@AnotherConspiracy thank you for being one of the most active followers I have. It's not much, but I hope you know I really appreciate you!

(Picture above is Jake Paul who I've casted as Hamilton Holt.)

So, I think there was a publishing issue, so only a fragment got published?

Words: 1127

"Scary Amy" was a persona that the original Amy had established as a defense mechanism of sorts. It had come in handy many times – during the hunt, the Vesper wild goose chase, and now, as she battles the typical teenager problems – love. She wasn't completely unfamiliar with the concept, even if her later years as a Madrigal deprived her of her teenage development. She'd had Evan, then there was that mess with Ian, who'd slipped past Scary Amy's defenses back in Korea, and her on-and-off relationship with Jake during the Vesper chase awhile ago.

The problem lies in her inability to ward off the advances of more experienced guys like Hamilton, Ian, and Jake. Scary Amy had yet to find a way to guard her heart, and that was an issue to be resolved. She had to cut herself loose from the infatuations of Ian and Jake; no matter how much she loved them, they had to be rejected gently if Amy and Hamilton ever wanted to hear the end to that.

"Don't you think this is a bit sudden?" Ian asked crossly, casting suspicious glances at Hamilton, who tightened his hold on Amy.

Before he could respond, Amy answered just as crossly, "I don't think you have any room to be judging."

Ian recoiled ever so slightly, but it was just noticeable enough that she knew he picked up on the insinuation. After his scheme in Korea, Amy didn't think she'd ever let him forget how he played her.

Hamilton glanced between the two. He threw a questioning look at Jake, but just received a confused shrug. It was now that it occurred to him that he knew close to nothing about his girlfriend and he made a silent note to uncover the mysteries of Amy Cahill.

Amy was still glaring at Ian when Hamilton wound his arm closer around her waist, drawing her attention back to him. He raised an inquisitive eyebrow at her. She mouthed subtly, "Later."

Sated, Hamilton settled back into his position beside her. He watched as Amy spun on the two guys in front of her, though her fierce gaze seemed to be pinned mainly on Ian.

"Look. I think it's really sweet and slightly bizarre that you find me so interesting now, but Ian, really, when have you genuinely liked me?"

A flash of hurt was veiled by indignant silence. Amy sensed the tension building. She was treading dangerous waters now.

"Ian, you may be used to reverence, but I'm not. Honestly, I'm a lot more used to the arrogant prick you usually are than the childish front you're putting on."

"Childish!?" Ian sputtered and for once, the tables have been turned.

Amy laughed sardonically. "Yes, childish. You can't expect me to dump Hamilton just because you seem to think showering me with attention will make me swoon all over you. I'm not fourteen anymore." She heard a quiet snort from Jake.

Ian sighed heavily. His air of charisma and confidence dissipated for a moment. Amy felt a twinge of guilt for dismissing his possibly-true feelings for her, but brushed that away just as he had brushed her off a few years ago. He ran his hand through his impeccably styled hair.

"Alright, I give up. Satisfied, Amy?"

She smiled, almost sad at how defeated he looked. This was the first rejection Amy had ever doled out, and even in her fantasies, she wasn't as confident as she just was. After all, she was Amy Cahill, the quiet, mousy girl that was only ever loud enough to answer the teachers' questions. She didn't attract many guys to reject.

But Ian Kabra of all guys was vying for her, among international rapper Jonah Wizard, Jake Rosenbloom, young genius, and Hamilton Holt the renowned athletic prodigy? It sounded fantastical enough already, but with Amy as the center of this attention topped the cake.

Sometimes, Amy wondered if she was living the life of a fictional protagonist, like the ones in the books she read.

Hamilton relaxed, his possessive grip on her hip lessening.

When Ian looked up again, it was with an expectant gaze that he prompted, "Aren't you going to scold Jake?"

Amy looked over to Jake, who was impassively watching the tirade, still against the wall looking every part of an aloof model. He uncrossed his arms to put both his hands up as a signal of defeat. "No need."

She couldn't quite believe it. If there was one thing she learned about this Rosenbloom, it was that he was a sneaky one. He didn't get enough credit for his acting. There was an almost inconspicuous glint of mischief in his eyes that she was sure Ian had picked up on too.

When Ian scoffed and strode away in disbelief, Amy's guesses were confirmed. It didn't seem like Jake would be relenting as easily as Ian had.

On second thought, why did Ian give up so readily? It wasn't unknown that the Kabra was mercilessly determined in getting what he wanted. Amy assured herself that it wasn't disappointment she felt, but there was a curiosity.

It was plausible that Ian liked someone else. Her gaze flickered upwards where Sinead's room was a floor above. Had he headed upstairs just a few moments before?

Oh my god. Amy's realization was unreal, maybe just as unreal as the situations she found herself in. She glanced over at Jake, who gave her a nod and an amused smirk.

"What?" Hamilton asked, confused. Amy laughed and turned to face her boyfriend. Sinead, she mouthed. His gaze was blank for awhile before recognition flickered on and his eyes widened. A wide grin spread on his lips.

A plan was already formulating in her head, and if she could show Sinead that Ian would be a formidable partner, rivaling her intelligence and charisma, that would be a win-win for everyone. Amy had to temporarily forget that Jake had made his promise of not letting Hamilton have her that easily, but that was a problem for another day.

A part of her said that it wasn't a problem at all, having so many great guys wrapped around her finger, but the rational side of her argued that it would be wrong leading them on like that. She shook off the temptation of basking in their attention. After all, she had Hamilton, who gave her a warm, fluttery sensation in the pit of her stomach.

She leaned up, her hands on his chest, and caught him by surprise with a soft kiss. He hummed, splaying his fingers on the small of her back and pulling her closer. They smiled into the kiss when the sound of Jake gagging came from behind them.

Everything will be fine.