Back To You

Hurricane Brooke

Jesse reread the message from Lucas.

He couldn't believe it. Part of him was hoping it was a prank, but he knew it wasn't. Because Lucas wouldn't lie. Not only was Lucas a mutual friend of Jesse's and Kaycee's, but he really hated Brooke. Brooke had made Lucas the laughingstock of the school for three years. All because he cried at the end of The Notebook. But what Brooke didn't know was that before they watched that movie, Lucas's grandparents had died. And the movie triggered flashbacks.
Jesse didn't know how he would handle it when Brooke showed up. Did he miss her? Of course he did. They had dated for three years. But his mom was right. He had been in love with Kaycee since he was 10, and he still was.
Which just added another issue he would have to deal with. Judging by her comment on Brooke's status, Kaycee was pretty pissed off about her coming here. But Jesse didn't understand why. Unless.. she was jealous. Jesse's head was spinning because of this crazy mess, but he knew he had to get to school, and worry about the drama later. He headed out to his truck, and started the long drive to school.
❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋❋
Jesse pulled up to Jeffersonville High School. He didn't realize how lonely the ride to school was, until Kaycee wasn't with him. He had texted her the night before to see if she needed a ride to school, but she never responded.
He saw her walking over to his truck, and he jumped out. There was an awkward moment of silence, before Kaycee spoke.
"So... I saw that Brooke's coming to North Carolina. You excited?"
Jesse looked down at his scuffed up Nike shoes.
"I can get through this if I don't look at her. Spit it out Hale. Tell her you like her, before it's too late."
"No. I'm not going to get back together with her. So I don't understand why she thinks that. I'm falling for someone else. And that someone is-"
The loud shrill sound of the bell cut him off mid sentence.
"Can we finish this later?" Kaycee said, tucking a piece of her long, curly black hair behind her ear. I need to get to AP Chem so Mr. K doesn't give me another detention slip."
Jesse tried to mask his disappointment, but failed.
"Sure."
Kaycee wrapped him in a hug. "Thanks! You're the best!"
Jesse watched her walk away. He couldn't believe he blew it. Just as he was about to punch a wall to let out some of his pent up frustration, he heard Lucas walk up.
"How about instead of punching a wall and potentially breaking your hand, you tell me what's going on instead?"
What felt like an hour later, Lucas looked up at Jesse with an amused expression.
  "I already knew you liked her. Everyone knows. Everyone but you and Kaycee it seems. Now the question is, what are you going to do about it?"
Jesse ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know. But I need to figure it out. Soon."
"Yeah. You do. Now let's head to psychology before Mr. O'Connor decides he actually wants to take attendance today, and he realizes we're late."
  After the boys escaped psychology without a detention slip, they were headed to Algebra II, when they heard the PA system crackle to life.
  "Good morning Jeffersonville students. I know all of you were excited to resume classes today, but as of right now, classes for the rest of the day are cancelled. There has been a gas leak in an unknown part of the school. Please evacuate the building."
"Well now that we have a day off, what do you want to do?" Jesse asked.
"Let's grab Kaycee, head back over to your place, and binge watch something on Netflix." Lucas replied.
The two boys made their way down to the chemistry lab, where they saw Kaycee waiting by the door.
"So what's the plan for today?" Kaycee asked.
"Binge watching Bones on Netflix." Lucas answered.
"That sounds great. Now let's get out of here."
Luckily,  Jesse parked close to the chemistry lab entrance, so they didn't have to walk far.
Lucas and Kaycee both made a beeline for the passenger side. Kaycee managed to get there first. Looking defeated, Lucas climbed into the back seat.
"Can we listen to the CD you made me?" Kaycee asked.
"Sure. I just need to take it out of the case." Jesse inserted into the CD slot.
  The three of them enjoyed the few moments of silence before the music started.
🎶 Like pieces of a puzzle without each other we're in trouble trouble. I will always stay by your side forever, because we're better together. Hey there's no other way, we'll make it through whatever, cause we're better together.
..Me without you just isn't okay🎶
They pulled up to Jesse's house, and exited the truck.
Kaycee ran into the house, the boys on her heels. "Bones marathon!" They cheered.
Ashlee emerged from the kitchen. "You three are home early. Is everyone okay? Please tell me you didn't get suspended."
Lucas laughed. "We're fine momma H.  No one got suspended. There was a gas leak so they let us out early. "
"Oh. Okay. I just got done making no bake cookies, do you guys want some? I can bring a plate out here."
"Sure mom. That would be great." Jesse replied.
Jesse, Lucas, and Kaycee were in the middle of watching the episode of Bones where Booth shot the clown, when the door bell range.
"I'll get it." Kaycee said, getting up from her spot between her two best friends.
The boys heard the door open, and then they heard a voice that made them both freeze.
"Who the hell are you, and where's Jesse?" Brooke shrieked.
Lucas looked at Jesse. "Hurricane Brooke has arrived."
Jesse nodded. He felt like he was going to throw up. He walked into the hallway, hoping to remain undetected. No such luck. Brooke spotted him before he managed to get up one stair.
"Jesse."
"Hi Brooke. What are you doing here?"
Kaycee looked shocked. "This is your cheating ex girlfriend? No wonder I thought I saw a snake."
Jesse saw Brooke's jaw drop. No one had ever dared talk to her like that. Ever.
Lucas appeared in the hall, along with Jesse's mom. Lucas had a bag popcorn in his hand.
They all turned to look at him. "What? I didn't want to miss the show."
Jesse turned to look back at Brooke and Kaycee. "Seriously Brooke, why are you here?"
She started crying, and it was almost believable. Almost. "D-Drew ch-cheated on me."
Kaycee look amused. "Two things. One: Cut the fake crying crap. No one's buying it." Brooke's "crying" immediately stopped. "And two: you expect your ex that you cheated on, to feel bad for you because you got cheated on. Wow. You amaze me. That's the dumbest thing I've heard in a while. But I can assure you, Jesse doesn't want to get back together with you. He told me this morning."
"You're lying." Brooke said. "Jesse told me he would always love me."
Jesse walked down to where the two girls were.
"Actually Brooke, Kaycee's telling the truth. I don't want to get back together with you. I'm falling for someone else, and it's someone I never want to lose again."
Jesse knew everyone was watching him. His mom looked hopeful, and Lucas had popcorn in his hand, almost an inch from his face. Brooke looked like she wanted to commit murder, and for once in his life, he was unable to read Kaycee's face.
"Who is it?" both girls whispered. The difference is, Brooke already knew, she just wouldn't let her heart accept it, until he actually said it.
Jesse looked at Kaycee. "It's you. It has always been you. I was too stupid to admit it before. And I'm sorry it took me this long."
It was quiet, while everyone awaited Kaycee's response.
"I've been waiting for you to tell me that since we were ten years old. But it's okay. Because I never said it either. It's always been you for me too Jesse. Always."