Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction, there's no resemlance to actual persons or events or places. If so, it is utterly not intended. We, my co-writer and I, do NOT own Bratz, MGA Entertainment or anything associated with it what so ever. Any character exposure in this story is completely non-profit and just for fun only! No copyright infringement intended! Thank you.
Summary: Her eyes never saw clearly before meeting him. Her heart hadn't started beating until he kissed her. She wasn't living before she met him. But "he" wasn't her current boyfriend, and that was the problem... Rated T - may change later. Co-written with CreativeWritingSoul. Enjoy!
Masquerade
XXVIII
Brielle waddled into class early that day, she was rather excited to tell her friends all about the untraditional baby shower she'd be having, that was based around her first date with Penn. Finora walked in, her stiletto's clicking the floor as she made her way to her usual seat in the very back of the classroom. Brielle scowled lightly, only because she hadn't worn her own beloved heels in forever! Well, a few months but it sure as hell felt like forever.
Penn advised her not to but she did go ahead with it once while he was occupied and she found herself way too unsteady to continue wearing them, so she had to settle and he compromised with her on kitten heels, but even they were getting a bit difficult to walk in and she was too drained to concentrate on keeping cute and stylish still, but she didn't feel as feminine as she normally would, it wasn't all bad though. "Sl-ut." Finora coughed loudly, glaring at a very pregnant Brielle who just rolled her eyes and shook her head, she knew that not everyone would be impressed with her pregnancy but it was ultimately her choice. Not to mention the fact that she just wanted school, prom – everything to be over and done with so she could relax with Penn before the big day came.
Here she sat waiting patiently for that, but for her friends to appear in class soon. She sighed, looking back at the door as soon as Odelia and Geneva walked through it, sitting around her as soon as they made their way to the front where she was seated. "Hey Bri, how are you feeling today?" Odelia asked her considerately, as she always did ever since the early days of the pregnancy.
"Oh I'm alright, could be better – could be worse." Her face then lit up with anticipation, making the other two girls wonder what she could possibly be thinking. Pretty much being able to see the wheels turning in her mind. "So..."
"Uh oh." Geneva commented with a giggle, opening her binder and getting all the supplies she'd need for this first class of the day.
Odelia shifted her position in her seat already; she hated sitting still for so long. Plus the fact that she didn't really want to be here and learn this crap anyway – "No listen," she began, smirking. "so... it's been decided. There's going to be a baby shower." She revealed, both her best friends squealing with joy. "But, it's going to be completely untraditional. Penn and I are both going to be involved, maybe the centers of attention as much as he'll kill us all," she laughed, knowing how much he enjoyed being noticed. Which was not at all. "and it's going to be... at the Stilesville Lanes, not quite downtown but near it." She blushed, "That's where he and I had our first date, I thought it'd be really cool."
Geneva nodded, "That's cute and totally untraditional, love it Bri. It's clever too, so what are we supposed to bring, or do?"
Brielle shrugged her slender shoulders, which a very fashionable maternity shirt flattered her temporary figure and hugged her tummy in the most comfortable manner. "Whatever you want to give as a gift, you really don't even have to – I just wanna have you guys all in once place at one time to celebrate and hang out with you honestly. And Penn, other than Ki and his family – there's really no one else that he has on a list of invites. Even the contact list in his phone is very limited. I've never seen such a small contact list actually." She went to run her hand through her platinum blond locks, but remembered they were tied back into a French braid that Penn did for her last night. He was too adorable. "It's not about how many people show up of course, it's about who shows up that really matters."
The girls nodded, "Of course." Geneva finished highlighting a section of her notes so neatly. "So we're cool with that, let us know when and what not, we'll be there with bells on babe."
She tossed her moussed locks over her shoulder, Odelia gave a confirming nod, "Y'know what else we gotta do?!" Both females were startled with Odelia's sudden outburst, in a hushed but sharp whisper.
"We gotta go shopping for Prom!" She shrieked softly, gasping that she almost forgot such a thing.
A soft groan came from Brielle, "Yeah, I know." She glanced down at her phone which was openly sitting on her desk. It triggered an idea in her mind. "You gals up for a little shopping sometime soon? We'll drag Penn, Ki and Gable along too. Ki can carry our bags." She giggled, poking fun at her 'sister from another mister'.
"She said that was the only way she'd ever go shopping with me again so, whatever. It'll be awesome, can't wait." Geneva agreed completely, finishing up with
"I can never wait to shop," Odelia chuckled to herself as she was soon forced to pay attention as fellow students filled up the desks around them, making this already forsaken day begin – those being none other than a day would soon be over and they could shop, hopefully – all three of the girls' minds being completely occupied with those thoughts as the class began
So much for the day being over soon, it was only lunch time as the whole thing seemed to drag on. Penn picked up his sandwich lazily as he and Kirana resorted to their own table this afternoon. Brielle and her friends were leaving the school for lunch and he decided to let Brielle have her space for awhile before they'd end up meeting one another again after dismissal. "So, y'know what I think is really cool?" Kirana asked her brother as she flipped through a high end fashion magazine.
Penn shifted his gaze towards his sister after he'd taken a bite from his sandwich. "Lady Gaga giving her clothes to the needy? That would be quite a sight indeed!"
Kirana actually had to take that thought and picture it, laughing out loud.
"Penn, honestly – shut the fuck up." She swatted at him, flipping through another few pages. Even though she was known as a colorful eye sore... she was trying to gain some inspiration for what her prom dress would be. She was debating on making it herself even. "No, no – the baby shower mom told me about. That doesn't just include girls. It'll be Brielle and you, which I think is pretty cool. I almost don't expect her to be the type to break traditions."
Nodding, finishing up the main course of his lunch. "Yeah, I didn't think that at first, but knowing her now – I totally expect it." He shrugged his shoulders, opening his container of block cheese and crackers. "She sent me -" before he could finish his statement, he couldn't help but to sigh with a feeling of irritation attached.
A small group of Brogan's 'jock' friends approached the table. They looked rather humble, but Penn wasn't going to be thrown off guard and then stomped on for no one. He was ready to kick ass if need be.
It wasn't the whole team who befriended Brogan, just a group of about four guys and even then they weren't close friends with him.
There was Raymond Bryant – a shorter guy with a strong build, natural red hair and green eyes. Penn remembered attending elementary school with this guy; he'd punch anyone out who called him a "Christmas tree". Brennan Russell, he was one standing next to Raymond. Tall and built like a brick wall, he had a sporty demeanor about him despite not being all muscle. He was the most laid back of the group really; his gray eyes and brunette short shaggy hair added to the over all relaxed style he had.
Gerald D'fields and his blond hair and typical but deep blue eyes tend to knock almost every woman he encounters into the middle of next week, with his stunning good looks alone. He also had a beautiful personality about him that made everything else stand out even more. Omari Burke always wore a stunning pearly white smile and if he wasn't wearing it – the end of the world was surely on its way. A very sweet guy who was always mannerly to whomever he met up with. Omari's skin was a smooth milk chocolate, eyes as brown as they could be – but they shone brightly with admiration and such great compassion for others. Even his voice would remind someone of smooth velvet and he was just as suave with the ladies, proving chivalry wasn't dead. Penn didn't really know any of these guys, but he could tell by their humble demeanors that they didn't come to cause trouble of any kind. "Can I help you?" He asked them, looking at each and every one of them carefully, studying them almost.
"Penn," Raymond started first, since he actually recognized the other from their grade school days. "I just wanna say that we aren't here to mess shit up. We don't want you to think we always sided with Brogan or whatever about him, 'cause it ain't true. We barely even liked the guy but stomached him since he was good at the sport."
Penn shook his head, "Ray... you don't have to explain anything to me. None of you do, it's okay."
Omari shook his head solemnly. "Not really, we just overheard your... colorful sister," smirking softly at her, lingering his gaze upon her for a few moments. "mentioning something about this, untraditional baby shower?"
Kirana's attention snapped from her magazine to this group of guys standing in front of them. "Yes! That's right. Brielle Hudson's planning on having a baby shower that includes both her and this asshole right here, instead of it just being all girls and what not, she's got it including both genders." She went on excitedly, actually closing her magazine and she didn't do that for anyone.
"What time would that be, and where if you don't mind me asking?" Omari questioned sweetly, everything he did was so soft and sincere. Until you saw him on the field, then he shoved that aside to play the game.
Kirana nodded, "No problem. It's going to be at Stilesville Lanes, the beginning of next month, we're kinda cutting it rather close with her due date not being extremely far away. They're expecting twins too."
Each of them high-fived Penn, and for once in his life he had to admit – that kinda felt cool. "Twins?! Holy shit dude, that's awesome." Gerald chimed in for the first time, sitting himself down at the table – the others slowly following his lead.
"Thanks?" Penn smirked, his leg restlessly moving back and forth.
Brennan gave a nod of his head a couple times, "That's real kick ass. That you're with her and you love her and shit."
"Yeah, and shit." Penn couldn't help but to chuckle at that. He had such a way with words already and he barely knew them, especially Brennan here.
Omari sat next to Kirana, who raised an eyebrow at first but then picked up her magazine once again. "So, becoming a father... she's pretty pregnant, how are you feeling?"
It felt almost strange to be asked that question in all honesty; he had to think about it. "I'm, feeling pretty good. Nervous, I keep thinking she's going to walk down the hall and drop my kids on the floor or something, especially in those heels I keep suggesting that she shouldn't wear," he narrowed his eyes, but softly smiled. "I'm pretty excited actually."
The four guys were really intrigued. "You don't even look nervous at all, what's up with that?" Gerald asked him, stealing a piece of Penn's block cheese.
"Don't mind him," Raymond excused Gerald. "if he steals your food, he thinks you're cool."
Penn pushed the container towards Gerald, "Go for it, man." But then he thought about the question. "Of course I'm nervous, I'm scared as hell. But at the same time, this is... these are, I should say... something that Brielle and I created, out of lust and love for one another. I kinda can't wait to see them, what they look like. And as they get older, to see which of our traits we passed to them... it'll be real interesting."
"That's important," Omari began, interrupting but then apologizing for it. "you're not just thinking of them as babies... but you're considering and realizing the fact that they're going to get older and grow up." He gestured to continue his conversation, as well as reach for a cracker. "My mama told me it's a sure sign that a guy's ready to be a father. Sadly mine wasn't, but y'know – that's life sometimes."
Kirana shifted her gaze briefly from her magazine to listen to him, shifting them back again. "Yeah, sometimes you just get the shitty draw – but everything happens for a reason." Penn said to Omari in a reassuring manner. "Thanks, this means a lot coming from you guys."
Kirana nodded, shoving her magazine sloppily in her handbag – that she made herself. "Definitely, we'll see you guys at the baby shower for sure." After chatting for awhile, the warning bell rang and many students cleared the cafeteria, Penn and Kirana lazily cleaning up their mess and heading out into the crowded hallways for the last half of the day to begin, oh the pure joy.
