AUTHOR'S NOTE; I KNOW BUSTED SINGS YEAR 3000 OKAY? I MEANT THE JONAS BROTHERS COVER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP COMMENTING ABOUT IT. OKAY, THANKS.

Chapter 4: I Can't Hear You, I'm Asleep 

The next morning, I wake up in my room with the covers tucked in under me. I peel my eyes open and blink a few times as the sunlight flares in through the slightly parted curtains of my Rome room. I yawn and sit up in bed, stretching and letting out a little noise. Bradley always says that I sound like a baby dinosaur when I do that.

“How do you know what a baby dinosaur sounds like?”

“I’m a time traveler Sydney, duh.” He teases with a grin.

“Oh, really?” I retort in a joking manner.

“Mhm, really.”

“So, if you’re a time traveler, what’s the future like? Did you take a trip to the year 3000? Did they live underwater?” I ask, teasingly referring to the old Jonas Brothers Song, Year 300.

“Sydney, you can’t be a time traveler and go forward and backward; you gotta pick one.” Bradley explains.

“Right, okay.” I giggle, playing along with his silly antics. “And you chose to go back in time?”

“Sure did,” Bradley tells me, clicking his tongue.

“You’re stupid.”

“You’re a really mean girlfriend, you know.”

“Well, you’re a really weird boyfriend,” I rebut.

“You love me though.” He reminds me.

I blink a few times and the smile slips from my face when I remember the events of yesterday. Bradley and I aren’t together anymore. He doesn’t tell me I sound like a baby dinosaur anymore. Drew’s a stupid, inconsiderate jerk butt. My mom won’t let me come back home until August. Everything really just sucks right now. I sigh and shake my head, getting up out of the bed. I rake my fingers through my hair and grab my cell phone, seeing that it’s now only 9:30 a.m. I have no idea why I’m awake so early; I didn’t even go to sleep until like, 2 a.m. I remember because Walker didn’t wake me up like I asked him to when I fell asleep; he just picked me up, carried me in here and apparently tucked me in. He’s such a good best friend.

I get out of my bed and decide that now is as good a time as any to talk to Bradley. Hopefully he isn’t still sleeping. He usually wakes up pretty early in the morning, though, so I doubt it. I grab my toothbrush from one of my duffels along with my tube of Crest toothpaste and make my way out of my bedroom. I walk down the corridor in search for a bathroom only to find that there isn’t one on this end of the hallway, so I walk all the way to the other end- it’s a long corridor, okay? When I reach the other end, I find a bathroom and walk in, firmly shutting the door behind me.

I slowly and deliberately brush my teeth and then wash my face before exiting the bathroom and heading towards Bradley’s room. I stand there for a few seconds, trying to figure out exactly what I’m gonna say so that I don’t sound like an idiot or something. I clear my throat and raise my knuckles, pelting the door lightly.

I patiently wait there outside his door for a few seconds, waiting for him to tell me that I can come in. He doesn’t. I wait for about two minutes before I knock again, a little harder this time. It dawns on me a few seconds later that Bradley probably isn’t gonna let me come in. Well, he could still be asleep, but I really don’t think he is.

So, I reach for the doorknob and push it open, walking into the cold room. I push the door closed behind me and walk deeper into Bradley’s room. I see him lying on his bed, the cover pulled up over his head. He’s hunched over on the bed, his back towards me and his body facing the huge window in his room. The room has a breathtakingly beautiful view of a beach that looks like it’s about ten minutes away from house.

“Bradley?” I softly say, walking towards his bed.

He doesn’t reply, but instead gives off a snore. I’m not retarded, and Bradley knows that. I’ve slept with Bradley quite a few times; I know when he’s sleeping and when he’s faking and right now he’s faking. He doesn’t even snore as loudly as he just did. It’s just barely above a murmur when he’s actually sleeping. Secondly, he has the cover pulled up over his head. Bradley never sleeps with cover over his head. I mean, I don’t think anyone really does, because that’s weird, but still. He usually sleeps with either no cover or just enough to cover his legs.

“Bradley?” I repeat, walking around the bed so that I’m in front of him.

He still doesn’t say anything, so I sigh and plop down on the bed, looking down at him.

“Please?” I desperately beg. “Please talk to me, Bradley.”

“I can’t hear you, I’m asleep.” He says from underneath the covers.

“No you aren’t,” I sigh. “I just wanna talk.”

“Well, I don’t.” Bradley shortly states.

“I know you hate me, but please, I just wanna ex-“

“I don’t hate you, Sydney, you know that.” Bradley tells me in a hard voice.

“Well, you’re acting like it,” I firmly say, crossing my arms.

“I don’t hate you,” Bradley repeats, throwing the covers from over his head. “Right now though, I don’t really wanna talk to you for obvious reasons. So please just leave me alone, okay?”

“If you would just hear me out, Bradley, you wo--“

“Stop, Sydney, just stop. I don’t really care what reason you had for kissing Drew.”

“You don’t even know the full story, Bradley!” I exclaim. “You’re being totally ridiculous!”

“I’m being ridiculous? No, Sydney, I don’t think I am.” He scoffs.

“Yeah, you are. It’s not my faul--“

I don’t get to finish my plea because that moment, Elena waltzes into the room and says, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. It’s time for breakfast though and my mom told me to come and tell you guys.”

“Thanks Elena,” I reply, forcing a smile.

“You’re welcome,” She retorts with a genuine smile before walking out of the room, closing the door.

“Can we just talk some other time? I’m starving.” Bradley tells me.

“You don’t wanna be my boyfriend anymore?” I ask for clarification, raising an eyebrow.

“I-I,” Bradley hesitates and aversely says, “I don’t wanna be your boyfriend anymore.”

“Are we even friends, still?” I ask desperately.

Bradley’s quiet for a minute, looking down at his hands. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Syd.”

“Okay,” I quietly say, standing up. “I’ll, erm, I’ll see you later then, I guess.”

With that, I walk out of Bradley’s room. I think he starts to say something but when I turn around to ask him about it, he shakes his head, silently sending me a ‘never mind’. I go back into my room and lock the door, sliding down on the floor. I don’t think Bradley really meant that. Why wouldn’t he wanna go back to the way we were just a week ago? Like, I know I’m not the best girlfriend in the world, but I’m damn sure not the worst.

I sit there for a while, staring up at the ceiling before there’s a knock on my door. Thinking and praying that it’s Bradley, I practically fly to my feet and pull the door open. The smile slips from my face when I see that it’s not Bradley, but instead it’s Tanner.

“Oh, hey Tanner,” I say, sounding dejected.

“Morning Sunshine,” He replies, pushing his hands down in his pockets.

“What’s up?” I wonder, looking up at my best friend who’s wearing a concerned expression.

“It’s breakfast and you’re the only one not down there.”

“I’m not hungry,” I shrug nonchalantly.

“Ah, I know what’s going on here.” Tanner states, stepping into my room.

“What’re you talking about?” I ask him, pushing the door closed and sitting on my bed.

“Bradley looks like someone just ran over Poncho.”

“What?”

“He just sitting at the table staring off in to space.” He explicates. “And I think he’s been crying.”

“I’m pretty sure Bradley hasn’t been crying,” I scoff, rolling my eyes.

“His eyes are red, Sydney.” Tanner reasons.

“He could be high,” I shrug.

“You know he’s not.” He states. “Let me guess- you talked to him?”

“Yeah, but I may as well not have for all the good it did,” I sigh, pulling my legs up on the bed, sitting Indian Style.

“What happened?” He asks softly, sitting beside me.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” I grumpily tell Tanner.

“Too bad, you’re going to. Tell me what happened.”

“Well, he told me that he didn’t hate me.” I start.

“And that’s it?” Tanner wonders, cocking an eyebrow.

“No, he also said he doesn’t wanna be my boyfriend anymore.”

“He literally said that? That he doesn’t wanna be your boyfriend anymore?” Tanner tests suspiciously.

“Yes,” I whine, nodding my head.

Tanner lets out a small breath and wraps his arm around me, pulling me close to him. He pets my head a little and I lie it down on his shoulder, curling up next to him. Tears roll down my face and I make this weird gulping sound, trying to control the sobs that I know are coming. Tanner doesn’t say much of anything, but he holds me and lets my cry on him, rubbing my back gently. With the hand not on my back, he pats my knee gingerly. I feel his warm lips press against the top of my head and move as he gives me a small kiss in my hair.

“Don’t cry, Syd. You’re okay.” He coos after a while. “You’re okay, sweet girl.”

__________________________

“Shut up, you’re gonna wake her up!” Tanner’s voice whisper exclaims, waking me up from my slumber.

“It’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon, she needs to wake up,” Walker says, his voice above a whisper.

“She wants to rest; let her rest.”

“Has she even eaten today?”

“She told me she wasn’t hungry when I came up here at breakfast time.”

“Is she depressed or something?” Walker wonders.

“No, she’s not depressed. Just a little sad,” Tanner informs him.

“If you guys are gonna be so loud, how am I supposed to sleep?” I ask, letting them I know I’m awake.

“Oh, shit, Syd, we thought you were still sleeping,” Walker says apologetically.

“Nope, I’m not anymore,” I state, sitting up in the bed, blinking a few times. “I’m hungry, though.”

“Well, we just had lunch, but Francesca saved you some if you want it?”

“What is it?” I wonder, pulling my fingers through my hair.

“Homemade pizza.” Walker interjects. “And it’s really, really good.”

“Well, it’s Italy; it should be,” I say humorlessly agreeing and getting out of bed.

“You feeling alright?” Walker queries, eyeing me weirdly.

“Yeah, I, erm, I feel just fine.” I shrug, pulling my long, tangled brown hair into a loose ponytail.

“You sure?” Walker wonders, putting his hand on my shoulder, looking pointedly at me.

“Yup, I’m sure. I’m just really hungry,” I lie evasively.

I guess Tanner’s still the only one who knows Bradley and I are completely dunzo. Well, aside from Bradley himself. Dickheaded Drew probably knows too. He’s such a dick. Hence, the nickname. I hate him.

“Are you guys not doing anything today?” I wonder.

“We are, actually,” Tanner nods.

“What’re you all doing?” I ask tiredly, walking down the stairs in between the two of them.

“Elena’s taking us rafting in Umbria with her friend, Leonardo.”

“Should I know what that is?”

“It’s a town about two hours away from here,” Tanner explains as we walk into the dinner area.

“Oh, sounds fun,” I reply truthfully.

“You wanna come with us?” Walker interjects inquisitively.

“Yeah, you can if you wanna.” Tanner says. “We’re not leaving until like, 3:45.”

“No thanks,” I decline. “I’ll just stay here or go to a park or something. Or sleep.”

“Are you sure? It’s gonna be really fun,” Tanner promises, trying to bribe me to go.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks though. Next time, I’ll go.”

“Okay,” Tanner concedes with a sigh, knowing how stubborn I am and that I’ll eventually snap on him.

“Are you all going?” I wonder, pulling the chair out and sitting down.

“No, Drew’s staying here. The rest of us are going though,” Walker explains, opening the microwave and pulling my food out for me. He sets it in front of me and then sits down across from me at the table.

“Stop looking at me,” I murmur, nibbling on the pizza.

“Syd, what’s wrong with you?” He wonders.

“I told you that I’m hungry,” I roll my eyes.

“No, I think this is more than just your stomach’s desire for food; tell me what’s up,” Walker demands.

“I don’t wanna,” I state, shaking my head. It’s then that I realize I have a hammering migraine. Wonderful.

“Well, you’re going t--“

“Dude, she doesn’t wanna talk about right now. Just shut up about it,” Tanner tells Walker.

“Wait, you know what’s going on, don’t you?” Walker wonders, looking from me to Tanner and back again.

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” I reply, stuffing the pizza in my mouth. Walker was right; it is really, really good. 

“Fine,” Walker sighs. “Don’t tell me; you know I’ll find out.”

“I’m sure you will,” I nonchalantly retort. “I’m surprised you don’t know already, actually.”

“Oh, hello, Sydney are you feeling better?” My aunt Francesca wonders, walking into the room.

“Feeling better?” I echo, looking up at her with a confused expression. Surely she doesn’t know about him.

“Yeah, Tanner said that you weren’t feeling all that well earlier and that’s why you weren’t at breakfast,” She explains, looking over at Tanner as if trying to jog my memory.

“Oh, erm, yeah, I feel a lot better now, thanks.” I tell her. That obviously isn’t true because I have a headache the size of Arkansas pounding inside the walls of my skull, like there’s tiny men trapped on my brain with sledgehammers, all smashing them into my cranium. That’s a stupid simile, I know, but I think that’s the best way to describe it.

“Okay then, oh are you going with Elena and your friends?”

“I’m not, actually. I think I’m just gonna, you know, stay here and rest. If that’s okay with you?” I ask hopefully.

“Of course it is, honey,” Francesca confirms, then adds, “La mia casa è la tua casa.”  When she notices the three strange looks she’s receiving courtesy of Tanner, Walker and me, she laughs. “My home is your home.”

“Oooooh! Well, thanks, Aunt Francesca,” I reply with a slight smile.

“You’re welcome, darling. Now, I have to go in to my office for a little bit, so I’ll see you guys at dinner.” She explains. “And you two,” She continues, pointing at Tanner and Walker, “Please be careful in Umbria.”

“We will,” Tanner and Walker say in unison, smiling lightly at Francesca.

“Good, then I’ll be seeing you all later. Oh and Sydney, if you’re staying here and you get hungry, feel free to take whatever you want from the refrigerator or the pantry or whatever.” And with that, she leaves the room, her heels clacking on the titled floor as she makes her way down the corridor and out of the front door.

“Why’s he staying here?” I wonder, referring to Drew.

“I guess he doesn’t wanna go,” Walker shrugs, stealing a pepperoni from my pizza.

If I were in a normal state of mind, I would have picked up my fork and stabbed him in his greedy hand, but since I’m not, I ignore it. Walker seems to notice, because I can feel him intensely watching me as I scarf my pizza down. Tanner too, but Tanner’s trying to be discreet about it. He’s failing.

“You guys make me feel like a stupid circus act or something,” I mumble, half way through my pizza. I stand up from the table, dropping the fork on the plate with a clank and placing my napkin on the table. “I’ll be in my room,” I inform them, stalking out of the dining area. “Please don’t bother me,” I ask in the politest tone that I can muster. 

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Author's Note: Meh, I don't have too much to say today, except for please vote and comment and all that good stuff! Also, the pictue is of Cara Delevingne who plays Elena! Speaking of which, a lot of you seem to think that Elena will be a problem, which she may or may not be, I'm not telling, haha. Don't forget to comment and vote, please and notice the song and picture! Anyways, I'll see all of you lovely people on Thursday! ♥