Free Misguided Truths: Part One by Sarah Elizabeth Page B

Yeah, I know. Crazy.
    So, I made sure she knew how I felt. I told her. I admitted that I’ve fallen in love with her. And, the best part? She said it back. So, it’s kinda official.
    We’re in love.
    When I left her place, I asked her to call me before she went to sleep, and when she did, we arranged to spend the day together today. Just the two of us. Lunch at my place, followed by a meal in the city, and then onto a movie at the theatre.
    “Hey,” I say when I open up the front door and see Holly standing on the porch. She smiles , and I take a step back while gesturing for her to come inside. She shrugs out of her jacket before hanging it up on one of the hooks to the right of the door. “Wow, you look … wow .”
    I swallow when I rake my eyes over her. Holly doesn’t normally wear dresses. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear ing one in all the time I’ve known her. Usually she’s in a pair of jeans and a vest tee, occasionally a skirt, but … yeah. She really needs to wear dresses more often, “Brandon, you’re staring.”
    “Yeah … well, you would be , too, if you were standing in my place right now,” I smile widely and take a step forward. Leaning towards her, I go to kiss her on the lips, but she turns her head to the side. So, instead, I place a kiss on her right cheek before standing back. “Um … are you okay, Holl’s?”
    “Sure, ” Is all she says, and I notice her eyes darting around the hallway. Huh.
    “Right … well, um … come on through,” I tell her, placing my hand on the small of her back while leading her through into the kitchen. “The food will be ready in around hour. Do you want a drink or something?” She shakes her head and gazes out the window.
    Well, this is a little uncomfortable, “Are you sure you’re alright?” I grab a soda from the refrigerator and head over to where she’s standing.
    “Uh-huh, ” She keeps her gaze fixed out the window as she answers, and I see her beginning to fiddle with her wristwatch.
    “Okay, well, do you wanna maybe go and listen to some music in my room or something while we wait for the food to be done?” I ask, and when she turns to look at me, her eyes look sad.
    “Brandon?” I notice her swallow and hear her voice falter a little. Okay, now I’m worried. “Why did you stop yesterday?” Her voice is shaky and I can see the tears brimming in her eyes.
    Placing the bottle of soda down on the wooden table beside the window, I place my hand underneath her chin, and tilt her head back until I can see right into her eyes, ”Holly, you were crying.”
    “ You already said that yesterday,” she nods. “But, you still didn’t answer my question … Why did you stop?”
    Is she not hearing me? “What do you mean? Holly, I stopped becau—” she interrupts me before I can finish what I was going to say.
    “Didn’t you want to?” her brow furrows and she breaks eye contact with me, now focusing her gaze downward.
    “ What? No, no. Of course I—that’s not it—”
    “ But you changed your mind when you started … Something made you change your mind. Why did you stop touching me, Brandon?” she raises her voice slightly when she asks.
    I place my hands on her shoulders, bend my knees a little, and lean my head until I can see right into her eyes again. She starting to look really distant, “Holly will you listen to me? You weren’t ready yet.” She takes a step away and turns to look out the window again.
    “No …” I barely hear her whispered words. “… No, I wasn’t.”
    “Brandon, dude! Open up!” Corey. Dammit. I reach over to touch Holly’s arm and she glances over her shoulder at me. “Come on, man! It’s really important!” I let out a sigh and she shrugs her shoulders in return.
    “I’ ll be right back,” I promise her and she smiles a small smile at me before I make my way through to the hallway.
     

Holly
     
    I almost told him. Almost.
    If Corey hadn’t have knocked on the