tidal wave

• chapter twenty nine •

Maybe it was the sunny air or Bre knew exactly what she wanted now, but the moment she saw Conrad walking across the quad her heart exploded.

"I passed" Conrad smirked scooping Bre up in his arms and spinning her around. The pair was both smiling from ear to ear. It was the clarity they both needed.

"I love you" Bre smiled softly, Conrad smiled. Not knowing what to do but kiss her. They had kissed many times before but not like this. It felt right.

"I love you Ana" Conrad said softly. The sun was shining down on them, it was a moment they'd both remember for years to come they hoped.

"I've sort of packed up your room for you" Bre smiled, she looked beautiful Conrad thought.

"Well let's go get the rest of my stuff then" Conrad smiled, the walk to his dorm room was quick they were both talking about his exam and the questions she told him they'd ask.

"Woah you did pack it up" Conrad said in shock as he saw his room packed and labelled exactly how he would've done it.

"Sorry" Bre said getting embarrassed she wanted to be helpful.

"It's okay, one less thing I have to do" Conrad said hugging her.

They both lost in their world they didn't even hear the knock at the door.

"Oh sorry didn't mean to intrude" This girl with very long curly hair said standing at the door. She was beautiful. Every insecurity that Bre had ever had about herself this girl didn't have.

"It's okay, Bre this is Allie" Conrad said looking awkwardly between the two like he'd been caught.

"I just thought I'd give you this back, since you know we are all going today" She smiled handing him a Cousins hoodie. Bre felt like she'd been smacked in the face. It wasn't just a hoodie to Bre, she'd had an exact one at home that Conrad had let her borrow and she never gave it back.

"Thank you" Conrad coughed. The silence was almost becoming too hot to breathe.

"I'll see ya I guess" She said waving goodbye before leaving the two of them stuck there.

Bre felt her heart beating out of her chest. She loved him, and she didn't want to be destroyed by him again.

"Let's get this stuff to the car" Bre sighed not even looking at him. Throughout the various trips to the car and back. And Belly and Jere were helping, they'd managed it in an hour or two. But Bre had not spoken to Conrad since being in his room.

They'd all opted for a different seating arrangement on the way back. With both the boys in the front and Belly and Bre in the back. Belly could feel the tension from Bre not talking to anyone and plugging her headphones in straight away.

It didn't take long for the journey to take a turn, by the time they'd got on the highway the rain was pouring and then the thunder started. Bres' music was no longer loud enough to cover either, the rain, the thunder or her thoughts.

Conrad kept checking on the girl every couple of minutes to see if she was okay. But he could see by the look on her face that she wasn't. As the thunder got louder they stopped at a local gas station so Bre and Belly could pee. The two brothers are on the hunt for some snacks and of course, filling the car up with gas.

Bre on the other hand didn't need to pee, but instead was overshadowed with anxiety that it didn't take a second of being in the toilet before throwing up. She couldn't work out whether she was upset or scared by the thunder or the thought of losing Conrad again.

Belly, who was just as worried for her sister as the boys were, suggested stopping at the Motel across the road, so that everyone could rest. It was the silence when everyone got back in the car soaked in rain water, by the time they'd got a room at the motel. Bre had locked herself in the bathroom.