Bradin brushed off Jason's third attempt to recruit him in 'Operation Separation' and shrugged on his backpack. He knew Jason disliked him even more now, but Bradin just couldn't make himself do something that could tear away any trickle of happiness in Jess's life. Besides, if all went as he planned, Will wouldn't be an issue. Putting down Will would do nothing but anger Jessica, this Bradin was sure of. Jason was right in that respect; Bradin had gotten the girl in many occasions. He had wooed so many people that he was smart enough to know that if you wanted the girl, you had to make them want to go out with you, not try to make them no longer want to go out with the other guy. If you succeeded in making a girl really like you, any other guy would be no issue. Even if all this wasn't true, Bradin still would not have made an alliance with Jason. It wasn't necessary. Bradin had been planning what he would say and do to make it up to Jessica for the entire span of the two weeks that had passed. He hadn't spoken to her yet, but his plans were just about ready. Bradin knew that Jess wouldn't forgive him easily, after all, this would be his, what, third chance already? It would take a lot of sentiment, a lot of heart-felt sincerity, to cause Jessica to see how much he truly cared. And Bradin felt that he was ready to show her just that.

The next day, at lunch, Bradin got out of class quickly. He dumped his books in his locker and grabbed the supplies he had stored in preparation. It was now or never…

Bradin took a breath and ran over to Jessica's locker. The area was pretty much deserted, thanks to a few favours pulled by his friends in high places. Bradin swallowed before walking up beside her.

"Hi, Jessica," he greeted, knowing he would be brushed off.

She glanced at him and acknowledged him with a small nod and started to walk off.

"Please." He stood in front of her, looking into her overcast eyes.

"I-" she faltered, "I, uh, have to meet Jason."

"He's busy," Bradin informed her. "Ms Henderson wanted his help with something and he'll be missing half the lunch hour."

"Did I say Jason? I meant Will," Jessica forced a smile.

"I happen to know that Will is doing a make-up test right now," Bradin said.

"You're getting creepy," Jessica muttered, "What, did you actually have this all planned out?"

"I just need to make sure you'll listen." Bradin said urgently. "Please?"

"I'm sure I'd rather not," she shifted.

"Jess, please, just give me ten minutes max," Bradin pleaded. "Give me a chance to try to make it better. Just let me say what I have to say and I swear I'll leave you alone if that's what you really want."

Jessica gave him a wary look before sighing. "You're not going to drop this until I agree, so fine. But stay true to your word and leave me alone after this."

"I will." Bradin held up his palms. "But, uh, we sort of have to do this in a certain area."

"All right." Jessica shrugged hesitantly. She slowly walked beside him.

"I really would've wanted to do this after school, in someplace less, er, well, somewhere other than the school area, but I couldn't so I'm hoping this'll be okay." Bradin explained, opening a door for her. Jessica went in and found herself in the school's balcony. It was a wide space, which had flowers around the rail and a piano on the side. This was where small concerts were held when the weather permitted it.

"Okay, I'm here, I'm somewhat listening, get to the point of this already." Jessica broke the silence.

Bradin took a shaky breath and nodded. He turned to her and started, "Jess, I've done a lot of things this past while that I'm not proud of in the least. I really never meant to hurt you."

"I've heard this before," Jessica said impatiently.

Bradin put a finger to her lips to silence her and looked into her eyes and said, "There's so much to you that is wonderful, but I knew if I listed them out loud I'd screw it up, or get tongue tied, or something. And you'd probably interrupt me before I finished. And I'd sound like a cheesy moron. So I wrote it down." Bradin slipped a neatly folded piece of paper into her hands. "You can crumple it up, or whatever, but I just thought it would just be better to give it to you in writing." Jessica took the paper but didn't look at it. Bradin swallowed and continued. "These past two weeks spent without you pretty much destroyed me. It gave me a lot of time to think. And I know I'm probably a nerd…but I wrote you two songs. Before you laugh, please listen to all of it."

Bradin sat down on the piano bench. "This first one is called 'That was Then."

Guess you never really know
Just what you've got
Until you finally realize
She could be gone
And know that I've been taking you for granted
For the longest time
All you want
Is someone who really cares
And I didn't even
Notice you were there
I promise I'll never ever
Make that same mistake not twice

That was then
This is now
Take some time to come around
All I wanna do
Is try again
Show you how
I know that it's all about
Givin' attention to you
I was a fool for way too long
What you wanted, could not see
That was then
This is now
Took some time to figure out
Love is all you need

Guess I never thought about it before
I was thinkin' of myself
And nothing more
Didn't even wanna try to find out
How you really feel (how you really feel)
Now I see
That I'm the lucky one
It's true
What we got
You know I never want to lose
I was trippin' in a fantasy
And missing what was real

That was then
This is now
Take some time to come around
All I wanna do
Is try again
Show you how
I know that it's all about
Givin' attention to you
I was a fool for way too long
What you wanted, could not see
That was then
This is now
Took some time to figure out
Love is all you need

I used to be someone
Who really only really though about
Themselves and no one else
And you could tell baby
But as before
I understood
Be with you
'Cause something is good
Gotta let her know
And I want you to know

You're always my priority
And I wanna give you more
Than all the love you need
Took a little time
Now you know my fantasy
That you're my world (yeah)

I never want our love to fail
I'm gonna do whatever it takes
No I'm never gonna let it slip away
'Cause you're my girl, yes you are

That was then
This is now
Take some time to come around
All I wanna do
Is try again
Show you how
I know that it's all about
Givin' attention to you
I was a fool for way too long
What you wanted, could not see
That was then
This is now
Took some time to figure out
Love is all you need

You're always my priority
And I wanna give you more
Than all the love you need
Took a little time
Now you know my fantasy
That you're my world (yes you are)

I never want our love to fail
I'm gonna do whatever it takes
No I'm never gonna let it slip away
'Cause you're my girl, yes you are

That was then
This is now
Take some time to come around
All I wanna do
Is try again
Show you how
I know that it's all about
Givin' attention to you
I was a fool for way too long
What you wanted, could not see
That was then
This is now
Took some time to figure out
Love is all you need

Comin' around
And ready to show you how
I'm gonna change girl"

Bradin took a breath and looked into Jessica's shocked face and said softly, "And this one's called Because You Live."

"Staring out at the rain with a heavy heart
It's the end of the world in my mind
Then your voice pulls me back like a wake up call
I've been looking for the answer
Somewhere
I couldn't see that it was right there
But now I know what I didn't know

Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Because you live, girl
My world has twice as many stars in the sky

It's alright, I survived, I'm alive again
'Cause of you, made it through every storm
What is life, what's the use if you're killing time
I'm so glad I found an angel
Someone
Who was there when all my hopes fell
I wanna fly, looking in your eyes

Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Because you live, girl
My world has twice as many stars in the sky
Because you live, I live

Because you live there's a reason why
I carry on when I lose the fight
I want to give what you've given me always

Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Because you live, girl
My world has twice as many stars in the sky

Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Because you live, girl
My world has everything I need to survive

Because you live, I live, I live"

As Bradin sang, Jessica could feel her heart tighten. The words were beautiful. She could feel her stoniness melt. Bradin finished the last note and stood up from the piano, examining her reaction. She was speechless and immobile. Bradin kneeled down in front of her and kissed her hand.

"That was what I wanted to tell you." Bradin told her simply. "Please, Jess, can you forgive me?" Jessica still couldn't find her voice. She was touched. Bradin waited for her to say something, anything, but she couldn't. He couldn't read her expression and felt a thud in his heart. He thought he had failed. The bell rang, sounding as if it was from far off, and Bradin awkwardly stood up.

"I guess I took up more of your time than I thought," Bradin looked down. He looked crushed. With a heavy gulp, Bradin gave Jessica one more glance before walking away. "I guess I won't bother you any more."

Jessica wanted to call out to stop him but her voice wasn't cooperating. She wanted to stand up but couldn't move. This wasn't supposed to happen, she thought desperately. She shouldn't care about him.


A/N: Lol, I know, kind of cheesy. Reviewwwww, and I say thannnnnk yoooooou if you have...!