Ethereal | TRADLEY

CHAPTER 11: "Love is a war"

Despite being in a rush, Tristan managed to dress nicely. He's wearing an oversized white tee shirt with a big print of "93" on the back. He's also wearing denim shorts and flip flops. Tristan wants it to be casual, not formal. 
"Bradley? Tristan's here! Honey are you awake?" Brad's mum voice echoes outside from the hallway. The curly's body is still soaking from blood vomit, when he heard his mum's voice he weakly pulled himself up and grabbed on to the sink. He put his both hands on the countertop and a burning  sensation rises again from his throat. He discharges another puke. The splash of red liquid is all over the bathroom. Brad grasps his stomach hoping that he wouldn't vomit another blood. His head is still beating like its going to explode any minute from now. "Brad honey are you okay? Tristan's waiting" the curly's mother said while trying to unlock the door. Brad doesn't want his mum to see him getting worse. He hates seeing his mother crying. One time, Brad woke up from an afternoon nap to drink some water when he heard his mum talking on the phone with Celia "He's now at grade III Celia, I don't know what to do anymore. Brad will stop going to school because he needs to rest. The doctor said that the tumours are getting malignant and spreading like a wildfire. I love him so much Celia I can't lose my son" Brad heard his mum sobs in the kitchen, crying her heart out to the school nurse Celia. Since Brad was diagnosed with the brain cancer, Celia started to be close with the curly's family. Celia's brother died because of brain cancer and she doesn't want Brad to lose this fight like her brother. That's why the nurse is so caring and helpful to Brad in school, she understand the curly's situation. "Mum tell Tristan I'll be down in a few. I'm taking a shower" the boy said frailly as he starts to push the vomit on the countertop down the sink. His face is as red as a tomato, his veins are popped visibly. He cleaned the bathroom up and started to take a shower. As the warm water pours down on Brad's dimunitive body, the swirling sensation is still dominating his system. He shuts down the shower and dries himself. Brad went to his closet and picked up his clothes. Gray oversized (as usual) sweatshirt and he tops his curly hair with a red bonnet. Brad sat on the edge of his bed for a few seconds, he's still dizzy. After awhile he stood up and opened the door to go downstairs. Surprisingly he saw Tristan sitting on the carpeted hallway with a big boquet of flowers on his lap and a picnic basket on his side.

Tristan
Ms. Simpson made me come inside of their house. I'm surprised that she did not ask me who's the flowers are for. "Tristan I'll just go up into Brad's room okay?" She said. While sitting on the couch my heart is pumping like crazy. I hope Brad would like the simple 'date' that I've planned for the both of us. Ms. Simpson came down and said that Brad's just taking a shower and will be done any minute. I asked her if I could wait for him upstairs, outside his room. Maybe he needs assistance going down the stairs. I care for the little one so much. Spending time with Brad made me notice something, he's very delicate and feeble. I want to protect him at all costs. I know that deep in his eyes, he's hiding something. Brad's mum allowed me to go upstairs to wait for Brad. I waited for ten minutes then my skinny chicken legs got tired so I sat on the carpeted hallway. I put the boquet on my lap (I want the flowers so stay beautiful when I give it to Brad) and the picnic basket on my side. Brad opened the door revealing his cute outfit. Gray sweatshirt that looks like its gonna swallow him because its too big and a cute little red beanie or bonnet idk. I quickly stood up from my sitting position as Brad's eyebrows rose up in shock "Tris! Hey what are you doing up here? Sorry for waiting!"

•••

"No it's okay Brad! I went up here because I wanted to surprise you. You look cute by the way" Tristan replied to Brad as he hands out the boquet. "Tris what's this? You don't have to..." Brad tried to resist accepting the flowers but Tris insisted. "No Brad it's okay. I bought it for you. I hope you like it" the tall blonde added. Brad accepted the flowers and put it on his nightstand. The tall blonde stepped closer to the curly "Brad... Uhmmm... I prepared some food and stuff. Do you want to go out for some fresh air and a picnic with me?" Tristan awkwardly asks with his head down. His heart is pounding like crazy. Standing in sweat with the fear and hope that Brad would say yes to his simple 'picnic date'. "Ofcourse Tristan, I would love too" the smaller boy replied as his cheeks lit up to a bright shade of pink. Tristan offered his arm to Brad as the walk down the stairway. As the two boys make their way down, Brad is hoping that he wouldn't have another pain attack whilst spending time with Tristan, despite the fact that he had one after he woke up from his nap.

Even though Brad is ill, it's a miracle that is energy is up again. He's not feeling dizzy nor not feeling any pain in the head anymore. "Have Brad back home before sundown Tristan okay? Be safe both of you!" Ms. Simpson said as he bids good bye to his son and Tristan. Brad's mum is also supportive of her son's lovelife like Tristan's mum. If love can make her son happy, regardless of Brad's gender preference, she would support her son no matter what. The tall blond kicked the kickstand on his bike and put the picnic basket infront. "Hop in Brad! Don't be scared, just hold on to me. I'll never let you fall" Tristan said to the smaller boy who looks afraid. Afraid of falling down the bike and hitting his head in the streets. Tristan held out is left hand to Brad, the curly grabbed and hopped into the bike. Brad remembers the first time riding the bike with Tristan, the first time he finally got the chance to talk to the boy who helped him. Brad wraps his arms around Tristan's waist as the cool wind brushes his hair back. "You okay Brad? Don't be scared, I'm here" Tristan said whilst trying to look back on Brad. "I'm doing great here Tris! I love the wind!" Brad replied whilst tightening his grip into Tris' waist. Brad throws his head back laughing like a little kid, too bad Tris' can't see it right now, Brad looks so cute. The two boys reached a nearby lake. The water is crystal clear and blue, Brad could even see his reflection. The curly boy inhales the fresh air "It's nice here Tristan, peaceful and quiet" Brad said as he walks slowly to Tristan. The tall blonde parked the bike near a bush and got the picnic basket. Brad walks towards Tristan to help him set up the picnic under the shade of a  tree. Tristan unfolds the cloth. After setting up, the two flopped down and sat facing the lake. Tristan brought out packed sandwiches and a mix of different fruits from the picnic basket. All of a sudden, Brad faced Tristan "Tris... Why are you doing this? Why are you so nice to me?" Brad reached for Tris' hand. Tristan's heart beat rose up, this is it. This is the right time to confess to him.

"Because I love you, Brad"

Tristan looked staight into the curly's eyes and confessed. "Yo-you love me Tris?" Brad's brows furrowed and he asked in innocence.

"Yes I do, I do Brad. I love you, I want to scream it into the heavens! I know it's too early but I'm sure, I love you."

"But Tris...Love is a war"

I hope you all like this update guys! Stay tuned and find out if Brad will say "I love you too" there are more to surprises and plot twists in stored! :)

please continue to support and share this guys! Dont forget to vote and comment your opinions/reactions here! :) you can also tweet me @vampsmanila thanks!