“That,” Lauren proudly exclaims, “that is … what I was messaging you about! That is what everyone is talking about.”
Bradley Sanderson, who previously was the greatest geek on the planet, has changed.
Bradley’s hair has been restyled into something that makes him look like he’s from one of those old films you see on vintage stations when you’re flicking through the channels. A brooding hero. A star. Do I sound like a twonk? Yes. But I am also speaking the truth. He looks taller, and he’s walking differently with his head up and a semi-smile. His dorky glasses are the same, but they seem uber-cool dripping off his nose now. This is Bradley 2.0, and it is wonderful.
It’s also confusing.
Bradley and I are sort of unfinished business. He helped me a lot with #Help. He understands it because he runs a very successful vlog called The King of Elevation, which is entirely about elevators and escalators. Yes, I know that sounds very dull, but Bradley makes it interesting. Once you understand the workings of a Schindler 5500 and its optimum space configurability (ask Bradley what that means), you can look at going up and down in a whole new way.
I had an odd, stirry tummy, and warm feelings for Bradley. Then we kissed, but we shouldn’t have. I liked Danny, Danny and me happened, I put Bradley in the friend zone, and Bradley got hurt. He asked me to give him space and he has used that space to make himself really hot.
Boys are confusing.
Lauren stares at me and purses her lips. “That, Millie, is a classic revenge makeover. You reject him. He, like an ignored rosebush in the garden, waters himself and blooms.”
Lauren has gone full spoon. This makes me giggle.
“Seriously, Millie.” Lauren is getting annoyed. “That’s what he’s done. And do you know who is apparently responsible for that? Erin.”
You can say what you like about Erin (and we all have), but what she’s done to Bradley is incredible. It proves she’s changed, too. Erin was always horrible to Bradley. She didn’t like boys like him. He wasn’t in her “tribe.” But perhaps he is now. Bradley is lovely underneath it all. He would give anyone a second chance.
“Erin has made him into an Adidas,” Lauren says proudly.
“I think you mean Adonis, Loz,” I reply.
“Whatever,” Lauren says. “The fact is, he’s red-hot geek hot.”
We have to stop talking because for the first time in what seems a very long time, Bradley is looking at me. He smiles, waves, and gets up to talk to us.
“Oh, HELLO,” Lauren whispers to me. “Looks like someone wants to be friends again.”