Danger Love Ahead

Chapter Thirty-One: Not Just A Smooch

(Brandon's version) 

Everything finally calmed after the ambulance, squad cars and guests had left. April was cuddled on my lap after the paramedics gave her a thorough examination. Nothing had broken fortunately and her teeth weren't bleeding anymore. There bruises all over her body but she refused to go to the hospital. After making sure none of her wounds had re-opened, the paramedics had left with two girls on stretchers. The cops on the other hand had taken in another two girls for questioning. Shutting my eyes, I let out a sigh at the stress of everything that had just occurred. Kira was actually going to kill April had no one stopped her. She had the dagger in her hands. I just couldn't believe it. I was only in time to catch a glimpse of Mariah saving April but wasn't able to do anything after that when the police intervened. 

"Attempted murder! A Juvenile center isn't going to cut it!" Mrs.Summers exploded from downstairs. A few parents were left behind to talk over what had happened. Apparently, this was an eye-opener for them on what's actually going on inside Graham High. 

"Brandon?" April's small voice called. I answered with a lazy,

"Hmmm?" and brushed back her hair to see her face. Her eyes were closed and she seemed content at the moment.

"Nothing..just wanted to say your name." We were silent again for a moment before I broke it, calling her softly.

"April."

"Yes?"

"Just wanted to say your name." She giggled before it stopped abruptly. Her face flushed and she in attempt to hide it, turned her head, her hair falling over her face with the movement.

"It's weird, isn't it?" she muttered. Puzzled, I brushed the hair back from her face.

"You've lost me." 

"I read about this in romance books every time...never thought it would happen to me."

"You read about getting beat up by crazy cheerleaders over a boy?" I teased before feigning a serious face. "They really shouldn't print that kind of stuff. Imagine the ideas it gives-"

"Oh shut it," April giggled, her English accent suddenly appearing out of nowhere. "I just meant, the unpopular girl meets popular boy plot. A classic scenario."

"It's a cliche," I added. "Cheerleader and Footballer."

"But I'm a gymnast...apparently," April interrupted. 

"Who is currently taking up post as cheerleader," I added. "Don't!" I ordered before she could get out another word. "You're tired and you're also mentally plus physically traumatized with what just happened. You don't know what you're saying right now, so we should save this for another time."

"You're impossible," she whispered with a smile.

"And you love that about me," I retorted before stopping short, realizing I had let out the "L" word. Was this the right time?

"Yes I do," April giggled oblivious to my sudden silence. "I love-" she stopped abruptly and glanced up at me like a deer caught in headlights. interesting 

"Yes?" I prodded, raising an eyebrow in my best 'no pressure' look. She stared at me while I watched the colour rise in her face. She was just too adorable.

"I...I.." she stuttered, trying to sit up and I let her scramble her way out of my lap, though begrudgingly. "Well...I..I was going to say..." I waited patiently as she stumbled over her words, trying to get into a comfortable sitting position facing me. The funny thing was, she kept her face and eyes averted to the seemingly interesting brown spot on the ceiling. "It wasn't..I wasn't..." She stopped suddenly. I could literally smell the resignation in her posture. She glanced at me then, openly. Her eyes revealed it. I knew she was letting me see it on purpose, willing me to say it. To take the step. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't. April had been pushing me away so much, I could actually be imagining this. I needed to hear it from her. I needed to know...for sure.