Splinters: Part One

Part One | 11

Usually she let me eat the rest of it, and that was satisfying enough for me at the time. 

Ursanne grasped my hand and led me down some aisles. She nudged me towards the left side of it while she looked over the right side.

"Look for Spider-Man."

I looked over the shelves and lifted up some costumes.

"Ursa, these would never fit me and Grady."

"Just see if they have some."

"I can't."

"Just look, Brayden," she sighed frustratedly.

"Where did Grady go, anyway?"

"He went to ask the people in the back. Didn't you hear him say that when we walked in?"

I thought for a moment, and then realized that I had been in my own little world.

"Yeah, I heard him." I lied.

"I don't see any here," she said after a while.

"Because I didn't say that before," I muttered quietly.

"Whatever."

I bit my lip, letting a small smile flit across my face.

"Let's go find Grady." she decided.

I walked with her towards the back. We were just about to pass the dressing rooms until I heard a very familiar laughter. Stopping at the sight of Collie exiting one of the rooms, Tay coming out of the one next to hers. Collie was dressed in a light blue fluffy and glittery fairy costume. By its length, or lack therefor, I could see her legs entirely. It had no sleeves and showed off quite a lot of Collie's chest. I was... Well, I was speechless. 

Their laughter stopped as Collie's eyes met mine. She dropped the star wand in her hand, making a small tap against the floor. I stared at her for what seemed like the longest moment, while her face blushed the brightest red.

"Welp... This is awkward."

I jerked my head towards Grady who was freakishly standing right next to me. I wondered when he got there, and why of all times he had to speak something to make it even more uncomfortable than it already was.

"Can we help you?" Tay laughed. When none of us said anything, she waved us away. "Move along." 

"Tay," Collie warned.

Slowly, Collie stepped towards me. "Can we talk?"

I crossed my arms, mumbling, "Yeah, I'll, uh, go wait behind the store."

She flinched. "I can explain that."

I didn't respond. 

"Please, Brayden?"

Suddenly, something washed over me. I was overwhelmed with affection towards her, and I know that I shouldn't, but her saying my name... I wanted to hear her say it again. 

"Okay," I muttered.

"Brayden!" Grady and Ursanne both said, staring at me as if I were crazy. I probably was.

I gave them a pleading look while Collie did the same towards Tay. Tay shook her head furiously.

"Come on, Collie. Him? Seriously? You can have all the guys at Constance, and you want him."

Although I should've been insulted, I only paid attention to the words Tay said about Collie's feelings for me, and it was almost a struggle to keep the smile from forming on my face.