Brooklyn (A Paul Lahote Story)

Chapter Ten

"It just seems to be sprained. Just be careful for the next 24 hours and you'll be good to run." Sue Clearwater says, a smile spreading across her face.

I smile back, standing up after her before shaking her hand. "Thank you." I say, pulling my hand away after a few shakes.

"Anytime dearie. You do live next door." She laughs and I giggle, nodding.

"Who would've thought you'd live next door to a nurse and her two kids?" I jokingly say, making Sue laugh some more.

"How is she?" My dad asks, walking in the kitchen. Mrs. Clearwater smiles, walking over to my dad before shaking his hand.

"Just a sprained ankle, nothing to worry about." She answers, smiling.

"Okay, good. Thank you." He says, relief washing over him. I smile softly before hobbling my way past them and towards the stairs, my body feeling sick and sweaty from this morning. I need a shower.

I stand before the stairs, placing a hand on the railing and hop up onto the first step, determined to succeed going up the stairs without help.

"Trying this again?" The familiar voice of the man-who-should-not-be-named says.

I roll my eyes, jumping up again - at least trying to. Sure, the first step is easy but past that - forget it.

"Leave me alone Lahote." I say, peering over my shoulder but refusing to see his face.

I hear footsteps descend the staircase and I look up, watching the fake blonde make her way down with a red box in hand. Wait, is that-

"That's mine!" I raise my voice, turning my body as she passes me.

"Not anymore it's not. It's trash." She says, walking over to the front door.

I jump down from the steps, attempting to run over to the front door but fail. "That has my moms stuff in there!" I shout, watching her pull the door open.

Paul brushes past me and out the house as tears begin to swim my eyes. No....

~*~

"I swear, movies makes this look so much easier than it is.." I harshly say under my breath, attempting to put on leggings while I stand.

I just got out of the shower after staining my face with tears and forcing my aching body to move, washing my hair and body with freshly shaven armpits and legs. The hot shower definitely helped wash away the sadness and anger but it didn't take care of the hurt thoughts swimming through my brain.

"Dani, I- oh shit.." I hear a deep voice begin to say, the door opening slowly before shutting, making a loud sound.

I'm too focused on the door before realizing that I've lost my balance, falling backwards, landing on my butt.

I groan, grabbing a tank top before putting it on. "Just come it!" I shout, glaring at the unknown person behind it.

In comes the one and only, Paul Lahote. I roll my eyes, leaning over and gathering the fabric that belongs to my leggings before pulling it up and over my sprained ankle. "Can I help you?" I say dully, slowly standing up with the support of my bed.

A huff escapes my lips as I hop on one leg, trying to pull up the pants quickly so that it doesn't get the pleasure of seeing another girl half naked. "I should've grabbed shorts..." I mumble under my breath, my leg getting tired from the added weight.