11 Chapter 11- I Love You

"Puh-lease Twilight is way better the Avengers," I said.

"Scarlett Johansson is way hotter," Brad disagreed.

We were 'hanging out' to finish our biology project while we go into an argument of which movie franchise is better.

"Jacob Black and Edward Cullen are to swoon for."

"Vampires and werewolves aren't even real!"

"Sure, I got a ticket to Asgard," I scoffed.

Brad chuckled and lead us towards a bakery.

Honestly, he has changed for the good. He doesn't know I am Hannah, so far, my plan was working.

"Shall we grab a coffee? Then we can go to the park to continue our project"

I nodded while searching for a table for us.

I was surprised to see a grinning Jaz with a smirking Cameron, a confused Levi, a smiling Liam and a very pissed Nate, all looking first towards me and then Brad.

"Hi everybody!" I blurted out before thinking.

Brad came beside me when I suddenly realised what might happen.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

He shouldn't know. We should get away from here as soon as possible.

"Hey, what are you both doing here?" Jaz asked.

"We were just planning our Biology project and we decided to grab some coffee," Brad replied politely.

"Guys, this is Brad Nicholson. Brad, they are Levi, Liam, Cameron and Nate," I introduced everyone to him.

"Sup bro!"

"Hey dude"

"Welcome to our school!"

"What the hell are you doing with her?" Nate spat.

"Biology project," I said emotionless.

"I came here to buy some cake. I guess I'll see you later," Jaz waved to everyone and smiled at Cameron.

"So, Hannah wanna hang-" Levi said after Jaz went but was cut off by Brad.

"Hannah?"

I swallowed loudly. I turned my head to meet with Brad's ocean-deep eyes.

"Yeah, it's Hannah. Got a problem with that Nicholson?" Nate snickered.

Brad ignored him.

"As in Hannah Blakely?" he asked me.

I nodded my head slightly.

Before I could finish my nod, I was grabbed into a bone-crushing hug.

He was very warm and smelled of musky lemons. His toned biceps and chest covered the top front of my body and rested his head on mine.

Hugging him now and hugging him three years ago was completely different.

I felt more confident now.

"You don't know how much I missed you," he pulled away and said loudly enough for our table to hear.

Levi coughed while Liam and Cameron looked at me in confusion.

"Care to enlighten us?" Nate glared at Brad.

"Brad and I know each other, we studied together in the same school a few years ago," I explained to everyone without meeting Nate's eyes.

"I can explain everything, Brad. I am very sorry," I sincerely apologised to Brad displaying my puppy eyes.

"How can I refuse when you have that look, Hannah banana," Brad chuckled and ruffled my hair.

Nate banged his fist on the table and snarled.

Immediately, everyone went silent.

I could swear there was steam coming off his ears.

He strode towards the door and left after giving Brad a death glare.

Got a problem?

I guess he is on his man period.

After Nate went, I pulled Brad with me and went outside. We walked towards the corner of an empty street.

Brad's expression became hurt.

"Why Hannah? Why didn't you tell me it was you when I asked you?" Brad asked softly.

"I am sorry Brad. I am still traumatised about what happened in Year 9. I was scared to reveal who I am because I don't know how you felt about me. I am still emotionally unstable; a lot is going on in my life," I replied sincerely.

"Are you afraid of me?" Brad whispered.

"No."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes. Now, yes. I do trust you," I spoke softly. "But you still owe me an explanation, Brad."

Brad runs his hand over his dark chocolate hair.

"When you didn't come to school the next day, I panicked. I searched the whole building for you and interrogated all your friends on where you were. I even went to your house and the security told me you left at the airport to move for good."

He took in a deep breath.

"I regretted everything that happened that day. I couldn't bear that those were my last actions and words to you. I did not know when we would meet next time. I didn't know even if there would be a next time. I watched myself crumbling and my heart breaking into pieces."

Tears were on the verge of spilling across my cheek.

"I regretted forcing to kiss you. I completely forgot our age gap. I regret trying to make you jealous. I was immature. After a few months, I was able to knock some sense into my brain. I realised how wrong I was to do that. I was coercing you and that was wrong and shameful. I deeply regret that" a tear rolled down his cheek.

I take my thumb and wipe it off.

His face was half a metre away from mine. I was leaning against a wall and he was standing in front of me.

"The next year I realised what was my problem. The reason why I cannot stop thinking about you, how we called each other nicknames, how we sang together and all those tender memories."

Brad came closer and my breathing hitched.

"I love you."

Love.

Brad Nicholson loves me.

My childhood sweetheart came back to me.

But I don't feel the same way I felt for him before.

His lips were a few centimetres away from mine.

My heartbeat increased and I didn't know what to do.

I was going lose my first kiss to Brad Nicholson and I don't feel like pushing him back.

"Get your filthy hands off her."