Brooks Scott

How was she so tiny?

I mean yeah, she wasn't the smallest thing ever, but to me, she was so tiny.

Her small hands that mine could easily envelop.
Her small frame that I could honestly wrap my arms around twice if I tried.
Her small head that could fit in my hands perfectly.

There were only two things that weren't small about her.

One being her tits.
The other being her lips.

Oh, God. I can't think about those things now or else I'll become a fucking mess.

"Brooksssss!" Callum's deep voice made me flinch out of my thoughts like I had been caught doing something bad. Shit. My thoughts were bad. Very, very bad.

"Yeah?" I replied, clearing my throat. He looked frazzled, turning his head to see what my eyes had been distracted with. Shit. Shit. He turned his head back to me and smirked. "Have you fucked her yet? You can tell us, we won't tell Emmy," he whispered.

Rowan and Kai nodded in agreement. My brows furrowed then and I turned back in the direction I was looking at earlier.  I didn't even notice that Amelie and Sascha were at the table behind the girls. Fuck.

If only they knew Amelie was not who I was looking at.

"Uhm, no, I haven't," I stuttered. Callum frowned, slapping his hand on the table making me flinch again. Why the hell was I so shaky?

Maybe cause you're having dirty thoughts about Emerson Jenkins and not the girl who you've had your eyes on since day one, asshole.

Damn it! Why the fuck did I have to walk in on her and those bare, long fucking legs? Fuck those long legs! And tits. Amazing round tits.

Seriously, Brooks? What would my mom think if she was inside my head right now?

I shake the cobwebs out of my head. Amelie was my girl. She was the one who was supposed to be in my head like this. Not that moody brunette with sexy legs and round perky tits that I may or may not have fantasized about in class earlier. She would look so beautiful naked.

Fuck!

"I have to go, seriously," I muttered, grabbing my tray that was still full and throwing it away. The boys looked at me like I was going crazy when I came back to retrieve my school bag.

Keeping my head down, I walked out of the canteen hoping to not be seen by any of the girls, Amelie and Sascha included. Once I made it out of there, a deep sigh escaped my lips. Finally.

"Hey, you alright?" Her voice made me flinch again. "I guess that's a no?"

Despite all my efforts not to, I slowly turned my head to meet the culprit of that voice. Her dark brown hair was pushed back slightly by a black Dior band that sat a little past her hairline. Thick lashes rested above and under the prettiest shade of blue eyes known to mankind. Then there was those pouty lips and small nose. "Why?" I choked out. Shit. That's not what I meant to say.

"You looked kind of upset leaving the canteen," she replied.

Did I? Well, yeah, probably. Her being here now didn't make it any better.

Emerson was in her school uniform obviously. A little gray skirt with black see-through stockings and a white button-up, covered by a blazer. I'd see her wear all kinds of shoes with her uniform but today she went for black loafers. It had seemed like I had a school-girl fantasy because the way my skin heated staring at her right now felt feverish.

The sound of the door of the canteen opening up had us both looking in that direction. A small blonde ushered out looking panicked. Once she met my eyes and Emmy's glare, she froze. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were talking to him already," Amelie mumbled.

Staring at her now made me feel like the biggest asshole in the world. She was probably the best fucking girl I was ever going to be with and here I was, thinking about a girl who hated me two days ago, naked. Momma would be so disappointed in me.

"She was just leaving," I spoke up quickly, looking at Emerson who whipped her head in my direction. Her glare was on me now and fuck how I didn't miss it. Frozen, I waited for her to say something snarky at either me or Amelie but it never came.

A second later, Emmy passed by the two of us and reentered the canteen. I didn't want her to leave but I needed her to. Especially after seeing Amelie. Who was too good for me I've realized.

Once Emerson was gone, Amelie slowly stepped up to me and wrapped her small arms around my waist. "I don't know what's wrong but if you want to talk about it, I'm here. You'll be okay."

My heart clenched deep inside my body and I pulled away from her touch, holding her face in my hands. She looked up at me with those big, brown doe eyes. She was so tiny. I was about a whole foot taller than the girl. "My mom would absolutely fucking love you," I spat out without thinking.

Her face flushed a light pink color as she grabbed onto my wrists. It made me wince when I realized that her touch didn't have that intense feeling to it. Not like Emerson's. When we shook hands the other day, calling a truce, her warm hand caused my insides to burn. I didn't know what the hell that had meant then but it seemed like something important.

"Really?" she said softly. I nodded quickly before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Agh. Fuck me, man. This sudden personality shift from myself wasn't something I liked. Maybe Emmy and I should have stayed frenemies. My attention would have stayed on Amelie and her beautiful fucking hair and eyes and personality.

Now I'm conflicted.
I shouldn't be conflicted.

You don't even know, Emmy, man.
I know she's damaged. And not the person she puts out in front of a lot of people.

Should that enough be able to tear me away from the perfect girl in front of me? No.

Then why is it...

"Well, maybe I can meet her one day. When she comes to rescue you in December," she added, giggling.

I force a small smile on my lips, not even attempting to fake a laugh. "I'm gonna rush back to my dorm and get something before my next class. I'll see you later?" I asked, trying to escape as fast as possible.

Worry crossed her features and eyes and I thought about doing something stupid. About kissing her and assuring her that I was okay. Emerson kisses my roommate all the time. Emerson fucked my roommate all the time. Who cares what Emmy does? Think with your head, B. C'mon.

Amelie nodded reluctantly and with that, I left her. Good job, Brooks. Momma would be proud. I realized that my mom was in my head more than ever recently. Should I call her? What time was it in Oak Hill? Ah, fuck it, who cares.

I pull out my phone from the pocket of my slacks and press Momma's contact. It rings a couple of times before she answers but the screen is pitch black. "Hold on, B," she whispered, shuffling filling the mic. Shit, it might be late at night. She sounded tired just now.

Her beautiful face finally fills my screen and I'm not shocked to find her with those rollers and under eye patches she wears to bed. I smile at the sight of her. God, I missed her. Even though she's still a traitor. "Hi, momma."

"Hi, baby. Oh, you look so cute in your uniform. You're not skipping class, are you? Isn't it early afternoon over there?" she asked. There was no one in the halls right now, being in class or dinner, so our conversation was pretty private. Kind of.

"It's lunchtime but I left early to get something from my dorm before my next class. I missed you too so I called. You've been in my head a lot today and recently. I talked to Jay last night," I told her.

She smiled at the mention of my favorite cousin. "Yay. He's missed you. Your aunt Maddy says he's getting jealous that Zak and Xavier are spending a lot of time together and you've left him to third wheel." She laughed. "But I miss you too, B. So much. Even though we just talked a couple of days ago that's not enough. I hope you're doing okay, lovey."

I give my mom a weak smile. "Yeah, momma, I am. I'm really trying here at Haven. I hope you're proud of me."

A tear slips from Momma's eyes and she nods quickly. "Of course I am baby. Always. I hope you're surrounding yourself with people who push you to do good and not bad. Or just keep to yourself that's okay too."

I smile again. Mom doesn't know about the friends I've made at HP. I've kind of been quiet about them until now. "I have friends, momma. You know I do. They're great too. And don't worry they're not bad influences or anything. I might like them a little more than my friends back home honestly. Also...there's a girl," I tell her, a smirk crossing my lips.

Momma gasped. "What kind of girl?"

"A blonde girl. With pretty brown eyes. Also, get this momma, she's a ballerina. Practices like every single day." I groaned; thinking about her now. "She's so pretty. And I promise, you are going to love her. She's a good girl, momma. Don't let her attending the delinquent school ruin your perception of her. Same for my friends," I reiterate, entering my dorm.

She looks hesitant for a second but nods when she hears my calming words. "Well as long as you're being good to her and vice versa. That's cute, lovey. Your dad misses you so much by the way. Kiersten and Fos too. Give them a call again when you can," Momma said.

I nodded my head and promised that I would. We said quick goodbyes and I waited until my next class began to leave the dorm. I'd have more classes with Amelie today so it wasn't like I could ignore her. Emerson though? I would stay far away from her and her perfect legs. Especially now that I told momma about Amelie.

Lord help me.

***

Kai and Lacey came into my peripheral vision on my trek back to my dorm after my last class. They were behind a large pillar...arguing? I'd never seen that look on Kai's face and Lacey looked more confident than I had normally seen her. Deciding that it was none of my business, I kept walking.

The music playing in my ear wasn't loud enough to distract me from the surrounding scene. Everyone was walking back to their dorms or to wherever they had to be after class. Finally, I was going to be able to be alone. It wasn't that hard to pretend all was dandy when I saw Amelie during class again.

My short conversation with my mom had shifted my mood into something more positive. Plus, my mom was excited that I was talking to a good girl and when the time came, I'd introduce her to Amelie. That's how it was gonna be. Simple.

"Hey, Brooks." Kai's voice behind me catches me off guard. I turn around and he pulls out a cigarette, sticking it between his lips. "You walking to Cal's dorm too?" he asked.

My brows pulled together. "No?" It came out more like a question.

He looked at me like he was confused by my answer too. "Why not? Didn't he text you?"

I pulled out my phone again to check my message threads but I didn't have anything from Cal. "No."

Kai's eyes widened for a fraction of a second. "He told Ro and I to meet him in his dorm after class. Come with."

Well, it was clear I wasn't fucking invited. Cal had been acting weird with me since a couple of days ago, God knows why. He was supposed to be my guy. Kai and Rowan often wandered off together and Cal stuck with me. I'd been spending more time with Kai recently because of it. "Nah, it's cool. Maybe he wants to talk to you guys about something private."

Kai grabbed my shoulder, pulling me in the direction of Cal's dorms. "Well, then you're coming too. We're all friends here." Fuck, I forgot how strong this kid is.

I don't protest and when we make it to Cal's dorm, he and Rowan are already present. "Oh Brooks is here too," Callum said, causing me to frown. I was just telling my mom about how great my friends were and now one of the best ones doesn't like me? Was it because of Emmy?

Maybe she told him about earlier and he's taken her side now. Wouldn't all the guys also take her side though? Did she even say anything when going back inside the canteen? She was with the girls while me and the guys sat at a different table. Something about them wanting to have 'girl talk'.

"I'll go," I said, already turning on my heels.

Callum groaned behind me. "Ugh, do you like Amelie or not, arsehole? Is that the bird you're interested in? The only one? There's not any others?" He spoke quickly.

Kai, Rowan, and I shared the same confused expression at Callum's words. That certainly came out of nowhere but I'm starting to think I was right about the Emerson thing. She must have said something. "No, Cal. I only like Amelie. Why?"

He stared at me for a long second before a boyish grin crossed his lips. "Okay, I believe you. Now come back and sit. We have business to attend to."

My brows furrowed. What the fuck. How could this guy's emotions change from one second to the next? And why did he ask me that? The boys sit down. Kai is on Cal's bed and Ro is on the desk chair. I take a seat next to Kai as he stands in the middle of his room.

"Last time you said that we got drunk off our arses and Rowan almost fucked a stripper," Kai deadpanned, looking mildly unamused. Rowan smirked, leaning back on the chair with his legs spread open. He was wearing his rugby kit so I'm assuming he would leave to practice in a bit.

Cal gave him a pleasing look before turning his attention back to Kai. "As you know, it is our best friend's 18th birthday soon! Meaning we have to celebrate, lads. He's finally going to be a legal boy!" My eyes turn towards where Cal's eyes are wandering. Rowan.

Kai's lips lifted slightly as he looked over at Rowan who was smiling himself. Looking at Rowan, you wouldn't think the guy was seventeen. We matched each other in height but he was way more built than I was. You could tell Rowan was an athlete due to his huge biceps, triceps, and shoulders. His leg muscle was also on full display because of his shorts. The guy was huge.

I'd say he and Callum were the biggest of us four but Rowan still had height and body mass over Cal. I didn't know what it was about English people but they seemed to look older. Kai looked his age but the other two didn't.

"Can I actually fuck a stripper this time?" Rowan asked. Callum's eyes lit up at his request.

"No," Kai objected, staring at him like he was out of his mind. The two of them frowned.

"Wait, does this mean we're sneaking out of HP again?" I asked, a bit frantic. We had just gone out a couple of nights ago and I clearly remember them saying to me when we first met that they only went out rarely.

Rarely being the first night of every semester.

This is the third time we've gone out this semester! I'm starting to overthink it. There's no way we would get lucky every single time. We were bound to get caught one day and I didn't want to risk getting out of here by December. Momma would have a heart attack if she found out I was sneaking off campus.

"Well, no shit Sherlock. How else are we going to get drunk as fuck? It's a special occasion, Brooks. We don't turn eighteen every year," Cal reiterated. Fucking hell. "Also, none of us have birthdays during the school year so we have to."

Kai furrowed his brows. "Emmy, Mina, Imani, and Lacey do you arsehole."

Cal glared at him. "We're not getting the girls drunk for their eighteenth birthday. I was talking about us."

Kai stared at Callum but didn't argue anything else. "My eighteenth birthday is this November," I said, regretting it almost instantly when Cal looked at me, blue eyes sparkling.

He came up to me and shook my shoulders. "Perfect! Now we have a guaranteed extra day of fun, lads!" Callum cheered. Kai fell back onto the bed and covered his face with both of his hands.

Rowan sat up. "Alright, wrap it, Cal. I gotta go before Coach shoves his foot up my arse and feeds it to me afterward."

Cal takes his place back in the middle of the room. "Alright, I'll tell the girls about it through a message thread — yes we have a message thread without you lot." He smiled pleasingly. "I'll get them on board and then we'll scheme a plan later this week to make it happen. Then," he walked up to Rowan, placing his big hands on his shoulders. "We're getting so drunk that we might end up fucking strippers."

Rowan smirked, shoving Cal back in a playful manner as he stood up. He patted our blonde friends pec before making his way toward the door. "Let me know what the girls say." He left after that and Cal turned his mischievous smile toward us.

Kai and I looked at each other and he held the same worried expression I did.

"Don't worry, lads. We'll be alright. We're always alright," Cal said and for some reason, his words didn't calm me.

Not one bit.