Kate's POV: Saturday October 19th

After that night things went back to a surprising normality.

Upon waking up at 11:00, Brooke thanked me for the "necessary human presence" and we both went about our morning routines, showering and getting dressed. It was weird, despite all the things Brooke had confessed, we acted like nothing had happened and that everything was ok. I guess it was like what Max was telling me, not to dwell on it and worry about everything. Besides, I was grateful that I didn't have to wake up to more emotional trauma, I was kind of exhausted.

While I was showering, my phone sat charging in my room, and by the time I had finished it was at 32% with a ton of missed messages. Funnily enough, they were all from Chloe.

[Chloe: morning bun bun, you survive the night?]

[Chloe: not answering me is not helping btw]

[Chloe: Kaaaaaaaaate]

[Chloe: K, Max says ur probably asleep and that I should leave you alone]

[Chloe: but I aint listening to her she was with White knight warren all last night and I had to shake her sorry ass out of bed later]

[Chloe: I got some pics of her sleeping, super embarrassing I'll show you in front of Max later so itll be more fun]

[Chloe: guess ur still sleeping huh?]

[Chloe: or maybe ur phones dead, that might b it]

[Chloe: hey Maxipad and I are going to the two whales for lunch when u get this text me, we can save you a seat]

That was the last text, which was sent only 20 minutes ago. They must have left while I was in the shower. Getting lunch sounded really good right now, considering that I didn't even technically have dinner last night.

[Kate: Sorry Chloe, my phone ran out of battery last night, and I just now charged it. I'd love to meet you guys for lunch if you still want me to]

[Chloe: Oh hella yes we'll drive back and get you]

[Kate: You don't have to do that Chloe, I'll take a bus, just save me a seat :)]

[Chloe: aight will do, and NO EMOJI!]

I rolled my eyes at Chloe's last text, and began gathering my things. As I placed my phone in my pocket a thought occurred to me. Why don't I ask Brooke if she wants to join us? She probably could use something to eat after yesterday. Will Chloe and Max be okay with it? Now that was something I wasn't so sure of.

Chloe was still hostile towards Brooke, and Max I think didn't care that much. Well, all three of these girls were my friends, so it shouldn't be a problem to eat lunch together. Right? I shook my head with a newfound resolve, there was nothing wrong with this at all, it was a perfect opportunity and I wasn't going to let uncertainty interfere with it.

I swiftly exited my room and strolled down to Brooke's door, knocking on it curtly.

"Fuck! Hold on!" Came her annoyed voice from inside. I heard some muffled cursing and shuffling before Brooke opened up her door. "Oh, hey Kate, what do you want?" She was wearing a simple T-Shirt and her hair was still down from the shower.

"Well I was thinking about getting some lunch in town, and I figured I'd see if you wanted to join me?" Brooke tilted her head and regarded me with an unreadable expression. I was afraid she was going to decline, before she quickly nodded.

"Yeah sure, I haven't had anything besides that shitty alcohol from yesterday." A sudden expression of guilt flash across her face. "Sorry for swearing, force of habit."

"It's fine Brooke, I don't mind if you swear." I told her honestly.

"But you said-"

"Well that was before, and now things are… different. It's fine don't worry about it." I reassured her. Brooke gave me another curious look before sighing.

"Whatever you say, but I don't want to hear you bitching about my linguistics later." Brooke looked at me, checking for a reaction, but I did nothing but giggle.

"I promise I won't"

She offered a small smile before turning back to her room. "I just need to put my hair up and grab my things, wait a second." Brooke retreated into her room while I waited out in the hall. So far so good Kate. A few minutes later she reemerged with her hair done up and a fresh yellowish hoodie. I had never seen her in it before, and she looked nice. "Well are we going or what?"

I stirred from my thoughts and nodded. "Oh y-yeah, lets go." The two of us walked together in silence as we made our way out of the dorms and down to the parking lot.

Brooke's POV

I shifted uncomfortably in the bus seat next to Kate.

I uncharacteristically agreed to have lunch with her, I mean it was the right thing to do, and a small favor for how much of my bullshit she had to put up with. I didn't really expect us to be taking the bus though. Granted, Kate didn't have a car, and neither did I, so I guess it made sense, way to pay attention Brooke. This was still weird for me though. We had gone from friends, to not, and then back again, was this ok? Did I deserve to be forgiven just like that, and have everything revert back to normal? And now we were going to get lunch, just the two of us, and what did that mean? Kate seemed to notice my discomfort and she gently placed her hand over mine.

"You okay Brooke?" Kate asked.

"No." I stated bluntly, but didn't pull my hand away, it felt nice.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She pressed, her voice full of that sincerity I found myself growing fond of.

"No, I think I've done enough emotional heart to heart for a lifetime."

"Yeah, me too if I'm being honest." She laughed, squeezing my hand in the process. I shuddered as a new emotion began brimming in my chest. What is this? I felt my face flush a little and my pulse accelerating. All this over a hand squeeze? I cautiously slipped my hand out of Kate's grasp, who thankfully didn't notice.

We sat in silence for a moment as the bus drove through the empty roads of Arcadia Bay. The fall scenery was starting to emerge, dotting the hills with brilliant splotches of orange. Maybe I should get out more.

"So what place are you taking us to?" I inquired, trying to make conversation.

"Oh, um the Two-Whales, it's a diner in town. Max, Chloe, and I eat there a lot." Kate replied. I snorted at the mention of Max and Chloe, I tried not to, but it was practically an involuntary response. "Oh come on Brooke, they're not that bad."

Kate had a point. My entire basis for hating Max was because of Warren, and now that wasn't a factor. Chloe was aggressive, but only in defense of her friends, so I couldn't really blame her. "Yeah I suppose from an objective standpoint they're fine."

"Well I'm glad you think so because…" Kate trailed off.

"Because?" I prompted.

"We're kind of having lunch with them."

My entire body tensed up at this revelation. Lunch with Max and Chloe? Not only was there the fear of being in a multi-personal social environment, but there was the fact that Chloe had threatened to gut me if she saw me with Kate again. And knowing me, there was just a plethora of ways that I could fuck this up, inadvertently insulting one of them, getting yelled at in the diner, offending Kate…

My breathing was becoming short and rapid, my heart pounding. Why am I freaking out so much? I usually didn't get this anxious, not since middle school, I thought it had gone away. Apparently not. My head hurt again, but it was more of a floaty empty feeling, I dug my fingernails into the upholstery of the bus seats, trying to get a grip.

It was at this point that I felt someone pressed up against me, stroking their fingers through my hair. They were saying something I couldn't quite make out, but the words were in a soothing tone. Calming words, calming hands. My breathing returned to a normal state, as did my heartbeat. Slowing down, more relaxed. I exhaled deeply and found myself regaining my spatial awareness.

Kate was hugged up against me in comforting way, her hands combing through my hair.

"It's ok Brooke, I'm here, it'll all be fine." She was saying, her words now coherent. I didn't say anything, I found myself wanting to stay in this moment as long as I could. It's the safest I've felt in a long time. Unfortunately, Kate pulled away and gave me a concerned look.

"Are you feeling better?" She asked, her concerned voice now had traces of fear.

"Yeah, fine, whatever it's nothing." I silently cursed at my own words, I hated lying and Kate wasn't fooled for a second.

"Brooke come on…" she began.

"Look I don't feel like elaborating on my nervous breakdown." I retorted honestly.

"Oh! N-No I mean this is our stop!" Kate explained, standing up into the aisle. I realized she was right, the bus was no longer in motion and the bus driver was eyeing us expectantly. Kate held her hand out and I found myself taking it instantly, not letting go till we were off the bus.

Once outside the humid air clung to my skin like a wet towel. I hated it. Kate didn't seem to mind though as she led me off the sidewalk and into the parking lot adjacent to the aforementioned diner. I refused to meet her eyes, I knew she was going to grill me about what happened on the bus.

"Brooke." Kate stated softly, squeezing my hand again.

"Look just drop it Kate, okay, I don't want to have another self-loathing therapy session." I flung her hand away harshly. Way to go Brooke. Kate didn't seem angry, just more worried than ever.

"Brooke, I just… I'm sorry, I won't pry if you don't want to talk about it." I felt relieved, I guess? I mean Kate cares, but I really didn't have it in me to explain what happened. Kate was now the one looking away, starring absent-mindedly at some passing cars. "The next bus should come around in about 15 minutes, we can wait for it, then head back to Blackwell."

This confused me. "What? I thought we were supposed to get lunch, I am still starving Kate." Kate shook her head in denial.

"Brooke, you had an anxiety attack on the bus after mentioning Max and Chloe, I'm not going to force you to do something that makes you feel that uncomfortable." There it was. I had ruined Lunch now, such a wonderful person you are Brooke.

No.

I had to do this.

"No, Kate it's fine just… look can you just answer me a really asinine question that makes me sound like a child?" I asked, feeling vulnerable.

Kate considered this before nodding her head. "Of course Brooke."

"Look whatever happens in there or what's said, we'll still be friends, right? You won't come to your senses and realize how horrible I am and cut me out of your life?" Kate managed a small smile.

"Trust me Brooke, I won't" That helped more than I thought. An invisible weight lifted off my shoulders and I sighed in contentment.

"Thanks, I think I'm emotionally stable now, so let's get some lunch before I change my mind."

Kate regarded me with uncertainty. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I mean you did say I should try to be on better terms with your other friends, so, perfect opportunity."

"Right, well if you're ok, then let's go, I think my stomach is beginning to dissolve itself." I laughed at Kate's little joke. Under normal circumstances I don't think I would have, but Kate was… different. She motioned for me to follow and began walking towards the diner, while I found myself following her with cautious excitement.

The diner was pretty quaint. Well that's being nice, honestly it was a bit run down and rustic, an aesthetic I didn't really get into. The place was packed, the bar was lined with truckers, and the booths appeared to be all full too. Well, save one. In the far corner of the establishment I spotted Choe and Max in the booth, by a worn down looking jukebox. How retro.

Kate gave me an encouraging look and walked towards them. Steeling myself, I began stumbling behind her.

"What's up bun-bun, you made it!" Chloe greeted boisterously.

"Good you could make it Kate." Max added with a gleeful smile.

"Thank you for inviting me, um I hope you don't mind, I brought a guest" Kate stated.

"Hey, that's not a problem at all, who'd you-" Chloe stopped talking and her face immediately twisted into a frown as I stepped into view. "Oh."

"Hi Max, Chloe." I gave as inoffensive a wave as I could muster.

"Hi Brooke." Max's hello seemed genuine, but Chloe was still glaring daggers at me. Kate scooted into the booth and I sat down next to her, right across from the angry looking bluenette.

"So how are you doing Kate? Last night was kind of… intense." Max started. As nosy as always, I see.

"Well I took Brooke back to her room as you know, and waited for her to wake up, we talked things out and, not getting into all the details, we're friends again." Kate explained with a smile. I breathed a sigh of relief, she thankfully left out the part where I professed my feelings and asked her to share the bed with me.

"That's great Kate," Max smiled back, and then turned to me, "Try to be good Brooke, Kate always gives second chances, but never a third." A chill ran down my spine at the thought of needing another chance, but Max and Kate's sudden laughter eased my worrying. Amidst this a waitress came by and dropped several plates of food on our table.

"Here you go girls, glad to see you again Kate." She said in a southern accent, "Oh and who might you be?" At this point I realized she was referring to me.

"Oh, I'm Brooke, one of Kate's friends." I replied dully.

"Well nice to meet you hun, any friend of Kate's is welcome here." I was about to say something back, when a loud crash from the kitchen stopped me. She gave an exasperated sigh, putting her hands on her hips. "Sorry girls, I've got to go check on something." She stormed off towards the back, probably to confront some mess.

"She seems nice." I commented.

"Yeah that's my mom." Chloe finally said something, but was still looking at me with slight contempt. Max noticed this too and nudged her in the stomach.

"Come on Chloe eat your food, I know you're starving." Max teased. Chloe grumbled something and began forking some bacon and eggs into her mouth. "We went ahead and ordered you an omelet Kate, I hope that's okay."

"That's great Max, it looks yummy!" Kate replied. Max just smiled and started digging into her waffles. I guess this place does Breakfast late. I realized that since I was largely an uninvited guest, there was no preemptive food for me. The sliding of a plate caught my attention as Kate had placed her dish in between us, her omelet neatly divided in two.

"Here Brooke, you can have some of my food if you want." She offered. I felt myself growing uncomfortable again, not due to anxiety, but because of her unfettered kindness. Kate really was something else.

"Well I am on the brink of starvation, it's not like I'm going to say no." Kate giggled and I found a warm feeling arise in me. It was probably the heat or something. I picked up one of the utensil sets and began cutting into the egg. It was a simple ham and cheese omelet, but despite this it was surprisingly delicious. The presence of food did well to cease conversation, which was quelling a lot of my pent-up stress.

The lunch was gone in an instant, which was naturally a response to the lack of consumption I had prior. Chloe's Mom, who I learned was named Joyce, came by and left a check after we insisted that we were full. While Max began getting the money to pay for the food I caught a glance from Kate. She was smiling of course, but her look had a certain pleading look to it. After a few eye motions over to Max and Chloe I understood what she was getting at. She wanted me to apologize. I guess now was as good a time as any.

"Max." I began. The freckled girl looked up at me in recognition.

"Yeah Brooke?" She asked with a certain cluelessness.

"I understand that I have been… less than nice to you in the past, and I realize that my petty hatred to you was largely unwarranted, so I apologize for my 'salty' behavior." Both Max and Chloe looked shocked. The two exchanged a glance before the brunette looked at me with a pleasant smile.

"Oh, thanks Brooke, I accept your apology." She did some theatrical move with her hands to signify this, which I found vaguely amusing. Kate looked over at me with a proud smile, and honestly it made me feel a little better.

"Hey Salt Queen, you mind if we have a little talk outside?" Chloe asked aloud. I was both confused and perturbed by her question, but hey I did want to patch things up, with both of Kate's friends.

"Sure, I'm positive we'll have a wonderful discussion." My voice had its usual snark which Chloe simply snorted at.

"Then come on, lets chat." Chloe rose out of her seat and began walking out of the restaurant. Kate and Max shot me a worried glance.

"I'm sure she won't beat me up too bad." I commented. Kate simply frowned and Max let out a forced laugh.

As I left the booth I heard Max say something to Kate. "Don't worry, she'll probably be fine."

Probably?

I found Chloe in the parking lot smoking a cigarette. She was propped up against what I assumed to be her truck. It was a rusty looking automobile that I wouldn't hesitate to call a 'Screaming Metal Death Trap'. I crossed my arms as I approached her and Chloe flicked the nicotine stick against the asphalt.

"Alright let's get down to business, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Her question was more curious than it was angry.

"Elaborate if you wouldn't mind" I sneered.

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "You know what I mean, you're nice to Kate, then you're a complete asshole to her, and now you're all nice and friendly again, what's your game here?"

I let out a strained sigh. I was not going to explain everything to Chloe like I did with Kate, but I had to say something. "There is no game here, I'm just her friend obviously."

"Then what was with the whole making her cry with your shitty comments thing?" Chloe's statement was intended to make me feel guilty, and it was extremely effective.

"I don't handle emotions well, so I had an irrational outburst instead of talking out my feelings." Chloe responded to this with an over the top laugh.

"Oh my god that's so rich, you're a shut-in robot girl and you act like one too!" I felt my face heating up in anger. "Ooh right on the money, am I?" She taunted.

"Shut up." It was a pathetic comeback I was aware, but I was afraid if I said anything else she'd see it as an excuse to throttle me. I knew she would.

"Never," she put on an infuriating smirk, "Anyway, Kate has decided to bless your upset ass with a second chance, I just wanted to make sure you were still serious and to let you know that if you fuck this up again there will be no mercy." Chloe's smirk was gone and replaced with a look of seriousness and intensity. I was intimidated, but I wasn't going to let her know.

"As if I didn't already know that, any other obvious things you want to tell me?" There was my sarcasm, Chloe responded with a surprised scoff.

"Well I'll give you this, you do have a spine Salty." Chloe looked impressed. "Honestly, I don't really want to keep hassling you every second you know, I've got better things to do."

"Yeah I'm sure that's the reason." I let out a snort.

"Well there's that and I got a lot of shit from Max and Kate for punching you." A look of regret flashed across her face. "Uh, sorry about that by the way."

"Yeah I bet you are." I did my best to make that sound less sarcastic, and it thankfully worked, because Chloe cracked a grin.

"Well that's all the shit I wanted to talk about, besides, we've got company." Chloe nodded over to the road as Max and Kate approached, laughing about something.

"Well I see Brooke survived." Max stated, which caused Kate to giggle more.

"Excellent observation skills Max." It felt weird to say these things with such snark and not get looks of distaste. It was new that was for sure.

"So where to next girls?" Chloe asked, clapping her hands together. "American Rust, the beach, anywhere out of this town?"

Max shook her head. "Sorry Chloe, I really want to get back to the dorms, Warren was pretty hammered last night and I want to make sure he's not dead you know."

Chloe's face sunk in with disappointment, but she shrugged anyway. "Alright your call, you two want a ride back to Blackhell?" She asked, pointing at Kate and I.

"Well I don't know, we could still take the bus back, what do you think Brooke?" Kate's question was now on me. I thought about it for a moment, but then I got a better look at Chloe's truck.

"Are there enough seats in that metal beast for 4 people?" I inquired.

"Uhhhh, maybe? Like if you squeezed real tight, or maybe sat in the back…" Chloe began.

"Let's take the bus."

Kate's POV:

The ride back was uneventful. Brooke didn't breakdown and neither did I. We sat in silence, which I think she appreciated. The whole way back Brooke leaned her head against the seat and had her eyes shut. If I were Max, I would've taken a picture. She looked so serene and relaxed, it suited her.

The bus pulled up to Blackwell and we exited onto the campus. Brooke looked a little peeved at this, but I think it was just because she was trying to fall asleep. It was still fairly early in the afternoon; a couple of kids were walking around though. As we strode past the main building I saw two students huddled at one of the tables, watching something on their phone. They looked up as we went buy and began laughing loudly. I wonder what that's about?

Before we reached the dorms, Brooke pulled out her phone and made a shocked expression. "Kate." She stopped me, holding onto the sleeve of my cardigan.

"What is it?" As an answer Brooke turned her phone sideways and held it in front of me.

"Stella sent me a video that has something to do with me apparently, thought you should check it out too." Brooke tapped the play button and the video started. My whole body tensed up, as I recognized the setting immediately.

The Vortex Party.

The video clearly showed Brooke sprawled all over someone at the bar, just like I found her. But something was different. She wasn't making out with Justin, it was someone who I didn't recognize. I shuddered in revelation. I must've arrived at the end, I have no idea how long Brooke was left there like this.

The video was snappily edited and showed Brooke in various positions with different people, some guys and surprisingly some girls. The background noise was nothing but the jeering laughter and hollering of the crowd, it made me sick to watch this. At some point it cut to her standing up, letting someone dry hump her, and there was Brooke with an open and drugged smile.

I wanted to vomit.

Finally, it cut to her with Justin, and me stepping in to take her away. I thought the video would end there, but it paused as I reached down to pick her up. Some edited circles started drawing around Brooke and I, with a text popping up that read: 'Secret Lovers?'. My face flushed a scarlet red.

Then the video stopped.

My hands were clasped over my mouth, trying to suppress my horrified gasps. I turned to look at Brooke to see her reaction, and was alarmed to find none. No anger, no sadness, just a blank, empty expression.

"Oh well, that shit happens I guess." Brooke shrugged.

What?

Brooke put her phone back in her pocket and began strolling towards the dorms. Like nothing had happened.

"Wait Brooke!" I shouted, sprinting to catch up with her.

"Yeah?" Brooke regarded me with flat emotions.

"D-Don't you want to talk about that horrid video?" I sputtered, trying to compose myself.

"What's there to talk about, I got smashed at a party, and got recorded. It's high school, that stuff happens all the time, besides everyone will forget about it in a week or so." Brooke was so nonchalant, I was both baffled and impressed. What would have probably traumatized and humiliated me, Brooke just brushed off like it was nothing.

"Aren't you worried about what people are going to think about you, what they'll say about this?"

Brooke simply scoffed at my question. "Not really Kate, most of the students at this school are uneducated troglodytes, getting all mad and riled up would just egg them on." Brooke explained with a surprising casualness. She was such an interesting person, she could seem so apathetic and unfazed by stuff like this, but would get upset in a heartbeat over Warren or something. Maybe she only got worked up over things she legitimately cared about.

"Besides who gives a shit what these students I barely know think, you and Stella's opinions are the only ones that matter to me anyway." I felt my heart skip a beat. My opinion matters to her?

"Thanks Brooke, I'm flattered." She produced a smirk and began walking back towards the dorm, slower this time. By the time we made it back to our hall we found ourselves standing in awkward silence.

"So now what?" Brooke asked, hands in her pocket.

"Well did you want to do something else?" I counter questioned, wanting to see her opinion.

Brooke shuffled in place before responding. "Well honestly I'm kind of socially exhausted for today and just want to hole up in my room… alone." I noticed Brooke looking guilty for saying this, which I found funny, she didn't have to feel bad about wanting alone time.

"It's ok Brooke, I get it, text me if you want to do something later."

Brooke nodded appreciatively. "Sure thing Kate, um, see you around I guess." She shambled to her room at the end of the hallway. Right before she entered she shot me a quick smile. I smiled back as I watched her close the door behind her.

I'm glad we were friends again.