Falling for Him

Chapter 32

Thank you for being patient with me. You guys are amazing. This was my favourite chapter so far and I hope you enjoy :)

' Knock, knock, knock' was the sound that emanated through the hall as I waited patiently for someone to answer the door, but that was not the only sound that was heard in the hallway outside Brandon's apartment, for my heart was beating one thousand miles a minute. Mom saw how nervious I looked and she gently nodded and smiled trying to tell me that everything would be ok and that I should not worry. I knew this because since I was a child that was what she did to put me at ease. Nikki tucked a stray hair into my clip and nodded at me. I knocked one final time before the door was swung open revealing a little boy with the splitting image of Brandon, Jace.

From the moment he recogised me, he darted forward and grabbed me giving me his biggest hug.

“Hey Jace,” I said bending to give him a proper hug.

“Hey Belle, I heard you were coming,” he replied before hugging me even tighter than before if that was even possible.

“Jace, you could let her go you know. She’s staying for dinner,” Brandon stated while opening the door wider and waiting for Jace to let me go. “Hi Mrs. Joseph and Nikki, I’m so glad that you could come,” Brandon continued gesturing us inside.

Almost nothing had changed from the last time I was here except, now the scent of baked chicken wafted through the air making my mouth water and stomach rumble.

“Would your mother like some help in the kitchen?” Nikki asked politely. Brandon showed her the way to the kitchen and both my mother and her went to lend a helping hand. Soon it was just Brandon, Jace and I in the living room and we stood there awkwardly until I decided to break the silence.

“So what’s the big surprise?” I asked curiously.

“You will see soon. Don’t rush it,” he said giving me a smile. I nodded as I tried not to show my disappointment, “Hey I promise ok?” he continued.

“Guys dinner is ready. Come to the dining room and Jace get you sister!” Brandon’s mom shouted to us.

At the thought of food my stomach rumbled even more but soon his mom’s word dawned on me. Wait did she just ask Jace to get his sister? The thought of Jade being here was enough to make me lose my appetite and just leave. I mean how much could one person take? She already was torturing me at school but would she be so inhumane to do so in front of her mother and mine? I took a deep breath trying to calm myself but when it was time to exhale I could not do it. It was the thought of being insulted and humiliated that I could not handle it for another second. If I could leave I would but, that would seem rude and it would upset Brandon, someone who I cared for a lot. After what seemed like forever, the breath of air which I held, was slowly exhaled and I felt myself calming but it all changed when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and I knew it was her.

She held my gaze before smiling sweetly at my mother then throwing daggers at me. I looked at the floor and to my surprise, I felt someone’s hand touching me. I looked at his fingers which were now entangled in mine before staring at his face. He reassured me by gently squeezing my hand before he pulled out a chair for my mom, Nikki, his mom and finally me. Mom seemed taken aback and she thanked Brandon for what was like the millionth time today.

When Jade sat opposite me, she stared at me before saying, “And who invited you here, dork?”

Her mom was in shock at how rude her daughter was being and her mouth opened and closed as she possibly thought of what to say to her and it was the same with my mother but it was Brandon who came to the rescue.