Trainer to Be

Chapter 12

"Leoni. You're back." Mum squashes me against her chest. I understand that she missed me but this is a little too much affection to show in front of other people. Scrap that, it's just too much affection to show. "I thought you'd died."

"Yeah yeah." I push her away. "No one kills me except me. You should know that by now."

"Sweetheart don't talk like that." She squeezes my hand in a reassuring way. "It makes me worry about you. You're ten years old for crying out loud, live your life to the fullest." That's a bit rich coming from the lady who wouldn't even let me on the front lawn until a little while ago.

I push past her. "I'm going to my room." She shouts after me. I don't understand why she does that. It's not like shouting is going to make me turn around. I mean seriously, I haven't battled Brooke in so long. Get your priorities straight mother. I guess I've just had no need to since I met Pikachu.

I flop down on my bed and snuggle into my pillow. The whole way home Nora was slagging Brooke off. The two of them obviously don't get along and I'm stuck in the middle of it. Eventually I'm going to have to choose, and I don't want to loose either of them. Speaking of which, I need to check up on Brooke. We haven't spoken in what feels like forever. I hope she didn't find out I went to London with Nora. I could just text her. Or I could go to hers. If the time doesn't mistake me, she's just got out of school. Which means we should arrive at hers around the same time.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and heave myself up. Should I bring Pikachu? Nah. I open the door and trudge down the stairs. Mum left her keys on the side. Stupid move if you ask me. Someone could easily reach them through the letter box. Honestly, for someone so paranoid you'd think she'd think of that. "Mum, I'm going to Brooke's." I holler. If she didn't hear me it's her problem. Locking the door behind me, I start the not-so-long walk to Brooke's house.

I ring the bell. Hearing the familiar sound from the other side of the door makes me smile. It's been a hot minute since I've been here. Brooke's brother, Alfie, answers the door. He gives me the famous Avercliffe death stare, something that I've never had the pleasure of witnessing. "You've got some nerve showing up here." He utters through gritted teeth.

"Nice to see you to." I respond. Sure, I've never been Alfie's favourite person but that was just uncalled for. "Is Brooke home?"

"What's it to you?" He snarls. I just stand there, smiling. He will answer me whether he likes it or not. Why? Because I'm not leaving until I've seen my best friend. After about five minutes he gives in. "Well, it's obvious you're not leaving." We've got a Sherlock over here everyone. "She's in her room, but it's probably best if you didn't talk to her right now."

I scoff. "Bitch please, we all know my speciality is not doing what's best." I stride past him and barge into Brooke's room. Did I mention that she lives in a bungalow? It's really convenient for lazy people such as myself. Her bedroom door creaks open. "Brooke? You awake?" She's face down in her pillow. I've known Brooke since I was born. Never have I seen her like this. She always jumps up when I come in, it's kind of annoying at times but I'd give anything for that greeting right now. I mean, this isn't the way to treat your best friend after three days of being apart. "Brooke?" I edge a little further into the room. Maybe this is a decoy and the real Brooke is going to jump out of the wardrobe and floor me. It's not like that's never happened before. I plop down on the edge of her bed. "Wake up sleepyhead. You're not graced with my presence every day."

"I'm not asleep." Her head snaps up. I can see the tears pouring down her face, the veins bulging out of her cheeks. I tumble backwards in shock, my back making contact with the hard floor.

Rubbing my back, I stare at her with a puzzled look. I've never seen her like this before. I don't train myself for ten year old mood swings, that's her parent's job. "What gives?" I question.

She snatches her phone up from her bedside table and shoves it in my face. "How could you ditch me for Nora of all people?" I can't believe my eyes. On the screen is a picture of me taking the trophy from Zoë. How did she get this, I was sure I covered my tracks. Sure, it wasn't the best excuse in the world but Brooke isn't exactly the brightest of the bunch. If it was up to me, I'd say she's one of the dumbest.

"H- how did you get this?" I stutter.

She smirks through the tears. "Why don't you ask your new best friend?" That's when I noticed the contact name. Nora. Why would she do that? I get it, she doesn't like Brooke, but that's no reason to break up our friendship like this. I swear I'm going to kill her. Well, not kill her. The jail time isn't worth it. I'll just eat all her chocolate and hope for the best. Snapping me out of my thoughts, Brooke claps me around the side of the face. "Now get the fuck out of my house."

I clutch my cheek in pain. "What?" I'm honestly just amazed. I didn't think Brooke had it in her to do that. She's never come across as the violent type. Oh fuck the memories, this bitch is going down. I land a punch directly on her nose. "You can kick me out of your house Brooke, but if you're going to slap me you've got another thing coming." I grab her collar and pull her face close to mine. I can see the fear in her eyes. She has every right to be scared, I'm Leoni Hayes for crying out loud. Queen of violence. The thick blood drips from her nose onto the floor, staining the plush carpet. I stare her straight in the eyes. "I've always been stronger than you and I always will be. Remember your place for crying out loud." I shove her away. The back of her thigh hits the wooden bed frame and she falls to the ground.

"From now on we're no longer friends." She cries through gritted teeth.

I smirk. For the first time I realise how much I tower over Brooke. There isn't actually that much difference between our heights but from where I stand she looks like a midget. "That's fine by me." I turn on my heels and storm out of the house. I can't believe Nora would rat me out. I thought we were friends. Maybe we're such good friends that she went yandere on my ass. Just in a friendly way not a romantic way. I only know one thing for sure. I've had enough drama for today. All I want right now is to go home, watch some TV and eat the world out of aero bars. It's like the girls who break up with their boyfriends and eat five tubs of Ben and Jerry's while drowning their sorrows in Netflix. Except I haven't broken up with anyone. I'm just hungry and fed up. What is my life?