Mine (Brad Simpson) {IN EDITING}

Chapter 6

"That was a lovely dessert, Rachel." Pauline says politely.

"Yes, it was." I agree as John pats his full stomach.

"That and the dinner were enough to fill me for days!" He laughs, standing from the table.

"Kids, you can go back upstairs, the adults are going to have some wine." Rachel laughs, clearly already drunk.

I nod and stand from the table, only now remembering Brad and I are still holding hands. I quickly pull away and push my chair in before practically running back to my bedroom.

"So, Brad. Um, would you... wanna go out to lunch with me sometime?" I hear Amy ask from the hallway. I find myself hoping desperately that Brad says no.

"Uh.... no." Brad replies blankly, opening the door. I pretend to be playing with something on the duvet in hope they will continue their conversation.

"Why not?" Amy asks and I have to bury my face in the bed to keep myself from laughing. Trust Amy to ask someone why they won't go out with her.

"Because I don't like you." Brad replies, and I push my head deeper into the mattress to keep myself from dying in laughter.

"Oh. I think I'm going back to my room now. I'm tired." Amy says, and I hear her slam her door from the other room.

"That went well." Brad says, closing the door.

When I lift my head from the doona, I can feel my eyes watering and I know that my face is bright red.

"Are you alright?" Brad's face fills with worry and he sprints towards me.

I let out a breath, but it comes out as a massive laugh.

"I'm sorry, that was just hilarious." I whisper, hoping Amy hasn't heard me.

"I know." He agrees, shaking his head and sitting next to me.

"You could have sugarcoated it a bit." I suggest, sitting up.

"I like to tell things how they are. It's not fair if I don't." He says, shrugging.

"You're right." I say, shifting closer to him. He smiles at my gesture and puts his arm around my shoulder.

"This is cute, Alison." Brad says, stroking my hair carefully.

"Yes it is, Bradley." I tease, looking at his frowning face.

"I hate that name." He groans, looking away.

"I think it's lovely. Very Victorian, Bradley." I tease, poking his cheek.

"Shut up." He snaps, clearly pissed off but I am amused.

"Or what, Bradley?" I say in a posh English accent.

"Or I'll have too..." He starts, turning toward me. "Tickle you!"

He lunges at me and tickles me right in my ribs, where I hate it the most.

"No!" I scream, laughing uncontrollably. "Stop!"

"Are you going to stop calling me Bradley?" He asks, tickling lighter so I can reply.

"Maybe... Bradley." I say and he tickles me even harder.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop! I'll stop!" I say, pushing his hands away.

"Good girl." Brad teases, poking my nose as I snuggle back into his chest.

"I barely know you." I say out of nowhere.

"And your uncomfortable being so intimate because of it." He nods, pulling away but I stop him.

"No. I like it. I just want to know what this is before I dive into anything. I want to know if we are taking it further before I get hurt." I say, staring up into his eyes. I can see the expression changing on his face.

"I'm not sure yet, honestly. I don't know. I mean, I know that I like you, that much is clear. I just don't know..." He trails off, staring at the ceiling nervously.

"You don't know if I like you back?" I finish, still staring at his eyes.

"Yeah." He sighs. "That and if you would really want to be with me."

"Are you kidding? I should be the one with doubts. Of course I like you and I want to be with you." I say, and he turns to face me, he's beautiful eyes gazing into mine.

"Really?" Brad says, surprised.

"Of course. It's just that I need to set Amy up with someone first, because I can't be with you when I know she really likes you. It's not fair to her." I admit.

Brad sighs, and rubs his hands over his face then pulls them through his hair.

"What's wrong?" I ask, concerned.

"You're just such a nice person. You're looking out for your best friend before yourself. You need to look after yourself for once, Alli." He says, grasping my hand.

"I don't.... I don't do that. I'm very selfish when I need it." I defend myself stupidly. Why am I refusing to take is compliment? At least I think it's a compliment.

"You do. You don't want to hurt other people, and that's all well and good but you need to think about yourself, Alli. I know you want this." Brad assures me, caressing my face gently.

He's telling the truth, I do want this.

"I... I want this. More than anything, Brad. But I can't hurt my best friend, she's all I've ever had. You don't understand." I say, wiping the tears from my eyes before they have a chance to fall. I've cried too much today already.

"Shhh, don't cry. Don't cry, baby." Brad says, wiping the tears that begin to fall against my will. "We can wait. I'll always be here, waiting, Alli. When Amy is over it, I'll be here waiting." He promises, smiling at me.

"Okay." I nod. "Thankyou." I say, embracing him.

"Bradley, it's time to go home now!" Pauline calls from the hallway.

"Listen, Alli. There's a party on tomorrow night, I'll text you the address. Here's my number." Brad rushes, slipping a note into the pocket of my jeans. "I want both of you to come, I'll pick you up at 6:30 so be ready. Wear a skirt or something, yeah?" I nod and stand up as he does.

"I'll see you then. Love you." Brad kisses me quickly, but passionetly and embraces me as he swings open my door and I follow him down the stairs.

"Thankyou so much for having us, Rachel." John says, pecking Rachel on the cheek.

"It's my pleasure." She says.

"The pleasure is all ours." Pauline steps in, hugging Rachel.

"It was lovely meeting you, Alison." John emphasizes my name and smirks at a blushing Brad.

"You too, Mr. Simpson." I say politely.

"Please, call us John and Pauline." Pauline says, hugging me.

"It was lovely to meet you, John and Pauline." I say, smiling at them.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Brad says, hugging me softly.

"I'll miss you." He whispers in my ear, kissing my cheek gently, out of sight of the parents.

"You too." I smile, waving as the family walks out the door.

"They were nice." I say to Rachel as the door closes.

"Yes, they are." She agrees, smiling at me.

"Where's Amy?" I ask. She wasn't down here to say goodbye.

"Upstairs. She's not feeling very well." Rachel says.

"Oh god." I mutter, running up the stairs and barging into Amy's room. I knew she was upset, but not this bad.

"Fuck off!" A crying Amy screams at me when I enter the room. When I don't leave she lunges a pillow towards me.

"Amy, what's wrong?" I say, stepping cautiously towards the bed she is lying lazily in.

"It's you, Alli!" She screams at me, throwing another pillow.