Ten -Zedd Fanfiction- DISCONTINUED

Chapter Seven

I saw him bobbing his head to the beat while he was djing the party. I tried to avoid him the best I could, taking Bradley's hand and running into the kitchen where he couldn't see me. I hadn't talked to him for two years. I didn't even listen to his music anymore. The things that happened between us over that short period of time were completely deleted out of my mind- until now. All of the memories flooded back into my mind. My heartbeat quickened, and my head started pounding.

"Are you all right, Laken?" Bradley asked me as he saw my panicked state. I relaxed my worried features and took a deep breath before responding.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Can you get me a drink?" He nodded his head and started towards the bar in the corner of the immense kitchen. I picked at my nails nervously, awaiting his return.

"Hey." I heard someone say. I didn't recognise their voice. I turned until the person came into view.

"Hi. Garrett, right?" I said, smiling a half smile.

"Yep. In the flesh. And you're...Uhh....Avanelle?"

"Yeah. But you can call me Laken. Everybody calls me Laken." Except for Anton.

"Alright. Have a good time." he winked at me and walked away.

When Bradley came back, he asked me why I was talking to Garrett and handed me my drink.

"He came up to me. He's really nice."

"Yeah, if you call staring down your shirt 'nice'" He murmered. I rolled my eyes and took a sip of the diet coke he got me.

"Do you want to stay in here all night, or dance with all the rest of the sweaty teens?" Bradley asked me.

"Uh..." I hesitated, not wanting to take the risk of Anton seeing me, "I guess I could loosen up a bit." I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed his hand. My hand fit perfectly into his. His palms weren't sweaty, but cool. Unlike mine. As we entered the crowded living room that was obviously turned into a dancefloor, I kept my head down, never looking up. The only things that had changed about my appearance was that I got bangs, dyed my hair brown, had it ombred, got glasses, and I had matured. Well, I guess you could say I changed a lot...I couldn't stand it when Zedd played Follow You Down, and every single song that was on the top of my favorites list. I hadn't heard these songs in years, and I knew why now.

Bradley and I danced like friends would dance. We didn't get too close to each other. He barely touched me other than his hand on my waist, his other holding my hand. I saw numerous boys staring at me. I hated when they did. It made me uncomfortable. I looked over at Anton and his eyes met mine. I looked away quickly, almost cursing, but restraining myself and taking a deep breath.

"Bradley...um...can we...uh, leave now?" I asked, not dancing anymore.

"Why? We just got here like, thirty minutes ago?"

"I just...I don't feel comfortable around all of these people." He understood that I was saying I was nervous.

"Okay." He said, hugging me, and taking me out to the car. I walked faster than he did, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible.

"Someone's in a hurry." Bradley chuckled. I got into the car and waited for him to start driving.

The drive was silent, but it was a comfortable silence. I just wanted to get home. He wasn't driving fast enough.

It was only nine when I got home. I checked on my mom, took another shower, and went to bed. I was having the best dream ever. I dreamt that I never met Anton, and my mother never had cancer. Life was carefree and easy.

It wasn't long before my world came crashing down when I woke up in the morning to the sound of sirens.

***

At the hospital, my mom slept as my dad sat with her, holding her hand. I sat in a chair in the corner, falling asleep every now and then, sending off random texts to random people.

Bradley came to the hospital to see my mom. He was the only friend of mine who came. I watched him have a quiet conversation with her when she woke up. My mom loved Bradley and thought I should marry him. I always told her we were just friends. Bradley was a very handsome guy. He had brown, fluffy hair that always seemed messy. He sometimes wore glasses over his beautiful brown eyes. His smile was one that any girl would fall for. He always skateboarded. He was super nerdy. I loved him, but only as a friend.

***

I tried to read a book, but it didn't help that it was "The Fault In Our Stars," by John Green

So instead I tried to wite my story, set way back when everybody was rich, about a traveler named Carter, who never settles down to live somewhere. He's always living in hotels. But Carter doesn't know that one of the hotel maids is his future wife, and it won't just be him and his travels anymore. Sometimes I wish my life was just a fiction story book, and that the writer could turn it all around and actually make it good. But my life isn't a story, and I can't change what's going to happen to my mom. I could change Carter's life whenever I wanted. I really envied Carter.

I sighed and looked over at my dad, who was trying to sleep in the uncomfortable hospital chair he was sitting in. Bradley had left to go to this science convention thing, which I was supposed to go to with him, but stayed here instead. I didn't really want to go anyway. Science isn't my thing. I love math and all that, but science just bothers me.

Some people have it so easy in life, and they take it all for granted. I wish I could take life for granted. It's so much better than whatever this is. I look at everyone at school and see all of the smiling faces. My face is never smiling unless it's a fake smile, to make people think I'm okay. It never works on Bradley. He practically knows everything about me.

I haven't told him anything about Anton. I didn't want him to think I was weird or a slut or something. I guess I kind of am-weird, I mean. Not a slut. But I still feel bad for doing what I did two years ago. I wish I could take it back but I can't.

(picture of bradley on the side)