Chapter 32- First Date

On January fifth, Amelia and Halli returned to school. As they walked hand in hand toward their first class of the day, Amelia thought back to their first date. It was a night she would certainly never forget for the rest of her life, for multiple reasons.

Amelia had gotten the chance to get some rest before getting ready to leave with Halli that evening. She had decided to wear a dark green dress with a black cardigan over it that went halfway down her arms, draping over the worst of her scars. Her hair now curled in toward her chin and neck slightly at the ends, which was an interesting and beautiful contrast to the natural waves. For makeup, she wore dark red lipstick, light blush to bring color to her pale cheeks, and mascara to bring out the brightness that had nearly been lost in those unforgettable eyes. She wore black wedges that felt comfortable. Black tights finished off the perfect outfit.

Of course, Amelia felt hideous in comparison to Halli when she stepped out into the living room. Halli wore a light blue dress with sparkles on it that came to a stop just above her knees, exposing lovely legs. Her hair was straightened, but a silver hair clip on one side kept any loose strands back. Light makeup gave fresh life to her face, but it was those luscious lips that always would catch Amelia's attention. That, and her glorious eyes.

"Happy New Year," Halli said joyfully as they headed out to the opera. They would be seeing a French opera tonight. As they settled in their seats, Amelia was very aware of Halli's presence on her left. She smiled and immersed herself in the show.

Afterwards, they went out to dinner together at a place that looked very fancy, yet wasn't too pricey. Amelia and Halli sat across one another in a booth some ten minutes later, looking through the menu. Amelia decided to have mushroom raviolli, that looked like an interesting meal. It wasn't long before they gave their orders and the menus were taken away.

"Don't look so sad, dear," Hali murmured to Amelia in the candlelight. Amelia gave her a miserable smile. A pathetic attempt at happiness. "That's a little better. You're being awful quiet, don't you have something to say?"

"Something," the girl grumbled grouchily, causing her girlfriend to chuckle. That laugh started to eat away at the darkness inside her, though. The cloud of depression was melting, ever so slowly. At least for now.

"Can you believe we're on our first date?"

"No. It feels like a dream, really."

"Paradise, even?"

"Only the best kind." They leaned in closer, closer. Candlelight flickered warmly between them. Halli's neckline slipped, exposing almost enough to leave little to the imagination. At that moment, drinks arrived. Blood red wine and water. Amelia tried the wine. It tasted odd. How are they managing to drink underage? Halli must have pulled a few strings.

"Are you ever going to try and end your life again?" The question really caught her off gaurd. Amelia nearly choked on her drink.

"I-I don't know," she coughed, reaching for her glass of water. Several desperate gulps later, she was able to breathe again and think more clearly. "My thoughts aren't something I can control. I thought you knew that."

"Right. I tend to forget that."

"Can't there be something I can do to help? I'd hate to lose you."

"As long as you're here to at least be my friend, that is enough to keep me alive."

"I want you more than just alive, though. You can be alive and not living, you know."

"I'm well familiar with that." Their food arrived just then. Amelia nearly moaned at the smell of fresh breadsticks, sauce, pasta, and mushrooms. Halli happened to have ordered the same meal as her. They ate in silence for a bit. Amelia appreciated all the spices and flavor in every bite. It was so much better than the bland scraps her parents had let her eat once a week. A painful cramp ripped through her lower region.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Amelia said softly after eating only half her meal. It didn't take long for her to find the restroom. She stopped short, though, when she caught sight of Ms. Delyn and her daughter Isa. They stared at one another for a long time before the teacher finally broke the awkward moment.

"Why don't you go off and find Daddy," she whispered. The two year-old was all too eager to leave the room. She straighened and looked at Amelia. This was the first time they had been alone since the French teacher had attacked her.

"Listen, I um..." Ms. Delyn sighed and shook her head. She tried again. "I've been seeing a psychiatrist for my issues. They still don't know what's wrong with me yet. My husband is filing for a divorce because he doesn't want me anywhere near my girl. If you have something to say to me, go ahead and say it. I've already lost everything as it is."

"Why haven't you lost your job yet?" Amelia still felt bitter that the woman had betrayed her.

"This will be my last year teaching. I have nothing to lose. You might as well have a go at me." Amelia shook her head.

"I'm not going to be mean to you."

"I suppose the torture I've given myself is more than enough."

"Precisely." The world began to blur as Amelia felt a flashback coming on.

"Amelia? Are you alright?" A shake of the shoulders. She had no control over anything anymore.

"Please answer me!" She was shaken harder, but barely felt it.

"Amelia! Amelia!" No response. There may as well not have been another person in the room. "I'm calling-" Gasps of panic. Choking sobs. It had been a particularly bad one. She ran to the sink and threw up. Ms. Delyn, alarmed, held back her hair and tried to soothe her.

"Are you alright?" she inquired when Amelia had finished.

"I need some water," she croaked at last. Ms. Delyn handed her a bottle of water. Amelia carefully took several sips and let out a strange sighing noise.

"What just happened?"

"A flashback. I really need to get back to Halli. She'll be worried about me." That was when another cramp made her bite down on her lip.

"You're in pain." Ms. Delyn looked her up and down, then frowned. "Hang on, take these." She handed over a couple white pills. "That should take care of the worst of it. I would get cramps bad enough that I couldn't leave my bed for days."

"But I'm...um..."

"I'll help you take care of that, okay?" Amelia wondered where the cruel, uncaring side of her teacher had gone. Unless she emerged only at odd times that no one could really explain, which in that case, it was no wonder the doctors were baffled by her.

"Are you okay?" Halli asked when Amelia finally came back. "I was just paying for the check so I could take you home. I could see you were..."

"It's fine," Amelia said quickly. "But we can go home. I'm tired."

"How was it?" Halli's mother inquired. Her parents were home, a rare thing. Amelia wondered who kept Halli financially supported if her parents weren't doing the job.

"The opera was fantastic, and the food was perfection," Halli replied joyfully. "I must be getting off to bed now. "Let's go, Amelia."

They laid in bed together. The pills were beginning to wear off. Amelia moaned and rolled over, trying to fall asleep. Halli pretended not to notice. The pain was now a constant ache in her pelvis and lower back.

"I'm getting you some medicine." After a couple more pills, Amelia was finally able to think clearly. Halli laid down next to her again.

"What would you do if I was pregnant?" Amelia blurted out. Halli looked at her in disbelief.

"I don't know, why do you ask?"

"The affair I had..." Halli winced. They hadn't done much talking about that.

"Oh, right. Can't we deal with that when it happens?"

"I didn't mean to-"

"I know. You don't even like guys that way. I just don't like the fact of a man putting his hands all over you like that, especially after the way your father-"

"Can we not talk about him?" she begged. "Can't we just lay here...and forget?" Halli pulled her close. A gentle kiss on the neck calmed her.

"Whatever you want," her girlfriend promised.

"What are you thinking about so hard?" Halli asked as they took their seats. Amelia smiled and shrugged.

"Oh, it's nothing," she responded with a small smile.