Chapter 6- Scaring Love Away
After changing into a long sleeved shirt, Jamie quietly left the safety of her room. Hoping to God that her father was preoccupied. Thuds in the next room proved her safe. And disgusted.
Her mother was downstairs staring mindlessly at a bowl of spaghetti.
“Hey Mom,” Jamie said, as she walked past her into the kitchen.
“You going out?” her mom guessed.
“Yeah, I think so. I still have to call Amber through.”
“Hmm, Amber. Isn't she the one whose dad is a doctor?”
“Yup,” Jamie nodded.
“Hey Mom, do we have any pop tarts left?” She asked.
“No, Tammy ate the last ones,” her mom came into the kitchen and put the uneaten spaghetti in Tupperware.
“Great,” Jamie mumbled.
“Don't be upset, it's something we both have to deal with okay?” her mom said, “If you want I can make you a sandwich.”
“No thanks, I'm good.”
“You sure, you haven't eaten much today.”
“I'll get something with Amber.” Jamie dug her cell phone out of her pocket and held down button two. After a second Ambers number appeared, Jamie put the phone to her ear.
“Hello?”
“Hey Amber, It's Jamie.”
“Hey, what's up?” Ambers voice was loud as ever.
“Do you wanna do something tonight, I'm getting serious cabin fever over here,” Jamie's mom chucked as she left the room.
“I'm babysitting,” Amber replied.
“When are you done?”
“Probably like ten-ish, but I'm sure you can come over, the twins are asleep.”
“Awesome,are you sure it's okay?” Jamie asked, searching through the cupboards for anything good.
“Yeah, it's fine, I'm bored out of my mind anyways.” Amber answered.
“I'll be there in five.”
Amber hung up.
“Goodbye?”
The drive to Amber's neighbors house was quick, they lived a few blocks away from her so she could've walked and made the same time.
But seriously, who walks anymore?
Through the front windows Jamie could see a silhouette of Amber watching television. She got out of her car and went up to the house, walking straight in, not bothering to knock.
“Jamie?” There was a hint of fear in Amber's voice.
“Yeah, it's me,” Jamie said, she barely heard as Amber let out a relieved breath.
Jamie went into the living room. There was only one word you could use to describe it, inviting.
The rug was an off-white plush, soft enough for Jamie to feel even through her shoes. There was a huge flat screen television set with who knows how many appliances wired up to it, across from it was a soft brown leather
couch, old enough to be worn in to an almost suede feel.
“Ever After?” Jamie asked, taking a seat next to Amber.
“So what,I'm a sap for love stories. Sue me.”
“No, it's just unexpected, is all,” Jamie replied.
“Why?” Amber asked.
“I don't know, it's hard to explain.”
“Don't let that stop you from trying.”
Jamie made a mental note of that.
“Well, I guess, you always seemed stronger without love, you know?”
“No, not really,” Amber lowered the volume on the television, enough for the voices to dissolve into the atmosphere.
“I told you it's hard to explain,” Jamie took a breath to clam her frustrated nerves. “But, whenever you had a boyfriend or serious crush, you always seemed more vulnerable, to me. Like you were afraid of what could go wrong.”
“I was,” Amber admitted, “and in the end, that's why they couldn't be with me. I was too scared of love, so love became afraid of me.”
Another mental note.
“Why?”
“Why was I scared?”
“Yeah,” Jamie turned to face Amber.
“Because I know the second I get close to somebody is the second they decide it's too much. They have to leave. I don't want to get attached with nothing to show for it but a broken heart and reputation.”
“You don't want to end up like Nat, huh?” Jamie guessed.
“I don't want to end up like Nat.” Amber said quietly, “yet at the same time, I envy all that she has.”
“What does she have but a permanent reservation at Heartbreak Hotel and and endless supply of eager male fans.”
“Maybe I want those fans, who knows.”
“You should,” Jamie said, “if nobody else, you should know what you want.”
“There lies the problem,” Amber said.
“At least you know what it is,” Jamie said, unaware that it was out loud.
“What do you mean?” Amber asked.
“Nothing,” Jamie said defensively, “don't worry about it.”
“Please tell me,” Amber's voice had a begging quality, without the actual beg.
“Why is it so important?” Jamie asked.
“Because,” Amber looked her straight in the eyes, dark brown with copper flecks, “I don't want to think I'm the only one afraid.”
Jamie sighed, “Okay, but on one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Pizza.”
DONT FORGET TO READ POD 6 SQUARED, IT JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE A CHAPTER IN ITSELF! DONT LET THE TITLE FOOL YOU INTO THINKING OTHERWISE!!!! 
