Disclaimer: The Mediator Series belongs to Meg Cabot; therefore, I do not own them.
A/N: The song/lyric that is featured in this chapter is Speechless by the Veronicas.
I'm hearing faint whispers around the room. While I stood there, staring into oblivion. After I told them that my name was Amanda Smith, everything just…froze.
Lucy went to talk to a middle-aged woman, who looks peculiarly like me, but that's just impossible, unless she's my mother.
The woman just nodded her head, tears filling her eyes, and the man with her had his arms around her. Three male teenagers, who must be their sons, stood beside them looking at me and back to their parents, back and forth.
After a couple of minutes of shaking and nodding heads, Lucy left the 'odd' family and walked towards me, "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Uh-huh," I replied. "Who are those people?"
She smiled, "Wanna go and meet them? I know they want to meet you."
"They do?"
She nodded.
I sighed, "Okay, then."
For some reason, I'm actually excited to meet them. I mean, I do know for sure that they're the ones who threw this party for Susannah Simon, or in this case, Suze, who people think that she's me, which is pretty damn crazy. I mean, can't people get it in their heads that my name is Amanda? Do I even have to spell it out for them? A-M-A-N-D-A.
Seconds later, I'm standing right in front of the family, rather nervous. "Hi, I'm Amanda," I said, awkwardly holding out my hand, "Smith."
The teary-eyed mother shook it and pulled me in to a hug. "Oh, baby! I've missed you so much!"
Excuse me? "Um, not to be rude or anything, but err, who are you?"
She burst in to tears. Now I know you know that I'm not that kind of person who makes a person cry. I feel bad for asking that question. Was it the kind of tone I used that made her cry?
"Excuse us for a minute, will you?" Lucy asked. The man nodded.
"Suze, I have something to tell you," Lucy said once they were out of earshot.
"I'd really love to have an explanation right now, you know." I told her, "because this is kind of uncomfortable."
She took a deep breath, "That woman there, who you unintentionally made her cry, is your-, um how can I say this without freaking you out…" she was deep in thought I could tell by the way she was rubbing her thumb across her forehead.
"Just tell me already, Luce,"
"She's your," she sighed, "she's your m-mother."
I gaped at her. I mean, what can I say? 'Golly gee, that was my mother? SPLENDID, let's go shopping and maybe we could, like, you know, catch up on like, the six months we've been apart!' Thought so, that is why I tried calming my self for a moment and went for the plunge.
"And I'm guessing that man over there is my father?"
"Well, uh," she looked at the man, and he nodded, "yeah, of course he is!"
"And those three boys over there are my brothers?"
She nodded.
"Do I really have to meet them? They ditched me for six months and left me to that….place, that place for six months! What do they expect from me? Give them a big welcoming hug and say, 'Glad you're back mom!' and pretend that nothing's wrong?" I hissed.
"No, but just give them a chance, Suze. The hospital was strict at the time you were admitted. They wouldn't let anyone to visit you, not even your family. I protested, but they threatened to fire me, and I couldn't let that happen because I have to help my family and-"
"Look, Lucy, it's okay, I understand. I'll go meet them," I told her and started walking towards them.
Just as I was strolling towards them, I see a guy in the corner with his eyes on me, as if he's been watching me all along, ever since I entered the room. He looked familiar; he looked like the guy who kept on calling me Susannah in my dream. I walked towards him instead, and he had this daze look on his face when he saw me coming. I knew once I got close enough that it was him, the guy that was named Jesse in my dream. But how could that be possible? I don't even remember meeting him, I mean, this is practically the first time I've been out so I haven't exactly gotten the chance to see the world.
Wait, there was that one time when one of the interns visited me and took me to the park, we had a pretty good time, but I just can't seem to remember what he looked like. He did look very much like this guy, more likely a god.
I stopped halfway, and decided it was best not to talk to him. I mean, I don't even know who he is. So, going to your 'parents' or family in this case, is a much better idea.
I started tensely walking towards my 'family'.
Once I was right in front of them, with the three sons' eyes on me, I said, "Uh…mom?"
"Su-Amanda?" she said. She was about to call me by that name, I know it.
"Yes," I answered, "So, um, you're my mom?" She nodded. "May I ask what your name is?"
"Helen Ac-Smith," she said.
"Okay…and who are these other people?" I asked, gesturing to the man beside her and the other 3 boys. I'm making sure that what Lucy told me is the real thing. I know that she doesn't lie, I mean, she's been my friend and I trust her, albeit I've only known her for six months, but I need verification.
"This is your father, Andy. Your brothers, Jake, Brad and David," she said, pointing to each of them, one by one.
"Um, hi dad," I said to my 'father'.
"How you doing, kiddo?" he said.
"Fine," I said. "Err, can I ask when I'm getting out of the hospital?"
"Oh yes! That was the other surprise, yes, well; Lucy told us earlier that you're progressing, so you don't have to stay there anymore. You can stay in our house now. Your room still looks the same as it was a…few months back," my mother replied.
"Okay then,"
"Excuse me," a slightly accented male voice said behind me, "but may I have this dance?"
I turned around and the same guy I wanted to talk to in the corner was right in front of me.
"Huh?" it just came out of my mouth, don't blame me if I'm such a ditz.
"I asked you if you would like to dance with me," he said again.
"I would but," I said, "I don't even know you."
"My name is Je-Jeffrey, Jeffrey Del Maestro,"
"I'm Amanda Smith, but please call me Amy."
"I don't think so, I prefer Amanda."
"Look bud, I'm not here to play games, so are you going to ask me to dance since we're already acquainted?"
The crisp-dark-haired-really-hot-well-built guy blinked down at me. Once. Twice. I'm here, you dufus! Hey, just because he's like 6 feet and something inches don't mean that he can look down at me. I mean, I'm 5'6, and I'm very comfortable with my height. I'm tougher than I look, people should know that. Homie here, doesn't know me like that.
"Sure, Sus-Amanda, would you like to dance?" he asked.
"I'd love to,"
"Mom, is it okay if I leave for a short time?"
She nodded, but she looked happier.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman," Jeffrey greeted.
Both my parents suddenly turned worried, "Uh, Ackerman?" I asked.
"Don't worry honey, its just Jeffrey's ol' lil' nickname for us," mom said treacherously.
Jeffrey's eyes kind of widened for a minute, "O yes, Amanda, you see, your parents were very kind to me when I got kicked out of my home. They took me in, so I started calling them the Ackerman's, because that's what they call nice families back in my home…town."
"Jeffrey's right, go on now, you two dance. We'll still be here," my father said.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman, or Smith." Jeffrey said, nodding gratefully.
I'm really starting to like this guy, I am. Not only is he charming, but nice to parents too!
He led me to the center of the dance floor and just swayed to the music.
Feels
like I have always known you
And I swear I dreamt about you
All
those endless nights I was alone
It's like I've spent forever
searching
Now I know that it was worth it
With you it feels
like I am finally home
I looked up at him and gazed into his eyes. He's looking right back at me, at my eyes, actually, as if he's searching for something. It's him. The guy I dreamt about. The one I felt safe with. And I do, feel safe with him, I mean. I think he actually cares about me, even though we just met not five seconds ago.
Falling head over
heels
Thought I knew how it feels
But with you it's like the
first day of my life
I felt so alive being there with him. It felt as if my sensations is starting to wake up and is taking in the world around me for the first time.
Cause you leave me speechless
When you talk to
me
You leave me breathless
The way you look at me
You manage
to disarm me
My soul is shining through
Can't help but
surrender
My everything to you
Looking at those deep brown eyes, it seemed as if he's seen the world for a long time. There was a certain thing that's missing in his eyes…it was love. But, how could not anyone love him back? I'm sure at least one person, or a woman, does, or did.
I
thought I could resist you
I thought that I was strong
Somehow
you were different from what I've known
I didn't see you
coming
You took me by surprise and
You stole my heart before I
could say no
It feels like that time in the park again, when I spent a day with this guy I liked. I couldn't stop thinking about him then, but a few weeks later, I knew he wasn't coming back.
Falling head over
heels
Thought I knew how it feels
But with you it's like the
first day of my life
You leave me speechless
When you talk
to me
You leave me breathless
The way you look at me
You
manage to disarm me
My soul is shining through
I can't help but
surrender
Oh no
My everything to you
He caressed my cheek. I winced at his touch. It was gentle, not forceful or rough. I liked being with him, albeit it's only dancing. But being in his arms, feels right.
"You're looking radiant today, Amanda," he said. I blushed at his compliment.
"Why thank you, Mr. Del Maestro, you're not looking so bad yourself." I managed to squeak.
You leave me speechless
(the way
you smile, the way you touch my face)
You leave me
breathless
(it's something that you do I can't explain)
I run a
million miles just to hear you say my name
Baby
I rested my head on his shoulder and just listened to his heartbeat. I'm in love with him. Is this what love feels like? Feeling that you can sacrifice yourself to that person and willing to give anything for him/her to be happy?
You
leave me speechless
You leave me breathless
The way you look at
me
You manage to disarm me
My soul is shining through
I
can't help but surrender
My everything to you
The song has ended and he didn't let go, not just yet. We stayed on the same spot until the dj said, "Everybody boogey down, y'all!" Which completely ruined the moment.
"Until next time, Susannah, mi querida," he whispered in my ear and slowly walked away.
"Goodbye, Jesse," I whispered back. I don't know what made me say it but that was his name in my dream and I thought it was…well, okay. And he called me Susannah; it's not even my name!
He stopped. He turned around to face me. "What was that Amanda?" Oh now he gets my name right. Pft, guys.
"Nothing,"
"No, what did you call me?" he said.
"I called you uh," I said, "I called you Jesse."
His eyes lit up for a moment. "Is there any reason why you called me Jesse instead of my name?"
"No reason,"
His eyes turned back to the same hollow look.
Silence.
"…Okay then, goodbye que-Amanda, Happy 18th birthday," he said. He handed me a velvet box. I opened it. There was a diamond ring inside it. It was beautiful. It had mi querida engraved on it.
"B-but, Jeffrey, this is so nice and beautiful," I told him. "Why are you giving this to me?"
"Just because," he answered, walking away.
"Thank you…" I whispered, but he didn't get to hear me say it, because he was gone.
Great. I probably won't even see him again! Just great Amy, you didn't even get his digits! Oh yeah, and you didn't even get to ask him what querida meant! I am such an idiot!
He gave you a ring and all you could think about was not getting his phone number. Run after him!
"Mom, I'll be back, I just have something to do," I told her. I placed the ring in my purse and ran as fast as I could, in the heels I'm wearing, out of the reception hall and out to the parking lot.
I looked around the parking lot, panting. I may be slim, but I'm still out of shape. All I could see were cars parked.
I see a male figure striding towards an SUV. I took a closer look and it was Jeffrey. He was getting the keys to his car. I yelled his name, "Jeffrey!" but he didn't hear me.
I ran and ran, not caring that my limbs are hurting. I'm so close, he's about to open the door.
I stopped. "Jeffrey!" I yelled again. This time he heard me. He looked around. He found me. I was standing right in the middle of the parking lot. Then, something hit me at the side. It hurt, a lot. I couldn't breathe. It was painful. I tried to gasp for breath, but I couldn't. I tumbled down the parking lot. Bleeding. I looked around, it was a car. It was a car that hit me. I looked at Jeffrey once more; he was running towards me, calling me Susannah.
He was sitting by me, cradling me in his arms. He was whispering something in my ears. It was very soothing. "I love you, Susannah," I heard him whisper, and the darkness surrounded me. Leaving me unconscious and very still in his arms. Am I dead?
&&
"Omigod is she okay?" a woman voice said, shakily.
"We don't know,"
What are those noises? They sound like sirens. It's so loud.
Next thing I knew, I was floating. And I feel something soft against my back. Everything hurt. I slowly opened my eyes. I see people watching me.
"Suze!" a girl shrieked, she looked like a ghost. But she's not, her hair was white blonde, her skin so white, she had violet/purple eyes. "She's awake!"
Suze? I thought. Who's Suze?
I looked around. The sun was still shining brightly. Where am I? I look at the car that was a few feet away from me. There was a big dent at the front of the car. I looked around once more and took in my surroundings. I tried to remember what happened, but I just can't remember anything.
A man in white asked me, "Can you tell me what your name is?"
I opened my mouth to say it, but closed it again. I opened it and closed it again. I don't know what my name is nor do I know who these people are. "I-I don't k-know. I can't seem to remember anything."
Everyone around me gasped.
A middle-aged woman stepped up from the crowd and told the man, "Her name is Susannah Simon."
The man nodded, "I'm guessing you're her mother?"
"Y-yes, I am."
My mother? But how come I can't remember her? I looked at the man who was there, staring at me. He was handsome, indeed. But he was looking at me very intently.
"Susannah?" he whispered.
I nodded in response, because my 'mother' said that it's my name. "Who are you?" I asked him.
"Jes-" he started to say.
The man in white, who I assume to be the doctor, cut him off.
"Sorry everyone, but we have to take her to the hospital. You could visit her there," the doctor said.
"Can I come with her in the ambulance?" my mother asked.
"Well…"
"Please, I need to be with my daughter!" she said.
"B-but…" the doctor looked around for back up. I don't think that he wants to let my mom come with me.
"Please, I'm begging you," she screamed. "I'm her mother for Pete's sake! Surely one person could ride with her!"
"Please, doctor, let her come, I need her," I whispered softly. I used almost all of my strength left in me to say those eight words.
"Okay, okay,"
They started carrying me. "Oh, Susie, stay strong. Please, I'm begging you."
"I will mom, I will." And then, I blacked out. The last thing I heard was a male voice shouting, "Susannah!"
Thanks for the reviews! And that is why I wrote this chapter for you all because you guys said that I should continue. The reviews were nice, and it encouraged me to make this longer. I was thinking of stopping it right where Suze got hit by the car, but then I thought, no, they wouldn't want a cliffy, now would they?
See how nice I am? Hehe.
So, review, please!
with love, Claudine
