Tangled Strings

Chapter 2

Bryan

"So?" I said.

"So, what?" Ashley asked.

"So— how was your day with Charlotte?" I said looking rather serious.

"She's such a stupid person, well actually, the most stupid person I've ever met!"

"By the way, you've started worrying about me and Cherry a lot. Can it be that you really? Oh... My... God! You're already turning red! Blush blush!!" she teased.

"How can you even think such a thing? Cherry and I? Impossible!"

"Don't you remember how many times she has tried giving her number to you?"

"Yeah, I know. But it's just because I'm the captain of the basketball team."

She laughed for a moment and then became silent. It was sometimes actually hard for her to remain silent, especially when she was with me. So, she again said, "When do you want me to come tomorrow?"

"Any time that pleases you! I don't mind at all!" I replied.

"What do you say if I came at 5? Will it be alright?"

"Yeah, but make sure you give me a call before you come. Because I'd probably be sleeping."

"Okay, I will."

We started moving towards the parking area where our cars were parked when we were joined by Fred, Lucy, Harold and Jennifer.

"It looks like someone happens to have a grudge on me!" I said.

"Why, what happened?" inquired Fred.

"Someone has punctured my car." I said

"So how will you go home now?" asked Lucy.

"Oh, I don't mind taking a bus."

"No need for that. You can hop in my car. I'll drop you on the way." Ashley offered.

"Thanks Ash. But I really don't mind taking a bus."

"You don't have to be so formal, dude. When she's offering so politely then why don't you go?" said Harold, pushing me.

"Ah, okay. If you insist." I said, staring at Harold.

**********

We remained silent throughout the journey. I don't know if it was because I was tired or any other thing but I just didn't feel like talking. Ashley tried to start a conversation but seeing me reply bluntly, she gave up.

To be honest I was thinking about Ashley. I was thinking whether I should tell her how much I love her.

"Probably not." my mind said.

"But I want to, because I can't bear with this burden any longer." my heart replied.

"But you'll have to bear it. There's no other way."

"But I don't want to, so why should I?" my heart and I felt like screaming the truth out.

"You have to be patient, buddy. You know. If you tell her there are chances that your relationship may not remain the same. There are fair chances that she may try to ignore you and even not talk to you at all. But there is just a small chance that it may be reciprocated. You understand, right, what I'm saying?" my mind was trying to calm me down and weigh the possibilities.

"I get it now. But till when should I hold them back? They are overflowing."

"You will have to hold them till she doesn't realise it and feels the same way as you do!"

"But if it's too late, then?" my heart felt uncertain.

"It's never too late, dear."

With these thoughts on my mind, although I was looking out, I didn't realise that I had arrived my destination. I opened the door and got out of the car.

"See you tomorrow, then?" I asked.

"Yeah, tomorrow!" she said and after a pause she asked, "Can I ask you something?"

"No, not now. Save your topics for tomorrow, or we'll have nothing to talk about!"
She smiled, waved to me and went off.

It started to rain, a little later I entered my room.  It felt like my tears were coming down as raindrops and were trying to wash the unbridgeable gap between us.

To come out of my melancholia I turned on the FM hoping to listen to some soothing music but all I could hear were heartbreaking sad songs. I switched it off so that I could switch my mood because my sister always tried to copy me. So I did not want her to look at me and be sad like me. I always tried to be cheerful around Meghan, and as it seemed my acting skills weren't that bad, either!

I went and knocked on Meghan's door. I entered and sat beside her while she was playing some girls game on the computer.

"Don't spend too much of your time in front of the computer screen." I advised as a big brother should.

"Okay Bryan." she immediately turned it off. Maybe she was bored playing it because she didn't listen to me that easily.

"I wanted to tell you that Mom won't be able to come home tomorrow. She called me this morning when I was at school—"

"Oh but tomorrow's Sunday and I wanted to go shopping with her!" she cried.

"I know sweetie. But guess what? Who's coming tomorrow at our residence?"

"Niall Horan?" she asked innocently.

"If I had enough money I would have invited him over. But I am a poor boy as you know!" she giggled as I made faces.

"So who's coming, then?"

"Ashley" I sang her name.

"Oh wow, Ashley's coming!? Is she going to cook dinner too? Because I don't want to eat your food. You always end up overcooking it." she said.

"Of course she's going to cook! And now, it's almost 7o'clock so go eat your tit-bits and change into your night dress while I finish my homework. And then, I'll tell you a story!"

"Yay, cool!" she said and hopped out of the chair and ran down straight to the kitchen. I went to my room to get my homework done which wasn't as much.

*********

As soon as I finished up with the narration of the story I went to my room and lay down on my bed. I was so tired  from the mental as well as the physical work that I couldn't figure out when I fell asleep thinking about tomorrow.

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A/N Bryan out with his feelings!! Umm...  But a while longer till Ashley gets to know them (maybe... Or maybe not) :D

I am quite sure this chapter wasn't worth the wait...  And also it was a small one...  Right? Yes? No? Okay got it!! :P

So anyone excited about tomorrow..  What will happen? Any ideas?

Nevertheless next chapter would be from the point of view of Ashley... I hope you would like it...

I changed the cover.. Did any one notice? Yes you did..  Thanks buddy..!

For the cover - thanks -shivika-... I love it...!!  :* :)

Thanks everyone and one more thing - Don't forget to vote (and comment *wink wink*)...!

PS- Dedication to the first enthusiastic reader and friend!! Shout outs for him!!

Love,
Anshara. ❤