AMELIA: Falling For My Best Friend

AMELIA: Falling For My Best Friend

Written By

Okwuma Esther (Esther~Writes)

Chapter One- AMELIA'S POV.

The school Gym was packed with students; everyone seemed excited as they watched the cheer team practice their end-of-year parade.

Loud pop music from one of Taylor Swift's popular jams played in the background as the girls danced.

It has been one busy summer, and I couldn't believe I was finally done with the school year and by September, I would be in my finals. My eyes darted around the gym as I watched guys gush over how sexy the cheer team was.

Not to lie, they were all hot, including the guys, with the hottest one being Valerie, the cheer captain and my nemesis. I could not help but glare at her with jealousy brimming in my heart; Valerie was the queen of Ravers High School. She was the typical blonde queen bee that was super rich.

As much as I hate her at times I wished I had her perfect body so that I would be out there with them. I love cheerleading, but unfortunately, I wasn't built for it.

Valerie changed her boyfriends like how she changed her expensive designers. Valerie stopped her flips as if sensing my gaze, then looked in my direction. It wasn't hard to spot me out among a crowd of students because of my appearance which I would describe as always sticking out.

A challenging smirk graced her lips, and she purred in her annoying, pitchy voice. "Amelia honey, do you want to try a flip? You can join the team if you can do one flip." She taunted then did a simple flip that got everyone laughing.

Now, everyone's attention was on me, Amelia; I was popular in school, but not for the right reasons. My hands clenched listening to her mocking tone.

She turned to face me with a smug look and her hands crossed under her bosoms. "Oh, I forgot you can barely work with your weight, and if you do a flip, you will most probably break the floor." She insulted me in front of everyone, and there was a roaring laugh.

"Wait don't tell me miss fatso wants to be on the team."

"She needs to step down on those burgers."

"She is too overweight to join. How would they carry her? The entire team can't even lift her!"

Following the queen bee lead, derogatory comments were now targeted at me. My hands clenched with my head bowed as I heard every one of those comments hit me hard in the heart, burning my chest with suffocating tears that threatened to spill over.

All I wanted was to watch the cheer practice for the end-of-school season game, but miss fatso was also not allowed to do that.

"Please stop," I mumbled, trying to stay strong, but the comments even got nastier.

"Aww, she can't talk. Don't tell me her mouth is too heavy to move. What a complete waste of space." Valerie's favorite minion and best friend, Hazel, sneered. That was enough, my fragile heart could not take it anymore. I tried but I couldn't.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them see me cry. I stood up quickly and stormed away.

"Make way for Miss Fatso before she flattens you!" Hazel's voice rang out, sharp and mocking. Laughter erupted behind me, but at least they parted to let me through.

Where was Dylan? He was usually the only one who ever stood up for me.

"Don't cry, Amelia. You're not fat, just plus-size," I kept whispering to myself as I hurried away. Well, hurried was a generous word. It felt more like escaping.

The gym door slammed shut behind me, and I pushed into the crowded hallway. People moved aside, but I kept my head down, not wanting to meet their looks of disgust.

I stumbled into the girls' bathroom, slammed the door behind me, and finally let the tears fall. They poured down uncontrollably, the sobs wracking my chest.

I cried until I heard a toilet flush.

Mortified, I tried to stifle my sobs, realizing someone had been there the whole time.

I edged toward a sink, splashing cold water onto my face. Just then, a cabinet door creaked open behind me, and a girl stepped out. She shot me a wary glance but said nothing, quickly washing and drying her hands before slipping out the door.

A long, shaky breath slipped from my lips as the bathroom door clicked shut behind the girl. Finally, I was alone.

I turned toward the mirror, flinching at the sight of my puffy red eyes.

My fingers pinched the fat on my cheeks before lifting the hem of my shirt to reveal my rounded stomach.

I wasn't obese - just plus-sized. But that didn't stop the cruel words from stinging.

"Amelia, just ignore them. You're pretty," I whispered, trying to soothe myself.

A sharp voice sliced through the air behind me.

"So this is how you lie to yourself, dear Amelia."

I jolted, spinning around to find Valerie leaning casually against the door, a smirk of disdain twisting her lips. Behind her stood Hazel and Zenya - the so-called Triple Witches.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, stunned. I hadn't even heard the door open.

Hazel scoffed. "What a dumb question. I guess your fat brain forgot this is a public bathroom," she sneered, earning giggles from the others.

My hands twisted nervously at my sides. Something about this felt wrong.

"Maybe there's no brain in that fat head at all," Zenya chimed in, her voice shrill with mockery. "All she can do is cry and lie to herself. Amelia, ignore them; you're pretty," she mocked, twisting my own words into something cruel and ugly.

"She's just delulu," Valerie said with a chuckle. That was enough for me.

I kept my head bowed, refusing to meet their mocking stares as I brushed past them toward the door. I reached for the knob - almost free - when a sudden, searing pain exploded at my scalp.

"Where do you think you're going?" Valerie barked, yanking my hair back.

"Let go of me, Valerie! I don't want trouble!" I snapped, trying to pry her fingers from my hair.

She leaned in close, her breath hot and full of venom against my ear.

"But I want trouble, Amelia," she hissed. "You think you're some big-shot bitch who can just walk away from me?"

Before I could react, she yanked harder, sending me sprawling backward onto the cold, white tiled floor.

She had a lot of strength considering her slender frame. My knees hurt, I glanced up, trying to stand up, but my body felt like a block. They were caving around me, with trouble written on their faces.

"What do you want? Just let me be!" I barked at them as my legs finally struggled to stand but Valerie's friends beat me to it. They kicked me on the knee, making me fall again, then grabbed my arms, caging me.

I struggled to free myself, but it was 3 to one. "Oh, I will let you go as soon as we have our fun and stop saying delusional things like you are pretty." Valerie snickered as approached me. My heart started beating, knowing what this bitch was good at.

Using all my strength, I shoved Zenya off, but Hazel didn't let go. She pushed me on the wall, and then the angry Zenya slapped me hard on my cheeks. It turned red.

They kicked me in the back and on my stomach, making me cry in pain as I fell to my knees. Then, they grabbed my arms, dragging me across the floor to their leader who watched everything in glee. My hair was disheveled and scattered all over my face.

They forced me to look up at Valerie. Valerie slapped my cheeks, which stung badly, then stepped on my head. "Then is where you belong, Amelia. Kissing the damned floor!" She spat, causing her friends to laugh.

This was humiliating, but there have been worse days. I don't hate Valerie for no reason. She raised her foot from my head and then yanked me backward, making me look up at her face.

"Why don't you cry again because your dear Dylan can't save you here. Just admit you are an ugly bitch and do everyone a favor to never show up again." Her face was twisted, and her voice was laced with disdain.

I smirked at her ignoring the pain all over my body that pissed her off. "The only ugly bitch here is you, Valerie." I spat on her face with my saliva and later regretted it.

AMELIA

Her face twisted in a way it never had as she cleaned off my spit. She was shocked at first by my audacity, but soon fury burst on her face. She kicked me in the face and my mouth bled as she screamed. "How dare you stinky bitch!"

Valerie pulled my hair with her friends pulling my hand towards a toilet cabinet. I panicked and started to struggle knowing exactly what they had in their mind. I fucked up.

The door was pushed open and I was pulled to the toilet. "I am sorry, Valerie, please, anything but this," I begged, but she ignored me and then shoved my head into the water.

She pulled it out, "Never in your freaking life do that again." She snapped then shoved me in again. Her friends held me in place so that I couldn't escape.

I wiggled and kicked my leg, fighting them, but it was no use as I was getting drowned in the toilet. They turned on the water to flush me. My screams were muffled by the water. I cried and screamed but no one came.

I could hear the girl's distant laugh, but it was getting blurry with my consciousness fading. The door burst open, making them jolt, and my head hit against the toilet bowl. The last thing I heard was a familiar male voice scream. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING TO HER, VALERIE!" He came, but it was too late. Blood blurred my eyes, and everything went dark.

A groan left my lips as my eyes opened. My head was killing me. Still disoriented, I reached out to touch my head and was stunned to realize that it was wrapped in bandages.

"What am I doing here?" I murmured trying to sit up on the bed. I was in the nurse's office, but what really happened? I wondered, trying to piece everything together that happened before I lost consciousness.

I slowly recalled Valeria bullying me in the toilet then someone burst in. My eyes sparkled with excitement, and Dylan came. As if answering my questions, I heard a familiar ringtone from the bedside. My eyes are drawn to it.

It was Dylan's phone that was ringing. He had left it there. My curiosity tugged my mind to take a little peek at who was calling. I regretted immediately picking up the phone. It was an unknown caller, but Dylan's wallpaper was what struck a chord in my chest.

It was a strange girl, a curvy girl I hadn't seen before, and she was smiling at the camera. It gave me a bitter feeling. 'So this is the type of girl he loves.' I thought. Dylan had been my best friend since we started high school.

It was weird how a fatso and the beau of the high school could be friends but it started when he realized we were both smart. He was the only one who stood against the bullying, and yes, I was hopelessly crushing on my best friend, but he never saw me as more than a friend and study partner.

My ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps and I quickly dropped the phone back on the table and pretended like nothing happened.

"Amelia," I heard a soft, familiar, baritone voice call out my name, drawing my attention towards the door. There he was, Dylan, my secret crush and best friend. He was over six feet, with chestnut brown hair and grey eyes.

He was the number one heartthrob, and I wasn't even an exception. "Dylan," I answered excitedly, then my eyes dimmed, remembering the girl on his wallpaper. "I can see you are up. You got me scared there when I saw you unconscious bleeding through your head." He said walking towards the bed.

I ignored him and pulled out the sheet to lie on the bed backing the entrance. Bitter jealousy was eating me and I honestly didn't want to talk to him. I could not help but wonder who the girl on his wallpaper was. She was slender and pretty, a far cry from my pathetic self.

He was like everyone else. Who knows if he secretly laughed at me behind my back? "I heard my phone ringing earlier." He mentioned it but I didn't reply or turn over to face him. Dylan sighed, grabbing his phone from the table then sat by the bed. His strong presence behind me was hard to ignore but I was persistent.

"Amelia, are you mad at me?" He asked with a gentle tone that was smooth on the ear. I pressed my eyes together to not cave in. "Why would I be mad at you? I am just tired and prefer to be left alone." I grumbled at him.

"You are mad," he stated the obvious, not that I was going to tell him why. "Why are you mad? If it's because of the Val incident, I am sorry for not coming sooner before things spiralled out of control, but as soon as I heard about what she did in the gym, I ran to help you." He explained but I ignored him.

He didn't like the silent treatment, and there was no way he could guess I was being petty because of his wallpaper. Just remembering how gorgeous the girl with lovely strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes gave me a bitter taste in my mouth. She was even smiling, flashing her lovely dimples.

"Amelia, please talk to me; I have already reported Val to the principal and got my parents involved. This time, she won't avoid punishment." He urged me, walking over to the other side of the bed, but I just flipped over. "It won't make a difference; she is pretty, hot and rich. Who cares if she bullied a fatso. Please, can you just leave me alone?" I sneered at him.

"Come on, don't be like that. I know Val isn't the reason you are mad; you are pretty and just chubby, and that's your charm." Dylan tried to reassure me, but it was hard to believe him. If I was pretty to him, why hasn't anything changed between us all these years?

I was sure he recognized how my eyes sparkled when I saw him but I guess it was a one-sided crush. "Please tell me what's bothering you. I don't like when you are cold. Don't think about Valeria. You have no idea what those girls take, and some of them are just plastic." He persistently asked what was bothering me. I scoffed inward. If he thought of those girls as fake, why did he have one as his wallpaper?

Knowing Dylan's personality, he wouldn't stop bothering me until I gave an answer of a sort. I lied. "But Val has tons of guys at her wait to ask her for prom, and I haven't been asked not even once since we got into high school and by September, will be in our senior year." I snapped at him, it was half true but I just wanted him to leave so that I could be alone.

"Is that what has been bothering you?" He asked, which made me feel defeated. He will never understand what I meant. Dylan didn't need to ask a girl for prom. Even seniors asked him out. He has even won prom king without being a senior.

"Dylan, please leave. I want to be alone." I said tiredly, hoping he would ignore my whining, but to my shock, he smiled at me and then held my hand. "You should have spoken out earlier. I would love to go to prom with you."

I was left dumbfounded, unable to believe my ears. "Please stop joking. Why would you want to go with me." I said, pulling my hand from his hold, but his grip tightened, and he brought it to his lips.

Dylan placed a soft kiss on the back of my palm that sent sparks running through my skin, and with the most stunning smile I had seen before, that left me breathless. His lips parted, and the next words he said felt surreal. "Amelia Reece, please, will you be my prom date?"

My heart skipped a beat, and my lips parted but Dylan was quick to place his fingertips on my lips before adding. "Please say yes, Amelia dear. I really want to attend prom with my sassy bestie who finally decided to leave her shell..."

Was he being serious?

AMELIA

The room was brightly lit, and I was all giggles and smiles. If this was a dream I didn't want to wake up.

"Give mum a smile dear," my cheered me up with the brightest smile ever as she used her old camera to take a picture of me in my prom dress. It wasn't just any dress but a diamond arcrest dress, one of the most popular designer brands.

They were the only brands that I could kind to have the best dress for me that hugged all my curves perfectly. A soft smile hung on my face as I smiled sweetly at the Camera while Mum took multiple.

"That's my baby, I can't believe this day finally came. Mum said dramatically wiping off a tear. Dad's soft chuckle could be heard from the door. They were both happy I was going to prom this year and with Dylan as a bonus. This was my first ever and I was super excited.

"Of course, this day was meant to be our angel finally winning over her crush," Dad said, and my cheeks went red while Mum smiled teasingly. "Dylan isn't my crush he is just my friend," I argued back. Mum literally rolled her eyes at me while checking the images she had taken.

"Yeah, believable; anyone who sees the way your eyes light up when he is around would know the obvious truth." She teased me, and my cheeks got redder. It was weird saying stuff like this with your parents. They continued teasing me and talking about their prom dates back in high school. It was so embarrassing.

Luckily, my buzz saved me right in time. It was a text from Dylan he was already at the door.

I cleared my throat drawing their attention back to me. "Yes honey, is anything wrong about the dress?" Mum asked sounding concerned.

"No, it's perfect," I said, playing with my fingers before shyly adding. "Dylan is already at the door." Their eyes sparkled then Dad left in a hurry.

My lips pursed into a tight smile, Dylan was about to have an ear full. Mum grabbed my hand sliding something into my palms. "You are technically an adult now and I know how you teenagers are. Don't do anything stupid, and be back before 11." She said before pulling into a hug.

I nervously opened my palms to see condoms sachets in my palms. My jaws dropped unable to believe this. "But mum.." No way would have between Dylan and I, we haven't gotten to that stage. I wanted to explain but she shushed me.

"Shush, that's enough darling. I was once a girl with a crush. Just have fun and be back by 11." She cautioned with no room for argument.

I gave myself one last look in the mirror before heading out nervous about Dylan's reaction. From the stairs, I could hear Dad giving Dylan tons of warning.

My gaze fell on him close to the door and he was looking rather dashing. Dylan glanced in my direction and heard the soft clicking sounds of my heels. He froze at first; my heart was beating wildly, my palms going sweaty, wondering if he hated the way I looked.

Then a soft smile graced his lips that sparkled in his grey eyes. I wondered what he thought. He left Dad, walking up to the foot of the stairs to wait for me. "You look dashing, Amelia; the dress was made for you." He complimented me as he took my hand.

God my face went completely red. "You are as handsome as always," I answered. It seemed like we were in our words. My dress was a peach colour mermaid tail dress that complimented my skin reflection and body shape. I was looking snatched in my outfit. Mum suggested I let my chestnut hair down. I did, and finally, a beautiful smile that sparkled with my blue eyes.

I felt confident in myself for once. Dylan, on the other hand, had chocolate brown hair combed back, and he had a dark grey tuxedo that was a perfect fit, showing his gorgeous devil. It felt like a dream, my hot bestie was talking me to prom.

I heard someone clear their throat drawing our attention to them. "Enough with the dog food better start heading out and remember 11 pm and not a second more." Mum urged Dylan to nod and then led me out of the house.

His hands were warm. My parents stood at the doorway until we got into the car, which, of course, was a white limo benefit of having a rich date. Dylan's family was wealthy and the limo was his dad's.

"No way," I gushed walking close to the limo. "It's nothing, Amelia. My family is just well off." He chimed which was true. Dylan held the door open for me to get in then I followed behind.

There was a wine bucket with glasses in the car. "Do you want a drink?" He offered, but I shook my head nervously, sitting by his side. It was still early to drink.

He suddenly leaned closer, my heart beating wildly, wondering if he wanted to kiss me. His warm, minty breath and citrus and cinnamon-based scent evaded my senses. It was super intoxicating. My eyes closed, making for his lips to meet mine.

I felt his fingers graze my cheeks before tucking my hair behind my ears. He pinned something in my hair. "Happy Prom, Amelia," he chimed, and my eyes fluttered open; I touched my hair to realize he tucked a rose there. The normal prom tradition is, "Same to you,, Dylan." I blurted then glanced away, embarrassed I thought he would kiss me.

"You truly look amazing, Amelia; peach is your colour." Those were the best things I have heard tonight. I had to glance at the window to hide my blushing cheeks.

****

Finally, our white limo arrived at the red carpet, and the doors were opened by the chauffeur. Dylan got out first then gave me his hand. The blinding lights of the camera were what welcomed me; my grip on Dylan's hand subconsciously tightened.

"Try to relax, I am here." He whispered in my ears sensing my distress. We made our way to the hall. As if the world froze, everyone's eyes were on us, but instead of the disgust I expected, it was amazing and surprising.

We made our way inside, Dylan was by my side the entire time. Whispers were going around everyone was stunned that Dylan was my date. "She actually looks stunning. I can't believe it's Amelia." I heard one whisper.

There were similar whispers like that going around, I was a hot topic on their lips instead of Valerie. Thinking of the devil, she appeared at the far end of the hall; my eyes fell on Valerie. She was with her date, the head of the basketball team, and a senior who was most likely to be prom king.

Her expression went stiff when she saw me, but slowly, a soft smile graced her lips. She whispered something into her date's ears and he nodded. She walked up to me slowly swaying her hips seductively. Her dress was blue, and Valerie was perfect in every way. It must be annoying for her to find out I was stealing the spotlight. "That's not a bad dress, Amelia," she said in a fleeting moment as she bumped shoulders with me, then smiled at Dylan before walking past.

It was a strange exchange and I honestly didn't want to think about it. "Let's get a drink," Dylan suggested, I shrugged off the weird feeling Amelia gave and nodded.

Taking a drink did help me loosen up, soon after the first dance started which I shared with Dylan. It was the most magical moment of the night staring into Dylan's eyes and swaying according to the slow music. My hand was on his shoulders while he held my waist, smiling sweetly at me.

We danced in a private spot, but I knew everyone's eyes were on us, but I couldn't care less. I was happy, and everything was going perfectly.

The night was Worth it, Dylan was amazing. He didn't leave my side for a second and I received countless compliments for my dress. Before I knew it I was smiling like a fool.

"Hello, can I get your attention, everyone?" The principal's voice boomed through the sound system drawing our attention to the stage. The hall went quiet. It was time, "I know what you are all thinking; it is indeed time to crow this year, prom queen and king." She announced smiling.

"Please can I get the nominee for prom queen on the screen?" She requested turning back to the large screen behind the stage. The names appeared and I froze. "Amelia Reece," I muttered in disbelief. What was my name?

"You got nominated, Amelia. Come on go on stage." Dylan urged me. I was too stunned to move until he literally shoved me towards the stage. This was the best night of my life. Even if I didn't win, it was worth it.

A round of applause echoed as the nominee got on stage. I wasn't surprised to see Valerie there. I walked past, and it seemed like she stepped on my dress. Unfortunately, I was too caught up in the moment to realize until I turned around and faced the crowd.

Everyone went silent staring back at me. The principal was surprised by their reaction; she turned around, her eyes popping out in horror. "What happened to your dress Amelia?"

Confused I glanced down at myself to see what was wrong. At that moment, my world crumbled. My dress was torn on the skirt, I nervously tried to move, and it made it worse as the tear mark increased up to my chest region, exposing my bosom.