Borrowed Courage

Chapter Ten

Brooke stood in front of the mirror in the girl's bathroom with both hands planted on the sides of the sink, checking for the third time that her eyes were dry. It was a hopeless endeavour, really. No matter how many times she splashed her face with water, or tried to hide the evidence behind her bangs, it was painfully obvious that she'd been crying. She scowled at her reflection, but eventually gave in, checking her watch with a sigh.

Twenty minutes late to class.

Guess I can't hide in here forever.

Honestly, she still couldn't quite believe that she'd even made it to school in the first place. It wouldn't have been the first time she'd skipped. But, after the argument with her mom, Brooke didn't want to give her mind the opportunity to ruminate further. She needed a distraction. It was just her luck though that she'd only thought to check her timetable after entering the school grounds, when it was too late to turn back.

That was when she'd realised modern history was her first period.

Modern history. The one subject where it would be impossible to avoid yet another encounter with Kaleb Finch.

Whatever. Brooke dismissed as she made her way down the empty hallway, coming to a halt outside the classroom. Just deal with it like you always do.

With those thoughts in mind she took a deep breath, pushed open the door... and exhaled in relief. No one even turned their heads at her entrance, the students already loud in discussion. Only their teacher, Mr Bell, glanced up from his desk at the front of the room to acknowledge her.

"Oh, good morning, Brooke." He greeted, pushing his glasses to the bridge of his nose. "You're just in time, too. I was about to mark you as absent."

"Morning." She replied as she reached his desk. "Sorry I'm so late; I missed my bus." And had a twenty minute meltdown outside my apartment, but that's not important.

Mr Bell waved her off with a warm smile. Really, the man was too nice for his own good. "There's no need to be sorry, I'm just glad you could make it." He gestured to the clusters of chattering students in front of them. "We're starting work on our presentations today, so go ahead and find a seat together with your partner. I believe I put..." He quickly scanned his laptop screen for the list of pairs. "...you and Kaleb together."

Don't worry, I'm well aware. Brooke barely refrained from saying. Instead, she nodded and turned to make her way to her desk. "Ok, thank you."

"Oh, and feel free to raise your hand if you have any questions—!" Mr Bell called out after her.

Brooke almost took a seat in her usual spot in the classroom, but hesitated. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Kaleb, already sitting at his own desk two rows to the left. Apparently, he hadn't noticed her arrival, eyes glued to his laptop screen while he typed away at the keys.

As punctual as ever. She thought dryly.

Brooke sighed, not wanting to delay things any further. Gathering up her things, she crossed the room and plonked herself gracelessly down into the empty seat beside him.

Kaleb's reaction was instantaneous. "Ah!" He gasped in shock, practically leaping out of his own chair as he fumbled with the trackpad of his laptop. But it was too late.

"What the hell am I looking at right now?" Brooke blurted out, referring to the tab he had open on his screen (that very obviously had nothing to do with their presentation).

His face turned bright red and he pulled the laptop away, visibly frazzled. "Oh c-come on, surely you've heard of them. It's the latest scoop on Vanessa and Flint, the official human/borrower power couple." He sighed in obvious adoration.