Running Towards A Place

A Matter Of Time

Eddie's POV

It had been a hectic first week at uni and to celebrate I allowed myself to thoroughly enjoy myself at Ronnie's BBQ. It was really nice to see him again as well as to be introduced to some of their friends, who turned out to also be a good laugh. Even if it was all just a bit of a test to see how I'd fit in with their group, I felt like I did fit in and completely at ease in their company. Towards the end of the night, when most of us were starting to reach our limit, the penny finally dropped with Olly, Sarah and Rob. Thanks to Ronnie for the strategic 'never have I ever' statement. I wanted the world to swallow me up. But Brandon handled the situation expertly for me so soon enough I was rather glad for the incident and continued the night at even more ease. I didn't feel the pressure to watch myself or be careful after that.

It was bliss getting to fall asleep beside Brandon, even if it was outside on the patio. He was my personal radiator for the night, a gorgeous smelling, country talking radiator. That was all spoilt though when I was brought back to consciousness by the twinge of an intense migraine. I could feel the pain creeping into my skull, across my forehead and behind my eyes. It made me whimper in agony. I had never had a migraine before until about a year ago and they have never been as intense as this one. It made me throw up and completely zapped all my energy. I felt so guilty and embarrassed of being in such a state around Brandon. He was a complete gent about it though and looked after me, ensuring I kept hydrated and fuelled me with pancakes.

"How are you feeling now?" Brandon wondered, sipping a coffee as I finally finished my stack of pancakes.
"better" I nodded, swallowing down, shades still on my face, "still hurts but I don't want to throw up anymore".
"thats, good, thats progress" he smirked, sipping his coffee. "I'll drop you off home after this" he admitted, fiddling with his cup, eyes fixated on its handle.
"ok" I replied shyly, taking a sip of juice, "have anything interesting planned?" I pondered, momentarily feeling bold.
"Oh not a lot, I'm probably going to church with my sisters family tomorrow then I don't know what the next week holds" he explained, still fiddling with his cup.
"oh church?" I aired, intrigued to find out his stance on religion.
"yeah" he began unsurely. "I'm a Mormon" he swallowed, his eyes now flicking up anxiously to meet mine.
"oh cool" I nodded, assuring him I wasn't about to mock him. "faith fascinates me" I admitted, offering him a smile, which allowed him to seemingly relax.
"you do? Most people, especially your age, just laugh" his face instantly brightened up, out of relief or excitement, I'm not sure.
"Yeah I know" I scoffed, "I just think it's so lovely and interesting that people can put so much faith into something. Like personally, I don't believe in God but what do I know?" I began to explain, the topic interesting me. Brandon just nodded enthusiastically, his eyes boring into mine, hanging onto every word. "It's refreshing to hear people talk so confidently about their faith and how they are willing to devote their life to it and that" I continued, my passion showing in my words. Brandon's smile grew until he was flashing his pearly whites. What a gorgeous smile. I sighed, coming back down to earth, "I dunno, it's cool" I nodded, finishing my little speech.
"You think about it a lot don't you" Brandon quipped, pushing his now empty coffee cup away. I nodded proudly. "Well I'm not like seriously religious but I believe in it" Brandon began, his country accent suddenly sounding so defined. "I guess I rely on it quite a lot, I go to church when I can and I stick to some of the rules but not because God will punish me if I don't, but because they fit, y'know, like they make my life worth living. Little things like being t total, I feel so much healthier and less distracted without it" he explained, with the same enthusiasm I felt I had. I nodded for him to continue, I was mesmerized by him talking so passionately. "But then the bigger things like family being eternal, I really like that and I really do hope that family goes on forever, it's really reassuring y'know" he smiled affectionately as he finished his moment.
"No I get that so much" I nodded in agreement with what he said. "That is such a nice idea, it's reassuring to know that what we create doesn't just evaporate at the end" I added. He nodded timidly, swallowing as his eyes stayed fixed on me.
"Exactly" his voice was quiet but strong. "I've never met a girl who understands my faith like you do" his eyes darted around nervously, as if he dared himself to just say those words. "Man, I-I like you" he finally blurted, his eyes cautiously returning to mine. He likes me? Like a friend or something more? I felt butterflies go berserk in my stomach. "Now, I know we said to go slow but you're ticking all the boxes Eddie" he explained, shakily taking my hand in his tanned, lean ones. I looked down at our hands, our fingers already entwined.
"Bran..." I began before I became distracted by him turning all his focus onto our hands.
"I'm happy for the next step if you are" he spoke gently, his eyes soon coming back to mine. Those chestnut irises, full of honesty and hope. I took a moment to take a breath, was this really happening. Of course I wanted the next step, whatever that step was. Keenly, I nodded before unearthing an excited, beaming grin.

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Brandon's POV

I bit my lip as I mentioned church to Eddie. This is a make or break topic for me so I braced myself for heartbreak. When that didn't happen I was elated. In fact she didn't just accept my views she went as far as saying she almost agrees with some of them. I struggled to hide my relief and excitement. Absolutely overjoyed, I just had to put all my cards on the table. After all, I was living by Dad's advice 'be honest with her and yourself'. Hearing her voice her opinion on family thrilled me to my core. Her expression was genuine as she spoke so I didn't doubt her one bit. Yeah, she's young but she has the same values as me, that's got to count for something right?
"I'm happy to take the next step if you are?" I informed her, gazing into her eyes with wonder. Her pale blue eyes almost glazing over with tears. Tears?
"Yeah" she responded, revealing an adorable, toothy grin. "Whatever that step is! Yeah" she continued, her voice increasing in excitement.
"Well that step is whatever we want it to be" I shrugged but I couldn't stop myself from grinning and neither could Eddie.
"I guess we just keep doing what we're doing and go with it" Eddie held my hands tighter.
"We both have the same values, I don't see the point in walking on egg shells around each other" I beamed, finding the situation a little overwhelming.
"Absolutely" she nodded enthusiastically.
"I want you to meet my family" I declared, suddenly realizing what this Now meant.
"I'd love to Brandon" Eddie replied, still beaming.
"You have made me so happy Eddie" I brought her left hand up to my lips and left a gentle peck on the back of it before softly replacing it. My eyes fell back onto Eddie who was now blushing like a school girl.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this" she spoke softly.
"Well you better Miss, because we are" I chuckled, "come on, let's get out of here" I announced before proceeding to leave the booth, pulling my newly appointed partner with me. I settle the check then we headed out into the warm air.

After breakfast, we headed back to mine so that Eddie could pick her car up. We were both on cloud nine and now that we had some privacy, I couldn't help but pull her into me. As soon as we passed the threshold of the front door, she stepped into my embrace. I squeezed her tight against me and much to my delight she did the same.
"Ergh you make me happy" my voice was strained from all the squeezing but I didn't want it to stop.
"I'm excited" Eddie beamed, her hands clasping one another at my lower back.
"Me too" I craned my neck to smile down at her. "I know who to ask when I lose a sweater now and to always order a large fries so that you can steal some" I joked, loving the idea of us being together. Eddie's lashes fluttered innocently, stirring my butterflies. I couldn't help but kiss her. At first it was so soft, it was barely noticeable but the pressure soon built as we savored the taste of one another's lips. I smirked against her soft lips as I realized her sweet lips tasted of banana and sugar. My favorite. "You should head home, your cousin will be wondering where you are" I reluctantly admitted, finally coming up for air.
"Hmm" Eddie frowned, resembling a stroppy child.
"Come on" I coaxed her, "I know we're not walking on egg shells anymore but we still need to go steady" I raised my hand to gently caress her cheek. "You need to focus on your college stuff and being young" I told her, not meaning to sound as serious as I did. "And I need to focus on making some music and being a bit old" I chuckled, lightening my point up a bit.
"Fine, I guess your right" Eddie nodded reluctantly, "as long as I get to kiss you" she smirked, before reaching up on her tip toes to plant one last sweet kiss on my lips.
"Come over tomorrow after church, you can meet the family if you want then" I told her as I opened up other door.
"Of course, what time? There's another soccer trial in the morning" She chattered, slowly edging towards her little car.
"Oh like 1ish, come hungry, there'll be dinner" I grinned, watching a she slid into the drivers seat of her car.
"I'm always hungry" she laughed, "bye Brandon" she waved before shutting her door and starting the car up. Waving goodbye, she pulled off and drove off down the road and eventually out of my sight. But she stayed firmly cemented in my mind.