Nicotine [Brendon Urie AU]

Chapter Four ✔

Chapter Four | "Kaleidoscope Eyes" 

Brooke replied quickly before her own brain could catch up to what she was saying. "What I am supposed to do?"

"Keep this on you at all times," He passed her a phone. An entirely black phone that resembled a Blackberry phone. It was one of the older models, not that Brooke minded. She had never had a phone before, so she stared at in shock. Brooke knew what this was - Ms. Ross had one. It was a burner phone. Untraceable, able to make phone calls and record, Brooke quickly caught on. Ryan wanted Brooke to record Ms. Ross in an act of violence and send it to him, it was all connecting for the smart girl. "Make sure she doesn't know you have it. Do you have a hiding place for things?"

Brooke nodded, standing, and walking over to the vent. This was going to be the first time anyone really knew of the box in the vent, but Brooke trusted him enough. Ryan watched her take out the box, and open the lid. "I do, but it's not much." Brooke shrugged. She put the box lid on the floor, as she knelt on the ground. Ryan eyed the containment, with a little disappointment in his eyes. Brooke tried not to notice as she gestured towards them both. She knew Ryan was directly looking at the box of cigarettes and lighter on the right side.

"Are those cigarettes?" He pointed, looking down at them.

Brooke shrugged. Smoking was the least worrying thing to Brooke at this point in her life. So, she didn't see what the big deal was. "Yeah," Brooke said in an obvious tone, answering his question. Brooke has smoked since she was fifteen years old, but she wouldn't call herself an addict. She could have been doing worse; like drinking or smoking cocaine and taking LSD. That's what she told herself, at least. Brooke hoped her lack of words would steer Ryan away from his concerns, but he continued on.

"Cigarettes are hella bad for you." He stated plainly and clearly. Yes, cigarettes were horrible for lungs - especially for a teenager like herself - but she was desperate for relief and those were the easiest to get a hold of. Brooke didn't like his sudden judgment and tried to lighten the situation. She really didn't understand why it was so weird to him, many children in their home smoked as well, but never went as far to steal them. It was a common, yet awful, way to help them relax and forget what was happening around them.

Instead of answering, Brooke attempted to change the subject. "Did you just say 'hella'?"

"That's beside the point. Nicotine is terrible for your body." Ryan was right, but Brooke wasn't going admit it.

"And?"

Ryan said, pointing out of obvious, "They can kill you. Lung cancer is a huge problem."

"I've been smoking for years, dude, and I haven't got lung cancer. It's fine." At least, that's what she thinks. There hasn't really been to a medical professional to prove or disprove. Brooke made a mental note to visit a doctor when she's a full grown adult, just to see if there's anything wrong with her. Ms. Ross always thought that doctor visits were redundant and a waste of money. Plus, if one of them had unexplained wounds that neither them or Ms. Ross couldn't reason, then questions would be raised. So, Ms. Ross decided that if someone was injured they were wrapped up one whatever they had on hand and sent on their way.

Ryan sensed her discomfort and tried to brush it off. He wanted to talk more about the dangers of smoking, but it was clear Brooke didn't want to hear it. "If you say so," Ryan got away from that subject. And instead, moved onto another, equally sensitive, question. "You, know you never answered my question." He said as he watched her prop herself on the edge of the window seal, while the open box rested at her feet. Brooke tried to think back, what question was he referring to?