Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Seventeen

Walking their way over to Brian's house, with their arms full, carrying as much of Bryony's belongings as possible, Sal and Bryony were quiet, not entirely sure what to talk about. There was a clap of thunder from the skies, as Sal glanced up, feeling a single raindrop land on his cheek. He sighed deeply, as Bryony looked at him.

"We're almost there, hopefully the rain won't get too heavy." He told her, as they kept on walking along the path.

By the time they had arrived at the Quinn residence, both Sal and Bryony were drenched from head to toe, with the rain not seeming to want to stop. Sal placed the bags onto the porch, as he pressed the doorbell. The door swung open, as Brian stood there in his pyjamas, with his toothbrush hanging from his mouth.

"Everything okay?" He asked, his words muffled by his toothbrush, as he peered down to see the bags. Brian held his hand out to them both, telling them to wait, as he ran off, soon returning without his toothbrush and a clean face. "I'm guessing that you told your parents then..."

"Y-Yeah..." Bryony sighed, as Brian looked at them sympathetically.

"Listen, Bud, I know this a lot to ask, but could we stay, just until we've sorted out a place to live? Please?" Sal asked, his face showing how desperately in need they both were. Brian shifted his eyes between them, before he took a step back.

"Let me ask my parents...I'll try my best." Brian answered.

He made his way through to where his parents were sat watching television, leaving Sal and Bryony at the door. Brian cleared his throat, gaining his parents' attention, as they turned to look up at him.

"What is it, Bri?" His mother asked.

"Ma...would Sal and Bryony be able to stay for a little while? I'm not sure how many nights, but they have nowhere to stay, and they're two of my best friends. Please? They're practically homeless." Brian expressed, as his mother stood to her feet.

"Are they at the front door?" She asked him, as Brian nodded his head. She walked through her home, pulling the front door open, as Sal looked up at her and smiled weakly.

"H-Hi, Mrs Quinn." He greeted shyly.

"Salvatore, Sweetie, what's happened?" She asked him, as Sal swallowed hard.

"It's a long story, but we no longer have anywhere to live. I know it's rude of me to ask, but could we stay, even if it's just for the night, please?"

Brian's mother pulled the boy into an embrace, not caring that his clothes were soaked through, as she comforted him. As they pulled apart, her attention shifted onto Bryony, offering her a comforting smile.

"Now you must be this Bryony that my Brian speaks off." She spoke, as Bryony nodded her head.

"Indeed, Mrs. Quinn." His mother pulled her into a hug, before ushering them both into their home. She pointed to the stairs, as Brian grabbed some of the bags from the porch.

"The guest room is the furthest room on the right. Brian will show you the way." She offered.

"Thank you." Bryony thanked, as the woman shook her head.

"No need to thank me, Dear."

The boys took the bags up, as Bryony followed behind. Brian guided them down the hall, coming to a stop outside of a door. He pushed it open, stepping into the room, as he chucked the bags to the floor. He gestured around the room.

"Well, here's your room. You have your own bathroom, so no need to disturb me in the morning when I'm checking myself out in the mirror." Brian smirked, gaining an eye roll from both Bryony and Sal. "You'd better get out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold. Just throw them into the hamper, my Ma won't mind."