CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

Brandon's POV

"Brandon! Open this door right now!" My mother's voice pierced through the house, razor-sharp and commanding, cutting through the heavy silence that had fallen since Natalie left.

I didn't have the strength to get out of bed and face her. Now, sitting in bed, staring only at the floor with all that on my mind, my chest cramped, my heart was heavy with all the guilt and regret that Natalie was gone and had left me, and hadn't found even the strength to go after her.

“Brandon!” she yelled out this time louder, and pounded on his door a little harder.

I did with a deeper breath rise to my feet with the firm realization embedded in my brain-that the more I took to avoid her, the grimmer things got. I walked up to the door, knowing full well what lay on the other side-my actions blowing right in my face. Slowly, I opened it, and there she was, standing, her arms across her chest, her face contorted in anger.

"Well? Going to explain to me why the whole world is talking about y