^^ pleasseee read that if you can. It's something I think needed to be talked about.

Chris

"Happy birthday to you!" My father finally finished singing, before placing the cupcake on the table in front of me.

"Why you look so sad man?"

"I haven't heard from Bria. We were supposed to do something today."

"It's early Chris. You have all day. Right now focus on my gift." He said dropping a heavy envelope in front of me. There's a lot in there.

"You can open it whenever, just don't spend it on something foolish."

"Ok dad."

"I'm going out tonight, you don't want to meet up with any of your friends?"

Man I used to have a lot of friends.

"You sure do go out a lot dad."

"What can I say? I'm a popular guy."

"Sounds like you've got a boyfriend to me."

"Boyfriend? Whaaat? No...it's not like that." He said laughing guiltily, before taking a seat at the table.

"Sure it's not. Since you're so popular..I could really use some advice-"

"Aww of course! Not gonna lie, I don't know very much about girls these days but I can help."

"Well the other night, Bria woke up and saw-"

"Wait a minute. You and Brianna were sleeping together?!"

Shit.

"No..I mean- like- she was taking a nap..and uh woke up. She saw on my phone I was texting another girl, I thought she was chill about it..but things between us are weird."

"Have you apologized?"

"Yeah..but she keeps saying she isn't mad. I just want things to go back to how they used to be."

"So tell her that. Duh."

"It's not that simple." I said putting my face in my hands.

"Here's what I'd do. Write her a letter. A handwritten letter. Tell her how you feel. If she feels the same good. If not..it may be time to let her go."

"I don't want to just let her go though."

"No one just wants to let people go. But if it's what you need it's what you need Christopher. Think about it."

Bria

Christopher's birthday. It was now 8 and I still hadn't reached out to him. The thought of him struck an emotion in me..but not a good one.

More like that emotion that it struck when he was just the asshole that sat behind me in biology.

Forest was still asleep at the foot of my bed. He'd been so excited to surprise Chris on his birthday..the guilt is killing me.

me:
hey Chris. happy 18th :)

Seconds later I got a response.

Chris 🙄:
I need to talk to you. Can I stop by?

Not really the answer I was expecting.

Me:
Sure. You close by?

Chris🙄:
Ten minutes

It seemed like he was oblivious to his actions yesterday, now it seems like he's the one who's pissed off.

Chris gets under my skin, like deep under my skin. But I can't see myself completely without him, right now at least..and I'm hopping that's now what he's wanting to talk about.

The ten minutes seemed like an eternity, when he messaged me he's outside. I decided not to wake up Forest, since I didn't know exactly what this was about. However, I did open my drawer to pull out the picture he'd drawn Christopher for his birthday. It's the least I could do.

I went downstairs, locking the room door behind me, and met Chris outside.

"Good morning." I told him, as I approached his car.

"Good morning, you can get in." He told me, unlocking his door.

I got in the car and their was a short awkward silence.

"I wanted to give you this." He said handing me a folded paper. "It's a lot so..read it later."

"O-ok."

"It's something I kind of think needs to be adressed between us, and after it is..I'll feel better about me and you. Cool?"

"Yeah."

"And I'll give you time to think about it, and depending on what you decide, call me."

"So..you don't want to do anything today?"

He looked puzzled.

"I figured you didn't..since you haven't said anything to me. But I'd like to spend time with you and Forest today..I'd just like if you read over that first."

"Sure." I said fiddling with the paper in my hands.

"Well uh Forest is still asleep. He drew this for you." I said handing him the folded drawing out of my jacket pocket.

It was supposed to be him and Chris, with a giant birthday cake and balloons. But some of the items were..a bit lost in translation.

He looked at it and smiled. "Tell him I said thank you."

"I will. And as soon as I get in I'll read..this."

"I appreciate that Bri. Please talk to me after you're done?"

"Yeah I'll call you."

Chris

"Yeah I'll call you." She said, before kissing my cheek and getting out the car.

Woah, curveball.

I took my dad's advice and wrote her a letter. It was longer than expected, but it turns out I had a lot to say. About what I wanted for her and I, what I wanted for Forest, and how to get there. Now all I could hope for is the response I wanted. Yes.

Knowing Bria, it wouldn't just be yes. But I'm hoping that will be part of it.

I drove down the block to the library to gather my thoughts, as well as do some drawing. Yeah it's my birthday, but I didn't have much else to do while I waited for Bria to read what I'd written her.

"Long time no see." Amy, the usual woman at the front desk greeted me.

"I'd thought you'd never be back."

"Yeah well Addison decided she didn't want to do it anymore, so yeah. I'm back. Everything ok with your mom?"

Damn it's been a while.

"I don't stay with her anymore."

"Oh, who you staying with?"

"My dad." I told her, taking a seat at my usual table.

"You know, that young girl..about 15..she's been checking for you."

"Tell her I ain't interested."

"I'll be sure to send the message." Amy said laughing.

After a while, I finished my drawing. It was the like the one Forest had drawn me, just a little more detailed. I figured I'd give it to him as a gift.

I kept finding myself checking my phone, hoping Bria had given me an answer. Just when I was getting ready to leave, I got a FaceTime.

Excited, I quickly hit answer. But instead of seeing Bria, I saw Forest.

"Hey Chris! Happy birthday!"

"Thank you Forest, Bria gave me the drawing you made for me."

"Do you like it?!"

"Of course I do. It looks great...hey is Brianna around by chance?"

"She said she was about to call you, but she went to the bathroom. So I called you with Siri."

So she read it.

"I think she's coming out now..but Chris, am I invited to your birthday celebrations?"

"You're the first one on my list."

"Ok! Bye Chris." He said handing the phone to a confused Brianna.

"Did he call you?" She asked chuckling.

"Yeah..it's cool though, I like talking to him."

"Oh good..good. So..."

"So...?" I said, urging to hear what she had to say.

"There's some things I want to tell you..but first off, I read what you wrote me. To be completely honest Chris, I feel the same way. I want things to be how they were before."

"Great! So I'll be seeing you today?"

"Hold on Chris. Understand that you can't be calling up lil Betty sue whenever you want to get your rocks off. I need respect from you."

"I know..and I will." I promised her.

"I'm trusting you Chris, yes I have some stuff planned for us today...but I also wanted to tell you, I've finally made enough to pay the security deposit, and first month's on an apartment."

"That much from stocking in his store?"

"He's paying me a lot Chris, I know he isn't the most trustworthy guy..but I need these checks. And finally it's payed off."

"Damn Bria...I'm proud of you."

"Only problem is, the only place where there's no waiting list, and that's in my budget is the apartment complex we used to live with our mom in."

tbc

this chapter was dialogue heavy, we're moving into end chapters :(