Amelia’s Awakening

Chapter 1 - Acceptance Letter

Amelia’s POV

‘Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, I cannot believe it is finally happening’, I think as I stare at the email officially accepting me into one of the most exclusive student exchange programs for art in the world. I am actually going to Italy, little old me.

Nobody thought I could get in, except for my best friend Jorah. Of course they didn’t tell me they didn’t think I would get in, but you can always tell how people really feel in the tone of their voice or in the way their eyes shine, or don’t shine in this case, as they said they thought I could get in. There was never any conviction behind their words. It was always “oh, I’m sure you’ll get it” as they were busying themselves with other things, never really paying any attention to their words just saying them out of supportive obligation. It felt like lip service, I never faulted them, they meant well probably even thought they were encouraging me.

Of course none of them understood art at ALL, they couldn’t tell a Van Gogh from a Klimt. So why would they think the adopted daughter from a lower middle class family would get into an elite art program, a program any art student would envy. Of course they wouldn’t think it was really possible. It is almost like winning the lottery. Only this I earned. Not only did I get in to the program, but between my portfolio I sent with my application and my financial form, I qualified for a full scholarship. Happy dance, happy dance, Italy here I come. As I danced around my room to one of my favorite songs, I hear my best friend’s laughter coming from the doorway. I look up and see him smiling while leaning in my doorway.

“What has you in such a good mood?” Jorah asks with a broad smile on his face.

I launch myself at him, and he catches me in a koala hug, my arms wrapped around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist. “I actually got in, FULL SCHOLARSHIP!! I’m really going to Italy!!” He twirls me around and then puts me down. I look up at him grinning from ear to ear. God I love his smile, I wish I could like him for more than just a best friend. He really is such a catch, the nicest most loyal, funny guy a girl could find. At 6’3” with broad shoulders, floppy blond hair and deep blue eyes, I swear he looks like he was dropped to earth by the Gods themselves. But nope, while I can see his beauty never have I felt that spark. He has always been my best friend, more like my brother and I love him to death, but I am just not in love with him.

Jorah has been my best friend ever since first grade when he first stuck up for me. One of the girls decided to break all my crayons because she was jealous of the picture I made that I was praised for by the teacher, not my fault I have talent. I never understood why others cannot build each other up instead of choosing to break them down. I guess some don’t know how to do it and can only feel better by trying it to make others feel worse. Anyways, Jorah told her that since she broke my crayons now she has to give me hers, and she did just that.

After that Jorah and I were like two peas in a pod, always together. His parents accepted me even though they were well off and we were lower middle class. I never felt like less with them, they always said I was the daughter they couldn’t have. They had four rowdy boys, Ronan is one year older than Jorah and the the twins, River and Cove, are two years younger.

Jorah lives in a gated community on the outskirts of town nestled into the forest. It has guards at the gate and you cannot get in without an invite. Lucky for me they have me on a list and they recognize me, so I just get waved in. I have been behind other cars that have been turned away. A couple of times I have seen extra guards come out to deal with people that couldn’t seem to understand that it was a gated community and not everyone is allowed. I know it sucks, but they do pay to live there.

I remember one time, when I was with Jorah the guards had to fight people that wouldn’t take the hint. Jorah just drove us away because he didn’t want me getting hurt. It was scary and I could swear I heard growling. I wondered if the local wolf packs I always hear at night didn’t like the fighting either.

Every house behind the gates is beautiful and well maintained. They have their own little town with everything you would need and a giant apartment complex that felt like Disneyland when I was a kid.

It has an arcade, movie room, game room, library, dining hall with heaps of food available all day for free (I never could get how or why they did this but I loved it), indoor and outdoor pool, a gym, an agility course out back past the pool.

Jorah’s family used to live on the top floor of the apartment complex in the penthouse, but now just his older brother, Ronan and his wife, Abigail live there with their two kids, Atlas and Ari.

Jorah’s family now live in a beautiful mansion, not too far from the complex. The house backs into the forest and the backyard is so peaceful. I think I spent more time at their house than at my own house growing up. My parent were still working when I got off school, so I would hang out with his family most week nights and eat with them in the dining hall. My parents really appreciated that and since it was free it didn’t hurt my parent’s pride and their need to be my providers.

My parents adopted me when I was left at the fire department wrapped in a white blanket embroidered with my name, Amelia, and a silhouette of a wolf howling. A simple handwritten note was left saying “always in our hearts love mom and dad”.

I guess word got out about me being left and since my parents had always wanted kids but were infertile they applied for adoption right away. I really lucked out, they may not have tons of money, but they are two of the kindest souls you could ever know.

They really helped me see the good in life and in others, that is something many forget. They also helped me know how to work hard to make my dreams come true rather than waiting for the luck of the draw.

It hurts that I was left behind by my birth parents, but their note and hand embroidered blanket always made me know in my heart that I was truly loved by them. Or maybe I just tell myself that because I often don’t feel worthy of love.

I try to hide it, but my doubt is always creeping in. I mean if I was truly loved by my birth parents wouldn’t they have found a way to keep me. I sometimes wonder when my adoptive parents and Jorah will realize I’m not really worth the effort. I try to push those dark thoughts away, but it is hard sometimes.

When I was little I had so many stories in my head of what happened that made them have to give me up. From they were too poor to raise me, to they were running from the mob and anything in between. Sometimes Jorah would try to make up the most ridiculous stories just to make me laugh and not dwell.

My favorite was that they were being chased by a herd of elephants that wanted to keep us as their pets and that was simply not a good life for a baby. They got chased so far they couldn’t find their way back to me, but they are still looking and praying every day that they find me. Jorah cracks me up with his creative humor.

As a child I even used to dream of myself being raised by wolves haha, I guess I watched the jungle book one too many times. I do know part of the reason for those dreams was my curiosity as to why a wolf howling would be embroidered on a baby blanket. It isn’t a common nursery theme. Maybe it was their favorite animal, maybe they worked in a wolf sanctuary, I guess I may never know.

Jorah stopped my wandering mind by putting his hands on my shoulders and giving me a gentle shake, “Get out, really. I am so proud of you!! I knew you would get in, you have real talent you know. You owe me a meal at Don Tana’s” he practically shouts.

“What?!? Since when do I owe you a meal at Don Tana’s and why did you have to say Don Tana’s, now I need me some pasta.” I playfully shoved his shoulder.

“You owe me because I am the one that showed you the exchange program. You never would have known about it without me. Plus, I know that mentioning Italian food to you would make you never be able to pass it up,” he grins knowing he is right.

“Fine, but keep it cheap. I need to keep my savings for my new endeavor. The scholarship may pay the tuition, but I still have to cover all my other expenses. I know what you are going to say ‘I have been saving forever’, but I don’t know if I will even be able to get a job there. It makes me kind of nervous. Until I know how much everything costs there, I need to make my savings last,” I replied

“That is the best part,” he has a dramatic pause, always so theatrical. “I came over to tell you I got into my linguistic program, I’m going with you!!!!” Now we are both jumping up and down screaming. Can my day get any better. “My Dad even got us a two bedroom villa to share and he told me that you cannot argue. He isn’t sending his only daughter to a foreign country without a safe place to live. I swear he loves you more than me”. Wow, I guess my day can get better. Got into the program I have been dreaming of with a full scholarship, going to live in Italy the country I have had travel posters covering my walls since I was ten, going with my best friend, and free housing, seriously best day ever!!

“Maybe it’s just that I am prettier” I smile, “ How did he do that when I only just found out?” I give him a questioning look.

“Yeah that’s it, you’re prettier,” he says rolling his eyes,”and he got a two bedroom because he had faith in you. Plus, even if you didn’t get in an extra room isn’t the worst thing,” he rolls his eyes again. I smack him on the arm and then lace my arm through his as I drag him out of my room. “Hey, where are you dragging me?” He asks.

“You know you cannot mention Don Tana’s and make me wait,” I squeeze my flat belly “my never ending pit needs feeding” he laughs at my comment.

I have always had an appetite like a wild animal, but lucky for me I must have a fast metabolism. No matter how much I eat I have always had an hourglass figure. I am 5’9” with long legs, small waist and hips and ass that Jorah says, makes all the guys stare and I have ample breasts. Honestly, I have been blessed with a body most would die for, not that I am trying to brag, but I’m not blind and I always hate when people talk themselves down just to seem humble.

I have long wavy auburn hair that looks more red in the sunlight and large deep forest green eyes with long lashes, my mom says they make her jealous, and arched eyebrows that help frame my face. I have full pouty lips and a little nose. I have always felt blessed with my looks and I am happy that I have natural beauty and only wear makeup to dress up. I hate the way it feels and have never really known how to apply it, mom helps me when I ask because me doing my own makeup is a lost cause.

You would think I would be better with makeup with my artistic skills, but they don’t translate to makeup I suppose. I always wonder if I look like my birth mom or my dad or maybe I look like both, maybe neither. Always questions, never answers.

Jorah’s family used to take me with them on their family trips and I would always hope that I would find someone that looked like me wherever we went and they would end up being related to me. Never happened, but still I looked.

Their trips were always nature based and full of adventure. I loved it! They taught me so much about the great outdoors and survival skills. They helped me have no fear in the middle of nowhere alone, the animal noises and sound of the wind coming in the trees soothes my soul.

They really helped foster my love of nature, many of the art pieces I have done have been inspired by nature and I often work on my pieces outside.

Although, I sometimes felt guilty about going on trips and bonding with Jorah’s family, when my own parents stayed home to work. My parents, being the kind souls that they are, always encouraged me and would say ‘take adventures wherever you can’, so adventures with Jorah’s family became the norm.

My parents did join us on occasion, but that was if the trip coincided with a holiday that they had off work. Those trips, when parents were there with me, were the best trips ever. We would end up playing games and talking and laughing into the wee hours when my parents joins the trips.

My parents may live paycheck to paycheck with very little savings, but they worked hard to always provide for me and make the ordinary special. Honestly, the lack of having too much is what first led me to my love for art.

I always had basic drawing materials and later they got me paints for birthdays and holidays. I may not have always had the latest and greatest new toy, but I always had the tools to create with or use what I found. I started doing sculptures by drying clay I found from the earth, a trick Jorah’s dad taught me.

I got really into jewelry design at one point, but that one was difficult to do because the materials are so expensive. I still love it though and I have a whole portfolio of designs I’d love to make some day if my finances ever change.

I love carving wood too, but one thing that I really got into was trash art, turning found items that most people throw away and creating something beautiful. Makes me think of me, I may have been left behind, but I am still beautiful and worthy of being cared for and loved. Sappy, I know but I am trying to get in a positive mindset. The reality is, I don’t feel worthy of love.

“Earth to Ammy, you just passed my car so unless you are waking to Don Tana’s you need to turn that *ss of yours around.” Jorah snaps his fingers at me.

“Sorry, I guess knowing this is really happening is making me go down memory lane” I look at him with guilt evident on my face.

“No worries, I know what you mean. I am so excited but it will be weird leaving everyone and everything, especially my parents. I feel weird leaving them, but they swear they are going to be okay and are even talking about traveling a bit with my younger brothers now that Ronan has taken over the family business. They may even visit us if they decide to go to Europe.” Jorah states.

“That would be fun seeing your parents and little brothers. I always feel guilty about how hard my parents have worked to raise me, it’s not like they had extra money and they used anything that would have been extra on me,” I say with a sad smile, “Now I’m leaving them”

“Maybe, but you have always been the light of their life. If it wasn’t for you they would have never been able to have children and your parents both had dreams of having kids,” Jorah raises his eyebrows as he speaks. “Enough of this heavy stuff, we should be celebrating. It’s not often the two hottest singles both get accepted to their dream schools together!” Jorah says while opening my car door with a flourish.

“Why thank you sir, you’re right let’s celebrate!” I say with a slight bow. We both laugh and get in the car.

Don Tana’s is only a short drive and we crank up the music and sing our hearts out. Jorah has a beautiful voice, me not so much but that never stopped me. Luckily for me, we arrive after the lunch rush so we get a table quickly. I don’t think my poor stomach could take much longer.

The waitress starts flirting with Jorah, as usual. Jorah taps his fingers on the table, the code for him wanting me intervene so they leave him alone. I lean over and grab his hands in mine, “Oh, honey this is such a lovely place”. The waitress finally notices me and takes our drink order. At least she did notice, sometimes even with my not so subtle hint they still openly flirt with him and ignore me. That is when Jorah does his own acting and lays it on thick with his adoration of me.

“I cannot wait to eat authentic Italian food in Italy!” I exclaim a bit too loudly. Thank goodness Jorah is used to me and doesn’t mind.

“Me either, lucky we both burn calories because I am going to eat anything and everything I see. We should travel around on our days off and explore each city eating good food and drinking wine. We do have almost a month to explore and eat our way through Italy before our classes will start,” Jorah says with a cheesy smile.

“I wouldn’t mind meeting a fine, strong Italian man either. They say they are supposed to be the best lovers”. I say with a wink and we both crack up.

Jorah knows that I am not into hooking up. Probably because of all the cheesy guys always picking up on me and the ones that get handsy even when I have said no. It really has turned me off to dating.

Maybe I am too much of a romantic, I want to find my soul-mate, the one that speaks to my whole body, heart and soul, not just a bunch of fillers. Jorah is just like me, we both want a relationship with the one meant for us not a bunch of no ones.

I have kissed a few guys, but honestly it never did anything for me and as weird as it sounds it always felt like I was cheating on the one I am meant for. I’m glad Jorah is like me or I would feel really stupid thinking and feeling this way. I don’t even think I have seen Jorah kiss anyone.

“What if we meet our soul-mates? Then we would get some hot Italian lovers” he wiggles his eyebrows at me making me laugh.

“It would be nice to meet them around the same time as each other. I don’t want either of us to be a third wheel and there is no way in hell we are ditching each other even for our soul mates” I say seriously.

“I agree, they are just going to be stuck with us going on double dates and learning all our inside jokes” Jorah says with a chuckle.

I put my hand out to shake his, “Agreed! So what are you ordering?”

“Linguini Al Pesco, Chicken Tana and Cadrese Salad” he says licking his lips.

“Good I can steal some of your Linguini and you can have some of my Spaghetti Carbonara and Chicken Parmesan” I smile sweetly at him while batting my eyes.

“You know I wouldn’t have it any other way, you don’t have to give me that look” Jorah replies pointing his finger at my face.

The food is ordered and delivered fast with no more obnoxious flirting so we could enjoy our meal. We continued to talk and plan for big move.

I know it will only be for a year, but I am so excited to be moving to the country I have dreamed about since I was a child. After watching a movie set in Italy when I was ten, Italy was all I could talk about. Who knew that at 20 years old I would actually be able to see part of that dream come true.

I smile wickedly and say, “How about we split some tiramisu and cannoli, you know I can never decide which one I want” he just smiles and flags down the waitress. I knew I wouldn’t have to ask him twice with his sweet tooth, he may even be worse than me. Maybe, okay probably not, but a close second for sure.

As we eat our desserts in conversation, I cannot help but let my mind wander to what this next adventure will hold.