Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Nine

As Friday's school day came to an end, Sal and Bryony walked back home, talking about how their day had been, with the grip between their hands never being lost. Sal took everything around them in, appreciating the parts of life he used to overlook. He studied how the leaves were pushed by the slight wind, swirling in a pattern, one following after the other. He took in the sound they made, as he stepped on multiple leaves, the crunching sound would always remind him of this day, this moment, a memory where he was happy with Bryony by his side.

The pair of them came to a stop outside of Sal's house, a small sense of panic riding within his chest. He looked at how her hand wrapped around his, admiring at how perfectly Bryony's hand fitted into his, like she was made just for him.

"You're still coming over tonight, aren't you?" He asked, as Bryony nodded her head.

"I'll be there, I just need to go home to get my overnight stuff." She answered.

Sal pulled her into a hug, placing a kiss to her cheek, before hesitantly pulling away. He watched, as she continued up the path, a smile seeping its way onto his face. Sal stepped into his home, closing the front door behind him, the excitement for their evening together building. He was hoping that he'd get to learn more about the girl; the things that she would only ever want him to know. The boy was knocked out of his thoughts by a clearing of the throat. His eyes darted to meet his sister's stare, as she folded her arms, raising a brow.

"What?" He quizzed, as the young girl shrugged her shoulders. She pointed to his face, as she stepped closer.

"You're blushing."

"A-Am not." Sal denied, as he chucked his hoodie onto the coat hook. "It's just cold out there, Squirt."

"Don't call me that!" Jenna sulked, pushing at him, but failing to move Sal in the slightest. He laughed down at her, shaking his head, as he slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and approached the bottom of the stairs.

"Don't follow me into my room, Squirt." He taunted, watching, as a glower made its way onto her face.

"Ma! Sal's calling me names again!" She cried, racing into the other room. Sal decided to leave the scene, not wanting the evening to be cancelled, as he made his way into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

He threw his backpack to the floor, slumping down onto his bed, as he grabbed his Dark Force Rising book from the shelf, and found the page he was on. He read for a short while, until there was a knock at his bedroom door. He placed his book down, sauntering towards the door, as he pulled it open, being met by his mother.

"Is it true that you're tormenting Jen again?" She frowned, as Sal rolled his eyes.

"I only asked her not to follow me into my room, Ma." He answered. She looked at him, sighing to herself.

"Well just make sure you don't call her names please, Son." His mother warned, as Sal nodded his head. "We're leaving for the party now, be on your best behaviour tonight, promise me?"

"I promise, Ma. We're only going to be watching movies."

"Good boy." She smiled, pulling him into her arms, as she bid him goodbye.

Sal stepped back to his bed, leaving his door open, as the sound of the front door closing sounded. He stood to look out of his window, watching his family gather into the car, and drive off for the evening. He stepped towards his dresser, pulling out a change of clothes, deciding on a pair of black pants and his Spiderman tee.

Sal was just styling his hair, when he heard the doorbell ring throughout the house. He strolled downstairs and up to the door, seeing Bryony stood there through the opaque glass. Swinging the door open, Sal was met by her smile, as she stood on his porch, her overnight bag in hand.