Rap music with a low bass blared from the speakers and caused the dingy house to shake. Alcoholic beverages were poured into Red Solo cups. Costumed college students danced, flirted and drank to their heart's desire.
A typical Halloween played out before Brynn.
She followed Sydney deeper into the crowd. A cup filled with a dark liquid that made her throat burn was in her hands and dangerously close to spilling over the brim. Despite her request for, "Just a little," the boy at the bar had filled it to the top. The plan must have been to get the entire party tipsy.
Sydney craned her long neck over the crowd, searching for someone. "Where are they? I thought they would be here by now."
"Where's who?" Brynn yelled over the loud music. A Grim Reaper ran past her, causing Brynn to spill some of the drink on her chest. She frowned in distaste.
"You wouldn't know them," she replied. "Oh! There they are!"
Grabbing Brynn by the arm, Sydney pulled her through the crowd and to the couch in the middle of the room. Three guys dressed as football players sat there with amber-colored bottles in their hands.
"Hey, guys!" Sydney exclaimed. She placed her hands on her hips. The tight, red dress she wore hugged her hour glass figure lovingly and showed off her toned thighs. A plastic fire fighter's hat was perched on top of her head.
The boys immediately went gaga upon seeing her.
They shifted around to make room for Sydney to take a seat. One wrapped his arm around her shoulder; another offered to get her something to drink. Brynn was forced to awkwardly sit on the arm of the chair.
She quietly sipped her drink and scanned the room. Not a single person at this party did she know. All of them looked to be upperclassmen.
Brynn mentally slapped herself for being so stupid. She should have known that Sydney would drag her to a party and leave her to idly stand by. It happened all the time. Boys would have googly eyes for Sydney and ignore her fat, unattractive friend.
While angrily seething in her thoughts, Brynn felt a hand tap her on the shoulder. She jumped in surprise and spun around to see the culprit. A pirate with a fake parrot propped on his shoulder glanced at her nervously.
"Arrgh," the guy said suddenly.
"Arrgh?" Brynn replied in disbelief.
His cheeks flushed red and he scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, hi."
"Hello," she said coldly.
"So, um, I couldn't help but notice that you look kind of bored," he said nervously. "Well, I was, uh, wondering if you would want to play poker with my buds and me?"
Brynn glanced over to a poker table set up on the far side of the room. Five boys dressed as various Star Wars characters were shouting about something. One of the storm troopers had his face in his palms as a gleeful looking Han Solo took all his chips.
"I don't like poker," Brynn lied. She was eyeing Sydney, hoping her "friend" would get her out of this situation. Of course, Sydney was cracking up over some lame joke one of her jock friends had made.
"Oh, okay," he said in defeat. "Sorry to bother you."
Guilt washed over Brynn as she watched him sulk away like a hurt puppy. "Wait!"
The pirate turned around, his face neutral, but his eyes hopeful. Brynn inspected him quickly. He wasn't ugly or anything. Captain Hook had light brown hair, brown eyes, and a decent looking face. Hell, he was actually kind of cute. And he was showing interest in Brynn. Playing poker with him and his friends sounded better than sitting on the couch for the rest of the night like a lonely loser.
"Just a few games," Brynn said, keeping her voice stern.
He nodded vigorously. "Whatever you want. I'm Brendan by the way."
Brynn hopped off the couch and adjusted her black dress. "Brynn."
Brendan gave her a half-smile and led her to the poker table. Five pairs of eyes curiously looked up from their game and stared in shock.
"Greetings earthling," one of them said excitedly. He pushed his glasses up his nose and smiled widely.
Brendan shot his friend a glare as he pulled a chair out for Brynn. She sat down and awkwardly waved. "Hey."
Darth Vader handed her some poker chips and playing cards. Brynn briefly glanced over her shoulder and saw Sydney giving her a questioning look. Shrugging, Brynn turned back to the game.
An hour later (and four and a half beers later), Brynn was in a heated argument with Chewbacca (whose real name was Stan) about why Star Trek was better than Star Wars.
"Chewbacca is the superior co-pilot!" he exclaimed.
Brynn slammed her beer down on the table and snorted. "Oh, please! I wouldn't trust my life with an over-sized dog. Spock is ten times cooler than Chewbacca."
A loud gasp erupted from the five Star Wars fanboys. Brendan leaned back in his chair, a feint smirk playing out on his face. He had taken the eye patch off as well as the pirate's hat. Now his hair was adorably messy and stuck up in all the right places.
Stan's lips puckered in annoyance. "Well that may be the case, but there is no denying that, 'May the force be with you,' is a much better phrase than, 'Live long and prosper.'"
"Whatevs," Brynn mumbled. Her glazed-over eyes searched the room. In the corner, a table had been set up with chips and desserts. Spilled drinks covered the platters as well as half-eaten pastries. Brynn frowned.
"I've got the munchies," she told her new friends. Brynn quickly stood up and nearly tumbled over the back of her chair. Brendan quickly reached out and grabbed her so she fell in his lap instead.
Brynn snorted and poked the parrot on his shoulder. "Look at you, Prince Charming. Saving the damsel in distress, are we?"
He blushed, earning snickers from the table. Brynn pulled herself up again and motioned for them to follow. "Let's get food."
"Where?" Nolan, who was one of the two Storm Troopers, asked.
Brynn threw her arms in the air. "Wherever! Come on, let's goooo!"
She pulled Brendan out of his chair and dragged him across the room. Leading him to the couch, Brynn stopped and stared down at Sydney. Her friend looked at her in confusion and gave her a small smile.
"Hey, Brynn," Sydney said slowly.
"Hey, bitch," Brynn slurred. The boys sitting with Sydney shifted around and gave her weird looks.
Ignoring the insult, Sydney pointed at Brendan. "Who's this?"
"Not yours," Brynn growled and held onto the crook of Brendan's elbow.
"I'm Brendan," he said quickly.
Sydney nodded slowly. "Okay then… You guys going somewhere?"
"We're just getting food," Brendan told her.
"Alright. No funny business, pal. Brynn, be back in an hour."
Brynn started to slowly giggle as Brendan pulled her away. "When did you become the mom? I thought it was my job to nag?"
Sydney rolled her eyes in annoyance and turned away from her intoxicated friend. The pirate, the cat, and the Star Wars crew headed out the front door. Outside, the air was cool and felt nice after being stuck in the hot house for so long. Brynn inhaled deeply.
"I'm starving," she whined.
Brendan smiled down at her. "There's a food mart about a block from here."
Brynn nodded and stumbled after them.
. . .
Halloween was, by far, Jonathan's least favorite time of year.
No, scratch that. He enjoyed Halloween for the terror and mystery behind it. He despised it due to the fact that society had found a way to turn it into a sex-crazed holiday. Just like everything else.
Jonathan walked down the sidewalk with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket. It was late and he had just gotten off the bus. His great-grandmother had called him earlier that day in a fit of rage, demanding that he come home at once and do household chores. Despite the fact that he was in college, the old hag always found some excuse to drag him home again and torment him. It was her way of reminding him that he would never be entirely free from her grip.
His eyes were tired and he had a difficult time keeping them open. Jonathan had a twelve-page paper for his Chemistry class due Tuesday that he hadn't even started yet. Now he would be forced to stay up for the next three nights to collect information and type up the silly report.
Down the street was the tiny campus drug store. Jonathan quickened his pace and swung open the glass door. Above him, a tiny bell chimed, indicating his arrival. The cashier at the counter briefly glanced at him before returning to her tabloid magazine.
Jonathan strolled down the aisles in search of soap and pencils. He placed the items in his basket and was making his way to the counter when the display of candy bars and tiny cakes caught his eye. He paused briefly for a moment before turning back and taking in the display. His great grandmother had never allowed sweets in the house, claiming they were "sinful". It wasn't until the seventh grade that Jonathan had tasted chocolate for the first time. Now that he was partially free of his guardian, he could indulge on the tasty little treats.
While he made his decision, the bell above the front door chimed. Jonathan ignored it as he tried to choose between a chocolate bar or blueberry muffins. Loud voices filled the air as well as laughter. Jonathan looked up in annoyance.
A Star Wars convention in Gotham, he thought to himself. Wonderful…
There was also a pirate with some drunken girl hanging onto his arm. She stumbled around and blabbered uncontrollably about licorice. A moment later, Jonathan realized with horror just who the voice belonged to.
Brynn Kiley.
As though she was able to sense that he was thinking about her, Brynn turned around and locked eyes with him. Her brown eyes lit up and she smirked at him.
Jonathan practically ran to the counter, hoping to get out of there as soon as possible.
He tossed the bills at the cashier and impatiently waited as she rang up his items. Jonathan could practically feel her eyes boring holes into his back. Briefly, he turned around and looked for her. Brynn was nowhere in sight.
Without thanking the cashier, Jonathan gathered up his purchases and made a beeline for the door. Once outside, he slowed his pace and began to relax, thankful that he wouldn't have to deal with her. The thought of being bothered by her obnoxious voice irritated him.
Jonathan turned a corner and was beginning to open the pack of muffins he bought. He slowed down and tore open the plastic bag. Right when he was about to pop one in his mouth, a loud voice called out his name, causing him to freeze.
"Jonathaaaaan!" Brynn sang out.
Slowly, he turned around to face his least favorite person. Brynn stood a few feet behind him, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. She had him cornered.
"Brynn," Jonathan said smoothly. The older girl slowly walked closer before stopping a few feet away.
"Hey buddy," she slurred. Jonathan raised his brows questioningly and took a better look at her face.
Of course. She was wasted.
"Intoxicated, I see," Jonathan muttered disapprovingly.
"No, I'm not," she denied. Brynn smoothed her hair and readjusted the cat ears perched on her head. "I'm totally sober."
"Then sing the alphabet backwards for me."
Brynn paused, her eyes filling with dread. Shifting her weight to her other foot, Brynn began to think. "Z…U…um…R?"
Jonathan mumbled something unintelligent and turned away. Clicking from Brynn's shoes followed close behind.
"Where are you going? Joooooon?" Brynn whined.
"Go home, Brynn," he called over his shoulder. The clicking sound continued and Jonathan sighed. He had to get rid of her.
Deciding it was best to just ignore her, Jonathan hopped onto the low stone wall next to the sidewalk and began to pull out a muffin. He stared straight ahead as he chewed it and ignored Brynn despite the fact that she stood two feet away from him.
"Jonathan. Jonathan. Jon. Jonny. Jon-Jon. Jaaaay," Brynn cried. She reached out and started to repeatedly poke him. "Stop ignoring me!"
Unable to ignore her any longer, Jonathan swatted her hand away. He scowled at her. "Brynn, go away."
"No!"
"Now."
"You wanna fight?"
Releasing a deep sigh, Jonathan turned his back to her. For a moment, it was quiet. Then the poking started again.
"I'm sorry. I won't fight you, I promise. Jonathan? Friend?" Brynn moaned.
The boy fixed her with a stony glare. "We are not friends, Brynn. Nor will we ever be."
She rolled her eyes and finally shut up. Jonathan faced her again, fishing out another muffin. The muffin crumbled, sending an avalanche of crumbs down the front of his shirt. Quickly, he wiped them off.
Brynn reached into her bag. She pulled out a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses and slipped them on. Jonathan looked at her, confused.
"Brynn?"
"Hmm?"
"What's with the sunglasses?"
"It's so bright!" she complained.
Jonathan's face was incredulous. "It's nighttime."
"You're out of your mind," she muttered. Suddenly, she hopped onto the wall and scooted next to Jonathan. Her legs started to swing and she hummed to herself.
Jonathan studied the intoxicated girl sitting next to him. From the looks of it, she had been at a costume party. She was wearing a long-sleeved black dress, black stockings that stopped midway up her thighs, and black heeled boots. Animal ears were on her head. Either she was dressed as a mourning hooker or some type of animal…
"What?" Brynn asked.
Jonathan looked away. "I'm trying to figure out what you're supposed to be."
Brynn rolled her eyes and pointed at the ears mounted on her head. "I'm a cat."
"Cats don't dress like that."
"Cats don't wear clothes, stupid."
Jonathan's bright blue eyes narrowed dangerously. "We can both agree that you're the last person who should be calling me 'stupid.'"
"Don't get your panties in a wad, I was kidding," she slurred. Brynn crossed her legs; the black dress rode up, exposing even more of her thigh. Jonathan quickly looked away, willing his hormones to stay intact. Pesky things…
"Shouldn't you be somewhere?" Jonathan said quickly.
"I can't remember…"
"Of course," he muttered.
Brynn gently poked him. A smirk played out on her lips and her eyes gleamed. "You know you like hanging out with me."
"I really don't."
"Sure," Brynn hiccupped. She leaned forward and stole one of his muffins then quickly shoved it into her mouth. She closed her eyes, swallowed, and sighed. "I'm sleepy."
Before he could say anything, someone shouted Brynn's name. Jonathan looked up in surprise to see the pirate and Sydney Hyland (who was wearing the skankiest costume he had seen all night) walking over.
"Brynn! What the hell are you doing?" Sydney demanded.
Brynn looked up in surprise. She lifted her sunglasses to see who was calling her. "Sydney? Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me," her friend said angrily. "Where have you been? You were supposed to stay with Hook!"
"It's Brendan," he muttered.
"Whatever. You were supposed to watch her!" Sydney exclaimed. She pointed to Jonathan. "And you! What are you doing with her?"
Jonathan glared at her. "She found me. I was simply sitting here minding my own business."
"Sure, freak," Sydney growled before turning to Brynn. "Come on, Brynn, let's go."
Brynn shook her head vigorously. "Mm-mm."
"Why not?"
Her breathing quickened and she pointed at the ground. "Too high."
"Too—what? Brynn, it's a four foot drop, you'll be fine!" Sydney exclaimed.
"Uh, uh," Brynn said nervously. She reached her arms out. "Catch me."
"No! Get down!"
"Catch me!" she shrieked.
Brendan took a step forward but was stopped by Sydney. Her face was bright red as she walked in front of Brynn and held her arms out. "You're a dumbass," she hissed.
"Don't move, okay?" Brynn said. Slowly, she leaned forward, arms outstretched and began to fall. Sydney caught her and stumbled back a little. Brynn's head fell on her friend's shoulder. "Carry me."
Sydney wrapped Brynn's arm around her shoulder and put her own arm around her waist. Her face was livid. "You know, you're funny when you're drunk but when you're like this, you're fucking annoying."
Jonathan frowned. "Perhaps if you weren't such a bad influence on her, this wouldn't happen."
"Crane, shut up," Sydney hissed. At this point, Brynn was half conscious with her head lolling around. The boy named Brendan put her other arm around his shoulder and helped carry her away. Before they were gone, Brynn drunkenly waved goodbye to Jonathan.
For some strange reason, he lifted his palm in farewell. Why he did so, he wasn't sure. Brynn Kiley was an idiotic, self-centered, spoiled rich girl who made so many horrible decisions, Jonathan was beginning to lose track. Her stupidity disgusted him as well as the people she associated herself with.
But she was amusing. Fascinating, even. Jonathan found her to be entertaining at times and she was most certainly an interesting character. She wasn't the meanest person he had come across and could be bearable at times.
Maybe, just maybe, if Brynn could be more like him and learn to use her brain, Jonathan might even accept her.
But he knew that would never happen. So Jonathan hopped off the wall and accepted that he was a superior being to Brynn Kiley and her stupidity.
. . .
"Bleeeeeeh!"
Sunday morning, Brynn was bent over the toilet, emptying the contents of her stomach and battling a horrendous headache. The window in their dorm was opened all the way and the fan in the bathroom had been turned on. Sydney leaned against the doorway with her nose plugged.
"This should be the other way around," Brynn groaned. Another wave of nausea rolled through her stomach, sending more bile up her throat and into the toilet.
"Yeah, well, maybe if you hadn't let that pirate guy shove so many beers down your throat you wouldn't be in this situation right now."
Brynn coughed. "Who?"
Sydney rolled her eyes. The moment she had awakened, Sydney had made it obvious she was mad and Brynn had done something to anger her the night before. Watching Brynn get sick like this was probably entertaining for her. "You seriously don't remember anything that happened last night?"
"For the tenth time, no!" Brynn cried.
"Not even what happened with Jonathan Crane?" Sydney pried.
Brynn paused and looked up. "What?"
"I found you with Jonathan Crane last night."
"What?! Why?!"
Sydney shrugged. "Beats me. You guys were sitting together on a wall when I found you."
"Just sitting there?" she asked nervously.
"I don't know! For all I know, you guys could have fuc—"
"Shut up!" Brynn exclaimed. "My stomach can't hold anything, don't make me feel even worse!"
Sydney left the bathroom. The nausea took a turn for the worse, sending her stomach into violent turmoil. After a good twenty minutes, Brynn collapsed on the marble floor and curled into the fetal position.
If she and Jonathan had…done the deed or something remotely similar to that, she would rip his eyes out. Monday morning, he would be receiving a whole lot of crap from her…
. . .
A/N: Yay for updates! And Jonathan POVs! I hope it was believable :/ Leave your thoughts to let me know!
I love my reviewers so much and should tell you guys more often! Thanks to The Mourning Dragon, AlainHotCoco1, maliumpkinss, ElektraMackenzie, Musicaddict1, MusicHarryPotterVeeVodkaBatm an, tribute14, areosmithlover, chocolate bear, X-PoisonCherry-X as well as people who added the story to their alerts!Cookies for everyone! If anyone has anything they would like to critique whether it be the style of writing, the characters or anything else, please let me know!
If you have ideas or want to talk, PM me! Oh, and does anyone have a tumblr? I'd love to follow you guys and interact more often. I don't really post stuff, I mainly reblog but I follow back if you're looking for followers! Idk I just like tumblr a lot haha. My username (without the spaces) is megjmck . tumblr. Com.
Updates will most likely be a week apart from now on. It depends on how busy I am during the week and 3rd quarter at my school is supposed to be hell… Hopefully the updates won't be too delayed and I will try to get them up sooner than that.
Last thing: could you guys suggest some of your favorite Batman Begins/Dark Knight fics that have to do with Jonathan? I've had such a strong need to find some really good ones lately but whenever I try searching with keywords I get one-shots or ones I'm not interested in. I'd prefer a fic with 20+ chapters and an OC. I've already read Where Is The Edge?, The Insanity of the Sane, Corruption, The Abyss, and Chaos. Sooo yeah, suggestions would be greatly appreciated or suggest your own fics, I'd love to read them. Thanks!
Until next time, farewell my pretties!
