Apartment 311

Ch | 7

Brooklyn Noelle Brankovich

Chapter 7: "Need a place to stay"

"That was amazing, you're amazing," John exclaimed, squaring my shoulders once I returned to him from my performance.

I stopped grinning and my eyes subconsciously fell to his swollen lips. I swallowed hard and felt myself leaning in towards him.

"Oh look, Gael, a bottle," a loud voice interrupted John and I.

I opened my eyes and snapped out of it only to see Noah hand MY bottle of Absolut to his blonde friend, Gael.

"For me," Gael sang sarcastically, "you shouldn't have?"

I sucked my teeth at them like a little girl and felt embarrassed. I'm not even sure why, since I don't know these guys.

"Who are you?" asked John with worry as he stood under the two guys.

"Her brother. And you're just leaving," Noah ridiculed John.

"Thanks for the vodka, though!" Gael hollered as John scampered away.

Both Noah and Gael wore these goofy smirks as they looked down at me. I made a face at them and reached for the bottle but Gael, who's as tall as Noah, extended his arm in the air so I had to jump for it.

"Noah, let your friend know that I kick people," I teased, crossing my arms over my medium-sized chest.

Noah just chuckled and nodded while Gael shot me an I-wish-she-would look.

"What're you, stalking me now?" I redirected my energy to Noah, the tall brunette with dark features, chin stubble, and sunburnt sand-colored skin. His eyes were an electrifying green.

"Uh, no," he rolled his neck to mock me and made Gael laugh who trailed behind. Noah threw his arm over my shoulder and when I tried to pull away he forced my right arm around his waist.

"We saw you dancing out there," Gael said to me. I instantly wondered what they thought of my impromptu performance.

"I don't know why I did that, it just happened," I gloated and spun in a circle on my toes. I stumbled and Noah caught me, laughing. Honestly, I didn't think it was funny. I was way too disciplined to find humor in any mistake, but I laughed it off for them. My cheek burned as I remembered how Mother would slap me there whenever I fucked up.

Gael wiped his mouth and hissed after taking a shot. He handed the bottle to Noah. They did this complicated handshake and then Gael disappeared into the night.

"I know you think you're like, this funny, approachable guy, but can I have my bottle back so we can go our separate ways already," I begged of him.

"Awh. You think I'm funny?" Noah put his hand to his heart and tried sounding sweet.

"What do you want from me," I asked him.

"We're gonna finish this bottle, k? Come on," Noah insisted, taking me by the hand. He was so insane I couldn't even say no.

"Wait," Noah huffed and turned to face me. "Tell me your name. Right now."

I looked taken aback at how stern he was. "Are you putting your foot down, Noah?"

"Just tell me, or I'll call you Gretchen."

"Ew," I objected, my face curling at the ugly name.

Seeing how serious he was, I decided to confess. "It's Brooklyn."