Amelia Clarkson

Amelia's POV;

"Hey come on let's go! We are gonna be late!" Kate said as she was all ready for her wedding. She was wearing a white broad necked dress that had a long tail but not too long made of net.

"Kate relax. The guests are still coming." I said

"Breathe Kate, just breathe." Elaine said as she tried to calm Kate down who was going to get married in just an hour

I watched both of them as I wore my heels. We were the bridesmaids. Well only me, Elaine and Leila. Claire decided not to be one because her son would give her trouble if she left him alone even for a second. She had a six months old son named Daniel.

"Are you guys ready? Where's Leila?" Kate said as she panicked. We all chuckled. We never imagined that Kate would be the one to panic this much at her wedding.

"Stop laughing you guys. I'm serious. I don't want one of my bridesmaid missing! Where is Leila?!" Kate said as she started looking here and there

"Calm down. I'm right here. You sent me to get water for you, right? Here you go." Leila said as she came holding a glass of water as she gives it to Kate

"Oh. Thanks." Kate replied as she drank it quickly

"So are we all ready?" Leila asked as she looked at all of us

"Oh wait. I forgot these." I said as I wore my favourite precious pumpkin bracelets. There were two exactly the same.

"Do you really wanna wear them? It doesn't match with the dress." Kate said

"I think they're cute." Elaine said

"Speaking of which, I have never seen you taken then off. What's the story behind it?" Leila asked

"I'll tell you guys some other time." I said smilingly as I wondered off in my memories

A few years ago when I was still in high school, everyone had winter vacations but my winter vacations got cancelled because of me missing a lot of tests and assignments so I had to come to school during winter vacations to give tests everyday and to finish the assignments as well, which I know was pretty unfair but I can't do anything about it. It was the first day as I finished giving my test and decided to go to the library to find some material about my assignment. My assignment was to read a whole book series and write reviews about it. I was never a book person. I'd rather watch the movie than to read it. But sir got angry at me when I said that and scolded me. He said I must have to read something. And furthermore it should be something uncommon and not some fictional book like harry potter. Which is so unfair.

I was looking through the shelves to find a book that had the smallest number of sequels and which was interesting as well. The whole school was empty and so quiet, which was to be expected. Everyone must be having so much fun enjoying their vacations while I'm stuck here. I mentally cried at this as suddenly my eyes went to a book whose name I found interesting.

The Other Side

The other side? That's interesting. I was about to pull the book out when someone else pulls it out. I was surprised at this as I didn't think anyone would be here. I turn to see a boy my age standing there. I recognised the boy although I couldn't recall his name but I'm pretty sure he's in the same class as me although he rarely comes to school.

"Oh sorry. You want this?" He said as he hands out the book to me

"Ah no. It's fine I'll find some other book." I said as I thought that I'll now have to find another book which is so troublesome

"Don't worry. I've already read this before so you can have it." He said as I take the book from him

"Thanks. Hey, do you know how many parts this book has?" I asked as I didn't want a book that had like 7-8 sequel books

"Only two. It's third is gonna come out soon." He replied

"Oh thanks." I said as I thought that this book is also thin and with only two parts, this is perfect for me.

"You're welcome." He said as he smiled as I thought why was he here. Isn't it winter vacations?

"Why are you at school? Isn't it vacations?" I asked

"I am taking extra classes since I didn't come to school for a long time." He replied

"Oh I see. By the way, my name is Amelia." I said as I smiled

"I know. You're in the same class as me. I'm Liam." He replied

"It was nice meeting you Liam." I said as I looked at the time. I still have to do this assignment plus prepare for tomorrow's test.

"I should get going. Got a lot to do. Bye!" I said as he also said bye and I went to sit at the corner table and put the book in front and was about to read it but I didn't feel like reading it. Reading books is so boring. I thought as I saw Liam sitting on the table in front. Is he here alone? I looked around to find the library empty except for us. And then my eyes went to the clock, which was haunting me. Oh shit. I'll read the book later. I'll first prepare for tomorrow's test. The reason I wasn't studying at home was because of my idiot brother who's one year older than me and his friends. They're so noisy.

While studying, I came across a problem whose answer I didn't know. I searched the book for its answer but I couldn't find it. Why have a question whose answer is not in the book? This is stupid, I thought as I looked up to see Liam immersed in his studying. Should I ask him? But he looks like he's busy. Ah well, it is boring studying alone anyways. I grabbed my books and bag and got up and went over to him.

"Umm...is this seat taken?" I asked as I pulled the seat in front of him. What am I saying? Of course this seat isn't taken. The whole school is empty. I'm so stupid.

"No." He said as he smiled

"So what are you studying?" I asked as I sat down

"English. You?" He replied

"Maths. Hey I have this question. How do you solve this?" I asked him as he wrote the formula down and told me how it was once mentioned in one of the examples. I then continued asking him other questions whose answers I didn't know and he helped me solve them all.

"Wow. You really are a genius aren't you?" I asked as I was impressed

"I don't know." He replied as he shrugged

"Sorry, I ended up taking a lot of your time." I said as I noticed he didn't touch his english book even once

"It's fine. I've read this before." He replied

"Then why read it again?" I asked

"Well they say I have extra classes but they just told me to check everything and if I have any problem I can ask them. It's all because I've studied all this before." He replied

"Oh wow. You really are a genius." I said as he chuckled. Cute. I thought. Oh, what am I thinking. Focus Amelia.

"So have you read that book yet?" He asked

"No. I will soon. It says it's a biographic book but isn't that supposed to be boring?" I asked

"Oh. Well not really. Although to me it's like a fantasy." He replied

"Fantasy?" I asked

"Yeah you'll understand when you read it. Or maybe you won't." He said as he looked outside the window. Why does his eyes says that they are hiding a lot of pain? Or is it just me over thinking?

"Oh look an ice cream truck!" He said suddenly excitedly

"Come on. Let's go." He said as he got up. I could see the excitement.

"You got excited just like a child." I said as I chuckled and got up

"Well there's no harm in that. Now come on." He said as he started running

"Wait for me." I said as I started running after him

"If we don't run, it's gonna be gone." He said as we both started running down the stairs and somehow I was having fun running through these hallways. Maybe it's because there's no one to scold us to not run.

When we finally managed to stop the truck, Liam told me to go buy ice cream for both of us as he has to go to the washroom.

"What was the point of running all the way down here if you aren't gonna buy it yourself?" I said

"Well I can't control the natural process now can I?" He said as we both then started laughing

"Okay okay. I'll meet you down here. Be quick or else the ice cream will melt." I said

"Yeah yeah. Oh, buy chocolate cone for me." He said as he was then gone. In that moment, I felt like his face was turning pale. Maybe it's just me. I then went and bought a chocolate cone for him and vanilla cone for me. It's kind of weird but fun at the same time eating ice cream in winters.

I sat down on the bench while waiting for him to come. Where is he? I looked around for him when suddenly someone puts their hands on my eyes.

"Ah cold." I said as he chuckles and sits next to me

"Well it is winters after all." He said

"Remind me why are we eating ice cream when its freezing cold?" I said

"Because life's too short to wait for summer." He said

"It's not that short." I said

"You never know." He said as he suddenly changed the topic and we started talking and laughing about something else

The next day, I again came to the library even though I didn't have to but I still wanted to see Liam. He's a really nice and fun guy. I can't believe I never talked to him ever before. Well it couldn't be helped as he rarely came.

I was sitting in the library as I was looking around everywhere to find him. Where is he? Suddenly I felt cold hands against my eyes.

"Guess who?" He said as I chuckled

"Liam. I was looking for.." I said as I coughed and said, "You are here today as well."
Suddenly saying to him that I was looking for him felt embarrassing to me.

"So what's up?" He asked as he sat in front of me

"Social sciences." I said

"Need help?" He asked as he smiled

"You sure? Don't you have to study?" I replied

"Nah. I've done it already. So what do you need help with?" He asked

"Well this part." I said as he then started explaining it to me

For the next whole week, each day I'd go to the library even though it wasn't required for me and I could study at home but it was because I wanted to see Liam. Each day he'd greet in the same way by putting his hands on my eyes and even though his hands would be cold, they somehow started becoming warm to me and I liked it. He'd help me study and then he would suddenly have the urge to eat something or we would sneak into the teachers room or prank someone. And we once went to the auditorium where Liam started acting as if he had won an award and started giving a fake acceptance speech. He even gave a fake speech about winning the elections which was so hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing that day. And everyday we would go to the gymnasium to play volleyball, basketball or table tennis. Although we would max play for like 15-30 mins but every day was so much fun with him that I never knew happiness could be this much. Our laughers and giggles would roam around the empty halls of the school. And yes, I admit I loved spending every second with him.

That day, I came to school on my bike. As we were about to head home, he saw it and told me he has never rode on a bike before.

"You serious? Even though you used to be part of the soccer and basketball club?" I asked

"Well I never got a chance to ride it before." He replied

"Well wanna ride it?" I asked as his face lit up with excitement. Seriously, I love how he suddenly gets excited. How can anyone be this cute!

After 5 mins, I was the one cycling while he was sitting at the back

"You know...when I offered it to you, I didn't mean it like this." I said as I suddenly stopped the bicycle

"Why did you stop? I was having fun." He said

"Why don't you try it yourself?" I asked as I got off and he also got off

"But it's embarrassing for a 17-year-old high schooler to learn how to ride a bike for the first time." He said

"Oh so this is embarrassing for the 17-year-old but eating a lollipop isn't embarrassing for that 17-year-old." I said as he shrugged and chuckled and said, "Nope." While having a lollipop in his mouth

"Enough joking. Get on. I'll teach you. Everyone should know how to ride a bike. Now I'm gonna push the cycle from behind and you pedal, got it?" I said as he got on and looked back at me and said, "You promise you won't let go, right?"

"We will see about that." I said as I started pushing the cycle. Surprisingly, I thought it'd be heavy since he's sitting on it, but it's not that heavy.

"Ah, how do I balance this thing?" He said

"Just stop moving it so much." I said as I then let go

"You liar! You said you wouldn't let go!" He shouted as I laughed. He then finally managed to balance the cycle. Look at him! He can ride a bike.

"Hey! Look! I am cycling! I really am cycling!" He said as he looked back at me with excitement and happiness all over his face

"Look at the front you idiot!" I said as he then went and crashed with a tree

"Are you alright?" I said as I ran to where he crashed

"Let's go again!" He said as I laughed

"Yeah yeah." I said as I pulled the cycle up and found him to be gone

"Liam?" I asked as I find him at a stall near us and I went towards him

"What's wrong?" I asked

"This reminds me of you." He said as he holds a pumpkin bracelet in his hand

"A pumpkin? Seriously? I remind you of a pumpkin?" I asked as I looked to see if he was serious or joking

"Yeah. So want to wear it? It'll be my gift." He asked

"If I'm wearing this weird bracelet then you have to wear it too." I said as I grabbed another one from the shelf

"Why do I have to wear it?" He complained

"Same reason as to why I have to wear it." I said as I grinned

"Fair enough." He said as he shrugged

That day we both bought a weird-looking pumpkin bracelet for one another. It was a weird-looking bracelet, but I love it because he gave it to me.

The next day, while at the library I was half studying and half waiting for Liam, it started snowing. I chuckled to myself thinking how any moment now, Liam is gonna come running through the door all excited about the snow. I kept glancing at the door. But he never came. Why? I kept on waiting for him. I even went and searched the school for him but he was nowhere to be found. I went back to the library hoping he would be there but he wasn't there as well. I called and messaged him so many times but he didn't pick up. I even stayed an hour late waiting for him but in the end he never came. That's when I got a message from him.

Sorry, I had some work to do at home so I couldn't make it. My phone was dead as I couldn't find its charger. See you tomorrow :)

Oh so that's it. I was so worried there for a second that something might have happened to him. I looked at my bracelet which I decided to wear all the time because it reminds me of him. I'm not stupid you know. I'm aware of my feelings. I was falling in love with Liam each day even more.

The next day, I was again waiting for him as suddenly I felt his hands against my eyes and my face lit up.

"Liam! You're here!" I said as I couldn't control my happiness

"Did you miss me?" He said as he smirked

"In your dreams. I didn't. Nor did I search the school for you or waited an extra hour for you. Nor I am sad at you for ditching me." I said as I averted my eyes and he chuckled

"Sorry. I really was planning to come but I had something to do. Oh by the way, I can see you're wearing that bracelet." He said as he quickly changed the topic

"Well you're wearing it too, aren't you? I said as I pointed at the bracelet he was wearing

"Because I like it." He said as he grinned

"Do you really like pumpkins so much?" I asked

"Well I love pumpkins the most same as I love you and wearing this bracelet reminds me of you." He said as he smiled

"Huh?" I said as my eyes went wide. Did he just confess? That was a confession, right?

"Oh look snow! Let's go!" He said as he got up suddenly and so did I. He just quickly changed the topic so maybe that wasn't a confession. And he meant it as a friends normal I love you. I don't know what to think. I followed after him and as soon as we reached the ground filled with snow, he threw a snowball at me.

"Hey!" I said as I threw it back at him and we started having a snowball fight, even though we weren't wearing any gloves and our hands were becoming red due to the cold but it was still so much fun and at this moment, I so much wanted to confess but I was hesitating. Because I was scared. I was scared of the fact if I confessed and he didn't feel the same then I would lose this forever. This time we had. Our laughter and fun. I didn't wanna lose it. And this reality scared me so much that I just stood there and when he threw a snowball at me. He noticed that I was out of it. He came near me and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Oh...nothing. My hands are getting cold." I said

"Oh then let's go back inside. Hey you want to drink coffee?" He asked as we went to the cafeteria

"Yeah." I said as I smiled. Is he really gonna ignore what he said before? Maybe he just said it in the spur of the moment. That made me feel sad.

"Here. Cappuccino right?" He said as he hands me the cup of coffee

"Thanks." I replied

"So how's your book reading coming along?" He asked

"Well I've read the two parts and it's so amazing! I actually cried while reading the second part. That guy has an incurable illness and he's gonna die soon. But still he's so hopeful and he lives his life to the fullest. It's actually so inspiring. I can't wait for the third part. I really wanna find out if he lives or dies. Although I really hope he lives." I said

"Yeah." He said

"But I still don't get why you said you found it to be a fantasy." I said

"You still remember that?" He said

"Yeah." I said

"Well he's sick. He has went to every doctor and has gone through so many surgeries. He even got himself a girlfriend that loves him so much and the doctors have told him he doesn't have much time to live. So him being all still hopeful and all cheery and living life knowing that he's gonna die soon, that's what I find something non real and a fantasy." He replied as I thought that I never thought of this way

"You really were looking at the other side of the book weren't you?" I asked

"Yeah. I mean I know that when the doctors tell me I ain't got much time to live, of course I'm gonna be sad. Not be that much hopeful like him. But you know, it's exactly because it's a fantasy, that I love this book so much. And if we look at it that way, I never would've gotten to know you if it weren't for this book." He said as he smiled. But somehow I felt like he was hiding a painful truth behind that smile. That smile was happy yet sad at the same time.

"That is true. But you know, if we are meant to be, we would've gotten to know each other some other way as well. That's what I believe." I said as I sipped my coffee thinking what I just said. Meant to be? Isn't that in a romantic way? I'm so stupid.

"You know, if you're wondering, that was a confession earlier." He said as my eyes went wide and my face went red. He was really serious? I thought he had forgotten all about it.

"Umm...I.." I said as he interrupted me and said, "I'm not really expecting an answer but I just really wanted to tell you how I feel."
Oh. So he doesn't want an answer. But should I confess back? I mean, I have to, right?

"Look what I brought." He said as he grinned and brought out a cigarette and a lighter

"What? Why?" I asked

"I've never smoked before but I've always wanted to see how it tastes and feels, you know. I borrowed it from my elder brother without him knowing though." He said

"Smoking is dangerous and its wrong, you know!" I said

"I know but when you're dying, you don't really think about what's wrong or right." He said as he chuckled

"What? What did you just say? Dying??" I asked as I got up. Dying? Is he really dying? My eyes were all about to become teary. He's joking right? He's gotta be joking right? Please tell me you're joking.

"Relax. I was only kidding. I said if. And besides, I just really wanna try this." He said as he laughed

"Stupid! You're an idiot!" I said as I thought he's really stupid! Who jokes about things like this? I was so worried. Idiot.

He then lights up the cigarette.

"You're really gonna try it?" I asked

"There's no harm. Besides I'm only gonna take one sip." I said

"Then me too." I said

"No way. Smoking is dangerous to health. You said it yourself." He said

"But you're still trying it." I said as he takes a sip and then blows out the smoke from his mouth

"So...how is it?" I asked as he doesn't reply

"Tell me. How is it?" I asked again as he hands me the cigarette

"Wanna see for yourself?" He said as I also took a sip and immediately coughed it.

"Ack! It's disgusting! I can't believe you made me taste that! Its tastes disgusting!" I said as I coughed and drank water

"I know right. I'm never trying this thing again." He said as he laughed and then threw it away

"Idiot." I said as I then laughed as well.

"Oh look at the time. We have to go home." He said as he got up and I followed after him
When we went to the gates and we had to go our separate ways, somewhat I didn't want this time to end. I didn't want to leave.

"Well then. Good bye." He said as he turned and started walking

I looked back at him as I then went up to him

"Liam, wait!"

I shouted to make him stop. He turned around to face me.

"Whats wrong?" He asked

"I love you too. That's all I wanted to say. See you tomorrow!" I said as I smiled and then I turned around and ran away. My cheeks were blushing. I can't wait to see him tomorrow. I didn't wait for him to reply because I was nervous. But I am happy I got to tell him how I feel.

The next day, I was waiting at the library for him. But he wasn't here. I was calling and messaging him again and again but he wouldn't reply or pick up. Is something wrong? Did something happen? I was getting more worried and anxious as more time passed. My eyes were glued to the door as I waited for him to come. I was hoping he'd come soon and he'd put his hands on my eyes and say guess who like he always did. Where is he??

My phone then rings as I see I got a message from him.

See you at the other side.

Huh? I thought as my phone slipped from my hands