Maybe It's Time

FEBRUARY, 2002 - PART ONE

Bradley's POV

"You have cancer, ma'am". When I heard that I felt lost. I grabbed my mom's hand and my eyes were brimming with tears. I didn't even hear what the doctor said after that but mom didn't even seem so upset about it. We were lucky the doctor found it out early but we didn't have money for the treatment.

While driving my mother home, I could not say a word nor even look at her face. I was ashamed for not visiting her so often and felt guilty.

"I can move back home..." I finally said after a while. She looked at me and nodded negatively.

"You have to stay there. It's too far for you!"

"I will take a break and..."

"Are you out of your mind? You got a scholarship! Son, we found it in the beginning. I will be fine".

"We can't afford your treatment..."

"Let's not think about that now..."

"How come I will not think about that, mom? You are sick and we are broke and I can't help you..." I parked my car and started crying. My mother had no reaction. Maybe that was too pathetic. I stayed there for a while and started the car again.

"Don't be so upset, baby". My mother touched my shoulder while I was sobbing. "Trust me when I say I will be fine". She smiled. "Let's have faith. And don't blame yourself. You are a wonderful son".

I nodded and smiled at her. Of course that didn't make me feel better but I was glad she was so optimistic. I decided to sleep in my mom's house that night, since the weekend was coming.

Right after a shower, I grabbed a beer and sit on the balcony of the house. It was late and our street was a very calm one. I saw a car approaching and parking in front of Stefani's house. I looked at my watch and it was around 10pm.

Suddenly, Stefani left the car and a guy did the same. I didn't know him and I supposed she had a date in that night. The lights were off so I just watched that scene without being seen.

He walked to her to say goodbye and kissed her lips. The kiss took longer than I thought it would and I notice his hands sliding down, grabbing her backside. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I could not believe she actually let him do it. "Holy shit". I mumbled.

He got inside his car and left and then I decided to turn the lights on and finally she noticed me. She smiled, walking towards me. I haven't seen her in a while and could not help but notice that she was very different.

"You dyed your hair?" I said when she was very close to me.

"Hi, Brad! I am great, thanks for asking". She hugged me tight and I notice she smiled, even though I could not see her face. "How have you been?"

"Not so good, actually... And who was he?"

"Just a... guy". She blushed. "Hey... Have you been crying?"

"Well, yeah..."

"Wanna talk?" I nodded. She sit next to me in the stairs.

' "But first let me ask... That guy is much older than you, right?"

"Hmm... A little. He is 25".

"Jesus! Stef... Take care..."

"He invited me to eat... I mean, I could not say no for free food right?" I laughed. "I don't like him... I probably won't see him again anyway... But tell me... What's up?" I sighed.

"I took my mom to a doctor today... She was diagnosed with breast cancer".

"Oh... Damn... How is she dealing with that?"

"Fine, actually... She is much more positive than me".

"That's good..."

"There is a treatment... I just don't know if we can afford it".

"You know... I can talk to my parents about it. They sold a house in New York that belonged to my grandparents and they saved the money".

"Nah, Stef! Don't worry about that! Thank you but we will manage it!" I smiled at her.

"I am sorry about that... You guys don't deserve it".

"Yeah... Shit happens, right?" She nodded in agreement.

"I will talk to her tomorrow... Want me to stay?" She asked me.

"You don't have to, Stef".

"I want to! I missed you, you know?" She smiled. "I won't sleep here, just keep you some company".

"Alright! It will be good forget all this for a while... Let's go inside. It's getting cold here".

She nodded and we got inside the house. I grabbed two beers and walked to my bedroom. Stefani followed me.

"Is she sleeping?" She asked me and I nodded. "Let's be quiet, then".

"Want one?" I offered her a beer.

"Really, what happened to you?" She grabbed the bottle of beer and opened it.

"Don't tell me you don't drink". I laughed and she smiled. "One won't kill you".

"Sometimes I drink..." She sighed and sit on my bed. "I know I should not but..." She shrugged. "What's the difference between drinking now or later?"

"True..." I sit on a armchair next the door. I decided to keep some distance from Stefani. I was a little uncomfortable to be alone with her in a bedroom. Stefani was not a kid anymore. She grown and her body was not the same. I could not stop staring at her sometimes, which made me feel guilty. Stefani dyed her hair and now it was black and longer. In that day she was wearing some makeup, looking really gorgeous.

"You know what I wanted now?" She asked and I looked at her, waiting for an answer. "A baby bottle to drink this beer while lying in bed".

"Sorry, I don't have one but that's smart". I laughed hard and she laid in bed with the beer in her hands. She was wearing a skirt and her thighs were more visible. I stopped looking at her and we got in silence for a while. "So... That guy... Where did you meet him?"

"I don't wanna talk about him, seriously".

"Why not? He seemed nice... That long hair and all those tattoos... Does your parents know?" I was a little sarcastic and she looked at me, screwing her eyes up.

"Really? Are you jealous?" She sit on the bed, staring at me. I blushed and shook my head.

"I am not jealous, Stefani! I just don't understand why you waste your time with an asshole".

"You don't know him..."

"I don't even need to meet him. I can see it. What the fuck is that car?" She laughed. "If you date him because he makes you feel more powerful or anything like that, the only thing I can say is that... you don't need it. You deserve better. I am a man, Stef... And I know he will use you and when he gets tired, he will look for another one. Simple as that!"

"I don't care... I am just having fun".

"Does your parents know?"

"No... They would freak out". She made a pause. "You seeing anyone?"

"Nah... I am too busy with college and now with all this crap going on... No need of drama at the moment". Stefani put the empty bottle of beer on the floor and lay on her side, staring at me.

"You know that you were my first crush". She laughed and I blushed. "I was so jealous when you told me you were dating Olivia... And you were my first kiss. Remember that peck? It was the first time I kissed a boy". I cringed in the chair while she was talking. "I am glad it were you. That will be a nice memory". I stared the floor, smiling and I noticed she walked towards the armchair I was sitting. She suddenly bowed her face and crushed a kiss on my mouth...

To be continued...

Hey guys, just wanted to thank all the views, votes and the sweet comments. I was not expecting that when I started posting. I am really happy you are enjoying and I hope you like this chapter.<3 XX