Most Lovely Words

Chapter 4: Lost And Insecure

I woke up to the warm embrace of my best friend at seven in the morning. Let me process that. Somehow, in the middle of the night, I'd told Bry Taylor that I loved him, and he'd told me he loved me back. And fallen asleep next to me. The smell of eggs wafted in from the kitchen then, distracting me from the dilemma that I'd now created for myself. How could you tell your best friend you love him, you idiot? You're going to make everything complicated and ruin it.

As the sound of Bry's mom opening the bedroom door replaced the silence, I welcomed the excuse to leave. I would take anything to get away while I still had the chance. His mother tried to greet me warmly, a kind smile forced on to her face. "Morning, Kallie."

"Hi, Miss Taylor," I said quietly as I sat up. "I was just getting up to leave."

"Why don't you stay for breakfast?" She offered.

I looked over to Bry, whose sleeping body was encased in a large wool blanket. He rested peacefully, not a worry to ruin his slumber. Yet there I stood, worrying. I was scared of what our words had meant. Most lovely words. Whispers of care, and promises that could easily be broken. But I was happy, deep down. He said he loved me. Thinking it over, I decided to stay. Maybe we could talk it over, work things out?

Sitting at his small kitchen table, the warmth of the sun illuminated the entire room. Did he know that he could do that? Change the whole mood just by smiling? Make my heart skip a beat only by saying my name? How long had we been friends while this was growing? How had I not known? I had fallen in love with my best friend. Yet not a single regret crossed my mind.

"Hey," Bry's voice came from beside me before I noticed he'd sat down next to me.

"Hi," I eased up as I realized I'd been tensed the entire time.

"So..." His eyes rested on mine, and I looked down to hide the smile that formed. "Can we talk?"

"Listen, if this is about last night, I-" I began, pleading with him telepathically as I met his gaze.

"Don't worry so much," He said with a small grin. "I just wanted to say... thanks."

"Oh," I breathed with relief. "Ok."

"Ok, sweetie, I've got to head to work. Do you have your schedule for your medicine?" His mom asked as she gave him a gentle, worried smile.

"Yes," He was fighting annoyance, though it seemed only I could tell.

"And you'll make sure you rest?" She asked with uncertainty.

"Gosh, mom, yes!" Bry lost his cool slightly, trying to regain his composure before speaking again. "I'll be fine. Besides, I've got Kallie."

Heat crept up my cheeks at his words. Trying to stay calm, I replied. "Don't worry, I'll take care of him! I don't think I've got any plans anyway."

With a few final words of concern, his mom was out the door and left us for the day. And at that moment, Bry gave me a bright grin. Something I hadn't seen him do since I'd seen him before that horrible night.

"What should we do today?" He asked, still avoiding the plate of food he'd been given.

"You should eat," I said with a smirk.

"I could, or," He got up and walked slowly over to the cabinet where he kept food. "I could cook something for you."

"What? Like... like a date?" I stammered, my jaw locking and my throat tightening. This simple gesture, combined with last night, felt like too much.

"Ha!" Bry burst with weak laughter, smiling more genuinely than ever before. "Geez, you could've asked me first, Kallie."

I blushed even more, struggling to find words. "G- I- no, I didn't mean- it's just that-"