It Started with a Dare

9

Someone knocked on my bedroom door later in the day. I opened it, and Ridge stood on the other side. "How did you get in?" I asked.

"You weren't answering the door, so I let myself in," he answered.

"Is the front door unlocked?" I asked, confused.

He nodded. "Yes, Braelyn," he replied. "I wouldn't have broke into your house."

"I doubt that," I smiled.

He rolled his eyes, and I stepped to the side, letting him in. "So, where are your brothers?" Ridge asked, sitting on my bed.

"Nick and Nathan are at another party, and Kyle is at work," I said, sitting beside him.

He nodded. "So, I took care of this morning," he said.

"What did you do?" I asked.

"I told Wren and Carly to stay away from you, and if they didn't, I was taking it to the principal," he said.

I nodded. "Okay," I said.

"Okay?" he replied.

"Yep," I said, not wanting to go TFIOS on him.

"Do you think I could..." he trailed off.

I raised an eyebrow. "You could what?"

"My parents won't be home tonight, and it kinda gets lonely," he told me.

"You want to stay the night, don't you?" I asked.

Ridge blushed. "Yeah," he replied, scratching his head.

I laughed, "Aw. Is someone embarrassed?"

He gave me a glare. "No."

I pinched his cheeks. "Yes, you are," I said, laughing as he swatted my hands away.

"Yes or no, Braelyn?" he asked, pouting.

"Sure, Ridge. You can stay the night," I replied, laying down on my bed. Ridge laid down beside me, and we looked at the pictures on my ceiling.

"Is that your mom?" Ridge asked, pointing to a picture of me, my
brothers, and a woman.

"Yeah, a couple of years before she signed up for the army," I said.

"How long ago was that?" he asked.

"Ten years ago. I was only six," I said.

"She's beautiful," he said.

I nodded. "Yes, she is," I agreed.

"You look like her," he said, looking at me.

I turned my head to look at him. "You think so?" I asked.

"I know so," he said with a smile.

I smiled. "I'm flattered that you called me beautiful," I said, and Ridge turned beat red. I laughed.

He rolled his eyes. "You do know how to embarrass a guy, don't you, Braelyn?" he asked.

I nodded. "I have three brothers, remember?" I said with a grin.

"Braelyn?" Ridge asked when I looked back at my ceiling.

"Mhmm?"

"Do you think people can change?" he asked, the seriousness in his voice evident.

I thought for a moment then nodded. "Everyone can change, Ridge. It just takes one person to give someone the push to change," I said.

"Wise words, sunshine," Ridge replied. "Do you know this from experience?"

"My ex, Jared. He was a bad kid when we started dating. Then, as our relationship went on, he began to change."

"What happened?" Ridge asked.

"He went back to his old ways and cheated on me," I said.

Ridge let out a whistle. "What a jerk," he said. "You deserve better."

"I know, but until I meet someone, I'm single," I said.

"What if you already have?" Ridge asked.

I looked at him. He looked at my lips, complete seriousness on his face. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"What if you've already met him?" he asked.

I swallowed. "Then, I'll wait until I'm ready," I said.

"Ready for what?"

I looked away. "A relationship," I replied with a sigh. Images of catching Jared with Wren flashed through my mind.

"He hurt you that bad, huh?" Ridge asked.

I nodded. "That bad," I said.

"I'm sorry, Braelyn. I'm sorry he put you through that," Ridge said, propping himself up on his elbow.

I looked at him. "Yeah, me, too, Ridge. Me, too," I replied.

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