Bella’s POV –
I wake up to the sound of clattering in the kitchen. My eyes slowly open, adjusting to the bright winter sun streaming through the windows. I glance around at my surroundings, realising I must have fallen asleep in the living room. The room is completely empty and I slowly sit up on the couch, running a hand through my untamed hair.
“Brody?” I call out quietly, wondering if everything that happened last night was a dream or some sort of weird hallucination.
“Jedd?”
“Breakfast is on the table.” I hear him reply from the kitchen, his voice floating through the air. I frown, trying to play over last nights events in my head. I remember Jedd storming out, his face contorted in anger at Brody and I.
“What time is it?” I ask warily, heading for the kitchen. I straighten out my pyjama’s, pushing open the door to enter the kitchen. Jedd is leaning against the counter, dirty blonde hair still damp from the shower. He’s clutching a cereal bowl and flicking through his phone with his other hand. In the middle of the counter, he’s cut up some fresh fruit in a bowl alongside several pieces of French toast.
French toast.
Jedd’s apology breakfast. Since I can remember, whenever Jedd and I have a fight and he feels guilty about it, he’ll always make me French toast for breakfast. It’s his own way of apologising without having to actually say the word.
“You made French toast.” I say carefully, my eyes flickering between the food and Jedd. He nods slowly, glancing anywhere but at me. A sheepish look crosses his face and I bite back a smile, heading for the table. I take a seat on one of the high chairs and reach over for a piece. It’s still warm and the scent of it causes my stomach to rumble loudly.
“Would you like some?” I ask him, wanting to break the silence between us. He shakes his head, lifting the cereal bowl up slightly.
“Health kick.”
I nod and take a bite of the toast, it’s good.
“Thank you, this is amazing. I’ve missed your French Toast.” I mumble incoherently through chewing. Jedd smiles at me, placing his bowl down onto the counter.
“We haven’t fought for a while so I didn’t feel the need to make it.”
“You shouldn’t feel guilty,” I mumble, dropping my eyes to my lap. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Jedd sighs, reaching up to run a hand through his hair.
“I shouldn’t have blew up like that, I completely lost my cool. I was horrible to Brody and I yelled at you. You don’t have to create excuses for my behaviour.”
“Jedd, you were protecting me. Maybe you did go a little crazy but I know it’s because you care. You saw me hurt and you wanted to protect me from him, I understand that.” I say firmly.
“It’s your life Bella and I should stand back and allow you to choose how it goes. I need to come to terms that you’re still young and you’ll make mistakes. I can’t protect you from everything. We all need to make mistakes in life otherwise, how will we ever learn?”
“Do you think Brody is a mistake?” I ask him, searching his features. He winces slightly before masking his face over so that it’s unreadable.
“If he is, he’s your mistake to make.” “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Personally, yes I do. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong, maybe he won’t. No matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you.”
I pause, placing the uneaten toast back down onto the plate. His words cause me to blink in surprise and before I realise it, I’m walking up to him and wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace.
“Thank you.” I mumble into his shirt. He pats my back in a comforting manner before squeezing me fiercely.
“If he hurts you again, please learn from your mistake.” Jedd says quietly, his words strained. I can see how hard it is for him to stand back and allow me to live my life. It doesn’t mean I’m going to exclude him from it completely, he’s my brother and I care about him dearly. I value his opinion and make decisions with his input because he matters. I wouldn’t have it any other way. . . I know he’s right. I have to make my own mistakes and learn from them in order to grow and become my own person.
I nod my head, pushing back to look at him. “I promise I will.”
“That’s good enough for me Bells.”
*****
I’m heading to my room to get changed before everyone wakes when Tia’s bedroom door flies open and she grabs hold of my arm, yanking me in. I let out a surprised squeal, my eyes wide as I stare at her. She slams the door shut before turning her back on it. Her eyes are wide, her hair is sticking up in several different directions. She’s still in bright yellow underwear and a plain band shirt that’s hanging off her shoulders.
“Oh god, what happened to you?” I ask her, searching her face. Her eyes widen and she places a finger over her lips, motioning for me to remain quiet.
“I did something.” She whispered, a scarlet brush beginning to stain her cheeks.
“Now I’m freaking the hell out!” She whisper-yells. I frown and slowly walk up to her, taking hold of her hand. “What did you do?” I question, a million thoughts rattling around my head. She inhales sharply, her eyes flickering between mine.
“Don’t judge me,” she winces.
“Like I would ever judge you, now tell me!” I urge her, beginning to grow impatient.
“I slept with Trent.” Tia blurts out, slapping a hand over her mouth. Mine drops open in shock — “Shut up. No way.”
“Yes way.”
“No way!” I repeat.
“Yes way!” Tia yells back at me before slapping her hand over her mouth for the second time. She flops back onto her bed, letting out a small groan.
“How did this happen?” I gasp, taking a seat opposite her. A silly grin is plastered across my face as Tia squirms underneath my gaze.
“He came into my room last night and we kissed. Kissing lead to other things and we ended up doing it.” Tia explains, her face resembling a bright red tomato.
“I can’t believe you lost your virginity before me.” I comment causing Tia to blush even deeper. I roll my eyes, leaning over to hug her tightly. She returns my embrace, letting out a muffle cry into my shoulder.
“Why are you so cut up about this? You did want this right?” I question her, leaning back with concern etched onto my face. She remains silent for a moment before swallowing the lump in her throat and nodding.
“I did want to sleep with him and knew it would happen one day but what if he doesn’t want to be in a relationship? Did we do it too soon?” She mumbles, distress flashing across her face. I shake my head, leaning over to take hold of her hand.
“Trent really likes you, okay? You should both talk things out today.” I advise her. She chews on her bottom lip before nodding her head, body visibly relaxing with relief.
“I also forgot to mention to you. . .” She says sheepishly. I glare at her teasingly, knowing exactly what she’s about to say.
“Trent invited Brody and you forgot to tell me until I came face to face with him.” I finished her sentence off for her. She shoots me an apologetic look —
“I’m so sorry! I had no idea Trent invited him until this morning. Wait, what?” Tia gasps, registering my words.
“You came face to face with him? What happened?” She gasps, slapping my knee due to her impatience. I cringe as I remember the encounter with Brody last night.
“I thought I was dreaming.” I mumble in embarrassment, hiding behind my hands. “Shut up.” Tia exclaims, her eyes flashing with humour.
“No, I’m being serious. I became way too honest and I think I embarrassed myself. Jedd saw Brody and was really mad, like really mad.” I explain to her, filling her in on all the details.
I spend the next half hour talking to my best friend about boys and how confusing and difficult they are. She cuts in at the right times, gives me good advice and comforts me when I need it. A year ago, I would never have believed I’d meet someone like Tia.
It’s the simple moments with my best friend I’ll never forget or take for granted.