12

                                    

                                          
**Amelia's POV**
The two weeks following Jude's injury passed in a blur. Between my work at the clinic and spending time with him during his recovery, I found myself constantly at his side. The familiarity of our banter and the deep connection we shared made everything feel natural, even though I knew things were far from simple.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the training ground, I found myself sitting with Jude in the park adjacent to the stadium. His crutches leaned against the bench,even tho he could easily walk without them,a silent reminder of his current predicament.
"How are you holding up?" 
I asked, handing him a bottle of water.
He sighed, taking a long sip before answering.
 "It's frustrating, you know? Watching from the sidelines. But having you here helps."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. 
"I'm glad. You know, Jack keeps asking about you. He's been pestering me to bring you to our next hangout."
Jude chuckled. 
"I miss those days. It'd be nice to catch up with everyone."
As we sat there, the conversation naturally shifted to deeper topics. We talked about our past, our dreams, and the things we never got to say when we were younger. It was during this heart-to-heart that I realized how much Jude still meant to me.

The following weekend, Jude invited me over for a sleepover at his place. Mark and Denise were away for the night, visiting friends plus Jobe was there. It felt like a throwback to our teenage years when we'd stay up late, watching movies and playing games.
I knocked and Jude opened the door.
Jude:"Hi"
Amelia:"Hii-Where are your crutches?!"
Jude:"I can walk PERFECTLY withou them"
As I was walking in roling my eyes I said
Amelia:"ok but no-..."
Jude:"running"
Amelia:"Exatcly"
"Make yourself at home," Jude said as I arrived, his smile warm and welcoming.
Jobe was already sprawled on the living room floor, surrounded by video games and snacks.
 "Amelia! You made it!" 
he exclaimed, looking up with a grin.
I laughed, dropping my bag by the couch. 
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
We spent the evening playing video games, with Jobe mercilessly beating both of us. Laughter filled the room, and for a moment, it felt like nothing had changed. The bond between us was as strong as ever.
Im famos for falling asleep randomly so
somewhere in the middle of the night, I woke to the sound of Jude and Jobe whispering excitedly. My eyes fluttered open to see them huddled together, conspiring about something. 
"What's going on?" I mumbled, still half-asleep.
Jude grinned. "Jobe wants to prank you."
I shot up, wide awake. "Oh no, you don't!"
Jobe burst into laughter, holding a can of whipped cream in his hand. "It's too late, Amelia! You're already our target."
I tried to scramble off the couch, but Jude held me down gently, laughing. "Stay still, it'll be funny!"
"Funny for you, maybe!" I protested, but couldn't help the giggles that escaped me.
Jobe leaned over and squirted a dollop of whipped cream on my nose. I crossed my eyes to look at it, and we all dissolved into laughter.
"Alright, alright, you got me," I said, wiping the cream off with a tissue Jude handed me.
Just as we settled back down, Jude suddenly looked serious. "You know, there's one more prank we haven't done yet."
Jobe's eyes lit up. "What's that?"
"Tickle attack on Amelia!" Jude declared.
Before I could react, both brothers launched at me, their fingers finding all my most ticklish spots. I squealed and laughed uncontrollably, trying to fend them off, but it was no use. They had the upper hand.
"Okay, okay, I surrender!" I gasped between giggles.
Jude and Jobe finally relented, laughing breathlessly. As we lay there, catching our breath, I realized how much I missed these moments. Despite everything, we still had this - the fun, the laughter, and the sibling love that held us together.
"You're impossible," I said, playfully shoving Jude.
He grinned. "That's why you love me."
My heart skipped a beat at his words, but I just rolled my eyes, smiling. "Maybe. But don't push your luck."
As we all settled back down to sleep, the warmth of the moment lingered. This sleepover, filled with laughter and love, reminded me that no matter what happened, we'd always have each oth
After a few hours, we settled down to watch a movie. Jude stretched out on the couch, his injured leg propped up with pillows, while I sat next to him. Jobe, ever the little brother, made himself comfortable on the floor with a blanket.
As the movie played, I found myself glancing at Jude. He looked so different from the boy I remembered, yet there was something so familiar about him. His eyes caught mine, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to pause.
"You okay?" he asked softly, his voice cutting through the movie's dialogue.
I nodded, smiling. "Yeah, just thinking about how much has changed."
He reached out, his fingers brushing against mine. "Not everything has. We're still here."
The simple touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I quickly looked away, trying to focus on the movie. But the warmth of his hand lingered, a silent promise of something more.
As the night wore on, Jobe eventually fell asleep, his soft snores filling the room. Jude and I sat in comfortable silence, the glow of the TV casting soft shadows across his face.
"Thank you for being here, Amelia," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It means a lot."
I turned to him, my heart aching with unspoken words. "You don't have to thank me, Jude. I'm here because I want to be."
He smiled, his eyes filled with gratitude. "I know. It just... it feels right, having you here."
The moment was intimate, filled with unspoken emotions. I wanted to say more, to tell him how much he still meant to me, but the words caught in my throat.
But I had somethnig more in me when it I just dont know what it is... That feeling, that emotion it was strange to me. I came to him Instead, I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder.
"Goodnight, Jude," I whispered, closing my eyes.
"Goodnight, Amelia," he replied, his voice soft and tender.
As I drifted off to sleep, I felt his arm wrap around me, holding me close. Despite the complexities and uncertainties, I knew that this was where I was meant to be. The future was still unclear, but for now, this moment was enough.
Only thing I can hear when I look at us now were
The echoes of the past.