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Instead of answering, he scrambled off, afraid, as he disappeared behind the fire escape.
This wasn’t going to work; Brooke had to move in with me. She had somehow attracted a stalker just by being nice to him. Of course he would be attracted to her; Matthew was the fool for not seeing her charm.
I pounded on her door; everything that had happened today left me concerned about her well-being.
“Brooke?” I called out, and she didn’t respond. “Baby, open up. Please.”
Silence.
“I have to work tonight; do you think you can watch Anne for me?” I tried. Anne wouldn’t be back until tomorrow afternoon, but I knew that Brooke couldn’t resist Anne. She would always jump at the opportunity of taking care of her whenever I asked her to.
I heard feet shuffling from behind the door, and I held my breath, waiting to hear her soft voice. Instead, all I heard was another door close, and I had no idea why, but the silence that I used to love so much terrified me.
What had happened to her?
Chapter 17
Brooke
Five Years Ago.
“Are you ready for the final exam?” Marie asked me as she packed her notes away, and I nodded as I stared at her.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I told her as I took a deep breath in. I was excited that today was my last exam, but I was nervous, as well.
I was just one final away from acquiring my Bachelors of Science, majoring in Economics. Why I had chosen such a stressful major was beyond me, but all I knew was that I was going to be paid well at the corporate job I had bagged three months ago.
I couldn’t wait to start working in an office and to fill up my closet with work outfits; of course, I was just as excited for the challenges and work opportunity I had received, but the work outfits were the apple of my eye, and I had seen a few heels I knew I had to get in my closet.
“How has it been with your brother back home?” We walked toward the lecture hall, and I smiled.
“Amazing, because every time I got back home, he has a meal prepared or goes out to buy dinner for us! I haven’t been able to spend that much time with him because I’ve been studying, but you’d better believe that this weekend we’ll be having a movie marathon!”
“Invite me?” Her green eyes shone with hope, and I laughed, shaking my head.
“Absolutely not. If there’s one person I’m not introducing to my brother, it’s you,” I told her, and she rolled her eyes as we found our seats and sat down, waiting for our instructor.
“Meanie.” She stuck her tongue out and pushed her fist forward, and I bumped mine against it. This was like our lucky charm; before every exam, we would bump fists and kiss our knuckles, and it helped calm down the nerves.
“Good luck,” I whispered, and she smiled, whispering back before we both faced forward, smiling.
I got this. I won’t have to do this again.
After about two hours, our college lives were officially over, and it felt so random. It was a Wednesday afternoon when Marie and I exited the lecture hall. The summer air was fresh and warm as we looked at each other quietly.
“So, what now?” I whispered, and her eyes widened as she looked around and shrugged.
“Coffee to celebrate?”
“LaBranch?” I asked her, and she nodded.
“Let’s also get a sandwich and cupcakes; I’m starving.” She hooked her arm in mine as we walked toward our next location.
“I’ll just get a sandwich. Brandon is taking me out for dinner to celebrate,” I squealed, and she smiled before she groaned.
“Sure, rub it in my face that your hot brother is only taking you out for dinner,” she whined, and I laughed.
“I would invite you, but it’s his birthday tomorrow, so it’s only fair that we spend the day together. It’s just us, you know.”
