Stop Counting Numbers

22.

Woke up a few hours ago. It's now 8 am and I'm just waiting for Brad to come.

Yes, I'm already ready. I'm on a black leggings, white crop top and a plaid flannel on top then white slip-ons. Also still got the necklace. Brad's gift.

I never take it off. Never once.

"Hey mom!" I said as I went in the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I already ate so it's no problem.

"Going out so early?" She asked and I nodded.

"Yup"

"You know what?" Justin asked as he sat beside me.

"What?" I asked him and he chuckled.

"You gone Aussie after a year and a half." He said and nudged me making me chuckle.

"Did I?"

"Brad might tell you the same thing later." He said and then my eyes widen.

"How did you?" I asked as I looked at him then mom.

"We overheard you talking to him last night." My mom said simply and I looked at the both of them.

"You were snooping?!"

"We weren't! You know, your room is before ours so we would be passing your room when going to ours." Justin defended and I laughed.

"I was joking. Plus, it's fine. It's not like it's a secret." I said and they both chuckled.

Then the doorbell rang.

"Well, speaking of. I gotta go!" I said as I got up and put my glass on the sink then ran to the front door.

"Hey!" I said as I opened the door and saw Brad standing there in a gray sweatshirt, black pants and black boots.

Well that's dark.

"You look bright!" I joked and he chuckled.

"You ready?" He asked and I nodded.

We went to his car then got in and drove off.

"Where are we going?" I asked and he smiled then looked at me for a second then back on the road.

"You still ask a lot of questions, don't you?" He chuckled and I rolled my eyes playfully.

"Well, you just asked if we could meet up. You didn't give details." I said with a giggle.

"You'll just have to see then." He said and then it was silent. A comfortable one.

I looked at his phone as he rang then he looked at it then back at the road.

"Can you please answer that?" He asked and I nodded as I got it and answered.

"Hello, this is Leanna, Bradley can't talk right now but if you'd like to send him your message, I could give it to him for you." I said and Brad chuckled at me.

"Leanna? What are you doing with Brad's phone? It's Tiana." Tiana spoke and I looked at Brad.

"Who is it?" He asked.

"Tiana." I said and then he looked uncomfortable.

"He's driving and asked me to answer the phone." I said to Tiana.

"Oh, where are you guys going?" She asked.

"I don't know actually." I answered truthfully.

"Well can you please ask Brad if our date today is still on?" She asked with an annoyed tone.

Well okay then.

"She wants to ask if your date today is still on." I said and then Brad parked on the park's parking lot.

'No. Tell her I can't. Tell her I suddenly have a meeting!' He whispered and I nodded.

"He said he can't. He got a call earlier today and he's got a sudden meeting." I said trying to sound believable.

"Well why is he with you then?" She asked and I looked at Brad who leaned his head on the steering wheel and bumped his head on it continually.

I blocked the steering wheel with my hand and then he looked at me.

"He's got a meeting with me. I already talked to the other boys individually for a proposal and I just need Brad to complete it." I said and Brad looked at me confused.

"Well, tell him to call me when he's not being held up. by some bitch." She said but mumbled the last part.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing." She said with an annoyed tone.

"Well then, I have to hang up. Bye." I said bluntly as I hung up before she speak again.

"Thank you Leanna-"

"So, why did you want to meet up?" I asked Brad with an annoyed tone. Totally lost all my excitement.

"What?" He asked, taken back from my tone.

"Why did you want to meet up?" I asked him again and he sighed.

"I want to hang out." He said and I sighed.

"Bradley, what happened before, we can't just pretend it never happened."

"Why not Leanna?"

Then it hit me. My dream. I have to toughen up and make this right. Do what my heart wants me to.

"Because I like you but I'm too scared. First it was Sam, with our relationship that time, with the thought of me loving him. Then now Tiana. I'm scared that if you found out, something will happen that will pull us apart from each other." I said and then sat back properly.

"I know that I left. I know that I didn't try. But I just don't wanna hurt the both of us with whatever that might happen. Our friendship was enough for me cause I was too scared." I told him but still looked at the car floor.

"I get scared of every little thing and I hate it. It pulls me apart from the things and the people that I want to be with." I said as a tear left my eye.

"Leanna, that's why I'm here. I'll help you. I know that we can work it out, somehow." He said as he forced me to look at him gently.

"I know that. You've showed me that, a lot of times. But it's also me. It's me who makes it all worst."

"Leanna, be with me and we'll figure it out. Please, I just want you to be mine. I don't care what happens. I will keep you safe and protected. I will help you with everything." He said and then I just sighed.

"But what about Tiana?"

"I thought I moved on you and I thought I was gonna be happy with her but you showed me that I can never move on you. You're the the only girl that can make me smile, make me laugh. And make me the happiest person alive." He said and I looked at his eyes and I can see nothing but sincerity.

Then I kissed him.

"Leanna?" He asked as we pulled away and I nodded making him smile.

"Keep everything I said in mind okay?" I nodded again and kissed him again.