I Won't Let You Close Enough to Hurt Me

Chapter 27

     When Brooke and Nina walked into John's suite, they saw that everyone else from the senior company was already there. "Hey guys!" John sang as he wrapped his arms around Brooke and Nina.

     "Hey John," Nina laughed before kissing him on the cheek.

     "Do you guys want a drink?" he asked.

     Brooke and Nina nodded as John disappeared into the kitchen area. While she waited, Brooke pulled out her phone to see if she had any messages from Nick, but she didn't. "Why am I here?" Brooke thought. "I should be trying to make things right with Nick."

     About a minute later, John reappeared with two red cups. Brooke was parched, so she grabbed one and took a huge gulp. After she swallowed, her throat burned. "What is this?" she choked.

     "It's just punch," Nina said casually. Brooke shot her a look. "Spiked punch," Nina said as an evil grin snuck onto her face.

     "Nina, we have an audition tomorrow! I can't do this," Brooke insisted.

     "Brooke, we're not gonna drink that much! We're all nervous about the audition tomorrow and this just takes the edge off. Trust me, just drink one and you'll start to feel better about the Nick situation," Nina argued.

     "Fine," Brooke sighed, and took another drink.

     With each sip, the punch got less disgusting. The problems with Nick slipped into the back of her mind, and she was able to have a good time. She was dancing and laughing with the senior company, and she felt like she finally fit in with them.

     Once Brooke was done with her first drink, she went back for another. As she was filling up her cup, Auriel approached her. "Brooke, don't drink too much," Auriel warned.

     "I saw that you had two cups," Brooke snapped.

     "Yeah, but this is you're first time. One drink is gonna affect you way more than it does me," Auriel paused and looked at Brooke, who was unsuccessfully trying to get the punch into her cup. "And it looks like you're a lightweight."

     "I'm just trying to have a little fun!" Brooke laughed.

     "Fine, but no more after this," Auriel instructed, and then helped Brooke fill up her cup.

     Once Brooke had her drink, she made her way back to the living room area to dance more. She finished her second punch and threw her cup on the floor. She was dancing like a crazy person when she felt someone rest their hands on her waist. She whipped around to see Brandon's face.

     "Get away from me," Brooke slurred.

     "Brooke, lighten up. This is a party," Brandon said.

     "I don't care. You ruined things between me and Nick. I can't even look at you," Brooke said as she pushed him away from her. Brandon must have realized how upset she was, because instead of continuing to bother her, he turned his attention to Payton.

     Brooke watched as Brandon grabbed Payton and backed her to the wall. He picked her up and started to kiss her. Brooke assumed that he was trying to make her jealous, but it didn't work. She heard Payton whisper, "Brandon, stop," but he didn't. He forced his lips against hers until she pushed him down.

     Brandon walked away casually as Payton ran out of John's suite. Brooke decided to find Nina and see if they could leave; things at this party were getting out of hand. Not only was she afraid of having to deal with Brandon again, but she could barely stand up straight. She checked her phone to see that it was 9:45. If she left now, she could make it back to the hotel room before her mom and sister did.

     Brooke looked everywhere for Nina, but she couldn't find her. The first person that she saw was Katherine. "Do you know where Nina is?" Brooke asked.

     Katherine nodded. "Last time I saw her, she was in the back room with John."

     Brooke rolled her eyes. It looked like she was on her own getting back to her room. She made her way to the door of John's suite and opened it. Once she stepped out into the hall, she was face to face with Kelly. "Brooke Marie Hyland!"