Brooke's POV:
I didn't know what was going on anymore. Everything had changed. But for the worse.
Last week was surreal. It was the best week of my life. And then suddenly, everything changed abruptly. It became a nightmare.
What? How? Why? When?
The questions jumped in my mind like freaking kangaroos. But there was no one to answer them.
It had been a week since it happened. The ignorance, the kiss, Jake's face when Claire slapped him. Everything seemed like a very bad dream that shouldn't ever come true. Did it really happen?
I wanted someone to tell me it was just a dream. I didn't want this.
For seven days I saw a Jake who was not his usual self and even Claire had changed. It was surprising how seven days can change things rapidly.
I saw Jake staring at Claire sometimes. I saw Claire staring at Jake sometimes. But they didn't talk at all. They were acting like they didn't know each other. And it didn't feel right.
I watched Claire with Jesse, the jerk who treats her like shit. I saw her smile at him. And she didn't even spare me, her best friend a single glance. She seemed distant. I'm convinced now that she has the Frog Prince Syndrome.
I sighed, circling the circumference of my coffee cup with the tip of my finger. I was sitting with the boys. Without Claire.
It was not like I chose not to sit with her. It was just that she chose to sit with Jesse rather than us.
I felt like I lost my friend to Jesse. What had he done to her?
"Brooke? Are you alright?" I heard Brian ask me. I looked up at him and he stared back.
"I think so," I said.
He placed a hand on my shoulder. "I know you are upset about Claire. But don't worry, everything will be fine. I think she just needs time." It won't be alright anymore.
But I nodded anyways and smiled at him.
"How is Jake?" I asked him, nodding at Jake who was sat opposite of me.
"He's good. Was broken hearted for sometime but I guess he's better," I nodded again. "You know he still loves her."
"I hope Claire stops being stupid and finally realises that she loves him too. I know she does." I sighed, my gaze drifting to Claire who was in the middle of a heavy make out session with Jesse. I grimaced and looked away.
"Yeah. I hope so too."
I took a bite of my sandwich. Brian turned back to the conversation he was having with Sam and Josh.
"Hey!" Gemma's all too familiar voice reached my ears. I groaned silently as she slid into the seat between me and Brian. I didn't know why but I really didn't like her for some reason. And why did she have to sit beside me? If she was chasing Brian, she might as well sit on his lap. She was extremely annoying and really couldn't shut up at all.
She sat with us everyday in Claire's seat and talked to us, well more specifically to Brian.
I watched them as she talked to Brian. That was what she did every time she sat with us. She was wearing a pretty red skirt that reached a bit above her knees and a plain cream coloured shirt. And I hate to admit it but she looked really good.
As soon as the bell rang, I stood up immediately, muttering a quick goodbye to everyone as I made my way to my Chemistry class.
I sat down on my seat beside the window and complete my homework that was left undone.
A few minutes later, students began to trickle into the class and soon enough everyone was seated at their places. Brian entered the class a little later. Gemma was still with him.
I watched as they laughed at something that she was saying. She left a minute later and Brian walked to his usual seat. He no longer sat behind me. He walked over to me and plopped himself down on the seat beside me.
The teacher entered the class too and settled to teach us.
"So, Gemma and you, huh?" I asked Brian nonchalantly. He turned his head to the side to look at me.
"What?" He asked, his eyebrows knitted in confusion.
"You like Gemma?"
"Gemma? Um...Yeah she's a great girl."
"Just a great girl? Or a great girlfriend?" I felt so nosy but I couldn't help myself. I had to ask.
"She's not my girlfriend. I don't like her that way."
"Hmm...Sure you don't."
"Really. I like her, but as a friend."
"I don't think so. But Gemma is definitely rooting for you. I can see that."
"Things that one sees can be misleading." He retorted.
"But what I see is not misleading me anywhere. I know she likes you. Boys are so damn oblivious to the obvious. I can see that she really likes you."
He shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not."
I shook my head at how blind he was to Gemma's behaviour and turned back to pay attention to the teacher.
I know one thing for sure that Gemma likes him. I saw how she flirted with him, how she sat with Brian and mostly talked to him. She was beautiful and everything and as Sam had said, Brian was lucky to have her attention. But then, why didn't he have any interest in her? Why did he want her only as a friend? Didn't boys prefer girls who were hot. Gemma was the definition of hot. She was rich and the head cheerleader. Everybody wanted her but she wanted Brian. Yet, he only thought of her as a friend.
I was doodling on my book when I felt eyes on me. I turned my head to look at him and he was staring at me.
"What?"
"Why did you want to know what relationship I have with Gemma?" He asked.
"Um..." I shrugged. "I don't know. It will give gossip girls some spicy gossip to talk about?"
He smirked. "Is that all?"
"Yes. What else would the reason be?" I frowned at him.
He didn't answer me and turned his attention to the teacher with a smirk. I began doodling again.
I honestly didn't know why I was interested in his personal life. He could do whatever he wanted. He could make anyone his girlfriend, why did I care?
Finding no answer to this, I thought that the reason I gave him about the gossip was the only thing why I was interested in who he dates or who he didn't.
"Hey," I whispered to Brian after some time.
"What?"
"When are you going to tell me about your...family?"
He visibly stiffened at my question. "I don't think I will."
"Why not? No, you have to tell me. I told you about my past so I have a right to know yours too."
"No you don't. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone about your family. I just can't tell you about my past."
I glared at him and he looked away. "Why won't you tell me?"
"I don't want to. I'm sorry."
"Brian, you have to trust me. I won't judge you based on your past. I told you about my dad when we practically knew each other only about a little over a week. I was so stupid. I shouldn't have told you! You promised me you would tell me."
He took a deep breath. "Brooke, I won't tell anyone about your dad. You can trust me on this. But I can't tell you about my past. I just can't. Please," He pleaded.
"You don't trust me," I realised. I told him about my family, about my dad which even Claire didn't know much about. And he just wouldn't tell his. Why?
"It's not like that. I just-" He began to say but I cut him off.
"It's okay. You don't have to tell me if you don't trust me. I can understand that I was an idiot by trusting you. You are smart. Good for you."
He frowned at me, "Brooke, you've got it all wrong. I can't tell you, not because I don't trust you."
"If that's not the reason, then why aren't you telling me?"
He looked away, "I don't know. Please, don't ask me this again."
I stared at him dejectedly. He didn't look at me again.
"Fine," I said shortly.
~
"Hey Brooke," I heard Darren call me from behind. I turned around to face him.
"Hi, Darren," I gave him a small smile. "What's up?"
"Are you free this Saturday?"
"I don't think so. Why do you ask?"
He shrugged. "Just thought we'd hang out."
"Is the whole group going?" I frowned. "How come no one asked me before?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. "No, I didn't ask anyone else. I thought that-," he paused to wet his lips. "-that maybe only we two could go."
"Oh," I said, not knowing what to say to him. We never went out without our group. We never hung out, just the two of us.
I opened my mouth to say something to him but I heard a loud bang, as if a locker was slammed shut angrily, a few metres behind me. I jumped a little at it and turned around to see Brian walking away from his locker.
I guessed he was angry at me for asking about his past. Sometimes I hated myself. Why did I had to be so nosy? I knew it was wrong of me to ask him about his past. It was his choice if he wanted to trust me or not. And I was stupid to tell him about me. And if I did, I shouldn't have expected the same of him.
Darren cleared his throat beside me. I had completely forgotten that he was there. "So...what do you say?"
I glanced up at him. "I would like to hang out with you Darren, but just not now. I'm not feeling like being with anyone. But I'll call you if I change my mind. I hope you don't mind that, would you?"
"It's alright," He said with a small smile. "But do call me if you want to be with a friend, I'll always be there."
"Thanks," I said as I gave him a hug. "Thanks for being a great friend," He hugged me back tightly.