Chapter 28 The strange girl at the reception
Stephanie
You know when your friend starts doing something, but they're actually terrible at it and you don't know how to tell them?
That was the exact situation I found myself in as I watched Brooklyn ‘practice’ for her try outs. ‘Practice’ was a very generous word to describe what she was doing.
She was twisting and turning so hard that I was afraid our next stop would be the ER.
I plastered a supportive smile on my face as Brooklyn walked off the stage, looking like she was one inch away from passing out.
“Oh God! I need water. I'm gonna die.” Brooklyn panted as she sunk into the seat beside me.
I handed her the bottled water in my backpack.
Brooklyn snatched it from me and gulped down the content. I watched her carefully as she emptied the bottle. Her styled hair had loosened into a messy bun that would take a hell lot of work to untangle.
When she was done, she let out a heavy sigh. “So, I absolutely killed it on that stage and not in a good way.”
I could either try to protect her feelings and lie to her that she was good, or I could tell her the truth. I hadn't known Brooklyn for long, but I was certain she would appreciate the latter.
“I'm sorry, babe, but I don't think dancing is your calling.” I shook my head.
“I know. I was silently praying the song ends quickly. The song only lasted three minutes, but I feel like I'm sixty years old and my life is over.” she muttered.
“Well, the good news is your life isn't over. There's still a lot of time before we have to start writing college essay, you can find another hobby before then. Hopefully, one that's less likely to send you to the emergency unit.” I said and gently patted her legs.
Someone else had walked on to the stage and soft music began playing.
“I don't think that's possible. I suck at literally everything. I swear, the only thing I'm good at is causing trouble.” she muttered. Then her eyes widened as if realizing something.
“Shit! That sounds like something a depressed person would say. And I'm not depressed, I think. I mean, I hope so. Am I rambling?”
“Maybe a little bit, but it's okay.” I admitted.
She sighed. “I'm sorry. I ramble when I'm nervous or frustrated. Right now, I think I'm both. I'm sorry you didn't get to try out. I really thought they would still be accepting new members.”
The dance committee had told us point blank that they were not accepting anymore. From the way the girl addressed us, I was glad that I wasn't joining them. And judging by Brooklyn's terrible performance, it was certain she didn't have a spot on the club anymore.
“It's okay. I'm sure we'll find something else soon.” An idea came to my head and I clapped my hands together. “How about we make a list of hobbies and we'll choose from it?”
Brooklyn sat straighter. “In that case, let's make a very long list. There aren't many things I'm good at.”
“Same.” I agreed.
The only two things I enjoyed doing were riding bikes and reading about fictional men who burnt the world for their women. I don't think any college would accept that.
“We should get going. I don't want you to be late to your appointment because of me.” Brooklyn said. She grabbed her backpack and stood from the seat. I did the same and we strode out of the school's auditorium.
“By the way, do you have any colleges in mind?” She asked as we walked to the parking lot.
“No.”
I wasn't thinking about college while bleeding out on the floor of my childhood bedroom. I blinked back the bloodied scene that flashed across my mind.
“What about you? What colleges are you applying to?”
“Oxford, Cambridge, or just any ivy league in England. I haven't decided on which one yet.” she shrugged.
“Why England? That's so far away.”
“My father wants me to go to college in England or Elaria. I'm from there.” She said.
Again, I could feel that she was holding something back, but I didn't question her.
I knew of Elaria, a small European country close to England. It wasn't as popular as the other part of the UK, but Elaria was rich in gold and other mineral resources.
I'd read about the country during a geography test back at Bradford High. It was the first time I've actually seen someone from there. I told Brooklyn the latter.
“I don't know much about the place either. I've only been there a couple of times for holidays and functions but that was it.” she said. “But believe me when I say this city is so much more fun than that place.”
We got to her car and quickly drove off. I had many questions about her home country, but I decided to save them for later. Especially, as the knots in my stomach tightened with the thoughts of my meeting.
Maybe I shouldn't have scheduled another session. Maybe what had happened in the pool wasn't actually a panic attack but a complete misunderstanding, and I didn't have to run to my therapist at the first sign of trouble.
“Are you okay? You look a little pale.” Brooklyn asked.
“Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just tired. It's been a really long day.” I responded.
It wasn't entirely a lie. I was physically and mentally tired, especially after everything that happened at school today.
I had tried my best to ignore the laughter and the heavy stares that followed me everywhere today. Everyone wanted to know the girl that was in the video with their special captain. It was exhausting.
At least, I had Brooklyn to distract me from the whispers. She made sure to shut down any attempts to talk to me, and I appreciated it, but it didn't stop me from feeling repulsed about myself when I hadn't even done anything wrong.
I didn't know how Kendrix was handling the rumours. I hadn't seen him since he stormed off hours ago. I hadn't seen Sophie too. I haven't figured out what I would do when I finally found her.
“The map says we're almost at the clinic.” Brooklyn interrupted my thoughts. “Should I wait for you and drive you home?”
“No, it's fine. Harry will be picking me up.” I replied.
I didn't have the chauffeur's contact. I would have to call my mum or Will after my session, but I didn't want to keep Brooklyn waiting when she looked so tired.
“Are you sure?” She asked, her brows furrowed.
“Yeah. Thank you though.”
She pulled over in front of the clinic. I hugged her goodbye and blew her a kiss before hurrying out of the car. I waved after her as she drove off.
After her car disappeared from school, I entered the clinic and walked up to the receptionist.
“Hey, Judy!” I greeted.
“Oh hi, Stephanie! The doctor will see you in a few minutes. Please, take a seat in the waiting area.” She smiled politely. I reciprocated with a smile of my own and went to seat where she asked me to.
There was a red haired girl that seems to be around my age sitting there too. She was going through her phone. Either she didn't notice me sitting beside her or she wasn't interested in striking up conversation, I didn't know. I had ran into my therapist's other clients before who weren't interested in talking. So I chose to mind my business and wait for the doctor.
When she finally looked up and our eyes collided, she offered me a smile that didn't really reach her eyes. I gave a polite one back.
“You go to KSE?” She asked, glancing pointedly at my uniform.
“Yeah.” I responded a bit awkwardly.
“That's great. I used to go there. I graduated last year.” she beamed. “Should've been at college this year but shit happens.”
I nodded, not knowing how to respond to that. I didn't have the best conversation skills, especially not with strangers.
“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.” I said finally.
“Nah, it's fine.” she shrugged. “I'm working through all my shit with Dr Martins anyway. She's really great.”
“Yeah, she is.” I responded.
I didn't know how she was comfortable sharing that part of herself when she literally just met me, but I wasn't going to do the same.
So I asked instead, “Are you going in now?”
“No, I'm waiting for my guardian. She's talking with the doctor about my ‘progress’.”
If her earlier words hadn't made me uncomfortable, her air quoting the word ‘progress' definitely did.
“Hm!” I nodded.
I was so ready to be done with the conversation and was happy when her guardian exited the doctor's office.
“Anyway, I gotta go now. It was nice talking to you.” she said.
“Same.” I smiled half heartedly.
She rose to her feet and extended her hand for a handshake. “I'm Linda. What's your name?”
I stared at her outstretched hand for the fraction of a second and accepted it with a tight smile.
“I'm Jess.” I lied.
Linda's smile turned a bit wider, her red hair and red painted lips gave her a somewhat unnerving look.
“It was nice meeting you, Jess. I hope we can talk again soon.”
Then she began walking away, but all I could think off was how empty her eyes were.