Woo! Exams are done and over with and I'm so thankful because it was such a hassleð Anywayyy, here's an update!
Chapter Fifty-Five: "Oh Shit! Do I Smell?!"
JUSTIN AND I spent all morning talking about everything and catching up with one another.
I told him everything's that happened since I talked to him last, and needless to say, he's pissed about everything.
"Did you kick her ass?"
"No."
"Why not?" He demands. "She blinded you! Kick her ass!"
"I couldn't," I say. "She got suspended for the week and left as soon as she got sent to the office. Besides, after she did it, I could barely even see properly so fighting her would be like a drunk person fighting a cop."
"That's not true. You're stronger when you're drunk."
"But I wasn't drunk." I laugh. "Besides, she'll get what's coming to her. I'll get my revenge before leaving."
"When?"
"Well, it'll be something to remember me by, so it'll be just before I leave."
"Speaking of leaving. . ."
"I already told you to not worry about it."
"But I'm going to worry about it! You're my best friend."
"Yes, and I told you I'd handle that as well."
"It's disrespectful." He whines. "Like what you just told me makes me want to snap."
"Justin. . ."
"I'm going to punch him." He says.
"Please don't."
"I will."
"You won't."
"He deserves it, JâLo!"
"No, he doesn't." I protest. "He's just being cautious."
"He's being an asshole."
"Then it's his problem. I gave him my opinion and like every other human being, he's going to have to deal with it."
"He still shouldn't treat you that way." He argues. "He doesn't know the full story."
"Which is why I think he wants to talk." I continue. "You'll really like him, I promise. This was just a misunderstanding between us."
He sighs, and peeks at me through his long lashes. "He treats you well?"
"He's been there for me every time I needed someone." I confirm. "He knows more than anyone else."
Justin takes in a long breath, muttering words to himself before rubbing his face. "Fine. But I'll still have to meet him. As of now, he's still an asshole."
I smile, leaning across the picnic table and squeezing him. "Absolutely. Thank you."
"If he's likeâ"
"I know, I know." I interrupt. "He's not, I promise."
"Better not be."
"Isn't. Swear."
"You're a thousand percent?"
"No," I gulp, "but if he is, then I'm definitely breaking it off."
Before anyone can say anything, the bell rings. He gives me a lazy grin and stands up. "Come. Lunch is here and I'm sure the gang would love to see you."
I nod, linking our fingers together and walking back inside. We were just sitting in the field, where students eat if they don't want to sit in the cafeteria. It was good privacy, and it's also really nice out, so we were enjoying the fresh air.
"So why didn't you go to first period?" I ask. "You went to Lacey's to pick up your assignment."
"I knew something was going on in that office!" He scolds himself, and I giggle, but sober up quickly once he clears his throat. "I handed it in when I got here."
"You still should have went."
"It's one day, JâLo."
"Still."
He rolls his eyes. "Just shut up and keep walking, will you?"
I follow him as he leads us to the cafeteria, and I stop immediately once Justin opens the doors and everyone turns to see who came in.
Eyes are drawn to me almost instantly and I feel my heartbeat start to pick up its pace when I see people start to talkâguaranteed about me.
I suddenly feel like I can't breathe, because last time I was here, everyone hated me and either attacked me or bowed down to me. Now looking at those people who praised me, they look like they seen a ghost. As for those who now despise me, they have disgusted looks on their faces, and one look in particular has my blood boiling.
Stacy is sitting with her usual followers, with a huge smirk on her face; like she knew I was going to be here.
Like she knows something I don't.
"Oh," Justin says, cutting my thoughts off and tugging at my arm. "Change of plans. We're eating out today."
Figures.
Thank you, Lacey!
I let Justin drag me back out of the cafeteria, down the hall to Lacey's locker. There's still students in the hallways, no doubt staring at me. But for whatever reason, I don't feel intimidated by it. It's almost as if it's something usual; that eyes are always constantly drawn to me. I want to say it has something to do with my new-found confidence, but that's not the case.
My confidence comes and goes like the wind, and it all depends on the situation on if whether or not I'll be like I am now, part of who the real Brooklyn May is, or if it's like me returning from prison the first time, being home for not even six months, before going back in again.
I go through personality changes more than a hormonal teenage girl goes through mood changes while menstruating.
"Just so you know," Justin speaks, "Jason and Jody are like, really pro-PDA."
I scrunch my nose. "Ew. Really?"
"Oh yeah. It's highly disturbing." He replies.
I giggle, looking up at him. Since I've arrived, a smile hasn't left his face, and I'm really happy about it; that he's missed me just as much as I've missed him.
"Speaking of PDA," he starts, and I stop, yanking him back and staring up at him with wide eyes. No. Frickin'. Way! "I met someone."
"Oh my God! Really?!" I squeal, slapping him around excitedly. He grabs my hands, chuckling at me and holds them firmly in one hand.
"Yes."
"What's her name! Do I know her? What grade? When did this happen? Where does she live? Does she go to school hereâ"
"JâLo, seriously, stop!" He laughs. "I love you, but please shut your face for a minute."
"Okay, okay," I say, sobering up and inhaling deeply. "I'm smooth."
He looks at me knowingly, and sighs, and my jaw drops when I see a blush form on his cheeks. He must really like her if he's blushing, I think to myself. "Her name is Selena. She doesn't go here, she goes to the private school across town. I don't think you know her, but she's a freshman."
"Whoo, whoo, you're going after the younger ones, huh?" I smirk.
"She's only a year younger than me." He laughs. "And you."
"Right." I chuckle. I forget a lot that I skipped a grade, and that I'm in classes with juniors and not sophomores. I have a couple classes with my friends, but not many.
"I want you to meet her sometime." He tells me. "I really like her, and if you approve, then I'd be happy as hell."
"Justina, you don't need my approval to date someone." I say softly. "If you like her, go after her."
"But you're my best friend, and the one person I really want to like her besides myself, is you."
"Thank you." I smile, leaning in to hug him.
"I don't want relationships to come in between us, Brooklyn." He mumbles in my hair.
"I don't either." I say back.
"Promise me, no matter what happens, that we'll always be there for each other." He pleads. "And that you won't let some guy bring you back into a downward spiral again."
"I promise." I whisper. "Promise you won't let another girl replace me?"
He scoffs, pulling away. "No woman could ever replace you even if I tried." He then leans in and kisses my forehead. "You're my person."
I smile, and we continue our walk to Lace's locker. When we get there, everyone is there, and they all turn their heads at the sound of my heels clacking.
Gasps erupt through the halls and Jody is the first to run up and throw me into a deadly hug. "Oh my God!" She screams into my ear, and I shrink back, stunned at how high her voice has become since last I saw her.
"You always should have been an opera singer." I say as I gasp for breath.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for the next few weeks." I explain through chuckles.
"Oh my God! How?! Since when? Brooklyn, why the hell didn't you tell me? Us!"
I chuckle, taking much-needed deep breathes to recover from her suffocating death hold. "It was a surprise. Only Lace knew."
"You greedy little bitch!" Jody turns to playfully glare at Lacey. "And you're horrible for ruining surprises."
"I know!" Lacey laughs, but gives us a confident look. "I'm impressed and pleased with myself."
"Mmm, me too, baby." Casey hums from behind her, kissing her neck.
"Please keep the PDA to a minimum, you two!" I giggle, pulling each and every one of them into a much needed hug.
Eventually, the seven of us make our way outside the school, waiting to have a very long and painful catch-up.
On my end of the anyway.
I just really hope they don't judge me for all the things I've done since I got out of the Canadian prison.
Thankfully, though, I know in the end that they all have my backâfor better or for worse.
"Dammit!" Johnny suddenly yells, making me jump slightly at the sudden raise of voice.
"What? What is it?" I ask frantically, gasping for air while holding my hand over my overly beating heart.
"I have a lunch date." He cusses, "Oh shit! Do I smell?!" He shoves his chest towards me and in my face, making it scrunch up, but nevertheless, I smell him. Because A) I'm a nice friend who apparently is the only one of us five who has the balls to do so, and B) because Johnny usually never smells badâhe actually smells amazing.
"No, you're good." I laugh, the strong scent of a cologne I most definitely find seductive. "Actually, you're very good. It almost makes me want to kiss you right now."
"Sweet." He smirks, and kisses my cheek teasingly. "I'm sorry to run, but I really like this girl and don't want her to think of me as a total dick just yet. Make-up date?"
"Yes, absolutely. I want details!" I smile widely, and he smirks, kissing my cheek once again before he jogs off behind us.
We continue walking out the doors, all the while I cannot keep a smile off my face. I've missed these guys, and it feels great to reunite.
"He used to have a crush on you, you know." Lacey speaks up, nudging my arm with her elbow.
"What?" I ask, puzzled.
"Johnny. He used to like you." She elaborates.
"When?"
"I don't know when it started, but I knew he liked you last year."
"Really?" I ask in complete shock. I never knew such a thing; the boys were always teases with me, I just figured it was them playing.
"Totally."
"Shame." I shrug. "I totally would have gone out on a date with him if I knew."
"Seriously?" Justin chuckles from beside me.
I look up to him and smile sheepishly, a light blush forming on my cheeks. "Yeah. I mean, he's definitely easy on the eyes, he's sweet, funny, and doesn't get around. Ideally, I'd try it."
"Huh." He hums. "Interesting."
"Although I'll admit I'm attracted to him, I have no interest in pursuing a romance between us." I add.
"That's cute." He teases, and I slap his arm.
"Shut up." I chuckle, and link my arm through his. "So, where are we headed?"
"Dunkin' Donuts." Jason groans. He never liked that place; no idea why.
"If it makes you feel better, there's a Starbucks across the street. Now, stop being a big baby. We haven't even left the parking lot." Jody scolds him, and he rolls his eyes, locking eyes with me and mouthing, 'she's mean.'
'I know.' I mouth back. God, it feels good to be home.