Almost Lover

[RealisticFantasy]

She looks at him slightly in shock. You're guy? Wow, okay... She opens her mouth to say something but the thick smell of alcohol fills her nostrils and she coughs. She feels Charles's weight against her and has to reposition herself to not fall over. "Your friend here doesn't happen to play for my team as well does he?" She involuntarily snorts as Bradley tries to spit out a response, deciding to retort with her own,, "You can't sleep with everyone you see, Charles!" She walks Charles walk off before she cups her hands over her mouth, shouting after him, "Practice safe sex!" She laughs, shaking her head and mumbling, "Sometimes I wish I was a guy so I could sleep with him... Shit." She covers her mouth, wide-eyed. "Did I say that out loud?" For that brief moment, everything was alright. And, when everything felt like it was fine, she made stupid mistakes.


She shakes her head in disbelief. "I can't believe I said that... Anyway, if you're offering a ride, I'll take it." She smiles softly, almost forgetting what happened with Bradley's sister just moment ago. Charles had been the one to have that effect on her in the past year. They had been in a few shows together and had grown close enough that he knew how to provide comic relief. And, that was nothing but comic relief.

 

[shygirl3]

He smirked at her embarrassment. "So it is true, all girls either like guys who are in a relationship or gay." He handed the jacket back to her "here, to keep you warm until we get to my car." He smiled and began walking down the sidewalk towards his car. Black was relieved as it felt like the slight tension between them had disappeared and things could just be normal again.


Stealing a couple of glances at her as they walked to the car, Black didn't know what to say to her. He was just happy that she was walking beside him. Bradley couldn't believe that he was falling for an ex-student, it was far from his usual chase, but he knew that she was what he wanted. He just couldn't find the words to tell her and he had hoped that the kiss would have helped hint, but she only took it as an effort for a rebound. He continued walking in silence hoping she would speak or the they would arrive at his car and the background music of the radio would fill the silence.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"I don't find him attractive because he's gay. I find him attractive because he's attractive." She says after taking his jacket from him yet again and slipping it on, playfully elbowing Bradley in the side. "We should play truth or dare." She grins at him. There was always something intriguing in the childish game. Plus, it filled the awkward silence of the slow walk back to the car.


"If that's to childish for you, we can up the ante and ask 'adult' questions." She says teasingly, making a mock seductive face. She hadn't had someone she could just be friends with for a long time. Charles was always running off after some guy, leaving her to clean up his mess. He was a nice guy and they got along well, but it wasn't the close friendship she craved.

 

[shygirl3]

He glanced at her when her elbow hit his side, Black gave a small smirk "Truth or dare, really? Is this a middle school slumber party?" he asked teasingly. "But, sure. We could play." He said, deciding to humor her a little. Bradley smiled at her noticing her fake seductive face "didn't your mother ever tell you your face would get stuck that way?" he said playfully shoving her. He walked along with his hands in his pockets, he had felt content for the first time in a while.


He turned to her "By the way I choose truth." he said as he walked. Bradley wondered what she could ask. Part of him wanted to reach down and hold her hand, but decided against it because he had a feeling she wasn't interested. He glance back at her and waited for his question, he wasn't ready to do a dare just yet.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

She finds herself walking a little closer to him. Her subconscious was definitely trying to make a move that her conscious mind wasn't quite ready for. "Middle school slumber party? Exactly. That means I get to braid your hair." She laughs. "Truth? Hmm. We'll start easy. What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done? And you better tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Truth or dare is the courtroom of preteen girls."


She smirks which eventually fades into a smile. She was happy that the two of them could just get along. It was entirely strange considering how their interactions started out, just shouting matches and insults. Maybe they both always were interested in each other and didn't know how else to release the passion. Victoria almost laughs at loud at the thought. It sounded ridiculous, even in her mind.

 

[shygirl3]

Bradley looked at her, but had to think for a moment. In reality he had so many embarrassing moments, basically all of his school years were embarrassing. "Well there's so many to choose from...basically everyday in school." he glanced at her, "but I'm sure you'd like a specific story." He shrugged as he tried to pick a specific one. "Well...I was in middle school gym and we were forced to ballroom dance. I was partnered with my crush at the time." He scratched the back of his neck "well she sort of found out I liked her...but I didn't technically tell her. If you catch my drift..." he said slightly embarrassed.


Black hadn't relived that memory in a while and he couldn't believe that he had just told her that. He couldn't bring himself to my eye contact with her as he continued walking, "Alright so your turn, truth or dare" he said trying to change the subject.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"Oh... Oh." She covers her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't laugh. It's not, It's not funny. I'm a terrible person." She slips her arm around his waist in an apologetic half-hug. She lingers for a moment before pulling away, not wanting to let herself get too comfortable. "I'll pick truth." Her mind reels at the thought of what he could ask. There was a lot she didn't want to talk about. I should've picked dare.





It was easy to get most people to talk about their lives because a lot of people enjoy bragging. And, in that way, it was easy to avoid talking about her own. Bradley had only seen the tip of the iceberg of issues that one strange morning. Not wanting to the scare him off, she decides to sugarcoat it if he asks a question that would touch on one of the more sensitive issues.

 

[shygirl3]

He rolled his eyes at her giggle "Yeah, yeah. Go ahead laugh, I've gotten used to it...middle schoolers can be very cruel." he said as he felt her arm around his waist he gave her a slight smile. Hmmm, Truth..what could I ask her. He thought for a moment, he didn't want to make things too personal but at the same time he wanted to know so much about her. Bradley decided on a safe question, he figured it's not too personal and he was curious so it was the perfect question.


He continued walking then asked her, "how many boyfriends have you had?" he asked curiously, "and you have to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" he said teasing her.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"Boyfriends? Uh, not too many. Three, I think?" She pauses, lifting her gaze to the sky as she thinks about it. "Yeah." She looks back to him before adding, "And, a couple of girlfriends as well because that's the whole truth." She smirks at him. This was fun despite the childishness of it. "Well, truth or dare?" This was becoming more of a game of truth or truth. But, she was okay with that. She had no idea what she would dare him anyway.


They were close to his car and she figured she could squeeze something out of him before she would be able to drown out her own answers with horrible pop music on the radio. It wasn't terribly late but it was getting later so drinking herself into a daze might have to wait for another night. She leans into him as they walk. "It's cold." She mutters in a half-assed attempt to justify it.

 

[shygirl3]

He was surprised by her answer and he went to wrap his arm around her, but decided against it. "Well I guess it's a good thing I have remote start" he said with a slight smile. "I started it about 2 mins ago, so it should be nice and warm for you." he said. He thought about what he wanted to do as approached the parking lot. "What the hell...dare." he said walking up to his car. He opened the door for her as he waited for her to get in so he could close it and get in his side.


Black hoped that by choosing dare she wouldn't completely embarrass him. Possibly if he was lucky he would get out of doing a hard one if she decided to give him an embarrassing one. He smiled at her as he held the door waiting for both his dare and for her to get in the car.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

The option to dare him anything made her smirk. She could definitely take advantage of the situation. Then, again she could use the dare to let him know how she actually felt about him. Her contemplation is evident in her expression before she breaks into giggle. "Let's go traditional. I dare you to lick the ground." She smirks as she leans against his car, looking at him expectantly.


"Go on. No dilly dallying. We have places to go." She says teasingly, her amused smirk deepening. She figured he probably regrets agree to truth or dare now but she was far too amused to care at the moment. Seeing Bradley participate in something so childish willingly, that would be priceless.

 

[shygirl3]

Bradley stared at her while she thought about it, he rolled his eyes hearing the dare. "Victoria. Really? Are we in elementary school?" he said slightly annoyed. He shook his head "I'm not doing it." he said. If she wanted to embarrass him she'd have to try something else. He left her door open and walked over to the driver's side of the car. She can close her own damn door. He sat down and closed his door. He looked out the passenger door "are you coming or are you going to hold your breath until I do the dare like a child?" he asked, the old Black returning slightly.


He leaned back in the seat and waited for her to choose what she was doing. No way was he going to lick the ground. Bradley know it was harmless and that he shouldn't be annoyed as he was but he couldn't help but be angry for some reason. Does she enjoy embarrassing me? Am I just some plaything to her? He stuck the key into the car and buckled his seat belt. He tapped the steering wheel waiting for her.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

She sighs, dropping into the passenger seat and shutting the door. "You don't have to be so pouty. This was supposed to be fun." She positions herself so she's looking out the passenger side window, buckling her seat belt. It was incredible how he could take a simple game and make it into an argument. Just when she was beginning to give him the benefit of the doubt, when she thought that he'd finally changed, he does something stupid like this. "Could have politely refused." She mumbles under her breath.


It was starting to look like her aforementioned plan was going to be brought into action. So close to telling him, so close to making that mistake and she was slapped in the face with a reminder of why she shouldn't. He was always like this, wasn't he? So why did a few minutes of him not being an asshole make her forget all that? He was the reason she left Whitehill. She was just some whore student to his sister. Why would she think she was anything important?

 

[shygirl3]

He backed out of the spot and began driving out of the parking lot, "It's just my stupid fucking facade" he mumbled referencing their argument earlier in the night. He glanced over at her seeing her staring out the window, welp I fucked that one up. He sighed "so you kind of have to give me directions to where you live." he said as he pulled up to a red light at an intersection.


Bradley knew he may have over reacted, but licking the ground was something he did not foresee doing anytime soon, or ever for that matter. He waited for further instructions from Victoria on the way back to her house. He never meant for his words to sound as harsh as they did, but that's just who he is. He sighed a bit "Truth..." he said softly.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"Take a right here, go straight for three blocks, take a left and straight until Cherry Avenue merges into Washington street." She ignores everything else he said, turning to face his direction only to turn on the radio. After the music is loud enough to drown out any words either of them say, she turns back to look out the window. Maybe he reaction was a little dramatic but he clearly didn't want too much to do with her if that was his reaction to something that stupid.


She hums along to the song on the radio, tracing circles on her thigh. Who knew a short drive could feel so long? Maybe she was just a distraction for him, a toy to play with while he got over the old one. It certainly seemed that way. She tried to not be too upset about him snapping but it was small things like that that added to the seemingly overwhelming pile of shit that was her life.

 

[shygirl3]

He nodded at the directions and began driving. It was clear to him that she didn't want to talk to him, he wouldn't push it. After what seemed like a car ride that took forever he pulled onto her street. He broke the silence "You didn't give me a number so just tell me when to stop." he said dryly as he drove on. Black wasn't sure if he could have even said anything to make it better, probably not.


Black kept his eyes on the road, the loud music was driving him crazy he wanted to turn it down, but that would probably just start another argument between them. He left the music trying to block it out, hoping he would reach her apartment soon. He needed to find a way to tell her that she wasn't his rebound, but he knew that wasn't going to happen tonight. Bradley couldn't take it anymore. He shut the radio, pulled over and locked the doors, "Victoria look at me." he said. He gently reached his hand out, grabbing her chin and turning her head towards him. "I need you to understand that you are not my rebound. I know your stubborn little head won't let you grasp the idea of it, but you aren't. So when you get that through your thick skull, I'll be waiting." he said looking into her eyes. He dropped his hand from her chin and turned attention back out the windshield. What have I just done.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

She sighs when he turns down the music. She didn't want to talk to him. She didn't want to look at him. She felt him turn her head toward him. "I need you to understand that you are not my rebound. I know your stubborn little head won't let you grasp the idea of it, but you aren't. So when you get that through your thick skull, I'll be waiting." When he removes his hand, she looks away again. "But, it can't happen, right? Because it's not me, it's you? Is that it? You don't want to hurt me? Yeah?" She lets out a sharp exhale, shutting her eyes. She didn't want to fight. "Please unlock the door." She says softly.


No matter how hard she tried she couldn't just not care about him anymore. And, now, it hurt twice as much knowing that it was so close. Him breaking up with Alyssa and them getting together would be too coincidental. Everyone would blame it on her. She didn't want to be his scapegoat. She didn't want to be his rebound. Even though, she might not have been to him, she would be to everyone else.

 

[shygirl3]

He let out a sigh at her response, "I don't want to hurt you. I-I have a past of hurting girls...and I just don't think I could live with myself if I hurt you." He rested his head on the steering wheel. "But I don't think I could live without you..." he said softly as he unlocked the door. Black didn't know how to put his feelings in words. He wasn't a touchy feelings guy and he just never learned to express his emotions in words. He kept his head against the steering wheel.


Black wanted nothing more than to date her, but he felt that she deserved better than him. She didn't need a guy with a temper, and a lack of warmth as a boyfriend. She needed someone who was all chocolates and flowers and romances. These emotions were going to drive him to drink. He planned to hit the bottle when he got back to his apartment, hard.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

She laughs scornfully, shaking her head before turning to face him. "How do you not understand that hearing that hurts more than anything you could ever do to me? I love you and you keep telling me to leave!" There's a moment of silence as she processes what she just said. When it finally clicks in her mind, she unbuckles hurriedly and opens the door. Cursing herself as she gets out, she starts walking toward her apartment. You couldn't just keep your mouth shut, could you? You fucking idiot. You're such a fucking child. I can never talk to him again. That isn't what a man wants to hear out of the blue. You two aren't together. This isn't a relationship. And, now, whatever you had, you fucked it up, Victoria. Great job.





She reaches her apartment and pulls out her key as she approaches the door. She unsuccessfully tries to jam it into the keyhole but ends up dropping it. "Fuck." She kneels down to look for it, unable to see it in the dark. "Fuck, fuck, fuck. You're so fucking useless, Victoria." She pats the ground blindly for a few moments, trying to find it, before she realizes that her phone has a flashlight. She rifles through her pockets, unable to find her phone.

 

[shygirl3]

Black stared after her in shock, Did she... He takes a deep breath and notices her phone on the seat. He grabs it and gets out of the car. Bradley walks up to her and shines the flashlight on the ground as he kneels down next to her. He looked at her with a small smile "was that so hard to say?" he asked with a chuckle. He grabs the keys and hands it to her. "Here's your phone, you left it on the seat." he commented softly as he offered her his hand to help her stand up.


He stood up and took a deep breath, "You left before I got to say...I love you too." he said softly. He went to lean in to kiss her but decided on a kiss on the cheek. He pulled back and smiled "we'll take things slow, so I don't fuck this one up. Okay?" he said giving her a playful smirk. "Goodnight, Victoria." he began to walk away then stopped "oh do you mind if I take my jacket back?" he asked as he walked back towards her.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

She grabs the key as soon it shines in the light and mutters, "Don't be a smart ass." Taking her phone and his hand, she stands up, expecting another smart comment from him. But, instead she's hit with an "I love you too" and a kiss on the cheek. She stands there, staring at him stupidly. He walks back over and asks for his jacket. It takes her a moment to respond but she finally says, "Three years is slow enough."


She wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him with all the passion that's been stowed away for those three years. After a good, long time, she breaks the kiss, resting her forehead against his with a smirk. "And, you said I was an embarrassingly bad kisser." For the time being, everything felt perfect like a silly romantic movie. All the concerns she had before vanish and she wanted nothing but to be close to him.

 

[shygirl3]

He chuckled and kissed her forehead, "have you been practicing? Wait no...dont answer that. I dont want to know." He smiled at her "but seriously...i would like to take things slowly." Black told her softly. "I just want to make sure I do everything right." he whispered.


Bradley was in complete bliss. "Goodnight, love." He said kissing her lips softly. He gave her a warm smile and walked back towards his car. He stopped before getting in to make sure she got inside this time before driving off.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"Goodnight." She says softly, turning back to her door. She pauses and glances back to him with a smile before unlocking the door and stepping inside. Shutting and leaning against the door, she sighs happily. For once, things seemed to be going right. She tosses her keys onto a nearby table. "I'm home." She says to the empty apartment, her gaze falling on a clock. It read 1:48 a.m. It was late and she had a performance tomorrow but nothing could bring her down from her high.


She strips off her clothes as she walks back to her bedroom. Dropping onto the bed in her underclothes, she smiles at the ceiling. How did a masked dance turn into this? Has he always felt this way about me? There were still plenty of questions left unanswered. All relationships end in either marriage or a break up but she wasn't prepared for either. There was still a lot she didn't know about him and he, about her. Maybe that was the fun of it all, running into it blindly and hoping for the best, living in the moment. She still smiled even as she drifts off into sleep.

 

[shygirl3]

Black watched her walk inside then left and drove to his apartment. He sighed contently as he took off her clothes and slid pajama pants on. Bradley drifted off to sleep replaying the sound of Victoria telling him that she loved him. Maybe I'm not impossible to love.


The next morning Bradley woke up and the bliss hit him again. He remembered that she had a show today and decided to leave a surprise in hair and make up for her. A dozen roses and note was left in front of her mirror.


The note had some poorly drawn hearts around the side and read:

Victoria,


When I said you need a hearts and flowers kind of guy I wasn't joking. So here's flowers and the hearts were drawn by Sophie, she saw me writing this and wanted to help. Break a leg tonight, you'll be amazing.


Love,


Bradley


P.s. I taped my review to the back of this note. I didn't mean anything I said last night. You're a great actress.
​

The review on the back was all positive and he highly recommended the show. He wanted to be at the show tonight, but had an important seminar at Whitehill that he had to teach. Black put on his harsh outer shell as he made his was to teach his seminar, he had a reputation to uphold.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

Victoria wakes up bright and early to head over to Charles's apartment to make sure he isn't dying of alcohol poisoning. He is, of course, in his bathroom with his head in the toilet. "Understudy day?" He nods, opening his mouth to say something but instead turns back to the toilet as another wave of vomiting hits. "I'll let them know. I'll be back late. Don't die."


Victoria stops for a coffee at a small cafe on her way to the theater. She finds herself smiling a lot more and her thoughts drifting to Bradley fairly often. Despite not having heard from him since last night, she was he would come back to her. He had to after all that happened. Her smile widens - she didn't know it could - when she sees the roses. She grabs the note, chuckling at the part about Sophie. God, she missed Sophie. Even though they had only met once.


Victoria sits in her makeup chair to read over the review. She wishes she still had his number so she could text him something sweet, but, in the midst of all the confusion, she hadn't managed to ask. She slips the note into her coat pocket, smiling at the roses. Who knew Bradley was such a romantic?