Chapter 9: Forced Relationship

When the politics teacher was still teaching, Brady felt Aster's eyes on him while he was trying to focus on the lesson. But he couldn't focus and felt uncomfortable by her presence in his class.

Brady: On the inside. Why is she staring at me so much? I can't focus.

Brady: On the inside. I don't understand how she came to life...

Lunchtime wasn't easy for Brady to focus on the present moment either. He noticed that Keeran wasn't around to join him, Isaiah, and Renee.

Brady: Isaiah, where's Keeran? I thought I saw him this morning...

Isaiah: Oh, he went home early because he was sad...Renee rejected him.

Brady: Towards Renee. So I was right...He did confess to you a while ago...

Renee: Yeah, he did...But unfortunately I don't feel the same. I only liked him as a friend.

Renee: But I like someone else...

Brady: On the inside. Does Renee like me instead?

After a while, Brady realized that he needed to use the restroom for a bit.

Brady: I have to use the restroom...I'll be right back. He got up and walked away.

However, just seconds before heading to the boy's bathroom, Aster was nearby and she purposely dropped her book on the ground to get his attention.

Aster: Pretended to be shocked. Oops...I'm so clumsy. I didn't mean to drop it...

Aster: I feel kind of weak carrying those heavy textbooks...

Brady: He casually bent down and handed the book to her. It's not a problem...Here's your book.

Brady: Have a nice time going where you need to go...He tried to walk away.

Aster: She stopped him and said. Hey...I wanted to learn more about this school's locations...

Aster: Do you think you can give me a small tour?

Brady: Ok...But I need to get back to my friends real quick.

Aster: Don't think about them too much. It'll only be a little while.

However, that "little while" took almost the entire lunch period and by the time they were done, everyone was close to heading to their 5th period classes while his friends still waited on him in the hallway.

Isaiah: Dude, what time you so long in the bathroom?

Brady: I wasn't in the bathroom...I was giving a small tour for a girl from my politics class...

Isaiah: Weird...You never talk about anyone in particular from that class.

Brady: Yeah, she's new...Honestly I didn't like spending time with her.

Renee: On the inside. I hope whoever that girl is doesn't have a thing for Brady either...

Brady: He noticed Renee's expression. Renee, is something bothering you?

Renee: No, nothing...We should head to Keeran's house after school...

Renee: I feel bad I made him sad with what I said.

That afternoon when they head to Keeran's house, Keeran was still sad but he decided to talk his feelings out because they're still friends.

Keeran: Renee, I know I'm still sad from what you told me...

Keeran: But I want you to be happy even though I'm not over you yet...You should tell Brady what you told me.

Renee: Towards Brady. What I wanted to say earlier on was that I like you instead...

Renee: Ever since we were kids...I just didn't have the courage to tell you all these years.

Brady: Me neither...I like you too, Renee.

Isaiah: We're still going to be friends...Nothing can ruin our bond.

However, someone was watching them from outside of the window. It was Aster and she was jealous since she saw Brady getting close with Renee.

Aster: She thought to herself. They don't belong together...Wouldn't want to disappoint Stefan.

Aster: On the inside. I gotta take this to the next level...

The next day at school, Brady was acting weird because of what Aster planned to do with him. He avoided talking to his friends, especially Renee. In the hallway, he was holding hands with Aster and forced himself to kiss her in front of Renee.

Renee: She got close to them and said. What is this, Brady? You told me yesterday you liked me...

Renee: Why are you suddenly being "lovey dovey" with some girl I've never seen you talk with before?

Aster: She answered before Brady could. Got a problem with that? I can see that you're jealous...

Aster: Stop staring at him...Brady is my boyfriend now!

Renee: Towards Brady. Aren't you going to say anything, Brady?

Brady: He forced himself to answer. Aster is right...I never liked you. I like her because she's perfect for me.

Renee: I can't believe this...You're such a liar, Brady! She walked away in tears.

When it was time for lunch, Renee sat silently with Isaiah and Keeran and barely made eye contact with them. She was staring sadly at Brady sitting across from Aster.

Isaiah: I don't understand how he could suddenly like someone else...

Keeran: Yeah, he doesn't seem happy with that girl. Something sounds off.

Aster was getting frustrated at the fact that Brady kept staring at Renee and not listening to anything she's saying.

Aster: Brady, did you hear what I just said? I'm tired of you continuing to stare at her....

Aster: You should be focused on me. I'm your girlfriend now.

Brady: Oh, yeah...I'm sorry about that.

That night when Brady was lying in bed, he thought about what Aster told him the day before he pretended to be her boyfriend. He had a flashback of what happened after the night at Keeran's house.

Aster: What a "coincidence" that you live in the same neighborhood as me...

Aster: But I wanna know why you like the other girl...She's not as pretty as me.

Brady: Excuse me? Just who do you think you are?

Brady: As if you're better and high up compared to others...I barely know you!

Aster: I know your dirty little secrets, Brady. I can expose them anytime if you don't go out with me!

Aster: You wouldn't like that would you?

Aster: Also, I know where that girl lives...You don't want me to do anything bad to her either!

Brady: He came back to his senses and said to himself. I need to find a way to get rid of her and tell Renee the truth. 

Comment