The night was still and well underway. Kirsty crept out of Kane's room; she'd be dead if she didn't get home soon. They didn't do anything, mostly talked about their engagement and future and did some major pashing, but that was enough. More would come later. She looked around the open plan living area and felt one of the smooth polished shelves; it was gorgeous. She could definitely see herself living there.
"Mrs Phillips, " she said to herself. "Has a nice ring to it." Despite their conversations, she couldn't help thinking that he'd been keeping something from her. Perhaps he was nervous in the change of scenery, the restaurant they went to was a bit upmarket, not Kane's usual style. He'd seemed a little reserved at first, slightly freaked out, but soon got used to his fiancé's company.
Brooke was fumbling with her key in the lock. She'd been out late at Kit's house and had lost track of time; she'd told Kit if she ever felt like a drink, she should call her, and she did after the day she'd have. Cooperating with teachers wasn't exactly Kit's strong point. Brooke opened the door, and realising Kane was asleep, tiptoed towards her room, and feeling a bit clumsy she stuck her hand out to the wall. This would have been fine if Kirsty wasn't standing there. They both screamed.
"Kirsty?"
"Brooke?"
She fiddled with a nearby lamp. "Oh. You're here."
"Yeah, Kane took me out to dinner and we came back here and talked. He would have given me a lift back but he's had a bit much to drink."
"Right. Talked."
"Seriously, "Kirsty pushed her hair out of her face, accidentally showing her engagement ring. She'd worn it tonight instead of keeping it on a necklace, to at least show the world they were a couple, if not her family.
"Is that ring what I think it's for?"
A big grin spread across Kirsty's face. She'd been dying to tell someone about their good news. "Yes, we're getting married!"
"Congratulations. I suppose I'd better let you tell your family the good news."
"As if, doubt they'll speak to me again. You can't tell anyone."
"My lips are sealed. I'll see you tomorrow then." Kirsty left, leaving Brooke feeling slightly dismayed. Her future sister-in-law. It all seemed so sudden.
***
Kane woke up with a slight hangover. He'd been drinking a lot on the date, thinking his problems would go away, but they hadn't. Scott was back on his case. Of course yesterday he had seemed charming, hiding in the alley behind the gym, acting like he was pleased to see the brother who'd helped him get locked up, but Kane knew he was back for more than a brotherly visit. Ever since he'd been left the money from his aunt, he'd been worried about Scott trying to get his hands on it. Aunt Rosemary left nothing for Scott in his will; she never took to him much, and specified that he shouldn't get any of it; the money was for Kane to make something of himself. Scott would just use it to scam people and cause more chaos. He wasn't the type to invest wisely. Still, he hadn't exactly been asked about the money yet, maybe there was no ulterior motive. Perhaps he'd be okay.
***
Another day of school began, much like the first. Brooke began to see the pattern emerging. Soon she'd start feeling like she lived at school, and only went back to the apartment to sleep and wash. The days would start to melt into each other, and she'd be stuck in a trap before she knew it.
"We've got History today," said Kirsty as they walked towards school. "We get to do an assignment in Germany. You'll probably have to work with Jade, she hasn't got a partner yet."
"Jade?" Brooke pulled a face. "I'm not exactly her favourite person right now. Speaking of her, when are you going to tell your family about the proposal?"
"Soon, " lied Kirsty. She wanted to put it off as long as she could. They hadn't even begun to deal with her and Kane going out again, let alone marrying each other. "It won't happen for ages anyway, unless we elope or something."
"Are you sure it's what you want and you're not just trying to prove a point to your folks? It just seems a bit sudden."
"We've been through so much Brooke, it just feels right, " Kirsty felt her ring hanging on a chain around her neck. It made her feel different, more confident.
They carried on into yet another classroom, and sat down at identical desks. History would be useful to Brooke; she'd always liked it. Not all the school stuff they learned, but the really interesting gory stuff, like how they tortured criminals and all the scandals that travelled through villages like wildfire. History was something that couldn't be changed; it was fact.
The teacher entered the room, the complete opposite of the chemistry teacher, short, stout and alert looking. Sure enough, there were to be doing presentations on different aspects of Nazi Germany, and Brooke was with Jade. Brooke was thrilled at the prospect.
"Jade, you're going to have to talk to me at some point, " she said to a silent Jade, buried in a text book. "What do you know about the Reichstag fire?"
"I know that it was deliberately set up, " snapped Jade.
"Okay… " said a bemused Brooke. "Listen Jade, I know we won't ever be best buddies through some bizarre twist of fate, but we could at least try and do this. I want a good grade; you want a good grade." She paused for a moment. "You know I'm not a threat to Nick."
"I didn't think you were!" Jade threw her textbook down in disgust, making her sister look up. "We're not even going out, I don't know why you would think that."
"Whatever." It was a good thing Nick wasn't in class that day to see this; Brooke thought Jade protested too much. "I just wanted you to know I'm not interested in him." She didn't add the 'yet' on the end.
After an uncomfortable lesson, Brooke needed a cigarette. It definitely would be her last one; she was running out of money to buy them plus it did seem a bit stupid sometimes. She'd only started because her old friends did, the ones that made her life hell. She was at a new place in her life now, and she didn't need them.
"Are you gonna miss them? " asked Kit, as they stood behind some faraway trees at lunch.
"For a bit. They've become a bit of a routine, " Brooke blew out some smoke. "A bit of a silly routine."
Kit took a sip of water. "I can understand that."
Just as Brooke was about to put out her cigarette, a female teacher saw her. Mrs Saunders had been looking for Brooke anyway, a certain blonde twin had mentioned seeing her near the infamous smokers spot, and she was right.
"What do we have here?"
Brooke quickly put out her cigarette. "Caught."
"You do know Brooke that this normally means immediate suspension?"
"I do, and I'm sorry. If its any consolation its my last one ever."
"It's true Mrs Saunders, " piped Kit. "She's given up now."
"Well, I'm not sure about that Kit, " she looked at Brooke. "I'll keep this just between us since you're new, and making progress. You'll be in detention after school tomorrow though. I think that's fair."
"Thanks, Mrs Saunders. I won't let you down."
Mrs Saunders walked off, and acknowledged a nearby Jade, hanging around.
"I'll give you two guesses who set me up, " said Brooke to Kit as they walked past.
"Whatever will she think of next?"
"I bet she doesn't know who I'm in detention with." She smiled; she'd seen Nick getting the third degree from Mr Burnet earlier for missing class. Detention would be his only option.
***
The day at the gym passed quickly, and with the last hour to go, Kane was looking forward to eating something nice when he got home. He didn't expect Brooke to cook it for him though; he'd probably just send out for pizza. It would be a late night tonight, figuring out the books and working out expenses and wages. He probably wouldn't make much profit, but that didn't matter to him. Independent at last, he had total control, or so he thought.
Scott Phillips slipped into the gym, almost unseen by his brother. He looked quite relaxed; well, he would with all the money he'd inherited and all the nice things he'd bought. People talked around this town about him, how he had something to offer. Scott knew otherwise. Deep down he was the same as he always was, and as long as he was like that, Scott would still be in control.
He watched Kane speak to a mixed-race girl for a minute and hand her some money. She smiled as she left him; they looked slightly awkward, like they were new to each other's lives, yet definitely weren't boyfriend and girlfriend. Scott knew he was with Kirsty Sutherland, one of the families who hated him.
"Nice gym Kane." He made himself known.
Kane was slightly taken aback. What did Scott want now? He had to meet Brooke soon back at the apartment, and speak to Kirsty at some point. "Scott."
"Nice to see you. So you run this joint then?" Scott ran his fingers across the front desk. "Needs a clean."
"What do you want?"
"I heard about Aunt Rose. She's set you up well."
It was getting more awkward for Kane, who could sense what would be coming next. "I'm sorry that she didn't leave you anything Scott, but that's just the way she was. She probably thought you wouldn't be coming out for a long time."
"No excuse Kane, no excuse." He brought his voice down to almost that of a whisper, looking his brother right in the eye, taking full advantage of his height and heavier frame.
"I want what I'm owed."
Kane wouldn't let him take control of the situation again. "Are you going to threaten me?"
"I want what I'm owed, and I will get it Kane, if it's the last thing I do. I know things about you. I know what you did here before you came back, and I've heard about your engagement. Pretty girl."
"But how — ?"
"I just know Kane, and I can use it against you." Scott backed away. "I'll be back tomorrow. Have a nice evening.
Kane could only stare. No matter how much he tried to stand up to him, it felt like Scott was always winning.