Chapter-Thirteen

Madeline POV:

I glanced at the large garden in front of me and turned to the boy standing behind.

"I don't see any new hospital here". I said sweeping my gaze up and down on his quaking body.

The boy is a nerd of our school always dressed in baggy clothes and wearing large glasses which usually slides off every five seconds from his nose. His name is Tom I guess.

"I... I ... He ". He tried saying something but stuttered again, failing to explain why we're standing in a secluded garden.

"Are you tricking me? Why have you brought me here? To kill me?". Taking one step closer I glared at him, trying to intimidate him with the angry look.

"No! I. I thought". He keep glancing around to garden like his eyes are searching for someone.

"You thought you can trick me?". I captured his slim neck and pressed my fingers around them firmly; blocking his oxygen which made him turn pink quickly.

"No... He's... He's there". He squawked pointing his finger making behind me. I followed the direction he was pointing and my eyes landed on the culprit standing in the garden. I loosened my grip on the boy's neck and he fall on the ground with the thud.

"You look fine". I said frowning, sweeping my eyes up and down on his body and shouted "You jerk!".

"Haha. I'm fine". Brandon said with the small nervous laugh.

"But why did Tom lied?". I yelled glancing back to find that the boy have already disappeared leaving me with Brandon.

"I told him to lie. That stupid guy said tomorrow and you didn't realize he was lying". Brandon said in a "duh" tone

"Why? Do you've any idea how much you scared me?". I said pushing him back in anger making him stumble and landed on his butt on the ground.

"It was a strategy to bring you here. Don't fret so much". He said rolling his eyes at my agitated face.

"How does it feel?". I kneel down and punched him in the stomach while he was still spread out on the grass.

"Ouch! You hit like a man". He said rolling in the pain.

I sat beside him and gritted my teeth "I'm seriously going to injure you now so next time you won't need to lie".

"C'mon maddy. You weren't talking to me so I thought". He tried explaining but interrupted him.

"So you thought this stupid trick will make me come running here. Because being a stupid friend I still care about you". I said making him still for few seconds and stared at me with some weird emotion which I couldn't pin point yet.

"Okay I'm sorry. Now that you're here I realize it's a shitty move". He said sitting up and dusting the grass from his shirt and jeans.

"It's the shittiest move". I chided.

Rolling his eyes he got up and offered me his hand which I gladly took.

"Now what?". I asked him dusting myself.

"Now we're going for a shopping". He replied casually and taking my hand in his; he started dragging me.

"Shopping?". I repeated dumbfounded.

"Yup. Book shopping,specifically. I heard that the store got some new collection this week". He told me.

"Oh really". I mumbled softly because it reminds that my money is stolen by that evil cousin of mine.

"Yeah. So would you like to come with me?". He asked me when walked where his car is parked.

"MM sure". I agreed shrugging thinking if I can't buy them I can always look.

He opened the car door for me and I slide in the passenger seat while he went to the other side of the car to get in the driver seat. Then he turn his head to look at the back seat.

"Flowers for you". He said handing me the bouquet of Lilly's.

"For me?". I asked him shock as the car roared.

"Yes for you Madeline". He replied pretending to be annoyed at my question.

"Well thanks...I guess". I mumbled softly and stared at him intently.

"What?". He asked take a quick glance at my way while driving.

"You're acting weird today?". I said gazing at him.

"How so?". He asked me raising his eyebrows.

"First you tricked me to come here then these flowers and now book shopping". I said pointing out the things he has done.

"I've planned to spend today with you". He said staring on the road making my heart stop.

"What?". Again shocked at his words.

"You were angry on me because of that jerk so I want to make it up to you. We're going to spend this day making new memories". He explained further.

Parking outside our favorite book shop we stepped out of the car and went inside the shop. After forty-five minutes we both were stumbling out with two bags full of new books.

"You know you didn't have to buy me all these books". I said trying to look unpleased but inside my heart warmed at his consideration.

"Not all books are yours". He said with the amused smile.

"I know but it doesn't mean I'll give them to you without reading them first". I replied smugly.

"Whatever". He mumbled nonchalantly.

I looked at the area where he was driving and frowned.

"Hey! Brandon why are you driving towards the highway? Aren't we going back to house?".I voiced out my confusion.

"Nope, we're going to some place to have early dinner". He replied smiling.

"Brandon it's five in the evening. Not a dinner time". I said.

"It'll take us an hour to reach there and that will be around six". He said driving calmly.

"Even that'll not be a dinner time. And we could've gotten something to eat from Marlin Corner; we don't have to go that far and waste gas". I said trying to make him change his plan.

"Marlin Corner is getting old; we should try something new". He said as a matter of fact.

"You're acting different today". I said staring at his overly joyed attitude.

"C'mon Madeline when I act like a bad friend you complain. Now I'm acting like a good friend and taking you out, you're still complaining". He groaned without realizing that he's the one complaining now.

"Wow. Weirdo". I teased him.

"Shut up and enjoy". He said with the tight silly smile making me roll my eyes at his antics.

"Fine". I surrender.

When he stopped outside the beautiful place which have small board hanging on the wooden gate saying "Lake View Restaurant". I instantly knew where we're.

In my own haze I entered the place following the small of barbecue and felt my mouth watering.

"Like it". Brandon whispered in my ear standing behind me.

I felt my heart beating wildly in my chest at the nearness of his body.

"A lot. I thought they sold this place long time ago and closed it". I said staring at the beautiful dining area where few couples and families were sitting and having fun.

"The new owners bought it and opened it last month". Brandon said taking my hand in his and dragging me to the reception.

"Hi I'm Brandon Edward. I have a reservation here for two". Brandon said with the polite smile.

"Yes "Sir" Please come this way". She said getting up and showing us our table.

"Your waiter would be here in a minute". The receptionist said leaving us to settle in our seats.

I started at the beauty of the scene as the sun was almost down consuming the place in darkness and the bulb started to light up the place, taking my breath away.

The lake wasn't near the restaurant; it's about a mile away in the center of tall mountains and woods. But the restaurant is build on the tallest mountain and provide you the clear view of lake from here. And I guess that's why the restaurant named
"Lake View Restaurant".

"This place is more beautiful now". I said in awed.

"Yeah the new owner renovated it". Brandon said staring as well.

The pretty girl dressed in red skirt and black blouse with notepad in her hands came to our table and said "Hi I'm Roha, your server for today. What would you like to order?".

"Madeline". Brandon called my name telling me to order first and I gladly did.

"Um I would like to have barbecue platter with Cornbread Panzanella Salad". I ordered after reading the menu.

Roha nodded and wrote everything I said turning her face to Brandon.

"I would also like to have barbecue platter with Spicy smoked sweet potato salad". He said snapping the girl out from her staring spree.

What I can say he's handsome and girls do this without him noticing.

"Any drinks"Sir"?. She asked blushing while Brandon was ignorant to her little crush on him.

"Coke for both of us". I said knowing what soft drink he likes to drink.

"Your order will be served shortly". She said nervously walking away.

"So why the special treatment for this stupid old friend". I asked him in a teasing tone.

"Oh I agree with the last part of your sentence". He teased me back making me glare. Then continued "And this is my way for apologizing about that day when we had an argument".

"I wasn't angry at you because of that". I said feeling guilty for making him think that.

"But you weren't picking up my calls and you didn't come to our study sessions". He said averting his eyes from my face to hide his disappointment.

"Brandon it wasn't because of you. I was just little disturb about something". I said guilty for still not telling him the truth about Laura.

"You know you can tell me anything
anytime". He said placing his hand above mine with the smile.

"I know but there's something which I really want to tell you". I decided to tell him but got interrupt by the waiter's bringing our food.

"Here's your food. Enjoy". She said setting our order on the table.

"Thanks". We both said in unison and she left with the small smile.

I attacked the food and moaned when a juicy taste of barbecue hit my taste buds making me feel more hungry than ever.

When I looked up from my plate Brandon was staring at me with amuse smile on his face. I blushed beetroot making him smirk which intensified the red hue on my cheeks.

I just ignored his intense stare and busied myself in enjoying the food.

"So what's that you were going to tell me before the waiter's interrupted?". He suddenly asked me making stop chewing.

I swallowed the food with the slight difficulty and glanced at him.

"I was never with Connor. He just wanted to pretend me that I'm his girlfriend...so he could rile you up". I said dreading for his reaction.

"That bastard". He said angrily.

"Brandon relax! Everything is over. I'm not with him,I was never with him. He just wanted to create a rift between us and I ignored you to make it look like that he succeed. So he would leave us alone and he did". I said placing my hand on his fist and running circles on them, try to provide him comfort in some way.

"Still you should've told me earlier. I would love to give him the taste of my fist". He gritted his teeth.

"And that's the reason I didn't say anything in the first place. I don't want you to get in the fight with him before convocation". I said trying to make him realize how important it is to handle this situation calmly.

"Okay but as soon as I got the graduation certificate in my hand I'll be punching him first". He said with the promise in his tone that made my heart sink. Because if I'll tell Brandon about Laura and Conner after convocation, he'll surely be doing some punching.

"Fine". I said rolling my eyes to make him little relax.

After that we enjoyed the meal and the complimentary pieces of chocolate cake quietly which I don't think was complimentary at all but Roha said otherwise.

Then we left the restaurant and walked where he parked the car.

"I really enjoyed today. Thank you".I said quietly settling in the car.

"You're welcome"Princess". He replied strapping the seat belt.

The word "Princess" hearing from his mouth created the havoc of feelings in my heart. I'm not use to getting pampered and loved by anyone. And from the time Brandon become my friend he showed unbelievable care towards me which made me distant myself from him instantly. But slowly and gradually he made his way into my heart and still keeping it occupied.

His brilliant friendly nature made me like him at the first, his beautiful smile captured my heart and his love for books without turning into a nerd made me admire him.

I don't know when I fell in love with him but when I realized what I feel is actually love not just infatuation, it was already too late to change them or stop them from growing further.

"Madeline come out ". I heard Brandon's voice snapping me out of my daydreaming.

"Are we already at home?". I asked him unbuckling my seat belt and that's when my eyes landed on the dark woods where we're parked.

"Where are we Brandon? I thought we were going back to home". I said stepping out of the car.

"I want to show you something". He said locking his car and dragging me in the woods.

"Is this place safe". I asked him little scared from the darkness.

"Yup". He replied switching on the flashlight in his cellphone.

The path came to view and we followed it. When we reached down the lake come to my view making me gasp.

"Is this the same lake we were staring earlier?". I asked with astonishment that I'm staring at the lake from this near.

"Yeah". He said dragging me closer to lake.

The moon was shining above making lake look like a blue-black crystal. I dipped my hand in the water and feel it freezing.

"It looks like an imaginary place". I said breathlessly while he took the seat on the ground.

"Let's just sit here and enjoy". He said pulling me down beside him on the ground.

After few minutes he said "You know I always wanted to bring you here".

"Why?". I whispered.

"Because this place reminds me of you". He replied staring in my eyes intently.

"How?". I asked confused.

"This place is beautiful from afar but looks dangerous and people avoid coming closer. But when you take the risk of coming closer you'll realize that it's not only beautiful from afar but magnificent from closer and peaceful". He said making my breath hitch and moving closer.

Our heads and nose were touching we were that close. Involuntarily my right hand went his shoulder and griped it. His eyes never left mine while next thing I know his right hand started creasing my cheek in loving way that I literally (melted) than and there.

"I don't.know...know what to say Brandon". I found it difficult to talk too distracted because of his magical fingers running on my cheeks lightly sending shivers to my spine. Even my voice was sounded breathless.

"Then don't say anything. Just remember that you're really important to me". He said cupping my cheek with the other hand.

I lost whatever senses I had few minutes ago;my mind turned into mush, the only thing in my view was his pink lips which were so close that I could touch them.

And with that thought in my mind I did. I touched them by placing my own lips lightly on his soft one's. He went still and he stopped breathing. We were both frozen for few seconds due to the shock and sparks that's making its way in our body.

Then his lips started to move so lightly creasing mine making me wish that I could stop the time here and stay in same position forever.

Without knowing anything what I'm doing or I'm doing it right I copied his actions and let myself have my first kiss with the boy I love.

The kiss was slow filled with the understanding, caring and love.
His actions were slow, sweet and conscious like he thinks I'm fragile and he would break me if he pressed little harder.

But I want him to press his lips harder so I'll get the confidence to pour all the love I have been keeping inside my heart.

Because inside somewhere in my mushy mind I know it will be my first and last kiss.

_______________________________________

Hello lovelies!!

I hope this chapter makes you all go crazy from screaming happily.

They finally kissed!!!

Well don't forget to vote if you would like to have next chapter 😉

Don't forget to tell me how much you enjoyed this chapter because maybe it will give you a early update.😁😉

Published date: 2-March-2107

Thanks for reading 😘😘😘

~S.Sonysa_Ivan

"Love is a cure of every pain,heartache and broken soul. It makes everything hazy and blurred the gashes you carry around under the long sleeves"
(By S.Sonysa_Ivan)