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She scooted closer and he begged whatever gods existed to give him strength as her perfume slipped over his senses.
“Leo, I’m so, so sorry about my mother. She didn’t used to be like this. It was my folks winning the lottery that changed her almost overnight. Dad tries to rein her in but…she makes it hard to have a normal conversation.”
“Amelia…”
“I know you don’t have time to tutor me with all the clubs and extracurricular activities you’re involved in. You never tutor, Leo. I won’t take advantage or-or take it for granted. I’ll try to catch up as fast as I can.”
He set the books to the side and crossed his arms on the table. “Thank you, Amelia. Don’t worry.” Inhaling deeply, he added, “I’ve tried to tutor some of the guys on teams but...they want me to do the work for them. That, I don’t have time to do.”
“I swear I won’t ask. I don’t want to cheat. I just need help with some of the science and math basics to do the work.” She pressed her temples and he realized it was a tic she had when she was stressed. “I haven’t even started my history project and it’s due in a couple of weeks. It’s half my grade. I’m scared and that makes me more confused.”
Opening her math book, Leo turned it to her. “Let’s start with one thing. I can help. Let me help, Amelia.”
Meeting his eyes, he realized hers were filled with tears. Then she nodded and they got to work.
* * *
Leo and Amelia worked together three days a week over the next four months. Her test scores were good when she had a chance to study. It was turning in the mounds of class and homework that put her so far behind.
A week before school let out for the summer, he helped her review for all her finals. She passed with a high B average for the year to the thrill of her teachers, her parents, and most importantly…herself.
He continued to struggle every time he was around her but got very skilled at hiding it. He started to consider time with Amelia as a good way to learn control over his physical reactions.
It was character building.
For weeks, she’d been reminding him about the party at her house but he hadn’t decided if he’d be attending. It coincided with her birthday.
Since he’d opted out of the winter break party and her spring break bash, Amelia had made it clear that his attendance at this celebration would mean a lot to her.
His hesitation wasn’t about Amelia at all.
The popular crowd she hung out with didn’t usually take to people like him. He played soccer for a community league but had no interest in high school sports. He was considered - by far - the biggest nerd in the school. Puberty was also kicking his ass while not giving him any of the height he prayed would show up from his father’s side.
In the end, Leo decided to go because seeing her outside of school felt important.
He wanted to see if she was less everything outside school.
Amelia answered the door when he knocked and smiled brightly - as if she was watching for him. She wore a pretty caramel dress that matched her eyes but seemed too formal for the occasion.
In her flats, she was still an inch or two taller than he was.
Smiling, Leo handed her a box his mother had picked up for him earlier that day. Inside was a gold charm bracelet that held a few symbols of the things he knew to be truly important to her.
“Happy birthday, Amelia,” he said softly.
She touched the airplane, camera, heart, cat, and dog charms with the tip of her finger as she whispered, “Thank you so much, Leo. It’s beautiful.”
As he watched, Amelia removed it from the velvet box and asked him to put it on for her. His eyes widened in surprise that she wanted to wear it now.
Clearing his throat, he carefully fastened the clasp, marveling at the delicate skin of her inner wrist.
Casually taking his hand, she took him on a tour of the house and blushed at the countless photos of her on the walls.
At the threshold of the formal living room, she sighed at the French provincial décor and murmured, “My mother thinks it’s classy. I know how gaudy it is.” Leo shook his head and gestured for her to continue. “You have awesome manners, Leo. It’s like you’re from another century. I-I like it.”
“My parents are descended from old customs. I was born in Spain but spent half of every year in Scotland with my mother’s family.” He shrugged one shoulder. “My accent doesn’t really fit anywhere.”
“You talk like a professor and your accent is pretty.”
“Thank you, Amelia.” Inclining his head, he explained, “I have no brothers or sisters but many cousins, aunts and uncles. There’s a strict outline for my life at this point. I hope to break the confinement of their expectations as I get older. We shall see.”
“I know a lot about being in a mold you don’t want to be in.”
He imagined she knew a great deal about how smothered he sometimes felt. His family was wonderful but saw him as an extension of their histories and traditions. An heir who would one day handle the tasks required by their holdings.
“Sometimes, breaking the mold feels like the only solution.”
She smiled. “Yeah, I feel like that.”
