Bret's Bakery Chapter 4

The rain pounded down on my head, slapping against my bare skin like a fist. Who did he think he was, just leaving like that?! Declaring all those things? Fuming, I kicked off my stupid shoes that were cutting into my heels and decided to go barefoot. Who cares? Not me apparently, I don't care about Bret at all, isn't that what he said? It's not like I didn't go with him when his mum was in hospital. Or that, I didn't send him that basket of cupcakes when he started working at the bakery. Or in fact, run into that very same bakery, to TELL him that I loved him.

''I LOVE YOU BRET WILLIAMS!! Is that what you want?'' I screamed hysterically into the night. My voice echoed around the empty streets. Never before had they seemed so vast, and I'd felt so small and alone. I barely recognised them. Feeling mighty sobs suddenly creeping up my throat, choking me, I realised I had to get home.

What seemed like hours passed before I found my familiar drive waiting loyally for me, arms outstretched to greet me into her warm embrace. Practically skipping at the sight of my humble house, of comfort and reassurance, I swung open the front door and just as quickly snapped it shut behind me. As promised, the heat engulfed me and restored life to my heavy heart, and frozen, weary body. A sigh of relief escaped from my lips.
''Just as long as I can stay here and never have to show my face outside again, I should be fine.'' I muttered bitterly to myself, coming back to reality. Stripping off my impractical attire, I headed straight for the bath armed with my phone.

I considered calling my mum. When I was younger , I'd always run straight to her, one look was all it took for her to understand and drop everything. Crying, I'd curl up on the sofa with her, our arms tightly entwined. When all the raw emotion had been let out, I'd tell all and together, we'd sort it out, slowly and rationally. However, lately she seems too busy for any of that. At the moment she's on some business trip. A couple of months ago, she started this 'Herbal Remedies' business and so I havn't really seen much of her but, more about that later.

No, I'll call Becca instead. She'll know what to say and what to do. Having shared virtually every problem, worry and doubt I've had with her since I was five, I can say with confidence that she is better than any agony aunt you know. From afar, people would never guess it given her dyed deep red hair and leather, studded rock chick style, yet if you were to spend any length of time with her it would quickly become apparent. Sucking in a long, deep breath and drying my hands on the towel I'd placed nearby, I punched in her number.
''Hello?'' cooed her soft voice down the line, instantly putting me at ease. Hastily composing myself, I replied calmly,
''Becca, it's me Lauren.''.
''Ahh! Lauren! I was just about to call you! You won't believe it, are you free next Saturday?''. Startled by this sudden outburst, due to her normal laid back demeanour, I dubiously answered:
''Next Saturday? Well, yes, probably. Why?''
''Oh, great! I can't wait, I'll tell you all about it tomorrow at school.'' she gushed. I could even hear her sigh blissfully through the phone. Becca NEVER gets all excitable like this - she's not exactly a girly girl! I would expect this more from Flo than her, which intrigued me all the more.
''Oh, I'm so sorry Lauren. What was it you called me for anyway?'' she asked, sounding a bit more like her normal self. Now it was my turn to sigh, but for a totally opposite reason. You know what, she doesn't want to hear about my problems now. She is obviously on a major high, why bog her down with mine and Bret's little tiff. ''Except of course, you aren't 'you and Bret anymore are you?'' whispered a small voice in my head. Argh, you are a big girl now, Lauren, you can sort this out in your own time.
''Oh, nothing. Just wanted to see what you were up to.'' I lied.