The Daughter In the Corner

Callous

As Amara and Hunter were studying the menu they heard someone clear his throat behind them.

Amara turned to face a younger version of Chris. She recognized him immediately and kept her greeting simple.

“Hello, Dillon.” She turned to look at the menu once more.

Hunter felt stuffy; Amara had recognized everyone but him.

On the other hand, Dillon smiled awkwardly and tried to make small talk. “Hey Amara! Long time no see. How have you been? What are you guys doing?”

Amara kept her eyes on the menu but her mind raced with questions. ‘What’s with him? He always made it a point to ignore me in the past. What is he playing at now?’ Still, she couldn’t blatantly snub him despite how he treated her since their families had close ties.

“I’m doing well. We’re just grabbing something to go.”

Dillon licked his lips nervously. “Oh! Well, it’s good to see you again. Are you going to come over to our house since you’re back in town? It’s been a while and a lot has changed.”

Amara turned to face Dillon with a polite smile. “No, I don’t have any reason to go to your house. Now if you’ll excuse me. I have to place my order. My friend here is driving me home so I don’t want to waste his time.”

Dillon looked over her head at Hunter who raised and dropped his brows in silent greeting. Dillon pursed his lips in slight agitation.

“Alright. Can I get your number then so we can stay in touch?” he asked shamelessly.

“You can ask Peter for it. I just gave it to him.”

Dillon rubbed the back of his neck. He knew she had every right to be bitter. She was two years younger than him but he treated her like she didn’t exist. She always looked so lonely watching everyone from a corner of the room and she had tried to befriend him multiple times but he snubbed her.

But once a Farley man falls for a woman, he never gives up.

“Okay. I’ll do that. Don’t block me, okay?” he joked.

Amara didn’t respond and Dillon started to sweat. ‘She wouldn’t really block me… right?!’

He glanced at his friend in panic but for once, Hunter ignored his plight.

***

Hunter got a double shot of espresso. If he could inject caffeine into his veins he would. With only two hours of sleep, he could hardly keep his eyes open; it was through sheer will that he made it this far.

Hunter and Dillon had shared the secrets of their first crush so he knew full well that Dillon’s first love was brain-numbingly complicated. What he didn’t know was that Dillon’s little corner mouse was his book fairy. He had always thought Amara was an only child since those who knew the rumors surrounding Dustin Roger’s colorful past were people of the older generation. He wasn’t privy to the gossip so all this came as a surprise.

When Dillon gave him the ‘SOS’ look, Hunter kept quiet. He wasn’t a saint; helping his love rival would just shoot himself in the foot.

He pursed his lips and raised his brows. ‘Sorry, mate; you’re on your own.’

Amara leaned over to look at the case of danishes to examine the array of freshly baked goods. She rubbed the tip of her chin with her thumb as she pondered which baked good would go best with hot chocolate. She was finally able to

“Hmm…”

Hunter leaned over and pointed at the blueberry crumb muffin. “That one looks good.”

Dillon pointed at an apple strudel. “What about this one?”

Amara pursed her lips. Honestly, the apple strudel looked good until Dillon pointed it out. Amara smiled at the barista and pointed to the muffin. “Two of these please and a tall hot chocolate. I’ll be paying for the double shot espresso my friend just ordered as well.”

Dillon placed his card down on the table. “Give me a large cup of dark roast– black, and add an apple strudel. I’m paying for all three orders.”

Amara rolled her eyes. Having Dillon treat them to breakfast and coffee was like a drop in the ocean.

Does he think I would forgive him for all those years of psychological abuse over a blueberry muffin? Ha!

Once they got their order, Amara nodded her head in thanks. “Thanks for breakfast. Let’s go, Hunter.”

Hunter clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Thanks for the coffee, man.”

Dillon watched the pair leave before his eyes dropped down to his coffee and danish; he didn’t feel hungry anymore.

***

Hunter had Amara stay inside while he got the valet to bring his car to the front. Amara watched her childhood friend from behind the glass wall while she sipped on her piping hot chocolate. Hunter had always been dependable. She remembered their first encounter in the library. Though he was scrawny and nerdy-looking, he was quick-witted and chivalrous.

Now he was a man, his broad shoulders looked even more dependable. She smiled and wondered which lucky woman would marry her friend.

“Hey, Amara…”

Amara’s smile soured as she turned towards the speaker.

Dillon walked up with an awkward smile. “Uh, I just wanted to apologize for how I treated you back then. I was…”

Amara shook her head and interrupted, “It’s all in the past. Don’t worry about it.”

Dillon licked his lips and sighed. “Look, I know you have every reason to hate me but I really didn’t mean to do that. I just…”

“They’re on their way.” Hunter walked up and looked between Amara and Dillon. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?”

Dillon ground his molars. ‘The fucker isn’t sorry at all!’

Amara smiled. “No. We’re done here. Let’s go wait outside. The hot chocolate is a little too hot so I want some fresh air.”

Hunter nodded and followed Amara out the revolving doors leaving Dillon behind once more.

As Amara pushed against the handle of the door, she chanced a glance behind and saw Dillon with a crestfallen face. Her heart ached as she recognized that familiar look but she turned away callously all the same. She was young but not naive. The way he kept trying to vie for attention like a lovestruck boy was evident. Why give a man hope when she wasn’t interested in him? She didn’t want to waste anyone’s time, most of all her own.