Past Perfection

Chapter three

It has been more than a month since Brandon and Chace reunited. Things between them were the same like before. Every Friday Brandon went over to Chace's for a game of pool and a beer.

He had gone into town because there was a communication problem between him and the contactors. The contractors had begun building the skeleton of the building. He had the contactors the rest of the day off because there was a storm rolling in.

They sky was almost black-grey and the winds have picked up when he arrived at home. He had just parked his motorcycle in the garage when his phone rang. He answered the phone without checking who it was.

"Hello." "Hey, Brandon. Are you busy or can we talk?" "Sure, I just got home. What's up?" "Nothing much. I had to take mom to her check-up." "Is she alright?" "Yeah, she is fine but I need to ask you a favour." There was a slight panic in his voice.

Brandon walked into his house and sat down on the sofa. "Yeah? What is it?" "I need you to go and stay with Skyler. Just till I get home. I have a feeling this storm is going to hit before I arrive home." "Okay, sure."

Chace let out a sigh from relieve. "Thank you, man. I have to go. I'll see you later." Brandon got up and got on his motorcycle. He drove over to the Cavallari estate.

When he got there were the winds howling. He barely had control over his motorcycle. He rang the doorbell and one of the maids opened it.

"Good evening, sir." "Good day." He said stepping inside. "Would you mind telling me where Skyler is?" "Sure, Miss Cavallari is by the fireplace. Must I show you or do you know the way?"

"I know the way." Brandon walked to the fireplace. He found Skyler clutching a teddy bear in a death grip. She was laying on the couch with earphones in. Her hands were white and she was shaking.

He crouched down in front of her. "Skyler." He said to her but she didn't hear him. "Skyler. Skyler." He said a bit louder. "SKY!" He shouted and grabbed her hand.

Skyler let out a blood chilling scream and her body crumpled with fear, her grip on the teddy bear was so tightly Brandon thought it was about to rip in half. Brandon gently took an earphone out of her ear. "Sky, it is me Brandon. You are safe. I am not going to hurt you."

Skyler's grip on the teddy slackened and she jumped into Brandon's arms. Brandon steadied himself before picking her up and sitting with her on the couch. She was still shaking but her grip had loosened. She had placed her head on his chest and clutched his shirt in her hands

Just as Brandon was going to ask her what was wrong did a window blew open and thunder rumbled. Skyler let out a whimper. A maid quickly came and closed the window.

"I have Ombrophobia." Skyler spoke softly. "It is the fear of heavy rain and storms."

Her grip had loosened. She listened to Brandon's steady heartbeat. It calmed her down. Whenever there was a storm would her mom or Chace come to her and hold her. She would always listen to their heartbeat's till she falls asleep.

They sat like that for a few moments until they were interrupted by Brandon's phone ringing. He took out his phone. "It is your brother." He said to Skyler before he answered.

"Hello, Chace." "Brandon there was a blockage in some of the storm pipes and the road washed away. I had to turn back. Mom and I are staying in a hotel. Are you with Skyler?"

"Yes, I am with her and don't worry I'll stay with her tonight or until you can get home." "Thank goodness. I forgot to tell you earlier. Don't let her pass out. She might get a seizure if she passes out due to fear. Keep talking to her."