“...just breath with me. In and out. Inhale. Exhale. Slowly. Focus on my eyes and only my eyes and don’t think about anything else."
I do as I’m told and it’s starting to get better because now I finally see his eyes. That eye. Are they even real eyes? I know they’re dark brown because I’ve seen them before but in this light, they are golden green-like even though it’s impossible. They are so fascinating that all I can do is stare.
“Good. Really good. You’re doing great Little Flower. Now count down from ten with me..10...9...8…”Brandon continues and what did he just call me?
I do as I’m told again and after a few minutes it’s over and reality kicks in and I start to blush because Mr Sexy just saw me in this state and now I’m noticing the hand he has on my back and the hand he has on my face. And did he just talk to me? I guess we’re buying that lottery ticket after all Sammy.
“I-I’m s-s-so sorry. R-really t-thank you I-I” I try to talk but easier said than done and he interrupts me.
“Why are you saying sorry? Just lean back against the wall and relax, Flower.” He speaks softly and reassuringly and I do as I’m told for the third time. Did he just call me to flower? Twice? The first time he did it I thought I might’ve misheard since I was just coming down from my panic attack but now I hear him loud and clear. But I don’t say anything because I kind of..like it?
After a minute or two of actually-not-so-awkward-silence, Brandon speaks.
“I hope it’s not too inappropriate but do you mind telling me what triggered you in there?”
No, I couldn’t answer him because then I have to say why and that means I have to tell the story. The story about what happened at Tommy's party and he’ll hate me. Because everything is my fault.
“Umm nothing triggered me I just felt really bad. Th-the same thing happened Wednesday”
“I don’t believe you. My mother is a psychologist and she taught me a thing or two but if you don’t want to tell me it’s okay” Brandon's voice is still so soft and kind so I answer him.
“The violence, the near-death experiences, the danger…” And Brandon will probably ask “why” now because all these things are normal in movies even I know that. But instead, he just nods.
“Okay, let's get you out of here. Wait here darling and don’t move I’ll be right back.” Brandon flashes me a beautiful smile and steps out of the restroom.
All I can do is obey that handsome face and try not to think about the fact that he just called me Flower and Darling in the last ten minutes.
Brandon returns almost immediately and by then I’ve managed to calm down and wash my face a couple more times.
He crouches down beside me and smiles kindly.
“Well do you wanna stay here or do you wanna go grab something to eat?”
Wait I’m going out to eat with The Brandon? I am actually kind of want to because he has this mysterious yet carefree aura surrounding him and I just wanna unlock every secret hidden behind those beautiful eyes. I still think he’s a douche though and going out to eat means eating and that doesn’t sound so..appealing.
“Umm w-what about the movie and the others? We can’t just leave them a-an-and…” I say attempting to find an excuse not to go but Brandon interrupts me by a simple finger on my lips. The hottest guy in the universe’s finger is on my lips. Please take notes at that. Then he takes it away slowly while staring into my eyes and I fight the urge to lick my now super dry lips. I can feel my face becoming redder by the second.
“Don’t worry I took care of it and now let's go. I brought your things along with me” Brandon says and I notice my wallet and cellphone in his hand and he hands them over to me.
“Thank you,” I say shyly and his smile widens and he helps me up. When we’re about to head out one of the employees that assisted us sees us and she grins at me while giving two thumbs up. I can’t help but smile.
“Whoa, what is that? That’s the most angelic smile I’ve ever seen in my entire life..! Why don’t you do that more often?! I’ve only seen you smile twice today and wow I must say it’s really dazzling and this is coming from the most shining human being alive!” Brandon exclaims and winks at me while smiling and I blush.
He’s right I don’t smile that often and it’s not something new because I never smile at things unless they really impress me. But with time and because of a certain..person I started smiling more and more. That person taught me how to smile and do a lot of things but now I’m back to my previous state not daring to smile at just anything because I don’t deserve it. Someone like me shouldn’t smile.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you darling I meant it as a compliment! I like your smile Braze.” Brandon states seeing the shift in my expression and okay, I heard that right? I’m not imagining things? He called me by my
name and it sounds so beautiful coming from him.It's been a month when someone calls my name with so much love after I lose him. The same person who taught me how to smile and I could feel tears starting to sting at my eyes and another panic attack arising but no. I can’t. I can’t bother Brandon more than I already have and he probably thinks I’m really weird. I mean, he’s been with several people, right? I bet no one had a panic attack and got upset because of a simple compliment. I made Brandon miss out on a movie that’s, according to Ash, one of the most popular movies and the last thing I wanna do is make him regret that decision more than he already has. So I start to focus on something else. We’re going to McDonalds, right? It’s the closest source of food from here and it’s approximately 5 minutes away. What am I going to order? And I have to eat otherwise Brandon would surely think he totally wasted his time. Maybe I could only order fries..? Without ketchup of course but will he think that’s weird? Slowly the bubble of panic that has been building inside me fades away while I try to think of a way to escape this situation.
Thankfully I don't have to think about food anymore because Brandon enters Starbucks instead and I just follow him silently. Did he sense my panic when he said that we should go out and eat? He did say his mother is a psychologist maybe he got some of her observing talents? Or I'm just overanalyzing things but I really don't want to be an inconvenience to him or be the reason that he's having the most boring day in his life.We sit down at an empty table and a girl comes over to take our order. So, what would a normal growing teenage boy order?" I will take a grande chocolate chip cream frappuccino. And with blended cream of course." Brandon says and winks at the girl. The girl smiles and winks back and then she looks at me with an almost annoyed expression. He ordered what now?
" You know what I like about you? You're honest and say what's in your mind like the first time we met. I don't think I've ever heard someone get my name wrong or call me "His Majesty" straight to my face. That's what makes you so fun to be with. You're straight up when it comes to things."I smile at that because me blurting things out has always gotten me into trouble before with mostly my parents. And then I remember our first meeting. Our first horrible meeting and I can feel panic starting to build up and I open my mouth to explain myself but Brandon beats me to it and changes the subject:"Your siblings huh? Alex and Jace? I must say I enjoy Jace because come on, his style is not to compete with! Of course, that applies to everyone except for me I could easily win because I'm fabulous, but that Alex though? No thank
The girl probably going to go around all day or week expecting a phone call and will she get it? Maybe, maybe not. And if she doesn't get it maybe she'll get sad, disappointed or angry and all because she fancied the boy laughing in front of me that called her an angel.But still, I laugh and not because of what he did to the girl but because of the cheesy pickup line but still, I feel extremely guilty afterwards. He really is a total asshole but somehow. I really enjoy being with him and I don't think I've ever laughed this much in a really long time.Then Brandon starts to talk about his group of friends while we drink our frappuccinos and I briefly comment on how much I ship Alexander and Ash. Brandon entire face lits up and he starts to talk about how much he also loves them together and how much they love each other i
"Braze?" Brandon snaps me back to reality and I realise I've been silent for a long time. I'm about to answer all of his questions when he beats me to it like always. "Are you tired? I suppose we have been sitting here for long. Let's go" Brandon goes up and I start to collect my things.Then I look up and I see him talking to the male barista who is smiling at him with a blush clear on his face. Brandon turns around and discreetly winks at me to come. I head over there."...suppose you're tired," Brandon tells the barista. Oh, no same pickup line?! "But well you should be," Brandon says while smirking seductively. " Because you've been running through my mind all day." He says and winks again. The barista blushes harder and Brandon still smirking exits the store.God he really is a player and that pick up line sucked more than the other one. I smile at the barista who looks like he doesn't kn
I just stand there and take it to punch after punch recalling all the horrible things I've done and I'm almost glad that this is happening. I know it's weird but I'm almost relieved that I'm finally facing the consequences I deserve. I almost smile at that.Suddenly Aldertree stops and I look up slowly my body trembling and see Jia holding up her hand but Mel is still holding me firmly. She approaches me with a smirk and I flinch."First Alex and now Brandon, Braze? You can't seem to back off."Wait for what?! What does Brandon have to do with anything? Is it because of the smiles? But they're only greetings!"W-what-what?" I manage to say because I still can't breathe properly and I'm standing there panting for my life after the many hits to my stomach and my whole body is shaking and I would probably fall on the ground if it weren't for Mel strong arms. Then Aldertree grabs my collar and puts his face so
"Hey Braze, man have you seen my...OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED?!" Ash screams and I pull him in and lock the door before anyone comes."P-please be quiet please" I plead as I try to cover my body. I start to pull on my shirt but Ash stops me his eyes wide and swallows."Braze who did this to you? A-an-and when? An-and for how long? And where were we the whole time?" Ash asks faintly fighting his tears but I can no longer fight my own and I start to cry. Ash puts his shaking arm around me and hugs me."Braze listens, please answer the questions I need to know. Please"And I do it because I can't fight anymore. Because I'm pathetic." I-It's A-Aldertree a-an-and M-Mel. F-for a-about s-seven w-weeks
I feel the shaking arms around me let go and Mel rushes out of the room at the same time as I tumble on the ground struggling to breathe. Aldertree starts to stand but doesn't really succeed and Brandon uses the same voice he used on Mel that sends shivers down my entire body "Leave..and for your sake, I hope you know what will happen if you ever touch my Braze again."Aldertree nods desperately and starts to stand up while limping his way out of here however when he was about to go through the door Alexander stretches out one of his legs where Aldertree is just about to walk causing Aldertree to stumble and fall on the other side of the door that Alexander closes while showing his middle finger. Brandon rushes over to my trembling panting body and carefully lifts up my face."They didn't hurt your face huh? Smart. Are you okay Flower? Where does it hurt to tell me."
Brandon takes one step forward with a face that hides all possible emotions and it gives me goose bumps."Braze. Why were they beating you up? Don't bother lying those guys usually don't meddle with other people's business unless they have a reason to. So tell me and be honest."He says firmly and looks at me with a stone serious face. I start to panic because what am I supposed to say? I definitely can't say anything about Jia and her reasons because that's off limits. But I could tell him about Aldertree and Mel but how am I supposed to tell him that he is the reason. I bite my lip and stay quiet. Then Brandon nods."It's because of me isn't it?" he states and I start to protest but he holds up a hand silencing me. He walks over to me."Lift up your shirt"I blush because A) my body is covered in bruises and I don't want him to see that because then he'll feel guilty B) I don't want him seeing my disgusting bruises C) THE Brandon is gonna see me shirtless and I've been around enough t