Chapter 43

Brielle's POV

Thanks to Blake, I was able to get an hour or two of non-interrupted sleep. Talking with him did its magic. I was feeling refreshed. I woke up and got myself ready without a hitch. The inviting smell of my grandma's breakfast got me running down the stairs and to the kitchen. The table was decked up with a delicious breakfast. Scrambled eggs, salad, and bacon.

" Good morning Grandma," I said cheerfully as I picked up a piece of beacon and put it in my mouth.

" Oh, Brie. You are up?"

" Yes, Grandma. Is there anything I can help you with?"

She turned and smiled at me.

" No dear. Just sit there. I will serve you breakfast soon."

I sat on the chair and watched her finish cooking. Once she was done, she dished it up for me and gave me a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. It was just both of us. My grandpa was out in the garage. As always, my grandmother's cooking is delicious. I had it all and left no crumbs.

" Thanks for the food!"

" You are welcome, dear. Now, go to school before you become late," she said, ushering me out of the kitchen.

" Alright. I'm leaving. Have a good day!" I walked towards the door. " You too dear.

With that, I went to school feeling good. I started on a good note.

I got to school and went straight to class. I still have some time before school starts. Hopefully, Blake will come to school as well. I haven't talked to him ever since early morning. I took my phone out of my pocket and I checked it and there were no new messages or missed calls. I hated coming off as clingy or something like that, so I avoided being the first to initiate contact. But it's not going to be like that between Blake and I, right?

I contemplated as my thumb dangled over the call button. I should call. When I thought of him earlier, he called me. I can call him now as well. I stopped thinking and just hit the call button. The phone rang for seconds until it was received.

" Hey, Brie!" he answered cheerfully. I don't know, but my cheeks burned as I blushed. Gosh, I must be falling in love with this man. How can I react in this way to the sound of his voice?

I breathed in before I answered back.

" Hey, Blake. Where are you?" I asked, almost sounding impatient.

" Why? Do you miss me?" He teased me and I could envision the smirk on his face as he said that, but I did something surprising.

" Yes... I miss you," I admitted.

My heart was beating loudly and their silence on the other side was not helping at all. Blake had been going the extra mile for me and I just felt that I should at least be honest with how I felt. And right now, I really miss him. I wished I could have agreed to his offer to come and comfort me the night before, but I was not brave enough to admit it.

" Uh, Blake. Are you still there?" I asked, biting my nails with anxiety. That was so out of character. I hope I didn't spook him or something.

" I missed you too. A lot," he says finally. I let out a breath of relief. Expressing one's feelings can be so nerve-racking. I am so glad that I didn't make things tense and awkward.

" I didn't get to thank you for earlier. You really helped me get good sleep."

" There is no need to thank me, Brie. Whatever it takes to make sure you are okay, I will readily do it.

You see what I meant about him going the extra mile for me. I know he meant what he said. I am still afraid of giving myself completely to him because of what my parents have been through. I didn't want to end up like them. I couldn't bear that. But I have been unable to ignore this pull between Blake and me. I like him too. No, I think I have fallen in love with him. He makes me feel safe, and he cares about me unconditionally. I have this deep connection with him that won't let me think otherwise about him. I feel he is the one for me and that scares me a lot. We are so different and, at some point, I feel that will get in the way of our relationship.

Despite all my fears, I want to take a chance on us. So this is me that won't be hiding how I feel anymore. I won't let the past actions of my parents hold me back.

" I know that. I, too, am willing to do anything to see you. Where are you now?"

" Look outside the window. You'll see me."

I did as he said and turned my head. Looking out the window, I spotted him on the sidewalk. With the other hand holding the phone to his ear, he waved at me with a bright and broad smile.

His smile was so real. You can see that he is genuinely happy to see me. I waved back at him with the same energy. He told me that he was coming to where I was. I waited with participation until he came into the classroom. He walked toward my seat and immediately pulled me into an embrace. I hugged him back.

" How are you, Brielle?" He asked me as he pulled away from me and took the seat beside him.

" I am fine. I am more than fine now that you are here."

He took my hands and smiled at me shyly.

" You sound so different today. What is it?" he asked.

" It's nothing. I'm just saying how I feel. That's all.

Blake looked at me and pushed my hair out of my face.

He was close to me and we were exchanging breaths. " I like this expressive you. She is so beautiful."

I frowned at what he said.

" What do you mean? Wasn't I beautiful before?" I sulked, folding my arms to my chest.

Blake's eyes widened before he burst out laughing. I felt embarrassed and I lookec away from Blake wishing the world could open up and swallow me whole.

This kind of interaction of teasing was foreign to me. But I was not upset.

Blake our his hands on my face and made me look at him.

" I'm sorry okay," he said attempting to make puppy dog eyes. I held myself back from laughing.

" You got me wrong. I didn't mean that we're not always beautiful..."

" I know what you meant. There is no need to explain to me," I cut him off as he tried to explain. I placed my hand on his cheek feeling his stubble prickle my palm.

Our eyes locked. The noises were drowned out and it felt like time had stopped. I watched as his eyes darkened in shade. Slowly we leaned closer together and as our lips were about to meet, the bell rang. That snapped us back to reality and we jerked away from each other. We were so close to kissing. I smiled to myself just blushing and imagining how that would have gone. Perfect... I guess.