Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Jay was doing well as expected and we had a fun time despite Cyrus and I personal problems. We managed to put those behind us for the time being. The car ride back home was less than stellar as we didn't say not one word to each other. Not only was Bradyn not talking to me, but now Cyrus also wasn't talking to me either. I was at fault for it but still, it hurt just as much if not more. There wasn't anything I could say to change things and I was going to have to deal with it.

Regardless, the next day my mind was put at ease as I met up with Saida again. This time we were painting together. She was more serious than I was since I didn't know how to paint to save my life. I could barely sketch and throwing paint into the mix was not the move. Saida was a good teacher though and we were having a lot of fun like we always did when we were together. The girl was exceptionally talented. More talented than I ever will be, that's for sure.

"See, now you're getting the hang of it." She complimented my horrible painting skills.

I giggled not agreeing with her whatsoever. "Mm, it's something alright." I said laughing at the mess on my canvas.

Saida laughed as well, changing the conversation. "How are things with you and my dimwitted brother? I hope he's treating you well." Her interest in this was sweet to me. We did have a bond.

Sadly, I wasn't bearing good news for her. "Um, not exactly. I mean, he was treating me fantastically we just...had a small disagreement so we're at a standstill." I say without going into too many details.

This made her pout, but she was still supportive in the very teenage way. "Fix it now!" She demanded surprising me.

I was confused but laughed anyway. "What?" I asked her, trying to understand what she was getting at.

"Whatever your problems are, fix them. I guess I'm biased, but that doesn't mean I don't see the changes." She explained to me in the most confusing ways.

My mind wasn't understanding what she was saying. There was some bias towards me since we spent a lot of time together. I'm sure she hasn't spoken to any of the other girls, nor did they try to speak to her. We've built our own little friendship that Farah would not like if she found out about our secret meetings. However, that didn't change the fact that I wasn't aware of any changes she was talking about. Changes in what? Me or Cyrus?

Squeezing more paint out, I asked her what she meant. "Saida, you got to be more specific here." I say wanting more.

She sighed, never taking her eyes off her canvas. "Cyrus. Lately he's seemed a lot more cheerful and I'm guessing that has to do with you." That made more sense. "I don't really know your relationship with him or his relationship with the other girls, but I heard him talking the other day to my mom." That caused concern.

"Oh boy, I bet that didn't go too well." I wasn't ready to hear this. Especially because her mom was not a fan of mine.

Saida giggled understanding what I was saying. She was a smart fourteen-year-old. "Not for my mom because Cyrus was all in for you and she obviously doesn't like that. However, it doesn't change the fact that it was the first time I ever heard him talk about someone with so much joy in his voice."

I smiled to myself hearing that. I overreacted a bit yesterday and now knowing this I felt bad. Jumping to conclusions was something I've always done. My relationships back home were always duds, but this somehow felt serious. Even though nothing was official between us, we were acting like we were already married with the silly arguing we do. My emotions were at an all-time high because of my situation with Bradyn. I understood why he was mad, but I didn't want to understand at the same time. On top of that, he was right that if Bradyn couldn't respect that I couldn't tell her right away then she wasn't my friend. But at the same time, I had already told Twila making her feel left out.

Whatever the case, it was clear to me that I was not mature enough for the relationship we were building towards. Would he want to be with someone who still has so much growing to do? The fear of losing him was too much for me to handle. I've lost someone before, I didn't want to lose anyone else. Especially not Cyrus. He was special to me and here I was pushing him away. All because I was trying to fight my feelings instead of embracing them.

Chuckling, I shook my head at myself. "Cyrus better be lucky he has you for a sibling." I say thrilled to have made a connection with her.

Saida looked at me this time confused. "What do you mean?" She asked me.

"If it weren't for your insight, I don't think I would have the guts to go fix things with him." I admitted. "Look at me taking advice from a fourteen-year-old. Shouldn't this be the other way around?" I joked with her.

She laughed. "Probably, but I like that we can learn things from each other. I hope I can come to you when I have boy troubles." She said, making us both laugh.

"Trust me, high school boys are the worst. I'm sure you're going to need a lot of advice. That is if your mom doesn't try to make you a bachelorette."

Saida rolled her eyes as we continued painting and enjoying each other's company. It was time for her to go as we finished our masterpieces. Looking at her finished product was amazing. I saw her drawings before, but I never saw her paint. It was incredible and she had so much talent that it made my work look insignificant compared to hers. Farah was really wasting her painting skills for things that didn't even matter. This is what she should be honing not learning how to be a housewife.

After we packed up, we said goodbye to each other, planning our next session accordingly. As for me, I made my way back up to my room planning to have a sit down with Bradyn. Even if she didn't want to speak with me and even if we didn't end up being friends again, she was going to hear me out. I wanted her to know that there was no ill intention behind anything Cyrus and I were doing. It all just happened and unfortunately, I seemed to be the only one suffering the consequences. There was no way she was going to be mad at Cyrus so of course she took it out on me. But that was going to change.

Without knocking, I busted into Bradyn's room to see her and Twila sitting on the floor. They were both startled when I came in Bradyn more shocked than anything. It didn't matter because she was going to listen to me, and she was going to like it.

"Bradyn, listen up and listen good gal." I said sternly.

She stared at me confused about why I was here. "What do you want now? Got anymore secrets you want to keep from me?" She was snarky today.

I rolled my eyes at her comment ignoring it. "Look, I'm not saying we have to be friends after this, but you have to hear me out. You at least owe that to me." I argue.

She looked at Twila who agreed she should listen to what I have to say. As much as she didn't want to do this, she still did. Thanks to Twila of course. Without her this wouldn't even be possible.

"There's no doubt that I should have told you when I told Twila, but I didn't even think I was going to end up telling her. The only reason I did was because she caught me red handed and I didn't have a choice." I explained. "If you were the one sitting in my room when I tried to sneak back then Twila would have been the clueless one. I wasn't keeping it a secret to hurt you. I was keeping it a secret to protect myself and Cyrus."

Bradyn was listening to my explanation. I'm not sure if she was listening to me, but if I said my peace to her then that's all that mattered. The goal was to make her understand that our friendship meant everything to me, and I didn't want it to end like this. If we weren't going to be friends at least we could be cordial. Also, it was really depressing having to steal Twila from one another. I missed us all hanging out together.

Continuing, I put all my feelings on the line. "Protecting Cyrus because his mom isn't keen on me and protecting myself because I don't want to go home. I didn't want to lose my friendship with you but that already happened so it wouldn't have mattered anyway." I was rambling. "I'm sorry, Bradyn. I truly am even if you hate me." I got to the point fo the whole thing.

Bradyn stared at me not sure of what to say. I wasn't sure what she was going to say either, making me nervous. Would she accept my apology or was she going to turn me away again? Twila and I both waited in anticipation for her answer. She was really withholding it leaving us both worried. I didn't know how much longer I was going to be able to hold out for an answer. It wasn't hard, it was either yes, I forgive you or no I didn't. What was she waiting for? Christmas?

Twila was a lot less impatient than I was forcing Bradyn to give an answer right away. "Well do you forgive her?" Twila asked also wanting to know the naswer.

Bradyn sighed a small smile spreading across her face. "Yes, I forgive you." She said happily.

I squealed running over to her jumping in her lap. I hugged her so tightly I almost lost her. My heart was so happy that she forgave me. If all it took was talking to her, I would have done that way sooner. My apology was sincere, and every word said was meant. There was worry about losing my friendship with her. My only friend back home was Kira who was great, but this was different. We weren't work friends; we were more than that and losing that was so excoriating for me. She had no idea how much I had missed her and her bubbly personality. Now we didn't have to split Twila between us either. We were back together again!

I kissed her cheek not letting her go. "I missed you so much. You have no idea, Bray Bray." I whined like a little child.

She laughed pushing me off her. "I missed you too. I'm sorry for being a jerk to you, Autumn. I let Jenna get to me. I should have known better."

"No need to be sorry. You felt left out and rightfully so. You have nothing to worry about." I reassured her. There was no need for her apology.

Hugging me again, she smiled brightly this time. "I have one more request for you." She said a little too thrilled for my liking. "Give me all the details about how this all started please."

I figured that would be her request and I couldn't deny that.

"Wait, I'll make popcorn!" Twila said rushing downstairs to make the popcorn.

We both laughed gearing ready to have a long talk like good old times. I missed this so much and I was glad we were starting our friendship off right. The way I thought this would go turned out to be the complete opposite. I was so grateful, but I still had another problem to fix. Although, I wasn't sure if I was ready to have an adult conversation with him just yet.