LOST LOVE, FOUND LOVE

"You are disgusting and really irritate me. I never really loved you so from now keep your face away from my sight" These were the hurtful words her once loving boyfriend said to her.

As Amberlynn remembered the words,her heart kept shattering all over again. She stood with her back against the wall as fresh warm water dripped down her body.

She was just returning from school. She had dressed up beautifully today for him only to get a heartbreak.

She recently got admitted into Hailsmith High School,a famous school where most of the top class and famous kids attend.

On her first day of school,She saw him - Ashton Collymore walk through the door with a brown bag hung across one of his shoulders with those killer smiles that made her heart leap.

He became her first crush from that. She always did everything she does to get his attention. She got it and he came to her accepting her.

She wanted to go to the top of the world and announce her relationship with him - Hailsmith High school's sweetheart.

She thought it was going to last and maybe end up till eternity but it didn't. She got dumped just only six weeks after acceptance.

It was hurtful because it had happened at the front of the school before the crowd of students. She could vividly remember the smirk on Bianca's face as she ran out of the school.

Her mother called up to her as she dashed past her in the sitting room. But she ignored the call.

She slowly slid down the walls with the water still running above her.

"You are such a fool. You should have probably asked questions before falling hard for me".

She smacked her forehead angrily. Yes, indeed she was a fool for letting her silly heart go after him

Another bout of hot tears gushed down her eyes as she remembered the last ice cream date she had with him. They had all varieties of ice cream and she made him promise to always take her for ice cream.

"I hate you Ashton – Son of a bitch"Amberlynn yelled grabbing her head with both hands.

"Amber—"A slow knock came on the door followed by a sweet soprano voice.

"Amber,Are you in there?"She asked.

"Go away Lisa,I want to be on my own"She replied in a croaky voice. That was her mother.

Yes,her mother. She referred to her by her first name.

"Amber,Are you sure you want me to go?"Lisa asked her again listening carefully.

A thin low sob was Amber's reply and she knew immediately that she was crying.

"Okay,Amber"With that,She walked out of the room.

"I hate you Ashton—I hate you"She yelled again stretching her legs and sitting on the floor.

Now,the dripping water was her only solace. She hugged herself tightly still reminiscing on the good moments she spent with Ashton.

She rose up and took a short bath before walking out of the bathroom. She opened her closet and picked a blue baby doll dress that stopped above her knee.

She drew a sharp breath before reaching out for the door knob but it was pulled before she could get to it.

"Hey Amberlynn"Gianna chatty voice rang from the doorway.

Gianna was Amber's childhood friend.

"Woah,Woah"Gianna exclaimed and held her shoulders.

"Have you been crying?"Gianna asked her seeing her reddish eyes.

"No,no Something got into my eyes"Amberlynn lied rather and chuckled nervously and began to rub her eyes.

"Really??"Gianna asked with eyes raised in suspicions.

"Yeah"Amberlynn nodded with a tiny fake smile.

Gianna was also Amberlynn's classmate at HHS. They gained admission same day and Gianna was fully aware of Amberlynn's affairs with Ashton.

Although,she had tried to talk Amberlynn out of it. She wasn't aware of Ashton's public breakup with her.

"If it is about your silly boyfriend,You know you can tell me so I can kick his balls"Gianna said again with a short smile.

"What!!"Amberlynn gasped loudly. A small pool of tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. Gianna was fast to notice it.

"It's nothing of such manner Gia—"Amber replied. Gianna could really swear that something was sure wrong and it must be all about Ashton.

"Amber–"She called again trying to talk about the tears she saw in her eyes.

"Amberlynn,Dinner is ready!"Her mother's Loud and clear yelling voice rang from the kitchen.

Amber took a quick glance at her wrist watch and then gave Gianna a short sad smile,"Mom's calling"She said.

Gianna nodded and they walked to the dining room hand in hand.

When they got to the dining room,fresh smell of roasted chicken hit their nose. Amber smiled as she took her seat.

At least there was something to smile about even though the chickens reminded her so much of Ashton.

"Gianna, You can eat with us"Lisa offered Gianna as she was about to leave.

"Thank you Ma'am"Gianna smiled and sat down next to Amberlynn.

The table was filled with six people: Amberlynn, Gianna, Amberlynn's parents and her twin siblings.

Amberlynn's father - Mr Colton cleared his throat and reached out for his cutlery.

"We need to pray hun"Lisa's voice made his hands halt midway.

Everyone at the table shut their eyes. Lisa looked over at everyone's face before closing her eyes.

"Dear father –"She began in a quiet voice.

"We thank you for the air we breath,the food we eat and the water we drink. We also thank you for the birds of the air and the grasses"Lisa continued slowly and gently.

"We are sorry of all our misdeeds. Please,find a place in your heart and forgive us".

"May this meal today strength and replenish our bodies in Jesus name"She ended the short prayer and everyone chorused an"Amen".

Soon, the sound of cutleries hitting plates filled the dinning room.

The family ate silently with no-one raising any discussions. A minute later, Amberlynn's father rose up and walked out after cleaning his mouth properly with the napkin.

Her twin siblings followed suit.

"Good night Mom — Good night Amber"Zoey,the first twin said and walked to her room.

"Good night"Ezekiel- Zeke for short said and wheezed away.

"Amber —"Lisa called immediately Zeke was out as though she timed his leave.

Amberlynn didn't reply or make any move to reply. Gianna sat beside her staring at her with wide eyes.

Lisa sighed but continued since she knew she was listening to her,"What's eating you up?"Lisa asked.

The sudden drop of Amberlynn's eating cutlery made her believe that she heard her.

"Nothing is wrong with me Lisa. I am fine"She stressed returning to her meal.

"Are the kids at school giving you hard time?"Lisa asked.

"You know you can speak to me. I can call up the principal —".

"Lisa,I am okay"Amberlynn said emphasing on the last word.

"I love my school and besides I am new there. Everything will fall in place in two months"Amberlynn reassured.

"Are you sure baby?"Lisa asked and reached out for her hands.

"Yes"Amber nodded with a little smile.

"I will clear the table"She rose up and took the plates to the kitchen.

She placed the kitches in the sink as a stiffled sob left her lips. She was at verge of crying again. The tears she held in all the while were threatening to come rolling down.

She could hear her mother say some inaudible words to Gianna. She heard footsteps behind her and quickly sniffed in to hide in the tears.

She moved the plates and pretended as though she was washing them.

"Amber —"Gianna walked to her and placed her hands on her shoulders.

"What did I miss at school today?"Gianna asked cos she was absent.

She took the already washed plates and began to wipe them clean before placing them on the racks.

"Nothing much—"Amber chuckled.

"Mr Sean was planning a project for the fresher men but it couldn't hold"Amber informed and carefully placed a plate on the counter.

Gianna waited for her to continue but hearing no words from her,She confirmed that she was done.

"Is that all?"Gianna asked.

"Yeah,What else?"Amber said facing her.

"School was fun and good but of course boring without you"She chuckled.

"So— Any plans with Ashton for tomorrow?"Gianna asked.

Amber's happy face dropped and immediately turned dead. She turned around and continued washing the plates.

She was quiet for some time