KIMBERLYIt's been two days since I last saw Brandon, I've been doing everything possible to make sure I don't bump into him. Of course I do reply to his messages, he checks up on me from time to time."Are you sure you want to go back?" Nao asks."I'll be fine."I hug her and then leave.* *Our Apartment* *I take a shower and lay down on the bed, taking a deep breath in and out.I call Xander."Look who decided to call."I smile at the sound of his voice."Hey Xander, how are you doing? I miss you.""What's wrong? I know something is wrong when you use that line.""I'm just..." I pause. "Has Brandon called you these past few days?""Uh,yes, why?""It's just, anyway,it's nothing. How've you been?""Don't do that Kim, you're my friend, you can tell me anything, I'm here for you."My emotions start to get the best of me, my eyes water and I can't stop thinking about that picture."But you're also Bran's best friend," I whisper and there's silence on the other end."So this is about Bra
BRANDONThe words stumble out of her mouth like glass slicing her throat and tongue, her eyes are dark and stormy, the violet being swallowed by pain, pain I've never seen in her eyes before, pain i regret ever putting there,pain I will make sure i never put there again, i stand and sit on the bed next to her."No."The word comes out pure without any hesitation, because yes, the answer is NO. I am not cheating on her and I never will, not even in my wildest dreams.Her eyes never leave mine, they close and when I try to touch her, she swiftly moves her hand away out of instinct. That's the thing about us, we know when one is in the room even without physically seeing each other, we feel each other.She nods once and I know it's not because she believes me.She stands and walks to the other side of the room as if needing space away from me, while running her fingers through her hair."I want the truth Brandon, tell me the truth."I stand."I'm not cheating on you.""Just stop lying t
KIMBERLY It's been a week since i left the apartment, I'm in the hall restrooms when dark wavy hair and blue eyes catch my eyes in the mirror. Marisa.Suddenly, my own saliva feels like grass to swallow. She's a bit taller than me, about five feet five if I'm correct, I'm just five feet two.The bitch has the nerve to smile at me and say, "Hi, i guess it's high time i officially introduced myself since you must already know of me, judging by how you kept looking at me back there. I'm Marisa, Brandon's first love."I just ignore her hand and walk past her but she just won't stop, she follows me."You know, if I were you, I'd be worried too, Brandon almost died because I left him."I turn around to face her."What do you want Marisa?""You know what I want, Kimberly.""And what you want doesn't belong to you, it never will."Her stupid smile is still in place and I want nothing more than to slap it off her right now, but Nao's words stop me."She's going to try to provoke you, she'll
KIMBERLEY It's been a while since Brandon and I spoke properly, maybe I should have a talk with him, it's time we sat down and had a proper conversation without the yelling. Since it's a Friday, the girls and i agreed to skip movie night and join the guys at the bar instead.I open messages and type one to Jonathan.Me: Is he going to be there?I nervously wait for his reply which comes after five minutes.Jonathan: Yes, he is.I suck in a deep breath and type another one before I throw the phone on the bed.Me: Don't tell him I asked.We head out and get in Nao's car, the one her boyfriend, Nate, bought for her on her nineteenth birthday.The Lexus engine purs to life and I lean back in the leather seat, thinking about the many ways things can either go right or left tonight.I check my phone and read the message Jonathan sent.Jonathan: No problem, I won't.I need to get everything off my chest, I just need to be calm and get it over with. We enter the bar and it doesn't take us l
KIMBERLYEver since Brandon and i had the conversation of living separately, things have been a bit tense between us. I texted him this morning, informing him that I would be picking up my things today, he's only response was,"Alright."I hate this, I hate how we are, I hate the fact that we don't talk like we used to back then.After I finish packing up, I write him another text letting him know I'm ready to go.Me: I'm done, got everything I need.His reply comes after a few seconds.Bran: Cool.I look around the bedroom one last time, conflicted between two decisions. I've been living with Bran for the past three years and I don't know how the change will feel.I sit at the edge of the bed, feeling invisible hands tightening around my heart. Do I really want this? To leave?My phone rings, startling me out of my own messed up thoughts, I see Killian flash on the screen and compose myself then pick up."Hey baby bro!"He grunts in irritation."Stop doing that. I'm not a kid anymor
BRANDON When Michael said Kimberly was here, I thought he was fucking with my head because no way would she come to this place, she was supposed to be moving out, she texted me that she had everything she needed and was leaving the apartment. To my utter shock, I turned around and surprise surprise! There she was, throwing herself in my arms. The moment Kimberly said she wanted to move out, fear gnawed it's way inside of me and gripped my heart tightly. That's how relationships start to fade, the moment your partner says they want time away from you, then that means they're starting to question the relationship. Kim didn't actually say "she wanted time away" but moving out practically points to that road. When she said she loved me and never wanted to be away from me? That just blowed the breath I was holding on to like breathing through a straw seep back into me in full force. At one point, I thought she was starting to fall out of love with me, but I was wrong. I look at th
BRANDON There's a family gathering back in Blackwool, since it's a holiday, were all heading there. Kimberly and Ronan are now good friends, he's less of a dick to me and we have some sort of understanding ground, he's cool, I'm cool. We're not exactly friends but we do drink together and talk soccer. Kim leans over from the other seat and bites my neck. I haven't said a single word about what happend at the bonfire a week ago. "Baby, you're going to have to stop doing that and behave if you want us to get to Blackwool quickly." "And if I don't?" She places her hand at the side of my neck and continues nibbling on the skin there. "There are two possibilities. One, we might get into an accident." I push her back into the seat and she whines. "Two, I might park the car and get between those sexy legs of yours." "Mmm," she muses and I meet her eyes briefly then look back to the road. "I might have gone with numb
BRANDON "I preferred you knowing I left, to you suffering while seeing me wither and die. I couldn't make you feel burdened to take care of me." "You're lying." "I swear I'm not lying, I have the hospital papers, everything you need to prove that I am not lying to you,Brandon." Kim moves her fingers from mine, drawing me back to her, her eyes are still fixed on Marisa. "Kim." Killian calls and she blinks rapidly. The two seem to share a silent conversation and then suddenly, she speaks. "We should let them talk in private." Then she's walking past me, Killian, then out of the room. I start to follow her when Marisa speaks. "Brandon..." I stop then turn around to face her. "No." I say firmly and walk out to find Kimberly. I find her standing near the pond, her hands folded in front of her chest. She looks up at me with sad eyes and then speaks so low. "You need to hear her out." "No, I need to make sure you're okay, that's what I need to do." "Brandon," she fully turns t
KIMBERLYI calm myself down and Sally's mother walks in after."Sorry about that. Oh, you're done." She eyes the dishes."It's fine." I turn away from her so that she doesn't see my mess of a face."Thanks for the help. Let's join the others outside for some drinks.""Uh, I'll just use the bathroom and then I'll be right out.""Sure." She walks out of the house and i make my way to where she said the bathroom is.I fix my light makeup and it's hard to see that i just had a bad time, then i join the others outside. "Your home is really beautiful," i tell Samiel's mother and she smiles at me over her champagne flute."Oh, thank you, sweetie."Someone scoffs somewhere but i ignore it."So, Samiel.. I've always wondered what your type really is and i must say I'm really surprised to find out that it's the easy ones."Silence.Everyone goes silent."Excuse me?" Samiel finally speaks."I mean, you do hang out with the cute ones, but deciding to bring home a cheap one? Never would have thou
KIMBERLYI tightly grip the garden chair handles until my knuckles turn white. And then i slowly stand."Uncle Brandon!" The little girl jumps and he catches her in his arms, he smiles and i'm stuck in a trance. His smile."Hello, princess. How's my favorite niece doing?" He asks."Oh please, I'm your only niece. It fits that im your favorite because there's no competition. " She rolls her cute little eyes and everyone except me bursts out laughing."You're too smart for a four year old."I scan him slowly.Black long sleved shirt perfectly folded to the elbows with the first button undone and it's neatly tucked in black presses pants, dark hair perfect styled, black shoes and a silver relex secured around his wrist."Samiel brought a girl home!""Sally!" The girl's mother scolds. She's married to Samiel's oldest brother. The one vouching for Brandon's "girlfriend".My heart sinks at that reminder. He has a girlfriend already. My eyes move away from him to stare at anything but his ne
KIMBERLY"So, you're coming, right?"I walk around the office kitchen, making myself some coffee as Samiel watches me from across the room leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest and feet crossed at the ankles.I lean my hand on the table and pop my hip out while i wait for the coffee."I dont know, Samiel. It's a family gathering like you said, i don't want to intrude."He straightens to his full height and slowly walks to me, placing his hands on my shoulders, he leans to my eye level and fixes his eyes on me."I want you to come, you won't be bothering anyone because you are my friend. My family is cool so you have nothing to worry about, i promise."I sigh."Besides, my cousins will have their girlfriends there too, so why not bring my plus one as well."I smile."Are you trying to call me your girlfriend for the day, Nash?"His grin spreads wide."Do you want to be my girlfriend, Monoa?" He arches a brow and i roll my eyes, playfully punching him on the s
KIMBERLYWe reach the door to the apartment and i turn around at the door step, watching Matt closely. I run my hand through my hair as more silence lingers between us. The cold air makes me breathe properly, it started to get too much in the club back there. My phone starts ringing but i ignore it. Whoever it is, i can get back to them when I'm tucked into the comfort of my room."Again, I'm glad you invited me."I smile."No problem, besides, you always invite me but after the whole internship, we haven't spent time together.""Yeah," he says.I'm still not over how he dragged me out of the club, so i decide to ask."Matt, back there. What was really wrong?"My phone starts ringing again, but i ignore it, again.He steps closer and i hold my breath when he places his hand on my cheek."It's nothing you need to be concerned about, i promise." He says softly. "But -"The ringing interrupts me again. Crap, who the heck is it. "Are you not going to get that?" He tips his head at
KIMBERLY"Yeah?" I whisper back."Yeah," his lips skim my flesh, then he nibbles down on my earlobe. He pops the button of my shirt open and then his fingers sprawl over my stomach. He plays with the edge of my bra and turns me around in his grip, then his mouth is on mine. A song by G Eazy about Bad Girls plays in the background as i drown in his tense kiss. I finally pull back and shout over the music."I need a beer."He nods and then pulls me off the dance floor. I pin the two buttons of my shirt and sit on a stool at the counter. He orders our drinks and slides my cup towards me, thanking him, i take a sip.We chat for a few minutes when his phone vibrares, he takes it out and frowns when he sees whoever's name that flashes on the screen. "Is everything okay?" I ask."Yeah, i just need to take this call, it's important.""Sure," i say and watch him make his way through the crowd and out."Your boyfriend?" Samiel asks. He leans his back against the counter, staring straight at
KIMBERLYTwo weeks since i last saw or spoke with Brandon. I think silence is the best thing rather than getting rejection from him. I heard he's doing well, always out and happy like nothing happened. He's taking over his family business like he wanted. As for me, one can tell that a major turn has taken place in my life. We haven't heard from Marisa either, i heard she went back to New York, what we are not certain of is if she's gone for good or will return.Xander being the best friend he is to both of us has been offering double support, i thought he would shut me out because when it comes down to utter loyalty where me amd Bran are made to stand in front of him, it will be Brandon, always. Brandon is his ride or die.Sam and Nao have been my constant support too and i really thank God for their existence in my life, don't get me wrong, i love Sam to death and she's the Yin to my Yang, but Nao has been the most biggest support i could ever need.She's the one keeping me togeth
KIMBERLY "Is it true?"Brandon's eyes meet mine unblinking. My gaze snaps to Matt, who has a split bottom lip and blood on his wound. I see it in his facial expression, the answer to my invoiced question. "You told him?" It's a whisper but audible to everyone around us. I step forward and push at Matt's chest. "You told him?" I yell, my hands fly everywhere, slapping him on his chest, face, until I'm being pulled back. I shove away from Xander while yelling at Matt. "You had no fucking right.""You fucked him." Statement, not a question. I turn to face Brandon with a blurry vision and tears wetting my cheeks."Bran..." my voice cracks. He briefly closes his eyes and I can see all the pain splashed across his face. When he opens his eyes, they nolonger look at me the same. They're broken, empty and drained.I see it, in this exact moment, I see that I'm losing him."I'm sorry..."He turns and slams his fist in the nearest wall. The blow is so hard i flinch. His back heaves fast
KIMBERLYI do a little twirl in the mirror and a bright smile spreads across my face.When I found a gift box for me with the words "you'll look perfect in this tonight," written across it, I beamed, then I lifted the dress and it turned out to be something so pretty.Its thin straps are really smooth and comfortable, and the flare it has around my hips makes me look adorable. It's tight at the top with wave designs on the chest lining, mid thighed, and plain purple. Grabbing a purple scrunchie, I tie my hair in a high ponytail, it's grown so long recently and I can't bring myself to trim it.Applying a layer of thick lip gloss and brushing my eyeslashes with mascara, I draw winged eyeliner and apply some dust of blush on my cheeks.The fact that I'm admiring myself so much right now makes me all squeally. I grab my purse and throw the chain around over my shoulder, and then pull out my phone to take a few pics in the mirror in different positions. After flipping through and choosing
BRANDON"That's suspicious as hell, since when did the two become friends?" Xander asks."My question too. Something isn't right, i know it's none of our business but there's just something that doesn't sit right with me.""Maybe you need to keep an eye on them.""My though exactly. But they don't need to know I'm doing it or else they'll be wary.""Then get Jonathan to do it, he's good at that shit.""Yeah, I think that will work."* * *I slam the door to my car shut and carry out the bags of groceries I decided to get for my mother.Walking in with a smile when I hear chattering, my face drops when I spot Marisa seated on a chair at the dining table. She stands when she sees me.Martha appears from the kitchen carrying a bowl of food in her hands. She pauses when her eyes find me then she slowly sets the bowl on the table."Brandon." She smiles."Brandon?" I hear my mother question from the other room. A few seconds later, she comes into the room."Sweetie, what a surprise." She l