Brad texted me. He said that he was anxious to see me and that he loved me. He was wondering what I felt for him. I texted back and told him the truth, that I loved him too. Then he asked if I was wearing the bracelet he'd given me and I said yes. I lied. I wasn't really wearing the bracelet because I didn't want to lose it, but it seemed like a big deal for Brad, so once I got home I was going to put it on and take it with me to school.

My dad didn't take the news of my relationship as roughly as I had imagined. He was more annoyed about the fact that I didn't care for college, but said that he could offer me a job in his company. I wasn't too sure about it, but I said that I'd probably work for him. He was fine with that.

"It's going to be tough work though. Don't think I'm cutting you some slack because you're my daughter. And you better do shit right, or I'll fire you without allowance and then you'll have no choice but to go to college," he said. Ouch. I didn't want to imagine my life without his allowance. I asked him about the pension.

"Obviously when you reach eighteen, it's over. But I can still give you money if you need it. I'm not going to allow you to live on the streets or something. What about your boyfriend, is he going to college?" He asked me.

"I'm not sure. I think he's going to an institute or a technical college. He says he likes to work with cars," I replied.

"A mechanic? Could be turned into a profitable business. When do I get to meet him?"

"I don't know dad. I'd have to talk to him and-"

"Arrange it. As soon as possible. I want to see what we're dealing with," he said. I nodded and joked with him with a military salute.

"Okay dad. But take it easy," I replied. Then he kissed me on the head.

"Okay kiddo, get out of here. I'll see you next week," he said. Bummer. I didn't want to see him next week. I would just end up taking care of Christian again. I wasn't thrilled to see the Cars movie again for like the fifteenth time.

I kissed him on the cheek though and didn't tell him how I felt. I opened the door of his jaguar and arrived home. The most delicious thing in the world was to reach my bedroom where I felt comfortable and safe. I placed my half empty backpack in a corner and just tossed my body into bed. My sheets, my pillow, my mattress. It felt so different and personal. I was finally home and I knocked myself to sleep.

I woke up enthusiastically the next day. I was finally going to see Brad. I couldn't wait to see him, but I wondered if he was going to pick me up. I was about to call Tamara when I heard the engine of his motorcycle roaring outside. I opened the curtain of my window to catch a glimpse at him. There he was, in my driveway, parked. His leg was healed. His celestial blond hair was tousled and the wind ruffled it a bit and his smile was wide and excellent. He looked up at my window and smiled. He was chewing gum.

"Hello beautiful. It's time to go to school," he said. I shouted excited and ran downstairs. My mom looked at me and rolled her eyes. I opened the front door and ran to my boyfriend and hugged him. He hugged me back with a grin. His arms under his black leather jacket surrounded me and I was ecstatic.

"Brad! You're here. You're better," I said and he laughed with joy. Then he kissed me and I felt his warm lips over mine. He tasted like tooth paste mint. It seemed that he too was ecstatic.

"Yeah. I'm a whole lot better baby. I told you I was better," he said. Ah! He was so gorgeous. I wanted to squeeze his cheek.

"I thought you'd be like on a cast or something," I said.

"Nope. No cast. I don't need it. I feel fine," he said. I wanted him to hold me forever. He let go though and grabbed the handlebar of his bike. Then he turned on his motorcycle and it's engine roared. I knew it was time to go.

When we reached Franklin High School everybody welcomed him back. He grabbed a lot of hands and received tugs and hugs. Gina kissed him on the cheek.

"I'm so glad you survived with Natalie and all," she said. Ugh! I knew what she was doing. She was pretending to feel sorry for Brad, but she was also implying that it was in part my fault.

"What does she have to do with anything?" Brad asked her. Holy shit. What? I was so happy that he was putting her in her place. It was about time. She shrugged surprised and then pretended that it was no big deal.

"Oh, nothing. I meant that you were... together and all. So glad you're alive and if you ever need anything..." she said. Brad nodded.

"Thanks, but I think Natalie's got it fine," he said dryly and then held my hand. A giggle escaped Tamara's lips. Holy shit. Yes. He told her to back off.

Then he was greeted by other students. I glared at Gina and she showed me her middle finger.

"This is not over," she whispered. Very mature. I rolled my eyes at her and walked on with my boyfriend. She was just jealous, but hopefully she now knew that her little tricks wouldn't work on Brad. He wasn't interested. It was time for her to move on. The teachers greeted him back and were glad to see that he had rapidly healed and then they progressed to their classes as usual. School was now bearable again. Life was now bearable again and I couldn't be more happy.

After school I went to gym for basketball practice. During the entire week Brad waited for me on the bleachers. Sometimes he was doing his homework, other times he would just sit there and watch the game. We hanged out Fridays and on Saturdays I took my driving lessons. During lunch we were planning how to go to the Halloween party. Tamara had already chosen a Romeo and Juliet costume for the dance. Preston wasn't too happy about it, but Tamara insisted that it would be original.

"I don't know what we'll be wearing for the Halloween party," I told Brad. The Halloween party was only a few nights away and Tamara was able to pay the DJ and some cool neon lights that would be part of the decor.

"Let's just go as zombies," Brad joked.

"No," I replied.

"Maybe we could go as vampires," he said.

"No way. Brad, it has to be something special," I replied.

"Adam and Eve?" He joked. I hit him on the shoulder with a folder I was carrying. The folder had a stupid Halloween poem which was part of Mrs. Krasinski's assignment.

"I'm serious," I said. Tamara's already got her costume and we have nothing. I'm going to google some costumes. I want ours to be special.

"How about Wilma and Fred?" Tamara suggested.

"The Flinstons? No way. I want something epic," I replied. The bell rung.

"I have to go," Tamara said. She was very busy with the party and we rarely talked to each other during this period. I too was busy with my basketball practices and Brad was thinking about taking a part time job with Preston at the Sports Store.

"If I work with him, I'll promise to get you discounts," he said and kissed me on the cheek.

"Ha, ha, ha, not funny."

"I love it when you frown. You look so adorable," he said.

"Cameo is adorable," I told him as I got up from my chair and placed the tray on the counter.

"I agree, your dog is adorable, okay then, you're glamorous, happy now?" He said. I nodded. We sort of joked with each other in between battles and sarcasm. Then Preston came to me and reminded me that he couldn't give me classes this Saturday.

"Okay, cool," I said, but I noticed that Brad was super angry at him. He frowned and seemed hot. I stared at him and asked him if he was okay. He shook his head.

"What? Oh, I'm fine... I'm fine, really," he said. That was weird. Anyway, we went to class as usual and then after he took me home I googled for an outfit. Then, I called him.

"Brad, would you be willing to put on tights? Because I was thinking of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell," I asked him.

"No," he replied.

"Oh. Okay. Umm..."

"Maybe we can go as superheroes?" He asked me.

"Hmm... Not really. Maybe we could go as Cleopatra and Marc Antony since that's what we're studying in history class," I told him.

"I thought you didn't care about history," he replied.

"I don't. I'm just saying... never mind. Oh my gosh! I got it," I said.

"What?" He asked me.

"Let's be the phantom of the Opera. You be the phantom and I'll be Christine," I said.

"I've never seen that movie before," he complained.

"Brad..."

"What about Cinderella and the Prince Charming?" He asked me.

"No!"

"They end up together," he remarked.

"No. The phantom's costumes are amazing."

"Okay fine, but I should at least see the movie," he said.

"Okay, let's have a movie night. We'll watch it," I replied. On Saturday night I invited him to my house. My mother was not thrilled, although she did behave herself. We were not allowed to be in any of the bedrooms, so we saw the film in the living room. My mom was nice and she made us some popcorn. I grabbed two cans of sodas from the fridge and we made a perfect movie date night at my house.

"Remember to pick everything up after you're finished," my mom said and left us alone. Halfway through the movie Brad was snoring. I was crying like an idiot. When it finished, I patted Brad over the shoulder.

"Brad?" I said. He was really asleep. I didn't know why, but I felt the urge to kiss him. His head was up to the ceiling, lying on the edge of the sofa and I sat into his lap. Then, I grabbed his cheeks and pressed my lips into his. He flinched and pushed me off him. I fell on the floor and hit my back on the only coffee table in the living room. I moaned in pain.

"Natalie?" He asked me surprised. I didn't think he knew what he had done. He got up immediately and he pulled me up gently. I was still crying because it really hurt my back.

"Natalie? What's going on?" My mother asked from upstairs. I wiped my tears from my eyes and lied.

"Nothing. I just slipped," I said.

"Are you alright?" She said coming downstairs.

"Let's go," I whispered at Brad. Brad nodded and took me outside.

"I'm fine mom. Brad's leaving," I said.

"Okay Brad, bye," she said and never came downstairs. We went to the doorway.

"Natalie, what were you doing on top of me? I'm so sorry," he said apologizing for the fifth time.

"It's fine. Nothing. I just... I wanted to kiss you," I replied.

"I'm so sorry. You know that I would never hurt you in purpose. Let me see," he said. I didn't want to raise my shirt, but he already turned me around and pushed my shirt up. I blushed.

"It's a little red," he said and then he touched my bra's strap. I could feel his strong fingers on my back. I felt a tingling sensation run through me. He put my shirt down again and turned me around, but I wanted to cry. I didn't want him to go. I didn't want him to put my shirt down.

"What's the matter?" He asked me and grabbed my chin. I shook my head.

"I'm so sorry," he said.

"I don't want you to go," I replied.

"But we'll see each other tomorrow," he said to me. But was that enough for me? How could I tell him that he spun my world around and that I was an empty vessel without him? How could I tell him that he made me feel loved and appreciated? How could I tell him that I wanted to be his? He kissed me on the lips.

"Goodnight baby. I'll see you tomorrow," he said saying goodbye. He got on his motorcycle and left. All I could do is stand there wondering how in such a short time my whole world had changed. He was a part of my life now and a part of my heart was his.