Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 102

December 24th, 2019

I stumbled as I nearly crashed into someone, not paying attention to where I was going. I was too lost in thought to notice a pair of arms steadying me. Xander.

He frowned at me. "Amelia? Is everything okay?"

I nodded, still scanning for Cato.

"Amelia?"

I blinked. "What?"

Xander's brows furrowed in concern. "I said, is everything okay?"

"I was just looking for Cato to tell him I'm heading home," I answered, forcing myself to focus on my brother.

He frowned again. "You're leaving already?"

"Eli's sick and I need to get Javi to bed," I told him.

Xander glanced down at me, his eyes narrowing. "Why do you have blood on your hands?" he demanded darkly, his warm brown eyes now cold as he scanned over me thoroughly, checking for any immediate injuries.

I pulled away from him, gently brushing his hands off me. "Xander, I'm fine, it's not mine,"

"So who's is it?"

"I don't know who he was. Colton and Emilio ran off once I got there. They got into a fight with another kid," I explained. "I was trying to help him,"

Xander just pressed his lips into a tight line, running a hand through his hair as he let out a sigh. "Okay. Take Javi and Eli home - get Calvin and Cayden too. I'll find Cato and tell him what's going on," he told me, glancing at his watch. "That gala ends in an hour, so if Colton doesn't come home by then, call me, got it?"

I nodded. I turned to go, but he pulled my back and kissed my forehead softly. "And there's medicine in the bathroom cabinet for Eli. The boys should know where it is. Be safe," He hugged me.

"I will," I promised him. I spotted Alan and Harry and the rest of their friends, shyly making my way over and gently touching Alan's arm to let him know I was there.

"Hey, you're back," he greeted brightly. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah," I answered. "I'm taking all the kids home and I wanted to tell you goodbye,"

He frowned slightly. "You're leaving?" His eyes narrowed. "And is that blood?!"

"It's not mine, calm down. Colton ran off somewhere, Eli's sick, and I'm just taking everyone else home,"

Alan nodded slowly, seemingly fine with the idea. "Alright," he replied eventually. "I'll see you at home then. Text me?"

"You know I will," I said with a soft smile. I waved to Harry before heading off to find the others.

I found Calvin and Cayden still buy the buffet table.

"Mia!" Calvin groaned as I dragged him away from his plate.

"What's going on?" Cayden asked in confusion, scrambling to grab his sketchbook from the table and keep up with us.

"We're heading home early," I explained. "Colton got into some trouble and ran off, and I'm taking all the kids home,"

"That's not fair!" Calvin whined. "It's barely eleven!"

"And we're not kids," Cayden muttered.

I ignored them, guiding them out to where the limo was waiting.

Eli was bent over the grass, throwing up. "Sorry," he mumbled after a few minutes, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

I helped into the limo, and once everyone was safely seated, the driver drove off.