𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 ━━ 𝖻𝗋𝗒𝖼𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝗅𝗅

𝘃𝗶𝗶𝗶. 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄

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november 21 2019
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IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS since we made the deal and all the drama with chase. bryce and i have been—benefitting from our friendship almost every night. i don't know. it just felt...he just felt safe in a way.

the heavy breathing in the room quited down as i got dressed again. i walked to the mirror to flatten out my messy hair as he did the same.

"let's go for a car ride."

"it's three am dummy." i chuckled, hugging him.

"perfect. we can drive around and listen to music, and then i can get you that starbucks drink you like?"

"okay, sure."

—

i smiled at him as we jammed out to comatose. it was around five now and we had just been driving everywhere.

"do you wanna pick up jaden?" i ask before getting cut off by a phone call. i hear my mom crying on the other line. "hello? mommy?"

"aurelia, please! your dad is drunk...he thinks im cheating on him. i need you to come with me! we're going to vegas to your uncle."

"what?!"

"drive to vegas please! ask jaden...or, or someone to drive you!"

"but..."

"mrs. damelio? it's bryce. if you need it, i can drive aurelia." he says, concerned. i hear charli crying in the background.

"whos driving you mom?" i ask.

"dixie. please aurelia. ill send u the adress to your cousins."

"okay, ill find a way. i love you."

"i love you too." she hangs up. i stare at my phone in shock. god, what was i gonna do?

"can we stop at sway to get me clothes?" he asks.

"what?"

"i'll come with you. you can just wear my stuff if you don't wanna see your dad."

"bryce...i can't ask you to do that."

"please...just please let me be here for you." he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"okay." i smile.

—

we went to sway and got his clothes, extra for me. i sighed as we entered las vegas. i see him pull into a starbucks drive thru.

"what are you doing?" i question.

"i'm getting you your coffee. we watched the sunset, im sorry it wasn't on the beach like i planned."

"no, it's more than enough. thank you so much bryce." i smile at him.

"hi! can i get two trenta pumpkin spice frappuccinos, and...aurelia how many people are there? and you have your little cousin there right?"

"um nine? yeah, why?"

"five birthday cake pops, and six...what do you think they would like?" he paused. "venti java chip frappucinos. a grande strawberry refresher and eight bacon sausage and egg sandwhiches. that's all." the worker says the price and i take out my card to pay, but bryce hand his, before i could.

"thank you bryce." i smile at him. once we got the stuff and approached my uncle's house, he sighed.

"your grandparents are there right?" he asked. "im nervous." i chuckle at him, holding his hand in reassurance. "do you mind bringing the food in? i'll bring the drinks and we can just come back for our stuff later babe." he said subconsciously.

"yeah, of course." we walked to the door of the small house with the food and drinks, as i ring the doorbell. my little cousin answers it with a smile.

"rels!!!" she yelled hugging my waist. "is that your boyfriend?" she whispers loudly.

"noo, this is my friend bryce." i laugh. "he got you starbucks." she let us in, seeing my family in the living room having a serious conversation. as they saw us, they switched it to a happy one.

"hii!" i smile, hugging my grandparents. i put all the food on the counter, as bryce out the drinks down. "this is bryce, grandma." he introduced himself as i hugged my uncle and aunt.

"we got you guys drinks and breakfast." he announced. "oh, maddie!" he looked at my little cousin who blushed. "is she allowed to have a cakepop? we got her a strawberry refresher." he asks my aunt.

"yeah of course! thank you." she smiled, as bryce got her sandwhich, drink, and cakepop. he patted her head. "why don't you go sit with charli?" she bounced happily towards her.

"im gonna give dixie and charli their stuff, okay bubs?" i smile, as he kisses my cheek. "introduce yourself. talk to the elders. when your done come find me." i chuckle, grabbing their food.

—

everyone was set and introduced. the older people were at the dining table and us kids were at maddies play area.

"i love this cake pop!" maddie yells biting into it, before hugging bryce tightly. "thank you bryce!" she yells making me chuckle.

"youre adorable. of course."

everyone seemed to be getting along. i walked to my mom, to hug her before seeing a bruise on her arm. i ignored it and smiled at her. what was i gonna do now?