. "Lemme get that, you're my guests after all." She took the bag from around Amelia's neck and tossed it in a chair nearby. Then she took the other from her and placed it on top of the first one.

"What the heck did you have in your bag Darcie? A body and some bricks?" Amelia went around to the kitchen which was basically attached to the living room but was somewhat separated by a kitchen island.

"I don't know how you packed so lightly Amelia, we aren't sure how long we'll be hiding for," I said matter-of-factly.

"I packed just the necessities. I swear when people see us on the streets they basically think 'oh look at that bathed girl and that not bathed girl'." She said leaning on the counter.

"Well, there's an easy way to solve your problem, Amelia," I said.

"What's that?"

"Well, you could bathe."

The two females erupted with laughter. I was clueless as to what was so funny when I was trying to be serious. They must've noticed this because they stopped laughing.

"You made a funny Darce." Amelia said looking over at me, amusement still in her eyes. As was Celeste's.

"Oh, I did?" I said genuinely surprised. Then thought about what I said. I guess the conversation was an entire joke in itself. I smiled so I wouldn't unnerve the girls.

"You did," Celeste replied smiling taking another swig of her beer.

"So where's my beer Cee?" Amelia asked.

Celeste went into the once-was-white refrigerator for another beer for the tatted girl.

I remained quiet as I watched the two onlooking each other keeping up playful banter about the past. I turned my head to the television even though I wasn't watching the very colorful cartoon Celeste left it on, though I accepted the pleasant white noise as I regressed into thought. All the while, I wished I could've been there with Amelia, to have made memories with her that I too could look back on; but I couldn't have, fate wouldn't have allowed it. And by the time I was reunited with her again, my situation was too dangerous to let her know about who I really was. Funny, before she knew who I was we seemed to be going over the line of friendship, but now, now that she came back and found out it's as if she regrets all that she's done with me. It was foolish of me to think that what I was doing wasn't hurting her.

Of course, it did. Maybe that's why she ran away, she couldn't take it anymore; all my mixed signals. I couldn't help it, I knew I shouldn't have kissed her in the first place, but between the panic of her questioning me and the intense need I had to kiss her... I couldn't help it. Then that feeling that kissing her soft velvety lips gave me. It was exhilarating, it was terrifying, it made me dizzy. I couldn't even explain it anymore in words.

When we met in the orphanage all those years ago, it was exciting to have made such a loyal friend. She would protect me from bullies, even though she got in trouble for it each time. She was always there for me when I cried at nights. I had been the lone survivor in the accident with my parents and I had nightmares, with her bed next to mine, she soothed me most nights, whispering words of calmness into my ears while rubbing my back. I smiled to myself. Even back then she was protective of me. The day soon came when I met my adoptive parents, they took me away from her, and even though I was happy to have found a new family, I dreaded leaving Amelia. Everything inside of me wanted to stay, but I couldn't. I told myself that I'd come back for her, I told her that, albeit in French, but I knew no other way at the time.

And now, here I am. I'm back for her but amidst this mess, we've found ourselves in.

Amelia and Celeste returned from the kitchen. I had tuned them out in thought. Celeste seemed to be a bit more distant now. Then I remembered that she said she never wanted to see Amelia again. This must be difficult for her.

"So french toast, I know this isn't your taste but make yourself comfortable," Amelia said smiling as she took a seat next to me.

"Yeah, mi casa es su casa. Wait that's Spanish." Celeste said goofily.

I can see why Amelia had a thing for her. She's quite beautiful, she's funny, she and Amelia are a lot alike. This made me sad as I realized there are striking differences between Amelia and me.

"That's fine. I appreciate what you're doing for us. Your house is so comfortable looking." I said nicely.

"Is that the French way to say messy." She laughed.

Us three laughed at what Celeste said until a sudden buzzing in my pocket stopped the laughter. My phone was ringing. I looked on the screen as I saw a picture of Simon on the screen.

Excusing myself, I went into the nearest next room and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Yeah, D, where are you?" I came back to your place to check to see if Amelia was OK and you guys weren't here." Simon rambled, concern evident in his voice.

"I and Amelia are laying low until this thing with Dan has blown over, I suggest you do the same Simon and leave my place right now, they might be searching there soon," I whispered into the phone, looking around cautiously even though I'm sure I had no reason to do so.

"Oh man, I forgot about that. I really do need to leave." He said, his voice was shaky due to him hurrying out my loft.

"I'll call you later to make sure you've gotten home safely OK?"

"Right, I'll talk to you later sis. Stay safe OK."

"I will." With that, I hung up the phone and stuffed it into my pocket. It has then become clear what room I had wondered in. This looked like Celeste's room. I looked around and noticed a few key things. A baseball bat, a Red Sox jersey pinned up above her bed, an old acoustic guitar by her bedside table and desk with what looked like drawings on them. I walked over to the desk and noticed several astounding drawings, drawings of nature, of people, abstract drawings in pen. She was very talented. And I'm very... Simple, boring.

While I was moving the many papers scattered on her desk I noticed a picture poking out. A picture of Celeste and Amelia. They looked young, maybe 17, 18 years old; Amelia's hair wasn't as short as it was now, she had a rocker's bang in her face at the time. She was smiling into the camera while Celeste was biting a chunk out of a cotton candy, the pink puff hanging out her mouth while Amelia took the picture. They looked so happy.

"Yeah, I remember that day." I was startled by the sound of Celeste entering the room.

"I'm sorry Celeste, I didn't mean to intrud-" I was cut off by her.

"The caregivers at the orphanage gave Amelia a breather to hang out with me for a day. It was the first day we went out."

"You looked like you guys were having a lot of fun," I said smiling a small smile.

"We did. It was also the day I broke up with her. It's a reminder of the biggest regret of my life." She said softly.

"You guys looked very happy," I said glancing back at the picture.

"We were. You see Darcie, I finally found out after all these years of Amelia pining after you, you guys finally reunited but you aren't together."

I squinted my eyes in confusion. "Where is this going?"

"I want Amelia to be happy, whoever she chooses. All I'm saying, all's fair in love and war."