Brooklyn looked towards the ground. "I don't need to explain myself to you."
"If you ever want me to leave you alone then I'm going to need a valid reason for why I should," Harry said and place his fingers under Brooklyn's chin and tilted her head up.
"I won't ever feel anything for Josh," Brooklyn murmured. "I might with you."
"You already do with me, babe."
"And that scares me, okay?" She muttered. "Now do me a favour and stay away from me."
Harry slowly let go of Brooklyn. "Sorry, but that wasn't a good enough reason," he said and walked off.
Brooklyn groaned loudly and looked at Harry's retreating figure. She forced herself to look away and walked into school.
*
"Hey!"
Brooklyn shut her locker and turned towards the high pitched voice. Stacy was storming towards her with her followers trailing behind.
"You!" Stacy snapped and stopped in front of Brooklyn.
"Yes?" Brooklyn said.
"What have you done!" Stacy fumed.
"I have a feeling you're about to tell me," Brooklyn said.
"You bitch! You've ruined everything!" Stacy exclaimed. She had now gained the attention of the whole hallway. Brooklyn's eyes flickered towards Harry who was standing a few meters away with Greyson, Kal and Ace. "I'm talking to you, whore!"
Brooklyn blinked and looked back at Stacy. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me! You've ruined it all! You turn up here, become centre of attention and take it all from us! You're a selfish witch!"
"A witch?" Brooklyn repeated and giggled slightly. Stacy went very red. "How have I become centre of attention? I have no intention of taking anything from you."
"You lying whore!" Stacy hissed. "You've used Harry to get popular and you've taken the spotlight away from me!"
"Well I'm very sorry you feel that way," Brooklyn said, her voice patronising. "But I haven't used Harry and I don't want the spotlight."
"I want it back on me! All on me!" Stacy huffed.
"Sure, take it," Brooklyn shrugged.
"You have it!" Stacy yelled, making Brooklyn jump slightly and hurt her ears. "All everyone is talking about is you!"
"I have a feeling after this commotion you've caused your name might be chucked in there too," Brooklyn said. "See? All sorted."
"You're such a bitch!"
"Look, Stacy, I'm going to be late for class, if I hear anyone talking about me I'll tell them to talk about you and how... How wonderful your cheerleading is," Brooklyn said, looking at Stacy's cheerleading outfit.
"I don't want your help!" Stacy exclaimed, sounding disgusted.
"Then why are you yelling at me?" Brooklyn was getting confused. "None of this is my fault."
"It's all your fault!"
Brooklyn wanted to roll her eyes. How someone could be so obsessed with attention confused her. Stacy was a self obsessed bitch.
"Okay, well, I'm going to go to class now," Brooklyn said. She knew it wasn't even worth arguing with Stacy.
"Hey! I'm still talking to you, Bitch!" Stacy snapped and grabbed Brooklyn's arm, her long nails digging into her skin and pushing Brooklyn back.
Brooklyn stumbled into the lockers and she looked at Stacy with raised eyebrows. "Okay, Stacy, that was out of order," she said slowly. "Don't touch me again."
"You need putting in your place," Stacy sneered.
"I don't even know what the hell I've done!" Brooklyn exclaimed, losing her patience. "Jesus, who cares about attention? You're at school for crying out loud! Get over yourself!"
Stacy's expression turned into one of horror and anger. Brooklyn thought she looked rather constipated.
The next thing happened rather quickly. Brooklyn got distracted when she spotted Sasha, Violet and Alice walking down the hallway. They had spotted the commotion and were coming to Brooklyn's defence, but they stopped in their tracks when Stacy raised her hand and slapped Brooklyn.
Brooklyn's head snapped to the side. The slap didn't hurt, but she assumed the shock masked her pain. Everyone in the hallway stared at Stacy with wide eyes.
"Hey!" Sasha yelled and rushed up to Brooklyn with Violet and Alice. "What the hell you mental bitch!"
Brooklyn slowly turned to Stacy who seemed slightly shocked herself. "You better go, now," Brooklyn warned. "I don't want to sink to your level and go around hitting people, but I will if you aren't gone in ten seconds." As soon as Brooklyn stepped forward Stacy's cronies grabbed her and pulled her away.
Suddenly there was a loud crash and Brooklyn gasped when she saw Greyson bundling Harry into the lockers, his arm across Harry's throat. Harry looked murderous and his gaze was locked onto Brooklyn.
"Are you okay?" Violet asked immediately, looking at Brooklyn with wide eyes.
"I'm more shocked than anything else," Brooklyn said and her eyes flickered around the hallway. Everyone was still staring. "Move along guys!" She called. "All's good!"
"Listen to the bleeding girl!" Alice yelled, clapping her hands loudly. "She doesn't need everyone staring!"
"Shoo!" Sasha shouted and soon everyone got back to what they were doing. Most left for class, which had already started.
"Calm the fuck down, man!" Brooklyn heard Greyson hiss and she looked towards Harry who didn't look any calmer.
"I know you're all about avoiding him, but you clearly get a reaction out of him," Sasha said. "We'll meet you in the toilets to get you cleaned up, you're bleeding a little."
Brooklyn looked between the girls and Harry and she sighed, nodding slightly. "Okay," she said and slowly walked over to Harry, Greyson, Ace and Kal.
"Are you okay?" Ace asked, sounding concerned.
"I'm fine," Brooklyn said and looked at Greyson and nodded.
"Control your anger," Greyson snapped and shoved Harry before letting go and walking off with Ace and Kal.
Brooklyn looked up at Harry and she took a deep breath. She reached forward and grabbed Harry's hand, walking towards an empty classroom. Harry followed, his grip on Brooklyn's hand tight and firm.
"You're this angry because I got slapped?" She asked quietly once they were in the classroom.
"I don't like seeing you get hurt," he said stiffly and raised his hand, wiping some blood from Brooklyn's face. "Are you hurt?"
Brooklyn rolled her shoulders back. Stacy had pushed her harder than she thought into the lockers and her back was aching and face was stinging.
"I'm okay."
"Don't lie," Harry said firmly.
"You always seem to know when I'm lying," Brooklyn murmured.
"I'm in your head," Harry said simply.
"You need to calm down, Harry."
"How do you know I'm not calm?" Harry asked.
Brooklyn raised an eyebrow. "You're practically cutting off the circulation in my hand and you're adding frown lines," she said and Harry loosened his grip.
"I do not have frown lines."
Brooklyn smirked slightly. "I should be the angry one."
"It seems only I manage to make you really angry," Harry murmured.
"That is true," Brooklyn said. "Stacy is just... Pathetic."
"You're telling someone she slapped you," Harry told Brooklyn.
"No," she said. "It's more hassle than it's worth. She won't do anything again, I'm sure of that."
"You're not letting her get away with it."
"I am. Just like Brandon is letting you get away with you punching him," Brooklyn said with an edge to her voice.
Harry narrowed his eyes slightly. "Fine. But I'm not happy about this."
"I don't care," Brooklyn said and she watched as Harry's eyes flickered to her lips. "Harry," she said quietly. "Don't."
"Try and stop me," Harry shrugged and crashed his lips to hers.