🎵Maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much,
Maybe this thing was a master piece 'til you tore it all up.
Running scared I was there, I remember it all too well. 🎵
I removed the drapes away and let the fresh sun hit my skin.
I took in a deep breath, I slumped down back on the bed, my bed. I missed it so bad.
I moved my hands up and down the sheets and let myself sink in, letting my skin feel the warmness of home.
I had already finished up the project three days ago and wrapped up my work and office and came back to Cherwood.
Of course getting back was going to be emotional for leaving behind a life that thought me patience, strategy, practical thoughtfulness, command over my own body and mind and above all many important instincts of my own personality that I didn't know existed like listening to people tell how pathetic I was yet use their words to sharpen my own personality and waving a middle finger off their faces.
My phone buzzed, with a text.
It was Chris who sent a picture of my now empty desk at the office, because it was still Friday and he would be at the office.
Chrissy: Already missing you. It actually sucks without you.
Even though, Chris and Paul both had their own cabins, with a designated assistant but they still would pop around my desk and we'd stumble upon inappropriate jokes and hitting each other. Even I missed them.
Me: Why don't you guys come over for the weekend? Ask Paula to bring Theresa as well.
They hated the nicknames I'd given them; Chrissy and Paula yet I never let go off a single opportunity to irritate them. I just simply stated that I needed girlfriends as well, and calling them so makes me feel more comfortable around them. Even though names were just mere figurative. Not even once I tried making them do any girly stuff, given I didn't have time to groom my own self. But once I was applying nail paint after an entire month and they simply showed up and Chris ended up applying nail paint at my left hand. Because I was a right handed person and always found it hard to apply it on the other one.
My phone vibrated again with Chris's text.
Chrissy: Do you have hot girls around there?
Me: I legitimately rolled my eyes at your text. Very hot stuff... And yes, we do! And they love to be banged by hot New York boys, some fantasy thing.
Chrissy: So you do agree I'm hot? Well I'm already in. Gather around your hottest stuff.
I laughed at his words. I looked up the time and it was still eleven in the morning. It was Wednesday and everyone else would've been at school.
I wanted to text everyone and tell them I was back. But I wanted to surprise them. I haven't told anyone that I would be coming and my birthday was on Saturday, so what else could be better than surprising everyone.
I couldn't wait to see Brandon of all. It was about time we both get back together and let the mess slip pass by.
School had already started and I was about to join in from Monday so I decided to pay a little surprise visit to everyone at school. They must be together at this time.
I picked up my bag and car keys and rolled out with my car. I missed my car or even traveling in a car. I had been using buses or taxis in New York that made me realize the importance of luxury I had and I took them for granted.
As soon as I parked outside the school I heaved a sigh of excitement, I couldn't wait to surprise everyone. I looked at my watch and the time was around one, which was about lunch time.
I happily got outside the car making my way inside the school. On my way I greeted Mr. Samuel who passed me an ear to ear smile showing how happy he was for me to be back.
I made my way inside and looking at the empty corridors I figured out that everyone must be in the canteen.
With every step I took towards the canteen, my anticipation rose by ten folds.
Above all I was excited to see Brandon, his expressions, his feelings, I couldn't wait to hug him tight and hold his hand, never wanting to let him go.
I entered inside the cafeteria and my eyes roamed around the entire place. I couldn't place any one of my friends. A shrill finally made me turn towards a particular direction.
Laura.
She screamed out loud as soon as she saw me. A huge smile swept across my face and I jumped at her direction.
We both collided at a certain point and by this time everyone was looking at our direction. We embraced each other in a tight hug.
"What are you doing here?", She asked excitedly. From the distinct background Kevin and Lex showed up who both hugged me tight.
"Guess who's back in the town?", I happily shrugged. Laura screamed happiness but at the same time I saw a hint of reluctant-ness on Kevin's face who gave out a weak smile that wasn't genuine.
I decided to ignore it.
"Where's Fel and Connor?", I asked Laura.
"We would know if they hanged out with us.", Lex said roughly.
"What do you mean?", I asked with concern.
"They haven't been hanging out with us lately.", Lex shrugged casually making me raise my eyebrows.
"Oh just shut up!", Laura shrugged Lex giving him a shut up call. "They must be somewhere around here.", She smiled at me and I can tell she was genuinely happy to see me back.
"Where's Brandon?", I asked, trying to calm my heart down but I was too excited to see the person my heart was longing the most for.
Laura heaved a sigh making a confused expression, "He must be practicing. You just came back, just hang around for a while."
As soon as I heard about Bran's whereabouts, to see him was the only thing I wanted to do.
"I'll see you around in a moment, I'll catch up with Brandon and just call Fel and Connor, don't tell them I'll surprise them as well.", I said as made my way towards the gym.
I couldn't wait to see Brandon and tell him that I was finally back and things would go smoothly between us now.
My birthday was coming and I couldn't wait to celebrate it with the people I loved the most.
As soon as I reached the gym door, I heaved a sigh and finally went ahead opening the door.
I didn't know how Brandon was going to react after seeing me or what I was going to tell him but I had to talk to him and we both had to talk things through.
The moment I opened the doors my eyes met the sight of Brandon standing with his back turned towards me. He was shirtless like the usual he would be during practice. He stood still with a towel hanging around his neck. I decided to walk towards him and surprise him from behind. I tip toed near him with a smile dancing around my face but stopped as soon as I saw two of hands moving around his neck and pulling him close.
I stood frozen. Those were a girl's hands and Bran leaned in to kiss her. I could clearly hear a voice that was intimidating.
Soon the two leaned back and Brandon turned around and I could see that he was startled to look at me. Standing right next to him was Ariana, of course.
I could feel tears merging down my cheeks.
I couldn't move or say anything, I simply turned around and walked away.
I heard Brandon calling my name, but I didn't stop. I ran and ran away from him. I took my keys out of my bag and ran out of the school, towards the parking area and immediately opened my car before Brandon could reach me and sat inside the car locking the door. Immediately roaring the engine, I heard a knock on the window pane but I didn't stop or turned around to look at Brandon.
"Listen to me. It's not what it looks like.... At least listen to me... I can explain.... Just listen me out.", Bran yelled as I made my way outside the school premises leaving Brandon behind exhausted.
I looked at the rearview mirror and there I saw him standing as the distance increased and maybe that was something that was going to stay there forever. We were thrown further apart and the distance kept on increasing and we were not even stopping or moving to decrease the momentum of this distance.
*********************
It was already two days since the incident at school and I hadn't showed up at school neither communicated much with anyone at home. Laura and Kevin visited me often and after knowing the entire situation they advised me to talk to Brandon but I was reluctant at usual about talking to him.
Surprisingly Connor and Fel didn't even contact me once even after I called them both and told them I was back. They didn't sound much excited after listening to what I told them.
I was already too disturbed with everything happening around me that I didn't even realise that tomorrow was my birthday until dad asked me at the breakfast table what I wanted as a gift.
"So the big day is tomorrow what will you want to have?", Dad asked passing out an excited grin.
I on the other hand was least enthusiast about my own big day.
I looked Margaret and already saw her looking at me with an intended look.
I smiled weakly, "I'm here with you guys, what could be the biggest gift of all?", I asked plumply.
"How about a new car?", Dad asked to get me excited and I simply shrugged my shoulders.
After dad left for office I went back to my room and laid back down on my bed looking at the ceiling. I picked my phone up to text or call Brandon or hoping to have seen any sign from him but nothing appointed me.
I looked at the finger on my ring again the same thing I've been doing for the past two days and the thought again hit my mind. What is the meaning of this ring if we keep on pushing each other way. This ring means nothing at the point where we both stand away from each other making no effort at redeeming our relationship.
A knock on the door made me jump up. I looked at the source and found Margaret standing with a huge smile on her face asking to come in. I simply nodded at her with a weak smile.
"I'm guessing you're missing New York?", She said as she sat right across me crossing off her legs in her plain white jeggings and floral pink shirt.
Weirdly I was missing New York but my heart still belonged to Cherwood.
"I guess so.", I shrugged with a weak smile.
"Is there something bothering you?", She asked me trying to make a conversation.
Of course my behaviour gave off the essence that I was bothered my someone.
"I guess.... I don't know...", I started speaking but paused trying to look for the right words. I didn't feel like crying because New York gave me patience and help me stagger the cry over everything in front of everyone phase.
"Laura told me about you and Brandon.", Margaret stated guilty of her confession.
I simply rolled my eyes, "Is there something this girl can't keep to herself?", I asked partly annoyed.
"I didn't want to annoy you or make you angry but listen me out here. I guess you should talk to Brandon about this."
"I don't know.... Maybe your right but maybe maybe......", I felt lost at words, I always did whenever it came to Brandon or anything related to him. I had been since I was four and the cycle continued, "He didn't contact me even once.", I argued.
Margaret chuckled a bit before she spoke, "And since when did you start think rationally in love? I never thought you're the speak rationale or do business when it comes to relations? Already practicing being a businesswoman?", Margaret sarcastically pointed at me making me squint my eyes at her.
"Margaret but not even once.... It's like he doesn't even want this anymore. The love he showed me.... All that seems to go away for no good."
"Because you two need to talk through some stuff. Just do it and trust me then only you can clear up this mess, otherwise this ring would mean nothing for you still wearing it on your finger.", She said pointing my finger. "It's your birthday tomorrow, everyone's excited except for you. Beat the bush and I want you to see happy. We've got a huge surprise planned for you."
The word surprise somehow seemed to trigger me. I cocked my eyebrow earning a grubby look from Marg.
As soon as she left I decided to text Brandon but as I opened the window of his text I stopped as I saw him already typing. I stopped and saw his typing sign also disappearing.
"No..... No no no no.", I yelled at myself as I saw the typing sign disappear.
Of course he saw me typing that's why he stopped. Shit!
I decided to type again and saw him typing and I stopped again. And so did he.
"You have to be shitting me?", I yelled at my own self after being defeated at the text game.
I finally threw my phone down on the bed in frustration and laid back again feeling constipated at my situation.
I growled in anger at Brandon's stupidity. "Just one stupid text is all it takes... But no he has to stop?", I complained out loud to myself. Talking to my own self had become a routine for me specially after living alone in New York.
My phone beeped and I knew it was a text. I immediately jumped up with excitement and opened the phone only to be met by Chris' text. I rolled my eyes in partial disappointment.
Chrissy: We'll leave tonight! Keep your hot girls ready.
I laughed at his text. He never fails to make me laugh. Even in the worst of my moods.
Me: Can't wait to see you guys!
I finally opened up Brandon's text window and popped him the text.
Me: It's my birthday tomorrow! I really wish to celebrate it with you!
I finally sent him the text not carrying whether it was appropriate or not. Another adopted trait from New York. Sending risky texts and not carrying about the consequences.
I kept my phone and rested my head back on the pillow. My phone buzzed again and so did my heart as it skeptically skipped a beat. I picked it up, still laying with my head down only to notice a text from George.
Georgie The Hoe: It's your birthday tomorrow, won't you be inviting me?
My head trembled making me lose grip on my phone as it trembled down on to my face.
"Ouch!", I felt like an idiot as my phone hit my face bad, making me feel like a someone slapped me right across my face.
But wait, what did George texted me and why?
I again picked my phone up to read his text thinking that I might've read something wrong.
I read his text over and over again and I wasn't wrong he did texted me what I read previously.
Me: Of course you're invited!
I constrained myself from insulting him even though I should've told him to get lost given as I don't even work for him anymore. Again... Patience!
Georgie The Hoe: But you haven't invited me individually or specially!
Now I should tell him to jerk himself off!
Me: Sure you're invited at my birthday party that even I don't know where it'll happen!
Georgie The Hoe: You and your sarcasm! I miss it so much.
Okay now he's acting weird. When I was working for him he didn't even let a single opportunity go to waste and insulted me at every point. Now he's acting all good. Something's fishy here. I decided not to reply to his stupid text but he popped another message.
Georgie The Hoe: Would you like this as your birthday gift?
Followed was a picture diamond necklace that chocked down the upper neck hovering over the contours of lower neck of a statue wearing it. If I said it was beautiful I would actually just underrate the explanation. It looked damn expensive. But wait! George is asking me if I would like this? Why is he acting all good, all of a sudden? And besides didn't he had girlfriends to throw his gifts at? Girls that'd actually open their legs in return. Something didn't seem good to me.
Me: It's beautiful but I'm not a diamond person! Besides you don't need to get me a gift. :)
Of course my smile was a shut up call at his cursorial attempt at trying to act all nice towards me. May he burn in hell.
I readily took a screenshot of the chat and sent it to Chris and Paul in our group conversation.
Chrissy: Damn that necklace is pretty. Should've taken it from him!
Paula: No way! You did the right thing, I'm proud of you.
Chrissy: You can never become a rich guy Paul! She should've taken from him and sell it and then we could've party on that money.
Me: And yeah should've opened up my legs for him later on as well.
Paula: Manners!
Chrissy: The leg part is your call!
Another message from George popped up.
Georgie The Hoe: You're a difficult and different girl! I'm actually confused now.
I rolled my eyes off at his words and kept my phone down.
After hours of battling my eyes who were deceiving me at sleep, I picked my phone when it vibrated.
Bran 🙈😘: Tonight at the penthouse?
I finally screamed up in joy. I don't remember the last time being that happy. I didn't know why I felt so excited all of a sudden given when I already saw him kissing Ariana two days ago and all of a sudden my excitement died at the mere thought of that incident. So I decided to keep my joy to myself.
Me: Okay!
My reply was courteous enough on my behalf. He replied back immediately.
Bran 🙈😘: Can't wait to see you 😘.
His text actually made me feel gushed. I texted him affectionately multiple times during the last three months and never did he once replied back so fast that also with a kiss emoji and now only once I texted him rudely and he interpreted back a kiss. And they say girls are difficult to understand.
I battled to whether text him back or not but of course when it came to Bran my ego didn't just shrink but disappeared.
Me: Okay!
Now I only had one word to speak.
Bran 🙈😘: Wear something Black 🙈.
Okay, now this was getting weird.
Me: Okay!
Bran: 🙈😘: 😘❤
I decided not to reply to him anymore. Because he was getting weirder by every second.
*********************
As I rolled my car inside the parking lot of the building I saw a huge gush of cars swindled up as I found it difficult to find a parking space.
That is unusual, usually the place is deserted as only a number of cars are usually placed. And the most unusual part was the fact that, from new old roaring Mercedes to an old crapped up Mustang cobra every sort of car was placed. Maybe someone was having a party.
I decided to gave my car to the valet service and went inside the elevator. I waved off as I saw Dante standing right next to one of the security guards. Before the doors to elevator could close a young couple perhaps my age stopped me mid track and entered inside the elevator.
They didn't push any button on the elevator which I found suspicious.
Once the doors closed I stood awkwardly while they discuss Greenview Academy scholarship.
"So when did you come back?", I felt eyes on me making me look at the source of voice and it was the girl, I recognized her from my school. The only creepy thing was she knew I was away.
"Just came back this week.", I smiled back at her.
"Well... Welcome back to Cherwood.", She smiled and so did her blonde strudel boyfriend.
The elevator doors opened and I saw them leave but before I could press the buttons I realised I was already on floor 36th and I followed my gaze towards the living area and it was pooled with kids.
I stepped out thinking that I might've ended up in the wrong spot but I hadn't. The same sofa sets, the same clustered carpet, the staircase, the white reflecting marbles, the large window pane. It was Brandon's penthouse. But people pooled in dancing to beats with disco lights reflecting the movement of dances. All of a sudden darkness took over and everything stopped. I could only hear kids bumping into one another as I felt being pushed to corner.
I coincided maintaining my posture as I finally stood up next to a wall for support. I could feel my head bursting with comprehending pain. I couldn't make out what was happening around me.
All of a sudden a single spotlight started revolving showing in chunks the clustered pool of kids. The light seemed to find someone until it finally rested on me. I shielding my face using my hand as the brightness of the light blinded me.
I tried peaking through my fingers but failed as the brightness hit my eyes making it impossible to see what was happening. I tried looking around left and right but the only light there was on me and everything else was dark. I knew everyone was looking at me and that made conscious.
"Here's to my girlfriend!", I heard a voice on a mike speak as I froze. I knew it was Brandon's voice. People around had started cheering out for me. "Welcome back Amy!", Bran spoke again followed my another cheer.
I saw another spotlight hit a spot as I followed my gaze I met Brandon's intended one as the light stood upon him. He wore a black jacket, my favourite one and beneath was a stripped shirt. The faded blue jeans made him look even more dreamy.
I felt his gaze piercing through my soul. Like he could see inside me. I felt naked in front of him. Vulnerable was how it should be described. I felt him walk closer to me as everyone stepped aside. My eyes never left his. His eyes roamed around my body and I could feel a smile creeping up his face satisfied with what I wore. A black laced patterned dress. But I didn't had the audacity to leave the view of his eyes. My feelings were indescribable. I finally lowered my head down as I saw a hint of lust in his eyes. I felt anxiety inside me. I stared down at the floor. I couldn't move my eyes up.
It shouldn't be this way. I should've seen love in those eyes. I never even felt that anxious back when we were struggling due to his issues. I finally mustered up my courage deceiving all thoughts and when I finally moved my head up, my nose collided with his, as he stood right in front of me. Our bodies only an inch or two apart. We breathed the same air.
My eyes met his and I could feel his soft gaze. The look he gave me back when he kissed my forehead right next to my locker, the moistness in his gaze when he gave me the ring, the spark in his eyes when he first brought me here in this penthouse, the love in his eyes when I felt him inside me.
In a moment of breath I felt his soft lips right next to mine and my knees wobbled, my heart melted and I gave in. Just like that. I wish I hadn't. I wish I could resist him. The anxiety inside me told me to do so but my heart took over and I gave into the touch of lips.
Softly he brushed our lips together as his hand went around my waste. As he slightly pulled apart I heard a cheer from everyone making me realise where we were standing and how a hundred or more pairs of eyes were glued on us. I felt the blood inside my cheeks burn as I hid my face in Brandon's chest. I felt him holding my waist tight and pulling me more towards him. I felt diffusing inside him if he pulled me an inch more.
He snapped his fingers and I felt the lights turning on and everybody back to drunk dancing.
He finally pulled back and my gaze was still down at the floor.
Thoughts had now started dancing in my mind. He never brought anyone except for me here, then what is up with this crazy Tomorrowland stuff happening around me. He was never an affectionate person when it came to showing love publicly but now he pulled of an entire romantic skit in front of more than a hundred people.
Bran lifted my head up, making me look him in the eyes.
"You over think, inappropriately at inappropriate times.", He spoke softly reading my mind. The strong smell of alcoholic from his mouth hit me hard.
"You're drunk.", I complained.
"Yeah... I miss you too.", He sarcastically said making me chuckle.
A hand on his shoulder made him turn around and I met Kevin and Laura's surprised gaze.
"That was so romantic.", Laura yelled as she hugged me tight making me whimper back with the smell of alcohol she exhibited.
"You won bruh!", Kevin told Brandon and I felt a bit confused at his words.
"Won what?", I asked innocently dumb founded.
"Of course the title of the romance king duh!", Laura shrugged a the guys of and took me with her towards the dance area.
On my way my eyes caught sight of two familiar people that I could spot at a distance of thousands of miles.
"Wait a second.", I freed my wrist from Laura and made my way towards Connor and Fel.
I wanted to hug them tight and yell at them for being ignorant towards me but as soon as Fel's eyes caught mine something stopped me from proceeding to do what I was planning on.
I stopped my pace as once I reached them and I saw Connor's gaze met mine but there was something about the look he held. Maybe petty or anger or pity but there was something that I couldn't make up. All of sudden I felt tension grow under my skin as Connor's eyes glistened with anger to look at Fel.
"I told you, we shouldn't have came here.", Connor practically yelled at Fel making me look at him with disbelief.
He was meeting me after four months and his reaction left me speechless.