At the end of an unforgettable week, Kit felt like she deserved a reward. What with her family more crazy than ever, and Kirsty's behaviour, it was a wonder that she managed to stop herself drinking. There was only one way to treat herself. Shopping. Beth had given her some money as a treat, and she was going to buy something that she wouldn't normally. A dress. Ok, so the school prom was months away, but there was no harm in looking. A year ago she wouldn't have cared about a prom. She was different now.
"Where are we going now?" Brooke hated shopping with a passion, especially for dresses. Last time her mother made her buy an orange floral bridesmaids dress for her wedding, she'd almost fainted in disgust. She much preferred to just find the clothes she wore, randomly in markets, or make new ones.
"Well, there's another dress shop around the corner, " Kit looked at Brooke's bored face. "Or we could just sit down and have a drink. Non-alcoholic of course."
"Make this shop the last one then."
As they made their way to the next shop, Brooke couldn't help realising that she'd never really gone shopping with friends before. They were all too busy getting high to care about clothes.
Real Image looked expensive from the outside. The window was full of big, beaded, strapless dresses, which were probably more suited for awards ceremonies than a high school dance.
"I never thought I'd get so excited about a dress, " said Kit as they entered the shop. "And they've got a sale."
Brooke felt a silky blue dress. It looked nice on the hanger, but would probably look completely different on her, the result of inheriting her mother's rear. Anyway, she didn't do dresses, unless they were worn over jeans.
"What about this one?" said Kit pointing towards a black strapless dress, with stitched white flowers. She looked at the price tag. "Woah! That is like, ten times my budget."
"No harm in trying it on."
"I suppose. You should try that blue one you were looking at. It'd look good on you."
"I told you Kit, I don't do dresses."
"I used to think that, until I saw what effect they have. You know, like in the movies, when a girl with freckles and glasses is made up to go to the ball, and her prince suddenly falls in love with her."
"You're hoping to have that effect on Noah?"
Kit smiled coyly. "Maybe. And if I have to wear a dress then so be it. Try it on Brooke, it's not like you're gonna buy it."
Brooke grabbed a dress in her size, and went to the changing rooms. They were quite spacious, with soft lighting and a small white chair to sit on. She sat on it for a while, just staring at the dress, then realised that she'd never know what she looked like if she didn't put it on.
"Here goes nothing, " she said to herself, as she got changed.
"Are you ready yet?" called out Kit. "I need to be zipped up!"
"Wait." Brooke pulled the straps over her shoulders. Admittedly, it was a nice dress, a sort of 50's style with black beads randomly scattered around. She opened the curtain to come face to face with Kit.
"Wow!" they both said in unison. Brooke had never seen Kit look so, well, stunning. Normally she wore baggy jeans and jumpers but now you could really see her. She was mesmerized, almost feeling something unnatural towards her, kind of like the prince moment she was describing earlier.
"You look great Kit, you have to buy that dress."
"Thanks. Somehow I think it needs shoes, " Kit lifted up the dress to reveal her walking boots. She was almost envious of her friend; her curves fitted the dress perfectly. "You look good too Brooke, you should wear that to the prom."
"I don't think so. I probably won't even go. Besides, I have no money and this is, " Brooke looked at the tag on the strap, "$700. In the sale."
"I suppose the dream is over then."
"Yeah, I suppose."
They both went back into their separate cubicles.
***
As she walked towards the apartment, Brooke couldn't stop thinking about how good Kit looked in the dress. It was like she'd really seen her for the first time. Plus she was funny (in her sarcastic way) and complex enough yet friendly. Brooke sighed. It was happening again, she could feel it. She was falling for someone.
Scott paced around the car pack of the apartments. Kane had obviously put his money, their money, to good use. Sea view and everything.
"Nice pad, " he muttered to himself.
"Can I help you?" A mixed-race girl approached him, who looked somewhat familiar. She must live in the block.
"Yes, " he smiled. "You can. I'm waiting for Kane Phillips. He's not at his gym or anywhere else nearby. Do you know where he is?"
Brooke was getting a strange feeling about this guy. He was a complete stranger to her, yet seemed familiar. "May I ask who you are?"
"Scott Phillips. His brother."
She had come face to face with him. The brother who caused so much pain to the other. Somehow she knew she shouldn't reveal her identity to him, no, she'd have to throw him off the scent. "You know, I don't think he lives here, I swear he still lives in Yabbie Creek…"
"Listen, " he said leaning in, grabbing her wrist. "Don't treat me like I was born yesterday. I know he lives here, and if you're covering for him, tell him that I'm onto him."
She was somewhat overpowered, but knew that she shouldn't speak out. Now she could see how Kane could fear him. "If I knew him, I'd tell him."
"Oh, I know you know him. I've seen you talking. You his bit on the side?"
"No. Just an acquaintance."
"Well if you happen to acquaint yourself with him today, tell him I'll find him." He let go of her wrist; Brooke could see an indentation where he'd gripped it so tightly. He walked away from her, his unknown sister. "I'll see you around."
Brooke hated him already.
***
Dani felt a lot calmer now after speaking with Kane. Sure she was a bit shaken up, she almost could have killed him, but now she felt like she could look at him and not have the memories come flooding back. Now she was going to tell Kirsty that they had her blessing, not that they needed it before.
"Kirsty?" Dani knocked on her door. Kirsty stuffed the money given to her by Kane under her pillow. All $5000 of it. She had been staring at it for ages; she'd never seen so much money.
"Come in."
Dani opened the door to her sister sitting on the bed, staring up at her. She looked so much older now, nothing like she had done a year ago. "I spoke to Kane."
"Oh?"
"Don't ask how I saw him, but we had a chat. You know how I feel about him, and that will never change, but I can see that he has. I just wanted to give you both my blessing."
Kirsty smiled. "Thanks. That means a lot."
"That doesn't mean I think you should get married. Give it time Kirst, make sure that he's what you want."
"He is what I want, " said a definite Kirsty.
"Well that's good then. I'll see you later then, I've got a stupid Saturday lecture soon."
Kirsty said goodbye, then thought about how to resolve the Kane situation. They hadn't really spoken since she'd announced the engagement, and she'd been trying to call him all day. She sensed something wasn't right with him, and she need to find out soon.
***
After thinking about her meeting with her older brother the previous day, Brooke remembered that it was her birthday on Wednesday. Well, she didn't remember exactly, just put it to the front of her mind instead of being in denial about it. She'd always hated birthdays. Her mother was always drunk and once in her stupor she'd given her an old whisky bottle. It was on a shelf in her room in Perth, probably collecting dust. She liked to look at it sometimes.
She also had her younger brother to worry about. He hadn't returned home the previous night; he wasn't in his room, or at the gym, and she doubted he was with Kirsty. Brooke sat on the balcony at the rear of the apartment, they hardly ever used it, but there was a nice view. A view you could almost get lost in.
A key turned in the lock. It had to be Kane. Brooke called out. "Kane?"
"Brooke?"
"Where have you been?" She went into the kitchen, almost saying that she was worried sick, but it seemed too mother-like.
"Just out."
"Where?"
"The pub, " lied Kane. He turned round to face his sister, hoping she wouldn't notice.
"You cut your lip."
"I know."
"How?"
"Some guys were hassling me, I was outnumbered. You know how it is."
"Actually I don't, " said Brooke folding her arms. "I met our brother yesterday. He was waiting around outside."
"Scott? He was here?"
"Yeah, but I bet you knew that. Did he find you?"
"Just leave it out Brooke, okay?" Kane went towards his room. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Fine then, just let him walk all over you, just like he always does, "she attempted to calm herself down. "What is this all about?"
Kane couldn't shut his sister out forever, plus he needed to speak to someone who would answer back. "It's about my inheritance. Scott wants it, and when I don't give it to him, he whacks me. It's not a problem anymore."
"It is when assault is involved. That was your money Kane, and from what I saw of Scott, I know he won't put it to good use. You can't give in to him."
"I have to Brooke." He almost sounded real now; there was no tough façade. "He makes threats and I never know if he's gonna carry them out. I can't risk it."
"Threats towards us?"
"He doesn't know who you are yet, and I'd like it to stay that way, " he opened his bedroom door. "I'm going to get an early night, I'll see you in the morning."
"Bye then."
Brooke left the apartment. She needed to go for a walk. Her thoughts were full of complicated her life was becoming, almost like back in Perth. She was almost powerless; she wanted to lash out at Scott but feared he would get there first. Perhaps she was overwhelmed, or maybe it was hormones, but Brooke began to cry. She hadn't done so for ages, and it felt good to let it all out as she walked along the beach.
Fortunately, Nick was there to spot her. This wasn't the Brooke he was used to seeing. "Brooke, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, " she said, trying not to cry. "Just leave me alone."
"I could, but it might help if you talked about it, " he put his hand on her shoulder; she didn't have the energy to push it away. "Irene's out, we could talk at my place."
Anything was better than waiting around, for nothing to happen. Brooke nodded in agreement, and they left the beach.