Amelia Forbes
I could feel my legs about to give way any second as I tried to balance four Harry Potter sized books on my leg.Jason had made it clear that everything I touched automatically became filthy. So he didn't want filth in his house.I wasn't even allowed to touch the armrest of the chair.Trying to take my mind off my leg, I focused on the project. So far, I'd gone considerably far in my work.The fact that I'd started beforehand really helped. At this rate I might even finish before the week runs out.I'd calculated that I'd be done in a week but at the rate I was going it'd probably be done in 4 to 5 days.I screamed in joy.In my head, of course.Lest Jason find another reason to torment me.A few minutes later, I was at the last page of the first chapter I'd been studying-which brought day one of my work to a close. I rounded up quickly and began to fill the pages of Jason's project manual.I'd do mine whenAmelia ForbesHe's not worth it. Jason Davenport is not worth it. He's not worth it. I refuse to react. I refuse to give him another reason to pick on me. I repeated this in my head as I walked through the gates and out of his mansion. Two hours.Two hours working on OUR project. All on my own. And he didn't even offer me a single drop of water.I knew he was an asshole. But this. . . it was inhumane. I didn't expect him to be nice to me or anything. But this was something else.And I was famished, I felt like I would drop anytime soon. Just 4 days and it'll all be over, I reminded myself. I just need to finish on time.I checked my phone. 4pm. Nana would be worried.With that thought spurring me on, I walked faster.As I got to a street sign-from there a 15 minute walk to my house-I heard someone call out my name. Huh? That's weird. I don't really know anyone around here.I'm probably just hearing things, I concl
Amelia ForbesIt seemed like my bad luck was on a roll today because, I soon as I walked out of the classroom door-wiping the remaining tears on my face and still massaging my neck-Kimberly and three of her minions waylaid me. They backed me into a corner and forcefully led me into the girls' bathroom. As we got in, Aneeka secured the door and took her position directly behind Kimberly.Kimberly looked at me, one hand on her waist and her right hip protruding in her favorite pose. "What the fuck is going on between you and Adrian?" She spat, shooting me a glare. I swallowed. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to buy time. Malia rolled her eyes saying, "Bitch, don't act dumb.""I don't know what you're talking about," I repeated, crossing my hands in front of my chest.Kimberly walked up to me. Out of nowhere she grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged on it. I let out a sharp yelp, shoving her backwards with all the strength
Amelia ForbesFrom everything Nana had told me, I gathered that I had caught a really bad cold walking under the rain and I'd been unconscious for days.Realizing what that meant, I panicked. That means I've missed school, homework, maybe even tests. Nana noticed this and communicated to me that the school was aware, so any tests or homework would still be made available to me when I was feeling strong enough. Relieved, I settled down and resumed my conversation with Nana. I also found out that a guy had come to see me. And from Nana's description, it was no other than Adrian Goldfield. I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. Jason had already warned me about associating with his best friend. And he wouldn't take it lightly if he found out Adrian had been to my house. But on the other hand, Adrian was the only one who cared to check up on me when I missed school. I couldn't just ignore that. He'd gotten the drugs prescribed for
Jason DavenportI didn't have to sneak out because dad already knew I was going out. Not like he could stop me anyway. But the way downstairs was so long. I didn't feel like it right now. So I just climbed out my bedroom window, using the spaces in the walls as support. As I was almost at ground level, I heard someone moving below, close to the trees.Shit. I wasn't sneaking out, yes. But I didn't want dad to find out that I had been using my bedroom as an escape route. He'd probably switch rooms for me. And that'd be shit. I descended slowly, trying to be quiet. Thank God it was dark. Else it wouldn't have ended well. I just needed to get the fuck out this house. I stopped my descent when I heard Ashley's voice. Was she arguing with someone? I looked down to check, and sure enough she was alone. But I could see the dim light from her iPhone, so I figured she was on a call. Why did she have to come outside for the
Amelia ForbesI sat in the library all day solving Jason's homework assignments. It was easy because I had done mine already, so I remembered most of the answers. My chest was heavy and my eyes hurt. I was simply exhausted. I wondered again why I couldn't just stay home and take all my tests and exams there. School was the most exhausting place to be, for me. Topped up with the constant bullying. I needed to get out of here. Just 170 days left, Mel. You're doing great. You're doing great. Just. . . hold on.All I had to do was stay out of their way. Jason and Kimberly. And avoid Adrian. I'd be okay.I felt a second round of tears coming up but I shook it off and continued my work. Almost as if Adrian had heard me mentioning him in my head, he walked into the library.I said a silent prayer, hoping he wouldn't notice me. But he did, obviously. When had my prayers ever been answered. He waved at me from the door and proceed
Jason DavenportI lay on my bed exhausted. I'd just gotten home from school after a 3 hour long practice. Coach was getting us ready for a game against St John's High; the current state champions. So we've been training hard for it. I guess this was good in some way, as I usually got home late as a result of the training. And as soon as I had dinner, I went straight to bed.This actually helped me forget that I was grounded. Well, except on the weekends when I had absolutely nothing to do.Well, Dad was leaving soon. And obviously the guilt of leaving me behind would prompt him to lift the ban. And voilà, I'm not grounded anymore. I just hoped he would let me have my car back as well. I stopped running my fingers through my hair as I thought of Ashley. Ever since I'd seen her that night underneath the tree talking to someone on the phone, I'd been suspicious. Was she planning to rob him? Hurt him?My heart skipped a beat
Amelia ForbesIt had been nearly two hours since I met Ashley at Sally's. And although the yogurt had been terrible and what I needed was to sleep it away, I didn't go home. Nana had volunteer work on Saturdays so she wasn't home. And no way was I going home right now to sit there all alone. I would think to a very unhealthy point and probably end up crying and feeling sorry for myself. So I just walked. I walked round Wayne County. Well, it was a small town so it wasn't so difficult. From Sally's I walked past Matty's, carefully of course, to avoid being seen. As I looked through the glass windows at Matty's, I could see people, guys and girls in groups, talking, laughing, having fun. That was me once, I thought. Feeling the sadness coming, I walked past as quickly as I could to shake it off. It wasn't the time for it. After a tour round Wayne County, the only place I hadn't been to was the park. It'd been years since I'd been to the p
Jason DavenportI pretended not to know that Dad walked into my room. It was 6am. I would soon have to get up and get ready for school. But for now, I really didn't feel like seeing him or talking to him. So I pretended to be asleep. He stood at the side of my bed watching me. Sighing when he saw that I was asleep, he gently sat on my bed and buried his head in his hands.He looked tired and stressed out. Maybe he really was having a hard time. I wondered if maybe I was being too hard on him. . .But I banished that thought as quickly as it came. He deserved it. He was the one trying to replace Mom and change everything. We were great on our own before Ashley showed up. And still, he was too blind to see that the only thing she was doing was ruining our lives and our relationship with each other. It'd come back to bite him in the ass. And for sure he'd regret ever trying to replace my mother. Like he always did. The thought of letting Ash
Amelia ForbesThe day had gone by so fast and it was already about time for our dinner date. Dani came over to help me get dressed. She and Adrian were open about their relationship status now and they looked so good together I thought I would cry.She did my makeup too. I didn't look perfect because I still had a little bit of my tummy showing after the delivery, but Jason didn't care. Dani enveloped me in a tight hug as she saw me off to the limo."You look amazing, Ammie," She whispered. "Off you go. Be a good girl now."I whipped around, eyes widening in embarrassment. But she only winked at me and stalked off.God, I loved to hate her.I didn't know where we were going, and no matter how many times I'd asked, Jason wouldn't tell.Finally we arrived. He had set something up at one of the spots on the hill. There were lights and food, and even someone to play the violin.Again, how would he know I loved the violin?Benson.After about an hour of
Amelia ForbesIt had been a while since I'd had the baby now. Two months precisely.I had so many dreams I had wanted to realize after high school, so much I wanted to do. But all that was gone now. At least for a while. In the beginning it had saddened me deeply. But now, all I wanted was to make sure my baby got everything she deserved, and then some more.Being a mother changes a lot. Everything, in fact. And I really love my baby, but in she's always crying, and it's even worse at night now. We finally went to the doctor a week ago and realized it was colic. Thank God.I said a silent prayer. If I'm being honest, I don't think I could've handled it alone. Especially with Nana gone. The thought of her brought tears to my eyes. She had passed away peacefully at the elderly home. And I missed her a lot. Every day I would imagine all the beautiful words she would've used if she could talk.I thought of those times when she really was the only thing that kept me go
Amelia Forbes I deliberately sipped my hot cocoa slowly, as I watched Dani say hi to Adrian briefly and walk into the kitchen toward me. She pulled up a chair and lowered herself onto it, watching me with hawk eyes."What's going on?" Her tone was crisp."What do you mean?" I cocked an eyebrow.She rolled her eyes. "So pretty boy gets into an accident and all of a sudden you move in with him?"The anger that flashed within me knew no bounds as I raised her eyes to meet hers. "It was an attempted suicide," I said quietly.Her hand froze halfway to her lips. "What?" She managed to croak. "I...I had no idea that-""No you didn't," I snapped. She hung her head but didn't say anything more."And if Nana was still home, I probably wouldn't be living here now. So please don't play that card.""I'm sorry," She managed.I shrugged, eyeing her curiously. "And what about you?" I asked innocently. "Is there anything you wanna tell me?"She threw
Jason DavenportIt'd been five days since I was discharged from the hospital. My head still hurt, but I'd never felt better. Dad had convinced me to come back home and I'd agreed, on the condition that I'd keep working until I could afford to pay for college. And it'd been going great. My friendship with Adrian was still a bit shaky but we were working things out. We'd resumed our weekly hangout at my house to play either basketball or video games and it felt nice. Sometimes Amelia popped in to check on me but she never stayed for too long."Hey?" I shook Adrian as we both sat on my bed. He quickly tried to put his phone away and I eyed him suspiciously. "Who are you texting?" I asked. He blushed. "Um, no one?"I patted his back. "Tell me everything, my friend."An hour later, Adrian had narrated the love story that had sprung between himself and Dani Daniels and I stared at him in shock."Dani?!" I stage whispered, putting a hand to my mouth. "Holy sh
Jason DavenportI still wasn't sure what miracle had occured while I was unconscious.At first when I woke up, my first feeling was that of disappointment. I was disappointed that I had survived. Once again I'd proved that I'd always be a failure.But when Amelia had barged into my ward, a crying mess, and enveloped me in a hug, I thought I was dreaming. I still couldn't wrap it around my head but I was glad for it. Whatever had happened, I prayed that it would stay that way. As I relaxed my pounding head onto the pillow, my door swung open and I swallowed as I saw Adrian walk in.He stumbled awkwardly and took a seat beside me on the bed. "Hey.""Hey."For a while we sat there, not uttering a word to each other. "Why'd you do it?" Adrian finally whispered.I didn't need to ask to know what he was talking about. I took my time to gather myself. "I guess... I guess I was just tired of being such a failure..." I trailed off.Saying it brough
Amelia ForbesI sat fidgeting in the waiting room. It'd been three hours since we arrived at the hospital and everyone was seated, quietly. The truck driver had given a clear description of what had transpired. No one said a word.Tears flowed down my cheeks. He has attempted suicide.The thought broke me down more than I thought it could. I felt sad, guilty. I blamed myself for pushing him out in the rain and saying such hard words to him.I guessed those few weeks had put him into some deep state of depression. He was in such a state that he had seen suicide as the only option. It was then that I realized that he'd been honest the whole time.He'd been sincere. All the effort he'd been putting. I stifled a sob.What if something happened to him?My heart pounded in my chest. What would I do? I couldn't take care of a child alone. I couldn't...And he was so good with her. He'd be such a good dad. I couldn't... I couldn't lose him.I burie
Jason DavenportAs Amelia pushed me out into the blasting rain, I realized something. I was exhausted.I was tired.I was tired of the crying, tired of the begging. I knew I deserved everything that was happening right now and then some more, but I was tired. This was what I'd also be. The rapist. The criminal. No matter how hard I tried. No one would ever see the good in me.And it was all my fault. I showed the good in me too late. Way too late. So late that everyone would stand waiting for me to draw the curtains and prove to them that it was all an act. I'd always be the asshole. The monster. The beast.I looked up at the sky and sobbed. "Are you disappointed in me too, mom? This is what your boy turned out to be. A useless piece of shit."I slumped to the floor, my chest feeling like it was about to explode. "I'm a criminal, mom. I lost every-every thing. My friends, my family, my dignity. This is what I've become.""Nobody wants me m-mo
Amelia Forbes"I got in."Dani walked into my room beaming, a white envelope in hand.And although I knew what she held-a college acceptance letter, I asked, "Into what?"She rolled her eyes at me and laughed. "Bloustone College?" "Oh," I finally managed to mutter after a while. Dani stared at me in disbelief. "Really? That's all you're gonna say? I've been working my ass off for this and that's all you're gonna say?" She was right. I did sound kind of selfish."I'm sorry, Dani. I didn't mean it like that," I pleaded. "Of course I'm happy for you. It just.. it took me by surprise, that's all. You know how hard I've been rooting for you."She gave me a small smile and wrapped her arms on my shoulder. "It's okay, Ammie. I'll miss you too."My throat tightened. I was going to miss her. Even more than she thought. She was one of my best friends. She'd been there for me when no one else had. She'd practically forced her way into my life.I giggled
Amelia ForbesI woke up to the soft cry of my baby girl. We'd moved her from Nana's room to the room that used to belong to my parents.Careful not to wake anyone up, I tiptoed to the room and received a startle when I saw Jason cradling her in his arms.My first thought was to go in and snatch her away from him. If he hurt her, I swear. But I waited. And I watched.I watched her stop crying as soon as he picked her up. I watched him coo her, kiss her cheek and began to hum a tune. Was he singing? I wondered, my mouth agape.What had happened to the Jason Davenport from high school? And who was this softie? Was this all an act? To gain my forgiveness?But he knew everyone was asleep. So why would he act when there wasn't an audience. I don't know how long I stood there for. But i watched them, a wide smile permanently plastered on my face. He knew just how to hold her. How to rock her back and forth so she would fall asleep.How?What changed?