26 October 2012
Chapter 3
Tugging on the hem of my dress anxiously, I quickly took another scan of the café. He wasn't here. And to make matters worse, everyone else was looking laid back and casual in scruffy jeans and cosy sweaters. Then here I was, in an admittedly stunning but still totally inappropriate metallic shimmering dress paired with polished peep-toe heels Flo had lent me and curled hair Becca had insisted on doing for me. I looked like I was supposed to be at a prom party but got lost and wound up here instead. Overdressed didn't cover it.
Deciding to take a seat, in an attempt to lessen the amount of smirking and sniggering glances being thrown my way, I spotted the perfect table right in the corner. Not only because I would be able to hide from the onlookers' laughing and critical stare, but because whenever me and Bret used to go out together, to a restaurant or such like, we'd always pick the table in the corner, the one that was out of the way. It just seemed more private, we'd agreed, away from the throng of people at the door, looking over people's shoulders while they were eating to see when they could occupy their table.
We could RELAX. This was a rare thing in both of our lives, what with me constantly studying for university and him desperately trying to keep his family business afloat. But we made sure that when we were together we banished everything else from our minds and relaxed. ''It was bliss and had worked perfectly until recently...' I sighed inwardly.
My little reverie was interrupted as Bret hurried into the café looking breathless and disorientated, still in his work clothes. Quickly straightening my posture and flipping my light brown hair back (which actually proved quite difficult due to the amount of hairspray Becca had plastered onto it), I watched his eyes flick around the room like baby blue searchlights. When they finally found mine, his face broke into a relieved grim as he bustled towards me. Of course, nobody stared a HIM.
''Oh Lauren, I'm so glad you came,'' he blurted when he reached my table, still flustered. ''I was worried you'd have left.''. Realising this was all I was going to get by way of an apology for being 10 minutes late, I felt my face merge into a smile. It was impossible to be angry with him. Instead I decided to see the funny side. ''I gotta say Bret, you really do scrub up well...'' I teased, smirking at the checked trousers especially. ''At least I didn't turn up in shoes with holes in them!'' he retorted, glancing at my choice of footwear. ''They're called peep-toes! And you could've had a shower.'' I finished matter of factly, noting the tiny beads of sweat collanating above his brow. Shrugging, he gentlemanly accepted defeat. Taking it that the joking was now over, I continued solemnly: ''I never should have broken up with you Bret.''. He nodded emotionlessly. Pausing, I tried to read his expression, but failing this I carried on, ''I didn't think I could bare a long distance relationship. I mean, my university is in London, we'd never be able to see each other half as often and-'' ''Lauren, stop.'' His voice was quiet yet assertive. Shocked, I sat back and waited to hear what Bret was going to say, his words had created bewilderment, as my thoughts rapidly pondered their meaning. Allowing himself a deep breath, his eyes locked on mine. ''Let's not revisit the past. We both know why you broke up with me.'' ''What?'' I breathed in disbelief and exasperation, but he silenced me with his brown, sun kissed hand, as he took a painstakingly long sip of tea. ''Your going to London. Your going to have a completely different lifestyle, a much more exciting one. At your university, your going to meet some really smart, interesting people, people you'll have lots in common with. And trust me, I'll be forgotten in an instant.'' he stated slowly like I was stupid. There was a tiny of venom in his voice or was it regret? ''You don't want some common baker boy back home stopping you from having fun with them. And besides... We both knew that I had always loved you more than you loved me. It was always me fighting for you, but, I can't compete with them. I can't, I just don't think I can do it anymore. Always worrying, never being sure that you were mine. I'm sorry.''.
The words hung in the stuffy air like a bad smell as he got up, and left.
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.
Bret's Bakery Chapter 3-4 • Opuss № I