Disclaimer: I don't own HP- JK Rowling does.
A/N: Sorry this chapter is kind of short. Only 9 chapter left!
Three days after Maddie, Nick and Tyler left I returned to Bill's Steaks. I worked the late shirt starting from 5 and ending at 12 when they closed. I woke up and started the day with Stan gone. That damn Knight Bus. I took a slow shower and I took even more time getting dressed. Just as I finished putting a last swipe of mascara on Mum called me down for lunch. It seemed I wasn't the only sulky one though. Abby pushed at her salad with her fork, only eating the croutons.
"I don't understand why you have to go back to work. I want to play all day." She said. I nodded, so did I. Stan, already home, didn't even look at me. He pushed his food around on his plate but still ended up eating a third helping of everything.
"I'm changing my shift on the bus. Instead of the morning I'll work the same time as you so we'll be able to spend more time together," He said suddenly to me as he put down his fork. I looked up. God, I loved him. I put my hand on his arm and looked into his eyes, with a look that I hoped to convey this without words. We stared at each other silently. I could feel Mum's and Abby's gazes but decided to ignore them. Suddenly he grabbed my arm and pulled me up. "5 minutes, Mum," He shouted as he ran up the stairs to our room, pulling me behind. By the time the door was closed and I had caught my breath Stan's lips were mine.
We arrived downstairs 20 minutes later, out of breath with matching swollen lips. Our dishes had already been cleaned and Mum was in the kitchen shaking her head. If she wanted to express her doubts, she didn't say anything. Abby was trying unsuccessfully to play a game of gobstones by herself. She was covered in a purple liquid and I said a cleaning spell to wipe her clean. She thanked me and went back to playing.
"I've still got time, Abby. I'll toss you some apples and you can save them outside." I told her and went to retrieve my coat and boots. Abby dressed in hers stood at the door with our brooms in her hand. We opened the door and a biting chill hit our faces. Why was it so cold? Of course it had been below freezing since before Christmas but not like this. We were outside for five minutes and then came hurrying inside. I was surprised how fast Mum had made the hot chocolate this time. Each time we would come inside from the cold a hot chocolate always seemed to be waiting for us. I asked her about this.
"Oh no, dear. It's not me. Creech, our house elf, always make the hot chocolate." She said as if this was obvious.
"House elf?" I said mollified making sure I heard her right. I hadn't seen a house elf around here and I'd been living there for almost 2 months.
"Yes. Usually you don't see him. I haven't told you about my business have I?" She asked me and I shook my head. "I sell books, muggle books, to witches and wizard who don't want to go muggle shops. I give them recommendations. It doesn't have a big revenue, but I still have a few good loyal customers." And suddenly it hit me. All of the muggle books on the kitchen table when I'd first arrived, Maddie knowing about all of the movies and all of the books in Stan's bookshelf. "Creech delivers them for me. But I don't know what it is when ever he hears the back door opens, he comes home and makes hot chocolate." She sat down her tea and looked at Abby and me, our hot chocolates almost gone, some lonely marshmallows floating at the top. "I pay him though. I follow the new laws and everything." She was referring to the new Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare laws requiring a person to now pay there elves a minimum of 1 sickle a month. I tried looking for Creech that day but I had no luck. He must be hiding from me.
I arrived at the newly renovated Bill's steaks dressed in my uniform (a white shirt with black robes) at 4:30. Personally I couldn't see the difference despite a few different light fixtures in the "newly renovated" bistro. It still looked like the hosh posh place I worked at. Only the rich came here, usually ending up drunk and out a few hundred dollars on two meals. It was slow that night, because it was Wednesday. Or at least that's what one of my co-workers said.
"It's slow because it's Monday," She had said the last evening I had been there. Time went slow when I only had one table at a time. Refilling iced tea glasses was only so entertaining. And then at last it was midnight and I ushered a drunken couple out of the restaurant and closed up. I couldn't wait to go home and sleep in Stan's arm and then when I woke up he would still be there, stroking my cheek and holding my body. I could barely contain my excitement as I reached the outside of the house. I walked up the familiar porch and to the door I had my hand poised over the knocker when suddenly I realized in the chilly night that it was midnight. Abby, Mum and probably Stan were all asleep now. I didn't have a key. I quickly disapparated to Stan's bedroom. I tried my hardest to land by the couch and not disturb him. I opened my eyes when I felt my feet touch solid ground. I was standing on the bed, correction: I was standing on Stan.
"Um, hey." He said looking up to me. I quickly sat down and rolled off of him.
"I don't have a key," I explained.
"Aim for the couch next time," He said getting up and rubbing his back. "How was work?"
"Good," I lied and lay down on the bed. I patted the space next to me and Stan followed my unsaid orders and took the place next to me. His arms wrapped around me and I was so glad to able to smell that kick of cinnamon again.
"Want to go out for lunch tomorrow?" He said pulling me closer. I shifted so we were in our usual position. My head was laid out his arm, Stan's nose close to the crevice of my neck.
"Yes," I said breathlessly as he kissed my temple and squeezed me tighter still.
I woke up early the next day. Stan was already rummaging through the closet with a serious look on his face. He picked out a blue t-shirt I loved him and jeans. He looked over at me to make sure I was still sleeping and I quickly closed my eyes. I heard him rummaging and opened my eyes a slit again. He was wearing light blue boxers. His scarred chest flexed as he bent down to pick up his jeans. I let out an audible sigh. Why did he have to be so enticing? Stan's head cocked up when my sound reached his ears and our eyes met. I tried to hurriedly close them again and feign sleeping but it was no hope. I opened my eyes again to see that he got that devilish grin on his face.
"Baby, if you wanted some you should have come downtown last night," Stan said mischievously. He threw his arms up and moved his now clothed hips in a dance move. I giggled and Stan laughed. "I'm thinking we should get going in a little bit. It's only 10 but I was thinking we could disappear before Abby and Mum realize what's going down," He said. I nodded and picked out a long sleeve shirt and knee length khaki skirt. We were both ready by 10:30 and by some miracle my hair had dried in an almost cute manner leaving me time to spare.
"Date," Stan said simply to his mom and took my hand. When we disapparated I could still here Mum's "Have fun." We arrived not in Diagon Alley but instead at a muggle establishment. In front of us was a familiar restaurant.
"McDonald's?" I asked him curiously. Stan grinned.
"I hear it's really high class in the muggle world," He said and held open the door for me. I could barely stifle a laugh as his face fell when he saw the playground and then the dirty tables. "Muggles have really low standards," He said with his brow furrowed. I laughed at him as he paid for our burgers and fries.
"You carry around muggle money?" I asked him as I bit down into my fry.
"Of course. I don't know when you'll want to do an impromptu date." He grinned as he bit into his own burger. I couldn't help but blush thinking about the fact that today was our first official date as a couple. Of course we had been dating since Christmas but we hadn't done anything together. Unless you counted snogging as 'doing something', which truthfully, I always did.
"So tell me Brooke. What made you fall for me? Let's be truthful now," Stan said in such a weird voice I couldn't help but laugh.
"The money, definitely. I've always wanted a rich man," I said laughing. He grinned.
"I had my suspicions from the start." He laughed but then stopped suddenly. "But come on Brooke, tell me. I really am curious." His smile faded a little yet it still seemed to hold the same radiance.
"I don't know. I guess that your really nice and you always make me smile. You're a really good kissed too, so that's a plus," I said truthfully. I looked down at my burger and surprised to see it was half gone, the date already halfway finished.
"I'll accept that. Although I will admit that all my other girlfriend's have told I was an extremely good kisser," He said and I laughed. What girlfriends?
"Your imaginary girlfriends?" I asked him teasingly and he smiled.
"I've had my share," He said. And then suddenly remembered he had dodged this question the last time I'd asked.
"No seriously. Tell me about your other girlfriends," I said seriously. What if it was someone I knew?
"Well, before… you know," He started. "I was in wrecks because of you for a year. No lie, I couldn't even look at another girl without thinking about you. Then along came Tina. Tina was nice we dated for 6 months before I figured out she wasn't the one, you know?" He asked but I could respond he was continuing. "She didn't laugh at my jokes. She didn't like kids. Then there was Amy for 4 months but that was mostly physical. That's all. I haven't seen anyone else for 5 years." He shrugged and sipped his drink. I stayed silent.
"I laugh at your jokes," I said suddenly and then blushed. He just stared at a spot to left of my shoulder in embarrassment. No, wait, he was looking at someone. I turned around and followed his gaze. There was Hunter, wrapped around the arms of a busty redhead. His secretary, no doubt. Disgusting.
"Merlin," Stan said, "Speak of the Devil," Hunter broke away and looked up to find the two of us staring at him. The redhead looked confused as Hunter took her hand and walked over to our table. I turned back to Stan and began to busily eat my French fries.
"Stan?" The redhead said. I just stared at her. They knew each other? Hunter's eyes were on mine, apparently not interested in his slut's conversations.
"I had to order a new remote you know." He said angrily.
"Hunter, maybe if-" I started but was cut off by Stan.
"Hunter?" He yelled jumping up and his eyes traveled from the redhead to Hunter and back to the redhead. "Amy?" I could have laughed at the situation when it sank in, but didn't. Our exes were together, Stan's and mine. We could qualify for Jerry Springer. I had just let out a giggle when I sat in horror as I saw Stan's fist connect with Hunter's jaw. Amy gasped and rushed over to her boyfriend who was now sprawled on the floor.
"Stan!" I yelled at him and grabbed his arm. He was seething with rage, it was rolling off his in waves. "Why did you do that?" I demanded but he just shrugged at me.
"He hurt you, so I hurt him," He said simply. I slapped his arm in rage.
"I don't care about him, you idiot! You are so stupid!" I yelled rushing over to Amy who was next to the apparently pissed off Hunter. He didn't lunge towards Stan and I was glad for that. Onlookers had already dispersed and went back to there food. I slipped out my wand and said "Episkey" and Hunter's jaw mended. I waved goodbye and stormed out of the restaurant purposely bumping into Stan who hadn't moved an inch. I apparated home and tore up the stairs and headed towards the room ignoring Abby's calls. I slammed the door and muttered every locking spell I could manage. I threw myself down on the bed and resisted the urge to throw something. Angry tears spilled down my cheeks. Stupid Stan. Stupid! Why would he do that? They just came over to have a probably awkward conversation. Hunter probably just wanted his remote back, the idiot. Maybe he just punched Hunter because he was jealous of his ex-girlfriend. That was probably it. She had the biggest tits I'd ever seen, bigger than Sunny's and much bigger than mine. I heard a tap from the window but ignored it. Stan could wingardium leviosa his ass somewhere else. I pressed my face deeper into the pillow. Maybe if I was lucky Stan would fall and break his neck. I immediately regretted thinking that. What if I jinxed it and now he did fall? There was another knock on the window. I hurriedly ran to the window and flung it open to let him in. He sloppily fell on the floor and a burst of cold wind came with him. I closed the window and lay down on the bed again.
"Brooke," He said but I snuggled closer to the pillow and closed my eyes intent on ignoring him. "I'm sorry. I got jealous," He said. I knew it; I knew he was jealous of that slut. He probably just liked her because she was so much better looking than me. Tears started coming down on my face.
"Well if she's so pretty why don't you go and date her then," I spat. Then I heard laughter. That jerk had the nerve to laugh! I turned around and threw the pillow at him. He just laughed more.
"I hate you!" I yelled at him. His laughter faded suddenly. Guilt crept up towards me. "No I don't." I said in afterthought. I sat up on the bed. I quickly wiped the tears away from my eyes, he had lost the right to see me vunerable.
"Brooke, you don't understand. I'm jealous because of you! You're so beautiful every guy wants to have you. I just…" He ran his hand through his hair and came closer to me slowly. "I just don't want to lose you to a punk like that ever again." I still averted my gaze from him and I heard him sigh.
"You didn't have to hit him," I said sulkily. I sounded like a toddler who needed a nap. Which in truth, I probably did.
"I know. I apologized to him." He said quietly. He grabbed my hand before I could pull away and sat down next to me. "Don't be mad at me."
"I'm not mad at you, I mad at what you did," I said and leaned back onto his chest. Even though I was mad at him, my body acted on it's own accord. He kissed the top of my head. I hated when he did that. I loved him.
"I'm sorry, Brooke," He said rubbing small circle of the back of my hand with his thumb. Merlin, I loved him.