Chapter 47- Taunting Nerves

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It had been nearly 24 hours since I last saw Amelia. To say I was a wreck was an understatement. I couldn't stop pacing in my apartment, which probably bothered the downstairs people a lot. However, I couldn't help it.

My mind couldn't stop reeling with Amelia's agreement. When I popped the question, she only stared at me with gaping eyes, and let out a small nod. Then we all dispersed to get going to our classes.

I hadn't seen her since.

"Leo!" Andre called out after another few minutes. "Stop pacing. You're acting like you're getting married to her!"

That finally caused me to freeze and I swiveled in my spot to face Andre. He was standing a few feet away from me, guffawing like an idiot at my reaction.

However, the moment I grinned back, he froze too.

"You know what? Maybe I should do that."

And then, our roles were reversed, as I was now laughing my head off at his gaping face.

"Of course I wouldn't do that," I said, slowly sobering up.

Andre let out a relieved sigh at my words.

"-yet," I finished off.

And then Andre did a double take as he looked back to me, his mouth agape once again.

"Goodness Leo, you're a changed man," Andre said with a shake of his head.

I grinned.

"That doesn't sound too bad."

Andre smiled back.

"No, it doesn't. She changed you into a better, more approachable version of yourself. Basically, you're not a loser who shoos away people by glaring at them anymore, but that's about it," he said nonchalantly.

He then took a step back and gave me a once over.

"Yeah. That's really it. I don't know what else she sees in you."

I gave him a flat look and he shrugged.

"You know it's true."

Before I could reply, Jamal finally stepped out of the bathroom and came to join us in the foyer.

"Ready to go?"

Andre nodded at him and with one final breath, I nodded too.

I had finally caught them up with what had happened between Amelia and I. I left out the important details, such as me kissing her and going over to her house for a date. But I simply told them that there may be a chance that we're together.

I wasn't quite sure what to describe us as, since we never made anything official. However, I'm sure that everyone can see that what I feel for her is quite past friendship, and it won't be changing any time soon.

As for her, she didn't push me away when I barged into her dorm saying we have a date, so I assume that means we're something, right? But now that I think about it, Amelia isn't one to say 'no' to many people. What if it was someone else that barged into her dorm, claiming that they'd be watching Netflix and having a date?

Would she have the same reaction?

And then would she let them kiss her?

Even the thought made me shudder.

I shook myself out of these thoughts, not wanting to think about it like that.

I should know her better than that. Of course she isn't like that.

We made our way to the parking lot and headed for Andre's car. We were all going together, as there was no reason to do so otherwise.

We made it to Amelia's dorm in under 10 minutes, although it felt like an hour long ride, and finally parked in front of her building. I couldn't see either Amelia or Gemma outside, meaning they probably weren't ready yet.

After a few minutes of waiting, I decided to step out of the car for some fresh air. I let out a breath, hoping that everything would go smoothly tonight. As I was waiting, Jamal rolled down the passenger window and turned to me. I could see Andre over his head, as he was sitting in the drivers seat.

"What's up man? You look tensed," Jamal said.

I shrugged.

"I just... I can't figure out if this is the right thing to do."

At this, both Andre and Jamal straightened up.

"What isn't?" Andre asked.

"Taking Amelia out."

"Like taking Amelia out, or taking Amelia to a party?" Andre said.

I frowned at his question.

"See, the first would imply you regret asking her out, which God forbid Leo, you shouldn't."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Of course not, you twat. I've wanted this for a while now. But a party? Where she lived her worst nightmare?" I breathed out.

I closed my eyes, and brought a hand down my face.

Andre and Jamal were silent at my outburst. I paced a few steps before turning to them again.

"What if something goes wrong? I can't even think about her getting hurt again," I said honestly.

Jamal sighed.

"Don't worry Leo. We're all going to be there. Nothing will go wro- oh, here come the girls," Jamal said midsentence.

I turned then, my breath nearly clogging in my throat. The sight before me had me wishing I never turned around in the first place.

Her hair was down today. But there was something different about it today. Something that made me forget the scientific way of how to breathe. It was curly, I finally concluded. It bounced with every delicate step she took, and framed her face innocently.

She was wearing a red dress that went past her knees and flowed out below her. She wasn't wearing anything underneath it, exposing her bare legs to me. I had to swallow before dragging my eyes to her face.

And hell, that was a mistake too.

She was walking towards me, a small smile on her face as she spoke to Gemma. She was wearing makeup today, and something about her red lips made me feel sinful as I stared at her. I thought of the kiss we shared before, and once more, I had to swallow before coming back to reality.

Gemma was beside her, but I couldn't take my eyes off of Amelia for even one second to acknowledge her.

I was surprised I didn't pass out yet.

Amelia looked like an absolute goddess.

Not that she didn't every day, but just today, with her trying so hard to dress up for this, made me go insane. She was trying for us. She was going as my date to a party we basically dragged her to. She was putting aside her fears for one night, for us. For me.

And that just made me want to run up to her and kiss the life out of her.

After what felt like an eternity, Amelia and Gemma came to a stop in front of me, briefly snapping me out of my trance.

"Hey guys," Gemma said.

Andre and Jamal, who I forgot were still right behind me with the window down, both replied to her. I, however, couldn't even speak. I barely managed to look over to Gemma and nod at her in greeting. Then, I went to staring at the absolute angel before me.

Amelia finally lifted her gaze off the ground and nodded to all of us. Her gaze stopped on me last, and I had to hold my breath as I stared at her. Surprising me, she held my gaze. So we stayed like that for the longest time, both unable to look away from the other. At some point, Gemma started walking away from us, and I barely heard her say, "I'll be in the car," since I was too busy gawking at Amelia.

Mustering up enough courage, I finally took a step closer to her. Her eyes widened slightly at my move, but she stayed still. I sheepishly brought a hand to the nape of my neck, as I continued walking closer to her. Once I reached a safe spot, where I wasn't too close, but not so far away anymore, I finally let out a deep breath.

"Hi," I breathed out.

Amelia smiled up at me.

"Hi Leo," she replied.

And if that wasn't enough to give me a heart attack, then I don't know what was.

"You look absolutely breathtaking Amelia."

Her eyes widened considerably at my words, the small smile that adorned her lips a few seconds ago, completely diminishing now.

And now is when an earthquake breaks out, saving me from further embarrassment.

'Really Leo? Absolutely breathtaking? You may as well have complimented her in Shakespearean language! You twat, couldn't you have just said she looks good or something?' my inner voice scolded me.

Before I could correct my mistake, Amelia let out a soft laugh. I stared at her, my mouth falling agape.

"Thanks Leo. To be honest, Gemma made me do it. I could've argued with her, but it feels nice to dress up for once."

Another small laugh. And that was finally enough to snap me out of my reverie.

"Moonie, puh-lease. You know you just wanted to impress me," I said jokingly.

Amelia only shook her head at my words, her eyes rolling playfully.

"Yeah right," she scoffed, but failed miserably in trying to sound mean.

I grinned at her, and she grinned back. Suddenly, there was something in the way she was looking at me. It was the way her eyes lit up, a small grin dancing on her lips, as she stared up at me. Suddenly, I couldn't smile anymore. I couldn't do it. I sobered up as I stared at her, my smile lessening by the moment.

Her hair was flying softly around her, her dress going in the direction of the breeze, and her eyes were staring up at me so perfectly.

I wanted to freeze this moment.

I wanted the world to just stop, so I could memorize the sight before me.

She was tantalizing, looking at me as if she'd give me her heart if I asked for it in this moment. She looked at me as if-

"She looks at you as if you're her savior."

I suddenly remembered what my mom had said when we were leaving my house. Is that what Amelia saw me as? Did she see me as her savior?

But how could she, when she truly wasn't saved yet?

Suddenly, the clearing of a throat brought us out of our reverie. I turned around to where I had heard the noise from, ready to pounce at whoever interrupted us. But just as I turned, I was suddenly met by Jamal's grinning face. I jerked back, surprised from his close proximity. He was leaning his head out of the window, his hands gripping the ledge of the window tightly. He was grinning at me, his bright teeth contrasting the dark night.

"Well look at you two lovebirds," he sang.

He shifted his gaze from me to Amelia, who was now looking down to her feet shyly. I would have punched Jamal for putting her on the spot like that, but when I saw Amelia biting down her lip to hide her smile, I knew it wasn't necessary.

I simply let out a huff at his childishness, brought my hand up to his face with my palm outstretched, and simply shoved his face away from me. He fell back into seat with 'oomph,' causing Gemma and Andre to burst out laughing, while Amelia grinned and shook her head at me.

Once everyone calmed down, I finally turned back to Amelia. She finally tore her eyes away from Jamal, and turned to me with a small grin.

"That wasn't very nice," she tsked.

I only stuck my tongue out at her.

She shook her head at me, but before we could get more into this banter, I cleared my throat.

"Moonie," I said, getting her undivided attention.

She faced me with a questioning look. Before I could chicken out, I held my hand out in front of her, palm facing up.

"Shall we?"

She looked up to me, her eyes wide in disbelief. She got over it quickly, a small blush creeping up to her cheeks as she shyly slipped her hand in mine. Once I got a hold of her petite hand in mine, I tugged her closer. She let out a gasp as she came colliding with my chest, and I had to bring another hand to her waist to steady her.

Her beautiful brown orbs came in contact with my own, and I had to fight the urge to simply drag her away from here and take her to a quiet place where I could just stare into her eyes all night. However, what I was about to say was important too, so after taking a small breath, I finally spoke.

"Listen up Moonie, I know you figured out why we're all doing this. But just so you don't get the wrong idea in your head-" I said, tapping her forehead with my index finger before bringing it back to her waist. "I'm going to tell you this straight. We're doing this for you. We're doing this so you don't feel like you have to hold yourself back with us. We want you to be who you really are Amelia. We want you to know you can be anything and anyone you want to be. You don't have to be afraid. You don't have to hold back. We're here. We've got your back. Tonight is all about you Amelia Harrison. The real you. Whoever that may be."

By the time I was done speaking, Amelia's eyes started to water up. I quickly brought the hand that was holding her waist, up to her face. I quickly wiped away at her tears, not wanting her to be sad today.

"Hey, none of that today. Today, we get to be wild young adults. We're going to this damn party, and we're going to have a good time. You hear me?" I playfully asked, grinning like an idiot.

That seemed to do the trick, as Amelia finally let out a small laugh, sniffling as she did so. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears, and more than that, with gratitude. But she didn't say it this time.

She didn't thank me.

And I knew then that I had finally done it. I finally made her see what I am to her, and what she is to me. I didn't need her to thank me, because I wasn't doing anything. I was simply here for her. For Amelia Harrison, my Moonie, and not for what anyone else thinks of her as.

I was here for her because she was a soul one may not even come across in their lifetime.

I can't believe I held it back then.

I held back from saying what I really wanted to say to her. I held back from telling her what I really felt that night as I saw her under the millions of stars in the sky, with our friends hooting loudly behind us.

I wish I told her then what she meant to me.

It was then I remembered what I told my mother right before I left that day.

"No mama, you're wrong. She's not my savior. She's my Moonie. Just, my Amelia. I don't need her to be a savior, or anything else, because she's everything and more."