Bliss || Reece Bibby

19

chapter nineteen; real life (time skip to September)

The six of us were currently walking down the street, doing whatever we can to pass time until it's time to board the train.

We pass a small park, and my mind instantly goes to Alex. We had met here, when I had just gotten back from America and he was enrolled in a few courses at the local university. I was in the middle of a shoot and he was throwing a football back and forth between his friends when it flew over his head and hit the girl I was working with. He was embarrassed, which lead to him apologizing profusely, and somehow we had managed to get each other's numbers, going on a date that night.

I think of my brother, who used to take me here on days we would meet up. I don't understand him anymore. What goes through his mind when he makes the decisions he does, when he decides that supporting our mother is the 'safest' and most 'reliable' option. The only thing I ever got from loving her was an injury to my stomach that still haunts me.

"What's up?" Blake asks, looking over at me with a confused look as we sit at a random picnic table.

"What do you mean?"

"You seem sad."

I sigh. "Being here brings up a whole bunch of memories that I don't want to think of."

"Oh?"

"Things I don't want to talk about."

"That makes sense."

Reece finally comes back from wherever he disappeared to, showing up with multiple trays of food.

"We never decided on a place." George says. "I thought you went to the bathroom or something."

"Well I saw this place and it smelled really good so I get everyone something that I knew they would like." Reece sets the trays down, looking through the bags and setting things in front of us.

"Chicken tenders?" I look up at him as he sets them in front of me.

"These are a back up. I got you a burger with their own sauce on it instead of ketchup and mustard, so just in case you don't like it I got you chicken tenders and waffle fries."

I smile.

"He always goes all out for her, even if it is just food." Olivia says, a smirk on her face. "Man, I wish I had a boyfriend who was that extra."

Blake chokes on the chip he had just put in his mouth and stares at her.

"Say what now?"

"You heard me."

"What makes you think I'm not extra?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

I stifle a laugh, trying not to let Blake know that she was kidding. Despite her sarcasm, he decided to take her seriously and is now listing everything he's done for her since they started dating.

"... I have filled your entire room with roses while you were asleep when it was Valentine's Day-"

"You are aware I got like twenty thorns stuck in my foot, right?"

"It's the thought that counts?"

"Blake."

"Yea?"

"You realize I'm kidding, right?"

"Oh."

She smiles, leaning over and pressing her lips against his.

I look away to give them a moment, grabbing the burger and taking a bite of it.

It was actually really good.

Like unbelievably good.

"Where is this from?"

He shrugs. "Some burger place I found. I don't really know that name."

"The bags don't help either. They're just plain white. Same with the cups." George says.

"How have I never had this?"

"It's probably new here in London." Emily says. "You've been in Accrington since you got back from America, working on last minute details for the wedding."

I smile, looking over at Reece who had a smile plastered on his face.

"Exactly a week from today." He says softly.

I lay my head on his shoulder, which makes him wrap his arms around me and pull me closer.

"I can't with you two." Emily says from next to me. "Making me feel all alone."

"We hear that literally everyday."

"Because I'm surround by two happy couples!"

"Welcome to my life." George says.

"But we're used to your complaining."

"Wow, thanks."

I chuckle, grabbing the burger and taking another bite.

I was the first to finish my food, which is unusual because I tend to eat slowly.

"I'm weirded out." George says, staring at me.

"How?"

"Because were always waiting on you to finish?!"

"So?"

"What's up with you?"

I shrug. "I guess I was just hungry. I haven't really eaten much today because I was working on getting any last minute details with the venue."

"Is that why you wouldn't leave the hotel room this morning? You were on the phone?" Blake asks.

I nod.

"I thought you were being like Blake and refusing to get up." George says, earning a glare from Blake.

"Haha, very funny."

"He's not wrong." Olivia says. "I'm the same way though, so I can't say anything about it."

next chapter tho ;)