The Story No One Knew (Third Book In 'The Story We Live' Series

Girls

There I sat on the old leather couch that I've always loved. It was quiet now for everyone had gone outside but my thoughts made it feel as though a million people were there with me.

Brad's house still held the same cinnamon sugar smell that I was fond of.

We'd left the dog at the twin's house with their dad. He had agreed to treat it as long as we did his yard work for a week. That should be easy considering how it already looks now.

Now we were here. I look to my right, to the other couch identical to the one in which I sat. Sean was sprawled out on it with his arm dangling off the side and his legs up on the arm rest. A wet rag was draped over his forehead.

I hadn't knocked him out entirely just kind of on the brink. Don't think I'm proud to say that because I'm everything but.

Between me and you, I think he let me win. Actually, I know he let me win. He could have killed me if he wanted to. I'm glad I defended myself for once though, even if I took the wrong approach. But in all honesty, what was the right approach? To cry like I always did? To run away like I always did?

I hear the front door in the other room open then close, reality hitting me once again. There's a couple steps until Justin appears in the door way.

"Hey." I say.

"Hey." He comes in fully and makes his way over to sit next to me. "Knocked him up pretty good huh?"

We both look at Sean's limp body. "I guess so." I look down at the white carpeting.

"Hey, man. It's okay. If he were that hurt, he would've hurt you back, and we both know he could have. I'm just happy that now you know you pack a punch."

I smile to myself. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You must pack a punch too huh?"

"How do you figure?" He asks looking at me now.

"Well I mean, you must've really loved that girl. Did it hurt when she dumped you?" There was a long pause. "I'm sorry, Justin."

"No, you should know. Yes, it did hurt very much but the thing that hurt most was that she didn't break up with me."

"You broke up with her." I finish.

"No, Kade. She passed away a while back."

My mouth drops instantly as I stare at him.

He's just looking down at his hands with no expression on his face. I can't find any way to react to what he'd just said until I see one single tear fall from his face, hitting the carpet below.

I don't talk, just hug him. It takes him a minute but he calms himself and finds the strength to hug me back. As odd as it might have looked in third person perspective, to me it was a breakthrough for us both.

I cared for Justin a whole lot but in a very different way in how I cared for Sean, Echo, Brad, and the rest. It was a special connection. One that I was interested in and I knew he felt it too.

"Everything alright in here?" A voice breaks the hug from the doorway.

We both look over at Brad. Justin smiles and stands. "Everything's great."

Then he leaves, leaving me with my cousin. I don't mind though, I've missed him.

I stand too and hug Brad as he comes in the room entirely. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, little man. Whatcha been up to? I see you've got you some friends...and I pretty cute girlfriend." He winks with a grin.

I chuckle. "No, she's not my girlfriend."

"Uh...yeah I am. Thanks."

Brad turns around and I look passed him to get a better look at Echo who had been listening.

"What do you mean?" I was so lost.

"Told you so." Brad hummed under his breath.

"I mean, we're dating aren't we? Unless you don't want me of course." She sounded calm and sweet yet with edge in her voice. She crossed her arms and popped her hip yet smiled. It's hard to say how she does this to me - she drives me insane.

"No ,no, no, you are. I mean, I'm not sure how, why, or when this relationship took place but I want it. I mean not like that but like you, I want you. No! I'm not being dirty like that I'm just saying...ugh Brad just talk." I push him forward as I decide I should stop talking right about now.

He thinks it's just so funny that my life is being ruined right now.

"What he means is that he thinks you're totally incredibly hot and you turn him on so he wants you to be so kind as to being his official girlfriend."

I put my hand over my face in embarrassment. Echo's laugh makes me smile even though.

"So..." She said, an eyebrow raised as if expecting me to know what she's thinking.

"What?"

"Aren't you gonna ask me? Like officially?"

My heart raced. I had thought I was lucky enough to have skipped over this part. I'd never dated a girl let alone asked one out.

"Uh...I um...you..."

"Oh my God!" Brad exclaims in annoyance while he pushes me towards her. "Come on, she obviously likes you. Just go for it. Be cute."

Be cute. Be cute.

I step up to Echo and it feels as though my lungs are about to burst. I take a breath and self talk myself down.

"Echo?" I say in the most innocent of voices.

"Yes sir?" She giggles.

It feels like we're role playing. I don't know how to do that so I just keep going how I'm going.

"I adore you, and I want to be more than just friends." I grab her hand ever so gently and I can't help but feel the urge to laugh along with her but I hold it in.

"Go on." She urges.

I smile. "Will you do me the honor in being mine to keep? The honor in just being mine?"

"Your what?"

"My beautiful, stunning, adorable girlfriend."

"Hmm.." She says as if thinking while she makes the cutest face ever. "I do."

I finally let my laughter out and we both begin laughing along with Brad who had been in hysterics the whole time.

She hugs me as if we'd been together for years. It felt odd but I hug her back anyways.

She pulls away first and looks at me then at Brad. "Can we get a pizza?"