Firefly

Chapter 5

Amelia was smitten, completely taken with Juice, and she knew it. They spoke daily, actual conversations not through text,, and whatever time he could get away from the club he was either sleeping or with her. Despite the copious amounts of alcohol, they were on a more innocent track, kissing and cuddling, but rather than annoying for each of them, it seemed to be bringing them closer.

After meeting with her advisor, Amelia was going to meet Juice but her excitement was on clinical placement rather than seeing him. She walked into the office with a bright smile. "Please tell me I got it." She said as she took her seat.

"You were split actually." The advisor said sadly. "They didn't have spots for you to fill in med-surg, behavioral health or trauma."

Amelia's jaw dropped. "You have got to be kidding me! They said they did, my grades are fantastic too."

"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. No one from your class got those spots, I did some digging and apparently, it was three students two semesters ahead of you. They needed the spots so they could graduate on time. It wasn't you."

"Great, so now I get placed at whatever hospital wants free nursing?"

That was the truth of it and even her advisor knew how awful of a situation it was. "I placed you at Saint Thomas, it's the closest location to your home address and it's actually not some redneck, no-name hospital. They have some awards, quality staff; I think you'll see it's not so bad."

"Alright." She picked up her book bag with much less enthusiasm then when she first entered the room. "Coordinator will contact me?"

"Yes, sometime this week, I'm sorry Amelia."

"It's not your fault. Thanks for your help."

—

"Turn that frown upside down, Shawcross!" As if Amelia wasn't annoyed enough, Tyler came bounding down the cement. "What's wrong with you?"

"You're what's wrong with me. I'm not in the mood for your bullshit. Leave me alone." Pushing by him Amelia unlocked her car and tossed her books in before sitting.

"I don't know why you're such a bitch." He held the car door open as she tried to shut it. "I was just trying to cheer you up. You and Kel treat me like shit and I practically kiss your feet."

Amelia let go of the door and looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I didn't get all my sites for clinical. It's such bullshit."

"Was that so hard?" He was suddenly lighter, no longer pissed but his usual joking self again. "Jeez all that time with the biker boy is turning you cold."

Pulling a face, she gestured for him to step back so she could shut the door. "I wasn't looking for him; we just kind of met and hit it off. I'm sorry if you're upset about him but he's not making me cold, I'm just pissed about clinical."

"Nah, I get it. Bad boy type and all, story of my life. I'll just sniff around until I get my chance or Kelly finally sees I'm worth a date." When she rolled down the window, he stuck his head in. "I'm kidding, cheer up, it's not the end of the world."

"I gotta go, Ty." She pushed his head out.

"Miss Popular." He said, shooting her a wink as she drove off. Tyler watched as she headed down the street and turned left, his fingers rolling the pills in his pocket. Once Amelia had been nice enough to let him take her out but now that she had this new, in his opinion trashy, biker buddy he could see that wouldn't happen again. Tyler was tired of waiting, playing the friend role, and he had a plan.

—

"Saint Thomas?" Juice asked, his voice pitched higher but just ever so slightly. "At least the commute isn't bad."

Amelia was sitting at the desk in the back room of the weed shop while Juice grabbed a few baggies and checked the security hookups. "Yeah, I know it's just not as prestigious as I had hoped for. I have this obsession with academic perfection and I blame my aunt."

"What are you doing at Saint Thomas? Anything with like, babies?" The last thing he needed was Amelia around Tara or picking up anything negative about the club.

"No. Post-operative care and trauma, I'm not sure there's much of that here though."

Not at Saint Thomas, but Juice doubted she would be graded on clubhouse trauma cases. Slipping his cut back on, Juice shrugged and offered her his hand and she immediately took it. "Well, maybe this can help you jump that perfection hurdle. All you can do is your best, the spots were filled but you'll still get your clinical done and you'll still graduate. Besides, perfection is subjective."

"Thank you." She whispered as they walked through the storefront and out the door. "You're very sweet."

"Juicy Boy!"

Shit. Juice froze at the sound of Chibs' voice. He smiled and turned. "Hey, brother."

Giving Amelia an intrigued look, Chibs strolled closer to them. "I've been looking for you. We've got a wee bit of a problem."

"Carburetor drama?" Amelia asked, hoping to be funny. He chucked as she extended her hand, smiling politely at Chibs. "I'm Amelia."

"I was hoping for an introduction." He said with a harsh look in Juice's direction. "Chibs, dear. Why don't you come back with us?"

"No, it's fine." Juice said quickly. "Can you just give me a second?"

"Aye." He winked at Amelia and began to step away. "Good to meet you."

"I'm sorry, Meels."

"It's fine. I didn't know being a mechanic was such a busy job." Adjusting her book bag on her shoulder, she shrugged. "Will you make it back for the party? You know, with my friends."

Juice shook his head. "I don't know."

"Why don't I go, like he said, it's cool I can like study or something and then we can go when you're done."

With a hand on her lower back, Juice started to lead her back to her car. "You'll hate it. They're loud and there's so much smoke. I'll call you when I'm done." His thumb rested on her chin as he cupped her cheek. "I'm sorry. I promise I'll hang out with your friends and get that Tyler asshole to back off."

"Okay." She mumbled before they kissed goodbye. "Call me."

—

"So that's where ya been?" Chibs asked, giving Juice a few hard slaps on the back. "How long you been seeing that one?"

"A few months." They walked toward their bikes together. "I wasn't lying to you guys; she doesn't know shit about SAMCRO, not even the rumors. I figured for now it's better for everybody to keep her away."

Chibs nodded with a tight smile. "Aye. You don't tell her shite, Juicy, not unless you know you can trust her."

"I know, brother." Juice nodded confidently. "Now what's going on?"

—

Amelia wasn't going to head back to campus. She wasn't interested in parties but the chance to show off Juice wasn't one she was going to skip. Watching as they drove off she felt a wave a disappointment crash over her, worse than when he cancelled the plans initially. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she hoped he would turn around and actually go to the party with her. She sat for a few minutes, weighing her options, before deciding to head home. It just wasn't worth it to her to go alone.

—

What are you guys thinking? Yes/No? Should I keep it up or just stick with the original Amelia? I do have a few ideas planned out so just let me know your feelings!! Xoxo