By Your Side

Chapter 14: A Day at the Beach

After a long day of running around in the yard and the least awkward family dinner we have had in a long time, I collapse onto my bed. I thought Mariana was already asleep so I turn the lamp on my nightstand off.

I hear some tossing and turning and I know she wasn't actually asleep.

"Hey, so what is going on with you and Brandon?" She asks.

A smile creeps across my face at the mention of his name, and with the lights off, I don't even try to hide it.

"What do you mean?" I decided to play dumb because we are trying to keep our relationship hidden from the family.

"Well, you guys spent all day together and were acting... I don't know. Different?"

I feel bad lying to her again about Brandon, but I promised him that I wouldn't tell anyone about us.

"So what?...We're not allowed to be around each other?"  I ask defensively.

"No! I was just asking... Sorry I didn't mean to make you mad. You just two have just been avoiding each other for a while and I didn't know what changed." I feel bad for snapping at her but I didn't know what to do.

"No, it's okay.  I'm sorry.  We talked earlier and realized how dumb we have been acting since everyone found out about us." I rolled on my side with my back to Mariana and smile to myself once again. "Today, I got my best friend back. That's all" I spoke quietly.

"Well I'm glad everything can go back to normal around here now."

"Yeah, me too."  I'm not lying, I did get my best friend back today, and things are going to go back to normal.... Being with Brandon is my normal.

As I am about to nod off to sleep, my phone lights up next to me.  It's a text from Brandon.

"Goodnight, beautiful.  Sleep tight"

"goodnight Brandon<3"

And with that I fall asleep quicker than I have in weeks because for once, I am actually happy.

***

I hop out of the shower and quickly dry off and get dressed because Jesus has been pounding on the bathroom door for the last five minutes for me to hurry up.

As I open the door he brushed past me and says "God, you take forever." I roll my eyes and turn to go into my bedroom. As soon as I enter, my cellphone starts ringing, so I grab it and answer the call without checking the caller id.

"Hello?" I say, still irritated buy Jesus's impatience.

"Hey, Cal. It's me." I hear Brandon's voice and my mood suddenly improves.

"Oh, hi!" I chirp. "What's up?"

"Well I was thinking... If you're not doing anything, do you want to go to the beach today?"

I stay silent for a few seconds to think before responding.

"I mean I want to go, but I don't know if that is the best idea. We might run into people from school."

Brandon sighs on the other line. "That's true... What if we drive up the coast for an hour or so?" I laugh a little at how cute his persistence is.

"Okay. How do I get out of the house?"

"Just tell them you are going to spend the day with Daphne or something. They will never know the difference!"

"You think they will believe that?"

"Why wouldn't they?  Have someone drop you off at her place in about a half an hour and I'll pick you up from there."

"Okay" I agree.