Amelia and Law: "Hamburg Song"

Amelia had her laptop open and her fingers ready to type. She was sitting at her nearest coffee shop close to  the University and was desperate to begin writing her paper on latinamerican literature due next tuesday. The subject was "100 years of Solitude"by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a columbian journalist and novelist. She decided to fuse her inspiration with some strong black coffee and the melodies of Eva Cassidy. She always prefered listening to Eva when writing.

 Not far in another red semi stained couch sat a fellow classmate with his own laptop, typing away as if his life depended on it. Danny  was his name, tall, geeky tall actually, with expresso colored hair and porcelain skin and yes, Amelia had noticed him since day one.He always smelled deliciously of citrus and writing ink and always wore pop culture inspired t shirts. He was simply, too cool.  She sipped her coffee and quickly tried to imagine some sort of lame way to begin conversation with him . 

"How is the paper coming along?"
"Hmm, damm it why are you so adorable?"
Hi, I am in your literature class and I wanted to simply worship your hair. Yes, you have great hair"
"Marry me? No, that was lame"
"Shit, I am a dork"
"Amelia, you study words, say something"

Amelia was fidgeting with her fingers and typing crap in her word document as if fighting. Danny, stared, green eyes alert, but  kept on with his work as if not impressed. She was about to raise the common finger when Law entered the coffee shop. He caught her just as her face was flushed with anger, lashing dirty looks to the other side of the room. He followed her direction, and already sensing the situation, tried to make light of it, ignoring his own thoughts.

"Amelia, should I ask why you are staring at that kid like you are picturing his death?"
"It's funny you mention it  Law, I was doing just that"
"Already planning a world destruction, my dear friend? I thought that was exclusive for fridays" 
"Well, I am feeling rather generous today"

Law reached for a kiss on her cheek and sat next to her, a little closer than most days. Amelia did not seem to mind at all, She seemed to be lost in her world of coffee and literature and something else. For months, Law was picturing ways of letting her know how he felt. He needed to let her know how much she inspired him, how he pictured kissing her and waking up next to her everyday, and yes the image of her walking naked around his apartment was a constant. He placed his arm around her and leaned her closer to him. She smelled of flowers and in return rested her head on his chest, something completly normal for her. The coffee shop was playing his favorite song "Hamburg Song"by Keane. He let the words and melodies fill him with courage and confidence. He kissed her hair and took a sip of his coffee.   The moment was entirely sweet and perfect.

"Law, I need to have sex, are you available?"

He almost coughed back his coffee. He stared at her half surprised and half hoping it was not a bluff. As he prepared to reply, Amelia quickly laughed and tickled him under his chest. 

"I'm kidding, sorry. But it's true that I have been in a dry spell lately, and I'm pretty sure Danny wont ever notice me. So,  i was just checking my options. Either way, I'm sure Lydia has you busy with all that foreign affairs sex, you do look a bit skinnier though. Are you being safe? Ok, don't answer that. 

In the middle of her coffee laced monologue, Law leaned closer and gently kissed her. It was his only chance and he went for it. Finally, in all her life, Amelia was silenced with a kiss. The rest of the customers also stared, some "Awws and Oohs"were heard and Danny  looked as if something amusing finally happened. To Law, none of that mattered, he finally did something about it. All he could think of was Amelia's face; as if all life was drained out of her. Then, she touched her lips and smiled.

"Thank you"

"Yeah, anytime" Why was she thanking him? She really was insane and eratic. He hesitated for a second.
"You are aware that I just kissed you, right?"

Amelia smiled brilliantly. Her cheeks were flushed. "Yes, I was there on the recieving end. It was lovely. I'm sorry, I know I have been a bit annoying lately. I read victorian novels as a potential career and yet my love life is shit. So I was thanking you because you reminded me about what these heroines in my books are searching for. 

Law seemed at a loss for words, which was completly normal of his nature. But this was his moment, so he touched her hand, encouraging her to continue.

"Consuming love. Completly ridiculous, passionate love. So, thank's. The kiss helped me remember to keep hoping. Don't worry, I wont tell Lydia. Chalk it up to too much caffeine and Keane music. Was that "Hamburg Song"? Anyways, gotta hit the books.

Amelia thanked the heavens and Freud, that Law could not read her mind for it was a mixture of Gin and expressionist paintings. She saw life in colors, and right now it was red, orange and purple. She felt something, but maybe not enough. His kiss was still in the memory of her lips, that secretly wanted more, but she kissed him on his forehead and made plans for the next day; a poetry reading at Charlottes. The scent of her perfume embraced him. Across the room, Danny stared at him and lifted his notebook, where he wrote:

"FRIEND ZONED MUCH?" and laughed for a second, as if the world went back to it's original dullness. At that moment, Law's phone chimed in a text message from Lydia. "See you soon?". Law replied and all the while, Keane still playing in the coffee shop, "Will you see me in the end? Or Is it just a waste of time, trying to be your friend?"

Law had been in love with Amelia for about a year already, he watched her go through ups and downs, a few breakups and her parents divorce. He hoped that someday she would see him, but somehow he began to understand that hope was probably only for fools. 


Arwenlyn
2015

Xander and Amelia: Fire and Water plus a phone call

Amelia had been up since the early morning. She peeked through her window and stared at the moving trees and the colors of the sunrise. And slowly, the sun came by taking away the sounds of night. Her mind kept playing to last night, oh what a night. She had been singing, she remembered the neon lights, laughter of slightly tipsy co workers and expectant smiles. She remembered him. She could never forget him. 

Her collection of books had become a hazard in her room. She piled stacks of diverse literature and each one had a memory of its own. From victorian classics and George Orwells's "Animal Farm"  to the rather modern erotic novels, yes Amelia's taste was broad. No matter how shattered her hopes have been, she always had her books, her mind, her paintings. Most receantly she was feeling the angst of a relationship gone dry. Eric, sweet innocent Eric had broken her heart more than anyone before. He was her best friend for years. She dreamed of a future and he played along until it was too much to ask from him. His absence only made her yearn for something life changing. She didnt know it then, but life was preparing her for fire.

In the middle of her organizing her young adult fiction novels  she recieved a phone call from an unknown number. Normally she would never bother with answering these types of calls, but something made her think she had absolutely nothing to loose. Eric was gone, Mia was dead. "What the hell?"She mumbled through her breath as she answered.

The instant she heard his voice she knew exactly who he was. For some incredibly stupid reason she started to fix her hair and spray some citrus splash on her skin. His voice made her glow with happiness and she felt so silly by it. She had been wearing sweats and a white tank top that said "Nice Junk". she wondered if he would approve of her brand of humor.

Almost instantly in the conversation, Xander and Amelia talked so honestly and open. No false pretenses, no covering up. She knew his secret and He knew hers. He learned that she  liked to paint when  nostalgia took hold of her  and she learned that he lived everyday like his last. At times Amelia would look at herself in the mirror just to see that-wait a minute- yes, she was smiling. She was happy Xander had called her. But then the dreaded question came up.

"I see Aidan walked you to your car a few times, is He your boyfriend?" Please say no. Please say no.
"Um, no he is not. I have a boyfriend- ah, hmm well had". What the hell was that? What is wrong with me? .
"Well which one is it? Had or have?" Please say had, please say had! 
"Oh, had. Long story. Not my particular favorite subject" Ok, that wasnt so difficult. It's really over.
 "Oh sure I understand " I have a shot! 

Xander was a man of goals and he had his mind set on Amelia since that day at the parking lot. She was not the type of woman he typically dated. Then again his typical taste had given him enough  baggage claim. His  intrigue for Amelia was beyond anything physical or emotional. He couldnt explain how in one conversation he felt himself falling for her mind, the sound of her voice, her convictions. He felt himself changed by her.

Amelia was a natural skeptical when it came to love. Sure she had felt the butterflies but she had an edge to her. Love had not been too kind either. Or was it really love? A love that changes you. No, she had never experienced that. She had never been drawn to men like Xander either, all sociable and expressive. No, this was something new. Her initial reaction has always been to just walk away. Too much fire and she was too much of water. But his voice, deep and rustic...she needed more of it. His eyes were of her favorite color: Amber. His hair the color of sunset. She wondered if she could paint a portrait of him. He was like a work of art. All in one conversation.

They were complete opposites, yes anyone could have told you that.
They were in for a surprise.

And ironically, Monday's  became their favorite day of the week.


 

Xander and Amelia: Kareoke Madness

5:00 p.m. San Juan, Financial District



Amelia Lockhart stared into her office watch. She tapped her foot on the carpet, as if counting the seconds.  A few more minutes and she would clock in eigth hours of labor dedicated to a career she never studied for. But more on that later, because today was different. Today, she found a reason to stay a few more hours in the city. Amelia smiled because she had wanted to see him ever since that day at the parking lot. But he also scared the living daylights out of her. How could someone have such a dual reaction to her?

Amelia still had no idea what she felt for this person, whom she detested and was so curious about. This person who was from another world. After that infamous afternoon, Amelia had asked her friend Aiden  to walk her to her car. And every day, she would see him in his sleek Volvo parked next to her  blue  SUV. Her pink taser was always charged and ready for action, yet this person was moving slowly. He would only steal glances at her and smile...Amelia hated that she loved his smile. She was only dissappointed that her taser was left unused...to use it meant He would have to come closer.

So terrified and well, let's face it, PARANOID was she, that even her other co-workers knew about him. Some called him "The German" other's prefered to call him "the guy with red hair who scares Amelia".  Her friend Mikaela made the effort to talk to "The German" about her.

                                                     One month ago......


Mikaela and the german/red head guy/guy that scares Amelia/ had met with other co-workers for a few drinks. After a few minutes of analyzing him, she realized that Amelia would really like him. As if keeping a naughty secret from her (which she did), she showed him a photo of the "girl of his dreams".

Xander's expressive eyes enlarged even more when he saw the photo of the mysterious weird girl from the parking lot. "Nooooo way!!!!!!" "I know who she is!!!" "I have seen her, your telling me she is a singer? "Her name is Amelia?". Goal oriented Xander made a mental note that now he had legit reasons to speak to her, that girl who always looked away from him. He kept smiling all night.


                                                        Present day 

                                                         5:25 p.m. San Juan, 
                                          St. Martin Train Station kareoke

The shuttle bus made an abrupt stop. The neon lights sparkled everyone. Anticipation in their eyes. Hearts beating fast. Amelia step out and was face to face with Xander. It felt as if he was waiting for her. Amelia made serious efforts not to freak out and scream, or throw herself right at him.  She was leaving, or so she had decided, but Xander would not take it. He followed her to the parking lot, and after all those months of thinking what to say... "You are the singer, right?"

Amelia, not knowing about Mikaela's trick, was even more festered and scared. "How does he know? Oh crap! I knew it! He has been following me!!" She could only muster a mumbled "umm yeah, uhum.  In that moment you would have never guessed she had a master's degree under her shaking belt.

Xander, on the other hand, was growing even more with confidence. Tonight was the night he would begin to know her. He had no idea why so much intrigue over someone so quiet. But he felt she was different and special, and coming from a past like his, he was searching for the real thing.

"Dont go away! Im coming back. I have to hear you sing"
Amelia nodded
Xander gave her one last smile and chuckled.

Amelia, quickly walked towards her coworkers, all smiling and asking her what was that all about. She couldn't even speak articulately. The DJ was playing the song "Madness"from the band Muse. She suddenly gave in to melody and heart thumping rhythm. The lyrics made it a fitting environment.

"I need to know, is this real love, or is this madness?" She sang out loud and with a drink in hand, she decided it was time to sing and let it all out. Music has always been her escape, her resting place. She looked around for Xander's face amongst the crowd. She was surprised to find out, that he was doing the same. At that moment, eyes locked, she finally smiled, truly from her heart at the exact moment the song said "I have realized, that I need to love".

She took the mike and sang with her heart out. People looked around searching for a face to match the edgy voice, and were surprised to see it belonged to "meek"Amelia. The crowd kept growing, Amelia cheered on and felt so free. When she finished the song, she suddenly so brave, searched for Xander. He had never left her side.

They found each other and began laughing for no good reason. After exchanged names and all, Xander couldn't stop saying how wonderful she sang. Amelia couldn't believe that she loved the sound of his deep voice. He wasted no time and asked for her phone number.

"Oh, you can ask Mikaela for my number. I was about to leave".

Xander's heart beat faster....

"No, please...I really would love to call you".

Amelia's eyelashes batted.  Ohhh, now what do I do? Oh screw it, i cant go on denying. 

" If you want you can put me under Amelia Bank so you wont get confused".

Xander chuckled, "You are the only Amelia in my life. You, what you did tonight. It was unforgettable, like that time in the parking lot with your shirt".

............ Wait, What?. "Y-you remembered that?"

"Like I said, unforgettable".

Xander, I like your name... I might even like.... 

Amelia's drive back home was filled with unsaid words. Her past called, but she ignored it. All she could think of were the color of Xander's eyes, his voice and this desire to know more. Xander saved Amelia's number. He would call first thing. He never felt more sure about anything before.

Two strangers...Two different worlds
One story to tell. Minus one pink taser.