Can You Keep A Secret?

Chapter Sixty-Three

       

-Brooklyn's POV-

            "Hi," I said shyly as she opened the door, gripping the flowers in my hand, eager to impress her.

            "Hey," Stacey said back, leaning forward to kiss me. I could feel her smile against my lips before she leaned back again, saying "I've missed you so much."

            "Uhm, I got these for you," I said, gesturing to the flowers. "I remembered you saying sunflowers were your favorite, so.." I paused for a moment. "I mean, it was a long time ago, so, uh, hopefully you still like them."

            "Aww, Brooklyn, you're so sweet," She crooned, gently taking them from me. "I love them. I don't deserve you," She said, a smile making her face glow. She quickly gave me a kiss on the cheek before hurrying back inside to get them in some water.

            I had the feeling that today would be a good one...That any day would be if she was with me. I felt a certain level of responsibility, as well – I didn't want to do a one night stand. I didn't want to be that kind of guy. I could feel myself starting to fall for her, which I knew was ridiculous since our relationship was just in its beginning stages, but I liked the happiness that she brought me and the thought that we were meant to be.

            I knew it wasn't love, not yet, but the thought that it might eventually grow to be that excited me. It was easy to let go of all of the negative emotions that had been swirling around me lately as we walked down her driveway together. I told her my plan for the day – To simply chill, hang out around our hometown and truly get the chance to talk.

            I wanted to know everything about her, unite with her in a way that was more than just physical. I reached for her hand as we walked down the street and she took it, swinging it back and forth as we continued on our way. I liked the idea that anyone watching us pass by would know that we were a couple.

            "Do you miss it here?" She asked as we turned a corner.

            "I do," I answered honestly. "But I don't regret joining the band. As much as I love it here, we've been given opportunities to travel around the country, and we have plans to tour Europe and even go to LA, and I've always wanted to go there."

            "I get that," She said. "So, it's like you're living a dream." I smiled and squeezed her hand.

            "Yeah especially now."

            "Aww," She looked up at me. "I think that you're the sweetest guy I've ever known."

            I blushed, unsure of how to reply – I'd never been the best with compliments. I looked up, as if I'd be able to find a proper response hidden somewhere in the neighborhood, but all I got was an eyeful of the sun. England wasn't often sunny, but today the sky was bright and the sun was shining down on us, which I took as a good sign.

            "Oh my gosh, look." Stacey tugged my hand, pointing to a small playground.  "Do you remember this?" I did – We used to go all the time when we were younger.

            "I remember crying once when my parents wouldn't let me go with everyone else wouldn't let me go with everyone else because it was sister's birthday," She laughed. "And when I got home, my sister said that she didn't even want me there, anyways."

            "Aww, no. That sucks. I remember jumping off the swing when it was up high because I thought I could fly, but I ended up falling and scraping myself instead." I didn't remember too much of that – Just wanting to impress the older kids, and the sky and the ground and the shock and the sting of the rubbing alcohol on the cuts.

            I walked over to the slide, which used to be so big, but was now tiny. Sitting down on it, my legs stretched across the length of it.

            "They should make playgrounds for adults," I proclaimed, scrunching my legs up for the short ride down.

            "They do, sorta," Stacey said. "Like, waterparks. Amusement parks."

            "It's not the same. I don't like rollercoasters." I whined.

            "They're not all rollercoasters. Haven't you seen the giant slide at the fair?"

            "What? No. How did I not know that existed?!" I exclaimed.

            "There's there right in a row together," She explained. "We should go when it comes back around."

            "I would love that. I have to see this." I paused for a moment. "You're not making this up, are you?"

            "No, I swear it's real!" She laughed, holding her hands up in defense.

            "Okay, okay, I trust you," I grinned, getting up and moving to the swing set. She sat on the one beside me, and we talked while we swung, reminiscing about the times we'd shared together.

            I liked that we shared these memories, and that she wasn't against hanging out at a playground. In a world and a life that always seemed to be moving too fast, she made me feel young again.