Wondering Minds

Chapter 20

We all sat around the circle in Braden's backyard laughing and giggling. It was me, Nathan, Braden, and Emma. I was sitting next to Nathan trying not to show that we were dating.

"Are y'all friends now?" Braden asks.

Me and Emma looked at each other. "Um... We're still building our friendship back up." I said breaking eye contact with Emma.

"At least y'all are trying," Braden says. The atmosphere felt a little awkward so Emma changed the subject.

"Didn't I see you at Luna's house yesterday?" Emma says to Nathan.

"Yes, I'm her doctor."

"Oh! That's new to me, I didn't know that. Is it kind of weird to hang out with you patient?" Emma says staring at the both of us.

"Yes, sometimes but I'm used to hanging out with Luna so it's not too awkward," Nathan says.

Braden starts to fidget distracting me from the conversation.

"Are you okay, Braden?" I asked.

"Yes... It's just the heat getting to me. Do you want a vape pen?"

"Is it my favorite flavor?" I said smiling. Braden looked disappointed, "No, it's grape..."

"That's fine with me." He handed me the vape and I immediately took a puff.

"You know that's bad for you," Nathan says trying to educate me. I took another puff, "Yes, but it makes me feel better."

Emma stares at me, "Ugh! I wish I wasn't pregnant so I could drink and vape."

"Me too," Nathan says making everybody laugh. Braden takes out another vape and starts vaping.

"What happened to your eye?" Emma says looking at Braden's faded black eye.

Braden takes a puff and then slowly lets it out, "I got into a fight with your baby daddy. He didn't tell you what happened."

"Why? And No..." Emma says confused.

Braden looked at trying to see if it was alright to tell her. I nodded and he proceeded, "He tried to kiss Luna while playing Truth or Dare. We got into an altercation and started fighting."

I looked down too scared to look back up. Emma sighs, "I kind of understand but it was just a game, I don't think he wants Luna."

Braden starts to think for a second, "You're right... but at that moment in time, it wasn't just a game."

The group goes silent again making it even more awkward than before.

"I saw you hanging out with Maci the other day," Nathan says to Braden.

"Yeah, she wanted to catch up since moving back in town," Braden says while fidgeting again. Braden gets a phone call and then quickly goes into the house to take the call. Emma stared at Nathan, "So, you're Braden's stepbrother."

"Yep, we've been stepbrothers for a while. My Dad is a doctor but you'll never see him because he's a surgeon."

"Oh! I know he makes a lot of money." Emma says. Nathan giggles a little, "Yeah."

Braden rejoins the group with a huge Kit-Kat bar. "Let me have some!" Nathan says holding out his hand.

"No, Bro..." Braden breaks the Kit-Kat and then gives me and Emma some. "Wow... This is how you treat your brother."

Braden takes a bite of the Kit-Kat, "Yeah... I don't like you..." He takes another bite of the candy while Nathan watches.

"I'm just kidding..." Braden breaks off a piece and hands it to Nathan. "Thank you," Nathan says.

I looked at Nathan giving him the signal that it was time to tell Braden. Nathan nervously ate the rest of his Kit-Kat and then stood up.

"We got something to tell you, Braden." I stood up and stood next to Nathan.

"Okay, what is it?"

"First, I don't want you to get angry or anything," Nathan says. Braden doesn't say anything as he stares at us both.

I grabbed Nathan's hand and held it, "We're dating..." Nathan says. Braden mouth dropped as his face turned red.

"Oh my gosh! Congratulations guys!" Emma says while clapping. Braden rubbed his face in frustration and then plastered a fake smile on his face. "I'm happy for y'all..."

I squint my face in confusion, "Really?"

"Yep, I hope y'all get married, have kids, and live happily ever after." Braden stood up and started to walk towards the house. I let go of Nathan's hand and ran towards Braden. "Braden, are you really okay with this?"

"Yes... It's all good." Braden walked inside the house and then went straight to his room. I walked back to Nathan. "Is he okay?" Nathan says.

"I don't know." I sighed.

Emma stood up knocking grass off of her, "I got to get going, but can I talk to you, Luna."

Emma pulled me aside away from Nathan, "Um... I think you should've given Braden a chance."

"What do you mean?" I said acting dumb.

"Luna! You know what I mean... Braden is in love with you. I know we're still rebuilding our friendship right now and I shouldn't be in your business. But I saw how Braden was looking at you today, he's in love and he'll do anything to be with you."

I stood there in silence deep in thought. I felt guilt sneak up making me anxious, "It's too much to explain right now on why I rather be friends with Braden."

"Okay, I was just letting you know." We walked back to Nathan and Emma picked her stuff off the ground. "Okay, guys I'll see you later."

"Wait, do you need a ride I can take you home," Nathan says.

Emma looked at me and then at Nathan, "Sure, thanks."

We all rode in the car in silence till we dropped off Emma. "Bye, Emma," I said.

"Bye, Luna I'll see you at school tomorrow." She closed the door and we watched her unlock her door and walk inside.

Nathan turns towards me, "Are you okay? What did she say?"

I looked out the window while he drove, "Nothing special... It was about Ryan and stuff." Nathan puts his hand on my thigh and squeezes. "Do you want to get something to eat?"

I smiled, "Of course, you know I love to eat." Nathan drove us to Subway and we enjoyed the rest of the day talking and laughing.