Monday, April 15th, The Year 2219

Brooke's POV

"I just lost my appetite."

"I'm not sitting at a table with her cheating self," Crystal spewed out of her mouth.

I didn't say one word.

"Crystal, sit down and shut it! It is what it is. You think it is easy for Brooke to sit near you?" Asher says as he takes his seat. Judging by the sound in his voice, he is tired of her. Chanelle and Simone chuckled. So, did I.

"What's so darn funny?!" She was about to say something ignorant, but I stopped it.

"Crystal, I swear if you don't shut up, I will smack your teeth out of your mouth. You don't like me, I get that. Why I have no idea because I have never done anything to you! And, I certainly can't stand you. I'm with Jason. Asher and I were done several years ago. I don't want him!!! Just leave me alone!!! I'm out here!"

I started to get up, but Jason stopped me. "Brooke, don't leave. I invited you to dinner, and that is what we are going to have. Asher, keep your woman in check."

Jason just gave Crystal an absolutely evil glare that caused her to freeze. And, Asher saw it too.

Asher's POV

Jason gave Crystal the evilest glare I have ever seen, and Brooke just saw it too. What was that about?

"We already ordered our dinner. So, it's just you and Crystal, Asher."

"Okay. Thanks, Jason." Several waiters came over with their meals. Crystal and I then ordered our dinner, and a bottle of wine.

Brooke sure does look amazing in her dress. It hugs her curves perfectly. Her words stung a little, but I have no one to blame but myself for breaking up with her.

20 minutes later, dinner came for Crystal and I. Brooke and Jason were feeding each other.

"Are you two going to do that the whole evening?!" Crystal annoyingly says. I need to cut her out of my life soon. Nobody paid her comment any attention.

"Aww, you guys are so cute together. Have you heard anything about Kristina yet?" Simone asked Brooke. Too cute if you ask me.

"No, I haven't. And, I'm worried about her," Brooke answered.

I had to ask. "What happened to her?"

"She's very sick from something she ate on Planet Gutania. Miki is with her. She is going to text me when Kristina wakes up," Brooke replies.

"I hope she gets better soon."

"Thank you for your concern, Asher."

I miss Brooke's smile. Thankfully, we ate dinner in peace and quiet.

"Would anyone like dessert?" The waiter came over and asked.

Everyone said no thank you to dessert, and the waiter left.

"What I really want to do is dance." Brooke dragged Jason to the dance floor. Now, it's awkward with Simone and Chanelle.

"So, ladies how have you enjoyed the cruise so far?"

"It was fine before two of you sat at the table. Don't act like we are friends. Goodbye, Asher." They both stood up and left.

I waved the waiter over. "Can you bring a bottle of wine, please?"

"Yes, sir I can."

Brooke's POV

Jason and I slow danced to several songs. I hope this night never ends.

"Brooke, sorry to interrupt but I just got a text from Miki. Kristina woke up and wants to see you."

"Thanks, Chanelle. Jason, I'm sorry to cut our evening short. But I need to see my friend."

"It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow. We can tour the ship."

"Thanks." He kissed me before I left.

When I reached the entrance to the sickbay, Miki was waiting for me.

"She woke up, but it looks like her condition is getting worse."

"Thanks, Miki. Go ahead and get yourself something to eat." Miki left, and I entered Kristina's room. And, Miki was right. Kristina was very pale and looked like she lost 30 pounds in the span of a day. She had blue and red spots all over her arms. Her cheeks look sunken in.

"Thank you for coming. I don't think food poisoning is what's wrong with me. I don't think I am going to make it, Brooke." Kristina then started coughing, with blood coming out of her mouth.

"Kristina, you are not going anywhere. I called your mom and dad. They will come to get you when we stop at the next port."

"I'm serious Brooke. There is something going on with this ship." Kristina started coughing again. I grabbed her hand, which was covered in sores.

"Hang in there, Kristi." I need to find that doctor. "I'll be right back." I went to look for the doctor, but he was nowhere. I didn't even see a nurse. What the heck kind of ship is this?!

I sent Jason a text to come to sickbay asap. He said he was on his way. I ran back in the room to Kristi. She was coughing non-stop and trying to tell me something.

"Brooke, listen to me. Be careful around, Jason. He is............" Then I was terrified at what happened next.

Her chest started sinking in like her body was being eaten from inside. She started violently coughing up blood while shaking. From head to toe, Kristi's skin is now blue. Jason ran into the room while I was in a hysterical mood.

"KRISTINA!! NO!!" Jason started trying to pull me away from Kristina. "No! Let me go!! She's my friend!!! Where is the freaking doctor?!!"

"Brooke, there's nothing we can do now."

"Don't tell me that!!! We have to do something!!!" Kristina was now all skin, and her monitor flat-lined. My friend is gone!!!!

I ran out of the room and didn't look back.

Jason's POV

I have no idea where Brooke ran to, and this is a large ship. I tried to call her, but no answer. I need to find Chanelle and Simone, so I ran to their rooms. I knocked on Chanelle's room door first. She opened the door.

"Hey, Jason. What's up?"

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your friend just passed away in sickbay, and Brooke saw her die."

"Kristina is what?! But the doctor said it was food poisoning!"

"That's not the only thing that happened. Brooke ran off, and I have no clue where to look."

"She what?!"

"What's all the noise for?" Simone says as she opened the door.

"Simone, we need to find Brooke. She watched Kristi die in the sickbay."

"Kristina is dead?! I need to throw on some clothes really quickly." Simone closed the door. Then five minutes later, she had on a pair of jogging pants and a tank top.

"Where do we even start to look for her?" Simone asked.

"Each of us needs to take a floor so we can find her and meet back at the pool area. I'll start at the bottom."

"Jason, this ship huge!! We need to get Miki."

Simone's POV

"Miki probably went to get something to eat. I'll go get her. You guys start searching." Jason went one way, and Chanelle went another.

This ship even has a lot of different places to eat. I know Kristina was sick, but not sick enough to die. Her parents are going to be devastated! I'm going to miss her.

I ran back to the main dining area first. I walked around the room but didn't see Miki. Onto the next restaurant, which was not too far. I scanned around that room but didn't see her. I sent her a quick text, asking where was she. She said she just entered the club with her cruise boo. Onto the club I go.

Once I arrived, she was standing outside the entrance.

"What's going on?"

"Jason said Brooke saw Kristina die. She ran off away, but we don't know where."

"Kristi is dead?!"

"We are splitting up to search for Brooke."

"I'll help too."

"Thank you, Kyler. Everyone needs to take a floor to search for Brooke." Kyler and Miki ran off. I was about to until I was stopped.

Asher and his skank of a fiancée were walking my way.

"Did I hear you say your searching for Brooke? What happened?"

"Are you asking about a cheating ex?!!" Crystal whined out very loudly.

"Asher, please let me do what I have wanted to do for the longest time?"

Asher grabbed her hand and snatched off the engagement ring. Well, that one I kind of saw coming. I saw her cheating on him, coming out of some man's room.

"Simone, do what you wanted to do. Oh, and Crystal, in case you haven't noticed we're no longer engaged. Get your stuff out of my room!!!"

I punched her right in the mouth!! "Leave my sister alone!! Asher, let's go!!!"

"Chanelle is already searching this floor, Miki is on the second floor, and Kyler is on the third floor. We need to go down three floors."

Asher and I started heading down the stairs instead of the elevator. We made it down to the second floor when we saw Brooke sitting on the steps, bawling her eyes out.

"Brooke, everyone is looking for you."

"I don't care. I want to be alone. Just leave me alone!"

"Brooke, you need to get off the cold stairs. Let us take you to your room." She turned around when she heard Asher's voice.

"I will not be seen with you just to be called a slut!"

"Simone, it's no use. We need to take matters in our own hands. You grab Brooke's hands to lift her. And, I'll carry her."

"The both of you need to leave me the heck alone!!"

Asher counted to three. I grabbed Brooke's hands to pull her up. Asher swooped in to carry her over his shoulder.

"Thank goodness our rooms are on the first floor." Brooke kept punching Asher's back.

"Put me down!!"

"No. Asher will put you down when we reach your room. Asher is no longer engaged to Crystal, Brooke. He broke the engagement off. Calm down."

She actually did. And, by the time we reached her room, she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. I got the key out of her bag to open the door. Asher then placed Brooke gently down on her bed.

"Thank you, Asher, for helping me find her. I need to call the others to say we found her. This doesn't change how I feel about you."

"I know. I know. I'll see myself out. Whether you believe it or not, I still care about Brooke."

"You have a strange way of showing it. Why didn't you believe her before she quit working with you? You know darn well Brooke would never lie to you. She came to you about her cheating! What woman does that?!"

"Honestly, I was stupid and blinded by Crystal. It took me too long to see it. I'm sorry."

"You can try to come tomorrow, but it will be up to Brooke if she wants to see you. Heck, she may not want to see me."

"I'll take it. I better get out of here before Jason comes. I'll see myself out."

Asher left Brooke's room. Now, I need to text the others.

Asher's POV

How the heck did Kristina die? Whichever way it was, Brooke was mortified.

My phone started ringing, so I grabbed it out of my pants' pocket. I thought it was Crystal's mother who was going to scream at me. Who cares? It was actually my mother.

As soon as I answered it.......

"Asher Gray, please tell me it is true?!!"

"Yes, mom it is true. I ended it. Crystal will not be my wife."

"YES!!!!!" I heard my parents now in the background jumping for joy.

"Now, what are you going to do?" My mother asked.

"Well, I can't. Brooke can't stand me, and she is dating. And, on top of that, her friend, Kristina passed away on the ship. Brooke apparently saw it. My face is the last thing she wants to see."

"Poor girl. You need to find a way to give my sympathies to her. And, you need to repair your relationship with Brooke. Is she serious with the gentleman?"

"I will, mom. Knowing Brooke, she is taking it slow after what happened to us. Now, I need to get Crystal out of my room. Talk to you later."

"Make you and Brooke happen. Got it? Talk to you later, Asher."

That is going to be a tall order of getting Brooke back. Not likely going to happen. I heard movement in my room, meaning Crystal is playing games.

"Why are you still in my room? I told you to get out."

"You're seriously kicking me out?!"

I went to the closet and drawers, grabbed her things, and threw them in her suitcase. Then, I dragged it out of my room.

"I'm dead serious! You continuously call Brooke out of her name, but you are the slut. Oh, I know all about your cheating. So, like I said, GET OUT!!"

Once she was out, I slammed the door right in her face.

I crashed on the bed. I can't really fall asleep because of what happened to Brooke.

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Tuesday, April 16th, The Year 2219

Brooke's POV

I woke up in the middle of the night, sweating profusely, and noticed that I was still in my dress. And, I felt like I was engulfed in a tight grip. I looked over and saw Jason.

Why can't people leave me alone? I took his arms off me and left my bedroom to sit on the couch in the living room area.

I just lost my best friend to the strangest way a person could die. And, that certainly was not food poisoning. It looked like something out of a horror movie. How am I going to tell her parents about what I saw?

The tears started falling again. I just grabbed a blanket and curled up like a ball on the couch. It hurts so much, knowing Kristi is gone. And, she was an only child.

"Brooke?" I heard Jason calling my name. He came out of my bedroom.

"Brooke, sweetheart I'm sorry about what happened to your friend."

"Jason, I don't feel like talking. Please, just leave me alone? I'm not good company right now. Thank you for staying, but you can leave now."

"I'm not going to leave you alone. I know this is a difficult time for you. Just let me be there for you."

"Okay, so if you want to be there for me, just leave me alone! That's what I want!" I got up and tried to go to my room. Jason grabbed my hands and pulled me on the couch with him.

"Let me go!! Just let me go!!" I started pounding my fists in his chest. "First it was Asher!! Now you!! Why can't you both listen to me?!!"

"What did Asher do?" Jason hissed. We aren't exclusive, so why is he mad? I meant what I said about going slow.

"Simone and Asher found me on the stairs, and he forcibly carried me to my room. I just want to be alone, Jason." I couldn't stop crying, and he would not let me go.

"I need to check on something, so I will give you some space. But I will be back because I am not leaving you alone."

I sighed. "Whatever, Jason." He finally let me go, kissed my cheek, then left my room.

Asher's POV

I had a window seat in the main dining area for breakfast so I could watch how beautiful the galaxy is. And, this morning, I was not disappointed.

I really hope Brooke is okay. I couldn't sleep last night because of seeing how hurt she was. How did Kristina die? Brooke was terrified when Simone and I approached her.

Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in. Crystal found a sucker to take her in - the guy she cheated with. Not even twelve hours ago, we were engaged. You know what? She is now his headache. I'm a free man.

While I was taking a drink of coffee, Jason angrily sat at my table.

"Why were you anywhere near Brooke last night?! You have a darn fiancée! Brooke Palmer is mine, Asher."

All I did was point my fingers to where Crystal was sitting. "Ex-fiancée as of last night. I am no longer engaged. For your information, I overheard Simone saying that Brooke was missing. I offered to help find her, which we did. She was sitting in the stairwell. Brooke did not want to cooperate, so Simone grabbed her hands to stand her up. I put Brooke over my shoulder and carried her to her room. If you're trying to scare me Jason, you failed miserably."

"I'm warning you, Asher. Stay away from Brooke! Don't test me!"

"Are you seriously threatening me?!"

"And, you need to take it seriously."

"And, you need to know your little threat doesn't scare me. Guess what Jason? Don't test me either! If you want a fight, you will get a fight!" I want Brooke just as much as you.

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