Chapter 3
Sweet Sorrow
It was late afternoon by the time Amelia had all her essentials packed. She stood at the back door looking around the kitchen and took in a generous breath.
"Now stop that, you! You'll be back before you know it. I probably won't even notice you're gone!"
"I know. I know. Just don't get used to all the quiet and extra space, alright. I wouldn't want you to get spoiled!" she waggled her finger at Sookie with a smirk.
"You do know the door is always wide open for you, Meals, right?"
"Of course I do. Besides I wouldn't be much of a witch if I wasn't able to glamour you into letting me live here whenever I want." Her grin became wicked and made Sookie sigh.
She stepped forward and pulled in her friend for a bear hug. Amelia hugged back just as hard and lingered for a long sweet moment before they released each other with a mutual nod.
"No more tears, -k-."
"No more tears." Sookie nodded and leaned in to kiss Amelia's cheek. "Will you be alright…on the road, I mean? I could go with you and take the bus back. I do have the night off." She asked hopeful.
"Sookie Stackhouse, my hero and savior, ever to the rescue!" She saluted Sookie and gave her warm smile. "I'm gonna make it there just fine. And don't worry, I won't be all alone with my thoughts because I've got all my 'happy music' with me."
Amelia's happy music consisted of 80's pop music and some more contemporary techno compilations. Sookie had actually gotten pretty used to Amelia's taste in tunes and was happy she would be distracting herself with something upbeat rather than listening to something like Depeche Mode or Nine Inch Nails. Two bands she had also been obsessively fond of.
"Just promise to call me when you get to your place okay?"
"Absolutely, I will. Scouts Honor."
Amelia's complex had been restored by her father's contracting company for a few months now. The idea that it might have been better if Amelia had moved back earlier had not slipped Sookie's mind.
She may have avoided some of this if she had.
"Go on before I change my mind and shackle you to your bed post."
"Oh my! Now THAT sounds promising. Maybe I shouldn't…"
"Go on, get!" Sookie was shooing her out now with a huff at the lewd insinuation. She chuckled anyway. "You got your wallet with your driver's license and credit cards?"
"Yes mom! I promise I won't sleep with everyone in my dorm or go to too many wild frat parties!" she waved to Sookie as she approached her car out back.
"Hey, just tryin' to look out for you, my child." She chided back shaking her head from side to side.
Amelia loaded her two suitcases into the trunk and laid her shoulder bag and laptop case on the front seat. She smiled once more at Sookie before sitting down behind the wheel. Her hand hesitated when she reached to close the door. In a heartbeat she hurled herself out and up the back porch stairs. Sookie's hands were still shoved into her back pockets and when Amelia wrapped her arms around her shoulders all she could do was lean into the embrace. Amelia pulled back to look into Sookie's blue eyes. They both knew they didn't need anymore words. This friendship was solid and the time apart would only make their reunion all the more sweet.
Without warning (since her shields were still in place) Amelia locked onto Sookie's mouth and kissed her. It probably lingered a bit longer than it would have if the kiss had been Sookie's idea but she allowed it anyway. The fact that her bottom lip slowly dragged out of Amelia's lip lock as she gradually pulled away made Sookie blush and squirm a bit.
"Mmmm, yummy! Miss you already." And with that Amelia skipped down the steps, got into her car and waved goodbye as she drove away.