My Girlfriend... and Her Other Half

Chapter 7: Overprotective Brother and I Set Off on the Seven Seas... Not Really

Chapter 7: Overprotective Brother and I Set off on the Seven Seas... Not Really

(POV: Pepper)

I shuffled the small bag of clothes to my other shoulder as I waited for Blake to pick me up. My only thoughts are on Sarina right now it seems. I called her Saturday night to talk to her, and she didn't pick up. I called her this morning before I left for the airport, and she still didn't answer. I'm really worried about her.

I even tried calling Adam, her older brother, but he didn't pick up either.

Will she really accept my apology,? Will she want to get back together with me? A kind voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Hey Pepper!" Blake's voice broke through the cold Chicago air like a flame. I looked up to see his car in the drive through.

I smiled, softly, and walked over, putting my stuff in the back, and plopping down in the passenger seat. "You look a little cheerier," he smiled.

"I feel a lot better actually," I told him, as we made our way through the long line of cars trying to get their loved ones, and make their way home.

"That's good, how did it go with your sisters?" he asked.

"Good, they are really good at cheering me up," I told him.

"Oh, and I'm not?" he questioned, giving me a pouty face.

I punched his arm lightly, laughing. "Of course you are Blake."

"I know," he laughed along. We laughed a little bit, until we finally calmed down. I looked down at my hands sitting in my lap.

"Thank you though, Blake, for everything you have done for me in these past couple weeks. Your support has really helped," I told him, playing with the bracelet around my wrist.

He looked at me, then smiled. "No problem Pepper. That's what friends are for, right?"

We drove the rest of the way to my apartment, telling jokes and laughing. I felt different, a good different. For the first time I felt like I could be more myself, that I didn't need to go by a stupid reputation. Yes, I don't like most people, but that doesn't mean I can't like anyone. It's okay to have friends, and enjoy a laugh every now and again.

"Okay Pepper, we're here," Blake announced as we reached the front of my apartment. We got out of the car and Blake grabbed my travel bag and brought it inside for me. He set it down by the door and I lunged at him, hugging him.

"Thank you, again, Blake," I told him. He returned the embrace, smiling.

"No problem Pepper."

Holding each other, we stood there for a while. To anyone who didn't know us, they would have thought of us as a couple, but all I could see was two friends finally letting go of mind blocks and enjoying a real hug.

"Okay, I gotta go see Sarina," I told him, letting go. He did the same.

"Yeah, and I'm meeting Adriana for an early dinner. I'll see you tomorrow," he waved, and left.

I changed into some warmer clothes, and grabbed the stuffed dinosaur from my travel bag. I had bought it for Sarina as a sort of apologetic gift. It felt kind of cheesy, but I just wanted to see her smile again.

Locking the door behind me, I made my way to the parking garage to grab my car. I just hoped Sarina would accept my apology.

I pulled into Sarina's place, and I didn't see her car out front. Maybe it was in the back? I parked the car and walked up to the door, looking up at it for a few moments before finally knocking on it.