Stolen Kisses (NaNoWriMo 2013)

11: Stolen Kisses

I finally found Brandon amongst the sea of faces. His eyes were downcast as Jess tried to have a conversation with him. Taking a deep breath to convince myself that everything is going to be alright, I stepped forward and made my presence known.

Both heads snapped to look in my direction and I suddenly became self conscious. How was I going to convince him? What if I really ended up having to have Roy explain it to him? I don't know if I could handle seeing Roy again, especially with that look on his face that made me want to kiss the hurt away. But, wasn't I supposed to be mad at him anyway?

"Umm, can I talk to Brandon alone?"I asked Jess, who gave me a sad look and nodded.

I turned to Brandon and tugged him towards the back room where we practiced. Once we were safely inside and alone, I sat on the plush couch and patted the space next to me, hoping that Brandon didn't entirely hate my guts. Luckily, he carefully made his way to me and sat as far away as possible. Okay, better than I thought.

"I'm sorry about what happened back there, but I can assure you that nothing is going on between me and Roy. I don't know why he kissed me, but I can promise that it won't happen again. He's going to leave me alone from now on,"I assured, though for some reason my voice sounded hollow as I tried to convince not only Brandon, but myself.

He seemed to think about it for a moment before saying,"I believe you."

I let out a sigh of relief and gave him a genuine smile,"I'm so glad to hear that. I really do like you, Brandon."

"I really like you too, Danielle,"he smiled, and for some reason I felt a pang in my heart. Then, I realized it was because I was expecting him to say Princess, or at least Dani. But, I had to keep reminding myself that that was a different guy, not the one I was sitting with and talking with at this moment.

"And that's why I was wondering if you would like to go on a date tomorrow,"he grinned, clearly proud of himself.

I gave him a bright smile,"Of course! Just text me the when and where and I'll be there."

"It means a lot to me for you to say that,"he admitted, his eyes downcast.

"It means a lot to me to have gained your trust,"I smiled, putting my hand on his knee.

When he looked up, I leaned forward and kissed his cheek, not knowing what would happen if I actually kissed him on the lips.

I'm pretty sure at that point that we both blushed scarlet, but he still reached his hands up and used the pad of his thumb to gently carress my reddened cheeks. Then he was up and to the door, sending me a wink over his shoulder.

"I'll see you soon, Danielle."

Then he was gone, and I couldn't help but to think that that action reminded me very much of something that Roy would do. I thought that I was getting myself involved with a completely different guy, but maybe they were more similar than they seemed. Or maybe i just couldn't help but pick up anything that reminded me of the guy that i desperately wanted to forget.

_ _ _ _ _ _

I received a text the next morning, causing my heart to hammer in my chest. Could it be Roy? If it was what would he say? What would I say?

My heart dropped to my stomach when I opened up my phone to see a new message symbol next to Brandon's name. I kept the guilt and hurt at bay, pulling open the message with a forced smile on my face, not to try and convince others, but to try and convince myself.

Hey. Are you free this afternoon?

I thought about it, trying to remember my hours for work today.