“Go call him.”
“What? Don’t be crazy.” I say quietly, my eyes glued to the phone in Jedd’s hand. His lips twitch up into an amused smirk and he thrusts the phone in my direction once again.
“He probably won’t even answer, it’s really late.” I mumble, creating excuses. “Go do it Bella, stop being a wimp.”
I narrow my eyes and glare at him but eventually hop off the couch, my fingers curling around the little black phone. I can feel my heart begin to thump wildly inside my chest from the idea of speaking to Brody. I remember the smooth low rumble of his voice over the phone and it causes a shiver to run down my back. Before I know it, I’m alone in my room with the door firmly shut. I stare down at the phone, my nerves increasing by the second.
What do I even say to him?
Do I act like last night didn’t happen?
“Oh god, I’m crazy.” I mutter, punching in Brody’s number that I memorised months ago. I notice my fingers trembling as I hit the call button. The phone rings a few times and I worry that when he answers, my throat will be too dry to speak.
What if I sound like a strangled cat?
“The person you are trying to call is unavailable right now. Please leave a message after the — ”
I end the call, disappointment settling inside my stomach. He didn’t answer. Just as I’m about to drop the phone and leave the room, Jedd’s ringtone fills the silence. I freeze and stare at the screen, my eyes visibly widening.
The phone continues to ring so I press the answer button and hold it up to my ear — “Hello?”
There’s a sharp intake of breath on the other end and I immediately know it’s him. “Bella.”
“Hi,” I whisper, sitting backwards onto my bed. I swing my legs up and rest against the cushions, my grip on the phone tightening.
“You’re calling me.” Brody says, the surprise clear as day in his voice.
“Yeah, I wanted to speak to you. Jedd encouraged me to speak to you.” I ramble on slightly, my voice wavering due to the nerves building up inside me.
“Jedd encouraged you? I find that hard to believe.” Brody laughs, his voice full of uncertainty. I close my eyes, the sound of his laughter ringing down my ear.
“He really did. He thinks I should give you another chance.” I say quietly, coming right out with it. I begin to nibble on my bottom lip, uncertain on how good of an idea it is to be so straightforward. I’ve never done this thing before so I’m basically winging it.
“Do you think you should give me another chance?” Brody breathes out, his voice suddenly filling with emotion. His words waver and he quickly clears his throat to regain his cool demeanour.
“I don’t know.” I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut. A few moments pass and the only conversation between Brody and I is the rhythmic sounds of our soft breaths. I’m grateful that he’s giving me time to think without pressuring me.
“Do you know what I miss?” I murmur, my body sinking backwards into the pillows. “Everything? Because I do.”
“Me too but I really, really miss falling asleep to the sound of your voice.” I reveal, my body growing heavy from the simple memories. On numerous occasions, I’d wake up to find my phone completely out of juice because the call between Brody and I never ended throughout the night. Neither of us hung up and we both enjoyed sleeping to the sound of each other’s voices, me especially.
“You mumble words that I can’t make out when you’re sleepy.” Brody chuckles quietly, his voice growing heavy, just like it did when he was tired. A warmth spreads through my body as I realise how much I miss this.
“I miss you.” I mumble, my words slurring a little as I feel my eyes flicker shut.
“I miss you Bella, so much.” Brody responds, every word dripping with pain. I shuffle on my side and curl up into a ball, the phone still pressed against my ear.
“I’m wearing the necklace, I love it. Thank you.” I tell him, changing the subject. I can feel myself growing emotional and the last thing I need is to become a blubbering mess to Brody down the phone.
“You’re wearing it?” He questions quietly, almost as if he didn’t believe what I’d said to him. “Of course I am.”
“As soon as I saw it, it reminded me of you. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Brody says softly causing my stomach to flutter with a million butterflies.
“Yes, it is.” I murmur in response, my eyelids falling shut. I breathe in deeply, my free hand wrapped tightly around the little star.
“Do you know what time it is?” Brody says after a few moments of silence. I frown a little, unsure of where he’s taking this.
“No, I don’t. What time is it?”
“One minute past midnight.” Brody says, sounding like he’s smiling on the other end. It dawns on me what he’s referring to and I can’t help the corners of my lips tug upwards into the happiest of smiles.
“Happy birthday darling.”
*****
I wake up the next morning to the sound of my bedroom door bursting open. Tia and Jedd fall inside my room clutching a handful of strings attached to hundreds of balloons. Different shapes and sizes and all of them a different colour. I sit up straight, a silly sleepy smile on my face.
“Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Bella! Happy birthday to you!”
They both sing in unison, dropping the balloons. Most of them fall to the floor, covering it within seconds. The remaining ones drift up to the ceiling and I watch them go, my eyes adjusting to the morning light. I was sleeping soundly before they burst through the door but not a single part of me is mad that they woke me.
I giggle as they charge towards me, wrapping their arms around me and cocooning me into a mixture of their scents. I cling onto both of them, taking the moment to feel grateful for my best friend and brother.
“Thank you, you’re both amazing. What would I do without you?” I laugh, prying myself away gently. Tia flops down onto the bed next to me and Jedd takes a seat on the end, grinning stupidly at me.
“We cooked you pancakes.” Tia says excitedly, clapping her hands together. “We?” I question, glancing between her and Jedd. He shakes his head —
“Tia and Trent made you pancakes. I decided to take a break from the kitchen today.” He explains, a small smile settling on his face.
“He couldn’t help but watch and criticise my mixing skills.” Tia responds, rolling her eyes playfully. Jedd chuckles and leans forward, jabbing her lightly in the ribs.
“It was constructive criticism.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.” Tia shoots back at him, a glint in her eyes. I raise my brows at the way they look at each for a split second before Jedd clears his throat, suddenly jumping off the bed and surprising us both.
“I’ll leave you to get dressed for the day Bells.” He says just before he leaves. Once he disappears out of my door, I turn back towards Tia who’s fiddling with the end of a bright pink balloon.
“What was that?” I question her.
“What was what?” She asks innocently, glancing up at me from under her long lashes. I give her a stern look in response and she widens her eyes, shrugging her shoulders in innocence.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you and my brother were just making puppy dog eyes to each other.” I exclaim. Tia gasps, slapping her hand over her mouth in shock.
“No, we were not!”
“Yes, you were.” I chuckle. Tia’s face grows a deep shade of red but she quickly spins on her heel, turning her back on me.
“I’m interested in Trent. Speaking of Trent, he wants to take me on a date when we get back home.” She says quickly, desperate to change the subject. I step out of my bed, readjusting my top.
“That’s nice, does he know you’re into Jedd?” I tease her, my tone mocking. Tia whirls around, glaring at me. “No, I wouldn’t do that to you and Jedd isn’t my type.” She defends herself, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Keep telling yourself that.” I practically sing to her as I head for the bathroom, beginning the process of getting ready for my birthday.