Fighting the Distance ~ {n.h.}

Chapter 3: Revelations

"What the fuck?" I croak, looking at the two people, who have been come strangers, standing in front of me.

My parents.

"Leave," I hiss, narrowing my eyes at my mother and father, but mostly my father. I step back and begin pushing the door closed, but the door buckles. I look down to see my father's foot in the doorway. He pushes the wooden door open and walks past me, my mother following closely behind. They take a seat on Melissa's bed; I let out a loud sigh before sitting across from them.

"We need to talk to you," my father says lowly, looking at his folded palms in his lap. "What happened was--"

"I don't want to talk to either of you," I fire back at him.

"Brooke," my mother starts, but I cut her off.

"I don't need you," I spit. "I'm just fine with Niall."

My father laughs. "I don't see him here. You really think you he loves you?" He scoffs.

"You know nothing about him, or me anymore for that matter," I sneer. "You both need to leave; I have nothing to say to you."

"You can't--" my father begins. But before he could finish, I'm running out the door, down the hallway to the elevator. I swipe my ID quickly and press the down button. I look behind me, heart racing, to see my parents sprinting down the hall. Finally, a ding signals and the elevator doors fly open. I press the 1st floor and the doors begin closing, but a hand pries the door open again. I brace myself for what's to ensue.

"Sorry," a familiar voice mumbles. I look up to see Chad strolling in and taking a spot next to me. Soon after, the doors close and the elevator begins descending.

"Holy shit," I sigh in relief.

Chad chuckles. "You okay?"

"Actually, no," I sigh. "My parents forced themselves into my room. I narrowly escaped from World War III," I laugh. "I thought you were my mother, or worse--my father."

"I never thought you'd be happy to see me after last night," he whispers. "John told me that I made a pass at you, and I'm really sorry."

I nod my head before responding. "It's okay; you were drunk. Just promise me it won't happen again--and that you won't sleep with Melissa again when you're both wasted."

He shakes his head and looks down at the wooden floor. "That shit was fucking stupid," he murmurs. "I don't even remember any of that. I--" Before Chad could finish, the elevator doors swing open to reveal the 1st floor of the building.

"No need for an explanation," I call behind me as I leave him behind me.

"Wait up!" He calls before jogging over to my side. "Would you wanna grab ice cream tonight? It's on me."

"Sorry, but I already have plans," I tell him, trying to decline as nicely as possible. "Maybe another time," I add in awkwardly before strolling to the dining hall to meet Melissa.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How'd it go?" I ask anxiously as we take a seat at one of the circular tables. 

"Fine," she smirks. "Everything is fine."

"Good to hear," I respond before taking a bite of my slice of pizza. "Just please take it easy at parties from now on," I chuckle.

She giggles along too before answering. "You've got a deal." We eat for a few moments in silence before Melissa decides to speak up. "So uh, what are your plans for tonight?"

"I'll hopefully be talking to my boyfriend," I smile. "I'm praying for some Face Time."

"Really? I wanna meet him!" She says enthusiastically.