Chapter 3

• Brook.
• Being here feels strange, after all I thought I would never come, studying at this prestigious university is a source of pride for my parents and a great achievement too, because convincing me to come was not easy, leaving home was not an easy decision. Mom wanted me to come, but I also know how lonely she's going to feel from now on and dad isn't home much.
• But they insisted so much that they managed to convince me and here I am, I look around in search of a familiar face because yes, several of my friends study on this campus, two of them to be more specific and some acquaintances, so I will not be the complete unknown, also I will not start in the first semester like the rest since I have only been transferred.
• - I know that sexy and cute ass - I hear the mischievous voice of my best friend and I start to laugh
• - Sarah by God everyone listens to you - I say when I see her approaching me in her typical outfit on a Monday morning, that is to say perfect.
• Sarah grew up with me and from a very young age she was different, she always wanted to stand out and stand out, she has beautiful light eyes, wavy blonde hair, super full lips and a fairly proportional silhouette, unlike me, perhaps the most striking are my big eyes and my bushy eyebrows
• I don't have great attributes like her, but I do have an overwhelming personality, I am spontaneous, direct and I must say, stubborn like no one else, which is why I'm starting here a year late.
• – Well, now that you're here we can't waste time, I have a lot to show you, although you already know almost everything, because well, I've told you a lot about it, right? – She comments amused, talking non-stop, oh that's another characteristic of Sarah, she never shuts up.
• - Yes, let's go for a coffee I need one urgently - I comment looking at my watch
• – ok, ok first a coffee – he says stopping and smiling mischievously – Why the hell does he have to look so good, always no matter what? – he asks suddenly pointing to someone to his right.
• As soon as I turn to see who it is I stop short, that's a familiar face, Sarah continues talking non-stop about how it's impossible for him to be one of the most handsome guys on campus and that he just has that shitty personality.
• I start walking towards the boy without paying a bit of attention to what my best friend says or when he calls me, as I approach him, my heart begins to beat rapidly, I never imagined meeting him here, although he looks completely different from the one I last saw him six years ago, but ultimately he's him, I couldn't forget the guy who became my standard for getting guys.
• – Niko? – I whisper once I'm a few steps away, the boy who I think is the love of my life stops suddenly and tenses.
• I walk to stand in front of him and once again I am stunned, this is the boy I met six years ago, only this time he has tattoos, many to tell the truth, he even has one on his face, that catches my eye is a small number two in Roman, her eyes just as I remember them, she smiled when she saw him and sighed like a fool
• - What did you call me? – he snaps at me and something fails at the moment.
• Although it is very similar to the voice I remember, this one is hoarser and full of anger, his eyes narrow and he looks at me badly, the sweet, attentive and affectionate boy from six years ago is not this cold boy who looks at me with contempt .
• – You are Niko, right? - I ask doubting what I see, but I'm not crazy or drugged so this has to be Niko.
• – No – he answers curtly and I am startled a little by the abruptness.
• - Brook what the hell are you doing - it's Sarah who has approached us - hello Z, how are you? – He greets the boy and I frown when I hear the name.
• The aforementioned completely ignores my friend's greeting and looks at me with contempt before passing between us without saying another word and leaving us alone.
• – I insist there is no such thing as sexy and a shitty person, anyway, where exactly do you know him from? – He asks curiously, while I see how the tattooed boy walks away from us and later on two boys just as tattooed as him come up and greet him.
• - I think I just confused him with someone else - I whisper, my best friend laughs and snaps at me
• – Confusing Zero Evans with someone else is highly unlikely, my friend, that boy is unmistakable and I'm not just saying it because of his appearance, I know few people with his temperament and that shitty character he has
• – Who has a shit character? - Jack's unmistakable voice makes me forget about Niko or Z, for a moment and I jump on him when I see him - I'm also happy to see you Brooklyn but could you let me go, you ruin my image - he comments amused while I laugh and release him - with you I'm a stuffed animal but here
• "You're a Don Juan and she knows it so don't pretend," Sarah adds laughing and I join her.
• - Whenever you want you can go to hell Sarah - my dear Jack blurts out.
• He's another childhood friend and my first crush, but right now he's just my best friend. I see them both for an instant and they smile happily
• "I'm really glad you're here," Jack whispers smiling, approaching me and hugging me tight.
• – Me too – says Sarah, enveloping us both in a warm and tight hug that makes us laugh – let's go get that coffee so Brook doesn't walk around like a character from the walking dead all day – she adds as she lets go of us.
• As we walk to the cafeteria I can't stop thinking about the boy from a while ago, he looks identical to Niko, if it weren't for the tattoos, the piercings and all that bad attitude I could say it's him. I sigh remembering the nicest, handsome and sexiest guy I've ever met, the one who became the perfect guy with just a few words, I know it sounds silly, but seriously thanks to him, his sweetness and that cute way of treating me was that I set my standards for getting guys, not that I have a long list, but I can say that for the most part they have been sweet, loving and fun guys, although none come close to Niko.
• Because he was super cute, with that carefree but elegant demeanor, with that kind of smile that lights up your day just by looking at it and his eyes, just like the boy's eyes from a while ago, were of different colors, a trait that only It made it stand out even more. I accidentally lose myself in the memory of when we met.
• It was 11:45 am, I had to pick up my little brother, Connor at school, it was the last day of school and he was at that end-of-year party, mom couldn't pick him up because she was picking up some plans at the place Where he worked.
• When I got there the place was deserted, I was the only one there in front of the kindergarten so I just took out my iPod and started listening to music, I remember I was listening to Bruno Mars when a black sports car parked very close to where I was standing.
• Under this tall, muscular, sexy boy, with that magazine model demeanor that left me spellbound looking at him, without even noticing me he leaned out of the car and took out his phone, he spent a few minutes concentrating on him and then turned his face to see me I felt the colors rise to my cheeks and I looked away from him.
• I heard him laugh softly and I thought it was the most charming laugh I've ever heard from a boy, after a few minutes in which we exchanged glances that weren't furtive at all, he got up and approached me.
• - Hello - he greeted me standing close to me, I removed my headphones and smiled shyly, I had never been approached by a guy like him in my life.
• - Hello - he laughed once more and with that sexy and hoarse voice he spoke to me again
• – What are you listening to? - I ask sweetly, I hesitated for a moment and I handed him the earpiece, laughing he came closer to me and I put it in his ear, his closeness accelerated my heart - this song is very good, you have good taste in music - I add, after seconds of listening.
• He took off his sunglasses and right at that moment I thought that this boy would have to be the father of all my eyes, his eyes were so beautiful but so different from each other that I couldn't help but open my mouth in surprise.
• When he saw me, he laughed once more and held out his hand for me to hold, lethargic from what he saw, he took a few seconds to respond to the greeting, which caused him to laugh again.
• - I'm Niko, nice to meet you - he spoke again which really made me react and laughing nervously I took his hand and with that sealed our pact.
• A pact that only I knew about but it was worth it, this boy would be my platonic love and the father of my children one day.
• "Brooklyn" I whispered, he smiled and tilted his amused face.
• – How the city? – this time it was me who laughed
• - Yes, like the city - he laughs again and I paused to sigh - it's a long story, well, it's not really very short, my parents made me there - I blurted out nervously causing more laughter to come out of his lips and his features softened even more - I'm sorry, that was weird - I added quickly trying to amend my mistake but he kept laughing sweetly
• – Don't worry, it's okay, I've seen and heard weirder things – he says amused – are you waiting for someone? – He asks after a few seconds and I notice that our hands are still joined and it is because I haven't let go of his, I quickly let go and he laughs again.
• - Eh, well, yes - I add more nervous than I had ever been in my life - to my little brother - I add once and he laughs putting his hands in the pockets of his tight jean, which by the way was a slow death on him.
• – I came for my sister, she is in third grade – she comments smiling, seeing the building in front of us and a beautiful shine further adorns those eyes that have me mesmerized.
• – Yeah – I comment without knowing what to say and he laughs again, at that moment a bell fills the silence and the front door opens and a lot of children run out of them.
• He looks over there and I can only look at him like an idiot, his masculine features so defined, his square jaw, without any trace of hair, his hair perfectly arranged, his bushy eyebrows, having children with those eyes must be a great event I think when a high pitched voice calls out my name.
• – Brooklyn – and something small but strong crashes against my legs, he looked away from Niko to look down where the little monster I call brother is hugging me.
• - Hello little monster - I greet him ruffling his black hair, he laughs and turns to see a girl who runs towards us but she jumps and is caught by Niko in the air.
• – LITTLE BROTHER, YOU'RE BACK – the girl shouts enthusiastically, surrounding Niko's neck and laughing as he turns on himself
• - Hello little princess - he greets her sweetly hugging her tightly - How was school?
• – Last day of school today the nations start. You will take me to that park we have been talking about a few days ago, right? – he asks while Connor laughs next to me and tells him funny
• - Ash, don't be scandalous, Miss Garcia has told you like a million times that you shouldn't be yelling - the girl fixes her blue eyes on my brother and looks bad
• - I'm not yelling Connor was just greeting my brother with emotion - and Niko begins to laugh
• - Little princess, the champion there is right, you yelled - The girl looks at her brother badly and blurts out annoyed
• – Well, here we go again with that thing about boys supporting each other, right? – Niko laughs and shrugs.
• - The truth is that you were doing it - Niko turns to see me and winks at me
• – Ash we will see each other during the summer right? – Connor asks excitedly as Niko puts her down, she approaches him and holds his hand, Connor laughs holding it and after a second they begin to wave their hands.
• Which consists of making several movements of their fingers, then their hands separate, collide with each other, then their elbows and finally they cross their arms and both stick out their tongues and Ash responds smiling
• - It's a promise - Connor laughs and hugs her, Niko and I witness the moment with a smile
• "Okay, little monster, time to go home," I commented, ruining the moment and earning a bad look from my brother.
• – Can we take Ash home Brook? - Ask excitedly and laugh, looking for Niko's look who seems to be having a great time
• - I don't think she can, her brother came for her and surely Connor will have things to do - I explain, but the determined one turns to Niko and sees him for a moment
• – Can Ashley come to my house? – Niko laughs and watches him for a moment
• – I'm sorry, little man, but this little princess and I have plans, I promised her an ice cream when I got back and then she has a certain commitment at home with our parents – she explains carefully to my brother who seems disappointed – but what do you say if they call each other later? and are left to play? I'm sure Brook won't have any problem taking you home - he says, giving me a complicit smile and I'm silent, totally stunned.
• – Brook, would you seriously take me? – Connor asked enthusiastically and laughed nervously.
• - Of course little spawn wherever you want the tea I'll take - loose without even noticing what I said, Niko begins to laugh and guffaws and Connor sees me confused
• - the? What's so great about it, I just want to be where Ashley is, not her brother
• - Hey, my brother is the coolest in the world - the girl snaps at my brother, outraged by his comment and Niko intensifies his laughter.
• – Don't let a certain superhero listen to you because he would get mad at you – he says between laughs and the girl places her finger on her lips and Niko laughs again
• "He won't find out if you don't tell him," she says with a determined frown, to which her brother crosses his lips as if he had a lock and makes the gesture of closing something and throwing away a key, the girl laughs and he does too
• "Well, time to go, it's getting late and I have to go to the studio in two hours" Niko adds looking at his sister "Brook, a pleasure to meet you, I hope I can see you at home when you take Connor" he says with a huge smile that just it stuns me one more
• - Hey Brook, are you okay? Connor asks, watching me carefully and waking me up.
• – eh, what, how do you say? - I pause to look at Niko who continues to smile and nod - oh sure, sure, sure, Connor let's go - I say taking my brother's hand who looks at me like I'm crazy, I take a couple of steps back while Niko returns to put on his sunglasses and say goodbye
• – We look beautiful – and I want to die because he called me beautiful.
• – Brooklyn, friend, are you okay? – Sarah's voice brings me back to the present where a sharp pain in my chest lets me know that the memory has only hurt me.
• - uh, yes - I gasp, wiping the pile of tears that run down my cheeks - I'm sorry - I add in barely a whisper.
• My best friends look at each other and sigh
• – you were thinking about Connor right? - Jack adventures with regret and simply seat - now, do you want us to go home? - ask after a moment
• – Yes, I think it's better to go back, I don't feel very well – I whisper, Sarah and he look at each other sadly and nod.
• As we left the cafeteria where we were, in which I lost track of time when I began to remember the meeting with Niko, thunder floods the place, startling me and announcing that it will rain soon, I look at the gray sky that apparently has conspired with my state in the mood to make everything worse.
• The lump in my throat grows and the hatred for cloudy days, particularly the rainy ones, makes me feel even worse and without further ado I start walking towards the parking lot where my car is waiting, without waiting for my friends to follow me, I get to where it is parked and sigh.
• I check in my bag looking for the keys, without being able to get them I leave the thermal glass with the coffee on the roof of the car while I start to take things out of my bag in search of the said keys when I accidentally knock several of them to the ground.
• "Damn it," I whisper hoarsely, even because of the amount of emotions I'm trying to control.
• – Here – says a hoarse voice – when I raise my eyes to thank, it's that boy Zero again, when he sees me his body tenses and I honestly don't know what to do, in his hand he continues a pen that to complete it turns out to be the same as Connor He gave me a gift on my birthday the same year he died.
• I look at the pen on his hand and I can see that he has an A tattooed on the knuckle of his thumb, I can also see that there are more tattoos on the back of his hand and perhaps on his arms
• Are you going to take it or not? - he blurts out at me making me react
• - oh, yes I'm sorry - I say holding out my hand and taking the pen, her eyes drift towards her and a mocking smile appears on her lips.
• I look back at the pen and feel the anger running through my veins, this jerk who thinks he is, to come and make fun of my precious pen just because it has pictures of Jake and the pirates on it, I look for his gaze once more but his cold expression once again it is installed there.
• - You don't have to make fun of other people's things - I blurt out, he looks me up and down carefully and after a few seconds, the corner of his lips curves to the left drawing a half smile on his lips, he seems arrogant And I finish confirming that this idiot, although he looks the same as Niko, could not be him.
• - to make fun of something or someone I would have to care at least a little and the truth is not the case - he says in a cold tone and without further ado he turns and starts a black sports car that is parked near my car
• "Asshole," I whisper loud enough for her to hear me as I turn to go back to get my keys.
• - I say the same - comments from a distance and I raise my face in disbelief
• – What the hell is wrong with you? – I blurt out furiously, finally exploding
• Hey Brook, what's up? – Jack comments next to me, helping to collect the rest of my things and looking in the direction of Zero's idiot.
• "That jerk," I say in frustration, while Sarah laughs next to me.
• – Shall I shower you with its sweetness? – He comments ironically and I roll my eyes – anyway, what is this disaster? – He says pointing to the things on the floor and Jack finishing picking them up.
• "Nothing, I dropped them," I reply, still watching Zero get into his car, turn it on and not even look at us leaving the parking lot, "What's wrong with that boy?" I ask looking at her with frustration.
• - with Z? – distracted question
• - I thought you said his name was Zero - she laughs and looks at me with a face like you must be kidding
• – Z for Zero, Brooklyn today you are in the clouds – he says then laughs nonchalantly handing me the car keys – you left them on the coffee table and I took them for you next to this – he says handing me the phone, I sigh and she smiles – answering your question I don't know what's wrong with him, but his bad attitude is known to everyone as well as the long list of girls in his bed - he adds mischievously, Jack snorts next to him and sighs
• – He's a fucking jerk and if you want wise advice, stay as far away from him – Sarah smiles and nods
• "It's what I'm trying to do, he's an idiot," I say, holding tightly the pen that Connor gave me and the idiot had the audacity to mock.
• – Well, go home and we'll see you later, okay? I have to meet some friends to go practice - Jack comments approaching me and leaving a sweet kiss on my cheek - I promise to go by the apartment at night to see them, okay? - I nod, but Sarah laughs mischievously
• "I'm sorry Jacky but tonight I have a date" she says amused, making our friend roll his pretty eyes.
• – great, who is the unlucky one this time? - ask with disdain and laugh
• - Idiot, you wish you were - says Sarah sticking her tongue out at him, they both laugh and say goodbye with a hug
• – so you have a date? – I ask once we are alone and she nods.
• - Yes, but I'll catch up with you later, I want to look for a book in the library before starting classes tomorrow - she comments and I nod, turning to open the car - Brooklyn - she calls me and I turn to face her - promise me you're not going to lock yourself in your room when you get there, watch a movie, read one of those books that you like so much on Wattpad or I don't know, but don't go to lock yourself up, tomorrow is the start of a new semester and a new stage for you, so don't get depressed? OK? – He comments, pushing aside a lock of hair and smiled.
• - It's okay, calm down, we'll see you later, okay? – she smiles broadly and nods
• "Great, see you, you'll have to help me choose something cute and sexy for the date," she says amused and I laugh with her as she turns and walks like a model down the catwalk and I inevitably start laughing.
• The good thing about being in New York is that I am with my two best friends, tomorrow I will start studying at one of the best universities in the world and at the one of my dreams Columbia University, being here is a dream come true and being part of This is a great achievement, especially for my family.
• Since I had postponed my admission because I didn't want to leave home and mom, I was actually terrified to go ahead, but my parents convinced me and I'm here now, so I'll do my best.
• On the way home Bruno Mars sounds on the car speakers, accompanying my gray mood as well as the weather outside, when I arrive I do exactly what I said I wouldn't do, lock myself in my room, I only do it to finish fixing my things.
• I look around me satisfied with the result, my room is spacious and with a very nice view of Manhattan, I sigh as I look at my reflection in the glass and think once again of Connor. God how strange the little monster.
• I never imagined that our lives would change that way, I also did not understand at that moment how God could be so cruel and take away a little boy who was just beginning life, with so many dreams and desire to live. My little brother has not been here for four years and for four years I feel that my life has become a coming and going without much meaning, Connor and I were very close and I seriously miss him.