Amelia POV

I sat frozen, every word from his lips sinking into me like stones thrown into still water, sending ripples that refused to settle. Mafia. Father. Enemies. Me. The words spun around my head, sharp, heavy, almost unbelievable.

My breath hitched when he said "my father wasn't just some businessman." I wanted to ask him to stop, to slow down, but something inside me whispered not to interrupt. He needed this. He needed to let it all out. So I just... listened.

My fingers curled against the edge of the bench, gripping the wood so tightly my knuckles paled. My heart was thundering so loudly I was afraid he could hear it. Fear, yes-but not of him. Never of him. Fear for him. For everything he must have faced alone. For everything that still chased him.

When he said, "They weren't after anyone else, Lia. They were after me," a chill crept down my spine. The chaos from yesterday, the terror, the screams-it all reframed itself in an instant. It wasn't random. It wasn't fate. It was his reality.

I glanced at him, his profile outlined against the last light of dusk, his jaw tight, his eyes burdened with a truth too heavy for his age.

He looked like someone who had lived two lives-the boy I knew, and the boy he had to be because of his father's sins. And yet... even under the weight of that legacy, he was here. Telling me. Trusting me.

My lips parted more than once, but no words came. How could they? What could I possibly say to a confession like this? Every part of me screamed questions, but I swallowed them back. If I spoke, I might break the fragile courage he had gathered to tell me this.

When he finally turned to me, his eyes searching, almost afraid, whispering, "If you're with me... they'll follow you too," something inside me ached so deeply I almost broke.

I didn't move away. I didn't gasp. I didn't tell him to stop. Instead, I let the silence stretch. My gaze stayed locked on his, letting him see the storm in my eyes-the disbelief, the fear, the ache-but also the unspoken truth: I wasn't going anywhere.

And though my hands trembled, I slowly let one rest between us, close enough for him to take if he wanted, close enough to tell him without words-I heard you. I see you. And I'm still here.

And he held my hand.

It said everything. The gesture alone was enough.

But I still have lots of questions. Some of those answers were obvious yet I felt like asking each one of them. And some of the answers I couldn't even guess.

"I can see it through your eyes that you have a few questions."
He said, in a light playful tone. My attention back at him, drawing myself back from my own storm of thoughts.

"They're definitely not few."
I replied back, half-smiling and half-serious.

"Go ahead," he said, with a light chuckle, turning his body and facing towards me.

I hesitated. I should. This side of his life is the most delicate one. Because it involves his parents and moreover, those scars of his past still affect his life. He must have grown up differently. With all enemies of his father chasing him all his life and the underlying responsibility to handle his mother and sister and take care of them, his life till date never seems to be an easy one.

"Justin, keep one thing in mind forever. I'm always here with you. No matter what. I don't care about what those enemies of your father would do to you or your family or even me. I'll always be here, beside you, standing strong with you."

I said it all in one-go. He looked at me, simply. And blinked his eyes.

"Why you're looking at me like that? Did I say anything wrong?"
I retorted, dramatically placing hands on my chest, pretending to be offended by his look.

"Hey, no no! You were awesome. I just got overwhelmed."

"Hmmm, I see," I muttered, playfully squinting my eyes at him, trying to lighten the mood and tension between both of us.

"So, you want to tell me more?" I asked him slowly.

"I guess that's all for today, little firecracker."

Wait, what-

"Firecracker, Justin?" I completely turned towards him, gasping and clutching onto my chest again much more dramatically. "And that too 'little', huh?"

"Yes you're shorter than me. So I shall rightfully and respectfully add 'little'.

I quickly stood up. He won't get out of this now for sure. I mean firecracker was okay, but 'little'? I'm literally 5'6 for god's sake.

"I know you're taller than me. But not enough for you to call me 'little'," I retorted back, placing my hands on my waist.

The very next moment he stood up, standing right in front of me. He took a step closer. And the view in front of me-

His Adam's Apple.

Right in front of my eyes.

Everything went silent. The park. Those children. The chirping birds. EVERYTHING.

He looks like those gym biker boys of Instagram from this angle. And only Daisy knows how badly I crush on them. They literally rule on my whole Instagram feed.

Seeing those boys on Instagram, I used to feel butterflies in my stomach. But now? Now I know I have a whole damn zoo inside me.

"Little firecracker?"
He called the name again. And just then I realized. I was staring for too long. God, no, please don't tell me that he caught me staring.

I slowly starting lifting up my head, internally praying and trying to act normal.

"Okay," I said with a cheeky smile.

I still don't know why.

But I had to continue.

"Okay, okay," I said again. His brow furrowed.

Good job, Amelia.

And just then, I stepped behind slowly and ran away as fast as I could.

I messed up really bad today. I don't want to face him.

"Hey, little firecracker!" he called out loudly.

God, can't he see we are at a damn park! How can he shout the name like that!

I kept running towards the park entrance. I didn't even turn back to see if he also ran after me.

"Stop, you little firecracker. You know right I can catch you in no time," his voice boomed in my ears. That means... that means he's close! Run, Amelia, run!

Before I could answer, I felt his hands circle around my waist. The sensation was startling and unfamiliar-a gentle but firm touch that stopped me in my tracks.

No boy had ever touched me like that before, and for a moment my breath caught and my heart thudded wildly in my chest. My body felt strangely stiff, the world narrowing down to the point where his fingers securely met at my waist.

But then, something surprised me. The awkwardness didn't last. Standing there, his arms anchoring me, I felt...safe. An unexpected wave of relief and happiness crept in, melting the residual anxiety. Like somehow, in this crazy, small moment, everything was okay.

"Gotcha," he murmured, his voice suddenly softer, almost protective.

I twisted around a bit to look at him, embarrassment coloring my cheeks. "That's cheating."

He only grinned, the glow of victory brightening his eyes. "All's fair in chase and-" he started, but I elbowed him half-heartedly, and we just ended up laughing together, breathless.

We fell into step side by side, making our way out of the park. The air was filled with the last golden light of the evening, trees rustling gently above us. All the awkwardness faded into something sweet and new.

We started walking in the direction of his apartment and my dormitory. The closeness between us was different now-a sense that we were in this together, even if we were just heading home.

Neither of us said much, but words felt less necessary.

And for the first time in a long while, I wasn't overthinking everything. I wasn't dreading the next moment, or what I needed to say. I was just here-with him-enjoying the feeling that maybe, just maybe, I'd found someone I could truly trust.

As we reached the branching path between Justin's apartment and my dorm, we paused, reluctant to let the evening end. He smiled down at me, all mischief and softness.

"Race you next time," he said.

"Only if you promise not to cheat," I replied, but my voice was lighter now.

He chuckled and squeezed my hand gently before letting go.

"Goodnight, little firecracker."

"Goodnight, Justin."

And as I walked back to my dorm, I realized I was still smiling, the memory of his hands at my waist and the warmth of his laughter making me feel braver than I'd thought possible.

Next Day,
Author POV

"Andrew, get off the bed. We're getting late," Ryan came to Andrew's room the 8th time to wake him up.

"Almost there, brother. You carry on," Andrew muttered in his precious beauty sleep, simply stirring beneath his blanket.

Ryan couldn't wait anymore and hence he pulled out his best move.

"Justin, get the cold water."

Justin was checking the latest announcements by Prof. Watson regarding the departure for the trip. As soon as he heard Ryan, he got up in an instant.
"On the way, captain!"

Andrew's eyes opened wide. He shoved down the blanket off him and sat up on the bed like an obedient school-going boy, flashing on a cheeky smile.

"See, I'm already up. Why do you guys want to put on efforts of getting cold water huh? Let it go now, okay?"

Ryan chuckled, looking at Andrew's antics. Justin too, standing at the doorstep, passed a pair of fine shirt and trousers towards Andrew.

"Here's your outfit of the day. Get ready asap."

"On the way, captain," Andrew mimicked Justin's previous tone, finally getting out of the bed.

The day had finally come. After weeks of dreaming, planning, and counting down every sunrise, the most awaited trip was finally here, shimmering with the promise of adventure.

Excitement thrummed under everyone's skin, making sleep impossible and every minute stretch into eternity as they waited for the journey to begin. They could almost imagine the fun and see the laughter lighting up their friends' faces as they bundled into the bus, bags packed and hearts wild with anticipation.

From Justin's heavy truth to Amelia's dramatic "little firecracker" moment to that trip-energy at the end-my heart is doing cartwheels right now. I wanted this chapter to feel like real life-where fear and trust can exist in the same space, but so can laughter and fun 💕 This isn't going to be just a trip-it's the moment we had all been waiting for, a story waiting to be written in memories, laughter, and the kind of joy you only find when adventure calls and you finally, finally answer.

Please vote and drop your comments if you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be updated soon. Take care, cuties 💙

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