Hey everyone! I'm loving the reviews from yesterdays first chapter! I read them all and love it :')) reviews are always welcome! thank you for reading so far, and I hope you enjoy! xxx
Jake must have felt the same, as he shook slightly, before relaxing, and looking up to meet my eyes.
"Do you want to come inside?" It was the only polite thing to do. His lips turned up into a smile and nodded, and I let my hand drop. We headed inside and sat down on the couch. "Movie?"
"Sure." He leaned back and I got up to pick a random DVD out. I popped it in and went to sit down next to Jake again. He put his arm around me as the film began, and I cuddled into his side. We had the same couch as we did in Chicago, and I always sat in the same place.
I then remembered my previous boyfriend, and sat up immediately. I used to be like that with him...
Jake sensed my unease. "What's wrong?"
"Er- sorry. It's just that me and my boyfriend...cuddle...you and Bree dating..." I muttered incoherent lines and Jake's expressions changed multiple times. Fear, panic, and worry. Changing constantly.
"What? Brooke- me and Bree aren't dating." He stated, fear crossing his face.
"What? But you two were together all the time!" I blurted it out, and covered my mouth before I said too much.
He shook his head, frowning. "Bree is my step-sister. Dad married her Mom when I was a kid and she had a girl my age... We've almost grown up together. Since I was 8 or 9...after Mom died."
I felt relief, but also concern. I whispered my response. "When? How? I'm sorry- I shouldn't ask-"
"-My mother died when I was 5...I can barely remember her. She was in some sort of car collision. A drunk driver was behind the wheel. He survived." Jake spat, and began to shake. "You know what? I gotta get going." He stood up and stormed out.
What was going on? I sent Emily a text.
Call me asap B xx
She replied quickly. I picked up.
"Emily?"
"Brooke? What's up? Isn't Jake with you?"
"No." I bit my lip, tears threatening to spill. Stupid hormones! "He-He just left! Did I piss him off?"
Emily was urgent. "I'll be there in 2." She hung up, and I wiped at my eyes. I didn't want to look weak. Emily found me in the kitchen, and behind her was Kim and Bree. Bree gave me a hug.
"Sorry if my brother upset you. He has a hard time dealing with his feelings."
"Feelings?" I repeated, questioning her.
She nodded. "Can't you see? He likes you."
"But it's been 3 days!"
"So you don't like him?"
Truthfully, I did feel some sort of pull towards him, but it was too soon. I didn't want to act like a slut. "No?"
Emily laughed. "You're a terrible liar. Look at her face!" She gestured to me, and I frowned, and turned around.
"So what if I like him a little bit?"
"Just a little?"
"Shut up!" I whined, and Emily smirked. That disappeared when I added. "Why did he leave, then? He just started shaking and stormed out!"
Emily frowned and opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came out. She tried again. "What were you talking about?"
I thought back. "Um...his Mom...-"
"Oh...Brooke you wouldn't have known any better. But Jake's really a sensitive guy..." Bree mumbled, looking down. "I know how he feels."
Kim put a hand on her shoulder, and sighed. "Brooke- you should call him."
"I don't have his number..."
Kim rolled her eyes. "Boys. So disorganized." She pulled out her phone and typed, then handed me the phone. "Talk to him." She urged, and I put the phone to my ear and went into the next room. It dialed, but didn't answer. I sighed and hung up, going back to them.
"You know what? I just want to sit and relax. I don't need a guy to be happy. I've done it for a while now." I muttered and handed the phone back to her, then going to the couch. "I miss my old boyfriend. He was a great guy."
"Yeah? What happened to him then?" Kim sat down next to me and pulled her legs to her chest. "Was it when you moved here?"
I scoffed. "That might have been easier. The guy had this whole situation and I wasn't apart of it. And I stood my ground when he wanted to take it another step. It wasn't long after that when my Dad got the call to come here. So I guess it was like an easy way out. I really liked the guy but I just wasn't ready to have sex. I stand my ground when I get pissed." I smirked slightly as I fiddled with my nails. "Have you all...done it?" I looked up at them, and their faces were emotionless for a second. And then Kim broke.
"Yeah." She blushed, and then Emily smirked.
"I've been with Sam for 2 years- what do you expect?"
"Is it...?"
"It's special." Emily smiled. "You have to share the same connection with the guy, to know that it's real. Sam's my soul mate. I know it."
"That's really sweet. But how do you know it's for real? Maybe your soul mate is still out there. I'm still looking for mine."
Emily frowned, and glanced at Bree. "Are you sure you know what a soul mate is? What's your definition?"
I breathed out. "I don't know. Love at first sight. Electricity and sparks. I don't...I don't even know if I...evenbelieve in the concept of soul mates." I pulled a face and her eyes widened.
"So you don't believe in soul mates? Don't you have a heart at all?" Tears pooled in her eyes and Bree gasped.
"Look- I'm sorry. I've just hurt too much. I'm sorry. It's different with you and Sam, or you and Jared. I can see the love in your eyes. It's too obvious. I'm not blind to see that." I looked to Bree. "I... I just don't see how I deserve to find something like that. Should I deserve, if I can find, someone who will love me like the love in movies?"
Emily kneeled down in front of me. "You will find that. I promise you. You've just got to open your heart, and fall, knowing that the right guy will catch you."
I smirked. "It's easier to say than to do."
Emily nodded, beaming. "Oh, it is. Sam practically stalked me for a month before I saw the better side of him. He never had the courage to just tell me he liked me, though, and I was left hanging for a while. But it all worked out in the end, and now I'm happy."
Kim laughed. "It was different for me. Me and Jared had known each other for years- we were practically best friends. It all changed within a day. Literally. It was a normal day, and he just came up to me and kissed me. It was magical."
I smiled, and then Kim's eyes widened as she felt around in her pocket and pulled her phone out. She stood up and went into the kitchen. "Hey babe, what-" She paused and she mumbled too quiet for me to hear. Emily caught my attention again.
"A bit weird, talking about love and stuff?"
I giggled and nodded in response. "How can I score one of them? Would you have preferred to...play the field, before finding Sam?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. It sounds appealing, just to have a bit more freedom, but...I love Sam, and it's always going to be Sam."
"So you wouldn't go back?"
"Absolutely not." She sat down and crossed her legs. "And believe me, there are soul mates. Sometimes there are occasions where the term 'soul mate' isn't strong enough. It exists, Brooke. Trust me." She patted my cheek and I tucked my head into the couch, whining. Emily laughed, and Kim came back into the room. "Hey Kim, who was it?"
"Jared." She sat on the arm chair close to us. "He wanted to invite us out. Maybe go to Port Angeles?"
"I don't think I want to go. You guys have fun, though." I sighed and shut my eyes.
"Come out? Please?" Bree whined close to my eyes, a smile in her voice. I groaned.
"Bree! Please don't make me go! I'm not in the mood."
"We'll stay, or you go."
"No, please just go and have fun."
"Brooke..." Bree sighed. "Come on. We haven't really got to know each other too well and I think a night out is what we need. We can get some drinks from the lads. Sam looks over 21 for sure."
"Do I have to?" I mumbled into the couch, and Bree laughed.
"Come on. Let's find you something nice to wear and then we'll go to ours and find something too." She pulled me up, and I groaned.
"But I'm stupid when I'm drunk." I complained as I sloped up the stairs, grumbling. I quickly changed into one of my nice dresses that I wore often enough in Chicago, and grabbed some heels. I went quickly downstairs and tied my hair up, and they smirked.
"Looking good! We can do makeup at mine. The boys can take us the Port Angeles, if we don't go to Seattle."
"Seattle? Bit far, isn't it?" They shrugged.
"We've got plenty of time." I locked the door, knowing Dad had a key of his own, and rushed into Emily's car, sitting at the back. Bree gasped.
"Those shoes are so beautiful! What size are you?"
"5 I think."
Bree sighed. "Awh...too bad." We were at Bree's in no time, and then Kim's, then Emily's. Soon we were all dressed up and ready to hit the town- I was kind of psyched to get out there.
"Hm, Em, maybe I'll find my soul mate tonight!" I giggled and Emily smirked at Kim from the drivers seat, on our way to Paul's.
"Maybe." He laughed out loud and parked the car. Once we had gotten inside, the guys were just about ready. Sam had got the drinks and Jared was going to be designated driver.
"But we have two cars- we can't fit everyone in the one." Bree stated.
"I'll be the second." a rough voice spoke, and I spun around to see Jake trooping down the stairs, yawning. "I've already napped tonight." His sleepy eyes met mine, and I looked down. "Where are we going?" His voice was harder, more forceful. I looked up again- his jaw was tensed, like he was trying to hold himself back from saying something, or doing something. Sam looked at him then back at me.
"Hey, cool man. Er- ladies. Nice." Emily sent him a look and a smile pulled up at his lips as he went to his girlfriend to give her a kiss. "But not as beautiful as my Emmy!" He cooed, and we laughed.
"Hey Sam, Brooke here thinks she might find her soul mate tonight- what do you think?" I glared at her from my seat and shook my head.
"To be honest, I don't believe in soul mates. If you work hard at a relationship, and have trust, then...you know." I shrugged and looked at my feet.
"What was the name of your last boyfriend?"
I shook my head. "He's old news." My day seemed to be getting worse.
Jake spoke up, alarmed. "I thought you said you had a boyfriend, earlier?"
I shook my head. "No. Just that me and my ex used to...do that."
Jared laughed. "Do what, eh?"
"Nothing." I muttered, pissed of already. "Can I have a drink?"
"A regular drink or an alcoholic drink?" Sam joked, and passed me a bottle of God knows what. I opened it and chugged from the bottle, then swiping my mouth a little. Jared smirked at my enthusiasm, and Jake frowned.
"Are you sure you d-"
"-whatever it is, I'm good. I jut need to let go tonight." I smiled at Bree. "You were totally right. Are we ready to go?"
We were on our way! Jake sat in the same car as me, and tried to stop me drinking so much, but I growled at him.
"Go away, or I'm switching cars." I muttered.
He rolled his eyes. "Look- I'm sorry for ditching you today- my Mom is a sensitive topic, okay?"
I shook my head. "I could have easily been there for you, but no."
He was silent for a moment, and changed the topic. "You look nice tonight."
I looked at him. "Thanks. So do you."
He smirked. "Thanks." He leaned forward. "So you don't believe in soul mates?"
I groaned, not the reaction he was expecting. "Nope. I believe in love, but there's no such thing as soul mates. I don't like fate controlling who I am." I pointed to myself. "I will pick who I want. Not some hocus pocus theory." I waved the idea away. Jake frowned.
"So if he was already chosen for you, you would turn him down, just because you knew fate had sent him?" He scooted closer.
"Where are you going with this?" I knew the two at the front were listening, but I didn't care.
"Nowhere. I just want to know."
"It's not as if I'll find anyone anyway. I'm an outcast."
"How is that? Just because you moved here doesn't mean your life sucks, okay?" He snapped and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Fuck off, Jake." I muttered. Jake's eyes blazed as he leaned backwards.
"You've finally said it."
"What?"
"Jake." He snatched to bottle from my hand and swore. "Fuck it." He chugged the rest of the bottle down as I stared at him, mouth agape.
"Shit, Jake! Now we have to find another driver!" The front complained, and I smirked at Jake and leaned forward to him.
"As I said, let loose." I planted a heated kiss on his lips and then pulled back as I felt his lips start to react. I turned to face the window and saw the passing of shops and bright lights. We were here. We were silent as we parked next to the other car and climbed out. I stumbled over to Emily, who rolled her eyes at me.
"Brooke, you look drunk."
So? I'm a lightweight. "Em, I think I did something."
"What?"
"I kissed Jake."
"What?" she was beaming, and I shook my head, dazed.
"Shh!" I put my finger to my lips and giggled. She smirked and whispered to me.
"You like him!" She looked behind me and I turned around, to see a bunch of our friends heading this way. I stood next to Emily as casual as I could as they arrived.
"So where do you want to go?"
"We came here to go clubbing, right?"
"Let's go. Sober up."
We somehow managed to get through into one of the clubs and we found a private booth which we claimed. Jake sat next to me and stretched his arms on the booth.
"What does everyone want?" Sam asked, the responsible gentleman he is. We all ordered and he went off to fetch them, and I began chatting with Kim.
"Brooke, do you wanna dance?" Kim asked as Jared pulled her arm to the dance floor. I nodded and grabbed Jake, pulling him with me.
The floor was buzzing. Lights were beaming. I was dancing. Jake's fingers pressed into my hips as he breathed heavily down my neck, across my cheek. I put my hand on his cheek and it was rough, as if he hadn't shaved in a few days. But my tipsy mind was thinking back to when I kissed him...was it rough then? Maybe slightly prickly, but not like this...I opened my eyes and turned my head, and a different face was behind me. Some stranger, maybe about the same age as me. Where was Jake? I looked around and saw Emily's panicked face as she headed outside. I slapped the guy's hand away and he smirked.
"What's the problem, Miss?" He leaned closer and I tried to shove him backwards, and suddenly I didn't have to. Sam's strong arms pulled him off me, and with a glance I thanked him, before rushing to where Emily had just left. He nodded as he sent the stranger on his way. I headed around the corner and saw Emily and Jake. Jake was leaning against the wall, head against the solid brick, and gasping. Emily was standing there, unable to do anything. I hid behind the wall before they saw me, so I could hear what they were saying, the beat of the music slightly muffling what I could hear.
"Is she blind, Emily? Doesn't she feel anything? If she doesn't believe in soul mates, how can she believe in imprinting? And either way, she won't accept it. If I tell her...she'll want to be as far from me as possible. She doesn't want fate controlling her!"
"Jake it isn't that simple. Brooke is a strong minded girl..."
Jake laughed once. "I know. I know."
"Maybe if she just falls for you without knowing about the imprinting, she wouldn't mind later on?"
"But I want her to know. I want to share it with her. And when she kissed me...I thought she felt the same. Obviously not, seeing as she let that bastard all over her."
"Have you told her that you like her?"
"It's only been a few days-"
"-I don't care, Jake. Tell her you like her. Make your move. You don't want to end up in the 'friend zone'. Don't be too late." I was confused as anything. Did Jake like someone? Was that someone me? I wasn't sure. But I did kiss him. My mind was so confused. I went back inside and headed over to Sam. He would have the answers. I found him, sitting alone at the booth, with some drinks.
"Which ones mine?" I questioned, and he pointed to a red drink, to which I took as I sat down next to him. "I have a few questions."
"Shoot." He waved his hand, eyes drifting across the room. "Did you find Jake?"
"That's what I came to ask you about. Promise me you'll tell the truth?"
He warily nodded, suspicious. "OK..."
I sat up, taking another sip. "OK. Good. Now, what the fuck is imprinting? What do you know about it?" I was a nerd, but my definition of imprinting didn't seem really reliable. Or possible.
"Where did you hear that?" his eyebrows furrowed, and I leaned forward.
"What is it?" I challenged, and Sam's face went blank.
"I don't know-"
"-don't lie to me, Sam. You know. Tell me what it has to do with me." He wouldn't look me in the eye, and I saw that as confirmation. "Is it the same?"
He sighed, defeated, but shaking his head. "I can't tell you. You have to ask Jake."
I stopped. "So it is about me."
Sam's eyes were pleading. "Please don't make me tell you. Just ask him."
"Is it the same, Sam? I'm just asking what imprinting is." I paused. "What is your definition?"
"From Biology, imprinting is...where the baby duckling learns from the Mom duck-"
"-not that, Sam." I confronted him further. "You know something I don't, and I will find out from you. OtherwiseI'm leaving and I'll find my own way home- and it may be likely that I bump into a stranger who will kill me." I was being slightly over-dramatic, but I didn't care. It worked- Sam gulped and let out a shaky breath.
"Brooke? Can I talk to you for a sec?" Jake's voice echoed loudly from behind me, and I shook my head.
"No. Sam, tell me." I raised an eyebrow. Sam cowered under my presence, and started to slide along the booth, escaping me. I swore under my breath, then looked up to glare at Jake, knocking back my drink. "What do you want? I'm obviously free now." I stole another drink and knocked that one back too. That, I could tell, was much stronger. Vodka? I winced as it trailed down my throat, and choked a little, my face smoothing out. I was upset, and really wanted a shoulder to lean on. Even if that shoulder was the cause of my sadness.
