Wonderland

❄B11❄ I Should Stick To Male Friends

Chapter Eleven

Brayden's POV

I Should Stick To Male Friends

 

It took Berkeley an hour to figure out which pair of boots she wanted. She ended up choosing these purple Uggs with bowties in the back. It amazes me how much money girls are willing to spend just to look good. The money she spent today could've easily been used to pay for a textbook, but instead, she spent it on designer boots.

After Nordstrom, Berkeley brought me to a small park beside a shopping plaza close to Northgate mall. She was intent on giving me a whole tour of the Northgate district. She knew this area well, which wasn't much of a surprise seeing as how she grew up in Seattle.

"I just love the weather today," Berkeley sighed, as she flopped down onto the grassy field.

"Yeah, I guess it's okay," I commented, joining her down on the grass.

She scrutinized the sky, her blonde hair blowing across her face as a soft breeze blew past us. She seemed lost in her thoughts.

"Did I embarrass myself terribly in front of you last night?" she asked, sheepishly, without looking at me.

"If you meant at the party, then no, not really," I said.

"Okay. How about...how about last night?" I studied her face for a moment. She was blushing.

"No," I answered.

"Are you sure? Because you looked kind of freaked out this morning." She looked at me anxiously.

"What do you think? I barely know you, Berkeley, and I slept right beside you the entire night."

"Was that a bad thing?" she asked, hurtfully.

"We're not dating," I deadpanned. "You were all over me last night, and it was honestly freaking the shit out of me." There. I told her the truth. Maybe she'll stop following me after today. God, what was I thinking, taking Heather's advice and wanting to start something with her?

After going shopping with her today, I was finding myself unable to stand hanging around her. She and I were too different. I mean, it's a given seeing as how she's a female and I'm a male, but still...

Bridget and I shared a lot in common, and we were opposite genders... I could even tolerate Heather. Actually, I could more than tolerate Heather. I really liked being around her.

Berkeley flinched at my words, and I regretted what I said the moment the words came out of my mouth.

"Look, Berkeley..." I started, feeling bad.

She shook her head, blinking back tears. "No, I get it. I'm making you uncomfortable; you don't like me. I don't need to hear this shit again. I just wish you wouldn't have led me on earlier this morning."

I bit down on my lower lip, mentally cursing myself for acting like such a douchebag. Why do I always do this? Why do I always end up hurting people, pushing them away from me?

Berkeley pushed herself off the ground and started a fast walk away from me.

"Where are you going?" I asked, pushing myself off the ground, too, following her.

"Somewhere where I can clear my head," she said, snappily.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, attempting to grab her hand, but she jerked it away from me. I let my hand fall limply to my side.

"You don't seem like it. Stop following me, Brayden. I'm going back." She shot me a cold glare that made me stop in my tracks. I was so used to the cheery, bright side of her that I wasn't sure how I felt about this mean side of her.