The Sensible Solution

chapter six

"I think you and my brother would be cute," Savannah smiled, but I felt my heart in my throat and immediately began coughing out of surprise and embarrassment.

I reached for the glass of water in front of me, but I knew Braedon was watching me, waiting intently for my response to his curious sister's statement. After gulping down practically all the water out of the expensive crystal goblet, I shook my head at the 13-year-old.

"I don't know where you got that Savannah," feeling my cheeks heat up to an even more intense crimson.

Savannah simply shrugged, "I can see it, but you're too nice and pretty for him."

I continued to blush, while Braedon remained silent. Looking to my left, I found the green eyed boy staring at me in amusement, causing me to look down at my lap and silently pray to myself the food would come faster.

The remainder of the dinner remained uneventful, as I engulfed myself in a conversation with one of our elderly neighbors sitting near us. I knew Braedon was watching me, as we shared awkward side-glances throughout the meal. I felt slightly bad, since this entire dinner was for them, and I didn't even talk to Savannah or Braedon but I didn't want any further embarrassment in front of guests. By the time dessert came around, I was more than happy to excuse myself to my room for the night. I ignored my mother's scolding glances telling me to "sit the hell back down" as I made my way to my bedroom.

I knew I would be in deep trouble later for leaving in the middle of the party, even though, in reality, dinner was coming to a close. I knew people would remain in my house until the early hours of the morning sharing gossip over martinis in the foyer.

I struggled to unzip my heavily beaded gown, but managed to slip it over my head, and remove my makeup before taking out my hair and pulling it up and out of my face. I had just slipped on a pair of pajama shorts and an old t-shirt when I heard a knock on my door. I made my way over to open it, knowing it was one of two people, both of which I didn't necessarily wanted to see. But opening the door revealed the better of the two options, yet still an awkward one at that. Braedon stood there leaning in the doorway, hands in his pockets and tie seemingly loosened around his neck.

"Hey you ran out of there pretty quickly, your mom wanted me to check on you, are you alright?" He seemed genuinely concerned despite my moms initial request for him to check up on me.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It was just getting kinda stuffy in there. I can only handle those people for so long before I get kinda overwhelmed." I dryly laughed, picking my nails out of nervousness.

"I understand. I'm sorry for what Savannah said at dinner. I know it made you uncomfortable, she doesn't have a filter sometimes..." He apologized for his younger sisters teasing words.

"Don't worry I know she didn't mean any harm, I just didn't know what to say I guess."

He nodded in understanding, "So what are you planning on doing for the remainder of this evening, because if you don't mind, I would love to join you." He stated with a charming glimmer in his eye.

"Well, I planned on watching a movie if you're interested. Probably nothing you'd like to see though, might I warn you." I half-teased, half honestly warned him. I knew I would end up watching some form of a romance movie, they have always been my favorites.

"Well you're not going to get rid of me that easily. Let me change I'll be right back." And swiftly as he came, he quietly shut my door to leave and change out of his uncomfortable dress clothes; leaving me to gain my composure before his return.

I didn't understand myself when he was around. My bipolar attitude, from confidence to shyly blushing at everything he spoke, left my head spinning and my conscious confused. I wished I could always be the confidently witty self that he had only caught glimpses of, but I found it hard to reveal that side of myself. Ironically, Braedon has been a person I've been like that around most, and I had only known him for a few days.

Within five minutes, a soft knock came on my door. I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and hurried over to start a movie, as my door snuck open and he once again snuck in, gently closing it behind him.

"I hope you don't mind Gatsby too much, it's one of my favorites." I told him. It was true, I had seen the newer film countless times since it had come out, but honestly, it was the first disc I saw laying around when I scrambled out of my deep thoughts in his absence.

"I've actually never seen it." He noted, making himself comfortable on my bed. I was in awe at his confidence, yet how he could be so humble and reserved at the same time.

"It's the best." I smiled, and joined him on the bed. The movie began, and I found myself overly-conscious of how much space to leave in between us on my large bed. He situated himself in-between the middle and right side, arms folded across his chest, while I awkwardly fidgeted at the other left edge, unsure where to sit. You would think I had never even talked to a boy before at my behavior. And maybe I felt as if I hadn't around him.

"I don't bite Brooke," he quickly snapped his head over, catching me off guard as I continued to gaze at the space between us as if to diminish the awkward gap.

"I know I just didn't know," I quietly began to explain myself, I inched over a small amount of space, before Braedon hooked an arm around me and gently dragged me to the middle of the plush, bed leaving both our sides touching. He grabbed a throw that lay at our feet and threw it over the both of us before wrapping his arm once again around me, but this time my shoulders in almost a protective embrace. I nuzzled the blankets up to my chin only imagining the sight of us right now.

Isn't this something couples do. I battled myself in my head, why in God's name this boy was so comforting to me. I knew that he knew no one else in town, but he had been nothing but an absolute sweetheart to me since I had met him.

I'm sure his parents said something to him about being kind, since they were in fact our guests. But I still couldn't help but wonder why he went to quite an extent to make me comfortable around him, and seemed to eager to get to know me.

My parents must have put him up to something. They must have forced him to spend time with me. Ever since my breakup with Logan, my mother had been suspicious about me with boys and she had no trouble hiding her curiosity, with her constant questioning and forced dates and mingling with elite sons of old money. I figured now: Braedon must be her next attempt.

Here in his arms though, watching my favorite movie, I knew I felt something for this boy, and I had trouble hiding my feelings for any longer. I knew it had only been mere hours I had spent with him, but he intrigued me. His smile, his background, his mannerisms, I could not care less that my mother must be behind it all. Because, I felt safe and comfortable, and overall I didn't care why, I just loved to have it be by him.