Crud!

Why did my tears escape? All I did was blink and it came exposing how horrible I felt about him leaving. Seeing him here made my chest tighten, wait...if he did leave intentionally, why did he come back? I didn't understand anything, I was simply in shock. My cheeks heated in embarrassment, goodness, I wanted to take to the hills (which were upstairs to my room). Perhaps lock my door and scream into my pillow. How embarrassing!

"Amelia." Everest's words had concern dripping in them, the worry across his face needed no explanation. This made me think that he had one to give to me, on why he lied...okay, he went back on his words. He seemed flustered, but he still looked mighty fine in his outfit. Wait, forget I said that, okay?

Trying to sniffle my tears away, I ran the back of my hands across my eyes, smudging the tears over my face. Everest's eyebrow scrunched up, his lips downwards. He probably thought I was some baby crying without reason: Amelia, you silly girl.

Abel backed away, crossing his arms over his chest. "Everest. You're the guy that stood her up?" I cringed at his blatant question. That seemed intentional, I had a teeny bit of hope that his actions weren't as intentional. Everest sighed, running a hand over his face. "It wasn't on purpose. There was an emergency and—"

"And what? You couldn't leave a message?" Abel snapped back, an accusing eyebrow raised his way. I shuffled closer towards the pair, the hostile aura thick in the air. Even if I wanted to hear the reason as well, Abel was giving him a stern look, not to talk of his glare. It made even me shiver, and I was his sister! Everest pursed his lips, tugging on his hair. I noticed it was rough, it'd be nice to run my hands through it to arrange it back in place. I blush, shaking my head.

"Abel."

He didn't have it, he stood still and acted as a barricade between us.

"I wanted to, but...look man, I have no excuse. I just...can I please explain to you, Amelia?" He turned to face me, his iris boring into mine. I had to admit, it was a pretty bold move turning to me while he was speaking to Abel, I knew how intimidating my brother could be. Speaking of him, he still had his hands crossed, a conflicted look on his face. Pursing my lips, I shuffle into the spot he had me in with his eyes; too nervous to answer.

Everest gazed expectantly for my reply. He wanted to explain to me, so why so I so nervous to give him a chance?

"I...um..." I stumbled on my words, heat assaulting my cheeks. "I do want to hear you out." It was a sincere confession, and Everest's eyes lit up as I said this; a breath of relief left his lips and a hum Abel's. The latter shrugged his shoulders, quietly stepping away from the both of us. I knew that no matter what, Abel would respect my decision. "Alright." He muttered, waving his hands and walking up the stairs.

It was just the two of us now.

"Amelia." I like how gently he calls my name, it makes me feel as though I'm floating on clouds. Nudging my head up, I hum at his words, still fumbling with my thumb. "Hi, Everest." My tone didn't match his, I sounded sad. Well, I was a few hours ago so there was that. Everest sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry."

My chest whined to hug him, but I stayed grounded, folding my arms so he continued while taking steps towards me. "I'm sorry that I said one thing and did the other. I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads-up." He continued, picking at his words cautiously until he was right in front of me. With my eyes wide, I watched him (probably looking like a deer in headlights). "I...I have this friend who I met in the army. His name is Gabe."

In the army, I was right! He was in the army!

"Uhm, Everest?" Even though I didn't want to interject, I also didn't want him to feel awkward, standing in front of me like that. He hummed gently, slightly arching his head. "Do you...want to sit on the couch? I mean, if it's okay. I just don't want it looking--"

"I'd love to sweetheart." He smiled. Thank goodness he cut me off or else I'd be rambling on for much longer. I nodded shyly, leading him to the couch. Even if I was still weary of him, I wanted him to feel comfortable. Everest sank into the couch, his larger figure looked funny, causing me to hold in a giggle. I sat away from him, pulling up my legs to hug them as I waited for him to continue. Everest turned towards me.

"So, while we were in the army, Gabe and I did almost everything with each other. He's the kind of person that puts a million others before himself, and that's what he did that day." My curiosity grew as he continued, what day? Did something happen to the man named Gabe? How was it related to his leaving?

"That day, as we tried to flee, my legs got trapped and a bomb was about to set off." My eyes widened, a gasp leaving my lips. Bomb?! He had seen a bomb before? Oh, poor Everest. My eyes began to tear up for him.

"He helped me out but as a result, got shards from the bomb and fell into a coma." I didn't realize a tear dropped until Everest lifted his hands to wipe it away. I let him, his warm skin felt nice on my face.

"So, its been a while now and I go see him every now and then. So this afternoon, I got a call saying he had woken up and was nowhere to be found." My eyebrows scrunched up. "He had been awake for a while but didn't announce it to me or the people that waited. I...I was so into the news that I drove off and--"

I couldn't imagine.

If Darrick was in a coma and woke up to go missing, perhaps I'd have left him hanging as well.

"Did you find him?" Was the next thing I asked, it would break my heart if his best friend was still nowhere to be found. When he nodded, a breath of relief left my lips. "Thank God."

"I know it's hard to believe but-"

"No, it's not! I'm just glad everything turned out okay." I sighed, sinking back into my couch. "Yeah..." Everest muttered with a conflicted look on his face. "I hope my actions didn't hurt you as much." I pursed my lips, not knowing if to tell him.

"Stupid question, the sight of me made you tear up." It was as if he was scolding himself, tugging at his hair once again.

"Don't do that, you might get a headache!" Before I could stop myself, I launched my hands at him, holding his wrist so he wouldn't tug his hair so hard. Everest stopped, an eyebrow raising in question. Quickly, I tried pulling back but his grip was too rigid for that.

"Hey, it's okay." He hummed, slowly putting my hands on his hair. "You want to help me out?" He teased jokingly, making my cheeks heat up. I did, but I didn't want to intrude on his personal space. "Can I?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

Oh, clouds! His hair was silky soft, each strand felt light against my hands. Everest hummed as I stroked his hair. "Everest?" My voice was barely audible but he hummed in reply.

"I was really excited for us to hang -- I mean, our d-date." I began, it was better when I didn't have to look at his face, I'd explode in embarrassment! His hands slowly pulled me closer, the warmth doubling. "You have no idea how I anticipated it," Everest confessed, making me relax. So, it was mutual?

When he put his head on my shoulder, I feared that he'd hear how loudly my heart pounded against my ribcage. "I thought maybe I wasted your time a-and, you just got mad and left." Everest didn't interrupt, he let me continue.

"But now knowing that wasn't the case...I'm glad."

He chuckled. "Thanks for giving me a chance to explain."

We were close, our bodies oozed warmth and my heart fluttered at the contact. I kept on playing with his hair, inhaling his scent. I think my crush may have grown an inch now. Okay, maybe it grew past two inches. He was so gentle with me, sweet too. How could it not?

As Everest looked up from my shoulder, my heart jumped. His brown eyes pierced my faded green ones. Did he think my light eyes were weird? People used to think that all the time, especially since I was dark-skinned.

"Would..." I began unconsciously, my attention falling to his lips. No! Bad Amelia!

"Hm?" He hummed innocently.

"Would you like to have a mini date right now?" His eyes widened, no...more like glistened.

"I mean, Papa won't be home until tomorrow afternoon, and--" I began rambling once more, my heart thudding at what his reply would be. Maybe he was busy, I mean, his friend practically up and ran from a coma! "Yes," Everest answered with a charming smile which made my heart flutter. Did he want to?

"I'd love that, beautiful."

My heart bubbled in my chest at his answer, numerous ideas swarming my head, not to talk of the butterflies that invaded my tummy. Did Everest just call me beautiful? Somebody pinch me.