Maybe It's Time

MARCH, 1999

Stefani's POV

I was finally turning 13. I didn't want a party so my mom and dad gave me the radio system I wanted badly. The day of my birthday I was so excited listening to my CD's on it that I didn't hear the doorbell.

"Stef, you have a visitor today". I looked at the door and smiled when I saw Bradley. Mom left us alone and he walked to me with a pack in his hands.

"Hey you, little monster. Happy birthday!". He smiled and hugged me.

"Thank you! What's this?" I tried to figure it out what that was, shaking the pack.

"Open it and you'll see". He threw himself in my bed.

I opened the pack and gaped. I looked at him again and he smiled. He bought me a discman. That was a thing at that year and it was very expensive.

"Are you kidding me?"

"Heard you wanted your own radio... Now you can listen to your music wherever you want".

"Oh my God! Thank you!" I jumped on him and he laughed. "You didn't have to".

"Yeah I did.... Now let me get up before your dad sees us this way". I laughed and kissed his cheek before getting up. "I need to tell you something".

"What?" I watched him sitting on my bed and looking through the window.

"I am dating..."

"Oh... Nice! Who is she?"

I pretended to be glad for him but I was dying of jealousy. In that moment I realized I had a crush on Brad. He was turning 18 in that year and I was just a 13 year old child. He would never look at me and I knew that. I could do nothing but accept the fact.

"Olivia... Remember her?"

"Oh yeah... Your first crush, right? I remember you told me about her. Since when?"

"It's been two weeks. I really like her and I want you to meet her when she comes to meet my mom".

"Sure, why not?"

I didn't really want to meet his girlfriend but Brad was still my friend and I'd never do something to hurt him, and being jealous would make him sad for sure. So I tried to be mature. Having Brad always around made me have strong feelings about him and I got confused, especially in that day when he was looking extremely cute.

Brad's beard was grown and he was not shaving. It made him look even better. His light eyes were the reason so many girls wanted him. He wanted only one though and that girl was Olivia.

I don't know what he liked so much about her but I remember she didn't look that good. She was just a normal girl and got the same interests as him, plus she was very intelligent. Maybe that's why. Brad liked the smart ones. He liked to talk about so many things I did not understand at that age.

Bradley always tried to explain me things about art, music and even science. When I was around nine, he came to my house with some CD's he wanted me to listen to. He introduced me Queen, David Bowie, Radiohead and so many artists. He is kinda responsible for my taste in music, movies and art.

In the night Olivia came, I had dinner at his house and his mom was very excited. She was approved by Gloria. Right after eating, I went to the kitchen to help with the dishes. Olivia told Gloria that she didn't have to deal with that and we stayed alone.

"How long do you know Brad, Stefani?"

"Since I was a baby". I was not really interested in talking. "He helped to change my diapers, you know?" She laughed.

"That's pretty cute. He always talks about you!"

"Yeah, he talks about you too".

I sighed. The conversation with Olivia made me realize she was actually nice and it would be better if I respected her. We did not become friends but I could stand her for my friend. 

To be continued...