I had spent the whole week going to Aiden's to study. When he goes to the bathroom, that's when I get my evidence. I have taken pictures of all the exams and the box. I want to get access to that storage to find even more.
It's not like it's that easy to study, not when he's there distracting me the whole time. I guess I should probably find a better studying place that isn't the last-living-Greek-god's bed.
"So, Brook," Aiden says as he casually takes my notes from my hands, "you hungry?"
"Not really," I say and snatch back my notes, flipping over on his bed.
He smiles. "I can go pick up something on campus and bring it back. This way you can keep studying, and I can keep hanging out with you... without starving to death."
"Okay, well, in that case I'd like Pad Thai." I reach for my purse on the floor and hand him a ten-dollar bill.
"I got you," he says, handing me back the money and kissing me quickly.
My stomach jumps a little. Maybe I am hungry. Or maybe I am completely crushing.
He jumps off the bed, grabs his keys, and says he'll be back in 15.
"15 seconds? Minutes? Days?" I joke as he steps out of the room.
The second the door closes, I leap into action. Brooklyn Chapman? Nope, it's Nancy Drew.
The frat house is pretty quiet on weekdays, since most of the guys are out at darties (college lingo for daytime parties) or hungover from the previous night. Aiden has given me a tour of the house already, so I know exactly where to go to find the storage room. I know that's where the juicy stuff will be.
Just when I place my hand on the storage door, I hear a voice.
"Hey, what's up?" Bradley is smiling at me, but I can tell he's confused where I'm going.
"Hey! I'm trying to find the bathroom," I lie. "Is this not the bathroom?"
"Nope." He is still looking at me suspiciously. "Here, follow me."
I follow him to the bathroom, even though he's wasting my precious sleuthing minutes. "Thanks," I say when we get in front of the bathroom that is right across from Aiden's room. "Looks like I just got some extra steps in!"
I wait in the bathroom for like 2 minutes until I assume Bradley has walked away. I flush the toilet and wash my hands, despite not going to the bathroom. Acting at its finest.
It might seem suspicious if I get caught by the storage closet again, so I decide to just go back to Aiden's room.
Before I can go in, I get stopped by yet another brother.
"Sup, Aiden's girl," a kid with curly hair says.
Aiden's girl. Hm. It's got a nice ring. I smile inwardly.
Wait, Brooklyn, who are you right now? You belong to no man! "I'm not his girl," I say light-heartedly. "My name's Brooklyn."
"Cool." I can tell he didn't even listen to my name. "Are you guys dating or what?"
"We've been on dates," I say with a shrug.
"They're totally dating, bro," another kid with a blue baseball cap on says as he's walking down the hallway.
"She says she's not his girl," the curly-haired kid replies. "What sorority are you in?"
"Dude, she's the Geed," blue baseball cap says.
I cringe at the word. It reminds me that Aiden only asked me to go to his formal because I wasn't in a sorority. Why do these guys care so much about that? "Indeed. I am the Geed."
"I can't believe Aiden's dating a Geed." The curly-haired kid says. "Uh, I mean, no offense. You're hot for a Geed and everything, so I get it."
"Thanks," I say, but it comes out more like a question. Was that even a compliment?
"Yeah, no problem," he says as if he just did me a huge favor. "Anyway, it was nice to meet you, uh, Brittany." He turns to baseball cap. "Let's go Juul on the balc."
"Okay. Bye, Brittany," blue baseball cap says.
"It's actually..." They're already too far down the hallway, leaving a tropical scent in the air. "Never mind."
I check my watch. I still have about 7 minutes. I can hear Bradley's voice from downstairs, so I know he won't catch me. I speed walk my way through the house to get to the storage room once again.
The door is luckily unlocked; but, of course, I don't think these boys lock their house at night anyway, so it isn't that surprising.
It is a complete mess in the storage room. There are spilled boxes and papers scattered all over. Broken picture frames and a ratty sofa are the beautiful decor of the room. A stingy smell fills my nostrils, and I assume no one has been in this room in awhile with all the dust floating around.
As I suspected there's bins of old exams from almost every course available here. Some exams date back to the 1950's. I take pictures of everything.
I keep careful track of time to make sure I'm not missing when Aiden comes back. With about 3 minutes left, I decide I've gotten enough photos for now. I put everything back where I found it before heading back to his room.
Phew, made it with time to spare. I actually had a few minutes to study for the first time today!
"Hey, sorry I'm a little late," Aiden says as he walks in the room with a plastic bag smelling of Pad Thai.
"Oh, hello, handsome!" I say to my Pad Thai and sit on his floor for dinner. I look up at Aiden with a smile. "And hi, Aiden."
"Hi, Brooklyn," he says and sits down next to me to eat his own meal. "How's studying?"
"I was very successful," I say, despite him not knowing where my true success came from.
"That's my girl."
My girl. There it is again. That stupid feeling in my stomach. I can't control myself from saying, "I'm not your girl. I'm Brooklyn."
"Sorry." He smiles at me, so perfectly he could be on the cover of Vogue. "I just like daydreaming about the day I get to call you my girlfriend."
"Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"
"Would you say no?"
There's a silence.
He seems serious in his question, like he's doubting that little old me wouldn't want to date this amazing man in front of me. But little old me is a little freaked out about commitment.
"Just keep daydreaming for now," I say and lift my chopsticks to continue eating my Pad Thai.
I can tell he seems a little hurt by my response, which is not what I wanted. I don't think I'm ready for that step. We've only been on two real dates. I did spend the whole week with him, but it isn't enough time for me to take that step. I wish I could've just explained that to him.
"Thank you for the Pad Thai," I say meekly. "Are you sure I can't pay you back?"
He ponders the question dramatically, tapping his finger to his chin. "You don't need to pay me back, but can I get a tip for delivery?" He winks and begins to lean toward me.
I didn't study the rest of the night.
~
AN:
And anotha one! ð
What do we think about Brooklyn's plan to expose the frat?!
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