Don't get me wrong. I never had a problem hanging out with Oliver. Usually, we'd have a good time. I just wish it wasn't so fucking draining. Especially when we'd make trips to the mall together. Oliver Kirkland had one of those personalities where it was difficult to say no to him. Between the sparkle in his eyes and the sweet lilt in his voice, he could sell a matchstick in Hell. And with me in the slightly depressive headspace I was already in, he's fully taking advantage of it. But I can't blame him. He just wanted to do something nice for me.
However, I will never understand why that boy had such an obsession with covering me in frills. Bows, ribbons, ruffles, pastels. Anything that sparkled had found its way onto my body. If it had the potential to make me look like a damn cupcake, I was trying it on. And chances are, I'd be walking out with it. Why? Because I had a hard time saying no to Oliver. Although, the last store…The last store was a different story.
It all started with a much-needed trip to Hot Topic. I was on a search for a new pair of earrings and I knew I could get fake plugs here. Although, I was looking for some fake tapers and I knew I could get those, too. I felt a nervous hand on my shoulder, "Amelia…"
"What?" I stood in line, thumbing through the button bin for some kind of quip I could halfheartedly relate to for a cheap laugh.
"What is this place?" Oliver cowered behind me, "It feels…unholy."
"It's just a Hot Topic," I settled him, putting a set of studs and roses on the counter with a couple of buttons and a set of friendship enamel pins. Next time I see Allen, he's getting the other half. We'll call it payback for the Evil Empire t-shirt, "Relax, Oliver. It's ok."
"I'll be waiting outside," he told me, "Don't be too long. We have another store to go to.
"Ok." Another one? I had been on my feet all day with the exception of us getting lunch and I just wanted to go home. It is just one more store. I could handle it. Maybe the girl behind the counter with the face full of metal scared him off. Regardless, I walked out of there with a bag on my finger without any fake tapers. That's kind of a bummer. I liked having spikes in my ears. Oh, well. Oliver had made himself comfortable on a bench outside, dousing himself in strawberry scented hand sanitizer. It's weird. It smelled just like a candy I used to have all the time when I was a kid.
"Oh, Amelia," Oliver threw his arms around me, "Thank goodness, you made it out of there alive."
"Of course, I did," I giggled, "Oliver, I promise it's not nearly as bad as you think."
"It's so dark and depressing," he groaned, dragging me behind him, "I know somewhere we need to go."
"Where's that?" Why did I have a bad feeling? It's one more store, Amy. You'll live. One more and you can go home."
As per our last few stores, I sat in the dressing room while Oliver walked around the store looking for anything he can put me in. I expected the standard fare. The bows, the ruffles, the glitter. But a bright white dress flew over the door. This wasn't something that made me look like a cupcake. Instead, it looked like something a person would put their baby in before their christening. I had no intentions of getting baptized today and I hope Oliver would understand that. If those were, in fact, his plans. I doubt it, though. What the hell? I pulled the zipper in the back and threw the skirt over my head.
Once I got a look at myself, any thoughts of a potential baptism fell away. I looked like a porcelain doll. I hated to admit it, but Oliver knew what he was doing. Would I say it was me? Hell no. I was more for a good, tight pair of jeans and a t-shirt. But every once in a while, this wouldn't be too bad. If it didn't make me look like a giant toddler.
"Oliver," I groaned, "Can we be done yet?"
"Soon," Oliver promised, "Are you dressed yet?"
"Yeah," I leaned against the wall, using it for support, "But I look a little…Too old to be wearing something like this."
"Show me," he demanded.
"Fine," I walked out of the dressing room, showing off what he had picked for me. Personally, I didn't like it, but that didn't stop his face from lighting up like a damn Christmas tree.
"Amelia!" Oliver gasped, "You're so cute!"
"I'm exhausted," I sighed out.
"But," he argued, "Is this not better than you going to work?"
"I guess," I admitted, ready to pass out. Caffeine sounded like a hell of an idea, "But seriously, can we go home now? I'm wrecked and I still have to go to class and study group."
"Oh…" Oliver's excitement didn't last long, "I was kind of hoping you'd stay home tonight…"
"Hey," I promised, "I'll be back."
"Alright," he let it go, "But you know what? You really should wear that to class tonight, Amelia. It suits you."
"Fine," I wasn't going to argue with him. I didn't have that kind of energy in me. Besides, I still had an ace in the hole. Something to tone this down and make it feel more like…Well, like me, "We'll make a quick stop at home and I'll head off to class, ok?"
"Ok," Oliver slipped his hand into mine, "We really should do this more often, poppet. I like going out with you like this."
"I like going out with you, too," I smiled a little. Today may have been exhausting and emotionally taxing, but dammit, it's been fun, too. Oliver had a way of doing that. How? I may never know. But I needed it today. More than ever. More importantly, though, after we dropped off all the bags from our adventures, I found the Rage t-shirt Allen gave me and threw it on over the top part of my dress. There. Now, that felt more like me. A bright white tulle skirt with a black and white baseball t-shirt with the Evil Empire kid on it. If this wasn't me in a nutshell.
And just like that, I grabbed a Red Bull at the convenience store and headed to class with my bag on my hip. I sat down in my normal spot in the outside aisle toward the middle of the room. Finally, I could relax today. Granted, I lost my job, but I went shopping with my roommate all day. And I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Maybe if I ask Allen really nice, he'll take my notes for me again and let me get a quick nap in class. However, I'd rather not get on my professor's shit list. Not today.
"You know…" Speak of the devil, "This is a cute look for you, Amy."
"Which part?" I wondered, "The dark circles under my eyes, the tulle skirt, or the Rage Against the Machine t-shirt over my dress?"
"All of it," Allen sat next to me, "It's good to see you're still in there. The dress feels like Oliver's doing."
"It was Oliver's doing," I admitted, "He picked it out for me this afternoon. We did a little shopping."
"Lucky you," he shuddered, "I'm guessing he didn't know you left the house looking like that."
"Probably not."
"It's weird," Allen joked, "I never thought I'd ever see a girl in my t-shirt. But you pull it off nicely."
"Thank you," I reached into the front pocket of my bag, "By the way, while I was out this afternoon, I got you a present. It's kind of lame, but it's the thought that counts."
"You didn't have to do that, Amy," he awed, "But what'd you get me?"
"Here," I gave him the other half of the pin set. The other half of the twin popsicle, "Like I said, I know it's kind of lame, but…"
"This is adorable," Allen threw his arms around me, "Thank you, Amy. I love it. But you're right. It is kind of lame."
"Shut up," I giggled, "I didn't have to get you anything, but I was walking through Hot Topic today and…"
"Oliver let you go into a Hot Topic?" he laughed, "Seriously? Did you slip him or something?"
"No," I shook my head, "He was with me for the most part. But then, he got a little freaked and had to leave."
"Before or after he exorcised you?"
"There were no exorcisms," I assured, "I mean, there was the thing with the hand sanitizer, but I figured that was more of a germ thing."
"It is," Allen nodded, "But it was also a tick. Anything that goes against Oliver's general alignment will make him instantly uncomfortable. That's just the way he is. And when he's uncomfortable, he'll do something to make himself feel clean again. Which is why he carries hand sanitizer with him everywhere."
"Sounds healthy," I let it slide. Who was I to judge?
"By the way," he went on, "Alfred's picking me up from class tonight."
"So," I figured, "I get to meet Alfred today after all?"
"Without me having to pry you away from Oliver," Allen pointed out, "That's the best part. I mean, it's mostly because he's still kind of pissed about me taking his car the other night, but he'll get over it. Eventually. I hope."
"Did you put gas in it before you brought it back?" I asked, "And was there not a single scratch on her?"
"Yes and yes," he popped the backing off the popsicle pin and found a spot for it on his leather jacket, "But apparently, he'd rather if I asked him about it first. Because the full tank wasn't a thank you enough."
"I can't wait to meet him," I smiled, having a feeling that Alfred would be just as big of a mess as Allen. But in his own, special way.
Allen simply smiled back with a certain glint in his eyes. I couldn't put my finger on what that was, but I think I liked it. Regardless, the two of us sat through class and I struggled to keep my eyes open. Fortunately, Allen was paying attention in class today, so his mesmerizing notes would pick up any of my slack. And the professor never called me out on it. Thank God. After class, I followed Allen out, ready for another Red Bull. I don't know if I could handle another study group. Especially if it was going to be anything like the last one.
"ALLEN!" an excited voice screeched out from the dark.
"Oh, God…" Allen groaned, "By the way, Amy, there was one thing I forgot to mention about Alfred."
"ALLEN!" the voice called out again, "ALLEN! DUDE! IT'S ME! I'M OVER HERE!"
"He's an idiot."
"ALLEN!"
"But," Allen sighed out, "He is a lovable idiot."
"ALLEN!"
"I see that," I giggled under my breath, figuring the one frantically waving from his car was Alfred. The two of us walked over to Alfred's car. Allen kept me behind him. Almost like a human shield. Then again, I've heard stories about Alfred. This was likely for my protection.
"Hey, Allen," Alfred peeked over his shoulder, "Who's your lady friend?"
"Look at her, Alfred," Allen rolled his eyes, "Really look at her. Take a guess."
Alfred stepped closer into the light and my heart stopped. It wasn't the fact that he was kind of cute that got to me. It was how familiar he looked even though we've never met each other. And I think he got that vibe from me, too. Maybe we did meet once, but we don't remember it, "You're Amelia."
"It's actually Amy, but…" I got cut off by the biggest, warmest, most loving hug I've ever had in my life. I wasn't sure where it was coming from, but I'll take it, "Alright…Ok…Big guy…Could you maybe let me go?"
"Alfred," Allen ordered, "Drop it."
"But…!"
"Drop it…" Allen repeated. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was talking to a dog.
"Happy to meet you, Amy," Alfred let me go.
"Clearly," I bit the inside of my cheek. Something about Alfred…He gave me the same feeling as Allen. Like the loving, yet pain in the ass, older brothers I never had. Although Alfred more so than Allen. I wasn't sure why, but with them, I just…I don't know. I felt safe.
"By the way, Alfred," Allen vaulted over Alfred's car door, taking shotgun, "She might take your spare bedroom soon. If she knows what's good for her."
"Excuse me?" I stepped in, "Since when was this…"
"Fine by me," Alfred allowed, throwing an arm around my shoulders, "Why not? Besides, it's what you do for…"
"Alfred…" Allen stopped him, "No, no. We haven't gotten that far yet."
"Oh," Alfred backed off, "Alright. Still, it's nice to meet the girl Allen gushes over."
"I don't gush over her," Allen rolled his eyes, "I've told you and Matt about her."
"Oh, we need to take you to my place," Alfred lit up again, "You should meet Mattie! He'd adore you, too!"
"No," Allen stood his ground, getting a spray bottle out of the glove box, heavily spraying Alfred with it, "No. Too much. Back the fuck off."
"I'm going to head home," I stepped in, "It's been a long day and I don't think I could handle a study group session if I wanted to. Sorry, Allen."
"Don't worry about it," Allen let it go, "I understand. Go home. Rest up. We'll see each other tomorrow, probably."
"We don't have class tomorrow, Allen," I pointed out, "But we'll see."
"Ok," he waved me off, "I'll see you later, Amy."
"It was nice meeting you, Amy!" Alfred chimed, frantically waving at me.
"You, too!" Granted, I wasn't a hundred percent sure what to think about Alfred yet. Initial thoughts? He seemed like Allen on the opposite end of the spectrum. If Allen was in a constant good mood and a ray of sunshine, he'd be Alfred. But then, that would mean Allen wouldn't be Allen. Alfred was a little too…I don't know. Motivational speaker for my liking. And I lived with someone like Oliver.
Speaking of, I was beyond exhausted and all I wanted to do was go home and crash. Now, I could finally do just that. Thank God. However, I could've used the ride home. Probably should've asked Alfred for a ride home. But that would put Allen and me too close to each other in Oliver's line of view and he didn't want hat. I couldn't blame him. It's just a few blocks. I could manage to walk a few blocks.
When I got home, I noticed the living room light on and Oliver in his chair with his knitting in his lap, "Amelia! You're home early. I thought you said you had a study group after class tonight."
"I opted out of it," I rubbed my eyes, hardly able to stand as it is, "I'll be upstairs if you need me."
"Are you alright, darling?" Oliver put his knitting down and checked me over, "You look like you don't feel well."
"I'm just tired," I brushed him off, "I'm fine. I'm going to go lay down for a while."
"Alright," he put a hand to my cheek, "Are you sure you're feeling ok?"
"I'm fine, Oliver," I assured, beginning my trek up the stairs, "I'll be ok. You know where to find me if you need me."
"Ok."
In all honesty, I felt like shit. My body could hardly carry itself and this heaviness in my chest wasn't doing me any favors. This time, it wasn't metaphorical. It's like I had a chest cold in its early stages, but I'm sure a little nap could take care of it. That's the best thing to do when I'm sick, right? Rest it out? I fell into my bed and almost instantly fell asleep. I'll be fine. I'm not getting sick. I'm not getting sick. I'm not getting sick. I'll be fine.
A little while later, I woke up to a cool feeling on my forehead. I wasn't sure what it was, but I'm kind of here for it. If I wasn't careful, I'd fall back asleep. But there was no way I was out for more than maybe half an hour. I opened up my eyes to find Oliver sitting at my bedside, "Hi."
"Good morning, love," Oliver smiled a little, "Did you have a nice nap?"
"Yeah," I started trying to sit up.
"No, no, no," he pushed me back down, "You stay here."
What the hell…? "Why? Let me up."
"Amelia," Oliver checked me over once more, "Are you absolutely sure you're feeling ok?"
"Yeah." My nap didn't do the wonders it was supposed to. I only felt worse. Shit, I am getting sick, aren't I?
"Really?" he didn't believe me, "Because you're running a slight fever and you slept for three hours."
"But I feel fine," I continued lying through my teeth, hoping Oliver would eventually believe me. Or full on leave me alone. Although the rasp in my voice wasn't helping me.
"Are you hungry?" Oliver asked, "I'm sure you are."
"Not really," I thought it over, not getting the slightest bit of an appetite.
"Just as I thought," he let out a heavy sigh, taking a pair of tablets out of his pocket, "Here."
"What is it?" I wondered, studying them closely for any sort of identification marks.
"They're vitamin B tablets," Oliver filled me in, "Take them in case you are getting sick, so it doesn't escalate from where it is now."
I threw them back with a glass of water and nestled back down in bed, "I really don't think I'm getting sick, Oliver."
"Amelia," he gave me that look. The one where he knew I was full of shit and he had a much more extensive knowledge on what was going down, "You don't have any appetite. Your voice is going out on you. You've been sleeping for most of the early evening. You're running a fever. Even when you came home, you could hardly stand. I don't want to hear it. Just get a little more rest, ok? I'll check on you in the morning."
"Ok," I caved, holding back a yawn.
"Good night, poppet," Oliver kissed my forehead, "Rest well."
"Good night," I rolled back over and shut my eyes again. This is probably just stress catching up to me. I'm fine. I'm not getting sick. There's no fucking way I'm getting sick. I'm ok. And I'm not going to let Oliver convince me otherwise. I'm not sick. Just because I'm warm and not hungry doesn't mean I'm getting sick.
