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Olivia doesn’t say anything, just holds me tighter. I can’t imagine what she could say. If I voice aloud how I’m truly feeling, it doesn’t just impact me. It will impact everyone in my life. Leaving the Society is already considered treason. I can’t even imagine what falling for a Dark Elder would be considered.
And that’s what this is. Maybe it was the club, or maybe the way he looked and talked to me, but my feelings are there. My feelings are there, and ithurts.
Chapter 12
My nerves are through the roof as I wait for my friends to arrive at my house for the party. My mind has been fully preoccupied since last night, but I know I can’t set off any alarm bells, so tonight still has to happen. I’m grateful to be hosting; cooking dinner has helped me calm down some.
I startle when a knock comes at the door. There’s still twenty minutes before people should be arriving, so I’m hopeful it’s Olivia. My suspicions are confirmed when I open the door and see Olivia standing there with a smile and a bottle of wine. Though we are allowed to consume alcohol within Society borders, it is extremely difficult to get your hands on as a citizen; therefore, most people either have to wait for an Elder function or find other means of obtaining it. As official daughters,however, Olivia and I have easier access than most. Despite this, we have none in the house at the moment, so I’m incredibly grateful that Olivia has thought ahead. I smile, instantly feeling a bit better, and let her through.
I give her a quick hug as she passes. “I’m so happy you’re here early.”
She hugs me back and then moves straight to the drawer with the bottle opener to pour us glasses. “Of course, are you kidding? I need you at least a little tipsy by the time everyone arrives.”
I laugh and take a large gulp from my glass. “I couldn’t agree more.”
We sit down at the breakfast table, and Olivia takes a drink before talking. “How are you doing? Still feel...the same as last night?” She’s trying to appear nonchalant, but her sneaking glances in my direction give her away.
I sigh and empty my glass, getting up to pour another. I know I shouldn’t be drinking so fast, but the steady warmth in my stomach begs to differ. “I honestly don’t know how to answer that. Being away from it and by myself for the night has cleared some of that…feeling…but it’s still very much there.” Being away has also caused reality to swiftly set in. I can’t just pick up everything and change the world I have known my whole life because I’m developing feelings for Arman. I especially can’t now that I have a True Partner; this all would be detrimental to him and his family, as well.
She nods and looks down at her drink, lost in thought. “It’s not an easy place to be at, and I’m sorry you’re going through it. Just know that whatever you decide, I’m here for you.”
Olivia is quite seriously the best person in this universe. I get up from my seat to give her a hug, feeling lucky to have such a great friend by my side. It only serves to make me feel more guilty, however. I’m putting her in jeopardy, too, but she’s still loyal as ever.
We break apart when there’s a knock at the door. I straighten and take a deep breath, trying my best to put my game face on.
Imogen is on the other side, a large smile on her face and a plate of cheese pastries in hand. “Amelia! I’m so excited to finally meet your new man.” She gives me a one-armed hug and goes to the kitchen to set down the pastries. I follow her and take my seat across from Olivia again, listening as Imogen speaks.
She’s talking animatedly about the talent show the Society kids will be putting on during service next week. She’s always been very involved in Society volunteer work, especially with children. I know one reason she’s so excited for her True Partner ceremony is because she’s dying to have kids. She’s always been a natural with them, and I have no doubt that when the time comes, she’ll be an amazing mother.
It's only another few minutes before the door sounds again, this time Caleb and his very pregnant wife, Maria, on the other side. He’s got an entire bag of wine bottles, and he shrugs with a grin when I look at him incredulously. “She can’t drink, which meanswecan’t drink. It’s from the house. From that crate you gave us, like, a year ago.”
I laugh and let them enter, motioning for them to make their way to the kitchen. Before I can close the door, I see a car pull up. The nerves are back full force as I watch Elliot and his friends open the doors.
As they file out, I make a concentrated effort to put a smile on my face. Let the party begin.
~ ~·~ ~
“And do you remember the time Elliot literally ran into the post on your balcony? He was bruised forweeks.” A pretty girl with silky caramel hair, Adriana, asks with a humor-filled grin on her face.
“Oh my Elders, Adriana!” Elliot laughs, placing an arm around my shoulders. He turns to me, a tipsy smirk on his lips. “I haven’t touched mead since then.”
I laugh, recalling my own childish adventure with mead. It’s easy enough to make, so it’s a go-to alcohol option for younger Society members. I take another sip of my wine. The alcohol has helped calm me throughout the night, and Elliot’s friends are lively and outgoing, which has made dinner go smoothly. We’re stuffed from dinner and dessert and are now nursing the last of our drinks. I lean into Elliot’s arm, enjoying the buzz from my wine. “I didn’t know you were such a firecracker, Elliot.”
He smiles at my affection and pulls me closer. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Amelia.”
“Oh my god, ew, you’re so cute!” Imogen is grinning at us. She opens her mouth to say something else when there’s a sudden groan from the kitchen.
Caleb stands and quickly runs to the kitchen, and I realize it’s Maria. I follow, cognizant of Elliot right behind me. When we get to the kitchen, Maria’s sitting at the breakfast table, holding the lower part of her swollen stomach, clearly in pain.
I’m unsure what to do, so I lean awkwardly against the doorframe. “Are you okay, Maria?”
Caleb kneels beside her, taking her hand. “She’s in labor. Maria, I told you to stay home. This has been too much stress on your body.”
She narrows her eyes at him, but there’s clear fear there as well. “I haven’t been out in ages, Caleb. Besides, it’s still early. There’s no reason to rush—oooohhhhh.” Liquid starts streaming down her left leg, and I realize with panic that her water has broken.
Olivia rushes past me, but stutters in her steps before reaching Maria and Caleb. I look at her in confusion, but sheavoids my gaze, instead settling against the wall on the right-hand side of the doorframe, across from me.
Adriana rushes into the room, to Maria’s side. “I’ll drive us. My husband’s on call, he’ll make sure you get right in. Plus, my car has a barcode to get into the doctor’s parking lot.” Adriana’s husband is one of the emergency doctors at our hospital. Though he doesn’t work in gynecology, she had mentioned during dinner that he has great connections with many of his colleagues.
