Ride ➵ Bradley Simpson

chapter five.

Casey's POV.

"I can't do it," I giggle.

"Yes you can," Brad reassures for the millionth time.

By now I have about 4 rips in my jeans from falling off the board, but I didn't care. Physical pain never worried me anymore, it's something I still to this day do to myself, but Brad is getting me through that.

"No Brad, there can only be one skater in this relationship," I say breathing out and taking a seat on the edge of the road.

"And that's you," he winked taking a seat next to me.

We sat there in silence, it's something we did a lot. But it never got awkward, in fact it was comforting. Having someone next to you not leaving your side. You don't have to say words to show your feelings.

"Leah's back," I state, starring into nothing in front of me.

"She was your best friend right?"

It wasn't difficult to forget a friend of mine, I've only had about 3 and Leah was the most recent; not including Brad.

"Yeah..."

"You don't seem to be happy about that?"

"I...erm..well, I don't really know how I feel about it," I say turning my head to meet his eyes. "I thought I'd never see her again, and now she wants to meet up again tomorrow."

"I think it will be good for you Casey," he says giving me a reassuring smile.

"But what if she doesn't like me," I sigh.

"Why wouldn't she? She was your best friend," he says raising his eyebrows.

I look down and start playing with my fingers, "she hasn't seen me like this,"

Brad let out a sigh and put his finger under my chin, making me look up to face him again. "Please don't let that scare you.. If anything she'll love you more, it's hard not too," he smirked. "But really, if it's meant to be she'll stick by you, if she doesn't then she obviously was not worth it. Don't blame it on yourself."

I tear fell down my cheek and I smiled at him. I don't know how, I will never know how he does this to me. He just does. He's like my medicine; when I feel sad, I take a dose of Brad. My Brad.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"Are you hungry?"

"Is that even a question?" I giggle.

"You're right, I don't know why I even had to ask," he says standing up holding my hand and taking me into his house.

When we walk in the door I see Jesse walking up to me so I lean down to scratch behind her ears. I wish we owned a dog but my mum said it would be too much work.

We grab a bag of chips and go into the living room taking a seat on the couch side by side. I look over to Bradley who keeps looking at his watch.

"Is there something you need to do?" I ask.

"Huh? oh right, yeah sorry Casey I have a few mates coming over. I understand if you want to go home, I forgot about it."

I didn't know what I should do. I didn't want to leave Brad, I was having a good time like always with him and there really wasn't anything for me to do at home. But meeting his friends made me really anxious. Bradley didn't hang out with people at school I got along with and hanging out with them made me extremely nervous.

"Casey? I can drop you home,"

"Actually Brad, I would like to stay," I said forcing a smile.

"Are you sure? they can be a little... in your face," he sighed, obviously looking out for me.