The Secret

Ch.7 | Banī

•Brianne•

I don't remember what time I fell asleep but I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. It was Travis. I answered half asleep and whining.
"I'll sleep when I'm dead I guess!"
He laughed on the other end. "You're still sleeping?" He asked excitedly.
"I was!" I whined.
"Banī, it's like almost 11:30." He said laughing.
"Why the hell are you so cheery? COFFEE!" I groaned.
"Wake up, Bri. I've got good news. I'm on my way to pick up lunch and then I'm heading over. But hang tight. I'm calling Fabes on three-way."
"Ugh! Travis!" I whined like a teenager who refuses to get up in the morning.
He just laughs at me and my urge to go back to sleep. "Hang on." He said chuckling.
I want to throw my phone out of my window and stuff my head under my pillow. SLEEP! What is he doing?
"What's up!" Fabian answers.
I interrupt. "Uggh! Make it stop!" I yelled in my room.
"Bri, are you still sleeping? Dude, it's like almost noon." Fabian said laughing.
"That's what I told her." Travis adding in.
"Get off it. I'm awake now. Kind of. I hate you guys." I groaned softly but grumpy.
Fabian and Travis chuckling at me. I roll my eyes and keep them shut.
"What's up, Travvie Travs? I feel good news. You have us on a three-way call."
"I got approved for my Fostering license. I should be getting it soon."
I quickly sat up fully straight in my bed.
"Dude. I knew you would. Congratulations."
"Travs, that's good. Congratulations. We should celebrate." I said.
"Yeah. Thanks guys. I'm on my way to pick up some lunch and then I'm heading over to your place right now, Bri."
"I have to work for a few hours today, but I'll see you guys later tonight, alright?" Fabian said.
"Alright man. Talk later." Travis hung up and got back on the phone with me. After a moment of silence, "Banī!"
"I'm here." I answered in my reassurance.
"Alright."
It was silence on the phone while he drove with me on speaker.
"You okay, Travvie?"
It was quiet again. "Yeah. I'm just pulling up to get us some food and shakes. You still want a strawberry shake right?"
"Yes."
The vibe just seemed so different in the air now that it was just Travis and I on the phone by ourselves. I just can't find the right word for it. Definitely not awkward. Just different. But a good different.
"Travvie."
"I'm here."
I let out a little laugh. "Just wake me when you get here. Let yourself in and settle. Then wake me up."
He laughed, "Bri, why are you so tired?" He asked softly. I could hear a smile on his face.
Alright. Time to be blunt.
"Travvie. I didn't get much sleep last night. I was just thinking about.. stuff."
He was quiet again. I'm gonna fall asleep on this phone call. He's about to hear me snore. It wouldn't be new to him.
"Neither did I. I had.. something on my mind also." He said quietly. He wasn't laughing or making fun. I believe him. The thought of him kissing me and me craving more of.. something, kept me up all night.
"Okay. Well, I'm gonna order and then wait. I'll be there soon, okay? Go back to sleep, Banī."
"Alright." I said quietly.

•Travis•

I...
am...
tired as shit.
I kissed Brianne last night.
Passionately.

I don't kiss girls like the way I just kissed Brianne last night. Or was the way that I was about to the night of the masquerade. The social worker came by my apartment again today to make sure everything was up to par. I went to bed thinking about Brianne and when I finally fell asleep, I woke up this morning, she was all that consumed my mind. My inner voice keeps telling me that I should talk to Fabian about this no matter how upset it might make him. The same voice keeps telling me not to say a fucking shit thing until I really figure out what's going on after I talk to Bri after our lunch. It also keeps saying to keep everything to myself the same way I've been for almost 20 years.
Fuck. I'm so tired. I might not leave Bri's once I get there. My mind is in no condition to be driving around today. I'm so tired.
I ordered. I waited. I felt my phone buzzing in my hoodie. Sarai.
I let it go to voicemail. I'm too tired for Sarai right now. She is a whole mood once she's on the line. My phone buzzes again and this time it's Mason.
Forward to Voicemail.
I don't think I've ever been this tired before. Except for that night in high school when Brianne went to that winter dance with that douche bag. That guy had a bad rep at school with girls. I mean, I was no better, but I probably would have punched my 17 year old self in the balls if I had the nerve to ask Bri to that dance myself. Dude assured me that he isn't going to lay a finger on Bri at that dance on the count of us going just so we can keep an eye on her. Mostly him. When we left the dance, Mason had a party at his house. Everyone showed up, including Brianne and her dance date. There was a moment when it was time for me to go home, and I couldn't stand to know that Brianne was still at that party hanging out with that guy. Even though I eventually found out that nothing happened between them two. I didn't trust him and the way he was with girls. I lost a lot of sleep that night. It was hard not to be able to talk to Sarai or even Fabian about it. I just had to keep it to myself and take it to the grave.
I need to fix and straighten up whatever is happening with Bri and I. Or at least what is about to happen.