Intertwined episode 4

🤝INTERTWINED🤝

💑EP FOUR💑

“How could I have my period now?” Cindy gro-ned as shedragged me along with her into a supermarket close to thebeach.We were headed toward a beach party that afternoon. Iwas a junior and dating a guy named Liam. He was thelatest football star and had a strong chance of being captainwhen he turned senior.

“It’s only your first day. It won’t be that strong, so don’tfreak about it,” I told her. “But let’s go buy your tampons.”I was heading for the feminine hygiene section whenCindy stopped me.

“Don’t be in such a hurry!” she hissed. “Be discreet! Idon’t want people to know I am having my periodunderneath my string bikini!”

I laughed. “Then I’ll buy them for you. I only care aboutwhat Liam will say anyway. And I can always tell him thereal story. He won’t tell on you.”

“But still…let’s pretend we’re looking at some otherstuff,” she said. She took me to the chocolate section and Itook a bag of M&M’s. “You’re not seriously going to eat that,are you?” she asked.

“Why not?”

“Okay, that is just unfair! How could you manage to beso slim and yet attack chocolates and dess**ts?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea. It could be the emotionalstress. I live alone, remember?”

“Anyway, how are you getting home tonight?” sheasked. “I might go somewhere else with Ben.”

“I’m sure Liam can give me a lift home,” I replied.

“Nice to have steady boyfriends!” she giggled.

Finally, we went to the section where all sorts offeminine stuff were located. There was a couple theremaking out in front of the pregnancy kits. It took me amoment to realize that they were familiar to me.

“Liam?” I asked in disbelief.

They stopped k-ssing and looked up at me. Liam blinkedback, and then he shoved the girl away from him.

“Ahh…Brianne…this…isn’t what you think?”

“Oh, really!” I rolled my eyes.

“It was a spur of the moment—I don’t know what’sgotten into me.”

“Oh, come on!” the girl behind him complained. Shelooked at me apologetically. “Don’t believe him! We’ve beenfooling around behind your back since last week!” Shelooked back at Liam. “Spur of the moment? You slept in mybed last night!” Then she gave him a push in the shoulder.

Liam looked at her. “Look, can we sort this out later? Ineed to talk to Brianne in private.”

“So you can fill my head with more lies?” I askedsarcastically. I looked at the girl, whom I recognized as oneof the cheerleaders. “He and I are over. Although, I suggestyou don’t stick around with a guy who denies you in front ofpeople. You’re too pretty for that.” I turned to grab a box oftampons next to me, and then turned to Cindy. “Let’s go.”

But Liam wouldn’t let it go. He ran after me, yanking meby the forearm. His grip was so strong I actually got hurt.

“I bruise easily, Liam!” I told him coldly, looking at histight grip on my forearm. “And if you leave a mark on me,there’s one person who will not be happy about it!” I lookedat him haughtily. “And he would hunt you down and turn youblack and blue!”

He took a step back and released my arm. “I…thoughtyou weren’t seeing anyone but me.”

“I wasn’t. But looks like you were! Now leave me alone!”And I turned on my heel with Cindy. She ran to the counter to pay for her tampons quickly,not caring anymore who would see her with them.Then we rushed out of the supermarket and hoppedin,side her brother’s car.

“Whoa! What happened with you two?” Cindy’s brotherasked as he backed out of the parking space.

“Do you want to go home?” Cindy asked. “Because I’mcool. I’m worried about you.”

I shook my head. “No. I won’t spoil your fun.” I lookedback at her. “I’m upset because he was cheating on me. Notbecause I was head-over-heels in love with him and I’mheartbroken right now.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded. “I don’t want Ben to be disappointed when youdon’t show up or if you show up late. I’ll be fine.”

Back at the party, I tried to mingle with the others, triedmy best not to bother Cindy and Ben that much, althoughthey were clearly sympathetic with me.

I giggled. “I’m okay, guys. I’m just pissed. But I’m fine.”

By the end of the afternoon, I wasn’t sure I was fineanymore. News had probably spread around already, andLiam came with the same girl he was making out with. Theycontinued making out in plain view now. I could tell somepeople were looking at me and whispering behind my back.In the end, the curious looks on their faces were botheringme more than the sight of Liam and that girl making out,

which made me want to vomit.Apart from Liam’s cheating escapade, I was worryingabout how I would get home. I couldn’t bother Cindy andBen. I knew they wanted to enjoy the party. They’d been

talking about it all week. Cindy’s brother dropped us off andheaded off somewhere else. Most of the other girls inattendance either had boyfriends or were flirting with someboys. Originally, I had planned to catch a ride with Liambecause I knew Cindy and Ben had other plans later. Now, it was either I impose on them or go by foot and by myself.Both options were less than enticing.I sat on a bench in a secluded area and watched thesunset.

I’m not going to cry! I told myself. If I do, people mightknow it’s because of Liam, and he’s not worth any teardropsat all.

I fished my cell phone from my beach bag.Please don’t be in Paris! Please don’t be in Paris! Isilently prayed as I dialed a number.

“Cherie,” he answered after two rings.

“Travis!” I was glad to hear his voice. “God, I hope you’rein town.”

“Why?” he asked.

I sighed. “Because I need a ride home.”

“What happened to your boyfriend? Lost his wheels?” heasked. That was not very encouraging. He knew I was datingLiam. I could tell he didn’t like him.

“He…lost me, actually,” I replied.

Travis didn’t answer. But I could tell he was waiting forme to tell him more.

“I caught him…making out with some girl on my way tothe beach party.”

“Stay where you are,” he said in low, quiet voice. Andthen, before I knew it, he had already hung up.What does he mean stay where I am? Is he coming toget me? And I silently prayed he would.I went back to the beach. It was dark already. The partyorg-nizers had lighted torches around the area and thesmell of barbeque was everywhere, reminding me that I hadnot eaten anything since the morning. Some couples weredancing, including Cindy and Ben. My eyes drifted to onesecluded corner and found Liam staring at me, with his

other girl in his arms. The moment he caught my eye andsaw me looking at him, he tightened his grip on her andnuzzled her neck.

“Was that for your benefit?” I heard somebody ask behind me.

I spun around and found Travis behind me, staring atLiam murderously.

I sighed. “I guess.” I looked up at Travis. He was wearinga pair of black and red board shorts, a white shirt, and a capover his head.Slow music played. I felt him touch my wa-ist and Ilooked up at him. “Dance with me,” he whispered.

I smiled at him, tears starting to well up in my eyes.

“Don’t,” he whispered softly. “Not here, cherie. I will giveyou time to cry all you want later. When we’re alone. But fornow, you need to show everybody that you are delighted tobe in my arms, instead of his.”

I giggled humorlessly. I gave him a hug. “Travis…” Iwhispered. “Believe it or not, I am crying because I amdelighted to be in your arms. Not his.”

He hugged me to him and we swayed to the musicsilently. I didn’t care anymore if Liam was still devouringthat girl. I was really happy to let some of my defensesdown and lean on Travis. Here with him, I could be weak fora little while. Because I knew he would always be strong forme.

He car-ssed my forearm, and I flinched at the littlepressure he gave. I realized Liam’s grip was too hærd andrough. I did bruise a little.

I heard Travis’s harsh intake of breath. I pulled away so Icould look back at him.

“What’s wrong?”

He closed his eyes for a while. He was turning a little redand I could tell he was trying to control his temper.

“Travis…” I whispered.

When he opened his eyes again, I could see that he wasfurious.

“He did this to you, didn’t he?” he asked.

“What?”

“Your arm,” he replied.

I bit my lip. I couldn’t lie to Travis. He was good atreading my expressions. He narrowed his eyes and then helooked around, scanning the area for Liam.

“Travis…please,” I whispered. “I don’t want troublehere.”

He looked back at me again. “He hurt you. There’s notmuch I can do for the emotional pain, but…I can’t let thephysical one pass!” he said, his anger seething between histeeth.

“Travis…” I pleaded. “I bruise easily. He just grabbed myarm.”

“Too roughly?”

“I don’t want trouble here,” I said in a desperate tone.When Travis realized this, his expression softened a little.

“Ssshhh…” he said. He pulled me to him and gave me ahug. I heard him sigh. “Okay, cherie. As you wish. Not here.”

I pulled back from him. “What do you mean not here?”

He stared back at me. “That’s the only bargain I can giveyou. Not here. Not in front of you.”

“Travis, I don’t want you to get in trouble, too,” I said ina desperate voice.

He laughed humorlessly. “Your ex-boyfriend bruised youup and you’re worried about me? I can take care of myself,Brianne,” he said. “And don’t worry. I’ll make sure he lives tolearn the lesson.”

“Travis…” I started.

He shook his head. “Don’t change my mind, Brianne,” hesaid. “I promised your brother I would take care of you.”

“And you are!” I argued.

He looked at my bruised forearm. “Not good enough.”

“You can’t look after me twenty-four seven.”

“Maybe I should do that from now on,” he said.

“You can’t!”

“Sure I can…if only to make sure you’re safe.”

“I’m safe. A little bruise will not kill me.”

“Nevertheless…he should have left you s₱0tless,” hesaid in a sober voice.

I smiled at him ruefully. I placed my hand on his cheek.

“Travis…two years ago, you didn’t even care about whetheror not I tripped and fell on the stairs.”

“Just because I didn’t show it doesn’t mean I didn’t careat all,” he said. “And your brother gave me a new reason tolive for now.”

“I can’t be the only thing you care about in this life.”

He sighed. “You are now,” he said. “And I mean it. Nothere. That’s the only promise I can make you.”

I gave up. “Travis…whatever you do, just please don’tend up in a hospital bed, in jail, or worse, in the same placewhere Tom is! I still haven’t recovered from his death. Iwould go mad if I were to lose you, too.”

“That’s touching. Two years ago you wouldn’t even havecared if I got run over by a train.”

“Well, Tom’s given me a reason to live, too!” I muttered.

He finally laughed. “Touché.” He pulled me into his armsagain and we continued dancing.

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I’m starving,” I saidto him.

He pulled away from me. “Come. Let’s get out of here,”he said. “Before I end up breaking my promise not to beatup your ex-boyfriend before your eyes.”

The following Monday, Cindy came and met me in thehallway with some news.

“Ben told me that Liam got cornered by your guyyesterday after playing basketball with some of the guys.Travis Cross got out of his Bentley and went for Liam. Hepushed him against the wall and told him that he had noright to hurt a hair on your body. Liam actually got scared.He went blank for a long while. Then Travis punched him

and told him to never to come near you again.” Cindy stared

at me dreamily. “Wow! Travis Cross! Seeing you together sent shivers down my spine! You can’t be that affectionateand just purely platonic.”

“But we are,” I sighed, remembering Liam again. “Datingis not a piece of cake, huh?”

“You can go through a chain of boyfriends and still findyourself marrying your safety guy at age forty.” She lookedat me. “Well, in your case, thirty. But the problem is, youdon’t have a safety guy.”

“A what?” I echoed.

“Safety guy. You know, that guy who promises to marryyou when you reach a certain age and you’re nowhere closeto getting married at all.”

An idea played in my head. What if, just in case I didn’tfind my true love by the time I was thirty, I marriedsomebody who was willing to marry me? A good friend,even a g-y friend. We would be married only on paper.I might or might not find the guy I would spend my‘forever’ with by the time I was thirty, I realized. But ithelped to know that whatever happened, I’d be married…Iwouldn’t be cursed for the rest of my life.

The next day, I asked Travis to meet me in front of myhouse. I’d given this a lot of thought the night before. It wasthe only thing that actually made sense. It was myinsurance to take the pressure off and not chase guys or bedesperate to fall in love all the time.

I stared up at Travis nervously after asking him the mostdifficult favor I would ever have to ask anybody.

“You said you’d look out for me,” I told him. “Please?” Ialmost begged.

“You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!” he said in afrustrated tone. He usually didn’t show emotion. But now,he made no effort to hide any of it. “Are you crazy?”

I sighed. “Maybe. But I’m desperate.”

He looked at me with narrowed eyes. I thought he wasmad at me, but what I saw in his eyes was actually…frustration. “You’re a silly little girl!”

“I know! But I don’t know what I’m going to do when thattime comes.”

“It’s fourteen years down the line, Brianne!” he said.

“You’re crazy to think that you can’t find a man by then!”

“I’m not saying I won’t be able to. I’m saying…I need areassurance that I will be married even if I don’t findsomeone else.”

He raised his chin to the sky and closed his eyes. “Of allthe things to ask me, bro, why this?” he whispered more tohimself, and I realized that he meant that for my brother.

Travis stared at me again. He didn’t say a word. Andthen with an icy expression on his face, he stormed away.I stood there alone and felt embarrassed. I knew Ishouldn’t have asked him that. When we first met eachother, I didn’t like him one bit. And now, I’d asked him to

marry me!

I didn’t see Travis for the next two days, and I wasthankful. I was too embarrassed about the favor I had askedhim. I couldn’t believe that I was as brazen as that.I was on my balcony one afternoon and I decided todraw. Whenever I felt bad, I channeled all those feelings

onto my canvas. This time, I drew something dark, evil…andhandsome. It was too late when I realized that the imagethat I drew of the demon clad in a leather jacket looked likeTravis. His face was the same…but I’d given him fangs andfire eyeballs.

“You couldn’t be that mad at me,” I heard a familiarvoice say behind me.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized that I’d beencaught red-handed. I spun around and found Travis lookingdown at me.

I was surprised because this was probably the first timeTravis had come in,side my house again after my brother haddied.

“I…forgot you used to come here.” I knew I was blushingviolently.

Immediately, I flipped over the canvas to remove thespitting image in front of him. He didn’t say anything.

“What do you want?” I asked him.

“The last time I checked, it was you who wantedsomething from me,” he replied.

I raised a brow. “Well, you could just forget I ever saidanything to you!” I turned away from him to pick up mybrushes and my pencils.

“I’ll do it,” he said quietly.

I turned to face him again. “What?”

“I said I’ll do it,” he repeated. “I’ll be your safety guy.” Iwas dumbfounded. He stepped closer to me. “In fourteenyears, if you aren’t married yet, or nowhere close tomarching down the aisle, I’ll marry you.”

“Travis…you probably won’t have to do it anyway,” Isaid. “I mean…fourteen years is a lot of time, right?”

“Yes. But you can be a handful,” he said evenly.

I sighed. “If it makes you feel better, I only meant thatwe’re going to marry on paper. You can still go ahead, screwas many girls as you want. We’ll only appear married infront of my relatives and then we’ll divorce after two to fiveyears. No pressure.”

He stared at me for a while, studying me and absorbingwhat I had just said to him. “I didn’t intend to marry at all,Brianne,” he said quietly. “I don’t have faith in marriage. Youhave to remember that my parents haven’t been seeingeach other for almost half of my life, and yet they remainmarried on paper…for money…for power, for political

reasons. I’ll marry you…but I’ll just be a guy who will meetyou at the altar. You cannot expect anything more from me.”

I smiled. “Yes. That’s all I wanted.”He nodded.

I felt relieved, quite thankful that he was willing to playthis game with me. In truth, I knew it might not happenanyway. I could fall in love and marry right after college. Or Icould find him at the last minute…on my thirtieth birthday.

But still, I was quite thankful that Travis had given in tomy little request…if only just to give me peace of mind. Ididn’t really know how to thank him. So I leaned forwardand gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Thank you, Travis,” I said to him. “You’re not such a badguy.”

He almost scowled and looked like I had just offendedhim.

I turned to fix my brushes and my pencils again. “Youknow…when I told you about this…you could have said noright away. Or you…could have said yes to me anyway. Whoknows what could happen in fourteen years? Why did youhave to wait two days to give me your answer?”

No answer. For a while, I thought he’d left withoutanother word, but when I turned around, he was still there,standing in the same s₱0t.

“I had to think about it,” he said. “It’s my life you’reasking from me.”

I giggled humorlessly. “Come on, Trav. You take thingsseriously. All I wanted was some peace of mind. Do youreally think nobody’s going to propose to me in fourteenyears?”

He took a deep breath. “A lot of guys will fall at your feetand hope to be your husband,” he said. “But nevertheless…Idon’t make promises I do not intend to keep.” Then heturned on his heel and left.