In Your Time

Chapter 17 (Braden)

*Braden’s POV*

"Why? Where are we going?" She asked as she struggled against me. It was pointless. I was a lot

stronger than her. I brought her to my room and sat her on my bed before going down to the kitchen to

grab ice packs for her. It's fine if she didn't want to explain, but her bruises needed attention. I set her

up to ice her stomach and back at the same time before sitting in my computer chair. She was quiet for

a moment as she laid there without complaining.

"Can I hear something?" She asked. I was lost before I noticed her staring at my guitar. I smiled lightly

before picking it up to check if it was in tune.

"As my one and only supporter, I guess it's only fair," I said before I sat back down. I played my guitar

as I sang a song that had recently come out. As I played, I gauged Phoenix's reaction. She smiled and

enjoyed the song like it was her millionth time hearing me sing. She looked comfortable and at peace.

She sat up as I finished.

"You have an incredible voice. I think it'll take you far," she smiled. I put my guitar back with a sigh. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"I don't know. I tried the talent show last year and didn't even place. I think I'll just study medicine like

my dad. At least it's a stable and reliable job for my future," I said, revealing my innermost thoughts.

She stood quickly.

"You can't! You were meant to be a singer. Do you know how many awards you win-" she stopped, and

glanced at me before calming down a hair. "How many awards you could win with a voice as good as

yours?" She said, changing her sentence. I smiled lightly and sat her back down on the bed before

crouching to meet her eye.

"Singing is a pipe dream for me, but it makes me feel better seeing you get so worked up about it.

Thanks," I said honestly. She blushed and averted her eyes as she fiddled with her hands.

"It's just... you're really good, so you shouldn't give up. It'll work out in your favor. I can promise you

that," she said with determination. She said it as if she'd already seen it come to fruition. I touched the

tip of her nose gently before I sat back down. She was adorable.

"You're a girl covered in mystery, you know that? You seem to know a lot, but nothing at all at the same

time. How did you end up in Cali if your parents are in Australia anyway?" I tried. The way she was so

sure about my singing had me curious.

"There was an accident. That's all I remember. I don't remember the how or why, but just that it was an

accident of some kind," she answered vaguely. The more I got to know her the more it didn't make any

sense. Maybe I should try to get to know her better. At some point, the puzzle pieces had to fit.

"Well, we are engaged after all, so I should probably know something about you," I attempted

nonchalantly. She hesitated.

"My favorite color is blue. My favorite food is Chinese. I keep quiet when I can't process a situation or

don't know what to say, but I'm not necessarily shy," she eventually gave in.

"You seem kind of shy to me. At least, at school you do," I noted. She hesitated as she thought to

herself for a moment.

"I just... try to mind my words carefully," she answered cautiously.

"What are you scared of?" I asked, pushing my luck.

"Ruining everything," she said honestly. Her answers only left me even more confused.

"You say that like there's a plan," I pushed.

"My plan is to survive while I have to," she said truthfully. I couldn't make sense of her. Everything she

said was counterintuitive.

"Want to watch a movie?" I asked, changing the subject. I was already pushing too hard. I set up a

movie on the projector before I sat next to her on the bed. I put the ice packs back on her before I

relaxed.

"If you don't ice it, it'll never get better," I said. After a few movies, I felt pressure on my shoulder.

Looking over, Phoenix fell asleep. She was knocked out cold. My door opened and my mom walked in.

She looked ready to say something but I put a finger to my mouth. She saw Phoenix before she

nodded.

"What were y'all up to?" She whispered to me.

"We we're watching movies. She's had a long day so she fell asleep," I whispered back.

"Did anything happen?" My mom asked. I nodded before I sighed.

"She passed out during gym," I answered.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" My mom said, raising her voice. I shushed her again before I found myself

looking at Phoenix's sleeping figure.

"I didn't want to worry you. She's fine now," I explained. My mom sighed before she smiled lightly.

"Thank you for taking care of her. I know I'm asking a lot from you, but I can't help but to worry about

her," my mom said softly.

I worried about her too.