Chapter 16 Taking It Slow?
Brenda brushed down her dress as she looked at herself in her full length mirror. She was a little nervous and excited, she hadn't been on a date in God knows how long. Not a real date anyway since Stuart. Brenda cringed as she thought about that time in her life. It wasn't that long ago yet it seemed like ages ago. She also knew she loved the idea of falling in love and being with someone but she didn't want to make the same mistake with Mike that she had with Stuart. Just because someone comes in charming and handsome doesn't mean you have to jump into a relationship with them. Truthfully Brenda no matter how much she had been putting out about being over Dylan and ready to move on, she wasn't over him and she had actually came to the conclusion that she may never fully be. So taking that into account she didn't want to rush into anything with Mike. She looked at it as a nice time, out with an attractive guy and if it turned into
something more than it did. Brenda took a deep breath as Olivia made her way into their room.
Brenda turned around and smiled shifting her weight to one side and holding out her arms, "So…how do I look?"
"You look hot…totally amazing." Olivia smiled at her excitement and sat down on her bed. "Mike will most definitely get a hard on." Olivia nodded.
Brenda laughed as she felt her face blush, "Well…he can put the hard on away because we will not be needing it." Brenda reached down and grabbed her purse.
"What's the point then?" Olivia joked.
"I am just looking forward to going out with someone and having a good time, I don't need the emotional stuff sex brings, I had that enough with Dylan. Do you think the reason I fell for Dylan so hard was because he was the first guy I ever slept with?"
Olivia shrugged, "Probably…or maybe you fell so hard because …you're meant to be together."
Brenda gave her a look and took a deep breath, "Well it's hard to believe after everything we have been through, if two people are meant to be, you would think the bottom wouldn't drop out from under us so much." Brenda shook her head, "Sex complicates things, I am not in a rush to get back there." Brenda shrugged as she went over and took a seat next to Olivia. "Are you going out with Sean?"
"We might meet up later, he has some group study meeting tonight, studying lines and getting ready for next week." Olivia nodded her head. She felt like she should tell Brenda the truth but she was scared she would be angry with her and Olivia didn't want to ruin Brenda's chipper mood and her date. She hated keeping things from her, they had gotten close and they got along so well. Brenda kept Olivia in line and she hadn't had any real girlfriends in New York so she really liked the fact Brenda was real and nice. Sure she had friends, she was miss social butterfly but Olivia never knew if they hung out with her for who she was and who her father was or if they really liked her. For Olivia it was easy to get into any concert, any club just by seeing her last name. People flocked to her because of that and she secretly hated it. "So…what play are you guys seeing?"
Brenda smiled, "I don't know…he didn't say."
"Brenda…I have to talk to you" Olivia hesitated not being able to not tell her any longer.
"What…what's wrong?" Brenda said sweetly.
Both girls looked toward the door as they heard a gentle knock.
"Hang on." Brenda called out, "What is it?" Brenda looked at her sincerely.
"It's not a big deal…I'll talk to you later…have fun on your date."
"You sure?" Brenda said with a smile.
"Absolutely." Olivia smiled and gave her a nod.
Brenda placed her hand on her shoulder before getting up opening the door, "Hey." she said seeing Mike standing outside her door.
"Well hello." Mike's eyes looked down Brenda quickly, "You look incredible."
"Thanks." Brenda said with a smile. She looked at Olivia and held up her hand, "See you later, tell Sean hi."
"Will do…you two be good…don't do anything I would." Olivia smirked as the two smiled and walked out of the room. Olivia took a deep breath as she flopped back onto the bed.
Brenda and Mike got outside and started walking to the theater. Since the school was located in the theater district they didn't have to walk far. "So…what play are we seeing?" Brenda asked as she walked closely next to him.
"Love Letters, have you seen it?" Mike said with a sweet smile.
Brenda almost felt her heart stop, "Ah yeah, I saw it a few years back." Brenda took a deep breath and stared straight ahead.
"Did you not like it?" Mike said noticing Brenda's mood change quickly.
Brenda played it off and gave him a small smile, "No…I did, it's a very romantic story. It's crazy how the whole play takes place with just two characters and sitting the whole time. That would be an easy one huh?" Brenda made light of it even though she had instantly been brought down, Love Letters reminded her of Dylan, the good days and it would always be their play and now living far from each other just made the connection with it that much more real.
Mike laughed a little, "Yeah, I think they read the whole time too, you don't even have to memorize. Have you eaten yet?" Mike looked over at her, his eyes had a sparkle to them, he always made eye contact with her, he really was a sweet guy.
"Nope, I had rehearsal until 5, so really I only had time to come home shower and get ready." Brenda answered back keeping the stare. After a second she glanced down shyly.
"Well after the play I know a place that has great food." He looked away from her; he slowly moved his hand to hers. After grazing it, he clasped his hand around hers. He swallowed hard hoping she didn't think it was too forward. They walked hand and hand down toward the theater, neither of them spoke, both obviously nervous. Brenda wasn't sure but she took a deep breath and looked over at him as he met her stare. They softly smiled at each other and continued to the play.
**
Dylan stared down at the two sentences he had written. He read them over a few times and shook his head. He took a deep breath as there was a knock at the door. "Come in." he yelled out frustrated.
The door slowly opened as Valerie peaked her head in, "Hey." she said with a half smile until the crumbled up piece of paper flew to the ground.
He groaned, "What are you doing here?"
"Wow…nice to see you too…jerk" Valerie made a face as she came into the house and closed the front door. "I hadn't seen you in a while." Valerie crossed her arms.
"Yeah...sorry, been busy…in rehab." Dylan continued to be a smart ass as he stared down at the now empty fresh sheet of paper.
Valerie took a deep breath and walked closer to him bending over and picking a few crumbled up pieces of paper on her way, "What are you doing? Writing the next great American novel?" Valerie joked.
"I am trying to write Bren a letter." Dylan said sadly as he finally looked at Valerie as she sat next to him at the kitchen table.
"Not going so well I see." she looked around at the dozen more crumbled up wads thrown about. "Don't even try…you're wasting your time, she isn't the most forgiving person in the world." Valerie sighed.
Dylan looked at her creasing his brow, "What are you talking about?"
"Oh you mean Brenda didn't tell you that she slapped me? Yep, because of you." Valerie said with attitude.
Dylan stared at her, "Brenda…Walsh? Hit you?" Dylan tried to not break a smile.
"Yeah…what you didn't think little miss perfect had it in her?"
Dylan chuckled, "No…not at all." he shook his head trying not to laugh.
"Fine laugh…be an ass." Valerie leaned her hand on her face, leaning her elbow on the table.
Dylan laughed openly finally, "I am sorry." he held up his hand in defeat not being able to hold it in. "It's just hard to picture."
After a few moments of silence between the two of them Dylan took a deep breath looking down at the blank page again. "I miss her." he said softly.
Valerie swallowed hard looking at him, "Having trouble finding the right words?" she said trying to be nice.
"I guess so. She hates me."
"Oh come on, Brenda would never hate you, not even when you were a prick and cheated on her with her best friend did she hate you."
Dylan looked at her and shrugged, "She hated me a little."
"Maybe…but it didn't last long, she kept everything you had ever given her."
Dylan looked down biting the inside of his cheek gently.
"Just be honest, tell her everything, the heart doesn't lie no matter how much you want it to."
Dylan gave her a small smile, "thanks."
"Well…mind if I hang out for a little while, Jimbo is getting on my last nerve and Steve will not stop calling me." Valerie got up and walked toward the futon. She sat down and clicked on the TV and started channel surfing. "Just say whatever is in your heart."
Dylan nodded and took a deep breath, the TV was a huge detraction. He looked down at the paper again and began to write. It wasn't long, but from the heart. He finished, sealing it sticking it into the mail box. As he made his way inside he looked down at Valerie. She smiled at him and looked back at the television.
"What are you doing here Val? The real reason?"
"I cant be at that house for too long and not want to bang my head against the wall, its boring, I don't understand how you guys live here, nothing ever happens."
"Well…you get used to it, find a hobby or something." Dylan said as he moved and sat next to her on the couch.
Valerie moved her legs over his and got close to his face, "I know some things that are more our style and they are not boring." She moved in and tried to kiss him as Dylan turned his cheek.
"Val…come on, its different now, if I am going to get Brenda to talk to me again I cant fool around with you. And why would you want to? You know how pissed she was about it."
"Who cares…she wont know anyway. Plus its too late now to be a good friend."
"Yeah…but we will know." Dylan looked at her seriously. "And its not to late to be a good friend.
Valerie moved back and exhaled, "Fine. You were the only non boring person here and now you suck too."
Dylan laughed and set his hand on her leg, "Sorry." he smirked.
Valerie shrugged and looked over at the mail table, "Aren't you going to go through your mail? Maybe you got something from Bren."
Dylan moved Valerie's legs off him and walked over to the table. He picked up the pile and started flipping through it as he sat back down.
"Here." Valerie held out her hand, it was a big stack, "Give me half."
Dylan looked at her and shrugged handing her the bottom half of the pile. As the two flipped through, Valerie stopped and stared down at the envelope. She looked at Dylan who hadn't looked up from his pile, "It's from London." she said nicely as he turned to her surprised and shocked, he set his pile on the table and took it from her slowly. It was from London and had Brenda's return address on it as well. Dylan bit the inside of his lip as he looked at it.
"Aren't you going to open it?"
Dylan stared down at the envelope, it was a thicker envelope and he was kind of nervous and wasn't sure if he was ready to see what else Brenda had wanted to get off her chest. As the silence grew thick the door bell rang. Both Valerie and Dylan looked toward the door and then at each other. Dylan looked down at the envelope again.
"Want me to get it?" Valerie looked at him oddly.
"Whatever." he said softly not looking up.
Valerie sighed at how annoying he was being and got up walking to the door, she opened it and smiled at the man standing on the porch.
"Well…hello there gorgeous." the man said as he checked her out.
Valerie looked at the dirty older man and set her hand on her hip, "Can I help you?"
"Well that all depends doll…what you intend to do for me." he stared at her breasts when he talked to her.
Valerie shook her head in amazement at the perverted man, "Oh relax sugar, I am looking for Dylan McKay."
Dylan's head shot up as the man at the door and Valerie looked back at him, "Yeah…who's looking?"
Jonesy stepped into the house passing closely to Valerie getting close to her face as he passed her. Valerie rolled her eyes shutting the door once he was inside.
"My name is J. Jay Jones…but my friends call me Jonesy." Jonesy held out his hand as Dylan stood up. "Are you Brenda?" he said with a smile looking back at Valerie, as Dylan shook his hand.
Valerie crossed her arms, "Maybe…maybe not. Who do you want me to be?" she flirted interested in what exactly this guy wanted with Dylan and the fact he knew Brenda or at least of her.
Dylan rolled his eyes at Valerie, "What can I do for you Jonesy?"
Jonesy smiled at Valerie and stared at her for a few moments, "I got a call from a Brenda…and after leaving a message I decided to look you up. I heard you are in need of my services." he finally looked at Dylan and away from Valerie and her body.
**
The play was depressing for Brenda. It brought back too many memories of Dylan and she had tried not to think about him all day long. All these images of that past Valentines day flooded her brain and she was almost mad at herself. Brenda and Mike had a late dinner and some friendly conversation and it had taken her out of the Dylan mode and she was thankful for it but of course it didn't last long.
"Ready." Mike said as he finished paying for dinner. He got up and pulled out her chair for her.
Brenda nodded and took a deep breath. The walked hand and hand back to their dorms, making small talk and talking about school. They came across Brenda's room, she turned before opening the door, "I had a really nice time. Thanks for inviting me out." she smiled nicely.
"Thanks for accepting. I wasn't sure if I was going to see you again. Olivia had said something about you possibly staying home."
"yeah well…I changed my mind." Brenda said leaving it at that.
"I am glad." Mike got closer to her staring into her eyes.
Brenda swallowed nervously, "You want to come in, see if Sean and Olivia are here?" Brenda regretted asking thinking that maybe they wouldn't be.
"Sure." Mike said without hesitation as he watched Brenda unlock her door.
As Brenda pushed the door open she flipped the light switch to find an empty bedroom. She looked back smiling shyly at him as she moved into her bedroom, taking off her sweater and turning the radio on. The both sat on her bed and looked down.
"So…you going to audition for the holiday performance?" Mike asked trying to break the silence.
"I don't know…I was suppose to go home, and then they were coming here, I haven't figured out what my family is doing yet but I wanted to."
"You should, you would make a good Christine." Mike smiled as he looked into her eyes.
Brenda shyly smiled back, "Thanks…it's a pretty racy play, it may be fun." Brenda laughed, "Depending on who got cast as Albert of course."
They both smirked both knowing the play of Two Hearts was a racy play full of love, sex and angst.
Mike looked down and took a deep breath, "I had a really good time tonight, you know I have only had one serious girlfriend in my life. I just haven't met anyone worth getting to know, until you." his voice got softer.
Brenda swallowed hard as she looked over at him, "I am not looking for anything serious Mike, I had fun too but…with everything that happened at home and past relationships, I would rather just take it slow and see what happens." Brenda looked at him shyly. The moment of truth if Mike would wait around. Brenda was aware that they were older now, the same rules didn't apply so much with sex and relationships as you got older. Once you have done it, it wasn't as big of a deal anymore but it was to her.
"That's ok." Mike tilted his head and ran his fingers through her hair. He stared at her longingly and it was Brenda who leaned in and kissed him gently. They started slowly, holding back but after a little while Brenda and Mike allowed themselves to get lost in the kiss. Letting it get harder and quicker pressing their lips so hard together it made it hard to breath. Brenda felt Mike wrap his arms tightly around her as he grabbed at her back and waist. She moaned softly leaning into him finding herself over him. As they made out heavily Brenda's mind flashed to Dylan. The way Mike grabbed her, touched her and kissed her was very Dylan and it was like she couldn't get him out of her head. The more she thought about Dylan the more angry and forceful she became, almost as a way to get back at him. She realized what was happening and backed away as she felt Mike beginning to feel her up and soon after reaching up her dress.
Brenda closed her eyes and sat beside him, "I am sorry." Brenda whispered realizing what she had started. Mike was a very respectful guy, he wouldn't have tried to get into her pants but since Brenda gave him the invite he gladly accepted.
Mike looked at her sweetly, "It's ok." he said quietly. "I understand."
Brenda shook her head and looked at him, "I don't mean to lead you on, it just felt good to be here with you but…I do think this is going to fast." she said noticing Mike smile shyly and look down.
He sat up and laced his hand with hers. "You're not leading me on, I am not in a hurry."
Brenda gave him a half smile, "Well…goodnight?"
Mike nodded and smiled back at her, "Goodnight. Can I ask you out again sometime?" The both got up holding on to each others hand.
"You better." Brenda said playfully stopping at her front door.
Mike leaned in and kissed her gently. "Night." he whispered looking at her deeply before turning and opening the front door.
Brenda watched him leave and closed the door behind him leaning against it. She took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling. She smirked and shook her head walking toward her bed and falling dramatically onto it. She rolled to her back staring at the ceiling as she let out a groan picking up her pillow and moving it across her face. No matter what Brenda wanted and her intentions to take it slow because of Dylan, she couldn't deny the fact that Mike was attractive, into her and incredibly sexual. She would have never known just by meeting him. He turned her on and maybe the challenge wasn't going to be getting over Dylan, maybe the challenge was going to be not rushing things with Mike. Or maybe she just missed Dylan so much she was looking for something, anything to take her mind off him.
Ok so all BD fans don't get crazy, I do not intend to give too much detail into Mike and Brenda. And there are some surprises along the way, like what's in that envelope. Anyhow, let me know what you're thinking. I am sure I will get a lot of Mike hate and well coming from true BD fans I wouldn't expect less. Mike isn't a weird o or anything like that. He may actually become a threat. (hehe)
