Chapter-Seven

Madeline's POV:

I turned my head to look at Brandon and found him asleep. His head was resting on my shoulder.

I forgot that the movie was still playing and stared at his sleeping form. His lips were parted and his eyes were tightly shut.

I tilted my head little to stare at his handsome face when I heard the light snores coming from his mouth. I giggled at the sound.

I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to touch him without letting him know what I feel for him. I leaned closer and placed my lips on his forehead. He squirmed in his sleep and at the sudden movement, his head fell on my chest. But he didn't wake up.

My head was beating so loudly that whole Boston could have heard it except this stupid boy who was sleeping like a dead.

My hands were shaking when I picked his head and placed it down on my lap.

He adjusted his head and continued sleeping. I didn't dare to move and risk waking him up.

He looked so handsome while sleeping. His beautiful hair was messy but looked so soft. I couldn't help myself from running my hand through them.

My eyes moved to his thick eyebrows and his long lashes which would make any girl jealous. His lips looked so tempting that I wanted nothing more than feeling them on mine.

I knew it was wrong to think like that but for a few seconds, I let myself assume that he was mine instead of Laura's.

But the guilt made its presence known. I realized that I should stop letting my emotions control me.

I picked his head and got up then placed the cushion under his head. I didn't know why I couldn't stop myself from kissing his head one last time.

I loved him for so long that now I had no idea how to stop these feelings. They were getting wild and making my life complicated.

I don't have much time left to spend with him because who knows where he would go to college and where my life would lead me. I said to myself.

I took the step away from the couch to get a comforter for him when the front door opened. Brandon parents entered the house. His dad looked at me with surprise. Elena looked sleepy but she waved at me making her way to her room.

I felt intimidated by Brandon's dad. He had this brooding look on his face that made me nervous. I gave him a nervous smile.

"Hi," I said looking down.

"Hi" He replied in a short sentence as always.

"Oh, hello, dear." Mrs. Edwards said walking closer to me and giving me a hug.

She hugged me and I hugged her tightly. She was like a mother to me. She taught me so much and helped me like my real mother would have done for me if she was alive. I loved her and respect her for making my life thousands of time easier.

"Hey" I murmured and untangled myself from her arms.

"Is everything alright honey?" She asked me looking concerned.

"Everything is good. I was just missing you so I came here" I said.

I knew I was hiding the truth. But I didn't want her to get worried.

"I'm glad you did. I will make your favorite chocolate pancakes for breakfast in the morning" She said.

She loved cooking and baking, and I loved eating it.

"Let me take a look of the guest room," she said.

"It's alright. The room is perfectly fine." I told her making her halt in her steps

"Okay if you say so. Did you guys had dinner?". She asked me.

"Yes, we had pizza" I replied.

"Well, that's good," She said sighing in a relief.

"Did he fell asleep while watching a movie?" She asked me glancing at the TV.

"He did". I replied staring at Brandon.

"He is so much like his father," She said with the small laugh.

I smiled at her then we heard the footsteps and turned to see Mr. Edwards.

"Goodnight. I'll just go and get some sleep." I said and went to the guest room.

I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes. But my mind wasn't asleep. I stayed awake thinking about Brandon.

I always knew that he loved Laura so why did I give my heart to him. From the first day of kindergarten, he was chasing her and wanted her. He never showed any interest in me and he only wanted me there as a friend so why did I let him steal my heart.

I knew that I had to stop thinking about him, craving for his attention and loving him. He could ruin me by showing more care than I have received ever.

I turned on my left, putting my both hands under my head and thought what should I do to make him stop caring about me.

*****

Next morning, I felt something tickling my face so I rubbed my face to get rid of it. Then again I felt something running on my face and I opened my eyes in panic.

My breath got stuck in my throat when I saw him sitting on the bed. His face was hovering over mine and he had a huge smile. His brown hair was slightly damp and messy on his head. His blue eyes were shining like two crystal orbs making him look like some angel. My eyes went to his beautiful moist lips and unintentionally I licked mine.

"Get up sleepy head. We need to leave for school." He said hitting my forehead with the rose in his hand.

My eyes went to his arm where he was holding a bunch of roses. My heart jumped in my chest and the tiny lovesick part in me assumed they brought the flowers for me.

"Roses?" I whispered.

"Yeah, I plucked them from the mom's garden. I forgot to call Laura yesterday after practice. Now she is not picking my calls. I think she's angry and maybe these flowers will make her happy" He replied getting up from the bed.

He definitely didn't know how brutally he broke my heart by sharing that information with me. But I was the only one to blame for it because he was oblivious of my real feelings.

I got up from the bed and said, "Give me ten minutes to get ready."

"Okay, Maddy. Come to the kitchen when you are ready." He said leaving the room.

I opened my bag and pulled out my clothes then went to the washroom to get changed and freshen up.

I went to the kitchen and the smell of the maple syrup and pancakes filled my senses.

I found Brandon munching on his breakfast while his mom was humming a song.

"Good morning," I said.

Mrs. Edwards turned around from the stove and gave me a bright smile.

"Good morning dear. Here are your favorite pancakes." She said placing the plate on the counter where Brandon was sitting on the stool.

"Thanks," I said smiling.

I ate silently enjoying the taste of fresh breakfast in the morning. It had been so long that I had breakfast with Edwards and I missed that.

"Hello, sister-in-law," Elena said entering the kitchen with a goofy smile on her face.

I choked on my food at her greeting.

"Elena for god's sake stop calling me that," I said picking the glass of water and gulping it down.

Brandon and I used to play with Elena. She would make us a couple so she could become a princess herself. She gave me the title of sister-in-law at that time but she hadn't stopped calling me that.

I felt weird whenever she calls me that. I knew that I was already so much far gone in loving her brother that the old memories slice my heart now.

"Why do you want me to stop calling you that?" She said making her way to her mother.

His mother just giggled at her.

"Mom, tell her to stop calling us with this childish names. Last night, she was calling me, Brandy." Brandon whined making Elena stick her tongue out at him.

"Elena, baby please, stop embarrassing them," Mrs. Edwards said. Elena pouted but shut up.

"Here is some coffee for my daughter-in-law," She said putting the coffee mug on the kitchen counter.

The pancake got stuck in my throat. I didn't know how to swallow it without letting my emotions control me and embarrassed me in front of Brandon and his mom.

I wasn't really easy to blush but her comment turned me bright red.

"Mom, it's not funny. Look at her face. I think she needs water" Brandon said getting up and filling the glass of water and placing it in my hand.

I drank it and sighed.

"It was just...my throat is really dry. I think I'm not drinking much water for past few days," I said nervously.

Brandon, Elena, and his mom stared at me then burst into laughter.

"Please, dear relax and eat," She said leaving the kitchen.

Elena stared at me with her knowing smile and I felt scared of her at that moment.

She couldn't guess that I love her brother. Could she?

Brandon and I finished our breakfast. He went to the garage to take out the car while I went to the guest room to take my bag.

He came and I slipped inside the car.

"Put the seatbelt on wifey," He said and my hand froze.

"What did you just call me?" I asked him sending a murderous glare.

"Oh, god! Your face looks priceless" He said laughing.

"A**hole!" I said and punched him in the stomach.

"Shit! I'm sorry. I was just teasing you, Maddy" He said and started to drive to our school.

My heart was beating widely in my chest.

We arrived at school and he parked the car.  Laura came out of her car dressed in a blue jacket and black jeans.

Her eyes landed on me and Brandon getting out from the car, they narrowed ready to stab me in the back. She walked to us with the huge smile but I could see the jealousy and anger behind that smile.

I smiled at her and said, "Hi, Laura,"

"Hi, you both come here together?" She asked me with her scrutinizing gaze.

"Brandon saw me walking to school and insisted me to ride with him" I explained to her before she gets different ideas in her corrupted mind.

Brandon frowned at my lie.

"Right, he has a heart of gold. Just answering his girlfriend's call is the hardest thing to do in the world" She mumbled in a sarcastic tone.

"Laura," Brandon said looking upset.

"See you later," She said turning around, hooking my arm in her and dragging me with her.

"Laura, baby. I fell asleep early that's why I didn't pick your call last night" Brandon said while running behind us begging her to stop.

While I had no idea where she was dragging me.

"Coach made us practice an hour extra yesterday so I was busy there when you first called. Please, don't be angry. I bought these roses for you." He explained himself giving her flowers.

She stopped abruptly and let go of my arm.

"Fine. I am forgiving you this time because I know you will not do that again. You don't know how worried I was when you didn't pick my call" She said and hugged.

"I promise you. I will not do something like this again" Brandon said with the small smile.

"Good. Now give me a kiss" Laura smiled.

Hesitantly, he leaned and placed his lips on hers. She smiled and pulled him closer to deepen the kiss.

I didn't know why it hurt so much that I couldn't breathe.

I averted my eyes from their make-out session and fled away to go my class.

I was walking to my class when someone blocked my way. I dragged my eyes from the sneakers to jeans-clad legs, to his white t-shirt and black jacket.

"Get out of my way, Lucifer, " I said avoiding the eye contact.

His earth green color eyes still haunt me at night.

"Awe, Maddy, please don't get angry," Conner said with the devilish smile.

I tried to take a step but he blocked my way again.

"Conner, before I punch your ugly face. I suggest you let me leave" I said gritting my teeth in annoyance.

He moved away leaving a path clear for me to walk.

"I think you didn't have a great time last night while you stayed with your friend's boyfriend. Brandon doesn't know how to satisfy a girl" He said.

I turned and punched him in the face.

"You bastard! It was you who tried to break in" I said.

The bell rang and the student started to come out of the class.

He caught my arm and dragged me into the janitor room.

_______________________________________

Hello lovelies

I'm very happy to read your comments and exceptional support you all are giving me. Thank you so much for reading and encouraging me to write more.

Conner plays quite a creepy and important role in Brandon and Madeline life. He's like an ultimate villain.

Was it Connor who broke the back door of Madeline house and tried entering uninvited?

I'm sorry if there're any mistakes in this chapter because I have written it in quite a rush. 🙃

And I have something special planned for Valentine's Day 😉

Published date: 09-Feb-2017

Thanks for reading 😘😘😘

~S.Sonysa_Ivan ❤