Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Nineteen

A month had passed, with Bryony now entering her second trimester. She and Sal had spent hardly any time together since they had moved into their own apartment. Whenever Sal wasn't at school, he was working at the movie theatre, to try and make as much money as he possibly could, wanting to provide his little family with everything that they needed and more. He was exhausted by the time the end of the day came.

Bryony was sat on their bed, finishing off her Math homework, when she heard the front door slam shut. The sounds of a jacket and shoes being chucked to the floor came from the living room, as she saw Sal shuffle pass the doorway to the bedroom. Bryony could hear him fumbling around in the kitchen, before he traipsed into their room. His eyes were darkened underneath, as he fell to the bed on his front, with his arms tightly curled around his pillow.

"How was work?" Bryony asked, having only a grunt in response from the boy. "That bad, huh?"

Sal rolled over onto his back, as he looked at her, his eyes struggling to remain open. He shrugged his shoulders, as a sigh passed his lips.

"Why are people so picky on a Tuesday evening?" He asked. Bryony pouted out her lower lip, moving her homework to one side, as she laid down next to him, and placed a hand to his cheek. "It's just a film, why be so uptight about where you're sat? It's not like anyone else is in there with them. It's a Tuesday!"

"Is it really a Tuesday?" Bryony teased, watching, as Sal slumped his head back down onto the pillow.

"Don't mock me, I've had a long day." He frowned.

His arm hooked around her body, as he pulled her closer to him, knowing full well that just being in Bryony's company would make him feel better. Sal let his hand rest against her small baby bump that had formed over the past 15 weeks, a smile pulling at his lips. Sal soon moved to sit up against the headrest, as Bryony cuddled into him. He let his fingers play with her hair, as a comfortable silence came between them.

They remained there for a short while, until Sal cleared his throat, standing from the bed, as he pulled his work shirt over his head. He threw the material into the hamper, turning to face the girl on the bed, seeing the smile playing on her lips. Sal leant down, pressing a kiss to her forehead, as he ran a hand down her arm. He stood back, smiling down at her.

"I'm going to go and shower." He stated. "No peeking, you."

"Me? Oh please, you always purposely brush your teeth whenever I'm in there." Bryony laughed, as Sal shrugged his shoulders.

"My teeth needed cleaning." He chuckled, turning to the bathroom. "Besides, I know that you have a clear view into the shower from here."

"You wouldn't know that unless you've tried looking, Sal." Bryony responded playfully, as Sal opened his mouth to talk, before closing it again abruptly. She had stumped him.

"Yeah...well...yeah..." Sal stammered, as Bryony rose a brow, awaiting for his response. "You're my girlfriend...and...and I'm allowed to."

"Just go and shower." Bryony rolled her eyes, letting a laugh pass her lips.

"You love me really!" Sal called out, as he switched the shower on, letting the water warm.

"Whatever you say, Love." She replied, shaking her head in amusement, before turning her focus back onto her homework.

A short while later, she heard the water shut off, before Sal stepped into the room, dressed in a pair of pyjama bottoms, with his hair spiked in every which way. Bryony finished off the last question, tucking her work into her schoolbag, before looking up to the boy, her eyebrows furrowing.