#Chapter4
Brandon POV:
I went to fetch smoothies from the car. But when I came back to the cafeteria I didn’t find Madeline on her seat. I walked to the table and placed the bag which had smoothies in it.
“Where’s Madeline?” I asked.
I glanced around the cafeteria to find her.
“She has test after the break so she went to her class early”. Laura replied, passing the smoothie to Mac.
I stayed silent and took the seat. Mac, Milly, and Laura keep chatting but my mind was busy thinking about Madeline. I felt guilty about ruining her night yesterday by going to her house that late just to seek an advice.
After few minutes, Milly excused herself then Mac decided to leave early for the class. Laura and I were left alone.
“Laura, you shouldn’t have kissed me like that in front of the whole cafeteria,” I said folding my hands on the table.
“Why? I just wanted to make sure that the girls know you are mine and they don’t have any chance to steal you from me.” She said giving me flirty smile.
“Hmm... I don’t think so anyone is brave enough to steal anything from you, Miss. Laura” I said looking at her
“You’re absolutely right, Mr. Brandon” She replied and got up from the chair.
The bell rang and we groaned.
“I’m going to the class. See you later, baby”. She leaned and captured my lips in a soft passionate kiss.
She pulled away breathless and started walking then she abruptly stopped in her tracks. I frowned at her action. Then she winked at me while biting her lower lip looking sexy. I was staring at her retreating figure with surprise.
She likes to do things that leave me surprised. She flirts with me and kisses me out of the blue.
My eyes landed on an extra smoothie left on the table and an idea popped into my head.
I got up and picked the smoothie. I made my way to Madeline’s history class to give her favorite smoothie.
Before I could take the corridor where Madeline class was I stopped in my track. I caught two familiar figures standing near the school bathroom. I took the discreet steps and made my way towards them.
I was shocked when I saw who was standing there. My jaw twitched at the sight of a Lucifer aka Connor standing and blabbering.
The three of them were oblivious of my presence so I dumped the smoothie in the nearby bin and walked to Madeline. I placed the hand on her back for support, telling her in a way that I would be always there for her.
She gasped and looked at me. Her red eyes were enough proof to show me that the bastard again succeeded in making her cry. I hate seeing tears in her eyes.
I tore my eyes off of her sad face and glared at the unwanted intruder.
“What the hell are you doing here, Connor?” I asked him. My voice was bitter, clearly telling him how much I hate his presence.
“I’m back from London” He replied with the arrogant smile.
“Really? And here I was thinking that this year would be free from your Satanic presence” I said in the sarcastic tone.
“Well, Brandon it’s hard to stay away from the beauty of Boston. You see that’s what dragged me back here” He said moving his eyes up and down on Madeline’s body.
His lustful glance at her body made me clench my fist. I was this close to losing my calm and punching him straight on the jaw when Madeline placed her hand above mine and made me still. Her fingers started to create space between my clench fists. When the grip of my fist loosens she intertwined our fingers. Her hold on my hand tightened and she begged with her eyes not to do anything.
“Stay away from my friends. And if I have ever seen you near Madeline you will not like what I would do to your face”. I said with the threatening tone.
“Oh, I’m scared. It’s not like she’s yours, Brandon. You are acting too possessive when she’s not even your girlfriend” He said taking one step closer.
I pulled away from her and said, “She’s my best friend. I have a hell of a right to act possessive towards my girlfriend and friends. So take it as a final warning, Conner. Back off before I made you” I said pushing him back.
“Let’s go, Brandon. It’s useless to waste your breath on him” Milly interfered for the first time in our conversation.
She started dragging me in a different direction before I start to pummel Corner. I glared at him telling him that despite leaving him without reconstructing his face with my first I would love to find another chance to do that.
Madeline must have noticed my rigid face and rolled her eyes. She told Milly to go to her class.
She left Madeline and me alone outside her class.
“Did he touch you? Tell me. I’m going to kill him if he did”. I said taking a glance at the same place where Connor was standing earlier.
The bastard disappeared.
“Brandon, he was trying to make you angry and have a fight with you. He is back here and he wouldn’t let go of a single chance to put us in trouble.” She said giving me a lazy smile.
“No. You’re not fine. I’m taking you home so you can rest and sleep” I said with the force to make her agree.
Before she could create a lousy excuse to stay in school I said, “This is not up for discussion. Let’s go.”
She sighed and followed me to the principal office where I signed both of us out.
Madeline stayed silent all the way to house making me nervous because it was unusual for her to keep her mouth shut that long when she is with me. I kept glancing at her somber face while driving to her house.
When we arrived at her house she opened her eyes and stared at it with sad eyes.
Sighing softly, she got out from the car and I did the same. She glanced at me from her shoulder and asked, “Would you like to come inside to have a coffee or something?”
I wanted to decline her offer because she looked too tired to do anything.
“Sure,” I said locking the car and following her inside.
She unlocked the main door and called loudly “Aunt Emma, are you here?”
She was making sure that there was no one in the house except us which was more than great for me.
I literally couldn’t face her after last year incident. Milly, Madeline, and I bunked the school to hang out and decided to go to Madeline house. Her house usually stays empty in the afternoon. That day we caught her aunt in compromising situation with her lover in the house, doing it on the couch. I shuddered with disgust thinking about that day.
I closed the door and said, “Either she’s out with someone. Or you know still sleeping in her room hangover from last night’s alcohol consumption”
“I really don’t care... Not today”. Madeline replied throwing her bag at the table and slumping down on the couch.
“So what now?" I said staring at her slumped figure on the couch.
“I’m so tired. I’m sorry for inviting you in when I can’t even make coffee” She said sounding weak and tired.
She yawned feeling sleepy.
“Then let’s go to your room,” I said pulling her up from the couch. I knew if she stayed here too long she would fall asleep on that uncomfortable couch.
“Fine! Fine! I’m up” She said getting up and taking lazy steps towards stairs.
I was quick to reach up by taking the long strides when she was only halfway.
“You’ve taken your time,” I said. She glared in response.
I entered her room and smelled the most enchanting fragrance of vanilla and roses. That fragrance was imprinted in my senses. I took a deep breath and felt the instant calmness. Madeline, Laura, and I had spent so many days playing here, crying here after the fights with mean kids in the park, and doing group studies.
Madeline dropped dead on her bed looking drained. I was standing there staring at her beautiful room. The lime color wall was filled with many pictures of our childhood pictures. They forced me to go down to memory lane.
She had a habit of taking pictures of every place and that was the reason behind so many pictures. She captured them would put them on her wall.
The rest of the three walls in the room were painted in off-white color, nothing was hanged or placed on them.
Some silk curtain was draped on her window and balcony giving the room mesmerizing looks. As usual, her room was clean like no one lives in here.
I walked closer to the bed and glanced at her face. She was fast asleep, snoring lightly. I laughed and looked at her legs that were dangling from the bed still clad in boots.
I was amused at the sight of her mouth open and drooling like a baby. I retrieved my cell phone from the pocket of my jeans and snapped her pictures to tease her later.
Then as a good friend, I removed her boots and placed her legs up on the bed. I covered her with a comforter and kissed her forehead.
“I promise you, I will not let him hurt you again ever”. I murmured in her ear.
I glanced at her last time then left her house to go back to school.
You're Safe Love