– He’s a respectable person, I thought that since I met him – she testified –. My sister has always been cautious as to who gets close to me but I’m glad she didn’t push him away
“Briar cautious? No shit” Bastian rolled his eyes. She’s been more than that with him.
– And are you glad she didn’t push me away? – He tried with a smirk though
– Well, I can tell you that she wanted to almost as much as Finn but yea, I’m glad she didn’t
– I understand why but I promise I’m trying to act differently
– I know, you have a pulsating black eye for that – she bit her lip –. They spent half a year trying to make you stay away from me because they say you’re a player and a bully and not good but I think you’re making an effort to prove them wrong
– I am – he nodded –. Because I like you
– Oh, how flattering – she blushed –. You’ve been beyond well-mannered with me since the day we met and I was too rude
– Pardon?
– When you called Briar – she replied
– That day, yea – he tried hard to block it and now she was bringing that up –. I don’t blame you, I gave you reasons to think that way
– Sorry about that, for the record
– It’s okay, the fact you accepted to come on a date with me is enough to be forgiven
– Even if we came with chaperones by demand?
– It is not so bad, your siblings’ protection makes me want to try harder to make it right
– Very well, Mr. Turner
After a while, they found an empty spot and threw a towel on it to sit down.
– Would you consider having something with me, as in more than classmates? – He questioned casually biting his not so fully healed bottom lip
– I am actually, since the other day
– You do? – He asked surprised and she nodded
– We should try and if we work together well, then maybe
– I’ll do anything
The quartet parked in the twins’ house. Bastian opened the passenger door and took Aly’s hand.
– I had a great time, thank you so much
– Thank you – he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb
– Talk to you on Monday
– Time to get in, Aly – Briar ordered
– Okay – Aly squeezed Bastian’s hand, knowing what it meant, he walked to the girl of the blue eyes and put Aly’s hand on her shoulder just to leave a kiss on her cheek in the end
– Bye – he walked to his car just as Rae parked to pick up Finn
– Catch you guys on Monday – he waved at the twins before his sister drove away
Briar took her keychain out of her bag when Terrence opened the door.
– How was it?
– Marginally descent – Briar rolled her eyes
– I had a good time! – Aly protested
– I’m glad – he rolled his eyes and followed his sisters inside
– Seriously Aly, what do you think about Bastian now that you spent some time alone with him?
– I think that he’s not exactly what I would describe as my type of prince charming but he’s making the effort, you know? He doesn’t want to be a bully and he’s been kind and such a gentleman since we met
– Tell me about his behaviour today
– Politeness at its finest, conversational and I liked that he agrees with me in some things
– Oh, yea? – She asked sceptically and Aly hmm-ed as she took her dress off to get her pyjamas
– We think you should forgive Tobias to close that period of your life fully if you really like Finn
– I don’t know if I fancy Finn that much
– Okay, that’s odd, I thought you did
– And what else happened?
– He and I will consider if we want to be more than friends – Aly shrugged and Briar stayed frozen –. Nothing to say, Bree?
– Wait, I’m shocked – she slapped herself mentally –. You and Bastian?
– Possibly
– Do you fancy him?
– Sort of, I don’t know yet that’s why we want to try
– That’s insane, Alyssa!
– Geez! You sounded like if I said I’ll marry him or something
– I don’t think he deserves a chance, that’s all
– Just let me do this, okay? If it turns out he’s a monster like you said then you’ll be there to say “I told you so”
18
Briar, still unhappy and mad at the teacher with the damn couples she made, shot a death glare to Bastian as he was connecting his laptop in order to project the presentation on the screen.
– If looks could kill – Jesse whispered next to her, she narrowed her eyes at him and he put his hands up in surrender
Bastian stood next to the desk to be able to change the slides, Aly stood next to the screen between the whiteboard with a white sheet of paper in her hands.
At the last second, when they were about to begin, he took her hand and led her next to him behind the desk.
“She needs to read so she can explain and it would be difficult to read a full text if she puts the paper in her stomach” Briar tried to find an explanation for his action.
Briar, Jesse, and Finn stared in awe at the chemistry they seemed to have.
Bastian turned to look at Aly when it was her turn to talk, her fingers running across the dotted paper and her lips moving were like a spectacle he didn’t want to miss.
– I think he’s serious – Finn whispered in Briar’s ear right after they finished –. He fancies her
– She’s my little sister and the lad is a bully, forgive me if I just can’t buy it – she shrugged
* * *
Surprising all the odds including Finn and Jesse, Bastian was a notable absence on the “team’s” table in the cafeteria.
Instead, he decided to go straight to the bench where the quartet spent the recess.
– It seems less horrifying now – Jesse pointed at his eye
– Yea, my mom had me in bed with a piece of meat and a bag of frozen peas half Sunday
– And you went to check?
– Saturday’s morning – he nodded –. It’s all good, just bruises, my jaw and cheekbones are just perfect
– What about your nose? – Finn inquired
– As fantastic as it may sound, they didn’t touch my nose, which is a really nice gesture from Anthony because safety gear, especially those masks to protect the face isn’t my thing
– I feel you, mate – the flashback of Jesse’s nose injury of two years ago still gave him goosebumps
– So – he turned to Aly and took her hand –. Would you like to do something this weekend?
– Permission first Bastian, you know how this works – Briar warned putting his hand away
– If I have to ask Terrence for it, I presume you two will have to come
– I guess you could say that – she nodded –. You learn fast
– Great, then ask him and let me know the conditions tomorrow
– Sure – Briar nodded, rolling her eyes
– Okay – he pressed his lips in Aly’s cheek and walked away
– Why did you do that? – Aly asked with her lips pursed
– I think that what you’re trying to say is “thank you” – Briar narrowed her eyes –. If he really likes you he won’t mind dealing with a couple of tests
– I don’t think it was necessary – Aly pointed out
– But I do – Briar turned to the guys –. How is your relationship with Anthony?
– All about lacrosse, he’s the captain so I have to talk to him in the practices – Jesse answered
– But you don’t talk to him or his cousin out of it? – She tried again and turned to Finn, he and Jesse shook their heads
– Just great – she sighed deeply feeling defeated
– Why?
– I wanted one of
you to ask him if Bastian is still in his bully gang and how they roll
– Do you think that my word can be trusted?
– You can record it
– I don’t…
– Please – she interrupted Finn taking his hand –. Just this time and if you’re right and he’s changing, I’ll let him be
– Okay, I’ll do it – he looked straight in her blue eyes –. Wish me luck
Aly and Jesse knew it was better not to fight against Briar because once she’s into something she doesn’t let go of it until she gets it.
– Luck – Aly and Jesse wished forcefully
– You should have said that you love him, I doubt he’ll come back
Finn went straight to the cafeteria to see that the chair Anthony usually sit in was empty so he checked every corridor to find him in his locker row next to Bastian. He took his phone out of his pocket as fast as he could and pressed record.
– So you know Turner, I give you two weekends to get laid or do what you want with that Aly girl, then you break her heart and move on to the next one. Understood?
– Yea, I’ll get rid of her in no time
– You’re one of us so you must follow the lead, I want to see you with another girl real soon!
– Son of a bitch! – Briar exclaimed after Finn handed her his headphones, she took them off angry because yea, she was right but how was she supposed to say that to Aly?
– And what now?
– I want to break more than his nose
– You’ll get expelled
– It’ll worth it
– Wait until we get out, okay? They can’t control what happens out of the school grounds
– Fine – she growled and then they walked back to Aly and Jesse
“Should I really do what Anthony says or just pretend I do for the sake of my social life?” Bastian liked Aly, a lot but he didn’t want Anthony to give him hell the rest of his senior year.
But he couldn’t help but be doubtful because if Briar didn’t like him and didn’t want him to be with Aly already she was going to like him even less if he pleased his gang boss.
Decisions, decisions.
* * *
– Hey Aly – Bastian walked to the girl of the amber eyes as they walked outside to find Terrence
– Shame isn’t in your vocabulary now, is it? – Briar said and Jesse took Aly’s arm just in case
– What are you talking about? – Bastian inquired and Briar looked at Finn, who decided to play the audio he recorded the loudest the device could allow him so Aly could hear it too
– Sounds familiar? – Briar was clearly enjoying the fact she was right all along
– I can explain it, Aly
– No thanks – she sobbed and Jesse took her to the car as a single tear ran down her cheek
She could basically hear Briar saying “I told you so” over and over again. She was down to give Bastian a chance even with her warnings and now with this. She understood she couldn’t be more wrong.
– What’s going on here? – Terrence ran to his sister Briar as fast as he could as soon as Aly hopped in the car crying and Finn handed him the phone without a word
– This has a reasonable explanation, I swear! – Bastian tried when he saw Terrence’s blue eyes throwing daggers at him
– I told you what was going to happen if you hurt my sister
– I wasn’t going to do that, I swear!
– You already did, she’s crying if you haven’t noticed and it’s your fault – Terrence stated hating to play captain obvious
Then he just stood as tall as he was in front of Bastian and his fist went straight to the bully’s nose and taking advantage of that he went straight to the grass, Terrence kicked him in the ribs twice letting him taste the rage that boiled his blood after listening to that disgusting audio recording, his sister wasn’t a toy and if Turner didn’t know that, he was about to learn. And then before a teacher or somebody else could get in the way, Briar took her brother’s arm and walked him to the car.
– I hope it was enough to send him to the hospital
– Why did you do that? You’ll get in trouble if his parents tell the police
– If he’s a man he’ll shut up because he deserved it
– Say that when the cops come here
– Aly, you should be thanking me for defending your honour! – He exclaimed –. He wanted to hurt you, do you realise that?
– Violence isn’t the key
– Sometimes it is
Once home, the Brighton siblings parted ways to go straight to their rooms, Aly spent the day sobbing in her room until mom and dad came back home.
Briar couldn’t help but feel guilty for wanting so desperately to keep finding bad things in Bastian.
19
The next day, Briar found Finn and Jesse right in front of her locker.
– What’s up, guys? – She didn’t hide her surprise for finding them specifically there
– This is big – Jesse seemed excited
– What is he talking about? – The twins turned to Finn
– Bastian posted a lacrosse try-outs poster and hid it to the Milners
– So?
– He wants to find a guy that plays his same position to finally break free of their claws
– And what about the gang?
– Just the same
– I bet he won’t find intimidating and strong fellas in year 8
– It could be surprising, 14 guys are in for all the package, I heard the warning was made as soon as they showed interest
– Sounds like a failure
– Maybe but I want to stay to see what Anthony will do when he hears that Bastian is trying to recruit without authorisation
– Do you think he’ll show up?
– Yea, and he’ll send Bastian to the hospital this time
– I’ll tell Terrence to come to pick us up a couple of hours later
The word was spreading over the phones of half school and it was forbidden to say a word to the Milners and if the news got to them somehow, the bold one would be severely injured by Bastian himself since the post was blocked for the cousins and all the bullies of the lacrosse team.
* * *
After that exciting new, the day felt insanely slow and monotonous for Briar.
There was no practice session and the event was calculated to start right after Anthony and Felix left in their cars.
Bastian was informed by text when the cousins disappeared so the extraordinary try-outs were about to begin.
Briar ended up changing her mind and called Terrence so he could take Aly home.
– We should go home, Aly – he took her sister’s arm as soon as he walked in the field
– What is he doing here, I thought Finn would take us home
– Plans changed, you have to go with Terrence
– But I want to know what’s up!
– I’ll tell you when I go back home
– I want to stay
– And I don’t want you to be here, so you must go with Terrence!
Aly stood there frozen since it was the very first time Briar said that, that she didn’t want her to be around then she just kept her head down as Terrence took her arm to take her to his car.
Briar felt bad immediately but she really needed Aly to go home.
– What did you just do, Briar?
– I need to find out what this is all about and she can’t be here – she looked at Jesse and Finn –. I’ll apologise later, I swear
Girls and guys that weren’t part of the team expected Anthony, Felix and the entire lacrosse/bully team to go there and see a fight and blood happening in front of them.
They waited for nothing because the word never spread to them and they never appeared.
Bastian chose four of the best midfielders of year 11 to play in front of the coach so he could select a replacement.
Briar, Jesse and Finn and all the other people g
ot back home disappointed thinking they only wasted time.
Jesse drove Briar to her place and since Rae couldn’t go get her brother he had to do the same with Finn.
– You better fix that incident with Aly
– She’ll make it hard
– That wasn’t good, what you said
– I don’t want her with Bastian, that’s all
– You should ask her what she wants
– Let’s see what happens tomorrow, bye guys – she waved and turned to the front door
She walked in to see Aly and Terrence standing up from the living room.
– What’s up?
– Not much, Aly wants some chips to enjoy another concert
Aly stood next to the stools as she heard the fridge door and the sound of a can of soda being opened.
Terrence took the bag of chips and Aly’s bottle filled with iced tea.
Briar took the can of soda and tried to take Aly’s hand
– Don’t touch me, Briar – she took a step back –. Where’s Terrence?
– He went to the living room – she looked at her brother who was standing in the doorway –. Come on – she tried to take her hand again
– I don’t want you near me right now, okay? – She shook her head –. Terrence! – She shouted
– I’m sorry but until Bastian proves he won’t hurt you, I don’t want him near you
– You know what? – Aly put her sister’s hand away –. I didn’t go to the special school only because I wanted to be with you, but because I wanted to feel normal sharing the same experiences an average person my age has – she remarked –. With your surveillance, I’ll never be normal because you push people away! I know that my vision isn’t the best and I need protection, I’ve been dealing with sight problems my whole life but I can tell you that if you keep it like this I’ll be all by myself wearing dark sunglasses and a guardian dog or a white cane will end up guiding me, that’s all I’ll have because you won’t let me be sentimentally involved with somebody and I’m aware of that you can’t trust Bastian due to his reputation and I don’t blame you but I would have liked to find out how he really is by myself, make my own mistakes even if it means a broken heart but again, you didn’t let me!
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