My Best Friend's Brother

Back to Rule #1

It was now officially 24 hours after my dads funeral. Mom has let me sit out of school the last two days, because everyone now knew. I hadn't really answered any texts or calls from anyone, but the Brooks' family invited us over for dinner tonight- and I would have to go back to school tomorrow.

"Emilie, are you ready?"

"Almost." I finished pining my hair halfway back, and swiped some mascara on my lashes.

I sat directly across from Jackson at the dinner table. Justin sent me glares every few minutes or so, he hadn't spoke to me since his and Liams altercation on Monday.

"Hey," Jackson tapped his fork on his plate, "Can I catch a ride with you tomorrow?"

I was glad to finally have my car back, "Sure, but we have to pick Sarah up."

He rolled his eyes, "Can't she ride with her brother... or mine."

I took a bite out of my roll, "I told her I would pick her up. Besides, why do you need a ride?"

He cut his eyes at Justin, then his mother, "Because dipshit got us both grounded after fighting behind the school."

"Language, Jack." His mother sent him a warning.

"And I would kick his ass again, any day." Justin scraped his fork across his plate.

A few words were exchanged across the table until it fell silent. Jackson motioned for me to follow him outside.

He closed the back door behind us and sat at the patio table. "I think you should see this," he slid his phone across the table, "I tried calling you twice but you didn't answer."

I picked up his phone to see the play button on the screen. After pressing play, I watch a video of Liam and Justin behind the gym. I can't quite make out what they are saying, but their fists do most of the talking.

"Who took this video?"

Jackson shrugged, "I don't know, but it's been all around school."

I already knew the answer before I asked, "Has Sarah seen this?"

He nodded, "But I don't think anyone knows why they were fighting."

I laughed, "I don't even know why they were fighting."

Jackson leaned forward putting his elbows on the table, "Justin doesn't want to talk much about it, but I heard a couple of the basketball players in the hall yesterday. They were talking about a picture of you in the boys locker room."

I swallow the lump in my throat, but no words form.

"Why were you in the boys locker room?"

I had already lied to his twice... what was a third time?
But chances were, he already knew.

"I went to apologize."

He nodded, "That's what I figured," he sat back in his chair and crossed his arms, "So how did an apology turn into his fists hitting Justin."

"To be honest, I don't know, but he could have just been pissed at Justin for grabbing-" I stopped, remembering my conversation with Jackson at the lunch table just before I raided the locker room.

"For grabbing what."

I shook my head, "Nothing, I don't know why I said that."

He stood up, "Look you have been lying to me a lot lately and I have just pushed it to the side, but I told you I wouldn't let him bother you anymore. So tell me what the fuck happened."

"Chill out, nothing happened. Right, Em?" Justin stepped onto the back porch, headed towards the pool house.

"I swear, Jack. It was nothing, plus I'm pretty sure Liam set it straight.. hints the big ass black eye."

"Fine, Emilie. I will just ask him then." Jackson stormed into the house slamming the back door, leaving me alone.

"Want a drink?" Justin held a beer out of the door of the pool house.

"No, Justin, I don't." I rolled my eyes and followed after Jackson.

My mother and Amy Brooks were conversating in the kitchen, "Are you ready to go home?"

I nodded, and we left before I had to talk to either brooks brothers again.

The next morning, I arrived at school and met Sarah outside the gym.

"Do you want to skip today? I'm not feeling the whole going to class blah blah blah vibes."

I laugh, "I have skipped the past two days."

"So what's a third?" She grinned and poked at me.

I shook my head no, and led us down the hallway to the lockers, "Hey, did you see the video of Liam and Justin's fight?"

She laughed, "It wasn't much of a fight, Liam kicked his ass."

I didn't laugh, and her laugh faded away. Then her face was dead serious, "I also saw a picture of you and my brother in the boys locker room. Wanna tell me what that was about?"

"I had to apologize to him."

She crossed her arms, "for what?"

We arrive at the door to Biology, "Because he caught me talking shit about him, and I felt bad."

She rolled her eyes, "He will get over it. I talk shit about him all the time," she held her hand to stop me from going into class, "But I want to remind you that we have a rule."

"I know, Rule Number One."

"Eat, sleep, breathe it, Bitch... or I will have to kill you."

I playfully pushed her out of the way, "I got it."

She saw Justin walking down the hall and jogged to catch him. The speakers throughout the school came to life, and our principal spoke:

"Emilie Jones please report to the front office. Emilie Jones to the front office."