The Sensible Solution

chapter four

The rest of mine and Braedon's trip into Westlake turned out out be majorly uneventful, but his curious and concerned glances for the rest of the afternoon were enough to put me on edge. Our run-in with Logan was something I certainly hadn't expected, and in all honesty I wasn't ready to explain that situation to anyone just yet, the pain still fresh in my mind. Braedon and I were pulling back up the long driveway at 2:07, after we spent too much time driving to the park on the other side of town. I would call our day trip a success despite the event in the candy shop, I was overjoyed that Braedon was such a sweet heart. No doubt he would be a heart throb come back to school, he flirted like no other, but I could tell that was just his personality.

Opening the front door, I was met with complete chaos. I could see party planners, assistants, and workers running around my house carrying various objects, trying to get the dinner-party ready. As if on cue, my mother came quickly stomping into the entryway.

"Brooklyn Drew! I specifically told you to be back here by 2 o'clock, and what time is it," she quickly held up her Fossil watch-clad hand to read the time, "2:08! There's too much to do without your nonsense! I expect you to listen to me, and you can't even manage to do that! As a host, I expect you to escort Braedon at this party. Introduce him to all the family, yes? You think that isn't too much to ask? I don't think so either. Now go, Bethany is waiting to get you ready in your room." My mother barked and ordered to me, all in one breath, without waiting for me to say a single word.

"Braedon, your mother left you an appropriate outfit in your guest room. I hope you and Brooklyn here will be standing together in this foyer in 60 minutes." My mother also told Braedon, walking away letting neither of us time to utter a word in response. She had obviously given up the welcoming host act to Braedon, and had gone straight into drill Sargent mode. Ironic since the party was for him technically.

We both glanced over at each other with gaping expressions before busting out laughing, earning ourselves glances from the staff around us, not that either of us cared. We began walking up the winding staircase still chuckling from my mother's scolding.

"I'll just knock on your door when I'm ready," I told him between recovering giggles "I'm sure I'll take longer to get ready,"

"Hey, you never know, I take my hair very seriously," Braedon winked before walking into his room and shutting the door. Allowing me to freak out about his wink to myself.

"Hey you about ready to stop freaking out over new boy there, and get your hair done?" I heard Bethany ask from behind me, leaning inside my door frame with her arms crossed and an amused glance.

Bethany was technically my "stylist" my mother had hired for every event I ever attended. She did my hair, makeup, and the works, but she was actually like a really cool aunt. She was in her late 20's and had short strawberry blonde hair, she also had a 3 year old son who came from time-to-time and whom I absolutely adored. I could tell her anything and we usually ended up gossiping every time she came over.

"I am not freaking out over him," I defended myself, but I could feel my cheeks heating up.

"Mhmm, sure sweetheart," Bethany assured sarcastically, "Now c'mon, we have to get started, you're already late, and your mom will kill me if you're not done in time." Bethany told me, taking me by the arm and putting me down in a chair in my room to get started right away.

"So who is this kid anyways, no one even told me you were gonna have people staying with you. I already did the daughter's hair." Beth asked, referring to Savannah, and starting my face makeup.

"I only found out a few days ago too," I mused, "And Savannah? Yeah she's nice isn't she?"

"Yeah she's nice, quiet one though she is. I can tell you're smitten by that boy though." Bethany said with a cheeky smile, brushing some type of powder on my face.

"No way, he's just nice. A good friend maybe." I quickly covered.

"Don't bother lying to me Brook, I can tell. He's a cutie though, you guys would be adorable together." for some reason this comment made my stomach erupt in butterflies.

Within 45 minutes Bethany had finished my golden makeup, and red lip as well as a 20's inspired curls hairstyle, that went perfectly with my dress.

"Thanks Beth, it looks amazing as always," I complimented, I always felt pretty after Bethany was done dolling me up.

"Any time sweetheart," Bethany lightly hugged me, "Have fun tonight, I'll see you soon."

After she exited I carefully slipped off the outfit I was in and put on the dress my mom and I had bought. After slipping on a pair of tall gold stilettos, I looked at myself in the mirror and dreaded the hours to come. I never understood the need for lavish parties. I made my way out of my bedroom and across the hall to 'escort' Braedon for the evening. After a knock on his door he quickly opened up. He was dressed in black dress pants that hung perfectly on his slim figure, a white dress shirt and black jacket, along with a skinny black tie. His hair was quiffed up per usual, and I couldn't help but stare at his perfect attire.

"You clean up nice Brook," he joked at me with a signature smirk. "Would you help me with this flower thing my mom left in my room. It's supposed to match your dress or some shit since your escorting me I guess." He laughed, holding up a gold boutonniere.

"Um yeah," I said gently taking it from his hand and reaching up to pin it. I could feel him looking down at me while I nervously fumbled to close the pin. "there you go."

"Shall we go then," I started walking. Quickly after, I felt a warm hand slide onto my lower back guiding me down the stairs. Despite his hand there to help me remain upright, I found myself trying even harder to keep my composure. Reaching the bottom, I spotted my mother looking as perfect as always in a long navy dress with no sleeves an a high neck.

"You look lovely Brooklyn, and so handsome Braedon. You two look just ravishing together, quite a couple you make." I looked away embarrassed, but Braedon was clearly the opposite,

"Thank you very much Mrs. Sanders, I'm sure Brooklyn on my arm makes me look much better." He smooth-talked. At this point, I was internally on the ground dying at his compliments.

"Oh Braedon, you're quite a gentleman, isn't he Brooklyn?" My mother asked.

I mumbled something in between a 'hell-yes' and 'yeah' before my mother waved over one of the photographers. Who the hell hires photographers for a dinner party?!

"Get a picture of these two," She directed with a smile, and before I knew it, Braedon had snaked his arm around to my waist and pulled me in close to him, only allowing me to slightly smile before the flash went off. I pulled away from him slightly, letting his hand fall back to the small of my back once again.

"We'll see you later mother," I sighed, guiding Braedon over to the bar. One of the things about being rich was no one cared how old you were when you began drinking, as long as you weren't a wild drunk, and did it in moderation. I quickly asked for a glass of wine to take the edge off myself before dinner even started. Braedon declined an offer for a drink. I thanked the bartender and made my way with Braedon still in tow over to the sitting area.

I discreetly pulled out my phone, hoping not to be rude, but I was snapchatting Callie before I left my room to get Braedon and she was probably wondering why I had so suddenly stopped replying. I tried to casually take out my phone and not be caught taking a selfie, but of course Braedon caught me. He raised an eyebrow at me before taking my phone from my hand, scooting in close to me and holding my phone up to take it of us both. This made me laugh, while he made a typical kissy face like a girl would, resulting in a picture with my nose scrunched up giggling and him with a silly duck face.

"Who's it to?" He casually asked with my phone still in his hand.

"My friend Callie, she's not here because she's on vacation," I explained, while he sent it to her handing me my phone back.

Not even 30 seconds later, she sent back a reply; a surprised face on her and the caption "who the hell is that Brooklyn!". Me an Braedon both laughed and took another selfie with our tongues out sending it back to her.

We spent the next 30 minutes avoiding the stuck up people around us, and taking silly snapchats on my phone. It was then that I realized with Braedon in the past 24 hours, I had laughed more than with anyone I had in the longest time.