The Secrets That Bind Us

Chapter 2

BROOKE POV

I can't stop thinking about Joey. I'm not some kind of whore he sleeps around with random guys she meets at bars, I just went after what I wanted for once. No one in my life puts me or my needs first. They always expect me to put them first, and I do, but not that amazing night last month, no for once that was about me.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by Georgia rifling through my closet, she's headed back to the bar tonight. She's been every Friday night for the last week trying to get the hot bartender to notice her. She holds up the new dress my mom bought me, its expensive material red wrap around dress, she holds it against her body "hey, Brooke, I was going to borrow this but since red isn't your colour and makes you look fat do you want me to just take it to keep hun?"

I look at her with furrowed brows, "actually my mom just bought me that, you can borrow it but you will have to bring it back" she throws it in a pile of clothes she's claimed from my closet, without asking and waves a hand at me, she gives me that fake smile "oh don't worry about it I'll talk to Mandy, I'm sure she'll understand I'm doing you a favour." She's not wrong, I'm pretty sure my mom wishes Georgia was her daughter instead of me.

We head downstairs to grab some breakfast before we have to leave for college, the campus is a ten minute drive from my home so I decided it would be easier to stay here than live out of dorms. Plus Georgia said that I would get stuck with a horrible roommate who would hate me being around and I should just stay at home with my mom.

Georgia walks into my kitchen, and my mom instantly greets her, "oh Georgia hun, how good to see you, I love your hair" she takes a pause from fluffing up Georgia' long copper hair, "Brooke why don't you grow your hair out like Georgias and add some colour to it. Yours always looks so drab and lifeless"

I'm used to this conversation. See my mom is a 'socialite' basically my grandparents left her a shit ton of money so she's doesn't have to work. My dad left after I was born to be with his secretary and has never looked back. Mom thinks status and looks as every thing. She's tall and blonde and has a face full of botox. She's always dressed in a nice dress and you would never catch her without her makeup on.

I have inherited some of my mom's life lessons, I'm not a slob, I'm always dressed appropriately for leaving the house but she definitely doesn't approve of my lounge wear when I'm not going anywhere. The biggest lesson I've learned from her however is always wear a smile, no matter how you feel, smile. Which is why when she comments on my hair, like usual, I turn to her with a smile, "I like my hair this length and its natural colour mom. But thanks for the suggestion."

"oh, Mandy that red dress you got Brooke is beautiful, but I'm not sure she has the right body shape for it, I was thinking I could take it for her, you know so it's not there a reminder that she can't pull of those kinds of outfits." She says it in a way that makes her look like she's doing me a favour, talking softly with a pitiful look on her face.

My mom thinks it over for a moment before agreeing, "you're right, she obviously has no interest in going to the gym and getting in shape so just take it sweetie it will look gorgeous on you." I look at them both, for guccis sakes I wish they would both leave me alone. I'm a size 6 I'm hardly fat, if anything I can afford to put a little weight on. If they want to be size 2s and are happy about it I don't bug them about the fact that personally I find them too thin. No I keep my opinions to myself because it's none of my damn business.

"oooo I'm sure has a pair of red prada heels that would go perfectly with that dress!" my mom announces, It takes a moment before her words register with me, "mom those are my shoes for my graduation I've been keeping them specially" she clicks her tongue at me "Brooke Marie Garcia. Georgia is your friend don't be rude" sure mom I'm being rude because I want to keep my graduation shoes Ive had for the last 2 years to myself. "yeah Brooke, I mean I really need some shoes to go with this dress, your not gonna make me go out and buy some are you?" she gives me the puppy dog eyes as if that's some sort of unreasonable idea. "whatever" I don't even have the energy to argue with these two so I just grab my bag and go and sit and wait in the car for Georgia while her and my mom help themselves to whatever they want of mine, as usual.