Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 28: A week later...

Work kept her busy. Scripts kept her mind running, cornering away from that one mindset which pictured the boy she’s been doting for nearly two months now. When the news of that lovable Brit has discharged from the hospital ages ago, she was itching, longing and hoping to get out of the studio just to see him. Just a glimpse of him will be enough to quench her ‘thirst’ for that good ol’ Watson. Perhaps, something more could go on for a dessert. Selena was having the same situation as well. When Bradley got back to the street of LA, Selena was shocked by it. He was supposed to be in the hospital for another week or so or perhaps for over a month longer. Now, in the darkness, Selena just patiently wait for a miracle. Something for the Brit to come by and give them a sign. A sign like, ‘Hey loves, am fine here!’ Something likes that. Anything. Really…

“Therapy?” Is what the girls thought of after a long depth discussion of a certain Brit. Right in the calm and comfortable thick mattress of one named Tiffany Thornton; the girls from ‘Wizards’ and ‘So Random’ got together for their annual sleepover, hoping to get a little fun after a long stress filled day. The plan was to watch a film, preferably a chick-flick, but the point of fun gotten around the bend when Demi took the floor and said, out loud, “Do you think I should call him?”

There were few agreements to it except for one which surprisingly came from the Brit’s best friend, Selena. “If you call, it might put on the label ‘clingy’ on you. Just sayin’.” At this, the others nodded in assurance. Demi sighed and sat back down to her sleeping bag. “Been ages, I know. But you need to trust Brady. He has reasons, I hope. And he would never, like ever, bring you or any other girl down.”

“Other girl?” Jennifer said through a mouthful of chocolate pudding. She swallowed hard and added, “Is he cheating on you or something, Demi? Seriously didn’t see that one coming at all.”

Tiffany come in. “He’s not cheating at anyone. He’s just in therapy. It’s the usual thing to do for someone who was in an accident. You know, physical therapy.”

“Even if its physical therapy—“ Selena added, “he could’ve call.” Sets of assurance were seen, again. “Other than him, his partner in crime, David was telling us nothing at all. The only thing that came out of that guy’s mouth was… ‘oh, he’s just taking time off.’”

“Boys! Ugh!” Jennifer sounded, now lying down on her sleeping bag and clicked on the pause button to watch more of the ‘A Walk to Remember’ film. “I’d say, you should play the same game. Just to tick him off. If I were you, I wouldn’t talk to him until he cracks up and give in.” The other looked at her in confusion. “Oh come on, boys are like so friggin’ clueless sometimes when it comes to girls. Their ego must’ve fueled them up with way too much ego that they think they got it in the bag like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Let them come to you rather than you come to them. Show em the girl power.”

The others were sort of not convinced but when Meaghan Martin walked in to the room with a bowl of freshly made buttered popcorn and a bottle of cola, she swiftly sat down by Jennifer and said, “Girl said right, yo.” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and carried on, “No matter how insanely adorable this Brit is, he’s still a guy. Guy need to look at their pride before plunging into a girl’s life. Kinda make me wonder, why and how he likes you that fast. Is he a stalker? Or just a fan who just got lucky, if you know what I mean.”

“He’s not that!” Demi speak up.

“Sure?” Meaghan gazed at her Camp Rock friend. “Don’t know much about Bradley, meself. But is he really that nice? These are the things we need to think about.”

“You’re only saying that because you think he’s one annoying brat.” Tiffany came to Demi’s defense. “He’s a sweet guy. Not like the others. He’s a gentleman.”

Meaghan scoffed. “Yeah, right! Rough-man is more like it.”

“He’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever dated.” Demi told her sternly. “You can’t judge on guys like that, Meaghan. You gotta know him.”

“I prefer not to. Thanks.”

Meanwhile, somewhere in Los Angeles; inside a silvery SUV, David Henrie was arranging the rearview mirror at a corner of a junction while his passenger, Bradley Watson, now sporting a black strap across his chest which supporting his broken arm, sat there in silent and gazed out the window alarmingly. It was clear, in a situation like this; the girl he’s been fond of was practically the last thing in his mind. Something more important gotten his attention to the fullest and its gotten him less and less sleep lately.

Popping a chewing gum into his gaping mouth, David turned his eyes to his good friend and offered one. “Not now, Dave.” Bradley deeply replied. “I need to get that rascal’s head before anything else, including your innocent act like giving me a gum to chew on.”

“You’re stressing too much, kiddo.” David replied. “You need to eat even if it’s just this piece of gum. We need to get ready for the Wizards’ cast party this Saturday. Everyone gonna be there. Even Demi. Remember her? She’s the girl you been seeing.”

Bradley sighed. “I know. I like her.”

“Then maybe this so-called threat is just a bluff, just to get you paranoid.” David put it out.

“That’s bullshit, mate.” Bradley speak up. “I know this bastard. He’ll get what he wants. Definitely, he wants me to let her go and I’m not gonna. So just shut up and look out for that black escalade, okay?”

“Whatever you say.”

Author's note:

The moment you all been waiting for... the title for the sequel of this is... drum roll please....ddddddddddddddddddum

Part 2 of Strings: Navy Blue. (coming soon)