In Your Time novel Chapter 17

*Braden’s POV*

"Why? Where are we going?" She asked as she struggled against me. It was pointless. I was a lot stronger than her. I brought her to my room and sat her on my bed before going down to the kitchen to grab ice packs for her. It's fine if she didn't want to explain, but her bruises needed attention. I set her up to ice her stomach and back at the same time before sitting in my computer chair. She was quiet for a moment as she laid there without complaining.

"Can I hear something?" She asked. I was lost before I noticed her staring at my guitar. I smiled lightly before picking it up to check if it was in tune.

"As my one and only supporter, I guess it's only fair," I said before I sat back down. I played my guitar as I sang a song that had recently come out. As I played, I gauged Phoenix's reaction. She smiled and enjoyed the song like it was her millionth time hearing me sing. She looked comfortable and at peace. She sat up as I finished.

"You have an incredible voice. I think it'll take you far," she smiled. I put my guitar back with a sigh.

"I don't know. I tried the talent show last year and didn't even place. I think I'll just study medicine like my dad. At least it's a stable and reliable job for my future," I said, revealing my innermost thoughts. She stood quickly.

"You can't! You were meant to be a singer. Do you know how many awards you win-" she stopped, and glanced at me before calming down a hair. "How many awards you could win with a voice as good as yours?" She said, changing her sentence. I smiled lightly and sat her back down on the bed before crouching to meet her eye.

"Singing is a pipe dream for me, but it makes me feel better seeing you get so worked up about it. Thanks," I said honestly. She blushed and averted her eyes as she fiddled with her hands.

"It's just... you're really good, so you shouldn't give up. It'll work out in your favor. I can promise you that," she said with determination. She said it as if she'd already seen it come to fruition. I touched the tip of her nose gently before I sat back down. She was adorable.

"You're a girl covered in mystery, you know that? You seem to know a lot, but nothing at all at the same time. How did you end up in Cali if your parents are in Australia anyway?" I tried. The way she was so sure about my singing had me curious.

"There was an accident. That's all I remember. I don't remember the how or why, but just that it was an accident of some kind," she answered vaguely. The more I got to know her the more it didn't make any sense. Maybe I should try to get to know her better. At some point, the puzzle pieces had to fit.

"Well, we are engaged after all, so I should probably know something about you," I attempted nonchalantly. She hesitated.

"My favorite color is blue. My favorite food is Chinese. I keep quiet when I can't process a situation or don't know what to say, but I'm not necessarily shy," she eventually gave in.

"You seem kind of shy to me. At least, at school you do," I noted. She hesitated as she thought to herself for a moment.