Ch. 4 You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello
"Dad…before you say anything. This is something that Dylan and I want to do and we are looking forward to making this step together. I know we are young but you're going to have to trust us that we know what we are doing and may not always know exactly what we are doing but they are our mistakes to make…"
"Brenda…." Jim stopped her. "I know and your mother and I have actually discussed this already."
"We are just happy you told us honey, we were thinking that you were probably going to live together once you got there and just keep it from us." Cindy smiled.
"Wait what?" Brenda said confused, "Your not going to yell at us or tell us what a horrible mistake this is?"
Cindy and Jim shook their heads, "No, you and Dylan are adults if you think you are ready for this, then we are behind you." Jim said nicely.
Brenda looked up at Dylan, "I am speechless."
"Thank you." Dylan said, "I appreciate the trust."
"I actually feel a little better knowing Brenda will have you there in case something happens, New York is a big city and we feel better knowing your there." Cindy chimed in.
"Well thank you guys, I guess that's all." Brenda was still in shock.
"Ok well your mother and I should put these groceries away; everyone should be here by 6 or so."
"Ok we will be outside." Brenda grabbed Dylan's hand and dragged him out the back door.
"That was surreal. Did that just happen?" Brenda looked up at Dylan.
Dylan gave her a smile, "I think so." He leaned down and kissed her. "So this is it, its official."
"I guess so." All Brenda could do was smile. She couldn't believe how cool her parents were being and she had not expected that at all. Was this it? Did Jim finally accept Dylan?
**
"Brandon, Kelly is here." Brenda called out as she answered the front door.
"Hey Bren. Are you all packed and ready to move away from us." Kelly said as she made her way into the foyer.
"Yep, I am pretty much done, what about you, you moving into the dorms with Donna?"
"Yeah, but I am not happy about it."
Brenda motioned for her to come into the living room with her and they sat together on the couch. "Why what's up?"
"I don't know, just the thought of living on campus, I don't know it's so institutional. I would much rather get an apartment or something."
"Well why don't you? Donna doesn't want to?"
"I haven't mentioned it to her yet."
Brenda shrugged, "Look Kelly, I don't want to make a huge deal out of leaving, I don't want to be a complete basket case but since you're here before everyone else. I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and how thankful I am that I met a friend like you out here. Honestly I wasn't sure if I would ever forgive you guys for what you did behind my back when I was in Paris.."
"Bren." Kelly tried to stop her.
"No… I am glad I did because no matter what happened, you have proven to me that you do respect me as a friend and I am just thankful you guys never pursued each other."
"It was never about that Brenda, Dylan has always loved you."
"I know and I see how much my brother loves you and I couldn't be happier he is with you. Take care of each other huh. It's going to be weird without Brandon." Brenda began to tear up. "Ahh I knew this was going to happen."
Kelly looked at her friend sadly, the sight of Brenda tearing up made her as well, She reached around and embraced her. "I love you too and you have actually taught me how to be a better person." Kelly lightly rubbed her back as the tears flowed down both girls cheeks. "I am going to miss you." She whispered.
"I am going to miss you too, but you'll come visit us right, you and Brandon?"
"For sure."
"What is going on in here?" Brandon said smiling as he walked in the living room with Dylan.
The girls broke apart and wiped their faces. "Your sister made me cry." Kelly said sniffling.
"Aww Bren, feeling a little sentimental? Brandon mocked her.
"Shut it Brandon, I am going to fix my face." Dylan gave Brenda a sympathetic smile as he brushed her bangs back giving her a kiss on the forehead as Brenda went toward the stairs.
"Wait Bren, I am coming too." Kelly gave Brandon a quick kiss and followed Brenda up the stairs to try and touch up the make up that they had both cried off.
"Women." Brandon said as he sat on the couch.
"Yeah, actually I am glad we are alone. Is it cool if you look after my house while I am gone? I will have my mail forwarded as soon as we get settled but until then do you mind taking it in, making sure it's still standing." Dylan smiled.
"Of course bro no worries."
"Are you bummed your going to be stuck living here with Big Jim and Cindy?"
"Nah, it won't be so bad, they have always been stricter with Brenda than me so I figured it shouldn't be that bad."
"Well…you know if you need a place to get away your welcome to use my house. Don't tell Steve that though, he will have every skanky girl there from here to who knows where…but if you need a place to take Kelly or just to get away from everything, feel free." Dylan raised his eyebrows.
Brandon let out a laugh, "Thanks man that will probably come in handy."
"Just change the sheets when I come home huh." Dylan made a face.
"You got it."
The two guys sighed, "Look dude, you know you are my best friend right? You're like a brother to me. I am going to miss you man." Dylan said looking down.
Brandon nodded, "Yeah I know…take care of my sister huh."
"Always." Dylan smiled.
Dylan leaned down and hugged Brandon, patting his back to make it manly.
"Ah see Kelly look whose sentimental now?" Brenda said as the two girls made their way into the living room.
"Ha ha, very funny." Brandon said as he pulled away from Dylan.
Brenda went and stood next to Dylan leaning into him. "We have been through a lot together, us four."
"Yeah we have." Kelly said as she sat on Brandon's lap.
The doorbell rang, "Oh saved by the bell, I don't want to cry anymore. I'll get it."
Brenda went and opened up the door to find the rest of the gang on the porch. "Hey guys, thanks for coming." Brenda moved to the side allowing her friends to come in.
"Like we would let you leave for New York without giving you a proper send off." Andrea smiled handing Brenda a gift.
"You didn't have to get me anything." Brenda smiled taking the gift bag.
"I know but since I am not going away to Yale anymore, you and Dylan are going to need it more."
"Thanks Andrea." Brenda embraced her.
"Lemonade" Cindy called out as she brought a big tray of drinks into the living room.
The gang all grabbed one, "Well I guess I will say something since we all know how outgoing our Dylan is." Brenda looked up sweetly at him.
"You guys are the best friends we could ask for. When Brandon and I moved here, we weren't sure if we would ever fit in here and all of you in your own way made it possible. We have all been through a lot together and you guys are family to us. A few of us may be going our separate ways but we all know we will not lose touch and we will always be connected someway, we will miss you." Brenda held up her glass.
"To Brenda and Dylan, we wish you luck in New York. All of us feel a lot better knowing you guys have each other. We want the best for you guys." Donna said back to them.
"Thanks Donna." Dylan said softly.
"To college." Brenda said.
"To college." The gang clicked their glasses together and cheered to a new beginning with old friends.
**
The BBQ was dying down. They had watched a video that David had made for Brenda with some of their favorite moments together. After laughing and reminiscing the gang started to head out. Steve walked up to Brenda who was sitting on Dylan's lap.
"Can I talk to you guys for a second?" Steve asked almost directing his question toward Dylan.
Brenda looked uncomfortably at Dylan, "Sure."
They followed Steve into the foyer, "What's up?"
Steve looked down, "I wanted to apologize to you two about earlier, especially you Dylan. After being here with you guys and seeing the two of you together I don't know why I disrespected you like that, either of you. I am sorry man."
"Its cool Steve, I am sorry too." Dylan held out his hand which Steve happily accepted.
The three were quiet for a second, "Well it was kind of nice to know I was worth staring at." Brenda said jokingly.
Steve let out a laugh, "I am sorry but I had no idea, Bren what can I saw you have amazing.."
"Ok, that's enough, I know about them, you don't have to talk about them anymore." Dylan said as he stepped in front of Brenda covering her.
Brenda playfully hit Dylan in the chest and went and gave Steve a tight hug, "You behave yourself, ok?" Steve closed his eyes and took in her scent. He knew he was saying goodbye to Brenda Walsh forever, the girl he would never have.
"I will try." He smiled, "And you remember…if he ever does wrong by you, you come to me ok?"
Brenda nodded and smiled; she gently leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She had always had a soft spot for Steve. He was funny, yet charming at times. He could take you from your bad mood and make you happy; he was also a great friend to her brother. She was going to miss him.
Donna met Brenda in the foyer, "I am really going to miss you Bren." Donna said sadly.
"I am going to miss you too, come visit me and I will be home for Thanksgiving, ok?"
Donna nodded slowly. "Don't let him pressure you too much ok? I have always admired you, stay strong." Brenda embraced her friends small frame. She wiped a tear that had fallen from her eye.
"This is silly, it's not like I am not going to see you guys ever again."
Brenda gave David a tight hug, "I am going to miss you, take care of each other."
Brenda watched as all her friends left. She looked up at Dylan, "Thank god I am not saying goodbye to you. I don't think I could have."
Dylan agreed, "I am excited Bren, just me and you, away from everyone. I am really looking forward to it."
Brenda smiled, "Me too, you going to hang out a little while?"
"Sure" Dylan wrapped his arm around her shoulder and followed into the living room.
Brenda and Dylan joined Kelly and Brandon in the living room.
"Where did mom and dad?" Brenda said as she sat down.
Brandon shrugged as he brought Kelly closer to him. "They said they would be right back but that was over an hour ago.
"Is your mom going with you guys tomorrow?" Kelly asked
"No, she was going to but since Dylan is with me, I guess she decided not too. My parents have been acting really weird. They were so nice to me and didn't freak out when Dylan and I told them about our living arrangements. I am confused."
"Oh they probably just figured."
"I guess." Brenda looked toward the window as they heard their parents car pull up. "Finally."
Minutes later they heard them come through the back door. Jim and Cindy came into the living room, "Aw everyone left."
"Yeah, where were you guys?" Brenda said interested.
"Well." Cindy looked at Jim.
"Your mother and I have a surprise. Guess who is attending CU this fall and staying here."
Valerie walked from the kitchen and into the living room. She had a big smile across her face.
"Hey guys. Guess you will be sharing a bathroom with me." Valerie said to Brandon.
Kelly's mouth dropped as she looked at Brandon. Brandon gave her a fake smile as he looked at Kelly who was obviously upset. The room was silent finally Brenda broke it.
"Its nice to see you Val." Brenda embraced her friend.
"You too." Val smiled and nodded at Dylan. "hey Kelly, its nice seeing you again."
Kelly took a deep breath, "yeah you too." she lied.
"So mom…dad why didn't you tell us Valerie was coming." Brandon said
"Well we found out last week Valerie had decided on CU and we thought we would surprise you. Brenda and Val can bunk up tonight but then she can use Brenda's room while she is at school and we can work it out when Brenda comes home for holidays." Cindy said smiling.
"Wow I am not even gone yet and they gave my room away." Brenda said under her breath, but Dylan heard her and placed his hand on her back.
"well let you guys get acquainted, your dad and I are going to start cleaning up in the kitchen." Cindy and Jim smiled as they went into the kitchen.
"What? You guys don't look happy to see me." Val went and plopped on the couch.
Kelly took a deep breath and exhaled out her nose. She was holding everything back from making a scene instead she got up and made her way out the front door, slamming it behind her.
"Kel." Brandon called out after her and followed her outside.
"Aww guess Kelly isn't happy to see me after all."
Brenda looked at Dylan, "Val….what are you doing?" Brenda said smiling at her friend and sitting next to her.
"What, you think you're the only one that can live the good life out here, I applied to CU months ago and got in. Who would have thought?"
"Well I am glad to see you, too bad I am leaving tomorrow." Brenda really was happy to see her. She had felt bad about what had happened at Bobby's wedding.
**
"Kelly where are you going?" Brandon said as he followed her outside.
"She is going to be living here..with you." Kelly yelled. "How am I suppose to feel?'
"Kel, its ok, you can trust me."
"Yeah." Kelly crossed her arms. "I don't trust her more. She hates me and she likes you."
"She doesn't hate you, she doesn't know you. Kelly, I love you, you have nothing to worry about."
Brandon tried to comfort her but Kelly wasn't having it. She pulled away from him and Brandon watched as she drove away.
REVIEW REVIEW!!! it's college baby! Lol No really let me know what you guys thought.