All Of Me

6

Tripps' POV

I blew my horn for the third time and the front door to Brooke's house finally opened, and she emerged.

It takes that girl too darn long to get ready. I wonder if she's trying to impress someone?

I wonder if she works with a guy?

I haven't even asked about her co-workers.

I opened the truck door for her, since the lock is broken, and she jumps inside. She must've learned her lesson with those heels, because she's been in sneakers and jeans ever since.

Still beautiful.

I want to tell her, but that'd be weird. We're just friends.

She turned on the radio and the boyband that came through the speakers made me chuckle and shake my head. She just laughed and danced along with the upbeat tune. She says she can't sing, but she can.

She raiseed her eyebrows at me when the song ended, and I rolled my eyes and shook my head, "That one isn't too bad." And she did a little happy dance with her feet.

She won, as usual.

When I pulled up at the Gracetown Cafe, she put her hand on my arm and asked me to come inside and see her work.

I turned off the truck and followed her inside. My eyes widened when I saw her wave and smile at the girl she works with. Brooke walked in the bathroom and I leaned against the counter beside the register. The girl had piercings..and tattoos... Everywhere.

I cleared my throat when I heared the bathroom door close and Brooke's soft footsteps approach again. "Isn't it cute?" She asks, looking around.

Yes you are.

"Yeah, it's nice." I refered to the cafe. It was, really. Little shelves with what looked like my grandmaw's decorations. Only not in a bad way. It felt homely. Like your Grandma had been there baking.

Brooke just added to the homely feel when she pulled her blonde hair into a little messy bun at the base her neck. The hideous little brown and pink apron tied around her slender frame was so dang cute, and my heart literally beat faster when she laughed at something that strange girl said.

I walked around, checking out what must be family pictures of the owner, sitting on the built-in bookshelves.

Brooke tapped me on the shoulder and brought me back from my thoughts as turned to see her holding out a to-go cup of coffee for me. With a smile she hands me the warm cup and I take a cautious sip.

I closed my eyes and groaned. "You're the best coffee maker." I complimented her and she walked away with a roll of her pretty blue eyes and a wave of her hand.

The first customer walked in and I needed to leave, but I convinced myself a few more minutes wouldn't hurt.

Afterall, it was a Sunday and I didn't have anything to do anyway. School was over for Brooke; that little overachiever finished before me so she could work.

She'd had the job for a week and she really enjoyed it.

I won't lie, I was a little relieved to see she only had one female co-worker. Even if she was a little strange. She seemed nice and she made Brooke laugh. I aproove of anyone who can make Brooke laugh.

I took a seat at the little table in the corner and drank my coffee, watching discreetly as Brooke served customer after customer.

As I watched her push a flyaway hair behind her ear and smile at a woman as she handed her a steaming cup of coffee, I bit my lip.

For three and a half years, my mouth seemed to only partially work around Brooke. All the times I'd almost told her how I feel, I just kept quiet instead. Brooke worked hard. At Summer jobs, at school, at volunteering.

She was the sweetest person you'd ever meet. Always trying to help someone, even if they push her away. And I don't understand how anyone could ever push Brooke away.

I kept my feelings at bay for the most part. Brooke deserves someone that's going somewhere in life. And let's face it, I'm not. I want to graduate, and do photography, or write. Brooke loves this crap-hole of a town for some reason.

I remember when she moved here.

The teacher tells us what pages to turn to and begins a lecture on Christopher Columbus just as she clumsily pushes her way through the door. Mr. Vanhaven smiles and introduces her to us as Brooke Greenburg, new to Georgia. Her hair was braided on each side, and she wore black framed glasses. Cowboy boots and jeans. She sat down timidly in the desk beside mine and I smiled to myself. Being the chill dude I am, I stick my hand out to her and introduce myself. She shakes my hand softly, like those old ladies at church that barely touch your hand at all. The girls in the back giggle at Brooke and I feel a sense of protecivness take over for some reason. I immediately tapped her shoulder when I saw her sink lower in his seat. "I'll show you around after school if you want." She looked like she might turn me down at first, but I flashed a smile like the charming devil I am, and she gave me a smile that made my heart race and nodded.

My phone rand and I looked at the screen. Josh.

I sook my head and answered. "Dude, whats up?"

"I have an invitation to extend." He trieed to sound formal and I chuckled a little.

"There's a bonfire tonight at my girlfriend's parent's farm, wanna come?" He asked, his voice full of hope.

I thought for a few seconds and Josh took my silence as an oppurtunity to elaborate.

"It's be pretty low-key if you want to bring her, and there shouldn't be any drinking. Stacy's parents don't roll like that." He laughed a little.

Why would he automatically assume I want to bring her? Is it obvious that I like her? My heart sped up when I thought that she might know and just think I'm an idiot.

Oh god, am I friendzoned?

"Dude?" Josh's voice brought me back.

"Sure, I'll come. Text me the address." And with that, and my empty coffee cup, I ended the call and stood. I smiled when I look up and saw Brooke's eyes on me.

I approached her and she took my cup to throw it in the trash behind the counter. I gave her a small wave when a woman barked her order to Brooke and she shrugged and laughed as I walked out the door.

God she's beautiful.