When I Was A Wallflower

At 6.00AM, Amelie left home with a basket on her arm. Her father, Steven, had been suffering from a cold and coughing, so she was worried that it would get worse if he left the house. As such, she deliberately got up earlier to help with the groceries.

Shopping online was more convenient now, plus her company had a section dedicated to electronic shopping. It had held live shopping events for agricultural products, and she could always ask her own company to send some over. However, Steven wasn't sold on the idea and felt that it would be better if he picked them out himself. She couldn't argue with him and was willing to give in, so their family maintained the habit of going to the market.

Waking up at 6.00AM wasn't easy for Amelie. When she pushed open the lobby gate, a figure suddenly appeared. She assumed it was another resident who had risen early, but upon taking a closer look, she froze.

"Leo?"

What is he doing here so early in the morning?

Leo turned to her with a confused look, seemingly surprised to see her there as well.

"Were you drinking?" She rarely saw him this confused and couldn't help asking the question warily.

"No." He threw away the cigarette between his fingers.

Right then, Amelie noticed the multiple cigarette butts littered on the ashtray above the rubbish bin and tilted her head in surprise. She recalled that he was obsessed with cleanliness and never touched a cigarette, so what was this about?

"I was taking a walk and didn't realize I had wandered here." He stepped toward her, his arm nearly touching hers. The coldness emanating from it made her shiver briefly. How long had he stood in the cold air?

"Did you walk from Clouson City to Halport, then?" She had seen him acting cheesy with her too many times and did not take him seriously, teasing him instead.

answer, only forcing out

looking sideways at Amelie, who was at chin height. He then lifted his arm.

did not miss that movement, instinctively taking a step back when she saw that

don't have to be so guarded against me, nor do

that, he nodded his head at her and turned away before

just like that?

his words even more so. She was confused

was

insisted on going ice skating. She had fallen in love with the sport and always practiced at home. Amelie was willing to indulge her as well; her lessons were twice a week, but she had applied for an additional annual pass

freezing ice. Since

she was looking for. Leo had practiced skating with them without fail all this while, so Bria was looking for him. Amelie was

wasn't there.

eyes, but she did not give up. Dada is busy with a lot of things and is probably late.

did not show up even after they had warmed up.

made her anxious. She couldn't avoid replaying the way he appeared that morning, but she couldn't figure out

think too much

Bria's practice had ended, and she walked out of the rink despondently with hunched shoulders. There was no sign of him for several days, but Amelie was too occupied

be effective once both sides signed them. The lawyer could help send the files to Halport but considering Julia didn't know about it and Amelie would have to

she brought the documents to Julia's office in Starlight Media.

work outfit. She did not call for her

makeup did not hide her dark circles despite being thicker. "Have you