57

Amora

I bit onto my lip holding up the paper as I scanned through it.

I sighed realizing I still didn't get a thing that was on it, slowly placing it down onto the desk.I sat back crossing my arms as I thought to myself.

Geez I am totally turning into some sort of crazy, study student.

Suddenly the phone that laid right by my hand rang, completely catching me off guard making me slightly flinch back.

I sighed, suddenly widening my eyes once thinking about who could it be, making me quickly snatch the phone up.

"Hello?" I quickly breathed.

"Amora? You busy?" Carries voice spoke.

I let out a soft sigh, looking down as my heart sadly dropped. "Uh..well I was just doing work like a second ago so..yeah?"

"Mhm..no. Alright, you've been going mental. We're having a sleepover, ok? Fantastic" she stated.

"What? What do you-

"We'll be there at six!" Her voice cheered before cutting the line.

I looked down at the phone in confusion, huffing loudly as I tossed it back onto the desk.

——

I walked down the stairs, shaking my head with an eye roll once hearing the doorbell ring for the second time.

I pulled the door open to be faced with a smiling Carrie, William and Maddy, with Penelope who stood off behind them.

"Carrie what do you mean we're having a sleepover? I still have so much-

"Exactly. That's exactly it Amora, you got to much on your plate and you're going insane. You're taking one night and relaxing" she cut me off, walking off into the house past me.

"And I'm telling you. Not asking" she added, pointing a firm finger at me.

I shook my head, glancing over towards William and Madeline who nodded, stepping inside behind her.

I sighed, looking over towards Penelope who still stood at the door, waving her to come inside before closing the door.

"So then now what Carrie?" I questioned, looking towards her and perking up an eyebrow.

"Glad you asked. Yummy treat. Two words, Marlon Brando" she smirked, digging into her bag and holding up a tape.

"My god..I don't know why you dragged me into this. I'm not about to sit with three giggly girls who are drooling over some guy!" William groaned, throwing his head back with huff.

"Hush hush. You're with the bests girls in the valley! Sit your butt down" Carrie ordered, pointing over towards the couches.

It's now been about two hours into this so called sleepover that Carrie completely made on the spot and wiggled me into. And I'll quite admit, it was pretty fun. I had completely forgot about studying and reading and even everything going on with Benny.

But as soon as I remembered I quickly made a point to call him. I looked over towards everyone who sat next to me, clearing my throat before speaking. "Uh..I'll be right back I'm going to go change"

I pushed myself off from the couch once they nodded, briskly making my way up the stairs. I was halfway down the hall when suddenly, weirdly running into Penelope.

"Penelope? Uh..what are you doing up here?" I questioned, looking around the hall and glancing towards my room.

"Oh I was just using the bathroom. Mads was using the downstairs one and I nearly was pissing myself" she explained, shrugging with a small laugh.

I slowly nodded. I mean it was true, Madeline did at some point get up to use the restroom. "Oh alright"

I nodded, about to walk past her when slowly stopping and turning around. "Hey Penelope..have you and Benny hung out anytime soon. I mean the last time you told me was a few days ago and..I- I was just wondering"

She stared at me for a moment, scratching her head before nodding. "Yeah..we played at the sandlot together again. It was pretty fun?"

Although she shrugged and brushed it off like it was nothing and just something small, no big deal. It sparked a little anger in me. It almost felt like she was somehow taunting me by telling me how much they've hung out when I haven't seen in him days.

But, I pushed that thought away and nodded. "Oh ok. Thanks"

I shot her a small smile and nod before turning around, immediately pressing my lips together to hold in a scoff as I began to walk away.

I soon paused, thinking to myself carefully before slowly turning back around and walking over. "Penelope!" I called.

She paused in her tracks from walking down the stairs, turning around and looking up at me. "Yeah?"

I bit onto the inside of my cheek, crossing my arms as I sighed. "Come here. I want to ask you something"

She stood for a moment, glancing back towards the three that sat at the couches before complying and walking back up the stairs.

She walked back over, stopping once she was in front of me. "Yeah?"

I stared at her for a moment, eyes squinting slightly as I huffed. "Are..are you trying something with Benny?"

Immediately her face fell, shaking her head with a disbelieved laugh. "What! No, no way what the hell?"

"Penelope..be honest with me" I insisted, shaking my head, completely not buying it.

"Pfft wow you're ridiculous. Are you that insecure? I've already said no" she laughed, shaking her head in denial.

Immediately my heart dropped, perking up an eyebrow as I scoffed. "What? Insecure? Please Penelope trust me I am anything but insecure"

"Well you're acting like it. What's your problem I thought you said it was fine?" She questioned, tilting her head slightly.

"No. I'm not acting like anything. I'm asking because I've bit my tongue too long. Come on Penelope I see the way you are with him" I explained, scoffing as I shook my head.

"Like how? Like friends?" She questioned, crossing her arms.

Now with that is where I was stuck. I really had no evidence to prove to her. I can't say because they talk, laugh, play baseball? I can't say because she just gives me an odd, off feeling?

"What? Exactly, there's nothing wrong besides the fact that you're easily whining for nothing" she scoffed, shaking her head as she turned around the walk away.

"Penelope I'm not stupid. Ok maybe I don't have any true reason, but I'm sure I can detect when someone's found an obvious romantic liking towards my boyfriend" I quickly called to stop her.

She paused, turning around with a laugh."Really? A liking. What, do you think I have a secret crush on him or something?"

I thought for a moment, crossing my arms with a shrug. "I don't know. You tell me?"

She stared at me, cracking into a hysterical laugh as she clapped her hands. "God. You are really so insecure you can't stand another girl in his life?"

"No. I can, because I do. I'm obviously not questioning Madeline or Carrie. Only you Penelope. Just you" I explained, slowly growing angered at her statement.

"Sure. Just admit you're insecure Amora. I'm sure I'd be if I were you" she snickered, motioning over towards me.

I scoffed, being taken back by her words as I took a step forward. "Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what. Don't get mad because your boyfriend isn't interested in you anymore" she followed, taking a step forward.

"Woah ladies what's going on?" Carries voice spoke, beginning to walk up the stairs.

"Isn't interested- as if. Like he'd be interested in you?" I continued ignoring Carrie, motioning down towards her.

"Hm..well he does seem to like hanging around with me? Remind me, when's the last time you talked to him?" She mocked, tilting her head as she tapped her chin.

Immediately my face grew hot with anger. Cracking a laugh as I took another step forward. "Oh please that's none of your business. Why don't you just admit you're secretly in love with him or something?" I mocked.

Now her face twisted from amusement to anger. Angrily shaking her head. "Well aren't you just so sad? You're the one who's started this whole thing"

"Yeah I wouldn't have if you weren't so obvious you like him. There's clearly something going on with you Penelope" I shot back.

"You don't know shit. God get away from me you skank" she spat, roughly pushing me back.

"A what- say that again" I laughed, shoving back at her shoulders.

"I said a-

"Ok ok! Guys what the hell is going on?" Carrie rushed over, standing in the middle as she pulled us apart.

"Your bestie is an insecure little whore" Penelope spat, leaning forward mockingly.

"Oh hell you did not- move!" I grumbled, attempting to push past Carrie.

"Hey! Amora cut it out!" Carrie shouted over me, taking both of my shoulders and keeping me in place.

"Oh it's alright Amora. Don't be so sad your boyfriend doesn't like you anymore. I'm sure he'll have much more fun with-

"What'd you say?" I shouted over her, although I didn't here the whole thing I knew exactly where she was going with it and it instantly made furious.

"You heard me Amora" she called back.

"God will you- Carrie! Move!" I shouted, growing frustrated when I wouldn't let me go.

"Amora! Just calm down alright?" Carrie shouted back, continuing to firmly holding me in place.

"What in the hell is up over here? I thought we were supposed to be 'drooling' over the tv?" Williams voice now spoke.

"Listen to me girl. Just calm down, and think about this. No need to go fighting ok?" Carrie ordered, sending me a stern look.

"Then god- get her out of here! We're you not just hearing her?" I exclaimed, motioning over towards Penelope.

"That's fine by me. I don't want to be in a house of an insecure, delusional little bitch that can't stand the fact her boyfriend just isn't interested anymore!" Penelope shouted, angrily turning around and walking off.

I watched as she stomped down the hall and down the stairs. The sound of the front door opening and slamming was heard before Carrie finally let me go after a moment.

"My god Carrie what is wrong with you! Again?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up angrily.

"There there my little hothead relax" she breathed, pulling me in and wrapping her arms around me as she stroke my hair.

"God what are you- don't pet me! Why would you do that she so deserved a blow to her face Carrie!" I groaned, wiggling my way out of her grip.

"Hey I was helping you here. You certainly don't want to get in a fight, just drop it Amora" she ordered, crossing her arms as she shook her head at me.

"With that troll? Yes, yes I think I do!" I grumbled, rolling my eyes as I walked past her.

"Well what happened? What are you fighting about?" Madeline questioned, beginning to walk up the stairs.

"Penelope. God she is so annoying haven't you guys noticed? She's so obviously has got a thing for Benny" I groaned, rubbing my eyes with a sigh.

"Well I mean she's been a little odd but.. I don't know?" Carrie sighed, shrugging slightly.

"Oh whatever. I'm going to sleep good night!" I shouted, groaning as I stomped away and towards my room.

——

I stepped out of the shop, huffing as I lazily carried the bags on my arms and walked off down the sidewalk.

Of course here I was stress shopping so much that I didn't realize it was dark already.

I continued to walk down the sidewalk. Turning the corner and immediately pausing once seeing Theo who was sat on the curb, a cigarette in his mouth as he stared out into the distance.

I glanced around, sighing as I slowly made my way over towards him. "Theo?" I softly called.

He whipped his head over, immediately softening his face as he shot up from the ground. "Amora? What are you doing out here?"

"Why are..why are you out here. With this?" I questioned, motioning towards the cigarette in his mouth.

He slipped it out from his mouth, looking down at it with a shrug. "Don't know?"

I slowly nodded, sighing as I turned away to walk off. "Oh.."

"Wait. You shouldn't be out here by yourself" he held his hand out to stop me.

I glanced down at his hand, taking a step back as I shook my head. "No Theo you cannot walk me home. I'm fine"

"But..you can't walk by yourself Amora. That's really dangerous" he insisted, shaking his head at my statement.

"Yeah well. I don't know? You still aren't walking me home I've already told you..I'm fine. Plus, Benny still doesn't like you so I really shouldn't be around you" I protested, beginning to walk off again.

"I'm being serious. I won't talk to you if you don't want me too but, I'm not letting you go by yourself" he offered, stopping me again.

I sighed, rolling my eyes before reluctantly nodding. "Fine"

He nodded, slowly following behind as I walked past him and back down the sidewalk.

For a bit it was silent. Just me looking straight ahead as I thought to myself.

But soon, he slowly started up a conversation."So..how is it with Benny?"

"Fine" I sighed, shrugging slightly.

"That's not what you told me last week" he protested, shaking his head in denial.

"Yeah well..that was truly just because I really needed someone to rant and ramble and whine too. Benny..he's not really around so couldn't do that" I explained, sighing with a shrug.

"You still think he's cheating on you?" He questioned, throwing the cigarette in his hand off to the ground.

"No of course not?" I scoffed, shaking my head in denial.

"Really? You sure?" He questioned, tilting his slightly.

"Yes, I am. It's just Penelope who I'm worried about. She's been..she's just been odd!" I explained, crossing my arms with a shrug.

"Ok, I know she was your friend too but please tell me you agree with me?" I questioned, looking over towards me.

He stared at me for a moment, slowly shrugging with a sigh. "Uh..no?"

"Ugh. Well you were the only guy she talked to besides Benny now so..you wouldn't happen to know if she..ever mentioned him to you?" I continued, hoping to at least get something from him.

He continued to stare at me. Shaking his head as he finally looked down. "No..she hasn't"

I sighed, rolling my eyes as I looked back ahead. "Fine. Whatever"

He slowly nodded, looking down towards the ground and leaving silence now between us for the rest of the way.

Soon the familiar house came into view. Slowly slowing coming to stop as I glanced back towards Theo.

I scratched my head, glancing around unsurely."Uh..thanks?"

I turned and began to walk away before he suddenly cleared his throat making me slowly slow down and glance back at him.

Immediately my eyebrows knitted together in confusion once noticing his now fallen, sad expression.

"What?" I questioned, crinkling my eyebrows as I examined him.

"Amora..just- I'm sorry" he finally breathed, looking away from with a frown.

"Yeah..you've mentioned. I've already said-

"No not that- just..just know that I'm sorry" he cut me off, shaking his head slightly.

I stared at for him a moment, tilting my head as I let out an unsure laugh. "Then..well for what?"

He continued to look down at the ground, slowly shaking his head with a sigh. "Nothing..night"

I watched as he turned around, walking off down the sidewalk and out into the dark night. Leaving me to shake my head in confusion as I walked away back towards the house.