AFRAID {a.i.}

CHAPTER NINE

Song of the Chapter: Fuck You - Lily Allen.

Monday dawned on me and I realised I had to face Zac today. It scared me that I would be in practically all his lessons today, some without Ashton. I didn't even know if Ashton would be there for me today. He's completely different around his mates, isn't he? I shrugged it off and ran downstairs for breakfast. Grandma greeted me with a smile and kissed my cheek.

"Good morning Brooke, I haven't seen you all weekend." She sighed. I nodded and gave her smile.

"Sorry Grandma, just been busy, you know." I shrugged and sat next to Brad who nudged me. I nodded to reassure him I was okay.

"Doing what?" Grandma chuckled and Jeff grabbed a piece of toast. I did also. I scraped butter across my bread and began to eat it.

"Ah, she's been hanging with that guy from the party." Jeff laughed and I noticed Bradley's hands clench around his cup. I looked at him and glared. He loosened up.

"Ashton, he wasn't from the party." I assured and Brad sighed.

"I'd like to meet Ashton." Grandma suggested and I chuckled.

"No you wouldn't." Brad snapped. "Come on, Brooklyn, I'm late, let's go." Brad pushed his chair back as he stood up and he walked to the door. I shrugged to Jeff and grandma. I kissed both their foreheads and walked to the door, grabbing my bag. I followed Bradley's lead.

"Bye guys, have a nice day." I shut the door and continued following Brad to his car. "What the fuck Brad, could you make it anymore obvious?"

"Brooklyn, I'm not in the mood." Brad yelled. I got in the car and slammed the door, as did he.

"You know what Bradley, do you really think I am either?" Brad started up the engine and I bit my lip, holding in my anger. "You don't need to be a dick about it Brad."

"I'm sorry B. I'm just having a hard time right now.." Brad pulled out of the drive and sighed. I looked over to him and noticed his tired eyes struggling to stay open.

"What's happened Brad?" I sigh.

"Just miss mum, she didn't deserve any of this shit." I noticed his grip tighten on the steering wheel. My heart sank. Brad wasn't one for the emotions.

"I know." I spoke quietly.

"Fuck, I hate this. I think I'm gonna go back home." Brad said, causing my face to drop.

"I've just come back Brad and you're fucking leaving again." I snapped. Brad rolled his eyes.

"It's not all about you Brooklyn. I need to go away, get out of here." I felt my eyes water.

"What about me? I thought you loved me? I thought you wanted me back Brad?" I felt tears fall down my cheeks.

"Why are you getting so upset? I'll be back." Brad assured pulling up to the school. We were early so no one was around.

"Because I know you think it's all my fault." I blurted. Brad looked at me, his face saddened.

"What's your fault?"

"Mum, dad. You're all thinking it." I say looking down. Brad takes my hand and sighs. He tightens his grip.

"B, you know that's not true-" I cut him off.

"You know what Brad, just fucking leave and go back home. I don't care." I got out and slammed the car door. I walked around to the school gate. The nightmare with Zac is getting to me and I hate to take it out on Brad but I was upset and it hurt me that he was leaving.

"Brooke, I'm sorry." I heard him call after me. I ignored it, but when he drove off, I turned. I pulled out of my phone. 23 June. 6 months since mums death. I know understood and instantly regretted what I said to Brad. I closed my eyes and lifted my head, letting tears fall. I miss mum.

"Brooke!" A familiar masculine voice came from behind me. I turned and quickly wiped my face. Ashton. I smiled. "Have you been crying?"

"Just a thing with my brother. I'm fine." I lied. Ashton opened his arms and pulled me into his chest, hugging my tight. I closed my eyes and embraced it.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He whispered into my hair. I shivered and his close touch. This was the closest we got since Friday night.

"Better now, thank you." I smiled and he pulled away looking at me. Our eyes met and I clearly saw him lean in.

"Hey, Ashton, what you doing here early?" Ashton stopped to the sound of Luke's voice. I noticed the boy with the pierced lip walk over to us. I smiled at Ashton knowing he was frustrated.

"You've always been one to interrupt a moment, haven't you Luke?" Ashton sighed, chuckling.

"Oh sorry what was I interrupting?" Luke looked at me. I shook my head.

"Nothing, Ashton's messing with you. We were discussing Zac. Weren't we Ashton?" I looked to Ashton and he nodded.

"Are you okay now though?" Luke asked. I smiled and nodded but before I could speak, a short girl with long black hair ran up to Ashton. I watched her. She was wearing shorts that barely covered her ass. Her crop top was showing her bra. I cringed at the sight.

"Ashton baby." Her voice whined. My mouth fell open as I looked at Ashton. His eyebrows furrowed and he looked at me. I felt saddened by her words. Ashton looked at me and I looked down.

"Uh.. Ness, come over here a second." Ashton started to walk away and 'Ness' followed.

"I was thinking about your phone call Saturday and..." I heard no more from her as she walked to Ashton. Phone call? Baby? Ness? What?

"Who is that?" I turned to Luke, my voice cracking.

"That's Vanessa, her and Ashton had a thing back before." I watched Vanessa giggle and throw her hands on Ashton. I shook my head.

"I'm gonna catch you later." I stopped watching Ashton and Vanessa make contact with each other and I ran off.

"No- Brooke I mean.." Luke called over but I kept running to the school entrance.

"Dude what the fuck did you tell her?" I heard Ashton call. I ran through the open entrance and straight to the girls toilets. Today was already going worse than expected, and I hadn't seen Zac yet.

After a long 4 lessons, lunch came and I walked through the cafeteria, grabbing a drink and paying for it quickly. I still hadn't spoke to Ashton. He kept smiling at me throughout English class and he tried to catch up with me before chemistry. I don't know why I was so bothered by 'Ness' it's not like me and Ashton were even like seeing each other. I guess I didn't think he was seriously like that. I walked down the steps to be greeted by Zac. I froze.

"Baby, you've been avoiding me." His arm draped over me and I shifted it away. My body was tense. "I sure hope you haven't opened up about Friday night to anyone." He whispers, slyly.

"Hands off of her, Zac." Ana pulled me in between her and Cassie as she glared at Zac.

"You blabbed didn't you darling?" His hand grazed my chin and I couldn't speak. My hands were shaking. Cassie grabbed my hand and tightened her grip.

"Don't listen." She quietly informed me. I nodded and tried to ignore it.

"What happened Zac?" A boy called from the soccer team. I looked at Zac and he smiled, dryly. I hesitated. He walked to me.

"Well, this one gave it up to me didn't she? But she couldn't get enough so she had to get some from Ashton as well. Welcome to the school, slut." He lied through his teeth and I felt tears brewing along my waterline.

"Come on, dude, we know that's not true." Calum, one of Ashton's friend spoke up. I slightly smiled at him and he looked down as Zac glared.

"Maybe we should let your mummy know how badly you've been behaving recently. I'm sure she'd be very disappointed." I let go of Cassies hand. My face dropped and I stood shocked.

"Her mothers dead, you fucking dick." A angry voice shouted from the stairs. I looked up.