Love Drunk

Chapter 8

-Brooke-

"Brooke?" I hear a familiar voice behind me and I turn around to see the most unexpected person in history.

Brandon.

"Brandon?" I say and literally try not to smile. Stupid, I know. That's why the house is so familiar. From the party.

"So, you know each other?" Belle asks as she sets the lasagne on the table. I feel Brandon looking at me so I glance at him to find I am right.
"Yeah, we go to the same school." Brandon tells his mother and we all take a seat, me between Belle and Casey. I would much rather be curled up in my bed, in my room, in my house.

"We have another two but they're at a camp. They'll be here tomorrow." Belle tells me and I nod.
"So, you're from England?" Louis asks me and I nod my head yes. Call me rude, but I don't feel like being very nice.
"Where about in England?" Belle asks with her perky voice. It can actually get quite annoying.
"Oxford." I say and their eyebrows shoot up.

I'm going to make one thing clear: not everyone from Oxford is posh and polite, quite the opposite.

"So, you're smart?" Brandon asks with a hard look on his face but somehow managed to grin.
"You could say that." I say carefully. I'm pretty sure Casey wasn't understanding any of this conversation but she still had that huge smile little kids always have.
"So, why come here?" Louis smiles and I sigh. What am I gonna say?

Oh, you know. My mother decided to move in with the man that would kill her a couple days later.

"She wanted is to move in w-with..."
"It's fine, sweetie. Sorry, we didn't know." Belle sad and rubs my arm sympathetically. I guess she caught up fast. I take a deep breath and avoid eye contact with Brandon but I can feel his eyes on me. His parents probably haven't told him.

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"Goodnight, darling." Belle gives me a smile and a smile back.
"Goodnight. Don't stay up too late!" Louis says and they go to their room. Right, just me and Brandon.
"I'm going to bed." I say quietly and capture his attention from the TV.
"Oh. Goodnight." He says quietly and I go to what I should be calling my room, I guess.

The school said I can have as much time off as I want but I'm going in tomorrow. I'm not going to sit and cry for the rest of my life. I love my mum, I will always miss her. She's always been by my side. And I will never stop loving her. I will never stop missing her.

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I put on black jeans, a black and white striped crop top, my leather jacket and my black ankle boots. I do natural makeup and tie my hair up. I grab my stuff and jog downstairs.

"The British 43 year old woman was brutally beaten by her partner. Joseph Brown was taken into custody but later escaped. If you see this man, call 911 immediately as police have reason to believe he will be after Brooke Jones, Holly Jones' daughter." I hear the TV and I cautiously turn to it. It's on the fucking news. But why would Joe be after me? Brandon looks back at me and looks very shocked. Shit. So much for keeping it a secret.

"Brooke, don't you think it's better you stay here? Just until they find him." Belle says next to me and makes me jump. When did she get here?
"I-it's fine. I will be fine." I reassure her. But at this moment I can't help but think that I'm trying to reassure myself as well as her.
"Come and eat something then." She says but I shake my head.
"No, I'm not hungry. Thank you." I say and glance at Brandon who still hasn't taken his eyes off of me.
"Come on. I'll take you to school." He says and walks out towards his car after giving his mum a kiss. I take a deep breath and say goodbye to Belle.

I get in Brandon's car and buckle my seatbelt. He looks at me for a second and starts driving.
Don't you love awkward silences?
"Meet me at the parking lot after school. I'll take you home." He says, not taking his eyes off the road.
"It's fine. I can get Ryan or someone to drive me." I say quietly and he sighs.
"Okay." He says and park the car in the parking lot of our school.
What is it with people driving to places they can walk to?

"Brooke!" I hear Ryan's voice and he walks towards me and pulls me into a hug. I was not expecting this.
I hug him back, he probably heard the news. I don't care if it's pity because right now, this is exactly what I need. We pull away and I accidentally let a tear escape but quickly wipe it away.
"Where are you staying?" He asks me and I sigh.
"Foster home. But guess who's the kid?" I say and he furrows his eyebrows. "Brandon!" His eyes widen and I can tell he's trying not to laugh.