Walking Travesty

You Say Love's Overrated

"Are you okay?", Brad asked softly running his hands through my hair. After 30 minutes of ugly crying he had finally managed to calm me down, so now I was laying in-between his legs on his bed. The embarrassment from before was gone and it was very comfortable. But it was going to end soon. I had to ask about that girl on his computer. "Brad?", I asked ignoring his question from before. I couldn't really answer it. I was happy for being here but sad from everything that is happening. My feelings are so mixed up at the moment. "Yes?". "Ehm. W-when I got here I kind of opened your computer- ", I stopped, thinking he would get mad. "And?". "Who's that girl on your background?", I asked not wanting to sound jealous. I wasn't one of those girls. "Oh her. Don't worry about her". "I'm not worrying. I-I just wanted to know who she is, s-since she clearly means so much to you". He went silent thinking of a thing to say. Instead of saying anything he got of from the bed and reached his hand out for me. "Come". "Where are we going?", I asked standing up. "We're going to visit someone". Wait we actually have to meet people? Strangers? This can never end well. "Come on". I nodded and followed him to the car. "Oh my god Brad I can't meet anyone like this. I probably look like a tomato", I panicked as he started the car. He looked at me for a moment before shaking his head. "You look beautiful. Don't worry". I blushed at that so now I don't even want to think about what my face looked like. "Who are we visiting?", I asked curiously. "You'll see". Half an hour later of Brad singing along to the radio he parked a car in front of a tall building. I opened the door amazed of it's size thinking it had to be apartments. Then Brad stood right next to me and intertwined our fingers before leading me to the door. After Brad said something in the buzzer the person buzzed us in and he led me up a flight of stairs before standing in front of a door. Brad smiled down at me before knocking on it and shortly after it opened and the girl from Brad's background appeared. "BRADDY", she yelled and Brad let go of my hand as she came flying into his arms. Well this was awkward. Who was she? And why did it bother me that he was just as happy to see her as she was? About a minute later they broke apart and I just stood there playing with my fingers keeping my eyes on the floor beneath me. "Brad who's she?", the blonde asked him and I could feel her eyes burn into my scull. "Natalie, this is my girlfriend Clara- ", he started making me look up at the name 'girlfriend'. "Clara, this is my sister Natalie. Oh. So this was his sister? Oh god I'm so stupid. I thought it was like one of his many ex-girlfriends. "Oh my god HI", she said enthusiastically bringing me into a tight hug. I tensed up as she did so not knowing what to do. God why was I so awkward? I slowly hugged back and shortly after she backed away. "Why have I never heard of you before? How long have you been dating? This is amazing!", she kept talking and I just stood there not knowing what to say. "Nat chill, she's shy", Brad replied and Natalie nodded understandingly. "Brad go say hi to Jessie!". I now remember Brad saying he had a dog named Jessie. He nodded and she opened the door wider for him to go in. "Come, come in". I followed silently after her and placed my shoes where I saw Brads were placed. She leaded me into the living room where Brad was laying on the floor with a big golden retriever on top of him. She told me to sit down so I did, not wanting to protest. "Can I offer you guys something? Tea? Coffee?". "W-water p-please", I stuttered and mentally face palmed. Great first impression Clara. You are now a stuttering freak. "Coffee", Brad replied from the floor. Jessie ran away from Brad and before I knew It she jumped up on the couch placing herself on my lap. "aww she loves you". I smiled and started to pad her. I never thought Brad would introduce me to his sister, or anyone for that sake, as his girlfriend. "are you okay?", he asked as he got up from the floor and made his way to the couch. "Y-yes". He sat down next to me and took my hand. "Don't be nervous okay? There's nothing to worry about". Even though he said it I still felt nervous and anxious. I've never been good with new people. Natalie came back a couple of minutes after with a glass of water for me and a coffee for Brad. She sat down on the chair in front of the couch so she could look at both of us. Of course the first thing she noticed was Brads hand in mine. It made my cheeks go red. "So, How did you guys meet?". Her eyes were burning into mine as if she wanted me to answer the question and not Brad. It kind of scared me. "W-we go to the s-same school", I almost whispered and Brad squeezed my hand for reassurance. "What classes do you have together?". "English and P.E", Brad answered for me and glared at Natalie. "this is so exciting! This is the first time Brad has brought a girl here who isn't a slut". I almost choked on her words and Brad gave me the glass of water. I smiled at him thankfully and took a sip. "Nat can I talk to you for a moment? Alone?". Her eyes widened as she nodded and Brad kissed my temple before standing up and walking to the kitchen with his sister following. What they didn't know was that I could hear everything they said. I guess the walls are really thin in this apartment. "Stop saying those things you're freaking her out", Brad hissed at her and I heard a chuckle. "Brad I'm just happy that you've found someone you love". I froze at the word 'love'. "Nat I don't love her". "Sure you do, or else you wouldn't have brought her here". "Nat stop. I can't love someone. That's impossible". "Why? Love is always possible", she sounded hurt. "I don't want to talk about this. I don't love her and I don't think I can". I get why he didn't love me now, but never? Is that what this kind of relationship is? That we will be together but it will never be led anywhere. Will it ever be real then? I could picture myself loving him in the future but would that really matter if he didn't love me back? "Clara?". I looked up just to find Brad and Natalie standing in front of me with worried expressions on their faces. "w-what?". What did I miss? "I said we were going home". Well that was a short visit. "Oh. O-okay". I stood up and went out in the hall with Brad, taking on my shoes. "Please come back soon. Both of you", Natalie said smiling at both me and Brad. She hugged me goodbye and Brad took my hand and guided me back to his car. "Why did you look so lost when I came back?", Brad asked curiously as he started the car. I couldn't tell him. This day was already terrible so why even try? I didn't want to fight with Brad also. It wasn't worth it. "for no reason". His eyes narrowed but luckily he seemed to let it go. He put his hand on my thigh and I tensed up now feeling the need to pull away. I slowly removed his hand from my thigh and he eyes darted to me with a questioning look. I looked at my lap not wanting to explain myself.