freedom taste like you

Chapter 27

Amber’s POV

I went home.

You heard me right, I went home.

Not because I was overwhelmed or because I felt weird about the whole closeness thing between Timothy and Lydia..well, maybe a bit of that…but mostly because I missed Emma.

Okay, maybe it was a mix of both. You can’t blame me. I’m not sure how I feel, but I know it’s not exactly a good or pleasing feeling.

Emma was more than happy to have me over for the weekend. She even ordered Chinese the moment I arrived. I told Timothy I was going home, half-expecting, no. half-hoping, he’d want to come with me. But instead, he just smiled and said, “Have fun.”

That kind of stung, but I don’t even know what I was expecting.

I was scrolling through my phone when Emma called me downstairs. I dropped it on the bed and went to meet her. She said she wanted to step out to get groceries and asked if I could come along. I didn’t mind…there wasn’t much to do in the house anyway…so I followed her, leaving my phone behind since I wasn’t using it.

Grocery shopping was fun. Emma and I talked all the way there, all through the store, and on our way back home. It felt nice..like a small break from school, from everything.

“So,” Emma said as we were having dinner later, “any cute admirers yet?”

I nearly choked on my water. She giggled and handed me a tissue.

“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to surprise you like that,” she said with that soft smile of hers.

I smiled back shyly. “It’s fine,” I said, but she was still looking at me intently.

Oh, right. She was waiting for an answer.

“Oh, no, no… no one yet.” I quickly added, making her nod. And maybe I missed it, but I could’ve sworn she pouted a little.

“I know there are a lot of really cute guys on campus. I’m sure I’ll find one.”

I found myself assuring her before I could even think twice, though it made her smile widely.

“That’s good to hear,” she said happily.

“Mum, can you not torture Amber with the boy talk?” a familiar male voice teased.

Not as deep as Emma’s husband’s voice, but familiar enough to make my heart skip.

Timothy.

“Timothy?” Emma called out, clearly shocked. I stood up automatically as he appeared in the doorway. She immediately hugged him.

“Nice to see you too, Mum,” he said, his voice muffled in her shoulder.

I wasn’t sure how to take this. He wasn’t supposed to come. He didn’t look like he was coming either, so… why was he here?

I was happy though, ecstatic, to say the least, but I tried to keep my composure.

“Hey, Timothy,” I said casually after he was done hugging his mom sitting back. He came down to sit beside me at the dining table.

“Shocked to see me?” he asked with a smirk as he dipped his fingers into my plate and took a bite of my beef.

I groaned. “Ugh, you’re disgusting,” I said playfully. “And yes, I’m kind of shocked. Thought you weren’t gonna come.”

He shrugged and smiled. “Guess I changed my mind.”

Then he took another bite out of my beef, making me push the entire plate toward him.

“Here. Have it all.”

“Don’t mind if I do,” he said shamelessly, digging in while I and Emma shook our heads, laughing softly.

After a while, my phone started ringing. I excused myself and went upstairs to get it, wondering who could be calling me. I barely had friends, mostly just Juliet and…

“Ben?” I murmured, surprised when I saw his name flash on the screen. Then I remembered we’d exchanged numbers the day we met.

“Hello?” I said, sitting on my bed and adjusting my gown.

“Hey, Amber. it’s Ben,” he said.

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I know, I saved your number,” I said with a small smile.

“Oh, that’s good,” he replied. “How are you?”

“I’m okay. You?”

“I’m good. I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out today. Are you around?”

“Oh, um…” Before I could reply, Timothy walked in like he owned the place.

“Just checking up on you,” he said softly, sitting by my desk. I looked at him intently, forgetting I was still on the phone until Ben snapped me out of it.

“Earth to Amber,” he sang teasingly.

“What? Oh, yeah—sorry.” I turned back to the call. “Um, I’m not sure. I actually went home today and I’ll be a bit busy, but maybe we could hang out on Monday when I get back?”

“Oh, okay, sure. That’s fine. I’ll talk to you later then.”

“Yeah, bye Ben.”

“Bye, Amber.”

I stared at my phone for a few seconds before dropping it and turning to Timothy.

“Hey,” I said softly, plopping down on my bed and crossing my legs.

“Hey,” he said back with a smile.

“I’m sorry-..” he started, but I cut him off.

“Don’t. It’s okay, really. I don’t even know why you’re apologizing.”

“Our coffee hangout,” he reminded me.

I remembered, of course, but I didn’t want him to think I was hung up on it. I shrugged and smiled softly. “Forgotten.”

He groaned and sighed. “I and Lydia might be getting back together,” he said suddenly.

I blinked. I’d expected it..but not from him. Maybe from Juliet, since she’s Lydia’s best friend, but hearing it from Timothy still stung.

“Okayyy… that’s good for you,” I said, forcing a smile and trying not to flinch at how fake it sounded.

“Really?” His eyes lit up, like getting my approval was the best thing in the world.

“Yup.” I smiled faintly. “Why do you seem surprised?”

“I just thought you didn’t like her. Ever since the cafeteria incident, I felt bad even considering getting back with her after that.”

That made me feel even stranger, but I held it in.

“Whatever you decide to do, I respect it. You dated her before, right? You still love her? Then go ahead. I’m sure she just had a bad day that time..we all do.”

He nodded, smiling faintly. “Maybe we could all hang out together,” he suggested.

I had to fight the urge to not scrunch my face. “Uhh… I don’t knowww,” I said slowly. I didn’t really want to hang out with her, especially with him there. It just didn’t feel right.

“Please, so we could spend more time together,” he pleaded, and I sighed, caving in.

“Sure. Why not?” I said with a weak smile.

“Great! You’re the best, Amber,” he said as he got up to leave.

“I try,” I replied, getting up too and walking him to the door.

“Wanna come downstairs and hang?” he asked, standing by the doorway.

I faked a yawn, hoping he wouldn’t notice. “Nah, I think I’ll just rest. The grocery shopping with Emma really took a toll on me.”

He nodded and smiled. “Rest well,” he said before walking away.

I closed the door gently, locked it, and slid down with my back against it, sitting on the floor.

I don’t know how I’ll survive this. Him, Lydia, and me.

Does Lydia even know he’s making these plans?

I groaned softly, hugging my knees to my chest. I wasn’t sure why I felt this way, but I knew it had everything to do with Timothy and Lydia getting back together.

And it wasn’t a good feeling.

I just hope my feelings don’t get the best of me.