This could only go one of two ways, and Adelaide knew already that it would end up in a screaming match. Her father sighed, releasing her from his hug and stepped back to look at Adelaide's mother. Adelaide attempted to leave but her mother took her by the hand.
"Look at me Adelaide" she demanded.
Adelaide looked at her, avoiding eye contact.
"What did he tell you?"
"Don't involve her in this Gwyneth!" her dad yelled. Adelaide released herself from her mother's grip and grabbed her bag on the hall table before running outside onto the street, slamming the door behind her. She had never felt so alone.
Adelaide made it down the street and sat on the park bench, trying her best to hold back her tears. She reached for her phone in her bag and scrolled through her contacts. Oscar knew about Adelaide's parents and how they'd been fighting a lot. He was the only one she could call, the only one she wanted to call. She let her phone ring.
"Come on Oscar, pick up please"
Straight to voice mail. Adelaide tried again, growing increasingly frustrated. Voicemail again. Adelaide flung her phone down, letting it smack off the concrete. She sat there for a minute before picking her phone up, the screen had shattered around the edges. She scrolled down her contacts further and stopped, hovering her finger over Brodie's name. She called him.
"Please answer"
"Adelaide?" A familiar voice asked down the phone. Adelaide was so happy he answered, she teared up.
"Are you ok? Are you crying?" He asked. Adelaide couldn't answer.
"Where are you? Let me come get you!" He shouted down the phone.
"I'm in the park" she replied.
"Give me 5 minutes"
In less than five minutes, Adelaide saw Brodie running across the green over to her, his face all red from running. Adelaide waited until he was closer before pulling him into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She held on as tight as she could, resting her head on his chest. Brodie pulled her in tighter, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Hey, it's ok" he whispered into her ear, reassuring her as she silently cried.
"Whatever it is, I can help"
"Brodie, my parents, are splitting up" she sighed, devastated.
He placed one hand on the back of her head, stroking her hair.
"I'm so sorry."
Brodie brought Adelaide back to his house. It was edging closer and closer to midnight but Adelaide couldn't face going back home to her parents and Brodie didn't want her to. He set up the downstairs sitting room for Adelaide to sleep in, bringing her comfy tracksuit bottoms and a baggy t-shirt, both of which he owned. He found all of the throw blankets and pillows he could possibly find and set up a fort for Adelaide to sleep in. Adelaide changed into his t-shirt in the bathroom, it was big enough to be a dress on her but she loved how considerate he was. She couldn't help but feel terrible for being such an intrusion. Brodie made her hot chocolate and the two sat at the kitchen table.
"My Dad is out of town at the moment so, you staying here isn't any trouble, just so you know!"
"Thank you Brodie" she was grateful to have someone like him in her life.
"Well I'll let you rest" Brodie said attempting to say goodnight. He stood up from his seat but Adelaide stopped him.
"Wait, please, can you stay down here? The fort is big enough for a whole gang of people let alone two!" She said with a smile. Brodie smirked, he was glad to see Adelaide smiling even if it was just for a second.
"Sure"
Brodie and Adelaide lay in the fort, next to each other. Multiple blankets kept them warm in the cold house.
"I knew they were going to split up" Adelaide whispered. Brodie looked at her intently. He had such interest in everything she had to say. It made her feel special.
"I just didn't want to believe it"
"I get that" Brodie replied.
"He asked me to keep it a secret"
"Who?"
"My dad. He didn't want me to tell my mam I knew they were splitting up."
Brodie propped himself up with his elbow. His expression told her that he was shocked.
"That's awful!"
"You know what's worse? The fact that I can't stand to be near them right now, when I should be!" Guilt had been eating Adelaide alive for the past few weeks. It was all coming to the surface now.
"That's completely normal Adelaide, you have every right to feel however you want to feel" he said, pushing a loose strand of hair off her face. They both fell asleep soon after.
The next morning, Adelaide woke up to the sight of Brodie lying next to her. His hair was messy and misplaced, one hand rested on his chest. He was stunning. Her emotions were running high. She couldn't help but stare at him even when he began to wake up. Brodie woke up and they locked eyes. He had never realized how utterly beautiful Adelaide was. They stared at each other, scanning the other persons face. Brodie put his hand around Adelaide's neck, pulling her in closer and Adelaide leaned in. They kissed.