Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Twelve

"Bro, are you serious about that goldfish?" Brandon couldn't believe Jacob was serious about Merida.

"Dude, I am," Jacob replied, turning to grab a drink.

Brandon shook his head. He wasn't convinced. "What makes you into her?"

Jacob frowned, deep furrows forming between his brows. He shot Brandon an annoyed look.

"Bro, do I really need a reason to like someone?"

"Yes, bro! You can't just like a person because you feel like it! What about Elise? What if she comes back all of a sudden and—"

"Elise is not coming back, Brandon! She made her choice," Jacob snapped, tossing his head to the side. "Don't mention that name again!"

Silence hung for a few minutes before Brandon broke it.

"I'm going home. It's getting late," he muttered, frowning.

But before leaving, Brandon added under his breath: "You're just seeing her in Merida."

When the door shut, Jacob crushed his cup in his hand and tossed it away. Brandon's words echoed in his head. No. He knew the difference between grief and liking somebody. Elise might have had his heart once, but he had moved on. She wasn't coming back.

•••

Brandon was driving when he spotted a girl handing food to street kids. Curious, he pulled over—and saw it was Merida.

"Was she an orphan?" he wondered, then remembered meeting Mrs. Hollyn.

He got out of the car and approached.

"Are they your family? You stink like them."

Merida looked up, recognizing one of the bullies. She smiled gently at the kid. "Go back and eat well."

The child ran off. Merida stood, facing Brandon with clear dislike.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, ignoring his insult.

"Well, I was walking around and—"

"People like you are too lazy to walk streets like this. Don't play nonsense with me."

"So you decided to be brave?" he scoffed, stepping closer.

"No, I'm just saying."

Brandon's smirk spread. This wasn't the same Merida Candice and her chicks bullied. This version was stronger, proud—and it intrigued him.

"Did you stand up to Jacob like this? Maybe that's why he sees Elise in you."

Merida frowned.

She didn't know about Elise. Brandon grinned wider.

"Oh well, whoever she is, I don't care," Merida said flatly, turning away.

But Brandon wasn't ready to let her walk off. He caught her hand.

"Let go!" she shouted, shoving him off.

"I'll walk you home."

She blinked. "What?"

"I said, I'll walk your ugly ass home." He looked away.

Merida narrowed her eyes. "No, thank you. I can manage." She marched forward, but he caught up again.

Annoyance painted her face. This was just like when Jacob started following her around. Birds of a feather, she thought.

"Why are you still here?"