“Does this mean from now on you’ll kiss me in public?”
I nod my head, biting back a laugh. Brody’s eyes light up and he spins around, his hands wrapping around my waist. I can’t help but giggle as he puckers his lips up, squeezing his eyes shut tightly. My heart swells aas I stand on my tip toes to plant a kiss on his lips. Several people around us stop and stare but for once, I don’t care.
As soon as I press my lips against his, Brody’s hands on my waist tighten and he presses me against his body. I let out a small squeak in surprise and he grins against my mouth, pecking my bottom lip quickly.
“Brody!” I giggle, pushing him back gently.
“What? You’re mine now, I can show you off to the world if I want to.” He replies stubbornly, his lips turning upwards into a wide grin. I smile back at him and reach for his hand, loving how warm and soft it feels in mine. He holds on to it tightly as he walks me home, swinging our arms until I feel like he’s about to yank it straight out of my arm socket.
“I think you’re about to break my arm.” I wince, giggling. Brody slows down, letting our arms come to a soft swing between us.
“Sorry, I’m just really happy right now.”
I look over at him, gorgeous green eyes shining in my direction. I want to tell him something important but decide against it, I’m not confident enough. We reach my door and a wave of sadness washes over my body.
“Do you have to go?” I ask him sadly, playing with his fingers. He sighs, pulling me towards him so I’m against his chest. He doesn’t reply and instead places a soft kiss on top of my head.
“Yeah, I do. I’ll text you in exactly an hour. Thank you for today.” He whispers into my ear causing goosebumps to erupt down my body. I shiver from his words, closing my eyes so I can inhale his scent before he leaves.
“You’re welcome.” I whisper back, standing up on my tip toes to kiss him goodbye. He immediately crushes his lips against mine, taking my lower lip into his mouth so he can bite down on it. I gasp and pull back, my cheeks turning beetroot red. Brody simply grins widely at me before waving goodbye and walking off.
I watch him leave, a fuzzy warm feeling settling inside my stomach. For the first time in forever, I don’t want to watch a love movie in my room. . .
It feels like I’m experiencing my own.
*****
“Did you see Beatrice’s face? It was absolutely priceless. I was so tempted to take a picture and plaster it all around school.” Tia laughs on the other end of the call, her laughter becoming infectious. I join in with her, feeling relief wash over me.
“I guess karma hit her hard.” I reply, running a brush through my hair with my spare hand. Tia agrees on the other end —
“So you and Brody are going out tonight. Did he say where?”
I feel butterflies invade my stomach, fluttering their wings with nerves.
“No, I have no idea where we’re going.” I grin, inspecting my outfit that’s hung up on my wardrobe door. It’s a simply baby blue dress with a sweetheart neckline.
“Is a dress too much?” I ask, panic and worry filling my mind.
“What did Brody say? Dress up, dress casual, dress down?” Tia asks.
“His exacts words were, wear something pretty. What does that mean? Is a dress pretty?” I respond, feeling the stress settle in.
“Hmm, I’m not sure. If he’s taking you to miniature golf, a dress is definitely too much. However if he’s taking you on some fancy-shmancy date, a dress is appropriate.”
I let out a low groan, falling backwards onto my bed — “Why is this so hard? This is why I don’t go on dates.”
“Shut up and live woman. He is the finest human to walk the corridors of Heywood High and you, you are his girlfriend. I would take his hand, chain him up to me and throw away the key.” Tia tells me firmly.
I can’t help but laugh at her response but her words do hold truth behind them. “Should I wear makeup?” I ask her, nibbling on my bottom lip nervously.
“On a date? I personally would.” Tia responds back.
“Okay, this is going to take some time. Brody is going to be here in exactly twenty two minutes. Can I do this?” “You got this Bella, knock him off his feet.”
I end the call and take a deep breath, forcing my nerves to calm down. I quickly slip into my dress, my blonde hair falling around my shoulders. I bravely decide I’m going to keep my hair down. The dress clings to my mid section before cascading down, ending mid-thigh. It causes my legs to appear longer and I grin at my reflection, hoping Brody will like it too.
I apply some nude eyeshadow before finishing my eyes off with mascara. After some powder, blush and lipgloss, I’m ready. I fasten my rose gold watch around my wrist, slipping into my nude wedge heels.
“Please don’t let me be over dressed.” I mutter, walking in a line to practice my walk. My heels aren’t high but after years of wearing converse, I want to make sure I can walk without looking like I have the worlds biggest wedgie. Satisfied I look okay, I put my phone inside my clutch bag, resting the long chain strap on my shoulder. I stand in the mirror and scrutinise myself, letting out the deep breath I’m holding.
As if on cue, the doorbell rings downstairs. I quickly fly out of my bedroom, trotting down the stairs carefully so I wouldn’t fall in my heels.
“I’ve got it!” I yell, praying Dad and Jedd would stay inside their rooms. I pause in front of the door, dusting myself down. Nerves fill my stomach and I chew the inside of my cheek before opening the door.
Brody stands on the outside, clutching a small bouquet of white roses. I gasp as soon as my eyes land on them and when I glance upwards to look at him, I gasp again. He’s wearing a crisp white shirt, a black skinny tie finished off with some tightly fitted suit trousers. His dark hair is gelled backwards into place, green eyes twinkling mischievously at me.
“Brody.” I whisper, blinking several times. He looks. . . deliciously handsome.
I can’t help but blush a deep crimson red as he gawks back at me, his eyes roaming down my body and back up again. I physically watch his eyes turn shades darker and he takes a step closer, causing my breathing to hitch inside my throat. His free hand reaches up and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes searching mine.
“You look absolutely beautiful,” he breathes out. He hands me the roses and I take them from him, instantly lifting them to smell them lightly.
“Thank you.” I mumble, chewing my bottom lip nervously. A creak behind me causes me to freeze and I turn slowly, meeting two sets of eyes. Jedd and Dad are stood halfway up the stairs, watching me and Brody with confusion in their eyes. I swallow, feeling my throat dry out instantly.
“Dad, Jedd.”
They both snap out of their daze and turn to look at each other before walking down the rest of the stairs. Dad is the first to reach me, placing an arm around my shoulders protectively. Jedd does the same, standing on my other side. I silently groan and close my eyes, wishing they wouldn’t turn alpha male and embarrass me.
“Who is this Bella?”
They both ask in unison and I have to stop myself from physically cringing. I shrug their shoulders off me, taking a step outside to stand next to Brody. A look of hurt flashes through Jedd’s eyes and I can’t help but feel bad.
“Dad, Jedd, this is Brody.”
“Brody, meet Dad and Jedd, my brother.”
I watch as Brody smiles widely at them, reaching forward whilst holding out his hand. Dad immediately takes a hold of it, shaking it.
“It’s nice to meet you Sir.”
Dad nods at Brody, his eyes flashing with approval. A small smile plays on my lips and I mouth a thank you over Brody’s shoulder. Dad winks at me, holding up a thumbs up sign to let me know he’s okay with it. I feel my shoulders relax slightly, one down, one to go.
Brody turns towards Jedd who’s watching him intently, his eyes slightly narrowed. Brody doesn’t seem phased by it and again, holds his hand out for Jedd to shake. He simply looks down at it before clearing his throat.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Brody Baxter. I go to the same school as Bella,” Brody shoots back instantly, his hand droppingback down to his side. I close my eyes and rub at my temples, wishing for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
“Are you taking her on a date?” Jedd asks, his hostile personality irking me.
“Yes, I am.” Brody says confidently. Jedd slowly nods, his eyes scanning over Brody multiple times.
“Can we go now? I’ll be back in a few hours Dad.” I smile at him, tugging on Brody’s arm. Jedd frowns and holds out his hand —
“Bella, wait.”
I let out a strangled sigh, looking up at Jedd with a frown on my face. I’m slightly annoyed at the way he’s treating Brody even though I know his intentions are good.
“What is it Jedd?”
“I just want to make sure you’re going to be okay.” Jedd says quietly, his voice straining as he struggles not to argue with me in front of Brody. I shake my head but Brody cuts me off.
“She’s safe with me, I wouldn’t let any harm come to her. I really like her, I’m not set out to hurt her.”
His words are strong, confident. I feel my heart flutter inside my chest and I struggle to contain my smile. Jedd takes a long look at me before nodding slowly, taking a step back.
“Have her back in a few hours.”
Brody nods, letting him know he understands. He takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers together as we head for his car. I glance up at Brody, my cheeks blushing as I take in his beauty.
“Bella!”
Jedd calls me again. I spin around, turning to face him. “You look really pretty, have fun.”
I smile gratefully at him, my smile beaming from ear to ear. I’m clutching my roses with one hand and I drop Brody’s hand to wave at him with the other.
“Thank you. I’ll see you soon.” I reply, smiling as Jedd waves back at me. He continues to wave until we’re firmly seated in Brody’s car, seat belts fastened.
“Sorry about my brother,” I apologise quietly, embarrassment filling my features. Brody shakes his head, turning the key in his engine so it roars to life.
“You don’t need to apologise, he’s being protective. Like an older brother should be.”
I glance down at my lap, grateful that he’s so understanding. Brody silently drives through the dark night, the only light coming from the street lights. A comfortable silence falls upon us and at one point, Brody reaches over with one hand, placing it on my bare thigh. His hand is warm and radiates heat, sending jolts of electricity sparking through my body.
“I don’t know how I’m going to resist you tonight Bella,” he says quietly, glancing over at me with desire in his eyes. I blush further, my cheeks becoming two flaming hot coals.
“I could say the same to you.” I reply quietly, my eyes roaming down his body. Brody’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise at my response but he doesn’t question it as he continues to drive, a small smile on his face.