Welcome home
Amelia's POV : I was running through John Fitzgerald Kennedy Airport in New York to find out which gate to board.
"Your attention, please. The flight MN2211 will take off soon. So please board as soon as possible at gate six. Thank you."
With my red suitcase in hand and my green backpack on my back, I ran like a madwoman desperately looking for someone or something. The thing I was looking for was gate six. There was such a crowd that it was impossible to become claustrophobic inside this airport. After several minutes of research, I was finally able to arrive at the famous door that I was looking for. The stewardess gave me a smile while I smiled broadly at her, happy to be able to board in time:
"Hello Miss.
- Good evening, Miss.
- Give me your ticket and passport please"
I furtively reached for my passport and ticket in my green backpack and pulled it out excitedly because I could finally go home. I came to New York a few months ago to find work as an actress. Unfortunately, the American dream ended in failure for me because I only found insignificant and unimportant roles in plays performed in cafes or bars. I thought then of all the failures that I have known, going from one of the little girls in Peter Pan to a servant in the play adapted from Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare without forgetting the grotesque adaptation of Titanic where I played a cook!
So I preferred to go home after five months away from my family and friends:
"Miss Ertz, on behalf of the Blue Star Company, I welcome you and wish you a good trip to Kentucky.
- Thank you so much. Have a good day.
- Same for you"
I nodded and walked through the door to head for the plane. On entering, I looked for a place near the toilets because I often get airsick and sat next to a very attractive and very handsome man.
"You only live once so I might as well sit next to him and approach him" I thought in my head with a smirk.
"Hello, Sir. Do you mind if I sit next to you?
- I don't mind at all. Why would I refuse a girl as beautiful as you to sit next to me?"
I smirked as this handsome stranger tapped on the seat, motioning me to sit on it. After I sat down, I grabbed my phone and texted Brianna, my best friend:
"Hey Bri, I just wanted to text you so you could know that I am in the plane"
A few seconds later, she replied:
"Hiiiiii Lia! I am so excited to see you, it has been such a long time! Call me when you land so I can pick you up"
I sighed with relief when I saw the message because I didn't know how to get home:
"Thank you so much, Bri, for making it so easy.
Then the flight attendant approached and took a microphone:
"Dear passengers, please turn on your electric devices like your phones and fasten your seat belts"
I took a few seconds to write a message to Brianna informing her that we were going to take off and I put it in my green bag. Then I turned my head to the mysterious stranger sitting next to me. His smile was so soft and beautiful, he smiled with his teeth allowing me to realize that he had a gap between the two:
"So, what's your name?
- My name is Amelia but my friends and family call me Lia
- Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl
- Oh my God, thank you so much"
We both laughed silently before he spoke again.
"My name is Ash
- This is a cute name
- Haha, thank you
- No problem
- So, tell me, are you from Kentucky?
- Yes, but I moved to New York because I want to be an actress. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky and didn't find good roles in movies...
- I love people who follow their dreams. You seem really ambitious.
- Thank you. And you, why are you here in New York?
-I am from Kentucky as well. I came here for studies but I kinda miss Kentucky so I will finish my studies there. I am going to my cousin's family so they can host me
- I see. For my part, I never really loved school.
- Me too! But, my parents forced me to become an engineer.
- That's sad.
- Yes but, engineers earn a lot of money and the job is interesting so I can't complain to be honest haha.
- So it is alright then
A member of the crew arrived and offered us several drinks including water, tea, coffee or milk. He looked at me and asked, “do you like coffee?”
I nodded subtly as Ash said,
"So we will take coffee
- Alright
She gave us each a steaming cup of coffee which I had difficulty keeping between my fingers because of the heat so I placed it next to me in a cup holder:
"It is so hot
- I disagree. I like my coffee hot
- Speak for you
He drank his coffee while I watched him. Ash looked like Apollo himself, he had certainly been sculpted by God himself. It was impossible to look away. Her short brown hair looked silky that I wanted to caress it, her emerald green eyes like tapered almonds were so cute not to mention her perfect nose and her thin pink lips. He was so big that I felt tiny compared to him. He probably thought I was crazy watching him drink like that, but instead he just smiled and looked back at me so that we made eye contact. I couldn't help but smile back at her unearthly beauty.
After he finished his coffee, we talked the entire flight until the plane landed:
"Dear passengers. We have landed at Pundacah. Please, leave the plane and make sure that you didn't leave your belongings. Thank you for choosing Bluestarlight. It is morning now. Have a good day"
I quickly got off the plane and entered the airport while waiting in front of the carpet to collect my red suitcase which was in the hold. Then I felt someone tap my shoulder. Turning around, I saw Ash, looking sad:
"Why did you run away from the plane like that?
- I hate planes and I am so excited to see my friends. I am just waiting for my suitcase and I will call my friend so she can pick me up.
- I see. I thought you hated me"
How can you seriously hate a man as handsome, kind and intelligent as Ash?
"No! Not at all I really like you
- Same for me
- I am glad that I left a good first impression on you
- I have a request
-Which one?
-Give me your phone number, please"
How can you refuse such a request in the face of such a cute man? You would really have to be stupid or have no brains to refuse such a thing.
I took my phone out of my pocket and gave it to him:
“Noted” he replied.
My suitcase arrived and he helped me lift it:
"Here you go
- Thank you"
I walked towards the exit of the airport and waved goodbye. I dialed Brianna's phone number:
“Hey Bri!
- Hi Lia
- I have just landed
- I'm going to arrive soon. Just give me five minutes
-Take your time"
I hung up and grabbed a mirror from my bag to do my hair and makeup. I patted my hair and put all my things in my green backpack. I heard a horn and looked up to see Brianna. She parked and got out of her car as we ran towards each other. We shouted each other's names while hugging each other:
"Lia...I missed you so much
- Bri, don't make me cry, please. My mascara isn't waterproof"
She laughed as I smiled at him. I only realized now how much I missed Brianna. It's true, we spoke to each other on the phone every day, but the virtual world can never replace reality.
After about ten minutes of strong and intense emotion, we were on the road discussing everything and nothing:
“You want to go to your parents house?
- No, they aren't here. They went to Seoul
- I would have thought that they went to Paris. After all, your mom is French.
-And?
- Your parents met because your mom wanted to live the American dream. The first language you learn is French because your mom taught it to you before you entered school. And you only talk to her in French
- I guess she is proud of being French
- Well, let's change of topic"
I looked at her with amazed eyes, wondering what she wanted:
“We should go to a bar tonight.
- It is my first night here and you want me to get drunk?
-It’s your first night here! Live your life, I don't know
- You are right but, I don't have dresses
- You forgot who is your best friend"
A smirk played on her lips as I chuckled and looked at her out of the corner of my eye.
“How was the flight?
- Good. Even really good.
- Hmm...So you met a guy I guess
- Yes. He is like so tall and super strong. He is like Apollo
- Wow. He seems handsome
- And he is!
- Tell me you have his phone number!
-He has mine
-We need to celebrate it tonight
-Yes!”
She pressed buttons on her CD player and music came out. A bohemian and romantic playlist. Brianna has always loved romantic novels and loves sweet romantic comedies worthy of fairy tales. For my part, I like romances. But, realistic romances. I'm not talking about romances where the man and woman are royalty and "end up happy and have lots of children" because that is misleading and false. A true romance is one in which there are ups and downs and limitless love.
After about four hours of driving, we arrived at my hometown, Paducah. Ah, I missed this city. A hint of nostalgia hit me as I got out of Brianna's car. It was strange to see my city again. The landscape had not changed. The houses were the same, the leaves on the trees always had the same color and there were always children running around having fun. Paducah is the only city I lived in before moving to New York. It's the city where I lived my first times: my first ice cream, my first school year, my first best friend, my first house and finally... my first boyfriend.
I lowered my head thinking about him. Him, the reason I don't want a serious relationship. Him, my first love and last. It may sound cliché but I can't see myself dating anyone other than him. After all, he was the first and only one I loved. “Town didn’t change
-Indeed"
I sipped my glass of hot milk and stirred the spoon before replying:
"It is six PM. We should maybe start trying on dresses
-You are right"
I drank my glass of milk in one gulp before following Brianna to her room:
"Dresses are in the closet. Pick what you want"
I disappeared into the dressing room and took out a fairly long burgundy red dress that went down to my ankles before going out:
“What do you think of it?
- Lia! We are going to have fun and flirt with guys! Do you really want to wear this filthy dress?
- But, Bri, I don't want to flirt with men. My body, my choice, you always say that
- Yes but, why don't you want to flirt?"
Elijah's POV :
"Damn, I told you that I don't want to go to a bar tonight
-Elijah, we are going to have fun. And there are a bunch of girls there
I sighed in annoyance at my sister, Olivia's, request:
"I don't want to have a girlfriend for now. Especially after what happened with Amelia
- It's okay. I know that you are still heartbroken but do it for me, please
- You know, I hate you right?
- No, you are my big brother so obviously you love me"
I growl in frustration because this little pest makes me accept all kinds of things without me having a say and that frustrates me to no end.
Amelia's POV :
" Is it because of him?"
I jumped on her bed and groaned screaming before sitting up and lying on it:
"It is not him. It is Him with a capital letter.
- You should try to forget him
- You never forget your first love. You still have feelings for him even when you are married
- Lia...
- Bri!”
I put my head in my hands thinking about him. His image and voice are still so fresh and clear in my head. I have never forgotten him, I cannot and will not forget him
Elijah's POV :
So here I am in a bar on a Sunday evening at seven o'clock in the evening:
“Two glasses of whiskey, please!
- With ice?
-Without"
The waiter prepared two glasses of whiskey with a slice of lemon on the side of each glass. Olivia thanked him while I drank the glass in one gulp:
"Elijah! Whiskey is a strong alcohol. Be careful
- Oh, if you knew Liv, I don't care"
Amelia's POV:
After at least thirty minutes of trying on, me and Brianna were finally ready. While Bri fixed her makeup, I brushed my hair:
“Our first night together between girls” said Brianna while applying her lipstick
"Yes! Are you going to get drunk?
- No, I know my limit. I don't want to wake up in the bed of a stranger tomorrow
- Oh my god, I leave and you become so mature
- Shut up "
We both laughed in embarrassment and left his apartment hand in hand, excited for our first girls' night out in a long time.
After about twenty minutes, we arrived at the bar and went to the counter where we were greeted by a fairly young waitress:
“2 glasses of your less strong alcohol, please.”
She nodded and prepared our two drinks before our eyes. She poured an alcohol whose name I don't know, added ice cubes and toothpicks stuck with olives. Giving them back, the waitress wished us a good evening.
Brianna put the toothpick between her teeth and ate the olives:
“Bri, have you noticed any sexy boy yet?
- Well, the one behind you isn't too bad. The one on my left is actually handsome and the one at the corner is sexy.
- We have been here since less than ten minutes.
-What can I say? I have the eye"
Brianna has always had the heart of an artichoke! She likes to fall in love with and date any boy. This is why she often finds herself heartbroken. Being very beautiful and curvy, it is natural that many men are interested in her. We are opposites because I never really liked the company of boys since I judge them as distractions. It seems that opposites attract in love, I think that works for friendship too after all.
Elijah's POV:
“Elijah, look at the girl else there!
-What?
- The girl with a purple dress and long straight brown hair. Unfornately, we only can see her from behind"
Looking up, I noticed a girl with a purple dress that reached below her knees, she was of average height, with long brown hair. Liv was right because she was truly beautiful. Suddenly I saw the person in front of her, it was Brianna. If it was Brianna then there was no doubt it was...
Amelia's POV:
"Oh my God !
-What? You saw an Italian mafia boss so sexy that you want to talk to him?
- No! Worst! Don't turn around!
-Why? Bri, explain why!
-Elijah is here. And he is looking over here
- You are lying, right?
-I wish I was"
Elijah... My first and only boyfriend. The first boy I had feelings for. The first boy I gave my heart to. The first boy to break my heart. My first and only disappointment in love. The first boy I cried for. The first boy who kissed me. The first boy who loved me and made me feel loved. The first boy made me feel doves and not butterflies in my stomach. The boy.
"Order me something to drink
-Amelia...
- Bri! I'm serious
- You shouldn't do that
- Aim...
-Lia..."
Tears began to fill my eyes and since we were in a public place, I struggled with Herculean strength to make them disappear. I then grabbed the bottle of Gin that I saw at the corner of the bar and finished it glass after glass. Then, the black hole.
Elijah's POV:
"Liv...This girl is Amelia
- You must be kidding, right?
- No! Look at the girl in front of her!”
.She took a moment to observe them and let out a silent cry of surprise:
“It’s Brianna!
- So it means that this girl is...
- Yes."
Amelia was the first girl I loved. She was the first girl to catch my eye out of the horde of girls who wanted to go out with me. As a quarterback in high school, I was one of the most popular boys. I had a lot of suitors, from the first year to the last. None interested me but she was different. Amelia didn't need to wear revealing clothes with low-cut necklines or even wear indecent vulgar makeup. Amelia was Amelia. Sweet like honey, kind like an angel and radiant like the sun. We broke up a few months ago because she wanted to follow her dream of becoming an actress in New York but I couldn't leave Punducah since I had a scholarship for my sports career. Everyone close to me told me to forget him, but how can you forget your first love? Amelia was the girl I loved the most and who made me suffer the most.
Sadness and rage invaded my heart:
"Liv... I want to go
- But, Eli, you can just turn around and forget that you saw her!
- I don't want to waste the fun you are having so I am just going to order alcohol
- Alcohol will not solve your problems
- If I get drunk, I won't be able to think straight and I will forget her presence
-Eli..."
Without her being able to finish my sentence, I wave to the bartender and he brings me a bottle of whiskey:
“It is whiskey, it is too risky!”
- Liv, I don't give a fuck - Eli!"
I open the bottle and drink it, without even taking a glass. Olivia tries to snatch the bottle from my hands but she can't. After a few minutes, I finished the seventy-five centiliter bottle of whiskey. Then the black hole...
