“You can’t fight me, Agent Nat. I’m a black belt taekwondo.”
That was true. Kat’s heart and soul was taekwondo. Her perfectly toned body and strength could tell you that. That, and the fact that her hair was always tied back like she was in a fight and she sparred at the gym with the guys every other day. Natalia put her hands up. “Fine. I surrender, Agent Kat.”
There was thumping again as another girl descended the stairs. “Nat? Is Nat home? Nat?”
She finally appeared. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a tight bun and her blue eyes shone with excitement.
“Averil!” Natalia laughed, as the tall girl threw herself at her.
Averil pulled back. “Kat’s been using your conditioner.”
“She already knows, tattletale,” Kat said.
Once again, someone descended the stairs, except unlike the other two, her footsteps were light and muted and dainty. Natalia knew instantly who it was. “Brooklyn?” she called.
Out emerged an auburn hair beauty, her green eyes surprised and happy, and when she saw Natalia’s hair, a little disapproving.
“Still have that pink hair, I see,” she said, though there was a smile on her face.
Natalia glanced at herself in the mirror on the wall opposite her. Her chin length wavy hair had been dyed pink since she was in ninth grade. She had liked it, and it had always suited her pale skin and hazel eyes. Plus, she liked the stares people gave her as she walked past them with her neon colored hair.
“I would have thought a visit to your mother would have changed that,” Brooklyn continued. “Doesn’t she have any qualms with you walking around like a blinking light?”
Natalia smiled. This was the Brooklyn she knew and loved. “No, she’s likes me to express my individuality. We’re not all from the Upper East Side, Brook. We can’t all be perfect like you.”
“Well, I suppose I have reached an unattainable level of perfection. Can’t blame you for that,” Brooklyn said, looking snooty. Then her face changed into a smile she couldn’t suppress any longer, and she gave Natalia a tight hug. “”I’m glad you’re home, Nat,” she said.
“Yeah? Me too, Brooklyn. Mom may tolerate my pink hair, but she doesn’t like Jeremy,” Natalia said, referring to her boyfriend, “Or the fact that I’m majoring in Psychology. She thinks it’s worthless. She asked me if my goal was to become a high school counselor for teenage stoners and drug addicts. Which, of course, I just laughed at. But sometimes, I wish I could tell her to shut up and let me do what I want, you know?” Natalia said, throwing herself on the couch. Kat perched on the arm of it, next to her, while Averil, ever the ballerina, stood straight up, with perfect poise. Brooklyn sat on the opposite chair, legs crossed like a true upscale New Yorker.
Kat sympathized, “Mom problems suck, Nat.”
“Yeah, well, I barely talk to mine, so I wouldn’t really know,” Brooklyn said. She looked like she didn’t care, but Natalia could hear the edge of bitterness in her voice.
“Well, I haven’t lived with mine since the ninth grade and haven’t spoken to her for a long, long time, so we’re all in the same boat. Except Kat, of course,” Averil said.
Natalia sat up. “Guys, you want to go have some fun tonight? Let’s go to the restaurant bar on Third Street. I hear they have live music on Friday evenings and everything.”
“Not really my idea of a party, but I haven’t really had one of those since I left New York,” Brooklyn said, “So why not?”
“Yeah. I really need to let loose— I am so stressed with all the ballet. I’m planning a spa day tomorrow. I’m in, though,” Averil said.
“Of course I’m coming. How would you have any fun without me?” Kat proclaimed. “Let me blow dry and change.”
Five minutes later, Natalia came down, showered and dressed in jeans with a bright red leather jacket. Brooklyn was already there in her usual sophisticated style with a baby blue Armani sweater and designer jeans, her red hair freshly curled. Beside her was Kat, whose hair was now dry but pulled back in a high pony tail. Natalia stared at Kat, noticing, yet again, that for someone who didn’t care about her appearance, Kat was really, really pretty. She had dark hair and stormy grey eyes and beautiful, unblemished, olive-toned skin.
Averil bounded down the stairs after Natalia, her high necked pink dress bouncing with her. “We ready, guys?” she asked.
They piled into the car and Kat drove. “Hey guys?” Averil said as they sped down the night lit roads.
“Yeah?” they chorused.
“My friend is coming to visit. He’s coming tomorrow, actually. He’s gonna stay at the hotel and then take me back to New York for a break. And he’s going to drop by at the Chamberlain house.”
“He?” Kat asked, raising her eyebrow and winking at Averil suggestively.
“Shut up Kat. He’s just a friend. You know I have a boyfriend. But I wanted to warn you guys anyway.”
“Consider us warned, Averil,” Brooklyn smiled. Natalia pulled up at the restaurant and they all climbed out.
Natalia watched as Kat and Brooklyn linked arms and walked in. “What happened to them?” she asked Averil.
“They grew close. They’re like best friends now. No, they are best friends now.”
Natalia nodded, though mystified. Brooklyn and Kat were so different from each other. They had nothing in common. But wasn’t “opposites attract” a saying? Yeah, she was pretty sure. Shrugging, she walked in. The place was so packed that you had to fight your way through the crowd. As usual, heads turned as they noticed her pink bob. Natalia just smiled at them.
The four of them sat down at a booth, waiting to order. Natalia turned to Kat. “So, now that I’m back, I want to know everything you’ve been doing. What have you been up to, Agent Katerina?” she asked. Ever since she and Kat had gone laser-tagging together during a time when they wanted to de-stress, they had called each other “Agent.”
“Sparring, obviously. I met a new guy at the gym. Oh my god, he’s so awesome. He might even be stronger than me,” Kat gushed.
Brooklyn rolled her eyes. “Of course, the guy who can beat you up is the guy you crush on.”
Natalia was about to add something when a familiar hand came down on her shoulder. She turned. Standing in front of her, in the flesh, was Jeremy Grey, his dark eyes shining. “Jeremy!” she exclaimed. What was he doing here? Jeremy went to NYU. He wrapped her in his warm embrace while Kat, Brooklyn, and Averil stared unabashedly. Natalia pulled back and ran a hand through his black hair, which was streaked with the blonde she’d convinced him to dye. “What are you doing here?”
“I was on my way back after we went to visit your parents, but my roommate called and said that two of our professors were on leave and so those classes were cancelled for two weeks. It didn’t make sense to go and sit around for two classes every day, so I’m taking these two weeks off.”
Natalia let out a little squeal and hugged him again. Brooklyn eyed them quizzically. “I can see—” she said, as they pulled apart and looked at her. “Why you two are perfect for eachother. You both need a lot of help in the hair department.”
Jeremy rolled his eyes. “Well, have you considered going another color, Carrots?” he asked Brooklyn.
“Cool it, Jer. She’s kidding,” Natalia said.
Brooklyn nodded. “Of course I am. Kind of. I’m Brooklyn,” she said, shaking Jeremy’s hand.
His eyebrows shot up. “You’re the high-class rich Upper East Sider?” he asked.
Brooklyn nodded, laughing. “That’s me. You’re the boyfriend?”
“Uh huh,” he turned to Kat. “You’re Katerina, right? Muscular girl-jock.” Kat nodded, looking pleased. Then he turned to Averil. “And you’re the ballerina, right?”
Averil smiled. “Nice to meet you,” she said.
Brooklyn stood up. “I need a drink. I’m going to the bar. Anyone want to come?” she asked.
Kat stood up. “Yeah, sure. I want
a couple of shots.”
Averil shook her head. “I can’t. No drinking is allowed a week before a ballet recital. It’s unheard of. Sorry, guys. I’m going to dance, though,” she said, and with that she pushed her way to the dance floor and began swaying her hips. Natalia saw guys turn as Averil came. She was really pretty. Typical American pretty, with the blonde hair and blue eyes thing.
Natalia shook her head. Jeremy was right here. Who cared about Averil? She turned to him. Gosh, it was like he had gotten more beautiful. His eyes, his beautiful violet eyes, were focused on her with an intensity that made her knees go weak. She slid her arms up and around his neck as he pulled her closer. She could feel the metal rivets of his leather jacket on her bare arms, and the heat of his minty breath on her face. He reached out and gently pulled a lock of her bright hair. He held it out. “Beautiful,” he murmured. And then, in front of everyone, his lips touched hers, first with a gentle sweetness, but then with more urgency. With a force she had never felt from him before. It was a desperate kiss, like it was the last kiss he would ever give her. She pulled back, as soon as her brain cleared from the presence of him.
“Jeremy?” she asked worriedly.
“I lied to you, when your friends were here. I couldn’t bring myself to say it in front of them. I can barely bring myself to say it now,” he glanced around, while Natalia stared at him, wondering what was going on. “Can we talk outside?” he asked.
She nodded mutely, as he took her hand and led her through the crowd and out. The cold hit her with a sudden force and she gasped, wishing she hadn’t left her jacket in the booth inside. He took his own and hung it around her shoulders. It smelled exactly like him—mint and lemons and Jeremy.
“What is it, Jeremy?” she asked him, trailing a hand down his cheek.
He sighed and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. “I’m leaving,” he said.
“What?” her voice cracked. “What do you mean?”
“I’m moving to London. I had to come say goodbye,” he said.
Natalia’s head whirled. She didn’t fully understand. “Jeremy, I don’t get it?”
“I got a role. We’re shooting in London starting day after tomorrow, so I’m leaving. “
Natalia gasped and hugged him. “Oh my God, Jer! That’s great! I’m so happy for you! And it’s okay. I can still visit you. I mean, we’ve been separated before when we started going to different colleges. What’s the difference?”
Jeremy closed his eyes. “It’s a closed shooting. For one and a half years. It’s supposed to be a big deal, and I can’t leave the set until we’re done. No visitors except family. Those were the conditions.”
Suddenly, Natalia got it. She understood. She felt like he had stabbed her. “One and a half years without you?”
He nodded. “I had to come here. I had to say goodbye personally.”
A tear rolled down Natalia’s cheek. Jeremy wiped it away, but more came and faster, until she was sobbing. “Hey, it’s okay. I’ll call you and everything, I promise. And afterwards, we’ll go away together for a long time. I promise. I’ll make it up to you.”
She shook her head, fiercely trying to stop the tears. She should be happy for him, not make it harder for him. “No, it’s fine, Jeremy. Really. I’ll call you too, I promise.” She reached up and pulled him hard against her, and he kissed her, long and deep.
He put his forehead to hers, breathing hard, just as she was. “I have to go now,” he said.
“Don’t go, Jeremy. Don’t go yet,” she cried.
He kissed her forehead. “I have to.” With one last, long hug, he was gone.
It was only after five minutes of watching his car go and staring at the empty road did Natalia realize that he had left her his jacket. The one that still carried his scent. She pulled it on completely and shoved her hands into the pockets. In the left one, she felt a sting, as a paper inside cut her. She pulled it out and tears fell again as she saw what it was. It was a picture of them. It was when they were in tenth grade, at her sister’s wedding, the brief time when she had gone back to her blonde hair in order to look appropriate for the wedding. They were on the steps of the church, she in a lavender bridesmaid’s dress and he in a tuxedo, his beautiful hair slicked back. She was looking straight into the camera, but he was looking at her, his gray eyes intense and beautiful. She knew, just from that picture, that he loved her.
* * * * *
Averil drove them back, being the only one stable enough to do so. Natalia was too emotionally wrecked and Kat and Brooklyn were too tipsy to walk straight. Brooklyn stared out the window, feeling really bad for Natalia. She couldn’t believe Jeremy had the nerve to leave her like that. He should have stayed, declining the role. That’s what love was, wasn’t it? Being with the person? If you could stay away from them, Brooklyn thought, then how could you really love them? That’s how she knew Seth didn’t love her. He had left for college. He had had the idea of applying out of state, not her. And he was fine with it.
Brooklyn sighed and leaned her head on Kat’s shoulder. She could smell alcohol on Kat’s breath, but for once, she felt at home. She’d never had a best friend, she realized. Seth had always been the one, but after pining for him for so long, Brooklyn realized that she couldn’t confide in him. A best friend was someone you could tell everything to. But she couldn’t tell Seth she loved him.
Averil pulled up at the Chamberlain house, but stopped short of the driveway.
“What?” Brooklyn asked. “Park, and let’s go in.”
But Averil didn’t. “No, Brook. There’s a car already there. Oh my god! He’s here!” she yelled excitedly.
“Wait? Calm down. Who’s here?” Kat asked, confused. Natalia just stared out the window, unresponsive.
“My friend,” Averil grinned. “The one I told you was coming tomorrow. I guess he came today.” And with that, she jumped out and bounded towards the house. Brooklyn watched them, glad the evening was going well for at least one of them.
She turned to Kat. “You think that there’s any chance I’ll sleep and won’t have a ridiculous hangover tomorrow morning?”
Kat smiled. “No way, Brook. Tomorrow is going to suck, no matter what.”
Brooklyn turned to Natalia. “Come on, Nat. Let’s get out of here.”
Natalia looked up and stared at her. Finally, she answered. “OK, I’m coming.”
The three of them stepped out and walked to the house where Averil and her friend were. Inside, Brooklyn saw Averil mixing her friend a drink, his back turned so that Brooklyn couldn’t see his face. Somehow, he looked oddly familiar. She walked to the other side of him and gasped.
He looked equally startled. He looked almost the same, just a little older, but he had the same longish, wavy hair and thick glasses. He was still very thin. “Simon?” Brooklyn gasped.
“Brooklyn?”
“Wait, wait, you two know each other?” Averil asked
Simon nodded. “Yeah, I met her in New York. How are you, Brooklyn?”
Brooklyn nodded, slowly getting over her initial shock. “Fine. I’m fine.”
“Wait, how did you meet?” Averil asked. “I can’t believe this.”
Brooklyn closed her eyes and pressed her fingertips to her eyelids, her signature sign of extreme tiredness. “Look, Averil, Simon, I’m sorry. I can’t deal with this right now. Let’s talk in the morning.” Simon nodded, as Brooklyn left quickly and went upstairs.
She still couldn’t quite believe he was here. In fact, she kind of resented he was here. He was a connection to her old life—the one that had been what she hoped to leave behind when she came to Princeton. But he was bringing it all back. He was bringing back everything she wanted to forget—her mother who didn’t care, her brother who didn’t like being in her overpowering shadow, Seth, who could never love her, Alexia, who didn’t care about her, and her father, who was the worst of them all.
Brooklyn felt a tear slide down her cheek. Stop it. St
op it, she told herself fiercely. Brooklyn Ryder didn’t cry. Not over this. Brooklyn Ryder moved on with pride and dignity. Brooklyn Ryder didn’t let anything touch her.
Come on Ryder. Stop those tears and move on. She knew she was being hard on herself, but she had to. She had to move on. It was the only way she’d find a life that wasn’t so messed up. She had to leave the past behind.
There was a knock on the door. Brooklyn opened it to find Kat behind it. “Hey. What?”
Kat grinned her wasted, drunk, sloppy grin. “This is my room too, Brookie,” she slurred.
Sometimes, Brooklyn had a hard time remembering she had to share a room. At first, she had hated it, but she had learned to like Kat, and now, she rather enjoyed it. Kat walked in and threw herself on her bed. Evidently, she had drunk a lot more than Brooklyn.
“Awwww. Brookie, you look sad. Come tell Kaaatie what the problem is,” Kat laughed, her words slurring together. Brooklyn sat next to her and smelt the alcohol on her breath.
“That Simon guy?” she started.
“You mean the one Averil loooooovess,” Kat laughed, slap happy.
Brooklyn grimaced and nodded. “He’s from where I live. Or where I used to live—New York. He just reminds me of everything. My life back there. The boy who doesn’t love me, the brother who doesn’t want to be around me, the mom who doesn’t care, and the dad who cheats. I try every day to forget. Live in the present, you know. But he’s brought it all back and it’s hitting me so fast.”
“Awwww, I’m sorry, Brook. You’ll figure it out. The great Katerina promises you’ll figure it out. Plus, he’s not gonna be here forever, right? He’s not staying. And who cares about your old life. This…” Kat said, wrapping her arms around her best friend, “…is your new life. So live it.” She stood up and threw her hands up. “Love it!”
Surprisingly, Brooklyn felt better. She guessed talking to drunken people really did help.
* * * * *
Ty strolled down the wet, street lamp lit streets of New York, not wanting to go to his apartment. The one he had used his savings to buy after he had turned eighteen and no longer qualified for foster care. It had really scared him—being on his own so young, when all his friends were still reliant upon their parents. He had gotten into Yale, but he didn’t have the money for it. So he went to NYU. It wasn’t bad. He really liked it, actually, but it was not Yale. He had made friends, his best a guy named Jeremy. But Jeremy was leaving for London; in fact, he already had.