Something Better

I See London, I See Sam's Town

Brandon looked at his phone after his text alert vibrated in his shirt pocket. He smiled as he read the message,

Martha: Happy New Year from the future! x

"Who makes you smile like that with just a text?" His sister asked, who was sitting on the arm chair opposite where Brandon was sprawled out on the sofa, "It's not Ronnie, is it?" She laughed.

"No, it's a girl!" Brandon said, surprising himself at telling his sister the truth.

"A girl?!!" She sang after him as he left the room, grabbed his coat and went out to sit in his truck.

He turned the engine on for heat and he sat and stared at his phone. He was nervous, he hadn't heard from Martha since the disaster that was Christmas, and he didn't know how to answer her now. He wanted to talk to her and try to explain, but he didn't want her to take things the wrong way and be more upset with him.

Brandon: Can I call you? x

He waited, looking at his phone. He hoped she wasn't in a night club or something, maybe she had a date? His mind started to go into overdrive and he jumped a little when his phone began ringing in his hand. His stomach flipped over when he saw her name appear on the screen.

"Hey, what does 2008 look like so far?" He said with the friendliest voice he could muster.

"Well, at the moment I would say things are looking up!" Martha answered in a chirpy tone.

Silence.

"Where are you?" Brandon asked shakily, "Are you out at a nightclub or something?"

"No," Martha giggled and sighed, "I'm at my Mum's house, we had a quiet celebration and she's already gone to bed!"

"It's only 12.30 where you are," Brandon laughed, relaxing into the conversation.

"I know! She's not very rock and roll," Martha laughed along with Brandon, "Where are you? Are you going out later?" She asked quietly.

"I'm going over to my parents for dinner later, but it's not going to be very rock and roll!" Brandon giggled.

"Brandon, I wanted to apologise for the way I acted on Christmas Night, I was a little drunk and I let my emotions take over," Martha said all at once, "I don't want to lose the friend I found in you." She said, her voice almost breaking.

"No, Martha, listen," Brandon replied gently, "It's me who should be sorry, and I am, I acted in a way that made you think I was ready for more than friendship," Brandon cringed at his words as he heard how they must sound.

"I know, but I over reacted and I maybe mixed up my old broken heart with something that wasn't real." Martha said a little stiffly.

Brandon rubbed at his forehead as he felt the sting of Martha words.

"Well, if we're both sorry, maybe we could move past this and just decide to be friends." Brandon stated, while thinking he wanted more, he wished she was with him now and he should have gone after her that night and just kissed her.

"OK, that sounds like a plan," Martha replied taking the whole idea like a body blow, "I'm going to head off to bed now, before my drunk brother returns home and wants to chat to me!"
Martha laughed, trying to wrap up the call before she started to cry.

"OK, I'll let you go," Brandon said, hoping he could keep her on the line, "I'll wish you a happy new year from the past later!" Brandon smiled at the thought of being able to text her again.

"Great! Have fun! Speak to you soon," Martha said, hanging up the phone quickly, her heart was thumping in her chest. She blew out a long sigh as the tears began to fall. As she got into her old bed, she snuggled into her pillow and let the waves of sorrow pour out of her. Exhausted, she fell asleep sleep, imagining Brandon was sleeping right beside her.