Last Year

eight

Everyone left just before dinner and after clearing the pool area, Amelia left her brother to clear out the trash bin while she went upstairs to do some of her pending essays and worksheets. Not to mention the ones that Mark was making her do.

It was important that she churn out good grades this year if she wanted to graduate and get into an Ivy league college. It was different for Mark because he was going to be playing in front of scouts soon and if they like him, he could get into any college that he wanted.

As for Amelia, she had a lot of GPA to make up for. It as due to the fact that she missed a most of her classes in the last semester of her junior year. It was quite clear that the only way to get an acceptance in a good college is a good academic record. She was able to pass junior year because they gave consideration for her to have her lessons done through home schooling.

A few hours later, a soft knock on her door interrupted her reading. She called out that it was open and Mark came in dressed in his jeans, shirt and letter jacket. Obviously, he was headed out.

Amelia gathered his worksheet and handed it to him.

"Great! Thanks a lot, Lee." He said, accepting the papers. She smiled and shooed him away.

"The guys and I are going to see the hunger games' last installment. Wanna come with?" He asked, sitting on her bed.

"Who's going?"

"The usual- I think Mel and Kate are tagging along. Come on, get dressed!" Mark added.

Amelia looked at her brother then back down to her last, unfinished essay. She looked torn. She had spent the entire day by the pool and doing nothing.

"Lee, it's a Saturday! You can finish that tomorrow! I promise I won't be disturbing you!" Mark groaned out.

Amelia shrugged and got up. "Fine! Let me change."

Mark whooped. "Hey sis, did you say anything to Kate?"

Amelia grinned while she rummaged through her closet for something to wear. She decided to wear her dark skinny jeans, a plain white cotton shirt and her converse.

"Um- we talked about a lot of things, bro. Be more specific." She called out from the closet while she was changing.

"Oh come on! Did you tell her that I like her?" Mark called out.

Amelia grinned wider but composed her face when she emerged from the closet. She put on her most innocent look and tied her hair into a high ponytail.

"Nope. Why do you ask?" She began lacing up her converse.

Mark looked at her dubiously but shrugged. "I don't know. She's more- um- whatever. Hurry up!"

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just ask her out, Mark? I don't think Mike would mind-really."

Mark sighed. "I already told you why. I'm not going to destroy my friendship over some girl- no matter how hot she is."

Amelia frowned. "Is that all Kate is to you? Someone who's hot?"

Mark protested. "Of course not! She's funny, smart and doesn't come off as a girl who'd cling on a guy a lot. She's independent and she has mean skills with a basketball..."

Amelia stood up and pinched both of her brother's cheeks.

"Aww... You're smitten, brother dear. Do something about it!"

Mark frowned. "You won't mind if ever i date your best friend?" He asked.

Amelia shook her head.

"Is this because you're going to tell me that you want to date my best friend?" Mark asked.

Amelia sighed and sat down beside her twin. She rested her head on her shoulder and closed her eyes. He laid his head on top of her.

"Where is all this thing with Clark coming from?" She asked softly.

Mark shrugged. "I just don't think I can handle it, Leelee. I know Clark's a good guy but what if he hurts you? What if we can't be friends anymore because he destroys you like Tristan did?"

Amelia pulled away and smiled. "Then, you don't have anything to worry about. There's nothing between Clark and I, Okay? Besides, it'd be too weird to start dating him since Cindy is my friend."

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about." Mark announced before getting up. "You should probably return this to Clark."

Amelia saw that Mark had picked up Clark's letter jacket from the edge of her bed. She nodded and grabbed it from his outstretched hand.

"I totally forgot about that." She muttered. "I'm ready."

Mark tugged her ponytail and they headed out.

The gang was already waiting outside the marquee when the twins arrived. Amelia gave the two girls a hug while the guys took turns tugging on her ponytail until she had no choice but to fix it. They trudged inside the theater with Mike in the lead followed by Melissa, Tom and Alex.

Amelia knew that Kate was planning to sit beside Mark and there was no way she was going to sit next to her brother. It would just be too weird. Although she was in full support if ever the two would get together, she was not ready to witness some groping and flirting during the movie.

So, Amelia hung back a bit until she realized that it was just her and Clark who did not have a seat. They were taking up the entire row so she had no choice but to sit next to Kate who had conveniently placed herself between Mark and Amelia. This left the last seat for Clark who smiled sheepishly and sat down.

Mark leaned forward to shoot his best friend a look. He made a gesture that said he was going to be watching him. Amelia shook her head and threw some popcorn at her brother while Clark made kissing noises at Kate and Mark.

Melissa finally shushed everyone when the movie started. As soon as the cinema got dark, Amelia became hyper aware with how close she and Clark were. She did not move her arm on the arm rest because if she did, it would be touching his.

She sighed and frowned, trying to eat the popcorn slowly to avoid hitting his arm. She did not use to have this problem with Clark. But that was because he was with Cindy Amelia mused to herself.

Now, he's pretty single and there were instances when he was weird around her. She did not want to assume anything. First, her brother would have a fit. Next, she was not worthy of someone as nice and gorgeous as Clark. She was broken on the inside. She had done something in the past that makes her unworthy of someone as pure and kind as Clark.

"Hey, the movie is just starting but you look like you're trying to solve Katniss' problems." Clark whispered to her.

She jumped a little and spilled pop corn. She glared at Clark who had an amused smirk on his face. Amelia took a deep breath and cleared her head, focusing on the movie. Katniss was talking with Gail and she tried to listen intently to their conversation but before she could concentrate, Clark reached over to get popcorn from her. He shifted and his arm rubbed against hers making Amelia jerk a little.

"You seem jumpy tonight, Lia." Clark whispered again and Amelia could hear the chuckle in his voice.

"What? I am not!" She hissed back and then shoved the bucket of popcorn towards him.

"Hey, what're you two whispering there about?" Mark asked, leaning forward to look at Amelia and Clark.

Kate shushed him by pulling Mark back to the seat and then latching on to his arm. Amelia leaned over and whispered to her.

"You go girl!”

Kate giggled.

"What's funny?" Mark asked again.

"Shut up, dude!" Alex hissed at Mark.

Everyone started giggling then concentrated on the movie again. Amelia reached to her right side to get some popcorn but she was not looking. Her hand ended up in the bucket the same time as Clark. She stopped and stiffened when she felt him move his fingers slightly to touch her fingers. She quickly pulled it away.

There was a soft chuckle and she felt Clark lean closer and whisper to her ear.

"You want some popcorn, babe?" He teased.

Amelia huffed and glared at him. Obviously, the guy was having a fun time with her discomfort. He wasn't even trying to hide it. She leaned back and crossed her arms, trying her best not to touch Clark. This was getting ridiculous.

He tilted the bucket to her direction and nudged her with his shoulder. Amelia refused to look at him or acknowledge anything. She heard him sigh.

"Come on, I was just teasing. Here, have some popcorn." He whispered, this time a little closer to her ear and she could not help but shiver. She turned her head quickly in surprise. Apparently, Clark was closer than she anticipated because her nose brushed against his, knocking her glasses down a notch.

They both paused and stared at each other. Surprised at the jolt of electricity that passed between them when their noses touched. 

Amelia swallowed and tried to breathe as Clark's hand came up to push the glasses back up the bridge of her nose. He let his finger touch the tip of her nose before giving her a soft, shy smile.

"Relax, Lia. It's just me." He whispered and then turned to stare back at the screen.

Amelia blinked and breathed deeply. She leaned back against the chair and tried to relax. Her emotions are whirling inside her head. What was going on with her? Clark was right. It was just Clarky boy! Good, ol' Clarky boy!

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she did not notice Clark moving and slowly grabbing her hand. Just like the way he did while they were seated at the back of his Wrangler.

"Your fingers are buttery." He whispered. He began tracing her hand from the tip of one finger down to its base and then going up again to the tip of the next finger.

Amelia did not look at Clark but she hissed at him. "What are you doing?"

She heard Clark chuckle again as he laced his fingers with hers. "I'm holding you hand, Amelia."

"Are you supposed to?" She squeaked. She swallowed as another wave of electricity shot through her whole arm, warming her heart.

Clark shrugged. "I'm not sure. But, I don't really care right now." He whispered, squeezing her hand.

"Again- what's going on over there?" Mark whispered, leaning forward again. He was shushed by Kate once more.

Amelia tried to pull her hand but Clark was not letting go. She did not mind that they were holding hands. He was Clark. They were friends. Close friends held hands sometimes right? Besides, there was a calm, soothing feeling that he was giving her as he started tracing her skin with his thumb, making circles while concentrating on the movie.

Amelia relaxed and tried to concentrate as well. If Clark can casually hold her hand, then she can be casual about it. But, at the back of her mind, Kate's words that afternoon echoed. Was it possible that Clark really liked her?

She sighed and suddenly felt cold. She realized the Clark had let go of her hand. She looked at him, he was staring straight ahead. She felt suddenly abandoned as she pulled her hand away. 

What happened? With confusion in her mind, Amelia tucked her hands close to her body as she crossed her arms in front of her as if it would protect her from any onslaught of emotions.

A few minutes, Clark stood up and left the cinema.

Kate nudged her on the shoulder asking where Clark was going. Amelia shrugged and Kate whispered that maybe he went to the bathroom or got more soda. She nodded in agreement but even as the movie was winding down to an end, Clark did not return to his seat.

The guys found Clark sitting outside the marquee, he was talking to someone on the phone.

"Hey man! You missed the ending!" Mike called out. "Who were you talking on the phone with?"

Clark stood up and smiled. "I got bored. I was talking to Tamara."

Amelia felt cold in her stomach. Obviously, she was racking her brain for nothing. Clark just needed to hold someone's hand in the dark. Maybe he missed having a girlfriend or something. 

But still, it hurt a bit that he was like that with her then go out of the cinema to talk to Tamara, a girl he went out on a date with. Plus did he mean he got bored with the movie or with holding her hand?

She avoided his gaze and smiled as Melissa started rambling about how cool the movie would have been if it was not a snooze fest. Soon, everyone was discussing the film as they headed towards the parking lot.

"Whatever. I still think she chose her brother over a real lover. I mean- Gail was the bomb! Not Pita!" Melissa grumbled. "What a waste of time. We should have played pool or something."

"Aw, I had a great time!" Kate exclaimed, giving Mark a grin.

Amelia had to hide her laugh with a cough. She felt Clark stand next to her but she quickened her pace and latched on to Kate's arm as they neared their parked cars. She did not feel like talking to Clark. He was too confusing for her at the moment.

"Well guys, time to head home. I still need a bit of sleep from last night's party." Mark announced, opening the passenger seat for his sister. "Anyone need a lift?"

Amelia spotted Clark's letter jacket and she pulled it. She looked for him and found that he was already inside his Jeep, looking deep in thought. She jogged over to his side.

"Here, thanks for the loan." She muttered, handing the jacket as quick as she could. She turned around but he grabbed her arm.

"Amelia..." He said.

She slowly yanked her arm. "What?"

"Are you mad at me?"

Amelia crossed her arms. "I don't know. Should I be?"

"I don't know..." Clark replied, shaking his head. "I-um- Tamara- well,..."

Amelia held up her hand and forced a smile. "You don't owe me an explanation, Clark. I get it. Friends can hold each other's hand if one of them is missing the feeling of having someone to hold hands with in the darkened cinema, right?"

"What?" Clark exclaimed.

"Just don't do anything with me the next time coz it might bore you to death."

Amelia waved and thanked him for the jacket again before jogging back towards Mark who was waiting inside the car.

"What was that about? Why does Clark look like he's solving a calculus equation?" Mark asked.

Amelia shrugged. "Let's go. I'm sleepy. You might have to carry me to my room again."

"Shut up." Mark replied, tugging her ponytail.

Sunday morning did not bring anything good for Amelia. She was still smarting over the incident with Clark in the cinema that she did not even come out of her room when the guys came over to play video games.

The only time she came down was when she got hungry and the guys were all making sandwiches in the kitchen. She tried her best to avoid Clark. He was looking at her but she ignored him.

"Come play with us, Lia!” Mike said.

Amelia scrunched her nose and grabbed a yogurt, a banana and some flavored water from the fridge. She skirted the area where Clark was standing and said goodbye to everyone.

"Aw you're not staying?" Mike wailed.

"Don't you guys ever do homework?" She called out and with a wave she ran back up to her room. She slammed the door and huffed with exasperation.

In all her years with being friends with Clark, there had been fights and petty arguments but somehow, it never bothered her as much. What made it so different now?

She decided to push aside the thought and eat her yogurt in silence. She was finishing her banana by her small balcony when someone knocked on her door.

She didn't answer but the knocking insisted.

"Go away, Mark! I'm busy!"

"It's me, Clark."

She stiffened for a moment and then sighed.

"Go away, Clark! I'm busy!"

He knocked again.

"Come on, Leelee. We need to talk."

"No, we don't!"

"Yes, we do!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

Amelia screamed silently. She marched to her door. She remembered playing the same game with Clark before and he did not budge for a whole hour!

She took a deep calming breath and opened the door, her face a mask of calm and cool.

"What do you want? I'm busy." She said nonchalantly, while taking a bite out of the banana.

"Can I come in?"

She eyes him while chewing slowly.

"Hurry up before your brother realizes I'm not in the John doing number 2!" He hissed.

"Yuck. You're so gross you know that?"

But Amelia sighed and let him into her room. It wasn't the first time Clark's been to her bedroom. But, it was usually with Mark whenever they got bored with each other and decided to disturb Amelia's peace and order.

"Thanks!"

Clark came in and immediately sat on the edge of her bed. She shut the door and leaned on it, arms crossed, the half eaten banana dangling from her hand.

"You're pissed at me." Clark began.

"Uh- no... What made you think so?" Amelia lied smiling sweetly at him.

Clark chuckled. "You're a pretty bad liar, babe. Drop the act and let me apologize."

Amelia glared at him, hands on her hips.

"There you go again! I'm not your babe or your baby..." She muttered.

Clark flushed and held up his hands.

"Okay... Sorry about that, babe!"

"Clark..." Amelia threatened.

Clark laughed and promised to behave. He looked at her standing by the door dressed in the same oversized Beatles shirt.

"You look sexy, Lia"

Amelia threw the half eaten banana at him. She marched into the closet and yanked some jogging pants on. She stomped back out and glared at Clark.

"What happened to apologizing, you jerk!" She snapped. "You better start or I'll have to kick you out of the room."

"Fine.. Fine!" He said standing up.

Amelia became aware that he was walking towards her, towering over her. She backed up and bumped against the closed door.

"Uh- do we need to be this close? You can apologize from the bed you know..." She stammered.

"Is that an invitation to jump into bed with you?"

She glared at him and slapped his arm.

"Jerk! What do you want?"

Clark stopped and just looked at her. He sighed and closed his eyes.

"I don't know. But, I know I hurt you last night about the whole Tamara and being bored thing."

Amelia could smell his fresh scent and his minty breath. He was too close for comfort it was getting difficult to breathe or concentrate.

Goodness! When did I become so keyed up over Clark? She thought, swallowing hard.

"Oh that? Hehe forget about it! That was nothing!" She stammered. "See? All fine now!"

Clark shook his head and leaned closer their bodies almost touching. He placed both hands on either side of her head before talking.

"One, I found the movie boring, not you nor was it holding your hand. Two, Tamara called me not the other way around. Three, I wasn't holding your hand just because I was missing the feeling and motions of having a girlfriend, okay?"

Amelia was too awestruck to say anything so she just nodded.

"I will never do anything to hurt you, Lia. You know that right?" He whispered his clear blue eyes searching her green ones.

Amelia breathed slowly and nodded again, unable to speak at how close they were. They were also alone in her bedroom!

"Do I make you nervous, Lia?" His voice had gotten a bit husky.

"Uh- um- no..?" She squeaked.

He rewarded her with a dazzling smile. He leaned closer, his hand inching downward and Amelia held her breath.

He stopped moving just enough that he was leaning down close to her ear. Amelia could smell the sweet fresh laundry scent of his shirt as her nose was almost near his left shoulder.

"Am I forgiven?" He whispered softly, his breath tickling her ears. She shivered and he chuckled.

Then with a click, Clark pulled the door open pushing her forward and against his body.

"Oof!" Amelia squeaked once more. She was squished against his chest, her glasses askew.

Clark laughed and pulled away. He leaned over and kissed her on top of her head.

"Thanks, Leelee. Remember, " he stopped and turned when he got outside her door " you can invite me to bed anytime!"

He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Amelia finally found her bearings and growled at him!

"You perverted jerk! I hate you!" She snapped, but she knew it wasn't true.

"Yeah yeah- i love you too, Amelia!" He called out before disappearing down the hallway.

Amelia shut her door and then found herself smiling.

Stupid boys!