Understand

(It's not the slang of my country, but I really enjoy the word "snog". It should be more apparent in the American version of our language.)

Brooke wouldn't have ever told Nicole.

Brooke had thought about telling her, sure. This was a big deal. She liked someone. Liked someone enough for her judicious and stalwart mind to start thinking about calling it love. Before she and Sam had realized just how mutual their likings were, it had made her distraught enough to evoke a "What's wrong, Brookie?" from her short haired friend in question. Brooke had had plenty of time to tell her.

But what would she have said? Nicole wouldn't have reacted well. Sam and Brooke had both agreed to keep their relationship under wraps for now, only telling those they trusted the most. As much as Brooke trusted Nicole, the diva's main concern seemed to be with public matters that would affect school hierarchy. She could be intensely hot and cold with any particular subject. Brooke figured for how much Nik insulted Sam, she wouldn't *want* to know something so personal.

Which is why Nicole had to walk in on Brooke mid-snog with Sam to know about it. Which, as Brooke follows Nicole's figure storming out of the house, retrospectively seems like a less pleasant way for Nik to find out.

"Nicole, wait, I can-"

"What, 'explain', Brooke? I don't need explanation, I don't need details, and I don't need whatever minutia was about to come out of your mouth. I'm just hurt that you didn't trust me enough to tell me."

"It's not that I don't trust you, I just… didn't think you wanted to know."

"Well, if I had known there was any possibility you'd be sucking face with that-"

"She's a human, Nicole, please use the proper species."

"Whatever. If it was anything like a possibility, I wouldn't have ever barged in like that. If not because you can depend on me, at least have some pity for me."

"Nicole, I'm genuinely sorry. Is there anything I can do to make it better?"

"It's fine, Brookie. More hunks for me. Just as long as you promise you'll tell me about things in the future. Only big things, though. No mushy crap."

They hugged, bff status saved for the night.

"Is she any good?"

"What? I thought you said no details..."

"Well, if my Queen B is going to settle for a pauper like… that… I assume there's some redeeming quality."

Brooke laughed the end of the conversation, Nicole offering a chuckle.

"Well, educational as this night was, I think I best be getting home. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Nik."

Gracious grins that had sprouted as Nicole's car drove away were quickly kissed away into the sweetest smiles that had ever graced her lips.