In Your Time
Chapter 34

I woke to the feeling of soft kisses on my face. Opening my eyes, Braden was smiling at me softly. "Good morning," he said softly. I stretched, feeling sore before I put my head back on his chest. "Morning," I sighed.

"We should get up and get ready for school," he said. I nodded before I groaned and sat up. I was still just in my bra and uniform skirt. I changed into my pajamas before grabbing my towel and going to take a shower. When I got back to my room, Braden was gone already. I got dressed and put my hair up in a ponytail. When I went down for breakfast, Elizabeth and Braden were already eating. I sat at the table with a sigh as Elizabeth set a plate down for me.

"You'll need your energy replenished after yesterday," she said as she sat back down. Braden choked on his toast as he coughed.

"I thought you were running errands," I said as I blushed. She chuckled.

"I came back a little early," she admitted.

"Can't you just keep pretending like you don't know," Braden asked tiredly.

"I will... after I give you these," she said as she placed a pack of condoms on the table. I spit out my orange juice.

"That's all. I'll never mention it again. Just let me know if you need more," she said. I wiped my mouth and tried to clean up what I spit out. Elizabeth had no chill.

"I know you're a cool mom, or whatever, but this is just embarrassing," Braden muttered. Elizabeth smirked before she stood up and grabbed her plate.

"I see you both as consenting adults. I don't think you need to have the talk with me. You both should hurry or you'll be late for school," she said before she went to put her plate in the sink. I grabbed my bag before heading to the car. Braden followed closely behind me. When we got to the car, Braden stopped me from getting in. He turned me to face him before pushing me up against the car. My face was still red from being caught by Elizabeth.

"Braden," I squirmed. I was scared of getting caught again.

"Are you embarrassed?" He asked.

"You were too," I reminded him. He chuckled.

"I was surprised, but not embarrassed. I don't think I'll ever be embarrassed by you," he said slyly.

"Well I'm embarrassed. It was my first time and we got caught," I admitted. He smirked and kissed me slowly.

"You sure didn't act like it was your first time," he said when he pulled away. I didn't think it was possible for me to blush even harder but I did.

"We're going to be late," I muttered. Braden placed a hot kiss on my neck before his arms wrapped around me.

"Yeah but I won't be able to touch you like this at school," he reasoned as he hugged me. I kissed him gently before pushing him off of me. "Okay, seriously. We need to go," I said, still blushing. He smirked before opening my door for me.

T.ne

The ride to school was peaceful and the blush in my face finally left. Luckily, Braden kept his mouth shut or my face would be red all day. When we got to school, Torin was pacing at the door. He sighed when he saw me.

"Phoenix, thank God. Are you okay? You didn't bruise anything again, did you?" He asked. Braden looked at me curiously.

"He knows about the bruising too?" Braden asked. I nodded.

"We were at a spa resort. He asked, I told him about getting beat up on the rocks," I answered Braden before I turned my attention back to Torin.

"I'm fine," I smiled lightly at him. Torin released a heavy breath as his shoulders finally relaxed.

"I was really worried after you left the cafeteria like that yesterday," he said. Braden grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him as Torin reached a hand towards me.

"You don't need to worry about her. I can take care of her just fine on my own. I have been all this time," Braden glared at Torin.

"Yeah and look what happened. You were with her when it happened, right?" Torin glared back. I came from behind Braden to stand in between them.

"Enough!" I snapped at them. I sighed as I tried to calm down.

"Look, it wasn't Braden's fault. It was my own; you can't blame him. Torin, I understand you were worried, but I'm fine. Braden, you need to calm down," I said to both of them. Braden kept his glare on Torin.

"You're really okay?" Torin asked again anyway. I nodded. He sighed and ran a hand down his face.

"Well if anything happens, call me. You've got my number," Torin said before going inside. Braden kept his glare on forin's back. I grabbed Braden's hand and pulled him closer

DAQUAS

to me to yank him out of his fixated glare.

"Can you not fight with him? Other than you, he's the only real friend I've got here," I said to Braden. He smirked as his attention fully turned to me.

"So we're just friends?" He asked. I found myself rolling my eyes.

"You know we're not. Why are you so insistent on picking a fight today?" I asked rhetorically.

"Because he's too close to you and I don't like it. What if he replaces something out?" Braden argued anyway.

"He won't. You didn't even believe me when I told you and you saw it for yourself twice," I reminded him. Braden sighed before taking me hand and walking me to my locker.

"I'm just worried," Braden sighed as

he finally calmed down. I sighed myself before I pulled him into a hug. I hated public displays of

affection, but I knew Braden needed

it at the

moment. His arms wrapped around me instinctively. I pushed up

On my toes and pecked his lips

gently.

"Whatever happens, happens. I could be pulled back tomorrow for all we know. Don't waste energy worrying about problems that don't exist, hm?" I said softly. He sighed before he nodded. "Let's get you to class," he said as he finally released himself from the hug to hold my hand.