Maybe It's Time

AUGUST, 2000

Stefani's POV

Right after vomiting on Brad's shoes, I ran to my house and did not go out for some days. I lied to my parents that I was sick to not go to school. I could not tell them that, otherwise dad would go after Noah. That was the last thing I needed.

I didn't talk to Brad for almost one month. I was not mad at him but embarrassed. All I could think was that the fault was mine Noah attacked me. Noah never showed up again, thankfully.

One day, Brad came to my house to talk. He made me understand that nothing that happened I asked for. In that moment all I wanted to do was kissing him hard. Of course I did not.

We became even closer since that day, although Bradley was getting busier and busier because of his work. There were many activities he was doing to be admitted in a university. Plus, he had other friends and he was not always there when I wanted or needed. I knew Brad was seeing other girls and that killed me. He never liked to mention them so I never asked about.

I decided to ask my mom to take piano classes. I needed to keep my mind busy and try to forget my crush on my best friend. And that's what I did.

The months had passed and a new year started. I was officially a teenager and I started to be annoying like most are. My parents were being extremely patient to me. Me and my sister, Natali, were always arguing just like most siblings do.

That was not my best year in school as well and I was hanging out with kids my parents told not to hang out.

"Hey, Bo!" I saw my friend when I arrived school and she didn't say "hi" back to me. "What's up?" She looked at me like she was mad or something and walked away after she put her stuff on her locker. I followed her without understanding. "What happened?"

"Stef... I think it's better if you leave me alone".

"Why is that now?"

"Because you are not the Stefani I met once". I laughed at her and shook my head with my hands on my waist.

"All this drama because I made new friends?"

"They are not your friends, Stef! Trust me. They laugh at you behind your back".

"Colleen and Emily are not like that!" Now it was her turn to laugh at me.

"Alright... Just don't come to me when they disappoint you".

"You know what? Go fuck yourself, Bo!" She gapped and nodded.

"Yeah, let me go fuck myself now. Your friends are coming and I don't wanna be here".

I hurt my friend and that killed me but I didn't want anyone to notice, so I smiled at my new friends who walked to my locker. All the conversations I had with them were about boys or clothes and of course I didn't fit in that group but they were the cool girls. I was doing everything I could to be accepted.

In that morning I skipped the classes to smoke with my two friends near our school. I am not the kind of person who is lucky, so we got caught by a teacher. We all got suspended for the week and I had to call an adult to pick me up.

I could not call my parents so I decided that I should call Bradley. He was not home and in that time he didn't have a cellphone. I had to call the place he used to work. I waited for around one hour in the principal room.

Bradley was really pissed off, not only because I did that but also because he had to leave his work. He started the car and shook his head. I stared at him while putting the seat belt on.

"Please, don't tell my parents". He looked at me.

"Are you out of your mind? Why the fuck were you smoking?"

"Oh said the one who does the same".

"I am an idiot, Stefani! You don't have to be one too. Get away from those kids, seriously".

"Then promise you won't tell my parents..."

"I am not sure. They trust me, Stef. By the way, you got suspended, remember? You will have to tell them!"

"Please, I will manage that".

"Will you pretend you are going to school?"

"Well, yeah!?"

He laughed and nodded his head while driving me home. That was his first car. He saved money for years to buy that black Cherokee and he treated it just like a girl. Brad even named the car.

"Why are you acting like that? Last time Bo came she told me that you are acting bitchy".

"She is jealous because I am hanging out with other friends".

"You are wrong! I am your friend and I know if you keep acting this way you will lose people. Trust me".

I sighed because he was right. I didn't need Colleen and Emily's approval, but it was nice hanging out with the popular kids. I thought better and I realized that being friend with Bo was much nicer than spending time with two stupid girls who could barely spell their names.

Bradley didn't tell my parents but I followed his advices and told them. In the same day I called Bo to apologize for my behavior. I was happy Brad could open my eyes, even though my parents grounded me for a month.

  To be continued...  

P.S: Sorry guys I don't really like this chapter but it will get better. XX