Road to The Academy (EDITING)

Chapter 9: Big Brother pt. 2

*Briana*

"Hey B, I got your favorite from Royal Cafe. It's on the counter." Carlito gave me a hug when I got down the stairs.

"Yes! thank you" I grabbed a plate from the cabinet and started filling it up.

"Mike and I are gonna go chill in the backyard for a bit. Cat, babe, you coming?" Carlito held up two beers, waiting for her response.

"Mm yes, let's go." Cat gave Carlito a quick kiss and grabbed another beer from the fridge.

"Make good choices.." Ben and I just looked at each other laughing.

I finished eating rather quickly. Afterward, Ben helped me put the leftovers away and clean up the kitchen a bit before we chilled out for the night. We decided to relax in the living room and watch t.v until we got tired.

"So, what happened with Luís?" I sat next to Ben on the couch and pulled a blanket over me.

"I just didn't like that he was involved in the whole thing with you at practice. Did he talk bad about you like the other guys?" Ben was serious and turned towards me on the couch.

"No.. He didn't say anything. I don't even think he was inside the building when it happened." I moved closer to him and grabbed his hand.

"That's not it though, something else had to happen for you to fight with him this bad?" I moved closer, still holding his hand in mine.

"You spend a lot of time together on the team, I guess I was starting to let jealousy take over" Ben opened up.

"Why jealousy?" I questioned nervously.

"Because, I-i like you... As more than friends." Ben mumbled.

After a moment of silence, both of us just soaking in this information. He finally picked his head up and willingly looked at me. I took a deep breath and let go.

"I like you too.." I felt him tense up as I held his hand.

*Carlito*

I walked outside and sat down next to our fire pit where Mike was already starting a small fire for us. Cat cuddled up next to me on our outdoor sofa. After about 15 minutes, Mike finally asked for my help since he's never lit a fire before. I laughed and reluctantly got up to help him. We walked over to the storage shed and started getting supplies.

"So, did Cat talk to Bri? About the, you know, girl stuff?" Mike was picking up some logs and moved them outside the door.

"I'm not sure, I think so. I don't want to ask though." I was feeling weird just thinking about it.

"You know, it's not that bad. That she's growing up." Mike was trying to be positive.

"You don't have sisters. It's no where near the same" I was getting frustrated with him. He doesn't understand the position I'm in.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I know we are in different situations. But not so much that I don't understand. I'm gonna bring this wood out to Cat." He left right away with me to follow.

Since Mike was still having trouble, Cat took charge and started the fire. Anyway, I feel bad for being so rude to Mike, he was just trying to help. Her growing up, is something that I've always worried about. I thought my mom would be dealing with this. I love Cat for being here and loving me and Bri like family. Her being here really takes a load off of me. Especially with Briana and her going through her 'woman' issues. I cuddled with Cat and stared into the sky, with this sort of 'weight of the world' look on my face.

"Carlito, what's going through your head right now?" Mike picked up a log and put it onto the low burning fire.

"Just that it's cute, you know, what Ben told us earlier." I smiled and Mike just rolled his eyes and finished off his beer.

"Oh yeah, it is. Hope everything is okay in there haha" Mike picked up our empty bottles and recycled them.

"Ben likes his life, he won't try anything with her" I joked around with Mike.

Cat was intrigued. So she changed her position and sat on my lap then wrapped her arms around my neck.

"What did Ben tell you earlier?" Cat looked at me with her usual attitude face; which I think is adorable.

"What did Briana tell you earlier?" I gave her the same look she gave me as I squeezed her thighs.

"It's private.." Her face changed pretty fast.

"Then there's your answer" I kissed her forehead and she returned the favor with a hard poke to my ribs.

"Ow.. attitude." I whispered in her ear as I squeezed her waist. She smiled and kissed me in return.

"I have a serious question, what the hell was Luís thinking at practice? He's never done anything like that before." Mike was concerned and confused.

"Honestly, it sounds like peer pressure. You know how the guys are, they don't always make the best choices." I pulled Cat closer to me since I could feel her getting tired.

"Babe, did Briana say anything about that to you?" I whispered in her ear.

"Mm she didn't bring up anything with me" her words muffled by my chest.

"What did they say? That's not why she's upset, I know the guys spying is wrong and mean. But I don't think that's the whole reason." Carlito kept digging.

"They said that she's 'not a baby anymore' since she finally got her period, like the rest of the girls and that Briana has feelings for someone. Amongst other things about Jenna and Alexa too" Mike answered pretty quick.

"What? That's so wrong! I see why the girls were told no practice today then." Carlito responded, finally getting the full perspective.

"Hey, I'm falling asleep on you. I should go up to bed. Good night babe." Cat gave me a kiss before I helped her sit up.

"Good night beautiful" I got up and threw another log on the fire.

"What the hell Mike?" I couldn't believe what I just heard.

"From what Ben told me, Luís only listened to the girls talk and he left before the guys started talking about it." Mike attempted to defend Lu.

"Still doesn't make it right." I was upset but calm.

"I know. I still need to talk to him about it. He's in a lot of trouble already because of this" Mike put his head down into his hands.

"It's okay. You should get some sleep. I'm gonna go inside with Cat, see you tomorrow."  I slowly made my way toward the house.

Mike poured some water onto the fire and followed me inside.

*Ben*

"Oh wow, I wasn't expecting that. So would you wanna go on a real date then? You know, romantic and just us?" I was excited for her response.

"Of course.. Just let me know when and where we're going." She smiled and squeezed my hand.

"Sounds good." I smiled and gave her a hug.

Briana said her goodbyes to me and went upstairs to her room for the evening. I sat in my spot,  just frozen in the moment. Did I really just tell her that? Was it really that simple? Am I dreaming? We hang out by ourselves all the time, but this is totally different. I took a breath and started getting ready for bed. I got up and made my way over to the closet to get my pillow and blanket. It was getting late so I fluffed my pillow and unfolded my blanket. I quietly turned the light off and laid down. I can't believe what just happened. Me and Briana are going on a date. We hang out by ourselves all the time. But suddenly, I have no freaking idea what I'm going to do for our date.

What did I just get myself into?