Girls, Breaking Hearts

The Sheltons had a family breakfast at 8 in the morning, with the two sisters’ eyes drooping low indicating the need for more sleep. They’d gotten back two hours earlier, having had bonded at their favourite 24-hour diner after Bailey picked Brooke up. It was a much needed talk especially for Brooke, who missed having her sister around.

After breakfast, David took Justin out to go fishing, while Bailey and Brooke were left with their mother to go shopping and relaxing at the spa. It was almost lunch time when Brooke felt her knees going weak, wanting nothing but to get some sleep in her cozy bed, or John’s.

They went for massages, and just as Brooke was about to fall asleep, her mother’s phone rang, causing both her and Bailey to groan out loud. Neither of them could process what Marissa was saying into the phone, and soon Brooke drifted off to sleep, only to be woken up by her mother’s frantic shoulder-tapping.

It was then that she realized that the massage was over and she’d been out for almost thirty minutes. She rubbed her eyes and began to sit up, stretching as she did.

Brooke robotically dressed up, and for the rest of the day she felt like she was on auto-pilot. Or as if she was high- everything seemed to move slow, whatever her mother said went into one ear and out in the other, and the like. She could feel herself getting sleepier as each minute passed.

“Brooke, honey, is that all right with you?”

She stared at her mother, who was looking at her expectantly, and she nodded. She had no idea what she was “all right” about, but she did hear the word house so she assumed they were going home.

Brooke was passed out from the moment they got home, until Bailey woke her up in time for dinner. She was surprised to find several duffel bags and trolleys on the ground floor, as if someone was leaving for good.

“Who’s leaving?” she asked out loud, knowing fully well that her sister and Justin were staying until January. She stifled a yawn as she made her way to her usual seat in the dining area.

“We are,” her mother answered, pausing from her slicing to look up at her youngest, eyebrows raised. “I told you earlier, your aunt’s terribly sick and Mother thinks she won’t make it, so we’re coming home for the holidays to be with the rest of our family.”

“After your birthday, of course,” her father interjected.

Brooke furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “You’re leaving me here?”

“No, honey.” Marissa pursed her lips and put her utensils down, glancing at Bailey. “See, this is what happens when you stay up too late with your sister- I’ve already explained it earlier and now I have to, again.” Brooke smiled sheepishly, while Bailey flashed an innocent smile at their mother’s attempt to be stern. “Your father and I are staying in Texas for as long as needed, but you will be flying back here after New Year, for school. And while we’re away, you may stay with Amber- or any of your girl friends, really, just as long as you’re not alone. We are keeping the house, but we don’t want you to spend your nights here alone, in case break-ins happen or such.”

“You know what’s interesting about this,” Bailey spoke up, looking at her parents menacingly, “is that if it were me, in Brooke’s place, I wouldn’t be left here alone, instead you’ll take me with you and force me to move back to Texas, even if I was graduating.” She feigned being offended, but their parents only laughed, and so did Justin.

“You were a wild one, babe,” he commented. “I think even the whole town would have begged for your parents to take you with them. Especially your professors.”

Bailey scoffed, and the teasing continued but Brooke was left silent, pondering about the new situation. She was going to miss her parents, but hey, if it meant more time with John then she was all for it.

~

John tapped his foot against the hardwood floor nervously. He was due to meet the older Shelton sister in thirty minutes, and his nerves were getting the best of him. Brooke told him not to worry, but he couldn’t help it. If Bailey were to kill him for corrupting her youngest sister, then he would take it- anything just to prove to her that he was serious.

He groaned internally at the idea, he knew it was beyond ridiculous but again he couldn’t help it. He felt like he was losing it, but it was Bailey Shelton he was dealing with. He knew that girl could pack a punch, he had witnessed it twice before, thankfully he wasn’t the recipient because the first guy Bailey punched cried- and that guy was in eight grade, same as his- and the next guy, still as old as him, in their junior year- didn’t go to school for a week. Of course both punches were justified. The first explicitly called her a whore, so she punched him, yelling, “Well at least I’m a whore who can punch hard.” and the other circulated a rumour that they had slept together and she let him take the back door, which made Bailey furious beyond belief. She’d threatened the guy- George Godsey- to tell the truth or else he would regret it, and being the macho type, he only laughed, claiming it was the truth, so she went ballistic and punched him hard, telling him she better not see him the whole week or else she was going to sue him.

He knew Bailey wasn’t going to sue him, but only because she loved her sister too much. Still, he worried, about what she would say to him and more importantly what she thought about their relationship. As each minute passed, the paranoia got worse, and just when he thought he couldn’t take it anymore, the door of the coffee shop flew open and in came Bailey Shelton, and her face meant business.

She made her way to him, grabbing the seat and plopping down, smiling down at the cup in front of her. He had ordered it five minutes ago, after Brooke texted him that her sister had left. He was pleased, seeing the smile on her face, which didn’t resemble Brooke’s at all- hers was soft and genuine, while Bailey’s was, although genuine, seemed like a smirk, at the same time.

When she moved her gaze up to him, he oddly felt calm. He opened his mouth, involuntarily, and the words just came out. “I love your sister,” he stated, calmly and seriously. He said it with such intensity that Bailey was taken aback a little, having expected an awkward greeting and a lot of sputters.

“Well hello to you too,” she said sarcastically, but the smile on her face betrayed her. John blushed a little, and he looked down on his own cup awkwardly. Now he felt stupid.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “But I do, I thought you should know that first.”

She nodded, taking a sip from her cup. The next minute was spent in silence, John’s mind panicking, not knowing what he should say next or if he just had to keep quiet, while Bailey waited for him to speak. She knew he was going to- he was going to back up his earlier claim, and she was waiting for that, so she could decide how to treat him.

“I’m not a pedophile, okay?” he almost whined, catching her gaze and making her chuckle. His expression was serious. “I didn’t have feelings for her when she was...when I was looking after her. I mean I thought she was a brilliant kid, she was definitely a good kid but I didn’t look at her that way. It wasn’t until last year- I’m not going to lie, when I first saw her I thought she was definitely beautiful, she was very attractive but I didn’t want to act on it, I thought it was stupid. And then we started talking every night, and I couldn’t stay away, I tried. I really did. There was one time I even shut my phone off, to keep myself from calling her, thinking it was a stupid physical crush... So I tried with other girls, but she was all I could think about, and not even- not even that way, in the way you’re thinking- sexual, I mean- I just wanted to be with her. Most of my relationships had been shit, I’d never felt that certain connection I have with Brooke, and that’s how I know this is real. I mean I did try to put an end to it before, but... I love her, and I know sometimes I still act stupid and I really don’t know why she loves me, why she’s still staying with me, but I’ll do anything to keep it that way. To keep her around as long as she wants me to. I hope you believe me because it’s true.”

Bailey remained quiet, internally dissecting John’s tirade. Yes she saw the sincerity in his features, heard it in his voice. Yes she knew her sister was happy. However, she couldn’t help but compare her teen years with Brooke’s. Sure they were different, but were teenagers really that different? What would happen if Brooke changed her mind? How would John take it? She worried, knowing it would put an ultimate strain on the Sheltons and the O’Callaghans’ relationship. She thought of how their parents would take it. Would they even accept it?

“You care about her,” she started slowly, mulling it over. John nodded, their gazes still on each other. “I can see that, but you can’t blame me if I want to deny that, or even refuse to recognize it. I’m her older sister and I’m meant to be...bitter with the fact that my younger sister’s boyfriend is the same age as mine.” This caused him to break into a sheepish smile, looking down on his cup once more. Bailey caught the obvious shame.

“Sorry.”

She shook her head. “That’s not it, I don’t want you to be sorry,” she stated firmly. “You make her happy. And she makes you happy. So no matter how ‘wrong’ that is, in other people’s judging eyes- well including mine- I will learn how to deal with it. I will make my peace with it. But don’t expect me to shower you with affection and make you the best man in my wedding, or all that shit.”

He nodded, fully well knowing this might be the best approval he could take from her. “Thank you,” he said softly.

She nodded, smiling softly. “I will tell you this, though.” She leaned forward and put her hand over his. The gesture was so gentle that it surprised John to no end- he certainly wasn’t expecting her to do that, he was almost waiting for her to suddenly dig her fingernails into his skin and make him squirm. “You’re a good guy, O’Callaghan. No one will ever be good enough for my sister, but you’re good to her and that’s what matters. I trust her judgment, and that’s why I’m officially putting my trust in you, to not hurt her on purpose.” She then retracted her hand and slumped back on her seat, smirking at him. “Granted, if you do hurt her and I find out about it, I will cut your balls and limbs off. So watch out.”

John chuckled, watching as she sipped from her drink. This had gone pretty smoothly, in total contrast to what he feared, so he took a chance and opened up another conversation. “I, uh, I have to ask for your permission though,” he started.

Bailey stopped drinking, immediately setting her cup on the table and raising her eyebrows. “Oh hell no, if you’re thinking of proposing-”

“Oh no no no.” He shook his head vigorously, laughing a bit as he realized how that sounded. “I wouldn’t do that to her. But she did mention that your parents are planning to stay in Texas for a long time, so I just- I was wondering if it’d be okay if I ask her to move in with me. I know her friends love her and will take care of her but with all these criminal shows she makes me watch I can’t help but get paranoid about her safety, you know...”

Bailey chuckled, biting her lip inwardly. “I don’t think that would be a problem, I saw the look on her face when the ‘rents told her she could stay with her friends, and I could tell she was already thinking about staying with you instead.”

John couldn’t help but smile widely at the thought. When she’d told him about that, over the phone, neither of them had opened up the idea of moving in but he thought about it. It would only make things more official, as she’d worded it before. He was convinced it was a good idea, and he hoped she would think that as well. He mentally noted to ask on her birthday, after giving her his gift.

So far things were going great, and he was glad for that.

~

Most of Brooke’s friends were drunk, except her, Brendon, and Alex. Alex was glued to Shane’s side all night, obviously amused with how drunk he currently was- drunk enough to admit that he was now in a relationship with Alex, and drunk enough to try and force Brooke to confess about her relationship. Surprisingly, though, none of the girls were the secret-tellers type of drunks, sure they were chatty, Scarlet even letting it slip that she knew who Brooke was dating, but Alex covered it up with a lie and Brooke was thankful.

As much as she enjoyed hanging out with her friends, she was tired, and wanted to spend the rest of the night with John. She let a few more minutes pass before finally dragging Brendon away from the group, catching Amber’s glance in the process.

“Listen I need you to do me a favour,” she told him, making him smirk at her.

“Sneaking out to meet your girlfriend, huh?” he teased. “Oh sweet B, you know I’ll do that for you- but only if you introduce me.”

Brooke frowned, shoving him a little. “I am not gonna do that.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna steal her away-”

“Brendon!”

Brendon laughed, draping his arm around her shoulder and ruffling her hair. “Listen B, I will drive you, to wherever the fuck she lives- but not without meeting her. I mean for all I know you could be meeting with your drug dealer instead to have some heroin injected.”

Brooke groaned, shoving him once more as she glared. She thought about it, telling Brendon, knowing that he would keep it secret if she asked him to but then again what if he invoked the ‘guy code’? She debated with her mind, staring at him in the process until he took the hint.

“Fine- I promise you I will not tell anyone about who it is, or that she even exists- but I have to meet her,” he bargained.

“Okay.”

She didn’t know why she suddenly agreed- it was most likely her subconscious being tired of all the secret-keeping, and no longer cared whether Shane found out or not, or maybe even the alcohol- but she had agreed and there was no turning back. Brendon sent her a lazy smile, nodding as he made his way to his car and she followed.

The ride was spent in silence, apart from Brooke humming a Tom Petty song which Brendon didn’t recognize. As she was sitting in peace, he found himself wondering what Brooke’s partner looked like. It wasn’t that he had a thing for Brooke- sure he found her attractive, but his type was blondes. He wondered what her type was; did she prefer blondes? Did she have a thing for Amber? He really wanted to know that, because the two were obviously close and he wouldn’t put it past Amber. He thought back to the glance they’d given each other earlier, when Brooke dragged him away- could she be dating Amber?

They finally got to the apartment complex, and he parked by the gate, a small smile on his face as he waited eagerly for Brooke to tell him the truth. He watched Brooke make a phone call and smile when she said hi.

“I’m right outside,” she said. “Come get me.”

Brendon bit his tongue, staring at the gate waiting for Amber to come out. It was then that it hit him: Brooke could have asked Amber for a ride instead, both girls could have lied to the group and neither would have suspected a thing since they were close. So why did Brooke choose him? Maybe it wasn’t Amber she was with- now that he thought about it, it was absurd.

He was about to open his mouth and ask Brooke who they were waiting for, when suddenly a lanky figure emerged from the gate- he was lanky and tall and had tousled hair, and eyes that looked familiar. At first he couldn’t tell where he’d seen the guy before, then his mouth gaped open in realization.

“Is that Shane’s brother?” he exclaimed. “The guy from The Maine?”

Brooke chuckled a bit as she watched John make his way to the car. “Yeah, that’s him,” she said. Before Brendon could say anything more, she got off the car and stood beside John, who was staring at Brendon with his eyes raised. “Brendon, this is John,” she introduced. “We’d been together for a year now. And John, this is Brendon, one of my friends.”

“Hey man,” John simply greeted, keeping an arm around his girlfriend. He had no idea what prompted Brooke to tell her friend, and he still couldn’t tell how he felt about that. It was simply surprising.

“Holy shit!” Brendon laughed, hitting the steering wheel with his palm. “I thought you were gay, B!”

“Obviously I’m not,” Brooke countered with a smirk, as John just smiled. “Well thank you for the ride, Brendon.”

“We are so talking about this tomorrow, B- I don’t care how girly that sounds,” Brendon said with a laugh, and then finally eyeing John. “Shane’s bro.” He nodded in acknowledgement and John only laughed.

“Thanks for driving her here, man.”

Brendon nodded, waving goodbye as Brooke finally shut her side of the door. The couple walked to the gate and waved one more time as Brendon sped away, wide smiles on their faces as though a weight had been lifted.

The two made their way to John’s apartment, making small talk about her birthday celebration. John held her hand throughout the elevator ride, all the while thinking how he would ask what he’d been wanting to ask since the talk with Bailey.

“It was fun, but-”

John couldn’t take it anymore. He’d originally wanted to ask after giving her the gift he’d bought for her, but he couldn’t wait until then. His nerves were getting the best of him. As they stood there, in front of his door, with him fiddling the knob open, he sighed loudly and turned around to face her. “Would you like to move in with me?”

As soon as he asked, he wanted to kill himself. Hell he hadn’t even greeted her a proper “happy birthday” yet, now here he was asking a big question. The shocked look on her face wasn’t helping either- in fact, it only made him feel worse. Clearly they weren’t on the same page. Clearly moving in together was a big step she wasn’t willing to take. Clearly he was stupid for asking on her birthday, now making her day awkward and uncomfortable instead of fun and giving her a content feeling.

But then Brooke’s lips began curving upward and soon a huge smile was invading her face, washing away all of John’s doubt and uncertainty. His features relaxed and he snaked his arms around her waist, already knowing the answer. She stood on her toes and claimed his lips urgently, pushing both of them to his pad and kicking the door behind them.

“Of course,” she murmured against his lips as she tugged on his shirt, silently asking him to take it off. He chuckled, doing so and lifting her to hold up against the door. Smirking, he leaned forward and gave her a passionate kiss, one long enough to make her moan in anticipation, and groan when he pulled away only to smile at her widely.

“Happy birthday baby.”