Our Story

Our Story1

by: Emma King && Erica Riley12

Brooke Rose;3

tall, skinny4

long blonde hair (kind of wavy) with some natural brown streaks in it5

bright blue eyes6

she's very: happy, outgoing, bright, cheerful, loving, big heart, trusting, and...A dreamer27

Kade:8

Tall, Muscular but not freakishly, Is a ruggedly handsome kind of guy.9

Dark almost black hair falls messy, but sexily around his face, 10

dark grey eyes. 11

he’s very deep, mysterious(part of his appeal) hide4s his emotions(Brooke can see right through his shield) underneath he is kind and gentle but on top he in tough and strong and has a knack for getting into trouble can sometimes become violent312

*******13

Kade:14

The music, the heat, the beat, the feel. The air was alive with electricity of the people dancing, grinding, enjoying themselves even...Helen, no, Clare, a generically attractive model that I'm not enjoying. 15

I look to my left at the too skinny, fake blue-eyed bleach blonde girl on my arm but my eyes are distracted by...Brooke. Damn, she looks good with her blonde hair pulled back into a sloppy bun. Her brown streaks an unusual contrast to her makeup; bright red lips and dark eyes but the blue in them still shone bright blinding breath-taking. So beautiful...why the hell had I let her go? 16

Commitment, an exclusive relationship. Ha, why had that scared me off? She was hot but more than that, she was beautiful and stunning on the outside and inside! She was the smartest, most loving person I'd ever met and she had been with me. Five months. Five whole months. I'd been with other girls in that time well up until the last month when we...did it. She had been so perfect that night. Now, she was gone with some other guy flaunting her around. God, what is this feeling? SHIT!17

Brooke: 18

I just walked into the club with my boyfriend of four-months, Tom Cassidy. And though, I thought David Cassidy, whom was my age, was hotter, Tom wasn't so bad himself. It wasn't that I'd prefer to go out with David, who I'm sure was going out with a girl named Kat and was in love with a girl name Rain, it was just...Tom was older than me, by two years. I was only eighteen, and he was twenty. He expected things from me, things I didn't want to do. Things I'd only done with Kade. 19

Making a face at the thought of my ex-boyfriend, I turned around. 20

I hated clubs. Why was I here? My eyes danced over the crowd. I smiled, trying to keep my up-beat mood...well, up-beat. And then I saw him. Kade, that is. Why was he here? I mean, I knew...well, as I glanced around, I realized...this was Kade's old hang out. Kade. Kade. 21

Memories surrounded me all at once. I asked to be excused to go to the washroom. Tom just gave me a dirty look. As I made my way through the crowd, away from Tom, and away from Kade, I couldn't hear anything other than my own heart beat. I prayed he hadn't seen me. Oh God, what if he saw me? 22

Pushing the bathroom door open, I sighed with relief. I mean, the last time I was in here, it was after Kade and I broke up. Feeling sick, I dashed into the nearest stall.23

Kade: 24

Gone. I couldn’t see her anymore. She had just disappeared. I thought about going after her but I felt a hand take mine. 25

“Dance with my Kade,” Clare said, pulling me towards the dance floor. 26

Memories, the night of Brooke's prom. She had looked amazing, in a white halter-top dress that met the tip of her knee. I was in awe when I had seen her. But what I remember most is the music. The feeling. It was strange to be back in my old high school again for prom--having skipped my own last year. 27

I remember she took my hand and pulled me toward the dancers. I had refused and she made that face that damn face I couldn’t resist. A cross between a mischievous smile and a pout. And I had let her drag me onto the floor and I remember she laughed at me when all I did was sway to the music while she danced full till to it. She had looked like a goddess with the flashing light eliminating her eyes and the colors bouncing of the sparkles in her hair. 28

“Kade, baby I wanna dance,” Clare's voice snapped me back into reality again. I glared down at her. 29

"I don’t dance!” I emphasized each word, I needed to get out, to escape I made for the door.30

Brooke: 31

When I came back out, Tom grabbed a hold of my arm. I hadn't expected him to wait for me by the bathroom door. He smiled and dragged me out onto the dance floor. I looked around for Kade, and found myself bringing back memories. He'd brought me here after the prom dance. I was only here that once. I had to drag Kade out onto the dance floor. The stupid guy wouldn't dance. But man, could that boy dance. Although, he wasn't a boy. He was older than me. 32

I don't know what he'd been thinking when he had asked me out. I was seventeen when he'd asked me out. It was illegal to do anything. I'd turned eighteen a month before prom. That's when it was okay to kiss in public, I was of-age. And then...on prom. After the prom dance, after the club, after everything...I asked him to take me home. To his home. I don't know who was more shocked, me or him. But it was Kade. I gave myself a way that night. And even if I could take it back, I wouldn't. Not for the world. 33

Suddenly, I felt Tom's hand on my ass and I jumped away from him. I almost yelled, "I'm only seventeen! You can't touch me!" but I wasn't seventeen. I was of-age. But he still couldn't touch me without my permission. 34

I said, my voice low and cool, "I have to go home." And when he made a move to walk me to the door, I stopped Tom and said, "Have fun. Tonight's your night."35

He didn't even look back at me twice. All of a sudden another girl was in his arms. I stumbled through the crowd and made my way out the door. The fresh cold air was welcoming after the heat in the club. I turned to make my way towards my house and saw Kade sitting on the side-walk. I sucked in my breath. 36

I probably would've been able to slip past him if it hadn't been for that stupid drunk guy. He asked way too loudly, "Wanna go home with me, honey? You're hot," and I had to push him away and say, "Get lost, loser." 2837

I glanced at Kade, as I felt the drunk's hand encircle my wrist. I tried to push him off, but my eyes met Kade's. 2938

Kade: 39

Brooke. Brooke? Brooke! 3140

I stood up and grabbed the drunk guy by the neck of his jacket and yanked him back. He stumbled, cursing and fell onto the grass outside the door. He looked as though he was about to say something but thought better of it. When he looked up at me, he seemed to gage. 3241

“Get lost,” I said, struggling to keep my voice calm both from the anger at the guy who had touched Brooke, and my surprise of even seeing her. The guy got up and stumbled down the street. I slowly turned back to face her. She was pale in the dim street light even more than usual, her eyes were wide and her breaths were haggard. 42

I took one hesitant step towards her before stopping and turning and resuming my see on the curb. 3343

“Kade.” He voice was small, timid but still strong. 3444

Four months had passed, four of the longest months of my life, since she had asked me to be her, cringe, boyfriend four months since I had broken her heart and lost mine. “How are you?” 3545

That's all I could muster, looking back up at her I could still remember the first day I had seen her. Her hair had been down, she had no makeup on and she had been laughing with her friends in the park. She had only been seventeen at the time but I hadn’t been able to stop myself from asking her out. I remember afterwards asking myself what the hell she was under age, off limits. But she had said yes. Yes, to me, a guy two years older than her. Me, a guy who was a half-assed drop-out as they called me for dropping out of high school then going back a year later to finish. Back to the moment her eyes met mine.3646

Brooke: 47

HOW ARE YOU? That’s all Kade could say to me as I stood there. I didn't waste a second as I said, "Horrible. I'm lonely, I'm tired, and I’m depressed." 3848

Then, I bit my tongue. What would Kade say to that? His eyes searched mine. I remember him being so mysterious before. I'd gotten to know him pretty well when we "went out" if that's what you call it. My heart stopped. He looked as nervous as I was. I smiled shallowly, and asked him in a stronger voice, "What about you?" 3949

Our eyes met again, and he mumbled, "Fine. Are you okay?"4050

He wasn't fine. We both knew that. He wasn't okay. He was feeling just as I was. I looked away from him and mumbled, "I'm fine, Kade. Fine."4151

He didn't believe me. Of course, he didn't believe me. Who could? I was practically saying that there were pink, flying elephants for crying out loud. I was lying, and so was he. Is that how we worked now? Annoyed, I kicked a rock across the street. I glanced up at him, and he seemed slightly amused by the gester. I closed my eyes for a second. I could feel his lips on mine, but when I opened them up again, I saw that Kade was still standing in the same spot. He wasn't kissing me. In fact, he'd probably never want to kiss me again. Had I really demanded too much from him? I didn't think so. But who knew? Kade was this really great guy. Really great. I loved him, he was really--my mind froze. I couldn't breathe. Was I still naive and seventeen and in love with Kade? WAS I? Oh my god, as I looked up into his deep eyes, I knew I was. I wasn't naive, I wasn't seventeen, but I sure as hell was in love with Kade. And I think...I think I was going to pass out.4252

Kade: 53

Her eyelids sort of fluttered and she swayed on her feet. Shit, she was going to faint. I stood up just as she lost her balance, and caught her in my arms. I sat her on the ground. 4454

“Kade?” she asked meekly, “Kade why?” 4555

“Why what?” I held her face in my hands, so that she was looking at me. But she was out before she even got a chance to respond. I grinned. It wasn’t the first time she had fainted in my arms. When I had first kissed her, on her eighteenth birthday, she kind of fell over. It was actually kind of cute but I never told her. She just laughed about it when she had come around but I recall the red in her cheeks. And it wasn’t from the laughter. She had been so embarrassed. 4656

I looked back down at her one last time before scooping her up in my arms and walking to my car. I laid her inside and drove her home. I retrieved the spare key from under the planter and opened the door. I flicked on the first light I could find--I had only been here a couple of times, her parents didn’t really approve of me, but I found the living room without much difficulty and laid her down on the couch. I watched her for a moment before finding a scrap of paper and writing my number and “Meet me at Kokas at one tomorrow. I think we should talk.” 57

With one more look before heading to the door, I locked it before I left. Once back in my car I started the engine but didn’t move, didn’t or couldn’t, I couldn’t tell. One last look at the little house I drove away, God, I thought, I hope she shows.4858

Brooke: 59

I woke in a daze. What happened? I asked myself as I sat up. I blinked a couple times. I was on my couch in the living room my family rarely used. I glanced around. How on Earth did I end up here? 5060

Remembering the club, I wondered if my so-called boyfriend Tom had changed his mind and brought me back. And then it hit me with a wave so hard, I would've stumbled if I was standing up. In fact, I would've probably fallen on my butt. Annoyed at the thought of Kade, I sighed deeply. Actually, now, remembering what happened...well, I'm surprised Kade had the curtsy of taking me home. Laughing at myself, I remembered the time he'd first kissed me. I'd basically fainted. And then when I came to, I wanted to die with embarrassment. But I could tell Kade liked the fact that I had fainted. I think he knew how I felt and that pleased him. How I felt. How did I feel? I asked myself making my way into the kitchen. I sat down and waited for something to happen. 5161

When nothing happened; I went back into the living room. The couch had probably been sat on twice since we got it. I stared at the imprint my body had left. And then I looked around the entire room. That's when I saw the only thing out of place--a little scrap piece of paper sitting on the coffee table. Rushing over, I picked it up. Kade. Kade's writing. I stared at the way he'd scrawled the words. Meet him at Kokas at one. At one. What time was it now? I blinked and went back into the kitchen. The clock read: 12:47 PM. I screamed. I wasn't going to make it. Kokas was about fifteen minutes away, and I was still in yesterday's clothes. 5262

I raced up the stairs and into my bedroom. I tore apart my dresser trying to find something suitable to wear to meet my ex-boyfriend. What I ended up with was casual. I picked out my lucky jeans and favorite sexy black tank top. 5363

I put on my silver necklace, a heart that hung from the silver chain. Actually, I thought annoyed; I should put on my broken-heart silver necklace. Cursing myself for taking up too much time, I looked at my bedroom clock. Five minutes to five. I had my hair and make-up to worry about. I dashed into the bathroom, and took off last night's make up. 5464

No way was I going to make it in time. I decided against fresh make-up and took a brush quickly to my hair. Then, deciding my hair would be messy by the time I got there anyways, I went to find my purse. I probably should've called him, but I didn't. I got into my car and probably broke a dozen laws just to get there at quarter after. I stumbled into the place.5565

Kade: 66

The little coffee shop was a quaint place. It had that family atmosphere to it. It was also Brooke's favorite place to come just to sit with a late and read a book. This was another one of her favorite things to do. I can’t remember how many nights we’d sit in my apartment, me watching some stupid movie she put on while she got side-tracked by one of my many books. It was a passion we both shared, one of the few. I glanced at my watch, 1:16. Damn, I thought she's not coming. 5767

I was about to stand up when I heard her voice, just a whisper behind me, “Kade, sorry I’m late.” 5868

She walked around the table and sat down across from me, I sighed relaxing but still tense. Wow, did she look amazing. How was it that she could take jeans and a tank top and make them look so…well good. “S’alright. How are you?” 5969

“I’m okay. You?” Such a simple question. Yet why couldn’t I answer, "yeah, I’m fine"? A lie and one she'd see right through. 6070

So, I simplified the truth. “I’ve been better.” 6171

She looked at me, studying me, watching me trying to read my emotions but my wall was good today. I just hoped it would hold. We sat there like this for a long minute, thinking, remembering, I couldn’t tell but my mind was racing. God, how I wanted to reach out to her to touch her face, to hold her in my arms, to kiss her again anything just to have her near me. Just close enough to touch, just so I knew she was safe, just to see if I could take her pain away.6272

God, how I want her, I thought. My hands were securely stuck to the table but the temptation to reach-out for hers was over-whelming. So, instead I pulled them back and shoved them in my pockets. 6373

Brooke:6474

I couldn't believe it. He looked just as perfect as he always did. His slightly curly black hair always fell in front of his gorgeous Smokey gray eyes. I stared at him, and I found it hard to breathe. He looked like he was resisted something. And when we sat down, a piece of hair fell in front of his eyes. Without thinking, I pushed it aside. He inhaled sharply. I didn't make a sound, my fingers still against his forehead. He looked nervous, and I realized for the first time...he WAS nervous. I sighed deeply and pulled back. I smiled and said, "Kade, are you sure you're okay?"6575

"Fine,” he replied annoyed. He looked away. Liar, I thought. 6676

"Kade," I said, and waited until he looked at me. When he did, I whispered, "I missed you."6777

He didn't say anything. Not a word. He just sat there. He was thinking of how to tell me that he missed me too. It was the silence when I realized he missed me a lot. I smiled and looked away myself. And then I said, trying to be cheerful, "Kadey, what did you want to talk about?"6878

and before he could answer, the door opened with a jingle. I glanced up to see the person I did not want to see. Tom. I froze6979

Kade:7080

Her fingers where still touching my forehead ,sending shivers down my spine. When she froze, she went rigid all over and it startled me. I looked in the direction of her gaze and groaned. It was the guy from the club the night before only now that he stood in the warm light of the café. I recognized him. Tom Cassidy, he was my age only difference was that he had to have Daddy buy his was to a high school diploma. I hated him, although I’d never spoken to him before. I hated him simply because he had been with Brooke and because he was walking, no stalking towards us now.7181

Brooke:7282

I couldn't breathe. My mind was stuck. I mean, I never told Tom about Kade. So, he couldn't know, could he? But I did tell David...and would David tell Tom? I didn't know. I'm sure he wouldn't. 7383

I looked up at Tom and smiled politely. I said, keeping my voice light, "Tom! Darling, what are you doing here?"7484

I got a cool look from Tom, as he glanced dirtily at Kade.85

"Brooke, darling, how nice it is to see you, enjoying yourself with this...gentleman."7586

Ooh, so Tom was jealous now? I laughed and said, "Kade isn't a gentle-man, he's a bit rough."7687

The words were dirty as I spoke them. I blushed and then looked at Kade, who laughed. Obliviously he was amused. But Tom wasn't. He glared at me and demanded, "who is this?"7788

I glared at Tom and said, "Excuse me, but this is Kade, the love of my life. I mean, he was the love of my---Kade, this is Tom."89

I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to be alone with Kade....7890

Kade:7991

Love of her life? Why had this simple comment startled me? I mean she was being sarcastic…right? But she didn't look like it. I shook it out of my head and looked up at her, her eyes where pleading so I stood up to face Tom. 8092

“Tom Cassidy, right?” I asked holding out my hand. I felt her gaze on me now. I knew she wanted to get away but she didn’t want a fight. 8193

“Yep, that’s me. So, I gather your Kade McGrath?” 8294

I nodded, “So you’ve heard of me.” I said with a mocking smile, he just nodded. “Well then you must know that if you aren’t careful this could end badly…for you.” He looked for a moment to Brooke who hadn't moved. 8395

“Whatever, Brooky, let's go.” 8496

It wasn’t a question it was an order. I felt my blood boil and my heart beet quicken, how dare he. I thought, how dare he speak to her like she's nothing more than a dog or a piece of property. I looked at her. Her face was torn, pained even I wanted to go to her to comfort her but I stayed where I was. 8597

“Brooke. Let's go!” 8698

He stepped towards her and grabbed her roughly by the arm and yanked her up. My hands folded into fists. I wanted badly to hit him, to pull her away from him. But she wasn’t my girl anymore, she was his. I wasn’t supposed to protect her now…yeah, right. 99

I stepped closer to him, “Get your hands of her, if she wants to go with you I’m pretty sure she knows how to walk.” I snarled at him his face changed to one of alarm as he released her and stepped back. But his pigheadedness was back in a flash he turned to her again. 87100

“So, what’ll it be babe? You going to come with me or hang around with a fag all day?” 88101

She looked from him to me and back again, thinking, deciding. Weighing the consequences; go with me and lose her boyfriend, go with him and lose me. But did that matter to her? Would she give him up? For me the guy who broke her heart because I wouldn’t be her boyfriend. The guy who now wants more than that. Me the stupid boy who let her go is not the man that wants her forever. 89102

“Brooke, let's go, honey!” his fake sweetness seemed to cut her but she didn’t move, still deliberating. Still thinking.90103

Brooke:91104

I blinked. What the hell had happened here? Suddenly, Kade's yelling at my boyfriend, who's demanding that I get up and leave him. But I didn't know what Kade wanted to talk about. Tom had cut in before he could answer. I stared at Kade, whom broken my heart, and then looked at Tom, who I was dating, and who was ordering me around. What the hell? Since when was I ordered around like a dog? My eyes narrowed on Tom and I stood up. I could hear Kade's lips part in surprise, making an "Oh" sound. I looked at Tom and said, "Just who the hell do you think you are?"92105

Then I could feel Kade beaming at me. With pride. Or something. But he knew I wouldn't just walk away from him. I waited for Tom to answer, but he didn't say anything. 93106

"Honey, don't make a scene. Let's go," Tom whispered under his breath. I couldn't help it. I snorted. His eyes widened. This wasn't the great guy I'd remember Tom's father was talking about. Nope, this was the guy, David, Tom's brother, was talking about. And now I know why David had told me not to go out with him, not to fall in love with him. I didn't want to fall in love with Tom. My heart belonged to no one but Kade. 94107

I sighed deeply and said, "Tom, if you wouldn't mind, I have a," I paused. Flipping the word 'date' over in my mind, I said with a secret smile to Kade, "date with Kade. And it is impossibly rude to not only be late, but to barely say three words and then have to leave. You wouldn't want me to be rude would you? Now, leave us alone or you'll cause a scene."95108

He stared at me. Long, hard and cold. He said, his eyes not flickering from my own, "We'll talk about your behavior later, missy. I'll call you after I get home from work." His eyes met Kade's, as he said, "Have fun."96109

Tom hated nothing more than causing a scene. I watched as he left the coffee shop, none too smoothly, and people around us stared. Two seconds later, I was sitting down across from Kade and it was like nothing happened. I looked up at Kade. Waiting only a short moment, I burst into laughter.97110

Kade:98111

I stared at her. I couldn’t help it. She was sitting there as if nothing had just happened. As if her boyfriend hadn’t just stormed in here demanding her to leave. She was sitting here as if it was no big deal that she chose me, me the jack ass who broke her heart. And if that wasn’t enough to frustrate me, she was…laughing! Laughing that incredibly obnoxious, dying sea lion laugh that could, always, no matter my mood, make me smile. It was at this moment that I realized that I was. Smiling that is. 99112

When she recovered herself, she wiped the tears that had leaked out, during her hysterics, away with the back of her hand. “I…I’m sorry I…I don’t know what the hell just happened but sorry.” 100113

She said the last word quickly as she looked at my face it wasn’t an apology for laugh but an apology for the situation. 101114

“Don’t be.” I sighed reaching across the table absentmindedly to wipe tears she’d missed from her cheek. My hand froze as I came into contact with her skin, it was warm and flushed from laughing but it was still as soft as I remembered. I let my hand slid down her cheek before pulling it slowly, reluctantly back to my side. “So…” I said meeting her gaze, “we’re on a date?” 102115

Brooke:103116

It took me a couple minutes, but I recovered myself. When his hand touched my cheek, it was cool and yet it burned. I don't know how to describe it, but electricity ran up and down my spine and then went all over my body. Crazy, I thought, I couldn't feel something like that by a simple gesture. And yet, when he pulled his hand back, I felt the tingling on my cheek. 104117

I smiled and said, "Yeah, I guess we are." Kade smiled back, and I don't know if it was because of me smiling, of the idea we were on a date, or what it was. For once, I couldn't tell. And then, I had to know, "Unless, of course, you're seeing someone. Then it isn't really a date. I don't think. Is it?"105118

Finding myself once again flustered, I groaned and closed my eyes. I muttered, "Have I always been so forward?"106119

Kade:107120

I chucked, “Yeah, you have. And it's alright. I’m not well…not exclusively, at least. But well, Clare isn’t…” I stopped myself before I could say that "Clare isn’t you". I shook it off, “Well, she's not exactly the brightest girl in the world.” 108121

She made a face I couldn’t tell whether it was, pain or disgust. “Well, you always had a taste for the bad ones now, didn’t you? I mean there was me, who was too young for you at the time, Miss. Commitment, Clare the dumb one, oh and of course, who could forget Jenna the biker chick?” 109122

Her tone startled me, she was annoyed, not angry. I stared at her for a moment trying to arrange my thoughts. God, I thought, why did she have to look so hot when she's annoyed? “Look, Clare's just a girl. She doesn’t matter to me.” 110123

I retorted, a little but to defensively. She sat up straighter in her chair her eyes burning the way I loved, my jaw was locked. We sat like this for a minute before she sighed, “Kade,” she said it as if she was still not used to it yet, “Why am I here?” 111124

I took a deep breath, “I need to…tell you something.” I bit my lip trying to find the words, her eyes softened a little. “Brooke I…I…we…shit.” 125

Shit. Why is this so hard to say, "I love you, I want you, dump Tom and stay with me!" But I couldn’t get it out.”Brooke. I need you."113126

Brooke:114127

I was frustrated. Of course he'd been with other girls. What was I even thinking? That he'd only been with me and he'd given up sex after me? I was pissed, clearly. And well...he said that Clare was just a girl who doesn't matter to him. Just like I didn't matter to him, I wanted to ask. I glared at the napkins, which I realized had done absolutely nothing.115128

But I focused all my anger onto the napkins. I wanted to pick them up and throw them at Kade. How could he been such an idiot? And then, he told me he needed me. Ohh, I thought sarcastically...so I can be another one of your toys, Kade? Of course, I'd never say that out loud in fear of hurting his feelings. But he looked so scared in that moment. 116129

He'd missed me. He actually meant that he needed me. My heart wanted to jump into his hands and just let him hang on it tightly. But no, I wasn't letting myself get sucked into that again. I waited a long moment and then I looked from the goddamn innocent napkins to meet his eyes. They were that stupid Smokey gray, the kind of eyes that would make a girl forget her own name. Brooke Rose, I repeated in my head, Brooke Rose. Brooke fucking Rose. Brooke...I stopped thinking. 117130

"I missed you, Kade. I really, really, really did." I whispered, my own emotions pouring out into my voice. I looked down at the stupid napkins again. I could see my reflection in them. I was up-side down and smiling. Which meant I had a huge frown on my face at that moment. I straighten and looked up at him again. Why was this so hard? I took a calm breath, and as he parted his lips to say something, I said, "Damn you, Kade. How do you do it? With one look and I'm all yours. Damn you. Damn you." 118131

I know I was repeating myself, but at that moment, it didn't seem to matter. 119132

Kade:120133

She was repeating herself, one of those habits that usually annoyed me but it didn’t matter right now. I looked at her face it was a mixture of anger and… agony. I hurt me to see her like this. I lifted my hand and ran it absentmindedly over my face, which was prickly. I hadn’t shaved this morning, hadn’t even gotten any sleep last night. 121134

“Brooke please, please just try to listen,” my voice was barely more than a whisper. She held my gaze as I struggled for the words again. Why was it that she was the only girl who could make me lose my words? “Brooke I’m not trying to make you do anything…damn it Brooke!” 122135

I stood up pushing back my chair making it squeal on the hard wood floor. I was fuming but my voice came out quiet but my emotions colored each word. “Brooke, I did miss you. I missed you more than I’ve ever missed anyone in my life. Fuck, Brooke…” I paused here taking a deep breath. “If you could go back would you still ask me to be your boyfriend?” 123136

I stood watching her lips parted with a little gasp before she too got to her feet. “If I could go back to that moment…yes. I wouldn’t change a thing! But if I could go back to the first moment I met you...well, I would laugh in your face and tell you to piss off!” She spun on the spot to make for the door. 124137

“I wouldn't have,” I whispered, she stopped. 125138

“What?” was all she managed. Squeaky, almost.126139

"If I could go back, back to when you asked me to be your boyfriend...I would have said no because I don’t want to be your boyfriend, Brooke I don’t. I want to be your whole world just like you are…like you are to me.” 127140

I turned and walked out, I couldn’t bare the rejection. No, not now I had poured my weak, pathetic heart out. God, I thought, you might as well of handed her your heart and a butcher knife. I didn’t look back even when I heard her gasp whether in surprise or amusement I couldn’t know.128141

Brooke:129142

I was pissed off at him. I was. I said things I didn't mean. Things I regretted the moment they poured out of my mouth. I'd completely forgotten about being in public now. Screw what people think. He told me he'd re-do it. He'd be my whole world. He'd be my boyfriend, he'd be my everything. Maybe he didn't know what his words meant to me. And they might have meant more to me than he thought they would. But it hit me hard. I stared at his back. He didn't even look back. He walked out on me. 130143

Just like he'd done four months ago. I screamed. I'm sure I scared half the people in the stupid coffee shop. But I didn't care. I screamed his name. I was going to have a stupid hissy fit. I've only ever had two of them--normally I was always calm, always bright and happy. 131144

Well, hell, that part of me was gone the second Kade had left me. I didn't waste a second. I stormed out after him. He was about to cross the street. All he was doing is waiting for the light to change so he could. 145

I basically screamed, "Kade! You can't just leave me again! If you do, I'll die! And not because I flung myself off some bridge like an idiot, but I'll die of broken heart! You cannot," I shouted, as he turned to look at me in surprise, and then I felt the hot tears. My voice was cracking and I said, "You cannot just go. You can't leave me again. Kade, you don't know what you did to me four months ago. You were my everything. My whole world. And to find out you'd been sleeping around...Kade, I can't let you go. Not now. Not ever. Please...Kade..." 133146

And instead of that hissy-fit, I was that girl who broke down in the middle of public, for the whole world to see. I looked at Kade, who was just staring at me. The Walk sign went on and I said, "You walk across that damn street and I'll never be able to breathe again, Kade. Dramatic or whatever...I won't." He stared at me. 134147

I waited a moment, and then started to sob. I fell to my knees and buried my face in my hands. He was going to walk away from me, wasn't he? I didn't dare look.135148

Kade:136149

My breathing came out heavy as I stood there I looked at the walk sign flashing in my face but I couldn’t do it. I took one hesitated step towards the beautiful broken girl, sobbing on the ground, before I practically ran to her. I slowed down a few paces away from her and walk slowly, cautiously to her before dropping, not too gently to my knees in front of her. I took her face in my hands, she didn’t resist. I looked into her eyes, she was surprised. God, I thought, did she really believe me? She was perfect just as she was, the beautifully broken girl. I'd make her be a beautiful, happy girl. I would.137150

I wiped the tears from her eyes with my one hand and let the other fall before I reached around her. I placed my hand on her back and gently pulled her up into a sitting position with her legs to her left. “Brooke,” I sighed then chucked, “you really don’t know me do you?” 138151

She opened her mouth to say something but I was quicker, I leaned in touched my lips to hers.139152

Brooke:140153

I wasn't surprised. Okay, yeah, I was. How could he come back? Hadn't he heard a word I'd said in the stupid coffee shop? And then I didn't question it. He, of course, let my lips tingling with more passion than delight--and believe me, I was delighted. I waited a moment and then looked at Kade. It was like a dream come true. And it was exactly like in the movies. The people who'd stopped to see what was going on had stopped and clapped. I swear...it was like a dream. And if it was, I sure as hell didn't want to wake up. I smiled, feeling my head get light. Shit, don't faint! Don't faint! I screamed at myself. And then, as Kade's lips found mine again, everything went really, really dark.141154

Kade:142155

Her lips where soft just like I remembered, soft and warm and inviting. When I had pulled away at first I saw she was smiling, smiling that smile. That sweet, yet, sexy smile. So, I leaned in again. This time I parted my lips and she fell over. I caught her before she hit the ground and made a sound--a cross between a groan and a chuckle. Then I scooped her up into my arms. The crowd that had gathered around us and had clapped a moment ago now made a simultaneous sighing sound. 143156

I rolled my eyes and nodded towards them, “Fainted.” 144157

I chucked and the crowd laughed. I turned and walked towards the cross walk which had turned red and back to walk again so I crossed the street with Brooke secure in my arms. Once at my car I laid her down across the back seat and drove to my apartment. I carried her up to my tenth floor loft, unlocked the door and entered the dim apartment. I walked to the couch and laid her down but I couldn’t walk away just yet so I sat myself beside her and watched her for another moment. 145158

With a sigh however I dragged myself up and walked over to the far wall and flicked on the lights, which didn’t really improve the lighting situation. I shrugged and went toward the part of my loft I had designated as the kitchen. Grabbing two glasses I filled them with water and set them on the counter noticing my mail. Shit, I thought picking up the white envelope. I opened it, rent was due last week and I was broke. Oh well, I shrugged picking up the glasses, I get paid next week I can just ask for an advance. When I was back at the couch I sat down the glasses and resumed my seat beside Brooke when she said quietly, “Hey.”146159

Brooke:147160

I woke to his scent everywhere. I swear, I was in heaven. I didn't need to think twice about where I was, or how I got there. I knew I'd fainted (ah, I'm going to need to work on that) and I knew Kade had brought me back to his house. I kept my eyes closed and then opened them when I realized Kade had come into the room. Muttering a stupid, "Hey", he grinned. 148161

I couldn't help it, I burst into giggles as I put my hands around his neck. I pulled him in, for what I hoped would be a devastating kiss. And well, devastating didn't even begin to describe it. It was so much more. I felt a fuzzy glow in my stomach. It was nice. Nice? I asked myself, Hell, it was like heaven. Heaven, I mused. Heaven on Earth. 149162

Ha, and only months before when Kade was walking away did I think I'd reached the unwelcoming gates of Hell. But as I found myself trying to tear Kade's shirt off him, I couldn't help but ruin the most romantic, perfect kiss by giggling. He pulled back and asked, "What's your problem?" 150163

"Too happy. It's gunna kill me," I muttered, finding my hands were trembling. I could barely hold onto his shirt. I smiled brightly at him and said, "So, kiss me now before it's too late." 151164

He smirked and helped me take his top off. Just like old times, I mused and pounced on him, laughing. Tickling his sides, I paused to steal a kiss and then tickle him all over again. Perfect. Just like heaven was.152165

Epilogue166

Kade:153167

The sunlight was hot on my chest, the sand was burning my feet and my cheek was cold and sticky. Brooke was walking beside me laughing at having shoved her ice-cream cone into my face. 154168

I couldn’t help but laugh at it. She was so happy and it made me happy. So in all, we were good. No better than good, fantastic, perfect. Though we still argue over stupid things...We were together and that’s all that mattered to me right now. I looked down at her and kissed her forehead, before swinging myself in front of her and kissing her lips and with that, I lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist as we kissed. When it ended, we were breathing heavily. And I was happy to see that she was still conscious. She laughed as I set her lightly back on the sand. 155169

“You know what?” she asked me grinning mischievously, “I never told Tom we were back together when I dumped him. Nope, I just told him he was a jackass and flipped him off. And I just walked away. In my books, that’s pretty badass.” 156170

I chuckled, “I’m so proud,” before kissing the top of her head. 157171

The beach was almost entirely deserted now. So, I thought, it was now or never.158172

I stopped and turned to face her, she was still grinning like a fool but I caught her face in my hand. “Brooke, you know I love you right?” 159173

“Well, I do now. Although, I think on some level I already knew. In fact, that's one of the few things I'm sure about.” 160174

She was still smiling like a goon. I hadn’t realized it but in the entire two months since we had gotten back together I had never said it once. But I was saying it now, I was saying a lot of things now. “Will you stay with me forever?” 161175

"And still make weekly rounds to the hospital for when I pass out too long? Hell yeah," she said, cheerfully. Confused, but completely happy.162176

I continued, “Do you love me?” 163177

“More than anything,” she said, then with a sigh, "What's with all the questions, Officer?"164178

“Do you wanna make it official?” 165179

She looked really confused, so I reached into my pocket and pulled out the little diamond ring. 166180

“What are you…OH KADE!” 167181

She squealed loudly when she saw the ring, “You want to marry me, Brooke Alexandria Rose?” 168182

Her face was beat red. She looked like she was trying to find the right words but there was only one I wanted to hear. A smile spread to my lips. She screamed and threw her arms around me. I lifted her up and spun her around and back before she let go and took my face, pulled my down and kissed me. It was the most passionate kiss she had ever given me, so much that when she stopped I felt light headed. 169183

“Yes!” She cried, literally, there were tears in her eyes, “Hell yes!!” 170184

I smiled and she smiled, I took her hand and slowly, savoring the moment, slid the ring onto her finger. Then she laughed. She said, blinking at me with happiness in her eyes, "I think...I...I think I need water. I'm going to pass out..."171185

"No, you won't," I said, smiling like a buffoon, "You're going to be Mrs. Kade McGrath."172186

And then she fainted. I laughed, happily and carried my soon-to-be wife towards the car. 187