Flag 7

- Amber Hills -

I step into my apartment and head straight to my room. I stare blankly at the ceiling, completely out of it because of what happened earlier today. My phone lets out a short ringtone.

I receive a message from Jess.

Jess: hey, so how'd it go?

Jess: the drive with Hayden.

Amber: yeah, not so great.

Amber: it was awkward.

I fill her in on all the details from start to finish.

Jess: so you turned him down but are you guys good?

Amber: idk.

My phone lets out another tone and surprisingly the name that has grown all too familiar appears.

Hayden: hey.

Amber: hi.

Hayden: i'm sorry about earlier.

(How do I respond to that?) I think to myself.

Another message appears.

Hayden: I take it back.

(What?!)

(Take all that back? What is he trying to say?)

(All the kind gestures and sweet messages, Is he trying to say that they didn't mean anything?)

I struggle to come up with a reply. I receive another message from Hayden and it says:

"You can forget everything that happened between us during the ride."

A new message comes in.

"There's something you should probably know and it's gonna sound ugly and for now. I need to clear out my head."

Something I should know?

Although it seems extremely important, I shrug it off and give him a short response.

Amber: ok.

- Elizabeth Andrews -

I didn't get to talk to her today. With that trail of thought, my face falls in full disappointment.

I'm also currently trying to get over the fact that Hayden made a move because of some bet with his friends.

Like WHY would you even do that?

My cousin didn't come over and my parents informed me that they're on a business trip and they left early this morning so the house is empty. I would've love Amber to be here but would it even be okay to call her over? and at this time of the night? and I probably shouldn't because in my mind, she's probably happy with Hayden, the dark-eyed athlete, one of the basketball team's top players. It annoys me how his reputation seems to match the auburn-eyed brunette I'm falling for.

WHY AM I SO NORMAL?

I pace back and forth and round in circles, debating on whether I should give her a call or not.

- Amber Hills -

I want to see her.

Immediately after dinner, I get ready, grab my keys and head out but before I step out the door, I send a message to Mr. Rhodes who headed out earlier and will probably return in a few minutes.

Amber: I'm sleeping over at a friend's place tonight.

Mr. Rhodes: Oh sure. Take care.

I step outside, lock the doors and make my way to her place.

- Elizabeth Andrews -

Should I call her?

Maybe I shouldn't...

...but I miss her.

Maybe I should...

...but it's late.

To call her or not call her.

God, Liz make up your mind!

After approximately 20 minutes, I take a deep breath and hit her phone up. It rings and I wait for her to pick up.

"Hey, Lizzie."

"Hi, um, it might be a little late to ask but could you please come over?" I hope I don't sound like I'm begging.

I hear a car pulling over but I don't think much of it but to my surprise, Amber responds with "I'm outside."

I look through my window and it really is her, auburn-eyed beauty waving back to me with a warm smile that lights up her cheeks, crinkling up her nose. "I'm heading towards you now!" My heart jumps as a rush of excitement flows through me. I end the call and quickly head downstairs. As soon as the door opens, I dash towards her, welcoming her with a tight embrace.

"You're here!"

"Um, yeah, surprise! I guess," she chuckles.

We step inside. I close the door behind us and take her by the hand, leading her upstairs to my room.

I watch her eyes travel across the room.

"You still stick stars to your ceiling?" She laughs.

My face flushes of embarrassment. I turn the lights off to hide the deep red of my cheeks.

"Don't judge!" I yell out.

In this dimly lit room, she watches the stars that flicker hints of yellow lights and as those sunshine-colored glimmers hit her eyes, streaks of honey and caramel blends in with auburn. They spark fires inside of me.

A silence that is content and a sentimental atmosphere falls underneath these yellow lights and in this moonlit room.

"I like the stars, they make me feel less lonely," I softly muster. I never liked the darkness and I feared to be alone.

"I don't like the dark, that's why I kept them up there."

"Does the dark scare you?" She asks as she turns to meet my gaze.

I take a deep sigh, "It does scare me, I hate the idea of not being able to see things."

It isn't just the darkness itself that boards me on the freight train. It's the fear of what the darkness masks. Being in the dark makes me feel too exposed and too vulnerable, unable to see what threats the dark could possibly bring.

"Are you scared right now?" She asks in a tone, gentle and comforting.

(No, I'm not scared 'cause you're here), is what I wanted to say.

(You're here, Amber.)

I feel my heart pounding so hard, I could hear its every beat. I look down with my hand on my chest.

(Geez, calm down, Liz.)

I feel arms wrap over me. A hand pulls me in a little closer by my waist. My heart is pounding. With our foreheads pressed together and our eyes locked, she says, "Hey". Our faces only a few inches apart. I could hear the sound of her breathing.

"I'm here," she says.

"I know," I reply with a soft grin. I don't even care if my face is as red as a tomato right now. She's here, and that's all that matters.

"I'm glad you came."