|| Five Years Ago ||
As soon as Jade and Macy left from our sleepover my father huffed and mumbled something under his breath, making my mom smacked the back of his head. "I told you to leave it."
Brett frowned sitting infront of me, lost. "What?" His parents still yet to come get him but it wasn't like we care. Half of the time we were at each other's place either way.
I shrugged, straightening my legs and bending them again, feet glued to the glass so the swing where I was sitting moved slightly. My parents had hanged it by the only tree in out small backyard when I reached enough edge to use it. "My father doesn't like Jade very much." I whispered in a top secret tone, making sure the adults didn't heard even considering they were several feet away, minding their own bussiness.
Brett's brows furrowed. "He doesn't?" I shook my head. "Why?
"He say she isn't coming clean...which doesn't make sense 'cause she's never had ever dirtied anything when she come." I defended my friend.
"That's weird." Brett's brows knitted tighter. "Everyone likes Jade."
"That's what I told him!" I agreed in a defeated tone. Why my father choose to despite one of the only two girls that had enough patience to deal with my shyness before knowing me was beyond me. Jade was the sweetest, never had even argue me for anything.
"Rose didn't like her either." he suddenly confessed in my same low tone, looking around in worries someone could hear. This piece of information startled me so much I suddenly stopped swinging and stared at him confused.
"Why not?"
Brett shrugged. "I don't know, she never tells me. But the other day I told her Jade would like to try for the cheer squad and she wasn't happy at all. She even refuse to help her set up from inside."
Wow. That didn't sound like the always so helpful, lovely Rose I knew. "You're sister's weird lately." I mumbled going back to slowly swing, my mind drifting away.
"Yeah." he chuckled. "My mother say it's because it's her last year before collage and 'cause of girl problems'" He quoted it with his finger and an eye roll. "Whatever it means. David say it would save us a lot of headaches when she finally move next year."
I giggled as he keep rambling about his siblings. I had always wanted one for me. Either sister or brother. Or twins! They would made my life way more colorful, like Brett's. He had Rose and David, both olders; Macy got Raven and even Jade's step-mother was pregnant with her half-sister. And I was still here, by myself.
Once I even asked my parents to gave me a little brother, my father laughed and told me they never miss a try. That made my mother blush and smacked him. Later on I understand what he meant and wished I never had asked.
"Lys." I focused back on Brett, he had this amused expression while looking at me and I realized I'd missed his question.
"Sorry." My cheeks warmed as I once more came to a stop, embarrassed. "I spaced out..."
Instead of getting irritate he smiled softly, melting my heart. Lately he'd been having this effect on me quite often. "You tent do that a lot."
"Sorry."
"It's fine." he laughed getting up and brushing the remain grass and dust from his clothes. "You wouldn't be you if you didn't."
I barely heard him, analizing what his teasing smirk was doing to my heart. A friend wasn't supposed to made you feel like that, was it? It's not like I had a lot to which I can compare, but in my almost thirteen years I'd kinda heard every now and then what couples are and what they feel. I obviously love Brett. But could it be in a way stronger than how I love Macy or Jade?
I love his laugh, his freckles, his way to turn everything into a joke. I love how he can be the sweetest friend one moment but turned into my guardian whenever I need him. He was always there. And lately...
Let's be honest. I knew what kissing is. I'd seen movies, and Jade told me it was nice to kiss a boy. She'd been bragging about this older boy that teached her 'love leassons' as she put it. I don't know what did that mean exactly but got a vague idea. The point is, I knew what kissing is, and lately, looking at Brett, I found myself wanting to kiss him like those guys in the movies.
I blushed everytime I think of it. Kiss a boy. Mouth to mouth... Ugh, disgusting. Then why couldn't I tore my eyes from his moving lips?
Moving lips? Shit, he was talking and I had spaced out again. My eyes widened when he held the ropes from the swinging, just over where my hands where and suddenly he was too close. Way too close. I could smell his scent and my heart fluttered more. His taunting smirk was punnishing, knowing he caught me staring.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
My eyes widened. No way in hell would I let him know what I was thinking. Shaking my head I lowered my gaze, feeling how my cheek burned in shame. Some friend I was. "It's n-nothing."
"I can tell you're lying."
"I'm not..."
"Lys look at me." Taking a deep breath, I did as he asked and lost myself in those pools of pure blue. Damn it, I was sure I wouldn't be feeling this with any other of my friends. He rose one brow, intrigued. "What is it?"
I immediately opened my mouth but luckly stopped myself before doing something stupid. If I told him what I was thinking about him, he'd run away and never come back and that... That would destroy me. Maybe I love him but I also need him in my life. He was my best friend, the boy I told everything and that always had my back. With whom I share my dreams and my fears...
My stomach twisted. I couldn't have him running away for something I didn't even understand.
I couldn't.
And I wouldn't.
So I repeated: "Nothing." and lowered my face again not before seeing his confused frown. Feeling a pang of hurt in my chest as he streightened again, finally moving away.
What I didn't expect was for him to take a couple steps around, like unsure himself of what to do, but then he wandered behind me and before I could turned to follow his path I felt his hands pushed my back gently and I gasped when the swing suddendly moved forward before returning to him. Brett shoved me again and successfully took away my surrow when I felt the air in my face as I kept moving back and forth. My guts jumped the higher I get and I found myself forgeting about the previous sadness. A giggle was forced out of me as my legs bounced with the movement and my hair fly around.
"Higher!" I cheered, my sadness vanishing each second it passed. Brett laughed with me and did as I said.
We took turns in the swing for a while and ended playing around with my cards and even the soccer ball he'd brought. By the time they parents finally came to take him, I refused to let him out my tight embrace, afraid this great feeling might go away.
"We'll always be friends, right?" I mumbled frantically and he chuckled but hold me just as tightly, giving my butterflies in the stomach.
"Always."
|| Present ||
Oh, no.
This must be a joke. He couldn't really be here. But as the seconds passed and his eyes kept locked in mine, without fading away, I became more and more aware that he wasn't a delirium. He was actually there. On the church. Why on earth will he ever come here? He used to make fun of me for believing!
After the little stunt they pulled on me this Monday and that got me throwing up two whole days: one sick and the second sore; I didn't had the will to face them again, not knowing what else would they had on the store for me. I managed to remain home 'til Thursday, the girls bringing me the work; and Friday I somehow achived to avoid everyone -by that I mean three persons specifically.
Yesterday was my peace day. It was in fact the first nice day I had all week, where I can get my forces recharged. I even got a message from Dylan where he asked me what to bring for today's session... Norah was sure he had only asked me my number for him and not for that friend of his. Can you picture that? If only...
Sunday had raisen up bright as ever but now... Now Brett was here!
My palms felt sweaty and I think I'd start to hyperventilate anytime now. This couldn't be good. He rose an eyebrow and slightly smiled. That gave me goosebumps and my heart became erratic on my chest even with the distance.
"What now, sweetie?"
I forced myself to tear my gaze from those deep blue eyes and dizzily focused on Granny, a couple feet away and concerned scowling me from the end of the front steps. I gulped and realized I had frozen in mid-step, blocking everybody's path out the mass.
Damn it.
"N-nothing. We can go now."
I sped and grab her arm to get away from there but she slowed me.
"Hey, isn't that Brett?"
Nooo!
"Who?" I played dumb and attempted to get in the car but she stopped me. Just kill me already.
"That pretty boy down there. You can't fool me, Alyson, I know him well. He's tall, isn't he? I felt like I haven't seen him in a decade. It's been a while since you last brought him home."
I felt sick. I actually feared that I might throw my breakfast out. Brett's eyes were burning on the back of my head and I was trying my best not to shudder. Suddenly Granny did the worst she could possibly had done: he waved with a smile at someone on my back.
My mouth dried and I clenched the umbrella in my hands.
"What are you doing?!" I whisper-yelled with the roar of my own blood on my ears. She frowned at me.
"I'm just been polite with your friend, sweetie. What's up with you?"
"I just- Nothing."
Granny gave me a suspicious look and once more I wish I could tell her everything, but I didn't want to worry her with my shit. She already had enough taking care of me and recovering from her heart attack. Then she gazed again something beyond my shoulder and smiled widely. "Look. He's coming our way."
"What?!"
"Hello Mrs. Blythe. Lys."
His presence by my side was like been near the sun. Overwhelming and warm, I knew I'd get burn if I didn't get away right now. Too well I remembered our last enconter, I ended passing out in his arms and the mere thought made me wanna explode from embarrassment. Bet he had his good laughs with that. I fixed my gaze on the floor, not daring to look at him and acting oblivious at my Granny's weird looks.
Forget about throwing up. I'm seriously gonna faint.
"Well, well, Brett Ryder." My grandma hugged him and kissed his cheeks while I just stood there, struggling to breathe normal. My firsts instincts were to start running and screamed 'fire' at the top of my lungs, but something was telling that would only made me look like a fool. This couldn't be happening. "How come I haven't hear from you since... I don't even know!"
"You see, Mrs, I'm so sorry about that. I guess we both had been pretty busy."
"Oh, darling. Don't be sorry for that. I'm happy to see how grown up you are now. You used to be a gawky little child, you know? Now look at you! All tall and handsome young man."
"Well, Mrs Blythe. You're way too kind." I felt his burning gaze on the side of my face but instead I turned slightly away, using my hair as a blind upon my heated cheeks. This was beyond embarrassing and surrealistic. I felt his body tensed but his voice sounded nice when he talked again. "I heard about your whole... heart thing. Glad to see you make it through."
"It'll take more than a little scare for you to get rid of me." Granny laughed and he joined her.
"I hope so."
That whole situation twisted painfully my stomach.
What is he doing? Why do he even come here? Why is he been nice with Granny?
All those questions were driving me crazy and not knowing his intentions made me anxious. Was this all part of some of his pranks? Will he torture me about this later? Why did he had to involve Granny? I was so not fair he had her sided up with him when I'd spent this past three years fighting to keep her out of this shit.
"-Right, Alyson?" I suddenly lifted my head to meet Granny's gaze. I hadn't even noticed I had spaced out and missed their conversation. All blood drilled out of my face.
"S-sorry, what was that?" I asked softly, not trusting my voice.
Her eyes were telling me how she didn't approve my behavior. She felt disappointed. I wished I could curled on the floor and disappear, or cry. I'd take any of them.
"I was telling Brett how you're about to head for the bus and he sweetly offered to drive you there instead. " she smiled at him and my heart stopped.
He wanted to drive me? To the city? Us both alone? This couldn't possibly end well. I shook my head, still avoiding look at Brett.
"It's really not necessary. I-I'll take the bus."
"Come on, Giggles. You hate the bus."
My fists twisted Granny's umbrella I was holding. I hate you calling me that and it didn't bother you.
"Seriously, I don't want to be a problem-"
"The only problem is the one you're making." cut me Granny. She thought I was being rude with the nice friend of mine who was just trying to help. At that I wished again I had told her everything but it was already too late.
She was Team Brett.
I pleaded her with my eyes but she took the umbrella out my embrace and kissed me on the cheek.
"But-"
"It'll give you the chance to catch up as well." She stepped to the card with a wise grin, like she knew something we don't. "Text me when you arrived, sweetie, so I know everything'll be alright and tell Loui to let you go if you felt sick again."
Nothing will be alright if she left me with Brett freaking Ryder. And I certainly would be feeling sick if he succeed in whatever he got planned. "But-"
"Have fun!"
She didn't even gave me the chance to confronted her decision and slipped into the car waving us goodbye. I gawked at her. How dare she! As Granny started the engine Brett chuckled beside me. A light innocent laugh but I didn't fell for it. I knew better.
"I loved your grandma." he shared nonchalantly. "She's super chill." I couldn't believe she just left me with him. Now what? This must be a bad dream... "How are you feeling?"
Was he or real? "Fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Mhm..." my lack of interest in this conversation was running his patience thin, but in my defense I was too bussy trying to anticipate whatever he was aiming at. As always, Brett always manage to surprise me.
"Well, lets get going."
I gasped when he held my hand and tugged me along with him. Panic ran through my veins. Frantically I searched around for a way out but everyone was already gone and we were almost alone on the street and he kept dragging me to his car.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm taking you to the city?"
"You- You don't have to. She's already left."
He frowned confused. "So?"
"So you can drop the act." I tried to slip my hand out of his but instead he interlined our fingers and held me tighter. My heart pounded furiously against my rib-cage and my head felt like filled with cotton. What is he planning to do?
"I wasn't acting." he stated firmly but he couldn't fool me. Not anymore.
"Yeah, right." I muttered and rolled my eyes.
Again, I tried to untangled our hands but he had a different idea. We had now arrived to his car and stopped by the passenger door. He turned to face me but didn't let go my hand. Provably knowing I would made a run as soon as he did. Quickly I diverted my gaze to prevent our eyes from meeting. I once loved the person behind those sparkly blue eyes and I couldn't stand the sight of them now. Not after everything. Not knowing what he'd put me through this very week.
Instead I focused on our intertwined fingers, and caught how his knuckles paled when he clenched his grip, pressuring my hand. I heard him taking a deep breath and could tell he was getting angry. He always got angry when he was with me. I didn't even had to do anything.
I get friends can split along the years, but this people's level of wickedness was too much. Couldn't they just leave me alone? I wasn't asking for much, was I? Just a peaceful senior year. And he go and not only tormented me in school but out as well?
Well, I thought to myself, at least it can't be worst than spitting you're guts out, right?
I mentally prepared myself for the worst and flinched when he suddenly stepped closer. But nothing happen. He tensed but stayed still and my body trembled in anticipation, feeling his closeness like a naughty tingle. He always managed to surprise me and I could never guess what his next move might be.
"What are you doing?"
I blinked at his low words, startled once more. Was he asking me what I was doing?
"W-what?"
"That's what I'm asking, Alyson."Alyson? He always used one of my nick names. That was bad and his tone was frustrated. "What are you doing?"
"I-I... Nothing?"
"Oh, yeah? Then why can't you look at me?"
'Cause you've spend over three years making my life miserable and I'm done with it.
I pulled all my bravery together.
"I t-told you I don't want anything to do with you, Brett. I want you to leave me alone."
"I won't."
His answer was so fast and emphatic that left me baffled. I couldn't help raise my head at him. Our eyes met and I cursed myself but couldn't found the strength to look away again. He seemed angry and frustrated, but something like fire burned behind his gaze and made my guts squeezed.
"Excuse me?"
"I won't. You're stuck with me. You should have get used to it by now."
I gawked at him, how could he be so heartless? Not only he feed in making me miserable but he also enjoyed himself while. Each pound of my heart felt like a stab as I couldn't tear my eyes from his electric blue ones. "W-why?"
He glared down at me and pushed me to the passenger door. Not hard enough to harm but to shown no room for refusal. "Because. Now stop bitching and come on."
"But-"
"Shut up and get in the fucking car before I'll put you in."
My chest tightened at his rude demand, my eyes stinging in frustration and impotence. The harsh stare he gave me was enough to made me decide, quickly scurring in and out his eyeshot not wanting to messed my fate worst. I was already late for the bus anyway and if he really had something planned to torment me... well, I guess there was no point delaying it. He wouldn't likely back down.
He could either really drive me to the city in respect to Granny or our parents frienship for once and leave without much of a trouble or torture me like he'd been doing way too long.
Let's hope for the best.
_______________________________________
Hey! So there you go another chapter! I'm really sorry for the long wait but I had started classes again and I don't have as much time as this past couple of months. Hope you guys like it!
Don't forget to comment, vote and share.