Chapter 2 My New Home
Brenda carried her books into the dorm hall. She had finished her last final and scene and she was done with the summer program, home was only 2 days away. It was a relief and she had an amazing experience at RADA, she had learned so much more than she ever would have learned at CU and had met directors, producers and some of theatre's finest professors. The classes were small and personal, she had done three performances to spice up her resume and really felt as though she had grown as a woman and as an actress. It was going to be hard to leave it all but even though she hadn't talked to Dylan yet she couldn't wait to see him. Brenda walked up to the front desk with a smile.
"Hey Mike." Brenda said happily, "Just picking up my mail, do I have anything?"
"Oh hey Brenda…yeah looks like something from the Dean and from home." Mike smiled handing over her 2 pieces of mail. "You coming out tonight?"
"We'll see…I am done with finals and could use a little fun but I have a room to pack up before they kick me out, maybe I'll see you later." Mike smiled at her as she walked up the stairs to her room.
Brenda sat on her bed and tossed the letter from the Dean to the side as she recognized the handwriting right away on the one from home. Brenda was ecstatic as she realized Dylan finally had written her. At that moment she didn't care she hadn't heard from him in a month or he hadn't returned any of her phone calls. She tore the letter open quickly and unfolded it gently resting her back against her pillow.
Bren,
How's my girl doing? God I miss you. I had a dream about you the other night and it seemed so real I woke up looking beside me thinking you were actually there. Your pillow doesn't smell like you anymore and you feel so far away. I spend a lot of time alone just thinking and I started writing again. Mostly just short poems and quick stuff that pops into my head. The gang is carrying on with their business, Donna and David broke up, Kelly has dropped off the face of the earth but it's a relief. Your brother I believe is in Minnesota which you probably know and Steve, well last I heard he was in or going to Hawaii with Celeste. So there is the 411 with everyone but more importantly how are you?
Brenda looked up confused; Brandon went to Minnesota over a month ago. How old is this letter? She looked down continuing to read.
I am counting down the month that I get to see you again, hold you, feel your lips against mine, be with you. No sex is not all I think about, I know what you're thinking.
Brenda smiled biting the inside of her lip, he knew her so well it was scary.
I just miss you that's all, all of you. Anyway I hope all is well and you're learning your little ass off. Great now I am thinking about your ass. Sorry, one month to go, I can't wait to see your ass uh…you. Ok I am done (laughing to myself like an idiot) I love you.
Dylan
Brenda smiled and sighed with a dreamy expression on her face. In two days she would be back in his arms and there was nothing Brenda wanted more at this point. Brenda assumed the delay in letter was just because of the international mail system. Once Brenda had written a letter and it had taken 2 weeks to get to him. She guessed this time took even longer but she was relieved and happy she had heard from him. Brenda took a deep breath and glanced at the letter from school and opened it. It's probably thanking me for being a part of the summer program, Brenda thought. As she read through the letter, her mouth dropped in shock. The letter started with Congratulations. Olivia had made her way into the room and threw down her books on her bed.
"Hey….how did your finals go?" Olivia flopped down on her bed and exhaled, "Finally I am done…let's go out tonight for some drinks." Olivia looked curiously at Brenda who had not acknowledged her presence or looked up from the letter.
"Ok Brenda…you have got to stop this. I know…we all know you can act but what's with the you just saw a ghost look every time I see you." Olivia laughed at her own joke but stopped seeing Brenda slowly look up from the letter with a blank expression. "What?"
"Ah…they…" Brenda was speechless.
Olivia took the letter from her and started to read it. She yelled as she jumped up and down, "Oh my God Brenda…this is f-ing amazing!" Olivia was a no nonsense kind of girl from New York. Her family came from money and her father was in the music business. She didn't hold back and was one of the nicest people Brenda had ever met. She was popular and pretty and she knew everyone. "Do you realize how many people they give full scholarships too, like 20...you got a full ride with 19 others out of thousands. You are the luckiest bitch I know and…I don't know anyone who deserves it more than you." Olivia said sincerely "Why aren't you jumping with me, you are staying…with me." Olivia said happily. "You have been invited back, I have never even heard of it."
Brenda sat emotionless as she watched Olivia jump up and down like an idiot. "Stay…in London?" Brenda exhaled as she realized she was holding her breath. "I can't." she shook her head.
Olivia stopped as she looked at Brenda, "What do you mean you can't? Brenda…people don't get full rides and invited to stay and study here. Its unheard of, you have to."
"But Dylan…." Brenda whispered.
Olivia looked at Brenda sadly, "He'll understand, he would want this for you. If he loves you he'll wait for you."
"Wait for me?" Brenda was still muttering words but she was still in shock. She had no intention of staying and studying in London for the rest of her college life. She had even just finished enrolling for her sophomore year at CU. She always looked at the summer program as an opportunity to study with some fine actors, professors and directors but looked at it like it was a summer program.
"Have you even talked to him? I mean would he give up this kind of thing for you? You're 19 years old, you can't give up an opportunity like this because of a guy." Olivia was going to lay it out even if it hurt her.
"I know…I will talk to him…I'll tell him." Brenda nodded. She was nervous, she hadn't talked to him in person and the letter she had received was from a month ago. She already knew what he would tell her. He would tell her to stay, not to plan her future around him. They had been through it before. And even then Brenda did plan her life around him, not applying to Minnesota or even thinking about college without him until they were broken up and still her main reason for leaving even though she never admitted out loud was Kelly and Dylan. What the hell was wrong with her? How was she even considering turning this down? She had dreamed ever since high school of attending RADA and she had her chance. Her dream came true. Olivia was right, she couldn't go back just because of him. That's what her head was saying but her heart was saying she wanted to be with Dylan.
**
Brenda sat patiently waiting for Dylan to answer the phone. "Come on Dylan…where the hell are you?" Brenda mumbled.
"Hey this is Dylan…you know the drill…BEEP"
"Dylan its Brenda…I don't where you are and I am really worried about you. I have to talk to you…its really important…I need you Dylan." Brenda voice was sad and worried.
Brenda set the phone on the hook just to pick it right back up again. She dialed home.
"Talk to me." Brandon answered.
"Brandon."
"Oh hey Bren…How's it going?"
"Hey Bren." Kelly said from the background.
Brenda smiled hearing the familiar voice of her friend.
"Tell Kel hi."
"She said hi." Brandon leaned in and kissed her as Brenda rolled her eyes hearing the kissing sound and Brandon moan slightly. "Ok…gross." Brenda said annoyed yet playful.
"Sorry Bren…what's up? Are you excited to come home?" Brandon laughed as he smacked Kelly in the butt as she walked away.
"Brandon…do you know where Dylan is?" Brenda said worrisome.
"No…I actually tried to call him a few times but no answer, I drove past his house too, all the lights were out and the Porsche isn't there."
Brenda sighed, "I am worried about him Brandon, I haven't talked to him in a month and…"
"Bren I am sure he is fine, he probably went down to Baja or something. I am sure he'll be back in time for you to get home." Brandon lowered his voice, he and his parents knew about Brenda and Dylan getting back together but he hadn't told Kelly. Not as if he was purposely keeping it from her but he thought Brenda or Dylan should be the one. Plus it wasn't like they had been all that honest about their summer either.
Brenda sighed, "They offered me a full scholarship Brandon…I don't know what to do." Her voice cracked with desperation.
"A full ride…Brenda that's incredible, congratulations." Brandon said excitedly.
"Yeah." Brenda breathed out. She sat quiet on the line until Brandon interrupted the millions of thoughts rushing through her head.
"Bren…what?"
"I feel like everyone is excited about this but me and I want it, I do…its just…" Brenda hesitated.
"Brenda." Brandon shook his head and even though Brenda didn't see him, she knew he knew why. "You haven't talked to Dylan in a month…don't miss out on this opportunity for someone who is off and on. I mean honestly Bren, he has hurt you enough and I know you love him, I do…I just don't think you should miss out on this."
Brenda sighed as she quietly cried, she felt the tear roll down her cheek quickly.
"Bren…don't cry." Brandon said sadly.
Brenda let out a small laugh wiping her face, "Must be a twin thing huh?" Brenda tried to smile.
"Of course. It will be fine, you'll see. If Dylan loves you like he said he did, maybe he will come there. Or pay for those frequent flyer miles to get your butt out here." Brandon tried to make her feel better.
"Yeah." Brenda breathed out, "It s good thing. I know." Brenda nodded to herself agreeing with herself.
"Definitely…you want to talk to Kel, she just came in and is staring at me holding out her hand."
"Yeah." Brenda wiped her nose.
"K."
"Brandon?" Brenda said quickly hoping he was still able to hear her.
"Yeah Bren."
"Talk to him for me, tell him I am sorry…make sure he's ok."
"I will Bren, I promise."
"Ok…I miss you, I will call you next week once I get settled. Love you."
"Love you too Bren…here is Kelly." Brandon handled over the phone.
"Hey Bren…when do you get in, we should plan a welcome home thing or something…get together…"
"Kel." Brenda interrupted, "They offered me a scholarship and invited me back to stay here." Brenda kept her voice chipper.
"Wow." Kelly said taken back, "That's great." Kelly's voice wasn't enthusiastic.
"Don't jump and down or anything." Brenda joked.
"No…I am happy for you, I am just sad. I was looking forward to you coming back." Kelly took a deep breath, "I know its stupid, I was just kind of hoping, with all the Dylan stuff behind us we could get back what we had."
"I know…we will. I mean when you marry my brother and become part of our family, I am going to have to like you right?" Brenda smiled into the phone.
Kelly laughed, "True." She looked at Brandon and smiled, "Well be safe and keep in touch ok? Have some fun…is there anyone? Any handsome Brits with sexy accents keeping you warm at night or at least in the picture?" Kelly smirked.
"Well…no English boys no…but maybe someone, but I haven't talked to him in a month so its probably over."
"Well then he is a jerk and if he doesn't have the sexy accent then there is no point."
Brenda forced a smile even though she knew Kelly couldn't see it, "Alright Kel, say hi to Donna and everyone…I'll miss you guys and I will let Brandon know my new address or number if there is one, tell my parents I will call them later."
"Ok Bren…have fun."
"I will try…oh Kelly…take care of my brother for me okay?"
"Happily." Kelly said with a smirk.
"I don't want to know." Brenda shook her head, "Alright…take care…Bye." Brenda swallowed hard turning the phone to off. She took a deep breath. She dialed Dylan again only to get his answering machine again. She hung up this time. She didn't want to leave a message about staying. And she wasn't even sure he would care. He hadn't called in a long time. Even if he was in Baja or in Hawaii he would have called. Brenda really truly believed he would have. Brenda laid back on her bed taking the letter Dylan had wrote her in her hand. She read it over and it still brought a smile to her face. She looked at the ceiling and exhaled. She slowly got up and walked the short distance to her desk and sat down. If she couldn't get a hold of him or if he didn't want to talk to her, fine, she was going to do this the old fashioned way. Because regardless of what Dylan was thinking, she had things she wanted to get out. So Brenda began to write, she didn't care if she was stupid or if the letter came out emotional and heartbreaking or some lame apology for staying even though she wasn't sure he would care.
Dear Dylan…
Here is chapter 2 to Love Letters. I am sure you guys figured this much that Brenda would not come home. This story will be different than anything I have ever written or even seen on here. There will be letters obviously considering the title and some chapters may consist of just that. Some will explore a little into the outside world and what's going on individually. Anyway I hope the sound of Brenda and Dylan writing letters doesn't scare you away. I plan to bring lots of emotional, heart, comedy, sadness into the letters and ultimately I am hoping to make a good love story out of this. If you guys have not read the actual play Love Letters, I highly recommend it, its short and SOOO GOOD. It will make you ball your eyes out though. Anyway, if you have and are familiar with the play, don't worry this will have a happy ending. It has to right? What's the point of B/D fanfic without one…Anyway enough rambling…Review Review review!!! Oh and remember Mike, he may or may not be important to this story. He is the mail man for God Sakes or at least so to speak ;P
