i want to write you a song, brandon arreaga

fifty-two

(( THE SAME DAY ))
REAL LIFE.

together, hand in hand, adele and brandon step onto one of the small carts, neither hesitating as they sat right beside each other. immediately, they stare out of the large windows.

"can i admit something?" adele blurts, and brandon frowns as he looks over at her.

"yeah, always."

"i didn't actually need to go to the bathroom." she murmurs, and he furrows his eyebrows at her. "i was getting really anxious, and i didn't know how to control it. i didn't wanna ruin things with my dad.."

"like what?"

"because he told me he's been really proud of me." she explains, "and lately i've been feeling so good about myself.." adele trails off, her eyes moving from his to the beautiful view outside. "you know what? i'll tell you later, let's enjoy this."

brandon opens his mouth to reassure her that it was okay, but her hand gently turns his head towards the window, before running it through his hair and leaning her own head on his shoulder.

she felt her heartbeat rest against his chest, but his was going wild. before she told him what she'd just said, he was going to tell her the things her father said.

"you sure this road is safe?" brandon asks, skeptically looking around the empty block. "seems sketchy to me."

"chill out, baby. i'll protect you if someone tries to jump us." she teases, though he knew some part of her was genuinely serious.

"wanna finish what you were saying earlier?" he questions, and she nods slightly.

"yeah, sure." she begins. "i was just saying i can finally feel some sense of self growth, you know? it feels great."

"it does." he agrees, and she smiles at him. "seriously, i feel just as good about it as you do. all i want is for you to feel like your best self."

she tightens her grip on his hand, and he raises their grouped hands to kiss hers gently. "and, i researched a few ways to help with your anxiety last night—"

"oh my god." she lets out a rather nervous laugh, and he does too.

"seriously, adele. i found these online classes that teach you breathing exercises. plus..it's free!"

she opens her mouth to ask why he'd been so excited about a free program that probably wouldn't have costed much in the first place, before remembering his tight budget. though, he catches on. "yeah, i'm geeked about a free class. go ahead and mention my gas station birthday cake."

she bursts into laughter, and his eyes roll playfully. "i wasn't going to mention it, by the way."

"i knew you were itching to, though." he teases, before feeling his phone buzz in his jeans. he pulls it out, seeing an unflattering close up of zion take up most of his screen, "aw, your favorite person is calling."

she grimaces jokingly, and brandon answers the facetime call. "hey!" zion's loud scream fills the empty street, and brandon narrows his eyes at him.

"hey, zee. we're just walking around outside right now." he angles the camera to adele, and she squints at him.

zion feigns a gag, "ugh, it's you."

she threw her middle finger into the camera, and brandon smiles. "that's my response, too."

"isn't it like, 3 in the morning? y'all should be in the sheets, not strolling around like an old couple."

"aw, you're checking up on us." adele coos, and he shakes his head.

"never that. i'm bored as hell, thought i should see what my favorite friend in the world is up to."

"which one are you talking to?" brandon asks curiously.

"..adele."

his jaw drops, and adele takes the phone from him. "i'm not doing your dumbass any favor, so don't bother asking."

"listen. i heard your little assistant is single now—"

"no!"

"zion, stop acting desperate." brandon says, "just wait for the right one."

"sammi ain't the right one." he sighs, and the two of them couldn't help but secretly feel bad for them.

adele glances at brandon before looking back at the camera. "well..melanie did say you were a little cute—"

"oh, shit!" he stands from the couch, and the two watch as his phone shakes from his cheer. "fuck yeah! give her my number!"

"she just got out of relationship, big boy. wait a bit, then text her."

"i will, i promise." he nods, though he couldn't hide his smile. "damn. maybe i do love you, adele." brandon glares at him, and he smirks. "anyways, you two enjoy your little old people shit."

they exchange goodbyes before the calls end, and brandon shoves his phone back in his pocket. "that was a lot."

brandon blows out a breath, "yeah."

she nudges him slightly, "so, what do you say we head back to my place and do some non-old people shit?"