When Everything Changed (Currently Rewriting)

7. Hairy and Deformed Meatballs; Just Like Anthony's

CHAPTER 7 | Hairy and Deformed Meatballs; Just Like Anthony's

"Why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Why did you break up with Stacey for me?" I asked him. I placed the ice pack on my head and waited for him to answer.

"Emily," he starts, "I didn't like the way Stacey was treating you. She treated you low, and I dislike her for that. Sure, she may be my girlfriend and that I loved her, but once she messes with my friends, I won't tolerate it."

Wow, I was taken aback. He broke it off with Stacey for me! My heart seriously thumped nervously after he explained to me the reason why. Plus, I even picked up something that kind of guiltily made me happy. 

He loved her.

Past tense.

"That is kind of great of you, but why hadn't you just spoken to her instead of suddenly breaking it off?"

Brandon sighed beside me and slumped in his seat. "Honestly Emily, there is nothing to talk to her about. She wouldn't understand because her head is as dense as her personality." My eyebrows rose up after he said that. "Plus, it's kind of great that we take some time off with each other."

"Well," I say resting my hand on his arm, "Thank you so much Brandon for sticking up for me."

He turned towards me with a genuine smile. "Anything for the girl I lo-"

His expression looked shocked of what he was about to say. He quickly composed himself and tried to shake away the nervosity on his face. "Anything for you, Emily," he restates.

A sudden shrill sound from the bell sounded, signaling that it is time to head home. I lay the ice pack on the tray and got off the bed. The nurse dismissed us from the front desk and wished me a 'feel better'. Brandon assisted me in walking, but I shrugged him off saying that I am capable of walking on my own. He walked me out of the building and into the parking lot. We escorted me to Anthony's car and dropped me off there. 

Before leaving, he went and asked a question - much of an invitation you may say. 

"Emily," he says, "I would like to pay you back from what Stacey did. So, for tonight, I will be taking you out for dinner at your favorite restaurant in town."

"Bon Jouve's?"

"Ding-ding-ding," he says while patting his nose with his pointer. "Well, be ready by seven, and wear something nice."

He then walks off like that even though I didn't get to say if I would like to go or not. He is certainly confident that I will be able to go, huh.

I turned back towards the car and saw a smirking Anthony. He shook his head and gestured me inside. I opened the door to the passenger seat and climbed in.

I immediately dozed into la-la-land. I went back to the scene in the nurse office where Brandon and I were conversing. After I thanked him, he said something like "anything for the girl I lo-". I am pretty sure the last word is love.

Does that mean that Brandon loves me?

Huh, I must be dreaming. It doesn't really matter right now; Brandon is taking me out for dinner! 

Translation: Free food from Brandon!

Right, he will be paying for our dinner?

 
••••

 
I heard the doorbell chime from below, and it had signaled me to put on the finishing touches of my make-up. My mother stopped by my room to leave me a few tips of beauty and fashion, but I just dismissed her.