tidal wave

• chapter three •

Bre found herself walking around for what felt like hours. She was trying to clear her head. Everything happened so fast, within the last year, she moved away from home, fell in love and lost people whom she never thought she'd lose.

She was thinking about Conrad, and whether he was okay. If he had sat his finals yet or if he'd gone home for Jeremiah's graduation. Her mind was racing with thoughts. The one that circled the most was how they ended things at the funeral. She acted like a child which was something Laurel softened and reminded her of.

Then her mind went to Jeremiah, the lack of contact she had with the boys made her feel sick. She loved them both, no matter what happened she'd always love them.

She passed her house and sat on the stairs outside for a moment. Looking up at the stars. It reminded her of Conrad, and their many facetimes or calls. They were both trying and that is what makes it hurt more.

"So I can see the moon, can you?" Bre said hurrying outside her dorm. They had been doing this once a week to feel closer. Because if they could both see the stars and moon then they felt closer.

"Yeah, I can" He laughed. He had never loved Bre this much until recently. Her cute little faces on Facetime or the way she made him look at the stars to feel close to her. This is what love felt like and he was happy. Amid the chaos, he knew he'd always have her.

"I have to tell you something," Bre said shyly. She had scrunched up her nose in anticipation.

"You can tell me anything," He said back. He was staring at her through the screen. She had her hair in a messy bun as she'd been growing out and she was wearing his hoodie, one he had given her when she'd visited him last.

"I got the job helping on the cancer ward, it's gonna be hard but I know it'll be rewarding," She said smiling, since finding out about her dad she'd be finding ways to help others and make her dad proud.

"Wow, that leads me to what I was going to say," Conrad said coughing. He had loved how much Bre had tried to make her dad proud since finding out how he passed away, it also made him happy how much he'd tried to his mom. Susannah had always had a soft spot for Breanna so it made both of them feel better to see other.

"I'm gonna switch to Pre-Med to be a Doctor, so I can help people like my mom, you gave me the idea for it" Conrad said, he looked happy saying it. Not some false words that he's being made to say like any other time he spoke about his future he felt proud to know he was gonna do some good.

"Baby" Bre said making a sad face.

"I'm so proud of you," Bre said getting teary.

"I'm proud of you too, we are gonna make our parents proud," Conrad said smiling.

The two teenagers went back to talking about the future and where they could see themselves. They were happy. They felt infinite.

The moment she went into the house reality struck, she looked around the house and it didn't look messy but it also didn't look like it had been tidied for a while. She put on ' Folklore by Taylor Swift' and began cleaning. The rest of the family wasn't home so they were still at the restaurant. It honestly didn't take too long but it felt good to do something.

She knew Laurel was either going to thank her or shout at her so she headed up to her room to shower and get changed. It was like she was a guest. Her room hadn't changed since she had last been there. Flicking through her closet for something to wear made her realise it was all clothing Conrad had given her and she'd promised to give the back. She'd bought everything elsewhere for college with her. She went to her bag to see what she had packed and realised she had packed the top she had been wearing to bed which was also Conrad's. A part of her still wanted him to text her or call her but she knew it was too far gone.

"We're Homee!" Belly shouted. She quickly picked a hoodie out of her wardrobe and headed downstairs.

"How was the meal?" Bre asked, they were all taking their shoes and coats off as she got to the bottom.

"You cleaned?" Steven asked shocked.

"Yeah, thought it would be payment for staying here" Bre laughed.

"Thank you," Laurel said, she smiled. For the first time, Laurel smiled at Bre. It sounded dumb but it did mean a lot.

"You gonna join us at the party?" Finn asked, shimmying at her.

"Ew, what party?" Bre asked, pushing Finn away from her before giving in and letting him put his arms around her.

"My Graduation party" Steven said poking his out from the fridge.

"Come on, we haven't gone to a party in ages. Might be good to get yourself into the world" Finn said smiling. He had been one of Bre's biggest support systems.

"Ugh fine but I haven't got anything to wear" Bre said staring at Finn, she hated how she never wanted to let him down.

"Taylor's coming over to help me so you have something out of my wardrobe" Belly said jumping up with excitement.

"Wow so I'm gonna have both my sisters at my party" Steven said annoyed.

"Well at least they are both here with you" Finn said smiling. Finn always did this cheeky smirk when he made a joke that he entirely meant.

"Okay let's go upstairs" Belly said dragging Bre upstairs. Bre turned and made a look at Finn which made him laugh.

She heard Steven and Finn talking downstairs while Belly was talking about some boy in her class.

"Have you heard from Jere" Bre spat out in the middle of Belly's sentence.

"Not since the um..." Belly said clearing her throat.

"The funeral," Bre said, a part of her hurt whenever Susannah was brought up. Knowing on her day it was ruined by Bre. The two girls sat in silence before Taylor burst in.

"Belly we have got to look hot" Taylor said dropping her bag on the floor.

"Breanna, why are you so mopey?" Taylor said smiling. Taylor was always so blunt with what she thinking and it was something Bre liked about Belly having a friend like that.

"Just thinking" Bre muttered.

"Well, tonight is about having fun and looking hot. My boyfriend Aka Milo is the head singer for the bad so we three ladies have to look good" Taylor said walking straight over to Belly's wardrobe. She somehow managed to pull out two tops, one for belly which was a bright pink corset top and the one for Bre was a Blue crop top. Bre recognised the blue top as it was one she'd given Belly when Susannah had passed as it used to be Susannah's.

Bre went to her room to get her jeans on and change while Taylor and Belly were gossiping. She reached for her phone and looked at one contact. The one contact she was banned from looking at by Hattie and Keegan.

Conrad

She went to press call but decided against it. He didn't care about her anymore and she needed to get over that. She brushed her hair put on her dusty old Converse and headed downstairs. This was a new beginning, or so she thought.