Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 49 - Escape

Unlike Bam, October knew exactly what was in her contract. She also knew that her contract had an escape clause because she made sure it was in there before she signed on the dotted line. She never planned on using it, and had never had to before but this time extenuating circumstances demanded it.
A quick meeting that afternoon with Myra was all it took. As she packed her equipment for the last time in preparation to leave the bush, she heard footsteps behind her.
"Bam, I said everything there was to say this morning. There's nothing left. I'm done." She said without turning around.
"I'm not Bam." A timid voice said quietly. October turned around to see who had spoken.
"You're Matt's girl." She stated flatly.
"Yes, I'm his girlfriend but I like it better the way you say it." Amber offered October a shy smile. Her eyes moved to the two bags stacked by October's feet. "Are you leaving?"
October nodded.
"I wish I was as brave as you are."
October frowned. "How do you say that?"
"At first I thought being on TV would be fun and exciting but it's not all it's cracked up to be."
October smiled. "You do okay. You don't come off vapid. Can't say that for some people." She added bitterly.
"Surely you mean Bambi."
October didn't even nod.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." October shrugged.
Amber took a step closer. "Why didn't you want to be on the show?"
October frowned. "No one really asked me that before." She said more to herself than to the other woman.
"Not even Bam?"
October smiled sadly. "I guess he assumed..." She trailed off. "No."
"So why didn't you?" Amber pressed.
October sighed. She was never going to see this chick again so what did it matter if she told her.
"I'm a rather private person. I keep those I love very close. Since my grandmother died, those I love have numbered two; my brother, August, and..." She stopped abruptly.
"And Bam." Amber filled in helpfully.
October looked at her. "Yes." She then took a deep breath. "My brother was seventeen when he came out to my mother and stepfather. They threw him out of the house. I was only fourteen but I left with him. It wasn't a happy few years. Then, this past November, I was attacked by someone I thought was a friend. There were criminal charges. Of course that's a very condensed version of those two events but the reason I don't want to become a reality TV personality is because nothing is private anymore. People will dig up anything and everything from my past and splash it out for anyone else who wants to read it. I don't want those things about my life floating around for anyone to judge. And my brother's life and career don't need to be affected by the decisions that I make."
"You could keep those things private." Amber argued.
October shook her head. "No. Think of the things that have already been dug up about this family; Matt's DUI, Ami and Billy's age difference at marriage, not to mention all the false rumours flying around, like that Rainy is actually Bam's daughter. I will not willingly invite the general public to dissect and judge my personal life."
Amber nodded. "I understand. You make a lot of sense."
October smiled sadly. "Maybe I should have just said yes."
"I still think you made the right decision though - for you at least." Amber replied.
"Don't know if I agree with you there. Look at which one of us still holds onto a Brown brother." October gestured to Matt who strode up behind Amber and circled his arms around her waist. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you." Amber smiled at October in understanding as Matt planted a kiss on the top of her head. October turned away from them and continued packing her things.
Amber whispered something to Matt and pointed out October's luggage. Matt sighed loudly and scrubbed his hand over his face. "He just needs more time, October." He pleaded on his brothers behalf.
"Yeah, Matt, you already said that. I gave him time." She stepped closer to Matt with sparks in her eyes. "I gave him a hell of a lot more than time." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I gave him everything. And what do I gave to show for it?"
Matt smirked and pointed at her. "You've got a lust bite on your neck." October rolled her eyes skyward and yanked her scarf up to her chin. Matt let the smile fall from his face and he turned very serious for a moment. "I voted for you. We all did. No one wanted this to happen." October wrinkled her brow. "Matt, what are you talking about?"
Matt's eyes widened for a second and then as fast as he had turned serious, he cracked a huge grin and shook his head. He stepped forward and gave October a loose hug. "Bye, October." He said.
"Goodbye Matt." She said with finality. "It's been fun knowing you. Hang onto her, she seems sweet."
Matt stepped back and put his arm around Amber's waist again. "She is." He agreed and squeezed her against him.
"It was nice to meet you, Amber. Good luck with everything. Don't let all this-" she waved her arm toward the camera crew, "-bullshit come between you two."
Amber nodded solemnly. "I had hoped that we would become friends. I'm sorry to have just met you before you leave."
October picked up her bags, gave the bush one last sweeping glance and left them standing at the edge of Browntown.