Chapter 10 Support

Brittany's POV

I remained completely silent as my eyes remained locked on the cell phone screen, on the photo of me and Alvin. "How did you get this?" I asked, avoiding eye contact. "A friend of mine was at the restaurant" Jeanette replied as she pulled her phone away. "She took this photo, then sent it to me."

I remained absolutely still. I wasn't sure what I was feeling.

It was a mix of being relieved, knowing that our relationship was out in the open, but also shocked and scared at the same time. "Is it what it looks like?" Eleanor asked, as they both stood in front of me. I said nothing. It was hard trying to find the words. That's why I wanted to wait until the prom "Yes" I finally reply, looking down at the floor. "I love him. It is as simple as that. I love him with all my heart, and he loves me."

"How long has this been going on?" Jeanette said quietly. "Since we went to the mall. We found out how we felt about each other, and it went from there." A smile then formed on my face, as I thought back to how wonderful this whole week has been for me. "And since we told each other how we felt, I never felt closer to him. Our friendship has evolved into something special. And I am loving every minute of it."

"You need to dump him Britt" Eleanor said, her voice sounding flat.

My head instantly jerked up, the smile on my face replaced by an open jaw as my eyes bulged in disbelief. "What did you say?" I said, hoping I heard it wrong. "You need to end this" Jeanette said. "If you pursue a relationship with him, you are just going to know only heartbreak, and ruin your life."

I could feel a small surge of anger and confusion form deep inside me as I tried to figure out why my sisters where doing this. "Why are you telling me this? I thought you would be happy for me."

"We normally would be" said Eleanor, "if Alvin weren't so immature. He is going to treat your relationship like he does everything else. He will think it is all fun and games, and then before you know it, he will break your heart."

The anger deep inside me then started to take hold, as I could feel my body temperature rise and my face turn bright red. "And what give you the right to tell me how to run my life" I fired back, trying very hard not to yell.

"We are your sisters Britt" Jeanette said, "we just want to protect you."

"I don't need protecting" I snap back. "Any hardships I face, I will face by myself and with Alvin. Not that it matters, because I know he would never do anything to hurt me. He loves me, and would do anything for me." "Brittany" Eleanor added, "we may not know Alvin the way you do, but one thing we do know is he will never change in such a way to make this work."

"How dare you?" I hiss. "You just aren't willing to give him a chance. He actually has changed in a big way. He takes it seriously. And besides, if you two got together with Simon and Theodore, I wouldn't say you two are making a mistake, I would be supportive."

"That's different" Jeanette replied, her voice giving a hint of frustration. "Simon and Theodore are completely opposite from Alvin. Unlike him, they care for others. Not that it matters anyway since there is nothing going to happen between us."

I knew I shouldn't tell them, but right now, I was looking for anything to use against them. "Don't be so quick to say that. It is quite obvious to me that they really care for you. Besides, I found out tonight that they actually love you with all their hearts. Something special will happen between you, just like it did for me and Alvin."

I could see their faces turn bright red from what I told them. They briefly looked at each other, then down at the floor. "As for my relationship with Alvin. It is my concern, not yours. So I recommend you stay out of it and mind your own business."

My sisters remained completely quiet, not saying anything as I turned around and quickly marched upstairs.

I close the door behind me, and collapse onto my bed, growling in frustration. I was mad that my sisters didn't support me. We had each others backs our whole lives, and now it looked like it that wouldn't be true anymore. I felt too drained to change, so I just closed my eyes right there, and fell into a deep sleep, hoping everything would be better tomorrow.

Just as I was about to drift off, my last thoughts revolved around Alvin, and how much I knew we loved each other.

The next morning, I woke up, my mind instantly going back to what happened last night, causing my head to throb. I gently rub my eyes, digging out the bits of crud that formed in the corners, then looked toward my clock. It was only seven in the morning.

I tried to get back to sleep, but my mind kept repeating the scene again and again. Finally, after several minutes, I got up and out of bed, and put on a fresh pair of clothes. I didn't bother doing anything else. I just needed to get up so that I could clear my head.

I slowly walk down the stairs, and could hear the rattling of pots down stairs from Miss Miller preparing our breakfast. I walk into the kitchen, quickly peering in to make sure my sisters weren't already up.

After seeing only Miss Miller in the kitchen, I give a sigh of relief and walk in. My sigh though must have been loud enough, because as soon as I did, Miss Miller turned, and almost jumped when she saw me. "Brittany, you're up early. Is there something wrong sweety?"

I said nothing at first as I sat down at the table. I was thinking if whether I should tell Miss Miller what was going on. A part of me was scared to tell her, and find out that she didn't support me either, but another part of me wanted to talk to somebody, and sort this mess out. "Did Jeanette or Eleanor show you any photo's last night with me in them?" I ask, finding out if my sisters already told Miss Miller.

"No, nothing. Why do you ask?" she said as she sat down next to me. I almost didn't want to tell her, but I had to tell someone. "I have a problem" I said looking down at the tables surface. "Please tell me honey. I can help. It is what I am here for" she said as she held my hand comfortingly.

"I-I became very good friends with someone a while ago." "With Alvin" she said, her voice still sounding sweet and calm.

I look up at her in surprise, wondering if how she could have found out, if she did know what I was talking about. "You know then, how?" I said in complete shock.

A smile grew on her face as she held my hand tighter. "A mother knows all and sees all" she replied with a smile. "Also, I was next to Jeanette's phone when it went off, and saw the photo. You really love each other, don't you?"

I gave a gentle nod, feeling a bit relieved that this was in the open now. "The problem is, is that Jeanette and Eleanor think I am making a huge mistake. They think Alvin will just treat this whole thing like a game, and break my heart in the end. But I know he never would, he loves me too much. And it tears me a part that they don't support me, because I would support them if they got together with Simon and Theodore."

"Well, you sisters are entitled to their opinion, but what matters is what you think" she said with a soothing tone. "Do you really think he loves you with all his heart, and that he will treat this seriously?"

It took me only a second to come up with the answer. "Of course, I know deep down in my heart that he does, and always will." Miss Miller then gave me a huge smile as she stood up. "In that case, I wish lots of happiness."

"What do you think?" I said as I looked up at her, wanting to know if she really supported me, or if she was just being a supportive mother. She remained silent for a moment making my heart beat like crazy with fear, terrified what the answer may be. I just held my breath, bracing myself for the answer.

Then she finally looked back at me and smiled. "I think you two are perfect for each other. I could tell just by the photo that you really do love each other. And know this, any choice you make, I will always support you."

I felt a huge wave of relief was over me, as I could feel a small tear form in the corner of my eye. "Thank you Miss Miller" I said as I stood up and gave her a hug. I felt nothing at joy at that moment, knowing that at least my mother approved of the relationship. "Do you want to talk about your relationship?" she asked as she pulled away enough so she could look me in the eye.

I felt so relieved, right then knowing, I could talk to somebody about my relationship that supported me. "Sure" I said as I sat back down, a wide smile spreading across my face as I did.

She then grabbed a chair, and sat down in front me, wide smile on her face as well. "What do you want to tell me first?" she said as she gently patted my knee.

I didn't know where to begin, I wanted to tell her how happy I am with him, how I enjoy every minute with him, and how much I really love him. "Everything" I said with glee. "I never felt this way about anybody before. I feel like he is a part of me, a part that I have been searching for my whole life. I love every little thing about him. It is hard to believe a while ago, I thought he was just an annoying jerk" I said with a small giggle.

"Love often evolves from the craziest relationships" she replied. "Sometimes it is the minds way of getting us ready for what we really feel." She then fell silent as I saw her reach into her apron and pull out a small tissue. "My little girl is growing up" she said as she wiped a tear away.

I could feel small tears starting to form in my eyes as I continued to stare at Miss Miller. "You know" she said giving a small sniff, "It seems just like yesterday you girls were playing in the sprinklers, thinking boys were gross, and playing with dolls. Now you are young women, falling in love with boys, and starting your lives. Where has the time gone?"

I could feel a hot stream of tears flowing down my cheeks as I leaned forward and pulled Miss Miller into a hug. "We will always be your girls" I said as I sniffed into her shirt. "And we will always love you, and be thankful for the lives you gave to us."

Miss Miller said nothing as we continued holding each other tightly, and finally, after a few minutes, we pulled away. "I am very proud of you Brittany. I know you and Alvin are meant for each other, I can feel it."

Before I could say anything, we heard the creaks and groans from the stairs as Jeanette and Eleanor made their way down stairs. As soon as they entered the kitchen, I could feel the air become thick with tension. "Good morning" Jeanette said, sounding cheerful. "Good morning you two" Miss Miller said as she stood back up. "Breakfast will be ready in a moment."

I immediately took my seat, avoiding eye contact with my sisters. They took their places at the table, but remained silent. I could feel their eyes staring at me, sending a shiver down my spine. "Brittany, look" Eleanor mumbled, "we just-" I held my hand up, I didn't want to hear their excuses. As far as I was concerned, they made their point, and I didn't want to hear anymore. "Any plans today girls?" Miss Miller asked as she worked on our breakfast.

Jeanette and Eleanor said nothing, adding to the tension. And I knew why, because we planned to hang out with the boys again today. And after what I told my sisters about how Simon and Theodore felt, I knew it would be very awkward. "We are going to be with the boys today" Jeanette said, her voice filled with anxiety for obvious reasons.

Miss Miller then came up with our plates, with a big smile on her face. Either she was pretending not to notice, or she couldn't tell what was going on. "Well I hope you have fun."