Chapter 4: The Truth Will Set You Free AMELIA P.O.V.

I can hardly believe what I've just heard. But for some reason, it makes sense. It explains why Gabe has been so shy these past few day, and why he didn't want to admit he wanted to come this morning, and why he saved me, and boy does it explain that moment on the stairs. I don't know how to react though. I've never had a guy that I've had feelings for return the favor. I mean here I am 18 and my first boyfriend may be a ghost. I didn't realize it until now though…maybe it was because I didn't want to admit it. I've had my heart stepped on so many times that I just stopped trying.

"Wow, um Gabe…I don't know what to say," I see his already nevrous look drop to a look of disappointment. It's actually kind of cute, in a way. I wonder how long I can keep this up. " But I'm sorry…" His expression drops completely, as if he's lost all hope.

"I understand. It's okay, I get it Amelia. You don't have to explain anything…"

"No but Ga-"

"Please Amelia don't make things anym-"

"Gabe! You didn't let me finish."

"Oh…sorry. Go on."

"I was saying that I was sorry because it's too bad that I feel the same about you." I finish that last part with a smile and he looks so confused, it's adorable.

"I-I, but you….But I. I don't understand…You just… Wait! So that mean yo-" Took you long enough.

"Yes Gabe, yes."

I continue to stay seated and allow him to walk over and sit directly next to me on the couch. He looks tome for some sort of permission before aging his head in my lap. How sweet.

"Oh man Amelia, that's not fair. You really had me worried that I'd completely ruined our friendship." I stroke his hair to comfort him and I can feel him relax.

"I know! And you should have seen yourself. You looked so sad. It was adorable!" He shifts is body so he's facing the ceiling now. His blue eyes look so bright and full of life. It almost makes me forget for a second…

"Your too much Amelia…but I suppose that's what's so attractive. Not to mention you're pretty hot." He blushes a little at this and I can feel my checks burn red.

"Y-you think I'm hot?'"

I half expect him to start laughing like it's some big joke and tell me I could never have someone like him, just because that's whats happened every other time in my life, but he doesn't.

"I think your beautiful" He stays it with such sincerity and rawness that I can't believe this is even happening. No one has ever thought that about me.

"W-what?"

"I, Gabriel Goodman, think you, Amelia Buifut, are the most beautiful person I've ever seen. Everything about you is beautiful. You were named perfectly." Ok, thats the sweetest thing I've ever heard but now I'm flat-out confused.

"My name? What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's an anagram. I figured it out while you were sleeping." Huh?

"An anagram? For what?"

" 'I am beautiful.'…. And you are."

"What? No way. I don't believe you." He grabs a pad of paper and a pen off the coffee table in front of the couch.

"Look I'll show you." I see him write out my name and then below it write out the phrase "I am beautiful"

"Now watch," he instructs me. He goes through each letter of the phrase, crossing it out when he finds it in my name. Before I know it, he's done and there are tears forming in my eyes again. He's right. And whether my parents meant to or not it's there.

"H-how did you notice that?

"I just kept writing your name over and over and I noticed a pattern….I also did the crossword. I don't want you to think I'm like creepy or anything."

"Creepy? You think I would think that? Gabe, you follow me around school, while I run, and not to mention the first time we met. I think we've passed creepy….I'm kidding! I could never think that."

"Good….just cause I've never done this whole relationship kind of thing. The only one I've ever had was with my parents but I don't really think that counts because my mom is bipolar depressive and my dad…well he couldn't face me too well after mom left."

"Gabe, I've never done this either remember? And I know what it's like to feel neglected. But hey, lets not talk about that right now…" He smiles lightly and intertwines his fingers in mine. I wish so badly that he was actually alive. But that's a horrible thought, because in a way he is.

"I want to hear you play Amelia." Huh? He gets up and walks over to the piano, sitting on the bench.

"Play what?" Oh god. If it's what I think it i-

"The piano. You've talked about playing it before but I've never actually heard you play. I would love to." Hear that? He would LOVE to hear me play…well maybe I will.

"….I don't know Gabe. I haven't played since we moved here."

"Why not? You have one. And its a fine instrument. I would know, Natalie played."

"I just didn't have the inspiration…How long has Natali-"

"Stop avoiding it Amelia. Come on!" His eyes widen with hope, "Ohhhh, fine!" His face breaks into a full smile and he moves down for me to sit and play.

"What shall I play?"

"Uhm, I don't know. Surprise me." I quickly scan my mind for pieces I remember and suddenly one comes to mind. Claire De Lune. The first song I ever learned on the piano.

"Alright. Here's one of my favorite's. I've known it since I was a little girl."

I lightly place my fingers on the keys and close my eyes. The keys fall into place under my fingers as I begin the play the piece. I don't even have to think about the music, it just comes naturally. I continue playing but open my eyes to see Gabe's eyes full of wonder, staring at my hands as they glide across the piano. I hate to be like this but I know I'm good at the piano. It's the one thing I've always been good at and it shows.

As the song comes to a close I look to Gabe for some type of assurance. He doesn't say anything just stares at the keys then my face. His blue eyes yet again astound me with the amount of depth they offer into his soul. I can't even describe the emotion in his eyes. It's one I've never seen before.

His fingers slowly join mine and he brings his face slightly closer, and closer, and closer to mine until we're just centimeters apart. His hand wraps around the back of my neck as he brings his lips to mine in a soft and gentil kiss. Until that moment, I had no idea of his intentions. Remember I've never had any sort of relationship before. But this is everything I ever dreamed it would be. He isn't forceful and pushy or anything, just sweet and almost innocent.

I respond lightly to his kiss and we go one like this for a little while before I have to pull away to breath.

"Gabe….That was -"

"Uncalled for, I'm sor-" Oh, no. He thinks I pulled away because I didn't want this. Which by the way is quite the opposite.

"Perfect. It was a perfect first." He looks surprised but replaces it quickly with his normal suave attitude.

"Your perfect."

"Your too much."

"I know. But that's what makes me so irresistible." He touches me lightly on the chin, giving me a peck on the lips.

"That is absolutely what make you irresistible Gabe." I giggle at this. Oh my god did I just do that?

"See even you cant deny it. Admit it, its true." It really is though. I lightly punch him in the arm, but get only the air again and find him standing behind me.

"I would think you would have learned by now that doesn't work."

"Ugh. Old habits die hard?" He laughs at this and kisses me not the forehead before walking back to the couch and picking up another word search. I need to get those away from him before it becomes he starts a relationship with them.