In Your Time

Chapter 26

When school ended, I grabbed my bag out of my locker and took my time heading out to the parking lot. Merlyn walked beside me, watching my face curiously.

"Why are you nervous?" She asked as we finally made it outside. There was a crowd forming around Braden's car as he leaned against the front of it with his arms crossed.

"That's why," I said, nodding to the commotion. Merlyn gasped.

"He's picking you up despite the attention you're already getting?" She asked. I only nodded as Braden noticed me. He smiled before meeting me halfway.

"About time. Let's go," he said lightheartedly as he took my hand in his and led me back to the passenger side of his car. He opened the door for me before getting in himself and driving off. I hunched one the seat, hyper aware of all my schoolmates watching us.

"Still not a fan of the PDA?" He joked.

"Braden, you already knew I'd been found out. People are going crazy online right now because of me," I argued. Braden's easy smile didn't leave his face.

"I've been waiting nine years for you. Do you honestly think I didn't have a plan?" He asked rhetorically. I sighed as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"So what's the plan?" I asked.

"First, we go shopping. Then, you join me for an live interview and an event. People will eventually deal with it," he explained.

"That's your grand nine year plan? Take me everywhere with you?" I asked. He chuckled.

"After people see us do an interview together and get to hear your side of things, they'll calm down. Trust me," he tried to assure me. I sighed and decided to just stay quiet about it for now.

"Oh, I ran into Torin today. He's a teacher at my school," I said, changing the subject.

"Yeah he told me he was moving back. We actually became good friends after you left," Braden chuckled.

"I suggested having dinner together," I said. He nodded.

"I haven't seen him in a few years. I think it would be a good idea," he agreed. Just like Braden planned, we went shopping for clothes for me before he drove me to a warehouse studio. Inside, the space was well lit and decorated with cameras pointed at comfortable looking chairs. A woman in her thirties approached us with a cordial smile.

"Braden, thank you so much for this exclusive," she thanked him. Braden smiles that signature idol smiled as he waved her off.

"Of course. You've always been the best at showing the best side of me. I knew you would extend that courtesy to my girlfriend," he replied. Ah, so he was getting help.

"I won't lie and say it'll be easy. She is a high schooler after all," the interviewer admitted.

"It's a bit more complicated than that," Braden said honestly. I held onto the fabric of his sleeve and shook my head as he glanced at me. I knew that I'd told a number of people already about my time travel, but they were all important people. I couldn't just announce that I time travelled to the entire world. Hopefully Braden has a good cover story. We were set up on a couch at an angle facing a camera and the host. After the microphones were clipped to us and hair and makeup was settled, we began.

"I know it hasn't been long since we last saw you, but everyone is curious about your mystery girl. We're excited you could bring her with you today," the host started. Braden smiled bashfully as he took my hand in his smoothly. It was only then I realized something. Braden was used to this. He'd been practicing these interviews since I left nine years ago. I was a person who couldn't swim, being thrown into the deep end without a raft. I grasped his hand tightly as the lights suddenly seemed too bright.

"It's a long story that goes back nine years, but essentially, Phoenix was my very first fan. Back when I only played my guitar in my room, Phoenix was the one who encouraged me to keep going when I was ready to give up," Braden explained.

"So you've known each other for a long time then?" The woman asked. Braden nodded.

"Family friends. You could say we practically grew up together before we got separated for almost a decade," Braden answered.

"But if Phoenix is in high school now, how do you deal with the age gap?" The host asked the next question. I felt my hand tighten around Braden's. I suddenly didn't want to be there anymore.

"Phoenix is really smart, and wise beyond her years. I'm not just saying that either. We've always been close, but at some point, I realized that I loved her, and I would wait for her," he answered.

"Waiting for true love; how romantic. Phoenix, what were your thoughts on that?" The host directed her line of questioning to me.

"I-I..." I stuttered. Braden squeezed my hand gently, making me look at him. Slowly, I relaxed as I focused all of my attention to him.

"I told him not to. I knew if he waited, he would be waiting a long time. I was okay just being a silent supporter on the sidelines. As much as I loved him too, I didn't want to be what held him back. As you can see, he didn't listen to me," I smiled lightly at Braden. He smiled encouragingly to me as the host giggled.

"You two definitely do click right for some reason. Let's take a few live questions," the host said. She pulled out her device before reading through a few of the comments.

"LoveBray44 wants to know how you two got to be so close," the host read a question off.

"When I was younger, I was sick. I had a very specific illness, so I went to stay with the Parks for a year while Braden's dad treated me. That's when I got to hear his music, and that's when I fell in love with him," I answered, feeling more confident.

"FormyloveBraden wants to know if you're okay now," the host kept pushing forward.

"Thankfully, she's okay now," Braden answered. We went on to answer that I was graduating this year, and more about me personally before the questions turned back to my relationship with Braden.

"So are you two thinking about marriage as your next step?" The host asked. I felt my face flush as I stared at my lap as Braden chuckled.

"I've already asked her to marry me, but we've only recently reconnected. I want to wait at least until she graduates and knows what she wants to do in life before tying her down. I want to be a part of her life, I don't want to own it," Braden explained.

"Later, down the road, we'll discuss it seriously," I added for Braden's sake.

"A lot of viewers are split on how to feel. A lot of us have heard about your mystery girl since you debuted, so we really want to see this with a happy ending, but a lot of viewers are sad to see you leave the market," the host chuckled. Braden laughed along with her.

"I've always been clear about being off the market. Even though she hasn't been beside me, I've always belonged to Phoenix," Braden said sweetly before kissing the back of my hand. I blushed as I stared at my lap again.

"She's so cute. She's shy, isn't she?" The hostess joked. Braden smiled widely as he nodded.

"That much hasn't changed," he confirmed.