?A Wish?
Chapter 26
“You need to chill out.” Ava jostled her bag in the boot and joined me inside the car, taking out a half opened snicker bar from her pocket.
“I’m fine.” I told her unwaveringly, my fingers grasping my small black purse tightly, which only had my phone and a couple of dollars in it.
Her eyes glanced down to my hand before she looked back at me with a blank expression. “Then can you please explain to me the reason why your hands are trembling?”
I buckled my fingers together and pressed my hands down to my lap, staring at Ava with the same blank expression. “My hands are not shaking, its just goosebumps from the cold weather.”
Ava stared at me a little longer, her eyes looking shady. “If you say so.” She peeled half way through her snicker bar and began eating it. I brought out my phone from my purse to watch comedy shows since the silence was getting a bit ill at ease.
“Are you mad at me?” I asked after some moments. The silence was getting uncomfortable and some of the comedy shows were boring.
Ava’s back reposed on the car seat. “I’m not mad at you, i just find it bothersome when you lie to me, especially if i know that you’re troubled about something.”
“Its just that ever since Xavier mentioned this whole one-week vacation, i realized that i might not spend enough time with him because of college.
“That should be the least of your problems, we havent graduated yet so hold your horses.”
“Thats the thing Ava!” I exclaimed. “I dont know where he’s going to school! He can just decide to school in italy, or Britain, Russia, hell! Maybe even Egypt.”
“Xavier isn’t going to school in Egypt, Brielle.” Ava chuckled, trying to lighten my stressed out mood.
“But what if he decides to school in another country?” I slumped against my seat.
Ava sat up straight and stared right at me. “, Brielle, i’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.” Her tone was really serious and firm, no jokes or sarcasm behind it, that it made me slightly worried.
“Brielle you’re the true friend and best female friend i’ve ever met, you’re humble, fummy, smart, sassy and kindhearted. I dont see any reason why someone can hate you, but Liam did, he ruined your childhood and made you lack the love of parents. With what am about to say, dont think of it as me trying to tell you to runway, but think of it as a friendly advice from your bestfriend who loves you very much.”
“Where Xavier is going to be schooling should be the least of your problems, instead, think about yourself for once. This city has so many bad memories, sure it had good memories of the time me, you and the boys spent together. But the bad memories are still there, much more than that of the good memories. Liam abused you, physically, verbally and emotionally. Zayn bullies youan you were almost raped. All this horrible things happened to you yet you remaimed strong and courageous. Even after the horrible experience, you forgave your enemies and put it all behind you. But dont you think its time to start over? I a new place? Move to a new state, start a new school and make friends. You might think that all is fine, but you staying in a city were you were abused is not healthy. Think about it Brielle. How do you feel when you pass Liam’s house whenever you want to go somewhere? All that you will feel is anxiety because your mind drifts to all the bad experiences that happened to you in the house. So please Brielle, think about what i just told you. Startover in a new state and new school, you wont be Brielle Johnson, you’ll be Brielle Valentina. We still dont have any idea who your real parents are or where they are but lets just leave that for now. I want you Brielle, to leave this state and start afresh in another state.” Seriously, her words shocked me to the core.
“I-i dont know what to say.” I stammered. “I never thought about that, all i just wanted was to be with you, Xavier, Damon and Alex.”
“Alex and i will still be with you.” Ava said, a small smile making its way to her face.
“What do you mean?”
“I already talked to my parents about everything i just told you and i also talked about it with Alex.” Ava fingers curled around her hair. “They told me that i can go on ahead with it as long as i visit them during breaks and holidays, and Alex also agreed to it.”
“You mean to tell me that.” I drawled out, trying to imbibe on what she just said.
“Yes, Alex and i will stay with you in any state you decide to choose, that is if you want to move.”
“But what about you and Damon?” I asked, trying to ignore the thousands of questions and statements that fogged in my mind.
Ava lips tugged up into a genuine smile. “He’s going to a college in colorado.”
“Colorado? Isn’t that the state Aunt Emily lives?”
“Yep.” She nodded.
“I’ll think about it.” I said quietly. Ava gave me a small smile and nodded, leaning back against the car seat. We remained seated in silence till Xavier, Damon and Alex finally returned with the last bag that contained gifts for Aunt Emily abd her family. Yesterday, Xavier told me that she also has a two seven year old son.
I sat at the passenger seat, Xavier in the driver’s seat and Damon, Ava and Alex at the back seat.
“All buckled up?” Xavier asked, buckling in his seatbelt and starting the car.
“Yes.” Damon, Ava and Alex replied simultaneously. I gave Xavier a nod when he turned to me with raised eyebrows.
“Can we stop at Mc donalds?” Damon asked excitedly.
“No.” Xavier replied bluntly.
“But why?” Damon whined.
“Well, lets see, this morning you ate a sumarine sandwich, five cream puffs, bacon and scrambled eggs, hot chocolate and finally two burgers. Oh, and lets not forget that you ate all the ice cream cake i made. Who on earth eats ice cream in the morning, Damon!”
“Dont yell at me! Its not my fault that your desserts are so satisfying to my stomach!” Damon argued defensively.
Ava let out a small gasp and she smacked her boyfriend’s shoulder. “I cant believe you ate an ice cream cake and didn’t even remember to leave a single slice for me!”
“You’re only encouraging him Ava.” Xavier sighed.
“Ava, babe, i’m sorry, i’ll make it up to you.” Damon gave Ava a quick kss before he turned to Xavier. “I’m not sorry for eating your cake so deal with it.” He childishly stuck his tongue out at Xavier.
Xavier’s lips curled up. “Thant means you wont be having any cake.”
Confusion settled on Damon’s eyebrows. “What are you on about?”
“Alex.” Xavier called out to his younger brother who looked up from his phone, a bored expression plastered on his face. “Please explain what i mean to our dear brother.”
Alex sighed. “Xavier made another ice cream cake after you ate the one he made, everyone is allowed to have a slice of cake except you, Damon.”
“You two are lying, ice cream cake needs to be cold before someone can eat it and am pretty sure that a refrigerator cannot fit inside a small truck.” Damon sassed.
“We do have a fridge in the truck.” This time around it was me who spoke up.
I reached down to the small cold box beside my feet and brought it up, turning to face Damon. “A mini fridge, see.”
Damon’s jaw dropped and i decided to shock him further by opening the small door, showing him a perfect view of the delicacy inside the fridge. “Oh glorious lord, someone should please pinch me because i must be dreaming.”
“Ouch, Ava!”
“You said you wanted to be pinched.” She shrugged her shoulders in an innocent manner.
Damon playfully glared at her and huffed, scooting closer and encircling his arms around Ava’s shoulder. “I dont need some stupid ice cream cake when i have a lovely girlfriend.” We all awed at that causing Ava to get flustered.
I stared at everyone in the car, feeling my lips tug up by just looking at them. Ava, my intelligent and awesome best friend. Damon, my sweet and cheesy brother. Alex, my quiet and protective brother. Then lastly Xavier, my amazing boyfriend who i love with all my heart. This four people mean so much to me that i can do anything to make them happy. They helped me a lot. The three brothers saved me and took me in. Damon and Alex are like the brothers i never had and i love them. Ava is the only girl who never looked at me like i was death. She is my best friend and sister. Xavier, words cant describe how much he means to me and how much i love him.
My fingers reached up to touch the necklace Xavier gave me on my birthday and i recalled me and Ava’s earlier conversation. I cant believe she’s leaving her house just to stay with me because she doesn’t want me to feel lonely. It will be really unfair if i reject her suggestion. But even though i choose to live in a new state, what about Xavier? Where will he be schooling? Another state? Or another country? Ugh! I’m so confused. God please guide me to make the right choice.
“Babe, are you alright?” I was snapped back into reality by Xavier’s worried voice. I turned to stare at him, keeping my face blank as i tried avoiding eye contact with him.
“I’m fine.” The lie rolled off my tongue in a curt tone.
Xavier eyes lingered on me for a few seconds before he looked back at the road, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. I turned away from him and stared out the window, looking at the people, houses and trees.
I dont know how long we’ve been on the road, but Ava, Damon and Alex were already fast asleep, making me to be aware that i was avoiding any sort of conversation with Xavier.
Out of the blue, my stomach so loud that i was sure that even people outside could’ve heard it. My face reddened when Xavier chuckled softly. He pulled over beside the roadside and unbuckled his seatbelt, turning to stare at me.
“What are you doing? We are not yet in colorado.”
“You need to eat Brielle, end of discussion.” Xavier said firmly.
I huffed. “So you’re saying i cant decide on what i want now?”
“What? I never said that Brielle, you only drank a small cup of hot chocolate in the morning.”
“Thank you, but am not hungry.” I averted my eyes away from his piercing grey orbs that was staring at my face and stared at the window. It was quiet for some seconds and i involuntary turned my head to peek at him. A small gasp escaped my lips when Xavier was suddenly in front of my face. We were only inches apart and our noses were almost touching.
“W-what are you doing?” I stuttered, feeling my cheeks heat up.
Xavier brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re cute when you look angry.”
Right now am sure my cheeks were as red as a tomato. “No am not.” I mumbled.
“I’m your boyfriend and i cant lie to you, dont you think it should also be reciprocated by my girlfriend?”
“Yeah.” I whispered, feeling my lips tug up. “I promise to tell you everything when we get to your Aunt Emily house.”
“That’s my princess.” Xavier smiled and leaned in, capturing my lips in a soft and passionate kss.
“I fall asleep and wake up to see two people kssing eachother like their life depends on it.” Xavier and i quickly break apart when we heard Damon smug voice. I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment and i didn’t bother to look at Damon because i can already picture the smug smirk that will be on his lips.
“Shut up.” Xavier grumbled, his cheeks reddening slightly.
“Aw, is Xavier blushing?” Damon cooed. Xavier shot a death glare at his brother before he mumbled out cur$es and got out of the car. He soon returned with four large burgers and four pineapple smoothies. Damon tapped Ava and Alex awake so they can both eat.
“G©sh, i’m so hungry.” I muttered, taking a big bite out of my burger.
“Are you gonna finish that?” Damon craned his neck over my shoulder, already reaching out to take my burger.
I slapped his hand away. “You’ve already had your own Damon, seriously, how wide is your stomach?”
“This wide.” He grinned, widening his hands a few inches away from eachother.
“If only his brain is as wide as that.” Xavier said dryly.
“Hey, what’s that suppose to mean?”
“It means you’re stupid, babe.” Ava replied sweetly.
Damon gasped and hit Xavier’s shoulder. “You better dont hit me again little brother.” Xavier warned.
“You’re such a meanie and you too Ava!” Damon cried.
“I’m so sorry sweetheart, will a kiss make you feel better?” Ava said, placing my hand on Damon’s cheek.
“Maybe.” Damon faked a sniff and Ava grinned before she leaned forward to kiss him.
“Gosh, i live with a bunch of weirdos in my life.” Alex commented, pacing his headphones in his ear.
“Right back at you bro.” Xavier said.
~*~*~
“This isn’t a house Xavier.” I breathed out, staring up at the beauty in front of me. “It looks like a castle!”
“Is this paradise?” Ava questioned, her jaw hung open as she stared at the building in awe. The boys snickered at the both of us and we glared at them.
“Dont look at us like that, you two are acting like locals, no offence.” Xavier said and his brothers nodded in agreement.
“Offence taken Mr Rich boy, just so you know, we weren’t born out of silver spoon.” I huffed and grabbed my purple travelling bag, slinging it over my shoulder. “C’mon Ava, lets leave this three here and go inside.”
“Yeah.” Ava grabbed her own travelling bag and we both walked close to the hige white gate, ignoring the boys snickers.
“Do you know how to open the gate?” I whispered to Ava.
“No, i’ve never seen a gate like this before so how do you expect me to know how to open it!” Ava whisper-yelled.
“Having trouble girls?” Alex asked, a mocking smirk plastered on his lips.
“Just show us how to open the freaking gate.” Ava grumbled, her eyes shooring daggers at Damon who grinned in response and blew her a kss.
Xavier chuckled and slid his hand in his pocket jeans, bringing out what looks like a really small black remote. I snatched it from his hand and stared down at the black remote.
“Hit the green button.” He instructed me.
My thumb pressed on the green button an i heard a rustling sound before the gate slide open, revealing the gigantic mansion.
“Oh my God! That was so cool!” Ava exclaimed.
“Yeah, yeah, get in the car so we can park inside the garage.” I groaned abd plodded over to the truck with my travelling bag over my shoulder. When we were all settled inside tthe truck, Xavier drove inside and i was surprised when the gate closed by itself without me even touching a button.
I surveyed the surrounding. The creamy white fountain that had a clear water flowing in it was like five feet high. The mansion was a beautiful colour of golden yellow and white. It was enormous.
Xavier drove to the side and took a left curve at the right, stopping in front of a big and wide black door. “Brielle, the remote please.” I handed the remote to Xavier and he pressed on another button, making the wide door move to the side.
“Oh. My. God.” I whispered, staring at the different types of cars and jeeps that were in here.
“I think we landed in a world of cars.” Ava stated, her eyes roving around the garage.
“We better leave now cause you two are acrmting creepy.” Xavier and Damon literally dragged me and Ava out of the garage. We only took our bags but left the the gifts for Aunt Emily in the car. When i asked Xavier about it, he said i shouldn’t worry that the guards will bring it in. When we stepped inside the house, i couldn’t stop looking around. I rember my first reaction when i had walked inside the boys house. But this place looks five times more bigger and grand.
“Xavier! Damon! Alex!” A littke boy with brown curly hair and blue eyes was running towards us.
“Hey little guy.” Xavier scooped the boy up in his arms and tickled his side making the little boy let out a cute giggle. “How have you been?”
“Great!” He grinned widely and squealed when Damon picked him up from Xavier’s arms.
“I missed you so much Damon!” He said excitedly.
“I missed you too bud.” Damon chuckled, leaning down to kiss his forehead.
“What about me?” Alex piped in. “Am i not also missed?”
“Alex.” He exclaimed happily as Damon placed him fown on the floor. The little boy ran to Alex who quickly scooped him up in his arms and peppered his face with ksses, making the kid giggle.
“Of course i missed you too Alex, you’re my favourite.” He said, grinning up at Alex.
“Hey!” Xavier and Damon frowned.
“But i love you all equally.” The little boy said and Xavier, Damon and Alex lips tugged up.in a soft smile.
“Bubba, who are they?” The little boy asked politely, staring at me and Ava.
Xavier arms encircked my shoulder. “Brielle meet my bundle of joy, my cute and adorable cousin, Johnny. Johnny meet the special girl i told you about, Brielle.”
“Ava meet my sweet, innocent and loving cousin, Johnny. Johnny meet my lovelely girlfriend, Ava.” Damon introduced.
“Hi, nice to meet you. The both of you are pretty.” Johnny said shyly.
“Aw.” Ava placed he hand on her chest. “And i think you’re really cute.” This causes Johnny to blush.
I slapped Xavier’s arm. “Ow, what was that for?”
“That’s for keeping you adorable, little cousin from me.”
“I like Brielle.” Johnny blubbered, his cheeks showing a cute shade of red.
“And i like you too.” I tickled his sides making him giggle.
“I cant believe my nephews are right here with me.” We all turn towards the stairs. A beautiful woman who seems to be in her mid thirties was standing on the last stairecase, a genuine and happy smile on her face. She has ong brown hair and emerald green eyes.
“Auntie!” Damon exclaimed, running up to hug the woman who i can already tell that its their Aunt Emily.
“You’ve gotten taller.” Aunt Emily commented, staring up at Damon.
“And muscly.” Damon said proudly, flexing his muscles.
She chuckled and turned to Xavier and Alex. “Are you two feeling too big to greet your Aunt now?”
“Sorry Auntie.” Xavier apologized, walking up to hug her.
“Dont worry Auntie, i dont have a big ego like this two. I missed you so much.” Alex said, smiling as he walked up to hug his Aunt. Ava and i just stood awkwardly beside the door.
“Mummy, i m-” Johnny started but stopped when he saw that the tv was playing SpongeBob SquarePant.
“SpongeBob!” He exclaimed, running to sit down on the couch as grinned up at the tv.
“Kid loves to watch SpongeBob.” Aunt Emily chuckled. I smiled nervously when she turned her head to where me and Ava stood.
“Hi.” I greeted shyly.
“Hello.” Ava greeted nervously.
“Your girlfriends are beautiful.” Aunt Emily smiled. “Come on dearies, dont be shy.”
Ava and i shared a brief glance before we both walked towards the stairs. I stretched my arms out for a handshake but she suprised me by pulling me in for a warm hug.
“Brielle, right?”Aunt Emily asked and i nodded.
“She’s beautiful Xavier, just as you described her.” Aunt Emily reached her hand out to my hair.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“Call me Emily, and you must be Damon’s girlfriend, Ava.” Emily also hugged Ava. After our introduction, we ate a delicious meal prepared my the maids in the grand dining room. Emily husband, Gerrard, went for a business trip in Nigeria, that is why he’s not home with his wife and son.
The evening was really fun. Johnny showed me all his toys and he made me watch a marvel cartoon with him. I wasn’t really a fan of superheroes but still stayed with Johnny cause i cant say no i someone as adorable as him. Emily showed me and Ava the room we were going to be staying in. It was really big and wide, way wider than my own room. What was even more cool is that the room has a vending machine and jacuzzi. Ava and i were given a tour all around the mansion by Emily. Seriously, i need a map or else i might get lost in the mansion one day. The mansion had some cool stuff that i cant imagine a house to have. A spa, hot tub and a small arcade.
Right now, i am seated on the bed, scrolling through my phone. I glanced up at the door when it was opened. Xavier walked in and stood in front of me.
“We need to talk.” He said seriously.
“About what?” I asked, confused.
“You told me in the car that you are going to tell me what has been going on in your head.”
Oh.” My voice was barely above a whisper.
“Dont even think about lying to me, Brielle.” He warned. Taking in a deep breath, i blurted out everything to Xavier.
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