2this oneshot is dedicated to my close friend, beth (: (think of it as a part of your christmas present, haha).
- iheartshoes
btw, I'd like to thank everyone who read/reviewed Easier to Just Pretend.
(song lyrics go to jordan pruitt.
I also do not own any recognisable brands.)
Storybook endings, fairytales coming true.
Bryony strolled down the streets, looking into all the shops that dotted the path that she was walking on. It was nearly Christmas, but her heart wasn't in it this year. Call me Scrooge, she thought, but how can I think of buying presents when the greatest thing in my life's gone?
Johnny was her ex-boyfriend - Bryony had thought that life was running smoothly for them both. It had turned out that she was wrong:
"It's just . . . You got too serious, too fast." Johnny explained to Bryony, as she tried to comprehend what he was saying. How on Earth did she get 'too serious, too fast'?! Bry had only just decided to tell her parents about him - and they had been dating for five months now!
"Yeah, right," Bryony muttered, and then spoke louder to him. "Just face it, you want to break up with me so you can whore it up at Uni. I should have listened to Robert when he told me that you were bad news. Well, you know what - I'll help you out," Bry looked him straight in the eye. "We're through."
"What?" Johnny looked at her, his face coloured with shock.
"Whatever." Bryony walked away, trying to act brave and indifferent about their break-up - but inside, a little piece of her was shattering.
There was no use thinking about the past - Bry needed a pick-me-up, and fast.
She whipped out her phone and searched for Jasmine's number. Jasmine was one of her close friends (and her shopping buddy). Yeah, Bryony thought, shopping is exactly what I need to cheer myself up.
"Hey, what's up?" Jasmine's voice filled up Bry's phone.
"You fancy a shopping trip?" Bryony asked Jasmine, cutting straight to the chase.
"You bet!" Bry told Jasmine where she was, and promised to meet her in five.
Jasmine and Bryony walked into the Jimmy Choo shop, the logo sparkling above their heads. Bry and Jasmine had often lusted over the shoes when they were younger, always saying that one day they'd go to New York and buy at least one pair of Jimmy Choo's.
They were really living the dream - both of them were attending NYU and were well on their way to buying most of the shoes in their favourite shop.
Bryony picked up the pair of black heels with decorative bows that were nearest to her, and looked at the price: $600. Yeah, I can go for it.
"Wow, they're pretty." Jasmine sighed, and looked at all the heels around them with apparent lust in her eyes. "Why am I so tall? I wish I could wear heels."
"But you can," Bryony argued back, ignoring what her friend was saying. "Nick is at least three feet taller than you!"
At least, you have a boyfriend. Bry thought, bitterly.
Three hours later, Bryony settled into her plush, leather couch and sighed, feeling her muscles relax. Today had been fun, but she needed to chill for now. . .
But then again, Bry never did like to relax inside, alone. She decided to literally 'chill' - by heading to Dairy Queen and get some ice-cream.
"Hi," Bryony smiled at the cashier five minutes later, and scanned the menu above her head. "Could I please get a, erm . . . Blizzard of the Month?
"That's the Candy Cane Chill Blizzard." She told Bryony, and she nodded. "Excellent choice - it's got peppermint candy and chocolate chunks in it, together."
Bry smiled at her, "Cool."
She had just gotten her treat and was digging into the creamy goodness, when she heard a voice from behind her call out her name, "Bryony!"
She turned to see . . . Robert. "Hey," Bry walked over to him, and smiled. "How are you? It's been a real long time since I last saw you.
"Yeah, it has, and I'm fine, thanks. How are you?" He paused, and smiled a small smile. "You still with Johnny?"
"Erm . . . No." Bryony tried her best not to show the sadness on her face, but felt like she still probably failed. "We decided to part ways." Okay, so she was stretching the truth a little, but she needed to keep her dignity in front of this very good-looking boy, at least.
Robert had dark brown hair, deep blue eyes and a lean body. He was dressed in jeans and a simple sweater - yet he pulled them off effortlessly.
"Oh, right." He blinked. "Well, er . . . I'm sorry to hear that."
Bryony smiled and replied with the usual, "It's fine."
They chatted some more before Bry realised that it was 10:30 and she had an early class in the morning - she didn't like getting less that eight hours of sleep; they exchanged numbers and promised to keep in touch some more.
It was only when she reached her apartment that Bry realised that she had not thought of Johnny once.
"So, I was thinking that we could go watch New Moon?" Robert asked Bryony on the phone. "I mean, I remember you telling me about how much you liked the books . . ."
"That'd be awesome! I've been absolutely dying to watch it." Robert and Bry had been rekindling their friendship - the two had met via Johnny and while Rob was Johnny's friend, Bryony had always felt like the two could have been great friends.
Since the two had met that night at Dairy Queen, they had talked at least twice a week and were forever going out to various places. Bry knew that it was too soon, but she was definitely crushing on Rob.
Bryony put the phone down - she had about one hour to get ready for the movie with Robert. Bry wasn't sure if they were on a date, or if they were just two friends going to see a movie? Oh well, she'd soon find out.
She walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out a striped top, black jeans and a pair of grey converse. It wasn't too cold out, so Bry didn't bother with a jacket.
Ding - dong. Bryony walked over to the door, and pulled it open. "Rob," She said, softly. "Hi."
"Hey," Robert smiled at her. "You all ready to go?"
"Yeah, let's go."
They reached the theater in just under 20 minutes. "I'll pay," Robert smiled at Bryony, as she pulled out her $20.
"No, no." Bry insisted. "I'll pay." But, Robert had already paid, so Bryony bought the popcorn and drinks instead.
The film was everything Bryony hoped for, and more - but not because of the actual film. In fact, Bry probably couldn't tell anyone what the film was about if she tried:
Rob and Bryony reached for the popcorn at the same time - their hands met in the popcorn tub.
Bryony smiled and apologised, "Oops, sorry." Robert didn't reply, so Bry asked his if he was okay.
He still didn't speak, so Bryony shrugged and continued to gaze upon 'Edward Cullen'.
"Bry," Robert looked intently at her. "I - I can't concentrate on this movie."
"What, why?" Bry looked at him, concern in her eyes. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, I just . . . I got to tell you something." Bryony nodded, and asked him if he wanted to tell her now or later.
"Later, for now we'll watch the film." Yeah, good one, Rob! As if Bry could even focus on the film, now.
One hour later, and Robert had lead Bry to his car. "Listen, what I'm about to say - don't feel like, you have to reciprocate how I feel . . . And please, don't let it affect our friendship."
"What is it?"
" I, I - I like you." Bryony's eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to speak. "No, just . . . Just hear me out: I've liked you since I first laid eyes on you, but you were with Johnny. I loved every minute that we spent together, but I don't know, you're just . . . I like you, a lot."
"I like you too." Bryony smiled at him. "Since that night at Dairy Queen, I've been thinking of you non-stop."
"Really?" Robert asked, hopefully.
Bry answered by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.
This is like something out of a book, Bry thought to herself. Finally, I've got my happy ending.
Rob handed Bryony a gift box; Bryony ripped apart the paper and gazed in awe at her present - it was a pair of tickets to go and watch Peter Pan on Ice. Bryony loved Peter Pan.
"Robert!" Bryony squealed, and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss deepened and Rob lifted Bry up off the ground, setting her on top of the counter.
Looks like I finally got my Tommy Sullivan moment, Bry thought, smiling in the kiss.
She pulled apart, and whispered to Rob, "I love you."
Rob looked shocked for a second, before smiling and kissing her. "I love you, too."