The One Who Left

Chapter Ten

Brady's POV

"It all started with Sophie," I began quietly. Brooke's expression stayed the same, "She told me she had so dirt on you. But I didn't believe her of course, since she had tried to do this before. But this time it was real. She told me she knew about your arrest."

"My what?" Brooke looked horrified, "I've never been arrested."

"I know. I told her that while I rolled my eyes. But she, she's, a monster. Her and her friends had made all of these things to make it look like you were arrested. And let go. It was insane," I was getting nervous remembering the choice she gave me, "She told me she would tell everyone at the school this information and then leak the pictures and more while saying I have out the info on the arrest. Or I could go with her. I told her neither. I would tell you what was happening and stay with you. And she said only if I wanted to make your life a living hell."

Brooke looked in shock at this point.

"So I made the hardest decision of my life. I gave you up. And tore you apart. All to protect you."

"You-" Brooke started but I cut her off.

"I realized afterwards how dumb I was. We could've done it. You trusted me and would have known I would never make up such a story. But I was dumb. And I am so sorry." As I said these words I saw the day of the incident fly past my eyes, "I was wrong."

•••

She had walked into school looking perfect as usual. She had grabbed her books and was waiting for me at her locker. I watched her, my heart breaking already.

"You've made your decision. Too late to back out now," A voice said happily in my ear. I turned around and saw Sophie looking at me with the smirk, I've grown to truly hate.

"I hate you," I growled.

"That better change to an 'I love you' before lunch honey," Sophie said with a laugh that seemed to drip with poison.

"Go away. I need to be by myself for awhile," I told her looking back towards Brooke, who had started looking nervous. I loved her so much and it broke me to know I'd be hurting her by the end of today.

Finally the bell forced me away from Brooke who looked slightly queasy. As she retreated towards her first period I whispered, "Good bye my best friend. You are going to do great things in this world. Please do not let what is about to happen, stop that. Don't let this break you. Be strong."

The next to periods seemed to going in slow motion. Every second was closer to the start of a horrible plan, one I wish I wasn't involved in.

But break came. And as I let Sophie play with me, letting her touch me. Anywhere she could reach was fair game. I knew Brooke was watching. I could feel her broken gaze on me. But I pretended to not notice her. I had to pretend everything was perfect. It was so hard.

But not has hard as lunch. Lunch is where everything happened. I purposely ran right into Brooke, and Sophie said the worst words.

"Brady watch where your going, you don't want slut to rub off onto you," Sophie said her voice dripping with fake concern. I had only eyes for Brooke though. I looked at her for one final moment, the only one she would ever love me again. Her eyes were so worried, not their usual sparkling self. And as I said the next terrible words, I felt time slow down. I felt my heart break for Brooke. For me.

"Don't worry, I'll wash off. Join me?" My words felt like they were coming for a different person, "Watch where your going next time, will you?" Every word killed me.

I saw Brooke struggle with a reply. I wanted to leave now, but I knew I wasn't finished hurting her. Sophie would never allow me to leave now. Finally Brooke gasped out a few words, "Brady what the heck is wrong with you? You're my best friend-" But I forced myself to cut her off. The next words flew off my tongue so harshly I felt myself flinch.

"No. We are not best friends. I'm not sure why we were best friends to begin with. Your such a know-it-all and let's be honest not even pretty at all. Sophie is everything your not," I wrapped my arm around Sophie and continued, "So stay away from us. I don't need your screwing up this. I know your past with Sophie. You messed her up bad. So stay away Brooke."

Brooke looked at me with an expression I knew I would never forget. It was filled with so much pain and sadness, the only thing keeping me from grabbing her and pulling her into a tight embrace, was Sophie's iron grip on me. She ran out of the cafeteria with a single sob escaping her lips. I moved to go follow her but Sophie's grip grew tighter still.

"Don't even think about it, your with me now," With that Sophie pulled me towards my new table of "friends". With Brooke's sob still ringing in my ear, I sat down and began the next terrible phrase of my life. One that I had to take on without my best friend by my side.

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This chapter made me sad :(

But I still hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to read and vote!

I love you all so much!

Thanks for being the best!

xoxo, izz