Amelia's Lawful friend: "Somewhere only we know"

Back in 2008 began the never ending obsession of humans to leave behind a trail, a photo, a self explanatory picture of who they were. It was also the year that Myspace slowly remained in the unknown and Facebook was a complete mess, where it took you minutes to find a person's "wall". Amelia was well versed in technology, particularly social media. It never replaced a book, then again there was one wall she was willing to search amidst the plenty of website apps. His name was Law, and he was boring as hell.

August  2008 proved to be an interesting month for Amelia. She was taking up a few literature courses, so her time was spent in the library researching authors like the Bronte Sisters, Jane Austen and Victor Hugo. No one really entered the library given that the internet was a much faster choice, but Amelia, like her favorite authors, was a semi victorian at heart. However, that day she cheated her own prudish morals and used her laptop instead. The internet indeed, what a tool...

She entered Facebook and searched for Law's page. It took her a minute or more to find his wall, which only irritated her. She hated the thought of being interested in what her friend was doing and with whom. Law was a few years older than her and was doing his Juris Doctors in a fancy university close to hers and sometimes they would lunch together and talk music.  She was in a daze looking at his photos and stubbornly admitting to herself that Law was attractive-

"Amelia...what are you doing?" Law had been standing behind her watching her carefully. He was wearing his usual uniform; navy sweater with a crisp white dress shirt under it, dark jeans and his black converse.

 Amelia frowned. "Researching for Professor Mendoza's class. You know how she likes me to be very thorough."

Law, bringing his hand to his chin, chuckled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "I see, and is it a common practice now to research Charlotte Bronte in social media, particularly mine?"

Amelia turned all shades of purple. "Just what the hell are you doing here already? We said drinks at Joe's after 5pm." That was Amelia, count on her to act nonchalant and ready to change the subject in matter of seconds.

"I know, but I got out early from the seminar. Wanted to see if we could meet up earlier. I got a date tonight." Law searched Amelia's face hoping to find some objection, some hint  that she actually minded.

"Well, date's can be nice Law. Who is she? Oh, it's that girl from your foreign affairs class. Yeah, that sounds terrible. Must be a snooze fest for you." Amelia quite remembered the blonde that kept writing in Law's Facebook wall. She was gorgeous and ridiculously smart sometimes sort of cryptic.

 "Her name is Lydia. I don't know, it seemed like a good idea around 11:00 am." Law shrugged and picked up Amelia's books and laptop. "Let's go. I need some soul searching and I need my best friend there too. You can tell me all about your classes."

Law was already halfway down the library stairs. Amelia followed him while  rolling her eyes out at him. He was always so proper and irritatingly perfect. Sometimes she wondered why he bothered hanging around a sophomore college girl when he probably had post graduate issues of his own.

They reached outside and were walking side by side to Law's silver SUV. Law was slightly more quiet than usual. Like if some debate was happening in his mind.

 "Where are we going Law?"

"Somewhere only we know".

"Ok, that does not sound creepy at all. But I'm guessing it's that bench near the docks in Old San Juan."
Amelia laughed out loud and reached over to mess his near perfect black hair. He really was a good friend to her, almost like family. Good friends were so hard to find that she dared not sacrifice it for a casual idea of finding him attractive. She hated the fact that Law had a date with Lydia. Jeez, even their names together seemed like the ultimate suburban  yuppie-villed couple.

Law smiled at her warmly and took her hand for a minute. She was so special to him. Her with the pink hair, colored skinny jeans and leather bag filled with books. Her that never seemed to fit to anyones expectations, because she lived to fulfill her own wishes. Amelia was a friend. He repeated over and over.

They stopped at a red light. Amelia was texting someone in her pink phone and laughing. He touched her hand again, she looked at him inquisitively. Maybe this was his chance to tell her, maybe this was it.

"umm, Amelia, maybe we should put some music on." Law frowned as the light turned green.

"Yes, please. I heard the new Keane album is amazing. Remember to write down in your lawyer type agenda that we need some time for music."

Amelia turned on the radio and Dido's melodic came through.

"There will be no white flag above my door. I'm in love and always will be. I will go down with this ship."

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Could Dido be any more tragic?"

Law cleared his throat. "I don't know Amelia. She might be on to something. To love someone so strong that even after it ends, you still feel for them. I am sure the heroines in your victorian novels would understand."

"Remind me to ask Elizabeth Bennet the next time I dive into an Austen marathon." Amelia blushed but kept on texting as if the conversation never happened.

They drove off to Old San Juan each in their own thoughts, but occasionally smiling. Each yearning  for the same dream, but only one brave enough to hope. And he would go on hoping until Amelia could finally see.

Xander and Amelia: In the world of women and mortgage loans

   It was a rather uncommon day in mortgage loan affairs when all projected cases closed. The time was exactly three in the afternoon and it served as an opportunity for casual day dreams. She thought of Xander and heard his boisterous voice across the hall. Amelia chuckled and wondered how anyone had such constant energy, considering where they were working.

Amelia took the chance of low "productivity" and walked for a while. She noticed that in every corner there was a woman. The world of mortgage loans is ruled by pure estrogen. Amelia thought about how women are the most loving and giving creatures, and yet the worst when it comes to competition. Amelia was aware that she looked strange staring casually at people in the 18th floor of the building, however, she sincerely did not care.

Women everywhere here.

Sasha was a mortgage loan underwriter. She had the clearest blue eyes and graying hair. Her lovely and delicate features made a smooth canvas for her rather difficult story. As if sensing she was being watched, Sasha smiled at Amelia and asked her to sit next to her. Some days, their conversations would be strictly business like how to know when a client qualifies for a federal mortgage loan without appraisal. But today, they both had a lot in their minds.

Sasha was 60 years old and Amelia 27. They had become close friends. It was Sasha who first mentioned to Amelia that there was more than meets the eye with Xander.

"Amelia, you are too closed up when it comes to love. Give Xander a chance"

"He makes me feel reckless sometimes. Like if I should loose control. It's so out of character for me".

"Given, he is a wild ride...but maybe he is just what you need"

Amelia smiled warmly at Sasha and dropped the subject. In that silence, these two women with decades apart from each other, found comfort. Sasha was still in love with her deceased husband. It had been ten years since his death from a heart attack. Amelia found it amazing how her friend surpassed the pain of loss and chose to remember the man she loved.

"I admire your peace, Sasha. I admire your courage on love and hope. You know what I've been through...maybe Xander just came at the wrong time"

Sasha was working on some figures in her computer but stopped abruptly and gave Amelia a "you're so full of shit"look. Amelia laughed hard and the sound surprised her. Everything about Xander always made her feel things. Feel again. Yet she found it so funny how Sasha could see right through her.

"Amelia, you're a sweet girl, but honey,cant you detect your own bullshit? Ever since you met this guy, I've seen you come alive. I feel as if with Xander, the real Amelia comes out. I'm not sure what you are waiting for".

Amelia shrugged but then looked at Sasha as if remembering a fun fact

"well, he did ask me out last week". Sasha extended her arms in the air in victory, but only to be slightly disappointed.

"And?! You told him yes, right?"

Amelia left the conversation in the air. She loved teasing Sasha like that. But truth is, she had decided a long time ago. As she made her way back to her cubicle, she stopped by Xander's desk. He was busy analyzing data and the frustration had him red in the face. Amelia always found this ridiculously cute in him. She wanted to stay a while looking at him without being noticed, but it was Xander, he always knew when she was near.

Amelia went up to him and in her most decisive tone yet, looked into his eyes and said "Yes". She smiled as if she couldn't believe what just happened, and quietly left.

In the world of mortgage loans, some people didn't make the cut, others got a great deal in the new federal mortgage loan, and two people spent the next two hours day dreaming of their up coming date.