The Brothers

Chapter 6

Lisa is saying something but I just walk past her to the door. 

She follows me and we head to her car. The engine is still running and Stan is behind the wheel. I clamber into the backseat without a word.

Stan glances at me through the rearview mirror and he frowns when he meets my wet eyes.

He's wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself because I'm really not in the mood to talk to anyone.

I walk straight to the bedroom when we get to the apartment and I lie on the bed. My head is buzzing and I really want to burst into tears.

Lisa sits on the edge of the bed, chewing at her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"Wanna talk about it?" She asks gently.

I want to hate her so bad but it's impossible. She's like the only friend I have in the world. Despite whatever I'm feeling for right now, I really want pour out my heart.

"Please." I whisper hoarsely.

"What happened?"

"What happened is, you practically dragged me to a lame ass party and you introduced me to these brothers and they are freaking me out."

She shakes her head, clearly confused.

"Bree, I don't get you. What happened back there? You didn't sleep with Charlie, did you?"

"I didn't."

"Why are you so mad right now?"

"It's Harry and Willy and Charlie, okay? Each one of them is doing their own share of driving me crazy!"

Her mouth drops open.

"Harry too?"

"He's the worst. What's with your expression?"

Her shoulders slump.

"Please tell me that you didn't do anything controversial with Harry."

"Of course I didn't, Lisa. I was too busy considering punching him in the face to even think about that."

"What did he do to you?"

"I'm not sure. All I know is that he's a snob, and he's conceited, and he's probably bipolar."

"Harry's always like that. You're really not doing yourself a favour by running into him. Ignore him, and you'll have a good time when we go back there tonight."

"I'm not going there tonight."

"Yes you are."

"Lisa?"

"Yes?"

"I'm not."

She shrugs. "Fine. What will you do then?"

"Revise maybe?"

She snorts. "Of course."

She walks out of the room and I lie back facing the ceiling and feeling stupid. I've known the brothers for a few hours and all of them are already messing with my nerves. This has to stop.

We sleep through the afternoon and when I wake up, Lisa is stepping out of the shower. She oils her lean body before sits down to do her make-up.

"You sure you don't want to come?" She asks when our eyes meet in the mirror.

"Damn sure."

"If I were you I wouldn't miss out"

"Good thing you aren't me then." I don't intend my voice to be this cold but I can't help it.

She swivels in her chair to face me.

"Bree, I know you're mad at me and all that but you really should come. I don't understand why you're chickening out."

"I'm not chickening out."

"Then why does it appear like you are? Because it certainly does."

"Just go to your party, Lisa. I'm fine."

"I can't wait to see the brother's faces when they realize that you're missing. I'm sure they will laugh it out, considering the fact that you were making out with one of them last night."

"What's the worst they can do? Just laugh at me? That sounds lame."

She raises an eyebrow.

"It won't be so lame when you go to school on Monday and everyone will be staring at you; the little girl that kissed Charlie before she went missing in action."

I sigh. Why do I feel like I have to prove a point to everyone? It's not like I'm sixteen and in highschool anymore.

Lisa is just bullshitting me.

She turns her attention back to the mirror while I sit there watching her as she dusts her face with powder. I gnash my teeth before I cuss under my breath. I don't want to go to a stupid party. I really don't. I'm still saying that to myself as I step into the shower and scrub last night's grime from my body.

I can't believe I actually want to see those jerks again.

Lisa gives me a sideways glance when I start to ransack through my suitcase for something to wear.

"Going somewhere?" She asks cautiously.

"Yeah."

"Mind to tell me?"

"I'm going to that stupid house party, okay?"

She tries hard to hide her smile.

"You could borrow something of mine."

"Hell no. I'm not wearing those dresses. They barely cover your butt."

She draws in a sharp breath.

"You can be less rude, you know?"

"It's the truth."

I have no idea what is wrong with me. I'm not usually this snappy. I'm acting like a total b***h to the only friend I have.

Lisa vacates the dressing table and she rummages through her closet for a dress. I occupy the seat she just vacated then I reach for her make-up bag. I stare at the myriad of brushes and powders, sighing when i realize that I have no idea where to begin. I open the eyeliner and I clumsily draw a poor, crooked line on my right eyelid.

"Need a hand with that?" She asks coolly. She's still mad at me.

"Yes please."

She dumps the red dress on the bed then she walks to me. I close my eyes as she does her magic, and I don't comment as she powders my face. She's done in a few minutes. She is quite the expert.

"Thank you." I say once she's done but I totally avoid the mirror. I don't want to freak out.

"Don't mention it. Hurry up. Stan is coming to fetch us."

All I can find in my suitcase are jeans and a few odd dresses. After Marie's rude comment last night, I'm sure as hell not wearing those.

"Huh, Lisa, is that dress offer still on?"

"Sure. Take whichever you like."

I settle for a little turquoise dress which clings to my body in a not so subtle way, leaving very little to the imagination. My father would get a heart attack if he saw me in this. It's the longest thing in Lisa's closet yet it barely reaches mid thigh.

I wear her black pumps then pull my hair into a ponytail. God, I'm so nervous.

Lisa smiles when I walk into the living room.

"You look incredible. Jayden will be over the moon when he sees you. I swear."

"What's up with him?"

"He has a crush on you or something."

I burst out laughing.

"No way."

"He told me that you're pretty."

The door opens and Stan walks in without knocking. His mouth drops open as he stares at me.

"Who are you and where the hell is Bree? You look amazing!"

I blush to infinity.

"It's Lisa's dress."

"I like it better on you." He laughs when Lisa scowls at him. "That was a joke. Let's get moving."

We're at the mansion in thirty minutes. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves before I get out of the car, and I walk slowly to avoid tripping on the high heeled shoes.

Stan presses the door bell and we wait for a long minute before its opened.

I glance up at whoever opens the door and he's the very last person I want to see right now.

"Bridget? What are you wearing?"

I'm biting my lip to swallow a nasty remark as I stare at Harry.