One Step Behind

Over the passing weeks it seemed to become Patrick and Brook's thing, to hang out in the band room together. Brook packed extras in her lunch for Patrick to eat and they'd spend time chatting, getting to know each other and laughing before he'd start to play for them. They also found themselves paying close attention to the door and what they'd say because it was obvious that one of Marnie's cronies was often listening in, trying to find something to use against them.

Since it was high school the whole, Brook likes Patrick just wasn't good enough to hold against them. But the girls found it hard to find anything to take back to Marnie as a target. Often the girls would get bored and wonder off after only a couple minutes but some outlasted the others.

Then finally, that Friday, Patrick asked the question Brook had hoped he wouldn't. "So, Brook, I know you transferred here after winter break. What brought you here?" he asked. He was munching on some crackers Brook had brought to share, his full attention on her.

Brook couldn't help but blush and look away. She trusted Patrick, he was the first person to even offer her friendship, but she had a feeling that it would change his view of her. "I.... I don't want to bother you with those details. Just some stuff happened and my parents thought it best if I moved schools," she said, not looking him in the eyes.

Patrick shook his head and smiled at her. "You aren't bothering me, I asked which means I'm curious. I'm not going to hold it against you or anything. Unless you like killed a man or something," he said with a small laugh and shrug of his shoulders.

Looking up at him with an odd look, Brook couldn't help but laugh at his joke. Patrick was a funny guy, he seemed to know how to keep her spirits up better than she did. It was a welcome change in her daily activities. "Okay fine... no I didn't kill a man. I was bullied, so much so that girls were hiding my clothes during gym or they were always making sure my lunch got dropped or spilled on me. The last straw was when these girls tricked me into believing they were my friends and invited me to a sleepover. When I was asleep they cut off most of my hair and took pictures of me.... and sent them around to everyone. That was when my parents finally started listening and sent me here," she said. Her voice was soft and low by the end. Her eyes glassy with tears from thinking about the situation. Brook hadn't told anyone about it since it happened and still wasn't sure if she should of told Patrick.

Though Patrick just sat there and watched Brook, he could see how much she was hurting and felt secluded from others. Taking a deep breath he reached over and placed his hand on hers. "Well you don't have to worry about bullshit like that ever again okay? You've got me," he said, smiling at her again. Patrick had one of those smiles that just seemed to melt hearts and problems. And it sure seemed to work on Brook.

"I have an idea, if you're up for it," he said. "my family does this game day every third weekend of the month. We have snacks, play board games and do corny family stuff. Would you want to maybe come and join us?" He sounded hopeful, wanting to really show her what having a real friend was like. "My friend Joe is going to be there too and I'm sure he'll love you."

Brook was kind of surprised, they hadn't known each other that long and she had just shared her biggest secret with him. She didn't understand why he wasn't casting her out like the others always did. But after a long moment of thinking she nodded, smiling back at Patrick. "I'd really like that actually. I'll ask my parents tonight and I'll meet you at your place."

Patrick beamed at her, the plans already spinning in his head. He would of told her more about what they did but at that point the bell rang and they had to head to class. Since Marnie's goon seemed to last this time Patrick led Brook out the side door and even walked her to class. They got some looks but none that were really noticeable. Patrick had his own reputation that he was keeping from Brook but he figured she'd find out all in good time.