[S.C, Bloodlines. CH 5]

Amelya woke up to Cleo cuddled up next to her. Wearing a pair of boy shorts and a hoodie. That Amelya was sure was out of her closet. Jayden was slumped in her grandma’s old rocking chair she’d inherited.

“How long was I …” She started before Cleo gazed up into her eyes.

“Two days hun. Lexi’s mom wasn’t to happy, but you recover much slower” Cleo continued to cuddle. “Hasn’t my mom come to check on me?”

“Compulsion is a lovely thing” Jayden laughed a bit, looking over at her now.

“Is Gabe here?”

“Nope, he’s pretty much been at Lexi’s since the ceremony “ Cleo added in hopping up off the bed. “Newly turned and such”

“Ohhh that’s why….” Amelya couldn’t imagine being one of them. “A hunter….” She thought to herself.

“We don’t allow newly turned anywhere near humans, stuff gets to messy then.” Jayden stretched standing up. “So are you ….”

Jayden started but was interrupted by the door swinging open. In rushed Maddness, Sally, followed by Sam.

“We’ll “ Sally grinned. “What’s going on in here?”

“Nothing” Amelya quickly hopped up, leaving Cleo hugging at nothing.

“New friends?” Maddness yawned, walking dangerously close to Jayden.

“Funny because your mom said you weren’t feeling well”

“Thankfully we snuck back in.” Sally cut in, interrupting Sam. “So I guess introductions are in order”

“Please lie to them…” Cleo whispered into Amelya’s ear.

“I can’t” She huffed under her breathe. “Girls they are Cleo and Jayden”

“Twins I’m guessing “ Sam was looking Jayden up and down.

“He looks yummy” She giggled.

“No he’s…..” Amelya didn’t understand where the anger sparked from, but Cleo’s hurt expression told her everything.

“He’s what?” Sally questioned sitting at the edge of her bed.

“Quite gay. Sorry cutie” Jayden said in a quick girly voice, much different then his normal tone.

Cleo shrugged and just shook her head.

“Guess it runs in the family” Sally was glaring at Cleo.

“So I never seen your new friends before?” Sam asked.

“We were there when she passed out at the mall. Just wanted to make sure she was safe.” Cleo slipped off the bed and over toward Jayden. “We’ll be going now”

“Please don’t “ Amelya’s eyes showed how much her soul wanted her pairs around.

“Definitely isn’t the whole story but whatever” Sally hugged Maddness from behind. “What’s the plan for the day?”

“No plans” Amelya reached over to Cleo not caring about her friends.

“We have some family stuff that needs to be taken care of. Do let us know” Jayden spoke as he moved toward the door.

“Please stay” Amelya wined to them both in a low tone.

As they left the girls all hoped onto the bed. Noticing the difference in Amelya.

“So who are they really?”

“Just people I met at the mall” Amelya added in, grabbing her remote.

[Cleo’s point of view]

Listening in as they slipped into the elevator.

“Just people I met at the mall” Amelya’s voice caught her ears and pain erupted across her chest.

“Cleo don’t worry. That’s just to keep them off her case” Jayden was quick to comfort his sister.

“What if it’s not? What if she chooses them….”

“She won’t “ Jayden said with a cocky grin. “Who wouldn’t choose us. Either way we need to let everyone know she’s alive”

“Still pissed he hurt her”

“Mrs Jones seemed like it was part of their plan”

“Their plan….” Cleo and Jayden slipped off to the compound.

Stepping up to the monumental buildings a few more guards sat at the entrance.

“This isn’t going to go well” Jayden just shrugged as they walked through the door. Cleo as usual was much more worried.

“Welcome you two” Mrs Jones, Lexi’s mother stood at the first set of pillars inside. Two men stood at her heals. “So what’s the news?”

“She’s alive” Cleo hissed.

“And awake” Jayden pushed his sister a bit, wanting her to play nice.

“That’s good, I’m sure she’ll make a wonderful recovery “ She smiled. “So any chance she decided?”

“Her friends showed up just as we started to inquire “ Jayden added in.

“She was out for nearly two days. Let’s give her some time” Cleo spoke before walking away.

[ Amelya’s point of view ]

“So should I ask why you were all cuddled up with that girl?” Sally asked grabbing a pizza from the freezer.

“You seen that”

“We all seen it. We’re not blind” Sally tossed her hands up nearly losing the pizza in her dramatic show. “She seemed a bit hurt when you pulled away. You should call her”

“It’s complicated. Can’t even fully understand how much “ She remembered how quickly they rushed to the door.

“I remember my first girlfriend “ Sally chuckled tossing the pizza into the oven.

“It’s not….”

“Do you like her? Does your body and heart feel it?” Sally was sitting at the island but looking at her with the most sincere look. “Then stop worrying about everything else and enjoy it”

“What’s mom…. Gabe…. Our friends “ A few tears started to form and she wiped them away quickly.

“Only your happiness maters… never forget it” Before Amelya noticed Sally was hugging her, tears flowing like a waterfall…….

“This is what I’ll miss” Amelya thought to herself. “I think I like her”.

“So like her” Sally held her best friend like a small scared child. “She’s very pretty and seems nice”

“It’s ok, I promise. We just want you to be happy “

Eating with the girls was normal. Playing around like nothing changed. Amelya on the other hand knew something big had changed. Her decision needed to made. This would be the last night…..

Everyone left and she just sat in bed. Cuddled up inside herself, tears flowing like a river onto her oversized black t-shirt that once belonged to Gabe.

“Hey….” Cleo’s voice called from the window. There she sat, like a hunter in the night. Eyes scanning Amelya for any sign of a struggle.

“Hi” Amelya choked out through tears.

“I’m sorry” Cleo was at her side in a split second, arms wrapped around her, tears starting.

“I like you…. But your powers are so strong… I’m scared. How could this work?” Amelya cuddled up to her cool skin.

“I don’t know…. But I’ll die before I let anyone hurt you again. I’m sorry… so sorry” Cleo looked her straight in the eyes, both of their makeup smeared.

A single kiss and the world just faded around them.