Chapter Sixteen

I wake up with an ice pack on my head. I look up and see that I'm on the couch. I quickly sit up, making sure the ice pack stays on my head. I look around. Suddenly, I see her.

Amy is curled up on the floor, no blanket draped over her. I get off the couch and go to the bathroom. I shut the door quietly and turn on the shower. I undress and stand in the hot water.

I stand there but I'm not sure how long. I get out after awhile and don't bother drying off or getting dressed. I walk to my room and put on sweats and a sweatshirt. My hair is dripping onto the floor, but at this point I don't really care.

I lay on my bed and curl up facing the window away from the door. I just lay there, letting my headache get the best of me. I just look out the window and think.

I find myself thinking about Jackson. Why did he for once respect me? He was fully clothed and respected what I asked. But Jackson has never been a respectful person, so why last night?

Then I think about Amy. When did she get back? And how did she know I was hungover? And where was she?

I suddenly open my eyes and find I'm on the floor. "What the hell?" I mumble as I get up. I look out the window and realize that it's not early morning anymore, it's sunset. I walk out into the living room and find Amy on her phone on the couch eating some noodles.

She looks up and stands, knocking her noodles onto the ground. "Kim!" she says. She walks over and hugs me around my neck. I feel her tears slide onto my shoulder and down my back. I don't hug her back. I'm too hurt to feel anything. I look into her tear stained eyes as she backs away. Before I can even say anything, she grabs my face and kisses me.

I widen my eyes in surprise, but quickly ease into it. I take her shoulder and the back of her head as she holds my cheeks softly. I close my eyes. I don't know how long I'm there for, but all of a sudden, I open my eyes and find myself on the couch with Amy laying her head on my lap.

I look down to check if she's awake. "Amy?"

Amy rolls onto her back and looks up at me. "Hi," she says, smiling.

I run my fingers through her hair. I look down at her hand. "What're you doing?" I ask.

Amy lifts her hand and reveals her phone. "Instaglam."

"Ah," I say. I look over at the oven and try to tell the time. 6:47. "Um, Amy?"

Amy looks up again. "Yeah?"

"When I told you I loved you, I... That was real. I know I told you it wasn't after, but I only said that because I thought you didn't want that. But since you kissed me earlier, I'm assuming you're... Welcoming it?"

Amy pauses. She sits up and faces me. She has a serious look on her face. "I'm not sure..." She shakes her head. "No, I am sure. I've loved you ever since you moved in."

She looks intently into my eyes. I blink. "Really?" I ask stupidly.

Amy nods. "Ever since I saw your face as you peeked into the room," she says. "I... I fell in love."

I stay still. "I... I don't know what to say."

"Just kiss me, dummy," Amy says, reaching up to me again. I smile and close my eyes.