I know I'm a little late with the update... sorry. lol. To be honest I've had most of this done for awhile I just had to proof read... but never really got the time. XD
Brittany sighed, wiping the sweat from her brow with the side of her left arm. Her white cotton cheer shorts were riding up in the back as she quickly made her way down the smooth sidewalk. Her dark and stained pastel pink tank top clung to her chest for dear life as she sped through the open park. Her auburn hair was pulled into a messy ponytail that was already coming undone, leaving loose strands hanging out everywhere. So… she wasn't exactly picture perfect at the moment… at that time it didn't matter.
It was a late Saturday morning and Brittany had been out running, determined to keep in shape for the upcoming sports season. Her heart was thudding to the beat of her quick moving feet. Her legs burned fiercely as she pushed them harder, enjoying the cool breeze blasting against her face.
She paused for a moment, leaning over to take a long drag from a water fountain residing near the sport's field. She lifted her head up, taking in a deep breath as she did so. Brittany shook her arms out, rolling her shoulders backwards. Her foot was in the air again, her body ready to break into a run when Brittany heard her name.
She quickly pivoted on her heel; her feet slowly pedaling backwards. Brittany turned her head searching in all directions for the culprit, raising her hand up over her eyes to block the sun's harsh glare.
Standing at the half court line on the new basketball court, tossing a ball slowly from one hand to another was Stephen. He was dressed in a plain white t shirt and long black shorts that grazed his knees. There were some guys standing around him; talking, laughing, and joking with each other. But she only saw him.
Brittany eyes sparkled. She threw her hand up, slowly waving it at him.
Stephen smiled back at her.
He took a step forward and began walking towards her. "Hey! Brittany!" he called. "Funny running into you here, huh?"
Brittany shuffled her feet, shifting her weight from one foot to another. She quickly brushed her palms across the surface of her hair, smoothing the edges. Then cautiously reached behind and pulled at backs of her shorts, picking at the wedgie that had worked its way in. Her face flashed red as she blinked, turning her attention back to Stephen.
"Yeah," Brittany agreed as he drew near. "What's up?" she asked.
Stephen shrugged. "Playing ball" He threw the basketball up once in the air before catching it. "Come on, babe." Stephen said, swiftly tossing it towards her. "You wanna play?"
Brittany caught it and rolled her eyes.
"Uhh… no, babe" She said flinging it back his way. "On my way home"
"Oh" Stephen said with a nod. "Let me walk you." he said.
"Hey, guys!" He called out. "Heads up!" Stephen turned, chucking the basketball back towards the court.
"What?!" A male's voice called out from behind him.
"You're just leaving like that?!" Another immediately added.
Brittany blinked, tilting her head to the side. She was puzzled for a moment before realizing that they weren't talking to her. Stephen… these were Stephen's friends. She turned to look at them for the first time; taking in their short hair, sticky and wet with sweat, tall, broad shoulders decorated with beaters and tank tops.
"I'll be back." Stephen told them with a wave.
He turned back to her for a moment before his eyes widened with surprise, as if remembering something. He moved so that both he and Brittany were facing the other boys, his arm slipping around her shoulders.
"Oh and you guys!" Stephen hollered, drawing in their attention. "This is my girl, Brittany."
Brittany sucked in a deep breath, her cheeks beating strawberry red. A smile gradually glided across her face. His girl. She liked that. Brittany tossed her hand up, waving at them before looking back up at Stephen.
"Are you sure?" she asked him. "Aren't you playing a game?"
Stephen shrugged. "But I rather be with you." he whispered.
His lips softly brushed against hers before edging closer. They kissed and butterflies took over her stomach. Little by little, Stephen pulled away, his nose grazing hers as he did so. Brittany grinned. His arm was around her now, pulling her close as they began walking the short distance to home.
She looked up at him, gazing at his brilliant rusty gold eyes, shining with life… his hands so warm and pleasant… her heart swelling… and she couldn't but think of Alvin. Would he have stopped a basketball game just to walk her home? Would he have bluntly announced her to all his friends like that? Would he have draped his arm around her and kissed her in front of the entire park?
"What are you thinking about?"
Brittany's bright blue eyes shot up at his question. She swallowed fidgeting under her own weight, clasping and unclasping her sweaty palms.
"Nu-nothing" she answered uncertainly before repeating. "Nothing"
"Did I ruin your workout or something?" Stephen asked.
Brittany let out a loud nervous laugh. "No. No. Of course not. I'm glad you offered…"
"You are?" Stephen asked, dubious. His left eyebrow raised in amusement.
"I am." Brittany assured him, leaning into his arm. "I missed you."
Brittany smiled. It was true. She had missed him.
But… saying that she missed Alvin…maybe… just a bit more wouldn't exactly be a lie.
"I missed you too."He whispered.
"How could you not?!" Brittany exclaimed with a grin. "I am pretty incredible."
Stephen laughed, shaking his head. "Unfortunately… I'd have to agree with you on that one."
"You never had much of a choice." Brittany shot back.
"Seriously Brittany" Stephen said, rolling his eyes. "You are something else, entirely."
"But something good, right?" Brittany asked gazing up at him from the corner of her eye, daring him.
Stephen met her eyes, a confident grin on his face. "Possibly…"
Brittany's closed mouth smile grew wide, her eyes sparkling. They moved like that for a while, side by side, carefully watching each other. Brittany's eyes eventually drifted, traveling down to her feet. She closed her eyes and she could have been flying.
The way he talked to her, laughed with her, rolled his eyes… He amazed her. When she was with Stephen she didn't have to keep her guard up. He fascinated her. He was so cool, charming… different. Brittany had never really met anyone quite like him. And that scared her.
She'd just met him but somehow felt she could be herself around him. He spoke and she was instantly under his spell, willing to do anything he said… follow him anywhere. He was the kind of guy you wrote songs about. He was the kind of guy you told stories about. She was falling for him… and that scared her. Brittany wasn't the type to fall head over heels for some guy she just met. She just wasn't.
"Sometime…" Stephen said slowly. "Maybe later this week… I want to take you somewhere."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I don't know if you're up for it." Stephen teased.
"I think can handle myself." Brittany told him.
"You sure?" Stephen asked. "I know how you like being in control of everything."
"No." She argued. "No, I don't."
Stephen nodded. "Yeah… you do."
Brittany froze for a split second.
Hadn't that been… what Alvin said when they broke up? Now Stephen was saying the same thing. Did that mean it was true? Was she really controlling? Then did that mean… she was the one that had been wrong? Not… Alvin. Brittany blinked and with a bat of an eyelash time snapped back into action.
"Yeah… you do." Stephen said with a nod.
"Well… I don't always have to be" Brittany decided.
"And you promise you won't complain…"
"Yes."
"And you'll relax."
"I'll try."
"And you'll-"
"Yes!" Brittany declared. "Now… what did you have in mind?
"It's a place just a little across town. I love going down there." Stephen told her. "It's so quiet. The way everything looks… it's almost like we stepped into a time machine, ya know?"
"No."Brittany said. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"It's this small town near the shore. Everything's really old fashion …" he murmured. All the little shops … The old fashion clock tower… I used to go all the time before we moved. I practically lived there."
"You used to live around there?" Brittany asked. "It seems a little boring."
"I said, practically… we just went to visit friends and sometimes shop." He explained. "You know what the two best parts of the town are?"
Brittany turned to him. "What?"
"For one… instead of overpriced taxi cabs" Stephen said. "We have horse drawn carriages."
"That's… weird." she decided.
"I know. But it's kind of cool too." Stephen told her. "They still have cars and buses and things… the horses are just for tourists I think…"
"Oh, ok" Brittany murmured.
The thought of riding in an actually carriage sent a jolt of excitement surging through her. She was almost certain Alvin would have never planned something out like this. And if he did he would surely mess it up. But with Stephen…
"The second best thing about this place is the beach." Stephen told her. "We can have a carriage ride around the block and then it can just take us there. It's really gorgeous, Brittany. The sunsets are amazing…"
"I can't wait" Brittany quipped.
Stephen's arm brushed hers as he took her hand. He looked directly in her eyes when he spoke, his voice never wavering.
"Ok," Stephen said. "Now tell me about yourself. I want to know more"
He wanted to know more about her? She'd never heard that before. Not from a guy. Not from a guy who ACTUALLY meant it. And the way he was looking at her just now… she could tell. He really cared. He really wanted to hear what she had to say.
What kind of guy actually listened when a girl spoke? Actually… asked her about things like that… First he was leaving his friends… choosing to leave a basketball game… just to walk her home. Then he planned out a romantic date. And now… he was asking about her life… he actually wanted to get to know her…. and not in THAT way.
"Like… what?" Brittany asked.
"Like… What's the most important thing to you?" Stephen suggested.
"And I'm supposed to tell you, just like that?" Brittany questioned.
"I'll start." Stephen offered. He paused a moment to think, his eyes gazing up at the sky."Defiantly, my mom and brother… it's just us so we're really close." Stephen turned to look at her. "See? Easy."
"Fine" Brittany sighed. "My sisters then"
"Ok. Now you choose." Stephen told her.
"What?"
"I asked you a question so it's only fair you get to ask me one." Stephen said.
"I don't know what to ask" Brittany shrugged.
"Just pick something." Stephen told her. "I'll go again. What's your favorite color?"
"Pink"
"Mines blue. What's your favorite thing to do?"
"Sing"
"Really?" Stephen asked. "You any good"
Brittany smirked. "You could say that…"
"Cool." Stephen said. "You'll have to sing for me sometime. You write your own songs?"
Brittany shrugged "Sometimes…"
"Alright. What's your most prized possession?" Stephen asked.
Brittany shrugged. "It's a tie between my clothes and makeup." She grinned. "You?"
"Don't laugh."
"I won't promise anything till I hear what it is…"
"I have lucky socks"
"That's...different. How are socks lucky?"
"I was wearing them when I scored the winning basket at a game." Stephen said. "I wore them the day I aced my finals without studying. I wore them at the fair where everyone but me got food poisoning. And… I wore them the day I met you."
Brittany rolled her eyes.
"Can I ask you a question?" Stephen asked her.
"You just did." Brittany said with a smirk.
"Alright," Stephen said. "Can I ask you two questions?"
"Shoot."
"Why did you and your last boyfriend break up?" Stephen inquired.
Brittany took in a sharp breath. She hadn't been expecting that. But she should have. "You mean… Alvin?"
"Yeah"
"We just…. grew apart." Brittany shrugged, her eyes falling to the floor.
"That's what you've been telling everyone." Stephen said. "But… how'd you actually break up. What happened?"
"We had a fight…" Brittany said slowly. "But we were always fighting… even as kids."
"You knew him that long?"
"Yeah," Brittany said with a smile. "We all… me and my sisters and him and his brothers… we were all friends… we grew up together."
"Then what happened?"
"He got so involved with sports and his friends… it was like I had to make an appointment every time I wanted to see him." Brittany explained. "I'd call and he was never home… Then it would take forever for him to return my call. He broke dates all the time so he could hang out with his friends. I was never ok with it… but I guess I figured we'd have time later. Only we didn't."
"Sounds lame"
"It was… And when we were together… we just fought. All the time. Like ALL the time. It wasn't working out."
Stephen nodded.
"Then there was an even bigger fight. On our anniversary! In front of the whole school!"
"Really? I missed it." Stephen joked.
"It was horrible." Brittany murmured, shaking her head. "It was our anniversary right? So I thought we'd be at least spending THAT together. I'd cancelled anything I had going on that day… you know… cheerleading stuff… friends… whatever"
"Hmm…"
"And like I figured we'd have dinner or something… "Brittany said. "Maybe ice cream or something really romantic right?"
"Sounds great" Stephen said softly.
"Only he had other plans." Brittany continued. "His team had a game that night."
"And you were fed up." Stephen guessed.
"Exactly" Brittany murmured. "It was like this was just another one of his excuses… It was always one thing or another… and this was just something else… something else that was so much more important than me."
"So you guys had at it."
"Yeah" Brittany said. "And he suggested we just hang out after the game… but it was already after four and the game hadn't even started. And those things usually last at least two or three hours, right? And then… what if they went into overtime? It could be around 8 before they even got finished with that. And if they won he'd want to hang out with his friend's right afterwards to celebrate right?"
Stephen nodded.
"So that would have been our entire day. He asked to just be together tomorrow but I didn't want to. I pushed back my plans for our day he should be able to too… and tomorrow …. If they won there would be an intense practice to prepare for the next game. He would be too tired to do anything then… and if they lost he'd be too depressed about the whole thing."
"So you just broke up with him?"
"Yeah… I mean… technically he suggested it… I told him how I felt about it and he said I just didn't care. That what I wanted to do was more important than this… than soccer, which was SO important to him. That- that if I didn't care about soccer then maybe we shouldn't be together."
"Oh"
"Yeah," Brittany agreed. "So I say FINE! Maybe we shouldn't be!"
"And now…?" Stephen questioned.
"Now… "Brittany said. "We're not even talking."
"That sucks"
"Yeah, it does." She admitted.
"So then this Alvin is someone I should watch out for, huh?" He asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Just what I said" Stephen answered.
"You don't have to worry about him" Brittany assured. "Like I said. We don't even talk anymore."
"Alright" Stephen murmured. "But just in case… I will anyway."
They walked in silence for a while. Listening to the sound of their feet falling down on the smooth grey-white sidewalk… listening to the leaves on the trees lightly flutter in the wind… Stephen's arm fell around her shoulders, pulling her close.
"I'm sorry about how it all ended. It must have been hard. I don't know him so I can't really talk about him." He began. "But… I want you to know that I won't ever put you through all that. I promise."
Brittany rolled her eyes. "You can't promise those kinds of things." she told him. "You don't know how it will turn out till it's over…"
"I don't… but I do know that I care about you and even if things don't work out between us… I think I'll always will. And I would never want to see someone I care about get hurt"
Brittany shrugged. "It can happen anyway"
"Listen, alright?" He asked. "I'll try to be there for you whenever you need me. Anytime you need to talk… you can tell me anything, alright?"
"Ok."
"And I promise you won't ever have to 'make an appointment' to talk to me. I like spending time with you… " Stephen told her. "I- I want you."
"What?"Brittany asked with a laugh.
"I mean… You… you amaze me, Brittany." He whispered. "I've never met anyone quite like you. You make me want to… I don't know… I guess I'm just… I like where we are right now."
"And where's that?"
"Well… we're dating…" Stephen said slowly.
"Yeah"
"But… I wanted to ask you something." Stephen proposed.
"Ok"
"This is going to sound lame." He warned.
Brittany let out another giggle. "It's too late for that." She told him. "You might as well just say it."
"Brittany… "He took a deep breath. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Brittany laughed again, this time letting her head fall back with amusement. "I thought we were already doing that"
"But I want you to be exclusive." Stephen explained. "I don't want you dating any other guys."
"Ok," Brittany answered. "Why not. But… same goes for you."
"Don't worry." Stephen said. "I don't plan on dating any other guys."
Brittany frowned. "That's not what I meant. I don't want you seeing anyone else."
Stephen grinned. "Gotcha"
It was weird… but when she was with Stephen… He had this way of making her feel like she was on top of the world… so far apart from everything else. He made her laugh. And she was falling for him… fast. But if that was true… then what was this other feeling.
"So this is where you live?"
"Huh?" Brittany asked aloud.
She hadn't realized they'd stopped. She stole a quick glance behind her. A house… Blue siding… crème shutters… coffee oak door… white flower boxes blooming with pink tulips… her house… Her mind was so caught up in everything…
"Figures"
Brittany grimaced. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"This just looks like the kind of house you'd live in." Stephen explained.
"What do you mean?" Brittany asked. "What's wrong with my house?"
"Nothing" Stephen said quickly. "It's beautiful… " He paused a moment, looking directly in her eyes as he said "You're beautiful…"
Brittany stumbled back feeling her heart flutter; jitters running through her like lightning.
Oh… God…
This wasn't supposed to happen. She was just supposed to dating someone. Someone to wrap her time with… the time she hadn't been spending with anyone anymore… and now… there was that feeling again. She didn't like being this vulnerable. But for some weird reason… she trusted him. When he said… he wouldn't hurt her… she trusted him… she believed him.
"So I'll see you later?" Stephen was asking.
"Defiantly" Brittany replied with a grin.
She watched him as he slowly walked away. Stood there after he disappeared down the street, waving as he went… Her smile slowly faded.
Stephen was perfect…
… Maybe…
Too perfect.
Ok, And that's our chapter. I'll upload the next one as soon as I write it. XD O!! Don't forget to
~~REVIEW~~
Tell me what you think about the story. What could I improve?
Oh, just so we're clear. The stories not just about her misses Alvin. We're not even half way done yet. Plenty of time to work him in. Patience.