Chapter 10
"How'd you meet Carla?"
"Well she's new to this school and she's in a couple of my classes so I appraoched her one day and asked her out."
"Somehow, I don't think that's the whole story."
"Ok...well see its this really funny thing where I was eating lunch with my friend of six years and he brought along this girl so we started talking..."
"Was the girl he was with Carla? Cuz you know its not good to take away girls from your friends." Sydney was jealous, she knew it and she couldn't help but be.
"No.....just let me finish Syd."
"Ok...ok fine."
"Well we started talking, as I said, and then I had told her about writing the letter and that kind of stuff and all the issues that were at hand. So then she asked if I liked anybody now and I said a new girl. She didn't ask anything else."
"Ok so when do you meet the new girl?"
"Wait wait wait....there's a funny little twist coming up."
"Ok."
"Ok...well the next day at lunch my friend brings the same girl and we started talking about this girl I like again and she finally asks who it was. The girl that I like (Carla) comes into the cafeteria so I point her out and you know what she says?"
"What?"
"That's my sister."
"HAHAHAHAHAH!"
"No joke. Seriously. So she said she'd help set us up and told me some of the things that she liked."
Sydney had to stop laughing before she got all serious again and said, "Well you didn't lie and pretend to like what she likes did you?"
"No, of course not! I'm always honest."
"That's good." Then she started to laugh a little bit again and said, "Her sister? That is just too funny."
"So I slowly let it in. She likes poetry so then I was talking to the teacher asking her if I should send a poem I wrote to the paper when she piped in too and said that she also liked poetry. I'm not going to lie and say I like some of her likes because that's wrong but I do like some of the things that she likes too. Oh, and she's really shy so I had to take it slow."
"Two days is slow?"
"Ok...no."
"You say you met her at school but you were suspended! What's up with that?"
"Um.......uh...."
"Wait......you don't have a girlfriend do you! You lied!"
"Well...damn...I really thought that it would make Jenna jealous."
"Well you were suspended and you said you met her at school! I'm not dumb you know!"
"Well I should've plotted my plan out better."
"Hahahah. Now that is way too funny."
"Ok well I thought that maybe Jenna would be a little jealous or something if word got around that I had a girlfriend."
"That's partly the saddest/funniest/sweetest thing I've ever heard. The only person that you made jealous was me."
"What?"
Sydney had accidentally said it. "I mean like..."
"Wait a second....you like me don't you? How long has it been?"
"I like you as a friend Bryan....for God's sake I am your counselor. That would breach our student-counseler privileges."
"There are no student-counseler privileges Sydney! What are you saying?"
"I think what I'm saying is that we're both flirting."
"Yeah, I think so too."
"You tend to talk a lot when you're flirting and then you deny it."
"....and you laugh a lot."
"So...Bryan, want to go out sometime?"
"I've never been asked that before?"
"I've never asked that before."
They both laughed a bit and then Bryan said, "Sure Sydney."
"Alright. That's good news....now, let's talk about where we're going."
That night Bryan was to pick Sydney up and take her to a movie and then drop her off home. They had two tickets to the Notebook. "I hope she'll like that movie."
Bryan didn't actually have his license yet, so it meant that his dad was to drive him but he still thought of it as him picking her up. His dad drove him to his house talking to him the whole way.
"Now son, you have to take it easy on the compliments ok?"
"Yeah, ok dad. Yo, you're gonna miss the street!" Bryan was more nervous than usual. He hadn't gone out with a girl for four years, and even then he didn't actually "go out" with the girl. So this was like a first time experience for him. Everything had happened so fast. But for the first time in a while, he felt really happy. He was still thinking and his dad kept talking. "....And son, don't do..."
"Ok ok ok Dr. Phil. This is her place."
Bryan got out of the car and knocked on her door. He was wearing a yellow shirt that said "Do all high school's suck or just mine" and jeans. Sydney answered the door and said, "I'll just be a minute."
Inside Sydney was just as worried and nervous as Bryan was. Something she wasn't used to feeling when going out with other guys. "But he's not like other guys." She thought and then put on some more lipgloss and then grabbed her purse and walked down the stairs to meet Bryan.
"You look lovely tonight."
"Thank you Bryan." She hugged him and then they left. Bryan's dad dropped them off at the theatre and told them he'd pick them up in a couple hours. "But the movie's only....oh....ok." Sydney smiled, and said, "Bye Mr. Winston."
"You can call me Mark if you want to Sydney. Bye Bryan and Sydney." Then he drove off.
During the movie Bryan was nervous and was worried he'd do something to offend Sydney or something that she wouldn't like but about half way through the movie she actually grabbed his arm and put it around her neck.
After the movie they talked about it awhile and then they figured that Mr. Winston wouldn't be back for awhile so they took a little walk.
"You know Bryan....you're sort of like Ryan Gosling in the Notebook. You never gave up no matter what."
"Thanks Syd."
"Look, I know I'm not Jenna but I really like you."
"I like you too Sydney."
"Not as much as you like her though."
"Sydney, she'll have nothing to do with me ever. I am so damn lucky that you are giving me a chance and I like you a lot and just because I like Jenna doesn't mean that I don't like you."
"That's sweet Bryan....really."
"I'd do anything for you. You were the real reason that I tried so hard to get back up on my feet. You were always there....always there helping me through every little step of the way and I owe you a lot."
"No you don't Bryan....it's my job."
They held hands and continued walking. They walked down the road and talked about school, teachers and then each other.
"I know this is our first official date as boyfriend and girlfriend." Bryan said, letting the words sink in. "But I feel like we've known each other forever."
"Awww.....you really know the right things to say."
"I try....I do. Haha."
They slowly walked back to the theatre, and that's when Sydney said, "Bryan....Bryan?"
"Yeah."
"Can we make a promise to each other that no matter what we'll always remain friends. Through thick and thin."
"Sure. I'll always be your friend no matter what happens Sydney."
"I'll always be your friend too Bryan."
Bryan felt it coming....Sydney leaning in and they kissed. They slowly moved back and Bryan said, "You are the sweetest girl I've ever known Sydney Bristow."
"You are the nicest guy I've ever know Bryan Winston."
A bit later Mr. Winston came and dropped them off and Sydney hugged Bryan before getting out of the car at her place.
"So how'd it go Bryan?" His dad asked.
"Amazing dad....simply amazing."
"She's a very sweet girl you know, always-"
"I know dad. I'll never do anything to hurt her....ever."
The next day at school Sydney was looking for Bryan and found him hanging around near the cafeteria with a couple friends. "Hey Bryan."
"Hey Sydney."
"Ooh, it looks like someone got lucky last night!" John said.
"SHUT UP!" They both said at the same time.
"What? I was just joking."
"Whatever."
They both walked away holding hands and John gave the "whipped" signal with his hand.
"So, will I see you at lunch?"
"Yeah. I'm actually free today of meeting people believe it or not."
"Ok, great. So I guess I'll see you then."
"Ok." They parted ways and Bryan went to class with only Sydney on his mind. For once he wasn't thinking about what to do with Jenna or the bullying or anything. He was truly happy and it felt good.
At lunch time Bryan waited in the cafeteria like they had agreed on but Sydney never came. At first Bryan thought that Sydney had blown him off but got back to normal thinking that she probably had an appointment added to her schedule.
After school they met up and Bryan asked her where she was at lunch.
"Are you sure that you really want to know."
"Yeah...of course I do."
"Ok..well I had a meeting with Eric that the vice principal had scheduled and somehow he found out from someone that we were going out and he was trying really hard to make me turn against you."
"Really? What was he saying."
"Oh you don't want to know."
"Yes I do Syd...Honestly, tell me."
"You have to promise me that you won't get mad and do something stupid."
"Well its kind of hard to promise that without hearing what was said."
"Well then I guess I won't tell you then."
"Ok....fine...I promise that I won't get mad."
"Ok. Well he said that-"
Chapter 11
"He said that-"
"Bryan!" John yelled at him.
"Yeah."
"There's a call waiting for you in the office."
"Ok I'll be there in a minute."
"No, I think it may be serious."
"I need to hear what Sydney says ok."
"No Bryan....you better go."
"Err...."
Bryan left to go to the office and the secretary handed him the phone.
"Is this a Bryan Winston?" The voice on the other end said.
"Ye...yes."
"Your mom was in a serious car accident today and we're coming to pick you up to take you to the hospital to see her."
"Oh my God!" He threw the phone down and started to cry. He couldn't take it. Sydney came into the office and held his hand and he told her what happened.
"Do you still want to know what Eric said?"
"Su...sure."
"He said that even though he dislikes you, he knows that you'd never lie or cheat on your girlfriend."
"Oh Sydney..." He hugged her closely and tears were coming down his face as he said, "Thanks for being here for me."
Bryan waited until the police arrived and they said they were sorry for delivering the bad news and picked him up. They told him his dad was already at the hospital and that their thoughts and prayers were with him and his family.
When Bryan arrived at the hospital he literally ran to the room that his mom was in. The doctor's were checking over her and he couldn't see her but when he saw her.....he tried to fight back tears. She had tubes running through her whole body, an iv, blood going into her, bruised badly and she had a respirator to help her breathe.
His dad came up to him and he asked, "What the hell happened dad?"
"I was at work and I got a phone call from the police and they said that a driver cut in front, making her slam her breaks and she hit that car, the car behind her hit her and she spun into the traffic getting rammed by the other vehicles and that's how they found her."
"Dad I really don't know what to say."
"Just be strong."
"I'll try dad."
"She has to go into surgery. They think that she may become paralyzed if they don't operate on her immediately."
At that Bryan left the room and went to the restroom. He sat against the wall, put his head in his hands and said, "Life can never be easy can it?"
He left to go see his mom and her eyes gazed up at him, the respirator breathing for him and he said, "I love you mom. I'll be here night and day for you. You've done everything for me and I will watch over you."
That night she went into surgery as Bryan waited in the waiting room to hear whether it was successful or not.
About three and a half hours later a doctor came out and told Bryan and his dad, who were both waiting that "We have good news and bad news."
"Start off with the bad news." His dad said.
"She won't be able to walk the same as she used to....she'll need a cane."
"What's the good news?"
"It was a succefful operation and she should start to recover in about three months time. We won't release her from the hospital for at least six months though and even then we have to monitor her progress."
It was around 4:33 a.m. when Bryan's dad told him that he had to go to school.
"I know I have to but I don't want to."
"I know this is incredibly hard for you Bryan but you have to go to school. There's only so much one person can do."
"I understand....I guess."
The next day Bryan went to school and he immediately told Sydney of the events that had happened the previous night. As soon as the principal found out he scheduled even more meetings between him and Sydney, not knowing that they were in a relationship.
Bryan walked into Sydney's office and sat down. She started the conversation.
"Look....Bryan....if you need some time apart I completely understand."
"No....I couldn't do that to you Sydney....I need you just as my mom needs me right now and I need you to know that I may not be spending as much time with you as I used to but we'll still be together."
"Bryan.." She gasped, trying not to cry. "That is so.....strong of you..." Was all that she could say.
"Now, if you'll excuse me I really need to call my mom, they said that they're taking her off the respirator today."
"I completely understand."
With that Bryan left and Sydney waited in her office and Amy came in.
"Hey Syd." She said.
"Hey Amy.....I didn't think I'd see you until lunch time."
"Look, I know what happened with Bryan's fam-"
"Don't even bring that up!" She half yelled. "You have no idea what he's going through at all and if you came here to make fun of him anymore than I swear to God our friendship is over! He is the sweetest guy that I have ever known and through all of this he still wants to have a relationship."
"Wow. You didn't have to snap like that. All I came here to tell you is that if you don't want to make matters worse you better not tell him that John is going out with Jenna."
Chapter 12
"John is going out with Jenna?"
"Yeah, I'm not kidding. I saw them together today holding hands."
"But he's Bryan's best friend and he....I better not tell Bryan. With the state of mind that he's in right now and all the stress that he's feeling.....This would just make matters worse."
"Yeah well you'll have to avoid running into them. I mean I know it's a free country and everything but if you want my personal opinion I think that he's just doing to piss Bryan off."
"Well he is going out with me and I think if it was anybody else going out with her than he'd be fine with it but it's his best friend!"
"I know. That'd be like me going out with Bryan after you told me how much you liked him."
"This is turning into a soap opera."
"You got that right."
Later that day Sydney ran into Jenna and had a short conversation with her.
"You know that when Bryan finds out about this he's going to fight John right?"
"Yeah.....but why do you think I'm doing it?" She smirked and then walked away.
Even later she confronted John. "Why are you doing this to Bryan after all he's done for you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play stupid with me, you know exactly what I'm talking about."
"Oh......my girlfriend Jenna?"
"Yeah, you know she doesn't even like you anyway!"
"Yeah, well that's not what she said last night."
"I won't even bother talking to you." With that Sydney walked away. "At least I can say I tried." She thought. But she had one more idea up her sleeve.
"Please do it Amy."
"I'm not going to act like I'm in a relationship with John just so that...."
"How about if I pay you?"
"How much are we talking here?"
"I'll buy you a DVD or something."
"Ok fine. It's got to be something based on a Nicholas Sparks novel though."
"Deal."
"So Jenna," Sydney said as she had found her and walked down the hall with her. She was leading up to her finding out that she was being cheated on and Sydney hoped that her plan worked out. "I feel like a spy." She thought. She rambled on to Jenna and they walked to the cafeteria hallway only to see Amy saying, "So call me." To John and then he said, "You know I will hottie."
With that Jenna turned to Sydney and said, "Like I couldn't see that coming from a mile away b*tch."
The next day at school Bryan talked to Sydney right away. She was the only person that he'd talk too.
"So how is your mom doing?"
"She's making better progress. I feel a bit better about the whole thing now. It's sort of sunk in and I think that if I just go visit her every night then I'll be ok, and everything can go back to no-" His eyes wandered and he caught a glimpse of Jenna and John together.
"THAT'S IT!" He yelled and ran towards them....
