Protect Me.

Chapter 28

Hope's POV
I picked up the magazine and payed for it at the cash register.
I walked through the streets, hearing the cameras clicking and reporters, but I felt too detached to answer or even look at any of them.
I smiled and waved, but I was in my own little bubble.
I was in a pair of tailored trousers and a smart blouse.
I felt old.
I walked back to my dorm and left the door open so Brayden could come in behind me.
I sat down on the couch and flipped open the magazine.
'HOPE TAYLOR: FROM TRASHY TO TASTEFULL' was the headline.
Inside was pictures of me from the last two weeks and all the different outfits I'd worn.
The article praised how I had changed my dress sense and had called me an 'excellent role model for the teens of today'.
Well I guess I had America back on my side.
But should I really have to settle my happiness for them?
I chucked the paper onto the coffee table, frustrated.
I looked over at Brayden, he looked uncomfortable standing there.
"Sit down if you want." I said awkwardly.
We hardly ever spoke anymore - it hurt me too much.
"Thanks." He replied greatfully.
Unfortunately, we only had one couch, meaning he had to come sit next to me.
I put on some film and tried to get into it, but I just couldn't.
"Hope?" Brayden said huskily, half way through the film.
"Um... yeah?" I said shakily.
"Can we talk?" He asked, nervously.
Uh oh.
"There's not really much left to say." I relied.
"I think there is." He said bluntly.
"Okay then." I started.
"Please Hope, please don't dount for a second that I never loved you." He began.
Oh God, no I don't want to hear this.
I shook my head.
"Please. Yes, I started this assignment to protect you, but then I got to know you, Hope. I saw what an amazing girl you were and I fell in love with you. I still love you so much. It kills me how you won't even look at me. It really does. I know you still love me too. Please, baby. I'm so sorry." His voice broke with emotion.
"Brayden..." I was lost for words.
My heart was screaming for me to tell him I loved him too, but my head was telling me to lie.
"Brayden we can't be-" He cut me off by crashing his lips to mine.
He kissed me so loveingly and tenderly that it made me want to cry.
I missed his kisses and I missed how we used to be.
I wanted him back to badly that it physically hurt me.
All too soon, he pulled away.
He kept his mouth less than a centimeter away from mine.
We were both breathing hard.
"Tell me you don't love me, and I won't do that again.
"I can't." I replied simply.
I felt him smile against my mouth and he pecked me softly again.
"Can you ever forgive me?" He asked softly.
"I forgive you, Brayden - of course I do. But we can't be together." I whispered.
"Why?" He looked hurt.
"Imagine the things that would be written in the papers..."
"I don't care about the papers! I care about us!"
"Please Hope, just one more chance." He begged.
When I didn't answer, he added, "I promise I won't let anyone hurt you, ever."
"You could hurt me." I said flatly.
"Never again." He vowed.
I loved him so much.
"One more chance?" He asked again.
"One more chance." I replied, smiling for the first time in weeks.
I turned off the film and we cuddled and kissed until the others got home.

Aw, they're back together!:')