Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

I chuckled. "Brandon, I've made myself clear. Since we have different goals, let's call it off, then."

"But don't you need a boyfriend?" Brandon pressed.

"Yes, I do, but I can't handle a military guy like you. I'll figure something else out."

My response seemed to darken his gaze even more.

I half-expected him to protest or compromise, but he surprised me by saying nothing at all. I had overestimated myself.

"Well, then, I'm sorry for overstepping," I said.

Turning away, I hurried into my car as though eager to escape the scene.

It wasn't until I was sure Brandon couldn't see me that I finally stopped the car. After taking a deep breath, I regretted the reckless impulsiveness of last night's drinks.

I should have asked Derick to pretend to be my boyfriend instead of getting involved with Brandon.

But it was too late for regrets now.

my nerves, I drove to a flower shop,

and the anniversaries of their passing, I rarely visited this

my parents. So, I wanted to visit them as I felt their longing for

the cemetery, I noticed a bouquet by the tombstone. Its wilted petals suggested

decade since my parents' passing, and besides Zack and Bree, no one else remembered

respects? If they had,

Chris now, perhaps Bree

aside the withered flowers and placed my

the tombstone, my heart ached, yet I managed to smile. "Mom, Dad, have you missed me? I've been dreaming of you a lot

I'm sorry I couldn't

than fulfilling the promise you arranged, I think you just wanted me to be happy,

...

poured out

passed when the sun was

throw them away. I noticed they weren't lilies. They

that I had been living with the Gildon family, whenever Zack, Bree, Chris, and I came to mourn my parents, we always brought lilies because