Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Thirteen

Five weeks had passed, the entirety of the group not knowing about the moment shared between Sal and Bryony that night at Brian's house. They had kept it between one another for many reasons, but it was mainly down to the fact that they couldn't really remember it themselves. The pair of them had been so lost under the impact of love that it was a blur in their minds, as if it was all a dream.

It was a Monday morning, as Sal clambered into the back of Brian's car, coming to find the seat beside him empty. His eyebrows furrowed, as he pulled himself up to between the front seats.

"Where's Bryony?" He queried, as Brian turned to Beth, waiting for her to answer.

"She...erm, she's not feeling too good. I'm sure that she'll be back in tomorrow, Sal." Beth answered, perplexing Sal even more.

"She's sick? Can you take me to see her quickly?"

"Dude, we have class in fifteen minutes. Maybe after school." Brian commented, as Sal sighed to himself, his breath shaken in panic. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"It's not your fault, Brian..." Sal frowned, sitting back in his seat, as he kept his gaze on the sight through the window.

Brian drove them to school, parking up in the car park, as they each exited the vehicle. He took hold of Beth's hand, as Sal shuffled behind them. As they rushed amongst the corridors, pushing their way through the crowds of students to reach their form room, Joe spotted the trio from afar. He waved across at them, as the group met up, the odd number confusing the boy.

"Where's Bryony?" Joe asked, as all eyes turned to Sal.

"She's sick." He answered solemnly, avoiding eye contact with his friends.

"You miss her, don't you, Bud?" James asked, retrieving a nod of the head from Sal. "She'll be back tomorrow, I'm sure. It's not like Bryony to take a day off if it's not serious..."

"She did look a little pale on Friday." Rachel pointed out.

"I should have visited her over the weekend." Sal sighed, feeling disappointed in himself. He felt Joe place a hand to his shoulder in comfort, as Sal met with his stare.

"Don't blame yourself, you weren't to know, Sal." He spoke, as the group agreed with Joe's words. Sal jolted his shoulder, pushing Joe's hand from him, as the pent up anger and frustration exploded.

"I'm her boyfriend! I should be with her, caring for her, but instead...instead I'm stuck here, not able to help."

"Her family are with her, Sal. It's just one school day without her. Bryony hasn't missed a day since she's started, she will be back in tomorrow. I can guarantee it!" Rachel emphasised deeply, watching, as Sal tried to ignore her words.

"Rachel's right," Beth spoke up. "You remember the day that she denied being sent home for having a chesty cough? Bryony hates missing out on school, I doubt she'd want any more than one day off."

When she didn't receive a response from the boy, Beth turned to Brian, her eyes searching his, as she awaited his help. He glanced at his friend, seeing the pain sprawled across his features.

"We can go and visit her after school, Buddy." He stated, as Sal finally looked up from his shoulders, his brows arched.

"Promise?" His weak voice asked.

"Promise." Brian confirmed, witnessing the small smile play on Sal's lips.

**

After a long day of school, the day passing by slowly, as every second dragged on and on, the anticipation to visit Bryony worsening as the day drew on. Each time Sal would check the clock, believing that another hour had passed, he was disappointed, only coming to find that it had only been five minutes.