"I'm everything but cute."

Brooklyn

“Guys, dinner is ready!” My mother’s voice echoed through the whole house, making me drop my phone on the comforter of my bed and sprint towards the kitchen.

I sat at my usual seat next to Tommy and my other brother, Blake, who is 15.

“Where’s dad?” I asked while laying the dark red napkin on my lap and looking at my mother, waiting for her answer.

“He couldn’t make it for dinner. He’s working till late today.” She replied with a sad smile.

My dad works at New York’s Police Department and his job is really important so sometimes he has to work at night and doesn’t come home until 6 am the next day. When I was little he used to take me with him often and he showed me the guns, the handcuffs and I would borrow his hat and pretend I was a policewoman myself. I’ve always admired my dad but all daughters have a special connection with their dads I think. Being the only girl, he feels the need to protect me.

When I came back to earth, my brother was talking about how the football auditions at his college had gone, complaining about how some guys got to be in it because they had contacts.

My older brother, Ryan, is your average 20-year-old that likes girls and sports more than anything in life. He’s only going to university because my parents made him. Surprisingly he managed to get good enough marks to get in Brown, which is more or less two hours away from New York. He’ll be going back in a week.

“But you’re in the team, aren’t you?” I asked bringing a spoon full of bright green peas to my mouth.

“Of course I’m in!” He looked at me like I had five heads.

Tommy and Blake started laughing and so did I, making Ryan turn to my mother. “Mom.” He whined dragging the ‘o’. “They’re making fun of me.”

“Guys stop.” She tried to hide the smile that was tugging at her lips and we nodded and kept eating. “How was your practice Tommy?”

 “It was amazing! I made a new friend called Jaxon and then Brooke and I drove him to his house because nobody could pick him up.” My mom frowned.

“Why not?” She switched her eyes to me. I swallowed a piece of tofu that had gotten stuck in my throat. If she finds out I went to the Bronx she’s so gonna kill me.

“Erm, his parents were working I guess and he’s only seven so I couldn’t let him go on the subway alone.” I shrugged, trying to appear casual.

She nodded. “And where does he live?” She asked interested. Damn it, why do you suddenly care so much?

“He lives in a poor neighborhood that is scary. Ours is much more beautiful.” Tommy spoke before me, leaving his glass of water on the table again.

“Mom this food is delicious, you need to make it more often.” I tried to change the subject and looked down and my almost finished plate of grilled tofu and boiled peas. Yeah, lame excuse. There’s a woman, María, that takes care of the housework ever since I can remember. She’s like the older sister I’ll never have since she’s only in her early thirties. But my mom loves cooking so she usually takes care of that and María rarely prepares any food.

Going back to the present I cursed under my breath and could already feel my mother’s eyes burning holes on my side.

“Isabella Brooklyn Reed, look at me.” Suddenly everyone shut up and you could hear a pin drop. She only used my full name when she was really pissed.

I hesitantly looked at her. She looked angry, almost as scary as Gorgeous Boy and his friends.

“We’ll talk about this later. I don’t want to make a scene now.” Her voice was stern and made me lost my appetite.

We ate in silence for the rest of the dinner, a very uncomfortable silence.

When we finished I took Tommy to bed, brushed my teeth and had a shower, trying to take as long as possible but knowing in the end I’d have to face my mother anyway. Whenever I’m in the shower my mind drifts away and this time, images of that afternoon started playing in my head. The pregnant girl, the bullied boy, but above all, Gorgeous Boy and well, how gorgeous he was. If it hadn’t been for the fact that he scared the life out of me I would probably have fallen in love at first sight. Not really but he was that good looking.

I stepped out and realized I had goose bumps all over my arms just by thinking of those guys. I dressed in my pink pj’s and brushed my hair before going to my room. The only good thing about being the only girl - besides my mother - is that I have my own bathroom.

The sight of my parents sitting on my bed when I flicked the light of the room on almost gave me a heart attack.

“God you scared me!” I screamed bringing a hand to my chest.

My mother was wearing the same expression she had at the dinner, just her light brown hair was tied on top of her head instead of cascading down her back. My dad was sitting next to her, obviously aware of the recently found information and still wearing his policeman suit.

I gulped. “Hi dad.” He didn’t say anything, just motioned for me to come closer. I did as I was told and sat between them on my bed.

“So your mom told me that you went to a dangerous neighborhood today.” He started. “Mind explaining why?”

My dad was usually the nice one so if he was mad I didn’t want to talk with my mom.

“Tommy made a new friend and he was going to go home by subway. Being only seven years old I thought it’d be dangerous so I told him I’d give him a ride. He refused at first but finally gave in and told me where he lived. I introduced the address on my GPS and drove. When I realized where he lived, it was too late to turn back and it’s not like I could drop the kid in the middle of nowhere anyway.” I lied, because I knew from the beginning that his house was in the Bronx but adding that would only earn me a bigger telling-off.

“Brooklyn, you can’t go everywhere trying to help everyone. If that kid’s parents let him go alone then it’s their problem.” My dad said calmly.

“I can’t believe you’re saying that! You better than anybody else know how dangerous it can be or have you never found lost children on the subway?” I yelled in disbelief. “You’re the ones who always told me to help needy people and this child needed my help.” I looked back and forth between them.

“You can help people when it doesn’t involve you getting in danger and don’t raise your voice missy.” My mom warned.

“Sorry.” I mumbled, tucking a strand of my blonde hair behind my ear.

“Anyways, what neighborhood are we talking about?” My dad questioned standing up.

“Why does that even matter? I won’t go again.” I said looking at the floor. I knew it did matter.

“Of course it matters Brooke!” My mom threw her hands in the air. “Do you even understand how worried I am right now?”

“But nothing happened!” I whined.

“It could have!” She whined back.

A deep silence fell amongst us.

 “We’re waiting.” My dad rushed me.

I stood up and walked to my closet pretending to be getting my clothes for the next day.

“He lives in the Bronx.” I said lowly, almost inaudibly.

“What?!” They screamed at the same time. By now, Tommy has probably woken up.

I turned around and saw my brother Ryan barging into the room. “What happens?”

“Shut up Ryan, this is none of your goddamn business!” I spat folding my arms across my chest.

He sent me a death glare. “You’re my little sister so of course it’s my business!”

“Really, you’re making such a big deal of nothing. I’m okay, Tommy’s okay and the car is okay, everything’s freaking okay.” I sighed irritated. I was trying my best not to swear. I don’t like swearing but at that moment it was almost impossible.

“We’re gonna let it go for this time but if I ever find out you’ve been there again, I’ll take your car, your phone, your laptop and your credit card.” My dad warned, pointing his index finger in my direction.

“You can take my life too.” I laughed sarcastically. How am I supposed to live without all of that?

________________________________

“Have you gone completely insane?” Natasha screamed making everyone in the hallway stare at us. I covered her mouth with my hand.

“Can you please not yell? Ugh, if I had known you’d be like my parents, I wouldn’t have told you.”

“But I’m your best friend, of course you have to tell me!” She complained. “And I react like this because you just told me you went to the Bronx. What the hell were you thinking about?”

“I already told you why I did it.” I said opening the door to the girl’s restroom.

“You’re lucky you’re even alive.” Natasha said applying mascara on her already long lashes. Then she tied her long, almost black hair into a ponytail and straightened her shirt.

I chuckled. “It was so different, it amazed me.” I put on my favorite lip-gloss.

“You’re so weird.” She shook her head looking at me like I had just come out from a mental hospital.

“Hey girls!” A sweet voice squealed from behind us. We both turned around and greeted Kelsey.

“Hi Kels.” I waved smiling.

“Oh my gosh Kelsey, you don’t know what Bella did.” Natasha took her hand and dragged her to her next class. By the end of the day, the whole school would know about it. That’s the price of telling something to Natasha.

If you’re wondering why people here call me Bella, it’s because they find it more beautiful and “chic” than Brooklyn since they associate it with Brooklyn the neighborhood. I stopped to care when I turned 14 and Natasha would introduce me to everyone like that. So here in the school I’m known as Bella, probably half of the people don’t even know my middle name.

“Hi Bella.” The most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard said to me, making me smile like a fool.

“Hi Nate.” I giggled stupidly. Nate had that effect on me.

“Are you free today after school?” He asked while walking me to Science.

“Actually I have to pick up my little brother from soccer practice.” I sent him an apologetic smile.

“What about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow will be perfect.” I nodded, grinning widely.

“Great.” He kissed my cheek and disappeared down the hallway.

________________________________

Hey I just met you and this is crazy

 but here’s my number so call me maybe.

I was singing to the catchy song inside of my car while I waited for Tommy to finish his practice when I heard a chuckle.

I looked at my window and saw a boy sitting on the same bench I was sitting the day before. He was wearing one of those big caps with the letters ‘OBEY’ printed on it. I couldn’t see his face but he annoyed me so I got out of the car and locking it, made my way to him.

“What’s so funny?”

In the instant he looked up I regretted ever even breathing near him.

“You.” Gorgeous boy replied smirking, showing me his perfect white teeth.

I sneered but not looking at him because he still scared me.

“Cat got your tongue?” he mocked standing up. He was at least five inches taller than me because I wasn’t wearing heels but he was tall anyways.

In a sudden boost of confidence I spoke. “Nope. I just don’t talk to strangers.”

“Oh but I’m not a stranger, you met me yesterday.” He said stepping closer. His voice was deep and raspy, in other words, sexy.

“You’re welcome for that by the way.” I said taking a step back.

He chuckled again. “For what?”

“For taking your little brother to that crappy zone of the city, putting my life at risk maybe?” I lifted my eyebrows.

“You didn’t have to.” He shrugged, lighting up a cigarette and bringing it to his heart-shaped lips.

“Ungrateful bitch.” I murmured only for me to hear.

“What was that?” He asked, letting all the smoke come out on my face.

“Nothing.” I waved my hand in front of me to make the disgusting smoke go.

“I thought so.” He said with an evil smile.

Then the kids came running towards us.

“Justin, Justin, the coach says I’m one of the best of the team!” Jaxon squealed excited.

So his name is Justin…Nice.

“Give me the five little man.” He kneeled down and high fived him.

“How cute.” I blurted out without thinking.

Justin stood up and walked to me. “I’m everything but cute.” He whispered in my ear, sending chills down my spine. For a minute I lost the ability to speak.

“Let’s go Tommy.” I took his little hand in mine and walked with him to the car.

“Aren’t we gonna drive Jaxon home today?” Tommy asked with a confused expression.

“Look, Tommy, mom and dad told me yesterday that we can’t go to that part of the city because it’s dangerous.” I explained.

“Oh I get it, you’re a goody-two-shoes.” Justin laughed from behind me.

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply before turning around. “Believe me I would take your brother again but not you.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not like I would get in that car with an uptight bitch like you.”

“What’s a bitch?” Tommy asked.

“Nothing honey, just don’t use that word okay?” I switched my gaze from Justin to him. He nodded.

“Bye Jaxon.” I smiled at him ruffling his short hair. He giggled.

“Bye Brooklyn.” Justin whispered in my ear again and laughed at the end, making my cheeks heat up.

“B-bye.” I mumbled, unable to say anything else. I could almost see him smirking behind.