"If he comes near I'll spit at him," Alice warned as she linked her arms through Brooklyn's as they walked out of school. "I'll spit in his awful beautiful face."
Brooklyn laughed and Sasha rolled her eyes. "You're an animal," Sasha said and linked her arm through Brooklyn's other.
"No, I'm a classy dignified lady," Alice objected and stuck her tongue out at Sasha.
"Where's Violet?" Brooklyn wondered.
"She's going with Jasper," Sasha said and looked across the carpark to where Violet was getting into a car with Jasper. "I spoke to Tyler and Austin, they're meeting us there."
"Can I drive your car, Sash?" Alice asked eagerly as we stopped by Sasha's baby blue car.
"You can do no such thing," Sasha said. "Judith is my baby."
"Judith?" Brooklyn laughed. "Nice name."
"I thought so," Sasha smirked and her eyes widened. "Harry alert behind you! Don't look- and she looked."
Brooklyn's eyes landed on Harry as he strolled out of school, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. She spotted Josh behind him and he made his way over to the girls, unlocking his car that was parked beside Sasha's.
"Hey, ladies," he smirked and looked at Brooklyn. "It's going to be awfully lonely in my car, wanna join me Brooke?"
"Smooth," Brooklyn chuckled and caught Harry's eye from across the carpark. He was now standing with Greyson, Kal and Ace. "I'd love too," she said and walked round to the passenger side of Josh's car, climbing in, but not taking her eyes of Harry who was staring directly at her.
His expression was blank but Brooklyn knew he wasn't happy.
"Josh," Brooklyn said once Josh sat in the car and shut the door. "I'm so sorry about Harry and Greyson earlier-"
"Don't," Josh said quickly and his cheeks went slightly red. "Not much intimidates me but them two make me want to shit my pants. Let's not talk about earlier, it was embarrassing."
"Everyone is scared of them," Brooklyn murmured as Josh pulled out of the carpark.
"They're not exactly nice," Josh scoffed.
"No," Brooklyn said. "They're not."
"What's the deal then?" Josh wondered. "With you and Harry?"
"There is no deal."
"You two kissed earlier."
"He kissed me," Brooklyn corrected.
"Is it true he was round your house last night?" Josh asked and Brooklyn's mouth dropped.
"This school has more gossip than Gossip Girl," Brooklyn muttered. "Yes, he was round my house yesterday. I didn't let him in, my aunt did and he tutored me. Mrs Mental hasn't really given me a choice in my tutor."
Josh laughed. "Mrs Mental?"
"Oh shoot, that's not her real name," she chuckled.
"So if there's nothing between you and Harry is there any chance of something between you and someone else?" Josh asked.
"You get straight to the point, don't you?" Brooklyn commented and rubbed her head when the constant pressure in her head increased.
Josh just smiled.
"Josh, I don't want a relationship," Brooklyn said dismissively.
"Bad break up?" Josh wondered.
"No, I just don't want to be tied down to someone so young," Brooklyn shrugged. "We're only 17."
"You'll warm up to me," Josh said confidently.
Brooklyn arched an eyebrow at Josh and shook her head. "You don't give up, do you?"
"Nope," Josh said. "So, how you finding life here?"
"Calmer," Brooklyn said. "Life in the city was non stop. Everything was always so noisy and hectic. It's nice to get a bit of peace." When Harry wasn't involved, Brooklyn wanted to add.
"Well, you'd be surprised," Josh chuckled. "A lot can happen in a little town."
*
Brooklyn walked into the diner with Josh and she spotted Ben, he smiled brightly and waved to which she returned.
"How do you know him?" Josh asked as they made their way over to Violet and Jasper who were seated at a booth.
"He's my new manager," Brooklyn said.
"Damn you work fast," Josh chuckled. "How did you get a job here so quickly?"
"She saved our asses," Violet explained and Brooklyn chuckled.
"I don't mean to brag," Brooklyn teased.
"I hope I can get discount then," Josh said.
"Dream on," Brooklyn smiled and a loud crash alerted everyone that Alice had arrived when the door flew open and she stumbled in, tripping up on her own feet and tumbling to the ground. Brooklyn bit her lip to stop herself laughing and Sasha erupted into laughter behind Alice.
"She worries me," Violet whispered and shook her head. "She really does."
"Stupid door!" Alice yelled and Sasha helped her up from the floor and they made their way over to the booth. "I want a milkshake now," Alice demanded and slumped in her seat. "They owe me one because their stupid door malfunctioned."
"Alice, from here it looked like you tripped over... Nothing," Brooklyn said cheekily to her ginger friend.
"It wasn't nothing!" Alice protested. "It was... It was-"
"Nothing. Brooklyn, Sasha, and Violet all laughed.
"Blasted door," Alice grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Don't worry, we'll get you a milkshake to cheer you up," Sasha chuckled and patted Alice on the arm.
"I want extra whipped cream," she muttered just as the group of six were joined by two guys Brooklyn had briefly met before.
"Hey guys," Sasha smiled.
"What's up," the blonde one said and fist bumped Jasper and Josh. "We've met briefly," he said and looked at Brooklyn. "I'm Austin."
"Hey," Brooklyn smiled. "I'm Brooke.
"It's an honour to meet you," the other guy said dramatically. He had dark hair it almost looked blue and a wide smile. "I'm Tyler and you are adorable!"
Brooklyn raised an eyebrow at Tyler and chuckled. "Um, thank you, Tyler."
"He's eccentric," Josh said into Brooklyn's ear, not noticing her tense due to the close proximity. "You'll get used to him."
Brooklyn smiled and discreetly moved closer to Sasha who was sat next to her. "He seems nice," Brooklyn nodded and Alice called the waiter over.
"Let's order, I'm hungry and I want a milkshake!" She demanded.
The evening was fun. Brooklyn was glad she had a distraction from Harry and she found herself laughing more than she had in a long time.
She didn't have her parent's problems weighing her down, she was away from the city where... that... had happened, and she was having fun.
"You alright?" Josh asked Brooklyn quietly, leaning closer to Brooklyn, much to her discomfort.
"Yeah," Brooklyn nodded.
"You went quiet."
She smiled and tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear. "I was just thinking."
"About?" Josh wondered and Brooklyn raised an eyebrow.
"None of your business," she said teasingly and turned to Sasha just as the bell chimed throughout the diner and the one group of guys Brooklyn didn't want to see walked in.
"Great," Josh muttered, his eye's following Brooklyn's gaze.
"I need the toilet," Sasha said and grabbed Brooklyn's hand as she stood. "B, let's go."
"Please," Brooklyn grumbled and stumbled out of the booth and hurried to the bathroom with Sasha.
"He's a stalker," Sasha declared. "It's official."
"It could just be a coincidence," Brooklyn said. "I hope it is."
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but those guys have never stepped into this diner before you came to this town," Sasha said and Brooklyn groaned.
"Why me?" Brooklyn exclaimed. "I don't want this attention!"
"Operation Hide Brooklyn isn't going very well," Sasha noted. "We can go if you want?"
"No," Brooklyn shook her head. "I'm not going to stop doing things just because he's there."
"That's the spirit," Sasha said. "At least it's Friday tomorrow, you won't have to see him until after the weekend."
"That's if he doesn't show up randomly at my house."
"Just send Alice to attack him. She can be a rabid animal," Sasha said and Brooklyn laughed.
"I don't doubt that," Brooklyn smiled and waited while Sasha peed. When Sasha was done the girls walked out of the bathroom arm in arm, but were stopped when they nearly crashed into Harry.
"Keep walking," Sasha instructed, but Harry tutted and shook his head.
"I need to talk to Brooklyn."
"No you don't," Brooklyn shrugged.
"Yes, I do," Harry insisted.
"The girl said no, and she's wanted elsewhere," Sasha said.
"By who? Josh?" Harry wondered and Brooklyn frowned, noting the... jealous? gleam in Harry's eyes.
"Yes," Brooklyn nodded and smiled at Harry. "By Josh. We're having a lovely evening."
"I can make it better."
"I think you mean worse."
"I think you're confused," Harry said. "You seemed to enjoy that kiss earlier. There's more where that came from."
Brooklyn couldn't help but flush, but she narrowed her eyes at Harry. "I won't say this again, Harry, leave me alone."
"Or what?"
"I'll make you."
The corners of Harry's mouth twitched. "Go ahead, babe."
*
Brooklyn left the diner shortly after. She declined a ride home from Josh and instead was dropped home by Alice and the girls.
"Did you have a nice evening?" Lisa asked as Brooklyn helped her with washing the dishes.
"It took a turn for the worst," Brooklyn frowned.
"Is everything okay?" Lisa asked and Brooklyn nodded.
"Everything is fine. Surprisingly it's boy troubles," Brooklyn said with a laugh.
Lisa's eyes widened and she looked at her niece in shock. "Brooke, that's great, sweetheart!" Lisa said happily.
"Boy troubles great? Are you sure?" Brooklyn chuckled.
"No, hun, but you know what I mean," Lisa said. "After the incident... It's good you're becoming more comfortable around men again."
"Mmm," Brooklyn murmured.
"Who is it?" Lisa asked eagerly, sounding like a teenage girl. "Is he cute? Is he nice? What's his name?"
Brooklyn laughed at her aunt. "You're worse than half the girls at school," Brooklyn said. "And no, he's too mean looking to be cute. It's rare that he's nice, he's an ass and I'm not telling you his name."
"He sounds delightful," Lisa said sarcastically.
Brooklyn scoffed. "But even after all that there's just something about him," she sighed and chewed her lip. "I can't quite place my finger on it."
"Somebody has a crush," Lisa grinned.
"No!" Brooklyn blurted. "God no!"
"I think so," Lisa nodded. "Wait, it's not that charming young man that tutored you, is it? He was dashing."
"Maybe," Brooklyn grumbled.
"He seemed lovely, reserved, but a nice boy."
"Oh, he's not," Brooklyn said. "I want him to leave me alone."
"But you feel something towards him," Lisa said.
"What? Feel something, no!" Brooklyn gasped.
"He's the first guy you've been comfortable with since the incident, minus Brandon and your uncle."
"How do you know I'm comfortable with him?" Brooklyn questioned and Lisa grinned sheepishly.
"I may have seen you two in your room last night," Lisa admitted. "He kissed you."
"Why didn't you say you knew-"
"I didn't want to say anything unless you mentioned it!" Lisa said quickly. "B, this is a good thing. He's clearly helped you. He kissed you-"
"It was barely a kiss," Brooklyn pointed out.
"But it was still one," Lisa shrugged. "Brooklyn, the fact that you didn't freak out about that is a good thing. That's great. It means your getting better."
"No," Brooklyn shook her head. "That's the thing; I'm not getting better. It's just him that makes me better. No one else."
Lisa frowned and nodded. "Then he obviously means something to you."
"I've known him for less than a week and I already think he's a dick. He doesn't mean something to me."
"Well, if he means nothing then why is he causing you so much trouble?"
Brooklyn opened her mouth, but no words came out.
There was just something about Harry.
He made Brooklyn want to run and hide, but he also made something stir deep within her, and that worried her.