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Chapter Two
As she led him through the house to her bedroom, Leo could see the inner simplicity of Amelia as a person.
The real person inside the perfect package her mother was determined to assemble.
The room was done in varying shades of greens and decorated with furniture featuring clean lines. It was spotless and hyper-organized.
Leo spotted an acoustic guitar in the corner and went to look at it. Glancing over his shoulder, he asked, “Do you mind?” She shook her head and he picked it up.
Amelia sat on the edge of her bed to watch him. Checking the tuning, Leo perched on her desk chair and played her a blend of Beethoven and Bach. When he started a rendition of Spanish Romance, she smiled.
As it came to a close, they didn’t move.
It was her mother’s voice at the door that broke the spell. “Well, aren’t you talented? Amelia, you should take your lessons more seriously so you can play like Leo.”
There was an uncomfortable silence and Amelia gave Leo a small shake of her head when he would have spoken on her behalf.
“Honey, you need to be out here with everyone. Come on now, don’t be rude to the rest of your guests.”
“Coming,” Amelia answered quietly.
Leo put the instrument away and followed Amelia to the patio where the party was in full swing.
She was pulled from group to group, casually polite to all, her arm linked tightly through Leo’s. He stayed with her, unsure why she seemed to want his company. She was popular, beautiful, wealthy, and talented. He was, for all intents and purposes, a nerd. Nothing else mattered when you were given such a label in an American school.
Still, she wanted him with her so he stayed.
Some of her friends glanced curiously between them but didn’t ask questions. Her position in the social hierarchy didn’t permit most people to challenge her.
To her primary circle, she announced, “I’m sure everyone knows Leo. I probably would have been held back without his help.” When someone mentioned her new bracelet, she held out her wrist. “Isn’t it lovely? My birthday present from Leo. Such a thoughtful, beautiful gift.”
Holding his arm, she asked, “Are you hungry? We have all kinds of food. Drinks, too. Come on. You’re going to love the dessert table.”
Hours later, as the evening drew to an end, he thanked her long-suffering father and obnoxious mother. Mr. Whitehall seemed to be a genuinely nice person but Mrs. Whitehall appeared to go out of her way to be confrontational.
Waving her hand dismissively at Leo, she told him, “I’m sure being asked to our home should count as thanks for your help, young man. Amy is going to be very busy this summer so…”
Amelia interrupted, “Leo is going to help me get my science project prepared for next year and I signed up for two classes to make sure I’m on track for next year.”
“School during the summer? It’s pageant season, Amy!” the woman shouted and quickly dropped her voice. “There’s plenty of time to worry about credits…”
“Me getting my high school diploma might not be important to you but it’s important to me, Mom. I’m not failing school - or coming so close - ever again. Leo will help me.”
She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “You don’t need…”
“No.” Amelia’s hand tightened on Leo’s arm. “If you want me to choose one or the other, I choose school.” He could tell it was a difficult thing for her to say.
There was a tense silence and then Mrs. Whitehall huffed. “Fine. There are several pageants you cannot miss.”
“We can talk about that once I know the workload for summer school classes. Dad already said he’d drop me off and pick me up.”
The woman turned her head slowly and stared at her husband. “You knew about this? The two of you! Thick as thieves when I do everything for both of you…”
Amelia said quietly, “Mom, you’re causing a scene in our home, on my birthday, in front of all my friends. That’s a good way for me to lose my popularity.”
It was absolutely bizarre to watch the effect the words had on Amelia’s mother. She instantly dropped her hands and lowered to the couch. “We can talk about this later, Amelia.”
“Sure. I’m going to walk Leo out. His driver is here.”
