FATE

99. Lauren's Big Brother

BROOKE

The car stops in front of the house and i glance out through the window. My chest has been thumping since we left the apartment. I scan my appearance once again- plaid skirt with a white sleeveless shirt and a new denim jacket Blake got for me. The thigh high boots seem a bit too much but when i told Mandy where I was going today, over skype last night, she said i had to "dress to kill".

Not exactly sure what that means.

She's coming back home tomorrow. Thats a good thing since I won't be too bored when Carmen is hanging out with Hailee which is eighty percent of the time.

Mandy has Danny too. She said they were still together.

It sucks being the only single person in a friend group.

"Brooke?", i look up to meet Blake's worried eyes, "are you okay? Does your head hurt?", he asks with a small frown on his face, "i told you we should have left the bandage on"

"No, I'm fine", i say quickly, "its just been a while since I've been here"

He looks out the window, "but this is where your boyfriend lives, right?"

I sigh internally. I never told Blake that Jonah and I broke up. He did ask why Jonah never came around. I had to make up an excuse and say he had to go out of town which was a lie.

I glance at his house, the window at the extreme right end of the building- i wonder if he's home. If he is, i hope he doesn't come out to take out the trash or anything like that. Blake would know i lied.

"Yeah but I'm here to see Hailee", i say, "I'm going now"

"Okay", he leans in and plants a small kiss on my cheek, "I'll see you later. Try to have fun today okay? This is your first time out of the house since your little accident"

I groan, "don't remind me about that"

I'm still embarrassed that i couldn't even do something as simple as walking up a trail in the rain.

I open the door and motion to get out.

"Say hi to your friends for me", Blake says.

"Sure", i walk out and shut the door behind me, "bye"

He beams, "bye"

As Blake drive away, i glance at my reflection in the window. I think i look okay but i was able to cover the side of my head with my hair. I didn't need to wrap it all up with a long bandage anyway. All i needed was a little bandage patch.

I spin around on my heel and take a deep breath. The neighborhood is silent. As i walk towards Hailee's house, my gaze doesn't leave Jonah's. No sound comes from it. I wonder if he's going out with us today. Mandy said it wasn't possible for Hailee to go out without him. What do i say if i see him? I already practiced everything but i know if he was really in front of me, i would lose my train of thought.

I hit the doorbell and listen to it ring- but the song isn't over before the door opens.

"Cute Brooke!", Francis raises his hands and yells, "you look so pretty!"

Before i can reply, he pulls me in for a hug and squeezes. I gasp.

"Hi Francis", i trail when he releases me.

"How you doing?", he asks, "sorry i couldn't come over the last time"

"I appreciate the times you did come over", i smile as we walk into the house.

Francis, Carmen and Hailee visited as often as they could- in between Hailee's daily sessions. She might be able to walk before next semester is over. It makes me happy.