Forbidden Love

Chapter 22

Henry got back from his business trip, and as decided, Amy didn't tell him about the rape incident. She tried not to think about that night, to help her erase the memory forever, but it wasn't that easy, as simple words or sentences would take her back to that ugly night.

The nightmares, although not as tormenting as before still made it difficult for her to fall asleep at night, but thanks to the very thoughtful and caring Bryan, she rarely had those nightmares because he made sure to call her everyday after dinner to talk about so many things, like how his day went, some future deals he plans to make, to ask how she spent her day, to know what college she has decided to go to, stuffs like that, just to get her mind off that night. It really helped her, as she only thought of pleasant things before going to bed.

Mandy was also very helpful as she made it a habit to visit Amy whenever she could, to spend much quality time with her best friend, to help her get through this phase and also because she would soon be heading to college, leaving Amy behind.

Amy was thankful she had such wonderful people in her life, people she could trust and lean on besides her parents. She would forever be grateful and indebted to them, for being there for her during her darkest time.

*****THREE WEEKS LATER*****

"Happy birthday sleepyhead!" Mandy's cheery voice woke Amy up from her beautiful sleep.

She groaned in annoyance and covered her entire body with her duvet, which was ripped off her body some seconds later. She grumbled incoherently and covered her face with a pillow as her best friend opened the curtains.

"Gosh, Amy! Stop acting like a pregnant lady and wake up!" Mandy said, while struggling to remove the pillow from Amy's face.

"Fine. I guess we won't have to say goodbye before I leave for Pennsylvania... Goodbye Amy." Mandy pretended to leave the room.

"Mandy, wait!" Amy yelled, jumping out of bed and running towards the door.

"Gotcha!" Mandy exclaimed in excitement just as Amy was about to make it out the door.

She cracked up when Amy shrieked in fear.

"For Christ sake, Mandy! You scared me!" Amy said, as she tried to calm her fast beating chest.

"I'm sorry. You didn't want to wake up, so I had to come up with something." Mandy replied while trying to catch her breath from laughing too hard.

"But that wasn't a joke, you know." Amy continued, this time with a rather sad tone.

"Yeah. I know."

"Do you have to leave today?" Amy asked. Mandy nodded and made her way to Amy's bed, lying on the bed.

She let out a deep sigh and mumbled,

"I wish I didn't have to."

Amy sighed and copied her best friend's action, both staring at the ceiling like there was something fascinating about it.

"I can't believe I'll have to wait for two freaking months to turn nineteen... Our parents should've had us on the same day." Mandy suddenly said, changing the subject, earning a chuckle from Amy.

"You can't blame them. Your lazy ass wasn't in a hurry to see the world." Amy teased her best friend, causing Mandy to hit her with a pillow and that was how they got into a pillow fight.