My First Kiss

Chapter 6 - The Stranger

Amelia spent a good hour in the bathtub contemplating about her day. It took less than 24 hours for her to welcome Jake back into his life. Yes, Jake was welcome. Welcome to drag her along the street, welcome to eat with her at the park, welcome to decide which hotel room to take, and welcome to make her feel bad about the past all over again. After disappearing for years, without an explanation, without a proper goodbye, here is his again, meddling with her life, meddling with her heart.

She didn’t expect to cry like that. The whole day took a toll on her. And yet here she is, preparing for dinner with Jake. She must be out of her mind. 

Amelia was convincing herself that she is in Los Angeles for a reason- business.

Addison and Thatcher, Amelia’s parents are good people. They did not shower her with the riches that most people enjoy but she was showered with love, with motivation, with a team behind her back. Amelia is a good kid. She was happy and driven. She was motivated and she dreams of giving the best in life she could possibly give to her parents.

Growing up was not easy financially for their family. She had to apply for scholarships, grants, and work part-time to be able to earn her college degree.  It was a struggle but whenever she came home, welcomed by a warm meal and the warm embrace of her parents, she felt complete, she felt lucky and that is what kept her going all these years, except for that dark few months of her life 18 years ago.

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She went to school that day, a usual routine that was part of her schedule for the past few months. However, things are about to get different in the next few weeks. Her student exchange program was about to end in a few weeks and she was about to fly back home to Portland.

Amelia was excited. She was about to be with her parents again. She missed them so much. But she was sad as well. She was leaving for Portland and would be leaving Jake.

Jake. The few couples of months with him were so far the best months of her life. She felt alive, inspired, valued, she felt loved. Jake was fully aware of her situation and her looming return to Portland. They have talked about it several times. They agreed to call each other, send letters and visit the other, as soon as possible. However, as the date of her departure draws near, she begins to feel sadder by the day.

Jake did not pick her up that day. He mentioned that he had somewhere to go early that day. He had to go with her mom. She didn’t ask for any additional explanation. It was just an ordinary day.

She went to her regular class schedule. She was eating lunch when a boy in a hooding approached her. Amelia was surprised at first. She barely saw the boy’s face. He quietly ate with his hoodie on, not speaking. She just continued eating when she realized that the boy seemed to be minding himself.

Amelia went straight to the library after her last subject. She will be waiting for Jake there like she always does. She was about to start her shift as the library assistant when the Dean came in.

“Good afternoon, Dean,” Amelia said, a bit surprised to see a lady standing behind Dean Johnson.

“There you are Amelia,” the Dean replied. “I know you are about to leave in the next couple of weeks but I look forward to seeing you more here in the library until your program ends,” he continued.

“Of course Dean, it has always been a pressure to work  and  be here in the library.” She affirmed.

“It’s nice to hear. We will surely miss you,” the Dean said with sincerity. “I would like to introduce you to the new librarian, Ms. Daddario.” Dean gestured to the lady, now beside her, offering her hand to her.

She gave her hand and took Ms. Dadario’s handshake firmly. “Where is Mrs.Murphy?” She curiously asked.

“She gave her resignation a few weeks ago. Didn’t she mention it to you?” The Dean inquired.

“Oh!”, was all she managed to reply and shook her head.

“Anyway, I will leave you two to acquaint yourselves with each other.” Amelia barely understood the last few sentences that Dean Johnson said. He was thinking of Mrs. Murphy, he was thinking of Jake.

Although confused, he waited for Jake to come. She spent an extra two hours in the library, waiting. But Jake didn’t come.

He didn’t come the next day either. She received no phone call, no explanation. Jake and her mom were gone.

It was one of the loneliest moments in Amelia’s life. She was leaving but Jake left her first. 

She spent the last few weeks of her exchange program alone, well, not completely. The strange boy in the hoodie was always there, sitting opposite her table, her silent companion during lunchtime. She was waiting for him to start a conversation, but he didn’t up until her last day in school. Amelia did not have the strength to talk with the boy as well. But she was grateful. Whoever the boy was, he made the last couple of weeks for her bearable. Amelia felt that she was not completely alone.

She was hurting. Jake left her. It was a miracle she even managed to go to school with her current dilemma.

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She was back to reality. The tears were starting to build at the corners of her eyes so she stood from the tub and went to dry her hair. She had to set aside those memories. It was just dinner, it was just Jake. When the night is over, she’ll be back on track. 

She will be meeting with Nathan Field tomorrow. Ayana Designs will secure that partnership with Blooming Rose. After securing the partnership, she will go back to Beverly Hills and have someone else attend to her affairs in Los Angeles. She’ll be concluding whatever she has with Jake right now tonight.

Amelia wore her favorite black dress. It showed a huge position of her back, hugging her little waist seductively. She grabbed her leather jacket. It matches the outfit and completes her strong, independent look.

She was tying the last strap of her heels when she heard the bell on her door rang. Amelia looked at her watch. It was just 7:15. 

Amelia took a deep breath before she opened the door.

“You seem so…” she paused after realizing that it was not Jake who rang the door.

“Hi, Ms. Wilson.” It was Thomas.

“Hello.” She replied.

“Did I disturb you, you seem to be headed out.” He apologized.

“No, it's ok, I was already ready. Jake is going to pick me up in a while for dinner.” She said.

Thomas’s face seemed to shift when he heard Jake’s name. Or was it just her imagination.

“What can I do for you?” She asked.

“I was wondering if you remember me from school, back in British Columbia?” He asked.

“Sorry, but I have been trying to recall you since Jake mentioned that we went to the same school back then but I really can’t.” She explained.

“I hope this does not creep you out but I was the boy, in the hoodie.”

“The boy in the hoodie at lunch!” Amelia completed Thomas’s sentence for him.

“Yes, I was that boy.”

Amelia embraced Thomas, she felt in gratitude to this person who was there for him when he needed someone. Thomas took the embrace and embraced her back.

Amelia was about to let go of the embrace when he heard Jake’s voice. “Ehem, well hello guys.”