Four by Forever

Chapter 19: That Needs Fixing

Maria’s POV

… Our faces just a few inches apart.

I hung my head and dropped it in her shoulders. Releasing a heavy sigh, I started to talk.

“I’m sorry Bree. I guess I crossed the boundary between being a friend to parenting with you. You make it so hard not to.” I chuckled at my own confession.

I heard her sigh. My position allowed me to take in her heavenly scent.

“I guess I was a bit worried that if Alex gets back in your life then I wouldn’t be needed as much as before.” I admitted.

“You were worried just A BIT?” She teased. I could sense her smiling.

“Yeah, just a teeny weeny bit.”

“I’m sorry too Ari. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. And I also know how much you worry. Just don’t do it too much, I can handle myself and you’ll be a grandma sooner than necessary if you’ll stress yourself.”

This time, Breana’s arms are wrapped around my waist so I hugged back.

“That’s going over the top now you pip-squeak. I was just saying parenting and you’re promoting me to a grandma already.”

We both laugh.

“So we’re good now?” I asked.

“Hmmnn…there’s just one problem.”

Confused, I pulled away just enough to look at her face. “What is it?”

“You stink! You reek of alcohol. So go! Go and wash!” She commanded as she slap my butt like I am a little kid.”

“And here I thought I was the grandma.” I huffed as I hear her laughter.

Finishing and coming back from the bathroom, I spotted her sitting on the couch.

“Stay the night. It’s not like I haven’t slept at your house for times now. Your parents know me anyway; they trust me with you.” I bargained.

“Ari, you’re the only friend I brought over to sleepover. Definitely they’ll think your such an angel for befriending an introvert like me. I’ll just call and tell them.”

Bree called her parents which turned out just fine as she had predicted.

“So…I’m the only one to have slept over at your house?” I asked her.

She nods in confirmation.

“Sunny?”

She shakes her head.

“Not Selena?”

She shakes her head again.

“Not even Alex?”

For the third time, she shakes her head.

“I guess that makes me special.” I couldn’t help but feel proud and happy at that fact.

“You look like an idiot.” She blurted.

Before I realized it, I was actually grinning like an i***t.

“Shut up. Go wash up and change, you can borrow my PJs in the closet. No sleeping in unless you clean up too.”

“Okay mom!” She called out before going in.

That night we slept in my bed cuddling, me spooning her from behind. We don’t usually sleep as close like this but she didn’t really pull away when I hugged her. She put her hand over mine instead.

She is right.

Who am I to protect her when I couldn’t even protect myself from falling for her charms?

---

Alex’ POV

It has been a week since that night that Sunny had broken down in my arms. I had let her stay the night, watched and held her till she fell asleep for crying so hard. The following day and even on the days that followed after, she acted like nothing happened. She stayed being her casual composed self but with frequent spacing out, it actually tells a lot on how she is.

The two younger girls have become closer and much more clingy now. Sunny’s behavior didn’t go unnoticed by them as well. We tried asking but she would always dismiss us with her overused phrases of ‘everything’s fine’ and ‘nothing’s wrong’ like we didn’t know any better.

“Whatever it is, it must have something to do with Jackson.’ Ari states as a matter-of-fact.

“What makes you say that?” I turned to her.

Bree looked at her also, awaiting for the response of the youngest.

The three of us are the school ground for our PE class, sitting on the lawn after running our laps.

“I bumped into her when I was about to get inside. She was crying, I’m sure. Then when we get to the table, remember she told that Jack wouldn’t be back because he had to do something?” Ari recalled the events.

“Yeah, so?” I asked, urging her to continue.

“Since they’ve been together, Jack never leave first without Sunny especially when there’s drinking involved. He wouldn’t leave her behind knowing her low tolerance to alcohol. Which means…”Ari trailed off.

“…that they might not be together anymore.” Bree finished for her. “There is also rumors of Jack quitting school and he hasn’t been in our band practices and meetings anymore.” She continued.

“What are we going to do?” I look expectantly at both girls.

“Well, being with her the longest, she is really not the type to share her problems. Not that she doesn’t trust us, more like she doesn’t want to burden us. You can’t really force her, it’s her nature being the only child and the eldest. She’d just say it eventually, if she decides she wants to.” Ari explained.

“Yeah, being the eldest among us four and the female leader in our band has pressured her to keep those problems to herself. She wouldn’t want to burden us band members when we didn’t know the band was having problems with the school administration before. She solved it herself.” Bree agrees with Ari.

“I’d just want her to rely on us sometimes, you know.” The drummer continued.

“She might be heartbroken and we can’t make her move on but at least we can lighten her up by having fun.” It is disappointing how we are now. Mitchelle pretending everything’s fine and us not being able to do a thing.

“You’re right. I used to think you’re just filled with your stupid lame jokes and greasy pick up lines.” I heard Ari says.

Did she just mock me?

“What?” I’m a bit offended at her impression of me. Not the greasy part but I don’t make stupid lame jokes. They’re actually cheesy or damn funny.

“Go straight to the point Maria.” Bree sternly demanded.

“Well, Alex could ask Sunny out. I mean, we would like to go hangout altogether this weekend but I and Bree are busy with our History project due next week. Maybe, you could take her out, go somewhere, have fun and keep her mind off things. It may be just for a short while but it’ll help instead of letting her sulk all by herself.” The youngest suggested to which Breana nods in agreement.

I almost panicked at the first statement she said but it’s not like anyone knows that I’m attracted to Sunny. I wouldn’t mind asking her out on a date. The greasy me would jump at every chance but right now, she is hurting so I remind myself that asking her out would be solely for the purpose of having fun and making her happy and carefree.

“What should I do?”

“Surprise me. Bree told me you were a player, wooing women wouldn’t be difficult to you.” Ari jokingly taunts.

“Shut up asshat.” I spat towards her.

I know how to treat any person for that matter, true, but Sunny is different from just anyone. I glared at Bree.

“I didn’t say it like that. I told her you used to be popular with everyone at school.” Bree defended.

“Whatever. Come on Breepuppy, it’s almost time, we still have class after this.” Ari said while pulling the other’s arm. “Alex would talk to Mitchelle after this right? I’ll trust you on this one, ‘kay?” She directed at me then pats me rather forcefully on the back while smirking.

That girl really likes to get on my nerves. If we weren’t friends I’d kick her a*s right there and then. She’s lucky I actually find some semblance of myself in her.