All of Us

  That left him alone, friendless, and girlfriendless. Well, he had a girlfriend—she was just miles away at Princeton. He replayed the weekend he and Averil had spent just before she left, like a movie he loved. Again and again and again.

  They video chatted. They chatted a lot, but he wasn’t really there with her. Ty remembered the first time he had kissed her, a week after he had taken her to the Modern Art Museum, under the street lamp on Third’s that flickered because someone hadn’t replaced the battery. He walked there every day, imagining him and Averil under it, the sunset all around them.

  Ty unlocked the door to his apartment and threw himself on the couch, tired. He couldn’t wait till the day after tomorrow, when Christmas break officially began. Averil would be home, and he would be happy again. Romeo would be back too, from Brown, and Romeo’s sister would back as well, from Princeton. He wondered if Averil and Brooklyn knew eachother. He’d have to ask when she came back.

  Suddenly, the phone rang, putting him out of his reverie. It was Romeo.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, man, what’s up?” Romeo asked.

  “Not much. Not anything really. Can’t wait for everyone to come home. I feel like such a loser for being here while all of you are out there all over,” Ty confessed.

  “No, man. You just chose the college that was artsy, like you. Doesn’t matter where it is, right?”

  “Yeah, I guess. When are you coming back?” Ty asked.

  “I’m actually getting on my flight in ten minutes. I’m skipping the last day. I organized my schedule so I don’t have anything on Fridays anyway, and I thought I’d come in earlier. Don’t want to leave you there all lonesome,” Romeo laughed.

  “Lonesome? You must have a crazy English professor,” Ty said with a smile in his voice.

  “Yeah, I do. Grumpy old lady. Anyway, I called because we should do something when I get back. I wanted to let you know earlier so I don’t mess your schedule,” Romeo said.

  “Romeo, I have no schedule. I’m a free-wheeler.”

  “You mean a person who has no girlfriend so is spending time wondering what to do? You don’t have a schedule because you don’t have anything to put on it, Ty. I’m coming home and we are going shopping. Maybe you can buy a life, dude,” Romeo said.

  “Ouch.”

 

  “Okay, maybe that was a little harsh, but dude, ever since this Jeremy left, you seem to be available every time I call you and online all the time. You need to meet people, date around, and have fun,” Romeo said.

  “No dating around. I have a girlfriend, who is, by the way, coming back day after tomorrow, so I will have stuff to put on my schedule, which, by the way is almost full already.”

  “Yeah, totally,” Romeo laughed.

  “I’m going to hang up on you, Montague,” Ty threatened, using the nickname he called Romeo for fun, usually when they were joking.

  “Oh, I’d be so devastated,” Romeo exclaimed, faking extreme sadness.

  “You should be.”

  “Hey, man, I gotta go. They’re boarding, and I have to get on.”

  “Yeah, first class passengers are always first,” Ty said absently, wondering if he’d ever get to ride first class. It wasn’t like it mattered to him much, but being friends with Romeo just made their polar opposite worlds more apparent.

  “Right you are. Bye,” Romeo said before hanging up.

  * * * * *

  Seth ran through the airport, faster than he ever had, even when playing soccer. He could not miss this flight. His bag was making loud whirring noises as he dragged it, but he didn’t care. When he finally got there, they were boarding the last passenger. He rushed up and handed in his boarding pass.

  The lady who took it was blonde, with obviously fake dark streaks in her hair that was wound up a high bun. She wore a too tight pencil skirt and looked at him disapprovingly. “We boarded first class half an hour ago. We made three announcements calling you,” she complained.

  “I’m so sorry, ma’am,” Seth apologized quickly and continued walking, wanting to get away from her. He boarded the plane and everyone was already seated. He looked on both sides as he walked until he found his seat. He started as he saw who sat next to him—Romeo Ryder. The sight of him sent his thoughts Brooklyn-ward, a direction he was trying to avoid for a long time. But he had to sit here. And it wasn’t like he didn’t like Romeo. He was just desperately in love with his sister. Romeo looked up.

  “Oh! Seth, hey. How are you?” he asked as Seth sat down.

  “I’m good. I looked for you at Brown, but it’s pretty big, I guess, because I never found you.”

  “Yeah, I looked out for you too. Big school though, you’re right,” Romeo said awkwardly.

  Seth realized they had barely talked when Brooklyn wasn’t around. In fact, they never had. As soon as allowed, Seth ordered a glass of champagne. It was going to be a long flight.

  When they finally landed, Seth said goodbye to Romeo and left, taking a waiting limo to his house where his excited parents greeted him.

  “Seth! It’s so nice to see you,” Leanne Draycott greeted her son. She reached up and pulled him into a long hug. She looked the same as she always did, her blonde hair up in an elegant French twist, wearing light makeup, a sweater and a pencil skirt.

  “Good to see you home, son. Brown been treating you well?” Scott Draycott asked. He looked older, Seth noticed, and the hair at his temples was streaked with grey. He was suited up, as always, but he still had the air of someone who takes life as it is, very unlike the other men Seth knew.

  “Yeah, dad, it’s great,” Seth told his father.

  “I’m so glad you decided to continue. I still have no idea why you wanted to transfer to Princeton after last year. Really, it was an absurd idea,” Leanne said.

  Seth stared straight ahead, but eventually gazed downward. “I know, mother, it was a stupid idea.”

  “It’s okay, darling. We’ve all gotten past that. Alec is home, in his room, if you want to talk to him,” Leanne gestured upstairs.

  Seth nodded. “I will.”

  He made his way upstairs to Alec’s room and knocked.

  “Come in.”

  He opened the door to find Alec lounging on his bed. He already looked older, no longer the clean shaven boy in his early twenties. Here he was, with much more than stubble, already engaged. “Seth!” he said, surprised, and then hugged him.

  “Hey Alec. How’s it going? I heard you’re engaged.”

  Alec grinned. “Yeah, to Cecelia. Cecelia Blake,” he told Seth.

  “You’re getting married to CeCe? Emma’s sister?” Seth asked, startled.

  “Yeah, we met at Georgetown. Well, I knew who she was before, but I never really got to know her until Georgetown. And what can I say, man? I fell in love,” Alec said, a dazed expression on his face. Seth realized his brother looked different. He wore love well. It made him less sharp, somehow.

  “So, what’s your love story, little brother?” Alec asked, grinning.

  Seth shook his head, but his cheeks were heating up.

  “Yeah, and I’m supposed to believe that. You’re turning into a monk, Seth. I’ve barely seen you date anyone. Don’t tell me you want to be a monk. I respect your beliefs and all, but—“

  Seth shook his head, fast, his eyes widening. “I do not want to do that, Alec. Shut up. I just haven’t found the right person.” What a tremendous lie that was. As soon as he said it, Brooklyn’s face filled his inner vision. The curve of her cheek, the beautiful green of her eyes, the shadows of her lashes.

  Alec shook his head. “God help me, Seth. You are hopeless. You’re supposed to date so that you find the right person.”

  “Whatever, I have to go,” Seth said hurriedly. He jumped up and left, almost running to the front door. Maybe Brooklyn was back. Maybe he could see her.

  “Seth? Where are you going?” Leanne asked.

  “Brooklyn’s. I’ll be back soon,” Seth yelle
d as he raced out the door. As soon as he had hailed a taxi and hurriedly given her address, he threw himself back on the seat and his tiredness hit him. It had been a long trip. And he couldn’t believe Emma Blake was going to be his sister-in-law. He knew her. Not really well, but he knew her boyfriend, Kyle, pretty well. Who would have though of CeCe and Alec? Not him, certainly.

  When the taxi reached her home, he jumped out, and bounded up to the elevator, rode up, and dashed to the door of her penthouse. He rang the bell.

  He heard the clicking of heels on the other side and the door swung open to reveal Cecily. “Seth! It’s very nice to see you—“

  Seth cut her off. “Brooklyn. Is Brooklyn here?” he asked.

  She frowned, annoyed at being cut off, but answered. “My daughter arrives tomorrow, Seth. You are welcome to come in, though. Have you heard from her?” Cecily asked. She hadn’t heard from Brooklyn at all herself. She felt like her daughter was drifting away from her. Brooklyn was always bitter around her, rarely ever picked up her calls, and never emailed her. Romeo was more softhearted, but he never had any spirit when he communicated with her. It was like he was doing a duty he didn’t particularly like but had to do.

  Seth shook his head. “No, not recently.” Actually, not ever. He and Brooklyn had exchanged a few emails when they first started in college, but as sophomores, they hadn’t talked at all. He felt like Brooklyn still hated him, and he had no idea why.

  “Oh, well, that’s too bad. Romeo is here though. He tells me Brooklyn is bringing two of her friends to stay for the holidays — their names are Natalia and Katerina” Cecily said, trying to be polite and converse. In reality, she had so much work to do and she really needed to leave. Seth could sense it from her impatiently tapping heel.

  “I’m going to go, Cecily, but I’ll come back tomorrow and see her.” he said.

  She smiled. “Goodbye, then,” and then she almost slammed the door in his face.

  All Seth could feel then was crushing disappointment.

  * * * * *

  “Mother?” Brooklyn called into her cell phone, feeling awkward. She hadn’t talked to Cecily in a long time. Not that Cecily seemed to care, but that was beside the point. She had to tell her mother what time she’d be arriving.

  “Yes, Brooklyn?” she heard her mother’s familiar voice.

  “I’ve landed just now, mother. I should be at home by around ten,” Brooklyn told her mother.

  “All right, that’s wonderful. Listen, I’d really like to talk but I have to go. Just wanted to let you know that Seth came here yesterday, looking for you. I told him you’d come today, so he said he’ll come back. Please call him and tell him you’re back. He seemed really desperate to see you,” Cecily said. With that, she hung up.

  Somebody poked her. Brooklyn turned to her side to see Natalia, still looking bleary eyed. “Have we landed, Brooklyn?” she asked groggily.

  Brooklyn rolled her eyes. “Yes, Nat, so get up. We landed five minutes ago. You missed the amazing overhead view of the city.”

  “Oh my god, it was so pretty. I should have come to New York sooner!” said an over caffeinated Kat excitedly. “Brooklyn, this private jet is awesome. I wish they hadn’t run out of coffee, though,”

  Brooklyn looked at Kat. Her dark hair was, for once, let loose in its straight locks down to the middle of her back. Kat was pretty, Brooklyn knew. And on top of that, she was unflaggingly nice and positive. She was exactly what Brooklyn needed. She wasn’t middle class, like Natalia, although money didn’t matter to Brooklyn much. But Kat was the daughter of Alexia Phoebe Delacroix, the famous French actress. Her full name was Katerina Antoinette Delacroix, though everyone called her Kat. And although she was French, she was brought up in California and had no French accent whatsoever. Brooklyn loved that her best friend was interesting. She had a past and a name that were almost storybook-like.

  “No more coffee, Kat, or you might explode,” Brooklyn said. “Let’s go.”

  They all stood up and gathered their things and walked down the plank and into the icy winter nighttime air of New York City. Kat began to shiver in her incredibly short denim shorts that were over thin red stockings and a thin red sweater. “I’m so cold,” she complained. “My fingers are going to freeze and fall off. And my legs too, I think.”

  “Suck it up, Kat, the limo’s coming, and then you’ll be warm,” Brooklyn smiled at how very un-New York-like Kat was.

  Natalia, too, could feel the goose bumps erupting over her body. Brooklyn, though, could only think of how wonderful it was to be home. No place ever felt like home as much as New York did. Suddenly, a familiar limo pulled up and Harold stepped out.

  “Miss Brooklyn, give me your bags,” he said. Brooklyn gave a little shout when she saw who stepped out next. It was Romeo, her little brother, except he wasn’t little at all. Not anymore. His curls were cut short into an attractive style, he had a hint of stubble, and his body was definitely that of a man’s.

  “Romeo!” she squealed and threw herself at him. Somehow, he had gotten taller than her in her three inch heels. He wrapped his arms around her and Brooklyn felt at home. He was the only family member she really loved. She barely knew Cecily anymore and she hated her father completely. Even though she kept his secret and was cordial when he was around, she wanted nothing more than to forget and love him again. But that wasn’t possible, which was why she clung to Romeo like he was life itself.

  When she finally released him, she pulled Natalia forward. “This, Romeo, is Natalia Drake, woman of pink hair which never ceases to infuriate me, and girlfriend of up and coming movie star.” Natalia smiled at Romeo and they shook hands.

  Then Brooklyn pulled Kat up. “This…” she said to Romeo, smiling, “…is Katerina Antoinette Delacroix, daughter of French actress Alexia Phoebe Delacroix, taekwondo superstar and ass kicker, woman of the ponytail and a girl who is completely and annoyingly positive and always happy.”

  Kat smiled and hugged Romeo, catching him off guard, but that was Kat for you, Brooklyn thought. Impulsive and lovable. Kat stepped back and looked at Romeo. “You’re Romeo Ryder, huh?” she said.

  “Yes, yes, I am. I promise I’m much more pleasing than my sister.”

  Kat winked. “I might take you up on that, Ryder.”

  A deep blush set in Romeo’s cheeks. Brooklyn rolled her eyes. This was beyond embarrassing. This was gross. Her best friend and her brother? “Not happening under my watch, grasshoppers,” she told them.

  Romeo laughed. “Grasshoppers?”

  Brooklyn glared at him. “Let’s go. Now.”

  “Bossy, Bossy,” Romeo grinned.

  “She’s always like that. You get used to it. But you would know, right, Ryder?” Kat laughed.

  Brooklyn rolled her eyes and got into the limo, followed by Natalia, Kat and then Romeo, who sat too close to Kat for her liking. In twenty minutes, they pulled up to the penthouse. Brooklyn took the elevator up alone with the luggage because there wasn’t enough space in it to fit all of them and the bags. It opened to the penthouse, and her heart jumped in her chest. Standing right in front of the elevator when the doors slid open was Seth. He looked beautiful, in his dark prince way, with his hair flopping in his eyes and his faraway look. His eyes started when he saw her, but she couldn’t register anything else in them, no happiness, no love. Just surprise.

  “Brooklyn!” he said, and pulled her in a brief hug.

  She smiled cordially. “Hi, Seth. Help me pull the bags out, please?” she asked. Brooklyn reached for Kat’s green bag, but so did he. Their fingers brushed at the handle and she felt a spark shoot up from where he had touched her—a sudden warmth. Silently, she reprimanded herself. He didn’t care, so she shouldn’t.

  “I’ve got it,” he said. Brooklyn let him take the bag.

  She grabbed her own red Armani suitcase and dragged it into the penthouse. As soon as she stepped in, clattering heels sounded. Suddenly, a rushing Cecily came into view. Brooklyn hadn’t see
n her or anybody in New York since the last winter break. After last Christmas, she had gone back to Princeton and then spent the summer in France with Kat. But Cecily looked exactly like they mother she always had and barely knew, her hair in its French bun, her light makeup, and pencil skirt. “Brooklyn!” she said, looking delighted and a little nervous as she wrapped her arms around her daughter.

  Brooklyn wormed out of her mother’s embrace. “Hi, mom. Is dad here?” she asked, knowing the answer would be no.

  “No, sweetheart. He had work and couldn’t come. He’s in London on business,” Cecily said. Brooklyn’s heart thawed a little. Her mother really had no idea. She wondered if her mother would ever know, and if so, could she be the one to tell her? Underneath it all, she loved her mother. She couldn’t break it to her.

  “Oh.”

  “Did you meet Seth on the way in?” her mother asked.

  “Yes. He’s helping with the luggage. I’m going to go back out there and help.” With that, Brooklyn hurried away. Out in the hall, Seth had moved all the bags out from the elevator.

  “I sent the elevator back down for Harold and Romeo and your friends,” he said. They stared at each other. Seth wondered if this was really her. The girl that, before, he could tell anything to. The girl who told him everything. The girl who he felt at home with. Because now, all he felt was awkward around her, if you ignored the magnetic pull he felt around her.

  The elevator dinged open again and Natalia walked out first, followed by Kat and Romeo and last, Harold, pulling the rest of the bags. Kat let go of Romeo’s arm and came to stand next to Brooklyn’s side, surveying Seth with a sly smile on her face.

  “Kat, this is Seth Draycott. Seth, this is Katerina Antoinette Delacroix, daughter of—“

  “Alexia Delacroix. Am I right?” Seth asked.

  Kat nodded. “How did you know? You watch French movies?”

  Seth shook his head. “Not really, but Brooklyn sure does and we used to watch them together, so—“

  ‘Hold on,” Kath said, her sly smile widening. She turned to Brooklyn. “You and this hottie over here sat together, alone, and watched French flicks? And I know what kind of movies my mother is in, so—“