A few days later, as it's a nice day, Brooklyn and Alyssa are sitting on the grass in the park doing some school work.
'What time is your curfew?' Alyssa asks Brooklyn.
'I don't know.' Brooklyn shrugs. 'I didn't really pay attention when they told me. If they want me back, they'll text me.' She adds. 'Or if I'm very late, they'll send out PD. Either or.'
'Maybe you should call and ask.' Alyssa suggests.
'Nah, it'll be fine.' Brooklyn sighs. 'We gotta get this done for tomorrow anyway.'
'Why did I decide to choose AP classes.' Alyssa falls back and lies down.
'Because you're smart.' Brooklyn pulls her girlfriend back up.
'So are you.' Alyssa raises an eyebrow. 'Yet you're not taking AP classes.'
'I've only just started at the school.' Brooklyn laughs. 'At it's nearing the end anyway so there's no point. Besides, I've already got more than enough credits to graduate so there's no point.' She picks her notepad up and puts it in her backpack. 'C'mon. Let's go get something to eat and then I've got an idea of where we can go to get our tracks recorded.' She stands up and pulls Alyssa up to her feet. They both pack the rest of their belongings into their backpacks and make their way to the Starbucks across the road. They walk in and order a drink and something to eat. They sit down at a table and eat. After half an hour, they've finished. They clear their table for the next customer and leave. When they walk outside, Alyssa turns to Brooklyn.
'So, where are we going?' Alyssa asks.
'I know someone who runs a recording studio a few blocks away. He said that I could their booths whenever I wanted to.' Brooklyn replies. 'I text him this morning, they've only got one booth booked for the day so it won't be busy so he's booked us into one and he'll do the majority of the tech stuff.' She looks at her watch. 'We better get going, he's booked our slot for in half an hour. Come on.' They hold hands and Brooklyn starts leading Alyssa to the recording studio.
.
Arriving at the recording studio - "Ferryboat Recording Studio", Alyssa and Brooklyn walk in and sign in at reception. They sit down and wait for the owner to come and collect them. After ten minutes, the owner, Adam Marshall walks over to them.
'Hey, Brooklyn.' Adam smiles.
'Hi, Adam.' Brooklyn smiles back as she and Alyssa stand up. 'Thanks for letting us do this at such short notice.'
'No problem.' Adam nods. 'You know that I'll always try and fit you in as soon as I can.'
'This is Alyssa. My girlfriend.' Brooklyn introduces Alyssa to Adam.
'Hi, Alyssa.' Adam grins, shaking Alyssa's hand. 'It's nice to meet you.'
'You too.' Alyssa nods. Adam turns to look at Brooklyn.
'Your usual studio is free and I've done your usual set up.' He tells her. 'We've got Ben Platt in Studio 3. He said that he might pop in and say hi.'
'Cool.' Brooklyn replies.
'Wait.' Alyssa states. Brooklyn looks at her. 'You know Ben Platt?!'
'Yeah, we met a couple of years ago.' Brooklyn responds. 'I was at physio in hospital, he was visiting a friend who also happened to be doing physio at the same time as me.'
'Do you have your sets with you?' Adam queries.
'Yeah.' Both girls nod.
'Great.' Adam grins. 'Follow me then.' Brooklyn and Alyssa follow Adam to the recording studio. When they walk in, Adam closes the door behind them. 'So who's going first?'
'I will.' Brooklyn steps forward. 'Since you've already got my set-up and then after we can arrange everything how Alyssa wants it.'
'Are you okay with that?' Adam looks at Alyssa.
'Yeah.' Alyssa starts.
'Great.' Adam says. 'Let's get started then.' Brooklyn walks into the booth, puts the earphones on and they start recording. After half an hour and only a few takes, they have the final piece.
Once Brooklyn has finished, she steps out of the booth and helps Adam set up for Alyssa. Five minutes later, Alyssa is in the booth recording her song. Brooklyn is sat on the sofa watching her. Ten minutes in, Ben Platt walk in and sits next to Brooklyn.
'Hey.' He whispers.
'Hey.' Brooklyn whispers back.
'So, this is Alyssa?' Ben asks.
'Yeah.' Brooklyn nods, smiling. Ben sees how proud she looks of Alyssa.
'You really love her, don't you?'
'I do.' Brooklyn grins.
'I'm sorry about your foster parents.' Ben sympathises. 'If I had know about how they felt about LGBTQ+, I would never have given you the idea to come out to them.'
'Ben, you weren't to know.' Brooklyn shakes her head. 'Don't blame yourself. It's my fault. I should have known how they felt and went straight to CPS or to Trav.'
'Now it's my turn to say don't blame yourself.' Ben raises an eyebrow. 'You can't blame yourself for other people's ignorance. You're a strong, independent girl, Bryn. You've had to grow up fast. Too fast. Enjoy being a teenager because, let me tell you, adulting is hard.' Brooklyn looks at Ben and smiles slightly.
'How long are you in Seattle for?' Brooklyn asks.
'Another couple of days.' Ben replies. 'I was going to message you and see if you wanted to meet up for a coffee or something.'
'We could go after Alyssa has finished recording.' Brooklyn suggests.
'Don't you have to get going back to your group home?' Ben raises his eyebrow again.
'Ugh.' Brooklyn groans. 'I don't want to go back yet.' She shakes her head. 'Pleeeeeeeaaaaaasssssseeee.' She begs.
'Fine.' Ben gives in. 'Only if you and Alyssa record something with me first.'
'Deal.' Brooklyn nods. Ben looks at her weird. 'When have I ever turned down a chance to sing with you?' She laughs.
'Fair point.' Ben laughs. 'What do you want to do?'
'We could do something from Sing To Me Instead?' Brooklyn suggests. 'Alyssa and I, obviously, know all the lyrics to all the songs.'
'Which song though?' Ben asks.
'Surprise us.'
.
Its been a few hours. Ryan has been called to the group home where Brooklyn has been placed, though he's not sure why. He knocks on the door and a few minutes later, the head care worker, Charlie Johnson, answers the door.
'Hi, officer.' Charlie nods. 'Come in.' She steps aside and lets Ryan in.
'What's going on?' Ryan questions.
'We have a missing resident.' Charlie states. 'She's not meant to go out on her own for long because of things that have happened recently, I can't really go into details.'
'When was the last time you saw her?' Ryan queries.
'Breakfast time so it was about 8, maybe half 8 this morning.' Charlie replies. Ryan looks at his watch and sees that it's coming up to 9pm and writes in his little notebook. 'Her name is Brooklyn Montgomery.'
~~
EXAMS ARE NEARLY DONE!!! YAAASSS! IT'S THE FINAL PUSH! THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! WOOOHOOOO!
Let me know what you think of this chapter!
Much love