Chapter 15- Taunting Mistakes

[] A M E L I A []

'Who the hell gave you permission to be here Amelia?'

That was all I heard repeatedly in my head for the past 23 hours and 45 minutes. And the answer to that was simple, "no one did, and I know I shouldn't have even been here in the first place."

I knew it. This friendship thing was too complicated from the start. I should have never agreed to Andre's request for lunch nearly 4 weeks ago, and I definitely shouldn't have continued to meet with them. And I tried. I tried so hard to stay away from them, but somehow, I always found myself surrounded by those three boys. It was like I lost all self-control.

It was like I forgot who I was.

I didn't want to be a burden to them, and I certainly didn't want to come in the way of their friendship. I didn't mean for Andre and Jamal to catch me outside and I definitely didn't mean to cry in front of them. I hoped that the three of them were okay after what had happened last night.

After Andre dropped me off yesterday, I simply flopped into my bed and cried for what seemed like hours on end. I couldn't get Leo's raging face out of my head, and as much as I tried, I couldn't get his words out of my head either.

I knew that he didn't like me. I knew that from the start. However, I thought that something shifted between us in the last week. It was like we came to an understanding. The moment he called me Moonie, although I didn't quite know what it meant or why he called me that, I thought he even considered me a friend.

But I was wrong.

I didn't belong here, and I definitely wasn't going to intrude in a place where I wasn't welcome.

Despite his rage being somewhat too much, I also felt bad about what happened yesterday. I never meant to step on a boundary I wasn't allowed to cross, and I didn't mean to hurt Leo as I did. I felt horrible about what I did, which made me cry even more.

By nightfall, I had simply run out of tears. I was sick of thinking about it, so I decided to delve into my textbooks. Even better, I wrote my english assignment on a random topic. It wasn't grand, but I finished it and handed it in anyway.

By the time I was done, it was 1 in the morning. I decided that it was a good time to go to sleep, so I sauntered over to my bed, and drifted off right away.

* * *

It was finally Saturday morning. I groggily got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. After going through my mundane morning routine, I decided to head to the cafe for some food. I simply grabbed my breakfast and headed back to my room to eat.

I was not in the mood to be around people today. I wanted to just curl up in a ball on my bed and lay there. After breakfast, that is exactly what I did. I don't know how much time had gone by, but I still lay there, doing absolutely nothing.

I don't know what had came over me. But for some reason, I felt absolutely devastated. I felt like I had lost something important in my life, and that was not a good feeling.

After what seemed like hours, there was a knock at my door. I sighed and stayed in bed, hoping the person on the other side would just go away.

However, after nearly five minutes of knocking persistently, I realized that the person won't be giving up. I sighed and finally pushed myself off the bed. I pulled the door open to see who it was.

To my surprise, Gemma stood on the other side with a grin on her face. She was holding a plastic bag and a backpack as well.

"Hey girl! I thought we could chill tod- whoa, what happened Amelia?" she suddenly said, coming closer to examine my face.

I could only imagine what a mess I looked like right now. My eyes were probably swollen and my face was most likely red and blotchy. I probably looked like I had been crying for days, which sadly, I had been.

Gemma stepped through the door and closed it behind her. Not bothering to argue, I simply walked further into my room and plopped down onto the bed. Gemma dropped her stuff by the door and sat down beside me. I felt her worried gaze on me, but I simply sat quietly.

"What happened, Amelia?" she asked softly.

I bit my lip, not wanting to explain anything. Slowly, Gemma brought her hand up to my shoulder.

"Is something wrong back home?" she asked, gently squeezing my shoulder.

My eyes widened and I turned to face her. I shook my head in response to her question. She visibly slumped, as if she was genuinely happy that everything back home was okay. Something flipped in me that moment. Suddenly, I wanted to tell her. I wanted her to know what was wrong. Because somehow, I found the courage in me to consider her a friend again.

So I explained it to her.

I told her what happened two days ago, and also explained my true feelings regarding the trio. I told her that I never wanted to intrude, but somehow, I was always dragged back. And I told her I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to get in their way, especially Leo's. Gemma listened quietly, not saying a word in between. After I finished, I looked over to her. She had a thinking face on, and I nudged her shoulder.

"But I didn't tell you all this so you can do something about it, Gemma. I told you this because I wanted to. I trust you."

Gemma smiled at my words, and before I knew it, she threw her arms around me for a hug. I squeaked in surprise, and hesitantly wrapped my arms around her as well. She pulled away after a moment and smiled sadly at me.

"Boys are stupid, aren't they?" she simply said, making me chuckle a little.

Then I shook my head at her.

"I just feel bad about what I did. I didn't mean to hurt him. I just hope he knows that."

Gemma sighed at me and suddenly stood up.

"Whatever, let's just have a movie marathon and forget about them for now."

And that sentence was like music to my ears.

* * *

[] L E O []

It's been three days since I kicked Amelia out of my apartment. To say I felt guilty would be an understatement. I hadn't slept properly since that night, and I constantly eyed her notebook that was now sitting on my sidetable. I hadn't seen her since that day and the boys weren't able to get a hold of her either. She wasn't in class on Friday either, meaning that I missed my chance to talk to her then.

At this point, I felt helpless. I didn't know what to do. All I kept seeing was Amelia's terrified face before she fled my place and I felt worse than I did before.

However, I was going to make up for it now. I really was. I just didn't know how.

"Hey man," Jamal announced, walking into the apartment.

I nodded to him. Andre followed after him, closing the door behind him. They walked into the apartment and headed straight for the kitchen. I saw some bags, but I wasn't sure what was in them. Soon after, the smell of something delicious filled the apartment. I sighed in contentment, realizing that the boys had brought Chinese takeout. I stayed where I was, waiting for one of them to bring me food. Surprisingly, it was Andre who did.

"Thanks," I muttered, grabbing the box from him.

He huffed and walked away. I sighed and peeked inside the box to see what they brought. Unsurprisingly, it was my favourite noodles. Soon enough, they joined me on the couch too, and Jamal put on Netflix. We finally settled on reruns of The Big Bang Theory and ate in silence.

After eating, Jamal offered to clean everything up. He grabbed all the dishes and headed for the kitchen. To my surprise, Andre turned to me as soon as he left.

"What the fuck are you doing Leo?"

I frowned at him.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

He gestured at me, and I looked down in annoyance.

"You literally have been a zombie ever since Thursday. If what happened hurt you so bad, then get up and go fix it," he said exasperatedly.

My frown deepened. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Jamal gave me a questioning look from the kitchen and I shrugged, not expecting anyone at this hour. He went to go open it nonetheless, and when he did, he was suddenly pushed back. Andre and I got up immediately, ready to attack whoever was at the door. However, it was when Gemma came into view that both of us relaxed.

But wait a second... Gemma?

I immediately turned to Andre, silently asking if he had invited her here, but he shook his head at me, indicating that he had no clue what she was doing here either. Oblivious to our questioning gazes, Gemma stormed further into the apartment and stopped once she spotted me.

Then, it was as if something took over her. She was in front of me in two giant steps and I stared her down in surprise.

"What the hell was that Leo?" she gritted through her teeth.

"I could ask the same," I said, referring to her grand entrance.

I threw my hands in my pockets, and shrugged at her as if this were casual.

And who the heck was she to stroll into my house and question me?

I've only spoken directly to her like twice.

"Don't shrug at me. What the fuck do you think you're doing with Amelia?"

I froze at the mention of her name. My shoulders suddenly slumped and my eyes softened.

My façade was dropped.

She was here for Amelia.

"Is she okay?" I blurted out.

Gemma narrowed her eyes at me.

"She's not doing grand after you, you know, blew up on her for no reason."

My head dropped in shame and I scratched the back of my head nervously.

'So she was still sad,' I thought stupidly.

Gemma sighed, making me look back up to her again.

"Listen here and listen well Leo Kennedy. I will not stand by and watch you play with her. She is not someone you can mess with. She doesn't need somone like you to come in her life, make her happy again, and then leave. Got it? If you guys want to be friends with her, then you sure as hell stick to your words. Because from what I see, she didn't push her way into your crowd. You pulled her in."

She was breathing heavily by the end of her monologue and had a finger pointed at me.

Jamal, Andre, and I, managed to only stare at her. However, I only managed to get one thing out.

"So she was happy before," I muttered, more to myself than to Gemma.

Gemma sighed in response.

"She was the happiest person you could ever come across."

She was staring off into the distance, as if if reminiscing about something. Then she turned to face me again, her face set in a hard glare.

"Don't bother her Leo. Not now. Not when she's finally getting over her past."

Suddenly, I couldn't take it anymore. I walked up to her, fuming now. I didn't care that she was threatening me. All I needed to know, was only related to Amelia.

"Who hurt her Gemma?" I asked, coming to a stop in front of her.

Gemma scoffed at me.

"Right now, it's you," She stated.

With that Gemma left the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

All three of us were silent, lost in our own thoughts. Andre snapped out of it first and started walking towards the door. Neither of us questioned him, and rather, were somewhat hopeful as he followed Gemma out the door.

* * *

[] A N D R E []

I followed after Gemma hurriedly. It was no surprise that she was angry. She probably found out about what happened between Leo and Amelia a few days ago. If it took her this long to come, it probably meant that Amelia was holding up no better than Leo.

After I had dropped off Amelia at her dorm on Thursday, I came back to Leo's apartment, asking what had happened. When he did tell me, I lost it. He had no reason to blow up on Amelia like that, especially when I was the one who pushed her to go into his apartment. The tears running down her cheeks nearly made me want to punch Leo for being such a twat.

How he managed to hurt sweet little Amelia, was beyond me.

After that, I was beyond angry at him. I know that he's not the best at controlling his anger but he needed to know when to hold it in. Blowing up on Amelia was simply unnecessary.

And now, we have her friend on our tail as well.

I finally made my way out of the building and soon after, I caught sight of Gemma's retreating back. She was a few meters away and I jogged to catch up to her. When I was close enough, I grabbed a hold of her arm, stopping her in place.

Gemma's breathing was laboured and she didn't turn around to face me. I sighed and took a step around her to come face to face with her. My hand still clutched her arm tightly, just to make sure she didn't run away.

"What did you mean Gemma?" I simply asked.

"My meaning is clear Andre. If you guys want to fuck her over, then don't even think about it. As strong as she is, she can't be fixed twice," she said through gritted teeth.

She still didn't look at me and I frowned.

"We won't do that Gemma. We won't hurt her," I said sincerely.

She finally looked up to me, her face set in a grimace.

"It seems like one of you already did."

* * *

[] L E O []

Jamal and I stood impatiently in the living room, waiting for Andre to come back. Jamal was pacing back and forth, while I simply watched the door like a hawk.

"This is bad man. Not only do we have a sad friend at hand, but we also have her crazy best friend after our asses," Jamal said, breaking the silence.

I stayed quiet. Just then, the door burst open and Andre walked through. I turned to him and he simply sighed at me. Jamal stopped pacing and turned to Andre as well. Andre slowly walked into the living room and came to a stop in front of me.

"How is she?" I muttered, referring to Amelia.

Andre narrowed his eyes at me. He studied me for a moment, making me uncomfortable.

"What are you doing with her Leo?" he suddenly asked.

I blinked at him and he sighed.

"I've never seen you get so attached to a girl. Well, attached to anyone. Not in the past 5 years at least. What are you doing with her?"

I was now irritated.

Why does everyone think I want to do something to her? First Gemma, and now Andre.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" I spat.

Andre rose a brow at me and Jamal simply stared. I turned away from the two and faced my balcony door.

"I don't fucking know man! All I know is I just need to see her again. I feel so shitty about what happened and I want to fix it."

"Whoa, so much for bros before-"

I whipped my head around so fast that I was sure I heard a crack.

"Finish that fucking sentence Jamal and you won't live to see tomorrow," I said in a low voice.

Andre and Jamal shared a look, and before I knew it, they both burst into full-blown grins.

I stared at them confused, really questioning my friendship with them at this point.

"Man, you're so whipped," Andre said, still grinning.

"Huh?" I muttered intelligently.

And they started laughing again at my dispense.

"This is fucking gold. I was starting to think you're actually gay and just weren't coming out of the closet," Jamal said.

Andre gasped.

"I thought he was a CIA agant and couldn't date because of work."

That cracked them up again.

"You guys are nuts. Get out of my house," I finally said.

And with that, I pushed my two idiotic friends out of my apartment. Just before leaving, Andre suddenly turned to me.

"No matter what it is, Leo, you can't hurt someone like that. Apologize to her, mate. Preferably before Gemma kills us all."