Dangerous [Bradley Simpson] Sequel to On the Floor (novella)

Chapter Eight - Tortured

March had dawned quickly, but no one could tell. The dreary rain and fog of February seeped into the new month like an overflowing bathtub. This time, like every year, I was missing March in Texas, where the sun shone almost every day, and when it didn't, you were greeted with a rumbling thunderstorm, making the approaching sun of the next morning sparkle in the dew and rainfall. Some days would be warm enough to lay out and get a tan, or even take a dip in the lake. I missed those first chimes of ice cream trucks ringing in the neighborhood, and kids screaming in glee when it came down the street. March in England, however, was bleak. It was cold, and it was miserable, especially now, when my thoughts and feelings mimicked the oppressive clouds.

I couldn't help how I felt about Brad and Allison. I didn't think that was a problem, either. I felt betrayed, and that mixed with jealousy and rage was a dangerous weapon. I would have loved to strangle her, or at least beat her senseless for what she did to me, but even in my demented state, I knew I couldn't hurt her, no matter how badly I wanted to. She deserved to be punished, but maybe not by my hand.

The race to find my tormentor was at a halt. I couldn't bear to see Allison anymore, and all the remorse I felt about the death of her grandfather seemed to falter away. But she was our last connection, and I had no idea what else to do, but I couldn't see her. I began binge watching cop shows for inspiration, but Criminal Minds was too Hollywood, and Sherlock was slightly confusing.

"You, me, and Harry Potter this weekend baby," Connor called out as he let himself into my bedroom, breaking me from my thoughts. "Just like old times."

"I'm okay with staying in bed," I mumbled.

"Sorry, Adelaide." James sighed. "I told him not to do that."

"I bet." I nodded.

"I'm having the bathroom remodeled this weekend and I have to go to Belgium for more promo." He said. "So Connor said you could stay with him."

"I can function on my own." I said.

"I know that." He defended himself. "But these people are going to be really loud and probably working late into the night."

"Whatever," I sighed. "I'll get my stuff ready."

Since he told me his secret, Connor and I had spoken more about the things we hid. We had begun to bond. It wasn't awkward anymore, in fact, he was quickly becoming my best friend. With the tension between James and I, Connor was my comfort.

"Do you think things will ever go back to normal?" He asked, just after we finished eating our fried rice. "Like it was before you left."

"No," I sighed. "I always hoped it would be, but with the band broken up, among so many other things, I think it's beyond repair.

He nodded slowly.

"Sometimes trying to revert back to the past isn't the best thing, though. Maybe," I shrugged, breaking open a fortune cookie. "Maybe the way things are now will prove to be better. At least I hope they will."

"What does your fortune say?" He asked after looking at his.

"'All the effort you are making will ultimately pay off.'" I recited. "Hmm, ironic. What about yours?"

"'Love is like nectarine, good to the last drop.'"

After lunch, Connor and I went to buy junk food for the weekend, then when the sun was beginning to set, we went to his flat. And without any talk of my betrayers, my bane, or Alfie Coolwater, we dove right into the first movie.