The realization dawned on me, and I was shaken up.

Amelia had just finished school two years ago, and I had done so more than a decade and a half ago. Of course, it would be disturbing. She didn't realize it because she was...her. Innocent, charming and sweet; the attributes that pulled me to her in the first place. The little lady was too good for me. I'd been in the army, and seen some awful shit. I couldn't imagine Amelia putting down a hurt animal without bawling her eyes out. Dammit, Everest.

I was still in my car, gripping the steering as I let the intrusive thought win. She said she knew my intentions and didn't mind, although I had confessed to her, did she know the implications of it? My already fair knuckles turned pale the more I gripped the steering. My breathing was hard, that...that kid. The way that boy smirked as though he had won, watching me cower back after he had accused me of being a paedophile. I wasn't, and Lord did I despise that word.

Even if I wanted to stay away, I couldn't bring myself to not see her again. I wanted her. I wanted to hold Amelia and listen to her ramble off on different things, I wanted to wrap my palm against her thick thigh, tracing circles on it. I bit my lip, resting my head on the seat. "Shit." The more I tugged on my hair, the worse I felt. From the conversation we had yesterday, I knew Amelia didn't mind me showing her affection, no, she didn't want it to stop.

So why was I so conflicted? Torn?

Taking out my phone, I thought to dial her and apologize for leaving so abruptly. I had planned to give her a warm hug and encourage her on the first day of work. Pursing my lips, I thought against it. Instead, I dialled Gabe's number. I needed someone to talk to, and Saffron couldn't do it. Taking a deep breath, I sunk into the repeated dialling tone while waiting for Gabe to pick up.

"Simon! I'm so glad you called, I was thinking of you." I chuckled, since he was sounding so happy, I guessed that things turned out well with him and Penelope. "Hey." My emotions betrayed me, there was a slight croak in my voice which he caught. "Do you...want to come over man?" His excitement had dried up within seconds, and he sounded concerned. Guilt bit at me, I didn't want him feeling that way. It was selfish of me.

Recalling where he was staying, I was about to decline, "Penelope's staying over at a friend's for a day." He continued, making my eyebrows draw together. Did she leave her home in his hands? "Okay...I'm on my way." The drive to his was quiet, yet my head was as noisy as a hailstorm. Blizzards of thoughts swarmed it mercilessly. I had feelings for Amelia, I knew that much. After being called a paedophile, I began to feel disgusted with myself. How annoying.

Killing the engine, I took out the key from the ignition before going into Pen's apartment.

Climbing to the third floor, I see Gabe already waiting outside her door. It was still a surreal feeling seeing him here, standing, alive. Although I continuously hoped for the best, at the back of my mind, I'd accepted the possibility of him being disabled, or worse...gone.

"Simon, good to see you again." I pulled him into a hug, taking a deep breath. "Whoa, did you miss me that much?" He teased, his palm rubbing comforting circles against my back. I stayed that way for a minute more, I needed this hug. My head was too clouded for my own good. Gabe hummed, tapping my back reassuringly.

"Come in."

"How come Penelope left? I thought you both were still catching up?" Seeing how he nervously itched the side of his neck, my curiosity was piqued. "Is she mad at you?" Gabe sighed, slouching against the couch. "I admit, I was a bit harsh with my words. But what did she expect? I found out my fiancee up and left me. Things get heated and we kiss." My eyebrows jumped at his words. So why did she bail? "I pushed her away..." Of course, he did.

"I may have also said she was taking advantage of me."

"Why?"

"We were angry, okay? Things got heated and I just poured out my frustration on her." His fingers raked and tugged against his hair. "I regret every word man, but she isn't even receiving my calls." Gabe's face drooped in sadness, his eyebrows knitted, and his gaze narrowed. "Give it time." I didn't know what to say. When my fiancee left, I was broken. I understood how he could be feeling.

"I honestly feel like I'm intruding at this point." He continued, bobbing his foot on the tile floor. If there was one thing I knew, Penelope loved this man more than anyone. She'd been waiting for him to wake up for eight months. Now, they finally kiss and she accuses her of being selfish. "Honestly man, just tell her how you feel. I know you're a pretty confused man." Gabe gasped, holding a hand to his chest.

"Your girlfriend is gone, she's the one who stayed. I think your priorities should have straightened up by now." He sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "I guess you're right."

"So, what's got you so down? Don't tell me it's the girl you were so anxious to meet before." I furrowed my eyebrows, had I told him about Amelia? Gabe chuckled, folding his arms. "The day you dropped us off here. You kept checking your phone and tapping your fingers on the steering. I concluded you were late to meet someone. Am I on the right track?" I laughed, I forgot how observant he was with issues that weren't his. "Yeah. Her name's Amelia." Saying her name made my stomach turn, in a good way.

It was intriguing how my body reacted to anything in connection with the little lady. Her name for one; Amelia. It was so gentle and feathery, suiting her like a glove. The next was her scent, it pulled me in, and the urge to squeeze her against my chest increasingly grew the longer I stayed beside her. The way her plump lips parted when she asked a question, it felt illicit to think of how many ways I could assault it, redden it with my kisses. Dammit, Everest. There it was again.

"Amelia...so she's the one that placed such an endearing look on your face. It's almost weird to see you so smitten."

I chuckled, perhaps I liked being smitten.

"I'm used to the big bad Everest who scowls at my relationship troubles." He teased, a smirk playing across his lips. "How could I not? I was dumped before I came to camp." Gabe folded his lips in an attempt to stop his laugh but ended up cackling. "I'm sorry, not funny." He said so, still laughing.

"So, how's she like? And what's the matter?" What was she like?

"She's...soft."

"Whoa dude, TMI." Gabe scoffed, waving his hands in his face. "Not that way, dumbass." Although, I bet she was soft. Her thighs were nice to hold. Everest, slow down. I took a deep breath, letting the thoughts disappear. "She's soft-spoken, bubbly and ultimately kind. Amelia's someone I admire, to be honest, she seems to always get the good in people and work with it. Not to talk of how adorable and beautiful she can be at the same time..."

"I think I just had diabetes."

I rolled my eyes at his cheesy remark. "But...she's young." Gabe arched his brows in suspicion. "How much younger are we talking?" Playing with my hair, I wondered how he would take it. Was he going to see me as that kid: Darrick did? I cleared my throat, adjusting in my seat. "She's twenty."

He paused, as he thought of what I'd said.

"She's legal. What's the problem with that?"

A breath of relief left my lips, "It's just, she has this guy friend who's against me even talking with her. They are best friends so his opinion matters. Earlier today, he called me a paedophile in front of her. And I guess...I'm just worried what she might begin to think." He remained quiet so I continued.

"Maybe she'd realize it's weird or starts to see me as some creep trying to sleep with her."

"Does she knows you like her this much?" I nodded. She said she was okay with it too, but that didn't stop the thoughts from clouding my judgement. "And she's still talking to you, right?" I nod again, this was starting to feel like a therapy session. Gabe hummed, folding his arms.

"Then her boy's probably jealous. If she's cool with it, who's he to change her mind? Best friend's or not." Maybe he was right...Amelia was soft-spoken but she seemed to stand her ground when needed, and if she ever felt uncomfortable, I'd stop. Although it would be hard, I wanted her.

I wanted Amelia for myself, if that was selfish, then I guess I'd accept being called that for once.

"You're right." I slouched on the couch, taking a deep breath. "Thanks."

"I should be thanking you, I needed the company anyways." Nodding my head, I watched as he stood up to turn on the television. They were playing football, which gave me an idea, I'd want to take Amelia to a football game one of these days. I didn't know I was smiling at the thought until I saw my reflection on my phone. My hands moved to her number and I decided to text her.

'Hey baby, are you doing alright?'

'Evie! I...I want to tell you something...please don't be mad.'

My forehead creased as I stared at the screen.

'Alright, I'm listening.'

'Can I tell you when you come to pick me up tomorrow?'

'Of course, sweetheart. Whenever you're ready.'

I felt my chest tug in curiosity. What could my little Amelia want to say that I'd get mad about?