Smile For The (Lack Of) Court!
The moment the latch bolt clicked into place, Kate was on the ground, peering at Brooke’s face with dawning horror.
The cut was worse then it had looked from afar. Up close, it was far nastier - whatever ensignia had been on Chase’s ring cut deep. It had carved an odd shape into Brooke’s flesh - like a smeared r.
Kate’s hand reached for Brooke’s face - and faltered.
“I - I should’ve stopped her.” She muttered, staring at the thinly leaking cut with a slushy combination of nausea, anger and helplessness brewing in her stomach. “I should’ve done something.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Brooke said, sitting up a little and touching her face - with her left hand. “Who was she?”
“Victoria Chase.”
Bitterness and vitriol brewed in Kate’s tone, and Brooke sent her a glance that was something close to startled.
“Noted. Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t intervene. That was assault and battery, with a witness - against a minor, no less. If she was injured, she might have a case for self-defence - but, as is, she’s done for.”
As Brooke spoke, the slew of emotion in her stomach drained - until all that was left was dread.
“The charges won’t stick, Brooke.”
“Don’t be vacuous.” Brooke said, more then a little dismissively. “I have an open wound. I’m a minor. She’s of age, and is uninjured. And-”
Brooke turned to her, and her heart stopped.
“-I have a very reliable witness.”
At any other time, being called reliable would’ve been nice. But, right now, it just made this worse.
“She’s Victoria Chase, Brooke. And… I don’t know what she was talking about, but it sounds like people have a reason to be biased against you…”
“Bias can’t account for plain fact - and the facts are plain. Proof is standing right in front of me, holding her hand right in front of my face like a half-witted dullard.”
Kate flushed, and put her hand down. Brooke sat all the way up, and cradled her head - with her left hand, Kate couldn’t help but notice.
“Urgh - she might be a pathetic bitch, but she can deliver one hell of a slap.” Brooke muttered - and Kate couldn’t help but giggle, albeit a little hysterically.
“...I’m really sorry.” Kate muttered.
Brooke furrowed her brow, glancing up from beneath her bangs and between her fingers. It framed the one eye that was staring at her very oddly - highlighted by the thin, pale lines of her fingers, and shrouded by a few stray hairs.
“For what?”
“About you getting hit. About not stepping in.”
“Next you’re going to apologize for global warming.” Brooke said, with a roll of her eyes. “You couldn’t’ve done anything, Kate.”
“...I did toast that Pop Tart once…” Kate muttered, trying to keep a straight face. “Maybe global warming is my fault…”
And Brooke smiled.
It was the most beautiful thing Kate had ever seen.
“You’re so idiotic, you block-headed birdbrain.”
“You’re dumb.” Kate muttered back, because vocabulary had never been her stong suit.
“You’re dumb.”
Kate giggled, and smiled a very stupid smile - because that tiny little pleased half-tilt was still on Brooke’s lips, and Kate would’ve given anything to keep it there.
“...We can think about this later.” Kate finally muttered - because she would’ve given anything, so she’d have to give something. “Let’s just… put up the rest of those stars?”
“I think we’re running low.” And the smile was slipping off Brooke’s face, but her eyes still sparkled - and, for now, that would have to be enough.
“Well - you can help me decide where to put the moon, then.”
“...Sure.” Brooke said, adjusting a little and flicking her bangs out of her face. “Help me up, lummox.”
“Okay, you made that one up.” Kate said, standing and offering her hand.
“Lummox, noun, 1A: A clumsy, stupid person. Of nineteenth century origin - exact etymology unknown.” Brooke recited, grabbing Kate’s hand and hoisting herself to her feet. “Technically, though, all words are made up.”
“You’re such a dummy.” Kate muttered with a smile.
“And you, are a mooncalf.”
“Okay, that one you made up.”
Brooke just sent her a look.
“Seriously?!”