"So, what is everyone wearing?" Violet asked as the girls sat down for lunch.
"Um..." Alice looked down at herself. "A vest top and shorts-"
"For the party," Violet laughed. "Jasper told me that Austin is going all out, you've got to dress up."
"Well there goes my plan of wearing a onesie," Alice grumbled and Brooklyn laughed at her.
"I love fancy," Brooklyn grinned. "I'm sure I can rummage something up."
"Let me guess, you're one of those girls that can rock sweatpants and look gorgeous, but also look gorgeous and amazing when you doll yourself up?" Sasha said
Brooklyn frowned. "I... No," she said and shook her head.
"Well, you're rocking those sweatpants rather well," Violet pointed out and it took Brooklyn a few moments for her to remember she was wearing grey sweatpants.
"I was out of it this morning, I must've down thrown on whatever I could find," she sighed.
"Stressing over Harry?" Sasha smirked.
"Over what I told him," Brooklyn said under her breath. "Besides, I'm sure yous all look utterly amazing when you get dolled up too. Not that you don't now," she added quickly.
"Duh," Sasha said and laughed. "Just some people own it more than others. You're beautiful without even trying."
"So are you!" Brooklyn protested.
"Do you think these eyebrows and highlight happen naturally?" Sasha wondered and pointed to her face.
"No, but those eyebrows are fleeky as hell," Alice nodded.
"I do try," Sasha grinned and due to her short hair she flicked her imaginary long her over her shoulder.
Brooklyn chuckled and rolled her eyes. "So, back to clothes, what is everyone thinking of wearing?"
"I've got this gorgeous blue dress that I've been dying to wear," Sasha said.
"Trying to impress someone still?" Violet smirked and Sasha narrowed her eyes, cautiously looking over her shoulder.
"Shut up," she grumbled.
"What's this?" Brooklyn asked.
"You didn't know?" Alice asked. "Jheeze, maybe she doesn't make it as obvious as we think."
Brooklyn's eyebrows raised and she turned to Sasha with a smile. "Who is it? Who do you want to confess your love to?"
"Whoa, calm down," Sasha said.
"Who is it!" Brooklyn demanding, grinning at Sasha who blushed.
"It's Austin," Violet said and Brooklyn's mouth dropped.
"Austin Austin? The Austin who came to the diner with us? The Austin who is having the party?"
"I don't think there's any other Austin's who fit into those categories," Alice pointed out.
"How comes I didn't know this?" Brooklyn gasped.
"She hasn't exactly hidden it. She turns into a blubbering mess around him," Violet said with a laugh and ignored Sasha's glare.
"I do not!" Sasha protested and her eyes went wide when Josh, Jasper, Tyler and Austin joined their table with trays of food.
"Hey guys," Brooklyn smiled and smirked in Sasha's direction. She had gone a dark shade of red.
"You alright, Sash? You look flushed," Austin said as he slipped into the seat opposite her.
"Um... F-fine," Sasha coughed and busied herself with eating her sandwich. The girls all shared a look and giggled amongst themselves.
"Something funny?" Josh asked.
"Inside joke," Brooklyn shrugged and took a bite of her pasta.
"We were just discussing your party, Aust," Violet said as Jasper slung his arm over her shoulder.
"I can't wait," Austin said. "You are all coming, aren't you?"
"Of course," Alice scoffed. "Some of us can't wait."
Sasha took another bite of her sandwich and narrowed her eyes at Alice who ignored her.
"Josh, change of plans, you're picking Brooke up from my house," Sasha said.
"He is?" Brooklyn asked.
"I am?" Josh wondered.
"Yep," Sasha nodded. "We're all getting ready at mine."
Brooklyn looked at Josh. "Is that alright?"
"It's fine," he nodded.
"No fair, I want a hot date," Tyler complained.
"No one here swings your way," Josh pointed out.
"So I'll have a hot girl date," Tyler shrugged. "Sasha, would you do me the honour of being my date?"
Sasha laughed and Brooklyn noticed Austin's eyes flickering to Sasha, watching her carefully. "Of course."
"It's fine guys, I'll just go with my wine," Alice said and waved her hand dismissively.
"Not so fast, missy, I've not finished," Tyler said. "Alice, would you also accompany me?"
"Threesome?" Josh said with a smirk.
"You wish," Jasper scoffed.
"Can my wine come as well?" Alice asked.
"The more the merrier!" Tyler exclaimed.
"It's a date!" Alice grinned.
"How are you getting the wine?" Brooklyn asked. "We're only 17."
Alice wiggled her eyebrows. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it," she said mysteriously.
Attention was quickly averted from Alice and her illegal alcohol buying when there was a loud yell and Brooklyn noticed Brandon storming over to Harry's table which was close to hers.
"Oh no," she whispered.
"Has he got a death wish?" Josh said.
"Apparently so," Brooklyn groaned and watched anxiously as Brandon stopped by Harry's table.
"Why the hell were you at my house last night?" Brandon demanded.
"Man, he's got guts," Sasha murmured.
"You can say that again," Austin agreed.
"Fuck off, Brandon," Greyson called.
"I'm not talking to you-"
"No, but I'm fucking talking to you," Greyson snapped. "Turn around and fuck off."
"Listen to him," Jasper muttered.
The whole canteen was watching Brandon now.
"Why were you at my house?" Brandon repeated, glaring at Harry.
"Why do you fucking think?" Greyson asked.
"I'm asking him!" Brandon snapped.
"Brooklyn," Harry said slowly and Brooklyn noticed how his eyes flickered to hers. He seemed angry.
"Stay away from her," Brandon her.
Harry looked to Brooklyn again and she sunk down in her seat when Brandon and in turn the majority of the canteen looked at her. Harry clenched his hands into fists and stood up. He towered over Brandon, his muscles making him seem like a giant compared to Brandon's lanky frame. "Stay away from Brooklyn?" Harry said and Brandon nodded.
"Yes."
Harry crossed his arms over his chest. "No."
"Shit," Brooklyn whispered.
"She is my cousin-"
"And?"
"She doesn't need to be corrupted by you! Just stay away from her! And don't come to my house ever again!"
Harry sighed and gritted his teeth. "You're making me even angrier than I already was. Leave now, and never tell me what to do again."
"Agree you won't talk to Brooklyn again and I will."
"You're very stupid," Harry said lowly.
"Agree."
"Wait," Brooklyn said and her eyes widened when she realised she could easily be heard in the quiet canteen.
"Something to add, Brooklyn?" Greyson called. "Please spice things up a bit, I have a feeling this might turn quite repetitive otherwise. And boring."
Brooklyn narrowed her eyes at Greyson who smirked. "Brandon just go," she sighed and slowly stood up.
"I'm trying to help-"
"Help what?" Brooklyn asked. "You don't get to decide who I get to talk to and don't. Just leave it."
"No! He's bad news!" Brandon protested.
"And bad tempered," Harry snapped and Brooklyn, along with the rest of the canteen gasped when Harry drew back his fist and punched Brandon in the face.
There was silence for a few moments; Brooklyn didn't know how to react.
"Now him doing that was just a matter of time," Greyson shrugged. "Brandon just happened to be the lucky recipient."
"Shit that looked like it hurt," Kal chuckled and Brooklyn rushed towards Brandon who had fallen to the ground.
"Are you alright?" She panicked and crouched down next to him. He had a cut by his eye and his cheek was bright red.
"I'm fine," Brandon huffed. Embarrassed was an understatement.
"What the hell!" Brooklyn exclaimed, rising to face Harry. "You can't go around punching people!"
"We told him to leave, he didn't," Harry said and Brooklyn sucked in a breath when Harry took a step closer to her. "I was already angry, thanks to a certain someone, and he pushed me over the edge."
"You're blaming me?" Brooklyn gasped.
"I think it was fairly obvious what you were trying to do earlier, Brooklyn. I told you I get jealous easily. I told you that you wouldn't like it."
"You still can't punch people because you're angry!" She exclaimed.
"Honestly, you're lucky that's all he did," Kal shrugged.
"Sorry, Brooklyn, it won't happen again," Ace said, but Greyson shook his head.
"No. It most probably will," Greyson said.
"You're an ass," Brooklyn snapped.
"Why do you care?" Harry asked.
"Because it's my cousin you're punching!" Brooklyn gasped.
"I can always punch Josh," Harry shrugged.
"You're the one who told me to get out this morning, you told me to leave, so you can't get annoyed at things that I do with other guys. You have no right!"
"I have every right, babe."
"What!" Brooklyn said. "No! You don't!"
Brooklyn squeaked in surprise when Harry grabbed her and pulled her towards him. The sparks travelled through her body and she hated the fact that she missed them.
"I do, and you're lucky that I'm still letting you see them, Brooklyn!" Harry snapped.
"Hey! Get off her!" Brandon called.
"Shut the fuck up!" Harry yelled and turned his attention back to Brooklyn.
"Get off me," she said.
"You tried to make me jealous, you've succeeded, and now you're dealing with the consequences, babe," Harry said.
"Consequences? How the hell is this my fault, Harry?" She exclaimed. "This isn't my fault!"
"Yes it is! You're being so fucking stubborn and hiding from this!" Harry yelled.
"From what!"
"Us!" Harry growled. "For fucksake, Brooklyn! You know you're avoiding it, so stop it and just accept it!"
"After today?" Brooklyn said quietly and pushed herself away from Harry. "Never."
Harry reached out and grabbed Brooklyn's wrist, but she yanked it away quickly and turned round, stalking out of the canteen, yelling on her way "stay away from me!"
Harry let out a deep breath and sent a glare to Brandon that sent him running and one look around the canteen made everyone go back to what they were previously doing.
"Shit," Sasha breathed.
"I'm not complaining," Alice shrugged and grabbed Brooklyn's barely eaten pasta that she had left. "Free food."