Apartment 311

Ch | 36

Noah Silas Anderson

Chapter Thirty-six: "Big, bad brother on board"

I woke up this morning feel like shit. My body ached and I sneezed a million times before I even ate breakfast.

I skipped my workout and decided to spend the day being lazy until I had to work late at night.

Just as went to bite into my turkey bacon, someone knocked on the door. I assumed it was Gael since no one else ever came to visit.

To my surprise, it was Brooklyn. She said a shy, "hey," and waited for me to let her in. It was weird, us not saying the usual "hey boy/hey girl."

For the first time ever around a girl, I was flustered. I didn't know what to do with myself. I scanned the messy living room, hoping she didn't think I was living like a bum.

I tried to sit and act as casual as possible, but she's smart and probably saw right through it.

"I just want to talk," she squeaked, toying with her fingers. It was hard for Brooklyn to make eye contact and she spoke kind of sheepish, like she didn't like - or wasn't used to - confrontation.

I swallowed, waiting for her to go on.

"I'm sorry I came onto you like that last night; it was wrong. I don't know what I was thinking, but it shouldn't have happened," she faltered, sighing at the end.

Damn, I felt bad hearing her say that. This is all my fault, but I didn't know she would think either of us should be embarrassed by it.

"Brooks, don't be sorry. It was great - really great. But, it's not you, it's me-"

Brooklyn cut me off and flailed her arms, pacing through the living room. "Great, now you hit me with cliches. It's because I'm easy, isn't it?" she asked so innocently, I almost went "aw" at the disheartened tone of her naturally fruity (deep or strong in a pleasant way) voice. Brooklyn hung her head and sulked away like she blamed herself and I couldn't let her do that.

"No, Brooks. What I mean is, it's my fault and I'm not mad at you; you didn't do anything wrong. And you're not easy. Plus, trust me, knowing what you want isn't a bad thing. In fact," I started to smile, "it turned me on. Don't... beat yourself up, Brooklyn, you're perfect."

I was too busy rubbing my eye to notice the grateful look on Brooklyn's bare face. "What?" I asked, oblivious.

Brooklyn grinned and let her hand fall off of the doorknob. "I didn't know you thought so highly of me," she beamed.

Then what I said hit me and I physically facepalmed. "Shit, I didn't - I didn't mean to sound so corny. I don't know why I said that-"

"Sure, I believe you. Well, that's all I came to say, I'll let you get back to living like a hermit," she joked, referring to the mess I made in the living room. I laughed, walking her to the door. She turned right into my chest and smiled small.

I appreciated her wild hair that she probably didn't brush, yet, and the way it curled at the dark roots.
As bad as I wanted to say what was on my mind, that's she's beautiful, I didn't. I couldn't. Where would that lead? No way that will end up working in either of our favor.

"See ya, boy," she said, hugging my body. That's new...

I said, "See ya, girl," quietly in response.

Brooklyn smiled and I watched her walk down the hall to her apartment where she looked over her shoulder and saw me still staring. She waved gently and then went inside, and I did the same.