- 12.
My empty stomach protested with a wave of cramps. I rushed to the bathroom, dry heaving. A metallic taste filled my mouth. I was coughing up blood. Julian followed, his arm supporting me. “Amelia?” He helped me rinse my mouth.
His face was serious. “You only had your
external injuries checked. You need a full examination.” I shook my head. I knew my body
better than anyone. It was a broken vessel,
easily shattered. He wanted to take me to the
hospital, but I refused. I couldn’t face Ethan
again. In college, Julian would have scolded me for neglecting my health. Now, he simply looked
at me with a restrained tenderness, accepting
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my stubbornness. “Regardless, you can’t eat
cold food anymore.” He settled me on the sofa
and put on an apron. Seeing the usually aloof
Julian in a domestic setting was a surprise. He
paused, touching my head. His cooking skills
were unexpectedly impressive. The simple
noodle dish was the best meal I’d had in days.
Julian took time off to care for me. With his
nurturing, my strength slowly returned. I put my
bowl in the sink. He turned off the faucet, his
arms encircling me. My breath hitched. “I’ll
wash, you watch TV.” I stuck my tongue out at
the uneven division of labor. He turned me
around, my back against the sink, his body
close. “Be good, okay?” Who could resist that?
Dazed, I went back to the sofa. Moments later,
the cushion dipped as he joined me with a plate
of fruit. Looking at his profile, I remembered
our college days, studying together, taking
notes. I typed, “Julian, I always thought you
hated me.” His eyes darkened. “I thought so
too, at first.” “Because you were so gifted.” “I
realized no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t
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12:07
surpass you. I’d never been so jealous. But as I got to know you, I realized the genius girl was
just a little… clueless. Sneaking snacks in class, building cat shelters and getting scratched up, always laughing even after I criticized you.” “Amelia, I didn’t hate you. I hated myself for falling for you and being too afraid to say anything.” His confession, though restrained, held an intensity I’d never seen from him. He opened a drawer, revealing the hidden photo. It was me at eighteen. But I wasn’t eighteen anymore. I wasn’t that carefree girl. I curled up, avoiding his intense gaze. I didn’t believe in love anymore. I was afraid to. Sensing my hesitation, he let it go, gently tucking my hair behind my ear. “Amelia, I’ll heal the wounds he inflicted.” He produced a small box. “This was your going–away present. I finally have a chance to give it to you.” Inside was a beautiful dandelion pin, sparkling in the light. I felt like a dandelion seed, finally finding a safe place to land.
