“Don't walk away, don't roll your eyes They say love is pain, well darling, let's hurt tonight.”

-OneRepublic

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“Your smell infiltrates my senses
the way coffee beans do early morning. It's bitter but addictive.”
_

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I HATE Emotions. They were the one thing that kept messing up everything I had going on in my life. If there were a drug that could stop the unexpected wave of emotions one feels, I would probably be the first person to buy the lot and overdose. Not a good move, but I'd probably do it. Probably.

Braydon had not contacted me after our last...encounter. I know I was rude, but so was he. He clearly crossed a line and I had no idea what got into him recently for acting the way he did, but he had to control it. Atleast for the competition. If he doesn't want me in his life, then too bad because he will just have to suck it up and face me for the next ten days atleast. I was a bit upset with his behavior, since I didn't expect him to shun me out like that, not after the last couple of days we spent with each other. We had fun, I thought he was enjoying too, so what really happened?

You're caring a bit too much.

Maybe I am, but I honestly didn't mind. I didn't mind caring about him for a second. He was one of the best souls I'd met, despite what he claims himself to be and I'm sure of the fact that there is a lot of potential to be nice in him, he just doesn't want to acknowledge it.

I sigh a plop down on my bed, dragging my bag along with me. I finally managed to finish packing my stuff a while back, and despite my mom's effort to help me and remind me - ten times- about things, I did a satisfactory job. I glanced at the clock lying on my desk, I had about 10 more minutes to go before Nina shows up on my porch. Picking up my knapsack and cross-checking my room one last time, I walked down towards my kitchen to grab a bite.

“Where are you going?”

I settled my bag on the counter near the front door and watched Jasmine descend the stairs in all her lackadaisical glory. Raising my eyebrows at her question, I returned back to settling my bags.

“I am off to Carlton, sleeping beauty.”

I walked towards the kitchen and proceeded to take out some juice from the fridge. I poured some of it in a glass and went on to make egg fry for myself. Looking at Jasmine, who was busy scrolling down her phone, I sighed.

“Want some?” I asked, flipping the egg and settling it on the plate.

She nodded wordlessly, without looking up from her phone. Her attitude irked me,  this wasn't the first time she was acting like this and I felt absolutely rankled by her behavior (or lack of it) recently. Mum and I were talking about it last night, and she came to the conclusion that once I'm back, we were going to form a weekly routine to spend some time with one another. Minus technology, except maybe Netflix for movies. It seemed like recently, we didn't spend as much time with each other and one person couldn't be blamed, but Jasmine had gone a bit wayward and even skipped dinner a few times without informing. It bugged mum and I both, but I let it slide while Mom took it up with her only to get an unemotional response, which upset both of us.

“It would be nice if you leave that for a while,” I commented on her actions while placing her plate in front of her, which caused her to look at me with confusion. She did, however, keep her phone aside but not before shooting me an interested look that certainly didn't go unnoticed by me.

“What is the matter with you?” I asked, pushing my plate away from me while she just stared at me with curiosity in her eyes.

“Excuse me?”

“Excused. Now speak.”

“Jesus, Bella. What has gotten your knickers into a twist?” She joked, but sadly, I wasn't in the mood for any.

“You've been distant, don't think mum and I haven't noticed.”

“Oh please,” She said while chewing her food and continued, “It isn't like you're not having your fair share of fun with your new friends.”

I squinted my eyes at her, unsure of what she meant. “What do you mean? You know I hate talking in riddles.”

“Yeah? Stop being so oblivious. Everyone knows about you and Braydon.”

My eyes widened, which didn't go unnoticed by her. I had absolutely no idea what she went on about, but it surely did affect me. I didn't know what, but it did.

“Jas, I have absolutely no fucking clue what you're talking about yeah? So I'd appreciate it if you keep your assumptions to yourself.” I was probably wrong in taking out my frustration on her, but I had no idea where she was coming from and I surely didn't want her spreading bullshit. That's the last thing I need in my life.

She sighed and shut her eyes for a brief moment. “I am sorry, it's just- I have had stuff...going on. It's Dan.”

My eyes softened at her response. “Want to talk about it?”

“No, there's nothing actually-I bumped into him at Liana's. I think they're serious...well he does seem to be, he told me. He also told me...not to tell her about our past, I-uh-I don't know, it's just...”

“That is your choice you know. To tell or not, he shouldn't be dictating that for you...it's up to you. Liana is your friend, too.” I said, holding her hand and squeezing it.

She smiled at me and continued, “Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.”

I smiled back and proceeded to pick up my dirty dishes. Jasmine offered to do the dishes and I happily obliged, I wasn't going to do the cooking and the cleaning. Thankfully I had a cooperative sibling, who understood. I sat myself down on the table, scrolling through my phone I read a message by Nina.

Nina<11:02>Just left, see ya babeeee

Great, I've to await for ten more minutes now. I double-checked my purse for all the essentials and returned back to checking out Instagram and stalking my favourite celebrities.

“So,” I heard Jasmine say, bring me out of my reverie. “You and Braydon seem to be getting along just fine.”

I looked at her suspiciously, knowing exactly where her mind was going.
“We are a team, Jasmine. That's what teams do, get along.”

She just shrugged and gave me a wicked smile, “I don't know about that...I'm just saying what I'm hearing, and seeing.”

“Uhh, what?”

“Oh, come on! Are you blind? Haven't you seen the way he looks at you! He so like-”

“Okay stop,” I exasperated by holding a hand up. “Don't get ant funny ideas. He's not even that fond of me.”

Her jaw dropped and she quickly wiped her hands and headed towards my direction. “Are you kidding me?”

She was going to say something more but just at moment as her jaw opened, the doorbell rang. I couldn't have been thankful enough for Nina to arrive at that moment. I wasn't prepared to have a conversation about another boy, yet again.And I wasn't interested either.

“Would you look at that!” I exclaimed and hurriedly went for the door before Jasmine could utter another word.

Nina stood there wearing a blue summer dress with her brown hair dangling off her shoulders in a mess, she looked gorgeous and I am sure Nate must've gone bonkers looking at her like that. She motioned for me to come out quickly, and went back to the car, not before saluting Jasmine.

I grabbed my bag and waved Jasmine goodbye and swiftly moved towards the bonnet of Arthur's SUV to load my my tiny knapsack in. Once done, I secured the door shut and settled next to Arthur in the passenger seat at the front. Hugging Arthur and giving a hi-five to Nathan, let out a big yelp and everyone joined in.

“Let's get trashed!” Nathan squealed while all of us have him bizarre looks.

Sometimes I don't understand what shit he's high on.

Ignoring the small moment of relapse, we all went back to our jovial mood and set off for the three-hour long drive.

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“I told you we had to take a right!” I screeched while Arthur threw his hands up.

Jess, the wheel boy!

“Yes, you told me that after we had crossed the right turn!”

I gasped. “I did not, liar!”

“Did too, drama queen.”

“Did not!”

“Did too!”

“Jesus, guys!” Nina yelled from behind, causing bleh, Arthur and I, too shut our mouths.

“So we missed a right turn, has anyone thought what to do now? Arguing isn't going to help.” Nathan stated, folding his arms across his chest.

Arthur kept driving straight hoping for a U-turn, but so far it wasn't helping. We were driving for nearly three hours now, and I was beginning to feel hungry again, the snacks that Nina packer weren't cutting it and it was nearly 2:30 in the afternoon now.

“Okay, so Google Maps says there is another right ahead- about 2 miles from here- that we need to take, and then a left.” Nina read the instructions from her phone, and I was glad that atleast someone did the sensible thing amongst us.

“Okay, I'm counting on Google Maps here.” Arthur muttered but continued driving nonetheless.

After about fifteen minutes of driving and speculation, Arthur parked his car outside a compact yet elegant cottage. It had a small lawn in front of it, and it seemed like a beautiful place to live in. I absolutely loved it and could not believe this was the place where we were going to stay.

“Holy mother of God!!! Where did you find this?” Nina shrieked while directing her question at Arthur, who shrugged in response.

“This place is a sight for sore eyes. Thanks Arthur.” I said while unloading my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.

“Don't mention it. It's nothing. This place was expendable to some people a while back, but my brother loved it and we'll...bought it. I am in accordance with him.” Arthur stated and began leading us in.

“Why would anyone want to dispose this off?” Nathan asked incredulously, to which we all agreed and shrugged.

Nina placed her bag in the living area. “It is a good thing we get to have a relaxing weekend here! Ah, God knows we needed it.”

“I concur.” I spoke out and crashed on the couch, causing everyone to chuckle at my antics.

“Okay, the match doesn't start until six, and we've roughly three hours for that. So what do you guys say? Pizza?” Arthur suggested and we all couldn't have been  happier at the thought of food, yelling a big 'yes' and starting our weekend right away.

“Pizza it is.”

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Hey,

I hope you liked this chapter. It's more of a filler, but I think it was needed. We couldn't have Braydon and Bella all the time!

Thought?

Please VOTE/COMMENT