Unexpected Turn of Events

Chapter 8: What is she hiding?

P.O.V Conner:
I wanted to ask Brooke about her parents fighting the other night but I just didn't know how. It resulted in me opening up and telling her my mother was dead even though I didn't really want her to know. For some reason I felt like I could tell her.

She is one of those people you feel like you can trust anything with and I haven't had that type of person in my life since I moved out of foster care. I was surprised when she didn't ask me how, when or why..was it that she didn't care or was she to afraid of bringing up bad memories. Either way I'm glad she didn't because I don't want her to look at me with pity like people in Miami did.

"Conner .. Your yogurt is melting if you aren't going to eat it I will." Brooke reached for my strawberry and vanilla yogurt slowly trying to grab my attention.

"You really do love frozen yogurt don't you." I chuckled pushing it towards her. She eagerly began to scarf it down with a giant grin. I don't really want to stop hanging out with her so maybe we should go do something

- my thoughts were interrupted when Brooke's face turned pale and glared at the door behind me.

"What is it ?" I asked turning around to see what had her so freaked out. First I saw Ryan who gave me a weak smile. Next to him was a man who was average height with a bald head and a taller heavier woman with short dark brown hair. If those are her parents then why would she look so frightened of them. Is her dad strict or overprotective.

"I have had a great time and all but It looks like I have to go. I promise to pay you back tomorrow." Brooke quickly stood up and walked over to Ryan.

"Today isn't a good day Brooke.. I'm sorry but you should come home with us." I heard Ryan explain leading her out of the yogurt barn. There it is again the terrified expression that crosses her face when her parents suddenly get involved in situations. what could she possibly be so afraid of. Are they strict ? Or worse.

I watched Brooke slowly follow her brother not even looking back at me. Her mom walked past giving a strange look in my direction while her dad completely ignored me. Acting like I wasn't there and his daughter hadn't just been talking to me.

They all got in the car that was parked by the door and immediately I could see her mother yelling at Brooke. Tears began to fall down her face and Ryan started to hug her while the dad slowly pulled out of the parking lot and began to drive off. Forcing me to sit and wonder what I had just seen.

*Ding* *Ding*

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket to see who had texted me.

"Hey I had so much fun! Thanks for inviting me out after school see you tomorrow ! Oh And next time we get yogurt its on me."

the text showed no sign that she had just been crying in the car before she pulled away.

"Ya no problem I had a great time too we should hang out more. anyways are you okay??"

"Oh uh ya why."

"Well you left in a hurry and you looked like you were crying in the car .. "

"HAHA ya I'm fine I wasn't crying Ryan poked me in the freakin eyes and haha ya."

I didn't feel like responding because I didn't want to go along with that pathetic lie. It was obvious she was crying and I want her to talk to me about it. Although pushing her wouldn't do any good.. I took in a big breath and let it out placing my palm on my face in frustration

"What exactly is she hiding." I whispered with mixed emotions.

On my way home part of me wanted to just drop by her house and check in on her.. She did leave her backpack in my truck. I should call her at least.

Riing.. Riing.. riing..

"Hello? " Brooke's voice was uneasy and I could hear sniffles on the other line along with screaming and the slamming of doors.

"Hey you left your bag in my truck do you want me to drop it off I'm on my way home now .. " I tried my best to block out the background noise and act like I didn't hear any of it.

"Oh .. Yes please but um I'll meet you outside." Again she had a nervous tone.

"Alright well I will be there soon so you should go out there now " we said our goodbyes and she hung up first. Her house was really close and it wouldn't take more than a minute to get to it.

From the sound of things she was still crying and her parents were fighting worse, but that doesn't matter at the moment. What matters is getting to her and checking on her.

As I drove up Brooke was standing at the end of her drive way in a blue sweater and fuzzy pink pajama shorts. Her hair was in a messy bun and her eye makeup was smeared all around her eyes. Even though she looked like a total mess she was still beautiful as ever. She began to walk to my truck and I unlocked the door.

The door opened and I could see the forced smile appear on her face. but her lip began to quiver as she held tears back.

"Brooke... Why don't you get in my truck and just talk with me for awhile.We can stay parked here or go wherever you want. I uh I just don't want to be alone." I looked down at my steering wheel hoping she would take me up on my offer. Thankfully she did and climbed into my truck shutting the door behind her.

"W-we can stay here." She stuttered again trying not to cry. A few moments of silence passed before I looked over at her hoping she would begin to talk but all I saw was her hands covering her face as she cried loudly. without saying anything I leaned over the arm rest and pulled her into my arms. For what felt like forever she just cried into my chest letting everything out. with each cry I held her closer not wanting to let her go. It felt like if I did she would shatter into a million pieces.

"Brooke why are you crying so hard?" I whispered into her ear as her sobs began to calm.

"I can't tell you."she pulled away and looked at the dashboard in front of her.

"Yes you can I'm here for you Brooke, is it your parents." I asked timidly.

"Yea but it's not that big of a deal." Brooke began to mutter continuing to stare ahead.

"Obviously it is since you just cried into my chest for ten minutes."

"I'm sorry but, I just can't talk about it see you later Conner." before I could say anything else she was out of the truck and walking to the front door with her phone in her left hand and her black backpack in the other.

"Please just tell me I want to be there for you." I sighed while I watched her March in the house.

"I would probably understand." I said to myself again but no matter how much I said in my truck she couldn't hear me and I knew she wouldn't tell me either way.