“Do you ever want to reach up and touch the stars? They look so magical, like fairy lights.” I say quietly, turning towards Brody. We’re both lying on a blanket, our legs dangling through the railings of the balcony. A bowl of ice cream sits on my lap with two spoons but it’s been untouched. This moment is sweeter than anything I’ve ever known.
“One day Bella, I’ll buy you your own star. Every time you look up into the sky, I want you to find it and think of me.”
I smile at his words, leaning my head against his shoulder. My heart swells inside my chest and I realise I’m able to sit in his company without feeling like my chest is going to explode.
“I only thought gentlemen existed in movies, you proved me wrong.” I murmur quietly, my words drifting away with the wind. Brody shuffles backwards slightly, lifting his arm to drape it around my shoulders.
“My Dad always taught me to treat girls how I’d like my mother or sister to be treated. I’ve always lived by that rule but with you, I don’t even have to think. I simply do it because you’re you.”
It takes a few seconds for me to learn how to breathe again. I inhale deeply, closing my eyes.
“Too much?” Brody asks, a small smile on his face. He looks so content, the light coming from the balcony flickering across his beautiful features. I nod my head, giving him an apologetic look.
“I’m not used to it, it’ll take a while,” I chuckle, a shiver running down my bare arms as the wind begins to pick up. Brody glances down at his watch and releases a small sigh, sounding disappointed.
“I told your brother and Dad I would have you back soon even though I don’t want this night to end.” “Neither do I.”
“There’ll be plenty more Bella, don’t worry.” Brody says, standing up and helping me to my feet. As I get my balance, he leans in, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine. I lose the ability to breathe again but ignore it and press my lips against his. The warmth of his body heats mine up and I take the moment to savour his lips, remember the kiss forever.
“Let’s go darling,” he murmurs, resting his forehead against mine for a few seconds. I look up into swirling pits of emerald green and nod slowly, inhaling his scent.
“Yes, lets go.”
*****
That night I lie awake staring up at my ceiling, unable to wipe the smile off my face. I feel warm on the inside, the heat spreading to every inch of my body. I keep replaying the night over and over again in my head, in awe at how perfect it all was.
My phone begins to ring in that exact moment and I reach for it, pressing the answer button. “Hi,” I breathe out, listening to his shallow breaths on the other end.
“Hi beautiful,” Brody answers, his voice sleepy.
“Dad and Jedd questioned me for an hour after I got in, it was torturous.” I say quietly, my voice giddy. I can feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, aware of Brody’s voice and presence.
“Do they like me? I feel like your brother doesn’t like me.”
“It’s not that he doesn’t like you Brody. He’s really over protective. I’ve never been out on a date before and things between you and me are moving fast. I think he’s trying to be a good older brother.” I defend Jedd, rambling on. Brody is silent on the other end and I pause to take a breath.
“I get that Bella. What about your dad?” A smile stretches across my face.
“Dad loves you. I honestly think he wants to date you too,” I giggle, tucking the covers around me. I lean back against my pillows and sigh, feeling my eyelids fluttering closed. On the other end, Brody lets out a small chuckle.
“When can I meet your parents?” I ask him, nerves rising to the surface. The thought of meeting his parents causes my palms to sweat but I want to do it, for him. I’m learning to overcome my anxiety day by day which means doing things I wouldn’t usually do. Meeting my boyfriends parents is definitely a good place to start.
Brody is quiet on the other end again and I imagine him thinking deeply on the other end. “Singular, one parent.”
My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. “W-what?” I stutter, thinking the worst.
“She’s not dead. Divorced. My parents divorced when I moved here.” I find myself able to breathe properly again.
“Oh Brody, I’m sorry. My parents are divorced too. I rarely see my Mum.” My words are quiet but I don’t feel hurt or pain from my mother’s lack of presence in my life. We’re simply strangers to one another.
“I figured. You never really speak much about your mother.”
“She’s kind of an ass.” I say bluntly. On the other end, Brody burst into laughter and after a few seconds, I join him.
“I love it when you talk dirty Bella.”
His words instantly cause me to stop giggling and I bite down on my lower lip. I can feel the blush rising to my cheeks, burning my face up.
“You’re blushing, aren’t you?” Brody teases me, his voice light and playful. I roll my eyes — “Am I that predictable?”
“Kind of but I love that about you.” Brody answers, his response warming my heart. I want to reach out and wrap his hand in mine but listening to his voice will have to do.
“Your voice is making me sleepy,” I yawn, struggling to hold the phone up. On the other end, I can hear Brody’s breathing becoming shallow.
“I love falling asleep to the sound of your voice Bella. You’re like my personal lullaby.”
I giggle sleepily at him, images of his smile flashing through my mind as I drift into a peaceful sleep. “You’re cute Brody Baxter…”
“Thank you darling. Goodnight.”
It’s the last words I hear as I fall asleep, my lips stretched into a smile.
*****
I’m woken by the sound of my phone ringing constantly on my stomach. I groan and open one eye, glancing at my alarm clock which reads 5am.
“Seriously?” I mutter, pushing it off me and turning over. The phone stops ringing and I sigh contently, sinking back into my covers. Seconds pass and my phone begins ringing again, vibrating against the mattress.
“Oh – my – frickin’ – God.” I groan loudly and turn over, reaching out for my phone. I don’t check the screen and press answer, holding it to my ear. On the other end, all I can hear is heavy breathing and shouts.
“Hello?” I frown, sitting up straight in bed. I glance at the screen and my stomach flips as I realise it’s Brody calling me.
“Brody? Hello?” I ask, my voice increasing in tone. The breathing on the other end doesn’t stop and I can feel my heart begin to speed up.
“Brody?” I ask quietly, my throat running dry. “Bella?”
“Yes, yes. I’m here.” I respond quickly, feeling wide awake. I wait for him to respond but he remains silent, panting.
“Brody, what’s wrong? Who are you with?” I ask nervously, the noises in the background growing louder. “I want to hear your voice.”
“At five am?” I chuckle fondly, a small smile spreading on my face.
“Sorry, I woke you.” Brody says, his voice strained. I frown, the bad feeling inside my stomach increasing. “What’s going on Brody? Where are you?” I question him.
“Bella, answer me a question.”
I blow out an irritated breath as he dodges my questions completely but I can’t be mad at him. Just the thought of him wanting to hear my voice at 5AM makes me smile giddily.
“What’s your question?” I ask him, trying to drown out the noises behind him. “Would you travel the world with me? Right now?”
I pause, my eyebrows creased together in confusion. It doesn’t sound like the usual Brody, he’s not making any sense. I recall having the same conversation previously and a smile takes over my frown.
“You want me to travel the world with you right now?” His reply is instant.
“Yes. I want to hold your hand as we explore the world. I want to feel the softness of your skin whilst we stand on a beach. Or a mountain. Or in the middle of a forest. I want to photograph your smile and keep the picture forever because I know, I’d fall in love with it. I’m already in love with it.” Brody whispers, his words becoming slowly and quieter. I’m silently frozen on the other end, my hand trembling as I clutch the phone to my ear.
My heart somersaults inside my body and I have to remind myself to breathe.
“I’m in love with you,” I whisper, the words sounding so right coming from me. I don’t care if we’ve only known each a little while, I love Brody. He inhales deeply before coughing on the other end. I wait for him to regain composure and a few moments pass before he speaks again.
“Say it again Bella,” he whispers, his voice croaky.
“I love you Brody.” I repeat, wanting to tell him it over and over again. “I love you Bella. Answer my question.”
“Yes,” I reply, biting down on my lower lip to stop the spread of my smile. Brody breathes deeply on the other end.
“I’ll travel the world with you Brody,” I say quietly, waiting for him to respond. Moments pass and he doesn’t. His breathing becomes heavier and if it wasn’t for the background noise, I would have guessed he’d fallen asleep on the other end.
That’s when I hear it.
“Call an ambulance! He needs an ambulance!”
My blood runs cold and I grip my phone tighter, eyes widening in panic.
“Brody? Brody?!” I say his name, over and over again. I begin to shout it hysterically as he doesn’t respond, the yells and screams in the background increasing by the second. I hear a low groan and I jump out of bed, scrambling to find my trainers.
“Brody, stay with me,” I cry, pleading with him through the phone. I let out a whimper, tears streaming down my face. “Bella.”
“Yes, I’m here. Oh my god, where are you?” I cry out, grabbing my jacket and running straight out of the house. I don’t know where I’m going but I run down dark streets. I don’t know what I’m searching for.
“Bella.” He repeats, his voice low and fading out. I stop running and simply freeze, my body shaking in the cold night. Harsh winds whip around me and I’m surrounded in complete darkness.
“Don’t do this to me.” I whisper, pleading with him. I drown out the background commotion and focus on him instead.
“I’m sorry darling, I — ”
“No Brody! No! Tell me where you are!” I scream, shaking my head profusely. I let out a loud sob, my free hand clutching at my chest.
“I love you Bella.”
His voice is croaky, barely audible. But I hear it, I hear his whispered words. I open my mouth so I can tell him how much I love him. I want to scream at him to keep talking to me. As soon as I do, the breathing stops and my whole world comes crashing down around me.
All I hear is the siren of an ambulance.
I fall to my knees in the street, my hand covering my mouth. And then, I scream.