The Treehouse - Chapter 10

Chris made sure Brianne was occupied as he snatched at the phone and snuck to his room. He dialed Victoria's number, impatiently waiting for someone to pick up. Vickie finally did, after several rings.

"Hello?"

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Chris hissed. "You didn't tell me you were pregnant!"

"I didn't?" Victoria asked innocently. "I knew I was forgetting someone…"

"An important someone, especially if it's my kid like you told Brianne…"

"Well, it is."

"Are you sure? Don't you sleep around?" Chris asked.

"Of course I'm sure! Why would I lie about something like that?"

"Why wouldn't you?" Chris shot back. His ears detected the sound of Brianne coming down the hallway. "I gotta go." He slammed the phone down just as Brie waddled into his room. She immediately sensed a disturbance in the force.

"Is something wrong?" she inquired.

"No, no, everything's fine!" Chris answered, a little too quickly and happily. Brie put her hands on her hips.

"Something is definitely wrong," she stated, raising an eyebrow.

"Why would something be wrong?"

"Because I heard you slam the phone down and you're acting strange. I can already tell you've got a secret you're trying to avoid. For God's sake, Chris, I've had enough lies to last me 'til I die. Please just tell me what it is." Chris walked very slowly to his bed and sat, pulling his knees up and breathing quicker than normal.

"I have a really stupid and really horrible confession to make," he whispered just loud enough so Brie could hear. She went over and took Chris's hand, sitting beside him.

"You can tell me. I swear I won't blab." Chris smiled a little at that.

"You're going to hate me for it," he told Brianne.

"I'll try my best not to, but no guarantees," she joked. Chris sighed. "Unless you really did have sex with Victoria, you can't make me mad. And I know you didn't, so I won't…"

"Brie," Chris interrupted her. "The truth is, I did." Brianne was so shocked that she couldn't piece together whole sentences, and had trouble finding words to begin with.

"You… did… WHAT?!" she squeaked. "How could you… she's like a prostitute… were you drugged… that's insane!"

"It's just, hormones, I guess," Chris said lamely. "A girl I liked already had a boyfriend, and I don't know why, but I thought fooling around with someone else might make it easier…" At that instant, Brianne's hand met Chris's cheek in a very painful slap.

"I can't believe you even considered it! How could you?!" she yelled, stumbling out the door. She staggered down the hall to the guestroom, where she was temporarily residing. Brie didn't know whether to punch or cry into her pillow. She didn't end up doing either, but she did mull over the new situation. Brianne silently debated whether or not she should forgive Chris. Wait a minute, what is she so worried about? He's only a friend. No big deal… right?

In his own room, Chris felt like hurling himself out the window. He laid down on his side, watching a thunderstorm build through the window at the head of his bed. The first bolt of lightning scared Brie. She considered going back into Chris's room, but decided it would be too tiring. Ten minutes later, the storm was worsening and she called for him.

"Chris!" she screamed, sitting on her bed with her legs straight out in front of her. Chris faintly heard her voice over a rumble of thunder, deciding to check on her. He appeared at the doorway of her room, leaning against the frame. Brianne beckoned him with her hand, and Chris obeyed. A roaring crash of thunder shook the house, making the lights flicker. Chris joined Brie, sitting up against the headboard of the bed so she could lean back on him. They waited until the storm subsided to talk.

"I didn't mean to hit you," Brianne apologized, turning to Chris. She sat facing him between his open legs. Her legs were bent, her calves hanging over the sides of Chris's thighs.

"It's ok, I deserved it," he replied, lightly touching the spot. It still stung, making him wince softly.

"Did it hurt?" Brie questioned. Chris shook his head, trying not to show any weakness. Brianne put her hand to Chris's chin and turned his head. There were distinguishable red marks across his left cheek from her fingers.

"You can't tell me that didn't hurt," she told him. Brie didn't know what came over her just then, but she leaned toward Chris and left a tender kiss over the pain on his cheek.

"Doesn't hurt anymore," he smiled.

"I'm sorry, that was weird, wasn't it?"

"Nah," Chris shook his head again. His eyes suddenly locked with hers, and no matter how hard either of them tried, they couldn't look away. There was some sort of banding going on between them, and it seemed that the distance between their eyes continually got shorter, which it did. Neither of the two could think, only feel a rush of favorable, yet unusual, emotions for the other. When their lips met, a tidal wave of happiness crashed down on them. Electricity seemed to flow through both Brianne and Chris, making each second of the kiss more intense.

Brie was the first to pull away, shamefully looking at the comforter of the bed, but a smile creeping across her face. She crawled off Chris and wobbled downstairs to get a drink. Chris was left alone, frozen in happy amazement. He couldn't think complete thoughts, he only knew his number two dream had just come true. As for his number one dream, he had a long way to go. Chris was still glued to the spot when Brianne returned with a glass of water. She looked at him quizzically.

"I freaked you out, didn’t I? I didn't mean to kiss you, we're only friends. Sorry…" Brie apologized. Chris rose and left without responding. He resembled a zombie as he walked, dazed, back to his room and shut the door. Brie shut her door as well, going over to stand in front of the mirror to think. She didn't know exactly why, but staring at her reflection made thinking easier for her.

The first thought she dwelled on was Vickie and Chris. He had gotten her pregnant… what would happen now? He'll be constantly occupied with Victoria, that's what would happen now.

"He'll have no more time to himself, to hang out, go to dance, and maybe even to school. Chris's life will be Dream Street and Tyler. Then he won't even be able to help me like he promised. I'll be on my own. I don't even have a job, Mom's out of work, and Dad can barely cover the current expenses. There's no hope, I tell you! None!" Brianne knew what she had to do… and she felt it was her last resort.