- Later there will be a fight in the Lounge, do you want to go? - I ask. - If you want, call Jane to come with us. I can put them in the VIP area.
- Well, Jane and I are trying to arrange a day at the Lounge. - she says smiling and shrugging. - I think this is a great opportunity. Jane will enjoy going there and watching that bunch of sweaty guys fighting over money.
I'll let out a laugh. We head into the living room, where we sit, and I put on a movie. Brooke's phone rings and she asks permission to answer, going to the balcony.
- She was my mother.
- From your face, the conversation wasn't very good.
- She wants me to go to the debutante ball this year and I was inclined to say no.
- But, uh...
- I remembered Viola and took the opportunity to negotiate. - she says blinking. - Now I'm gonna have to wear a snotty dress to prestige the young girls.
I let out a laugh by imagining Brooke in one of those dresses. I couldn't believe that she was giving up something she didn't like, to someone else she barely knew.
- You're very generous, you know that? - ...I say in an admired tone. - He's got a heart of gold. I can't believe I misjudged her.
- Don't be! I misjudged you too. - says she's making a face with a little smile on her side. - I mean, you're still a disgusting, promiscuous guy, but you're kind of a good friend.
- Come on! Thank you! - I say smiling with debauchery. - You know what? I didn't want to go to that party either. I was just going to accompany Viola. Since she's got a new date and you're gonna need one, why don't we go together?
Brooke makes a face.
- I don't know!
- Think about how we can have fun with the faces of those pompous, stuck-up people.
Brooke thinks for a moment, then smiles at me warmly.
- It's not a bad idea!
The afternoon was light and fun. We decided to dive a little into our thesis research, but an hour of study and things started to get dull, so we chose to stop. Curious, Brooke asks about the academy and when I started fighting. I decide to show her some self-defense blows and we laugh a lot at her tumbles. She learned quickly and easily, besides having a lot of agility with her body. That would facilitate some attacks and defenses. After two hours of practicing, we went back to the living room to watch some movies. I was very impressed that she likes action and horror movies instead of sweetened novels. For three times, that little monster pretended to go to the bathroom and almost scared the shit out of me.
We spent the rest of the afternoon playing several games on Xbox, something else in common, until we decided to promote a little dance competition. Brooke laughed at my funny faces and performances. The music was loud enough and it wasn't surprising when the bell rang.
- Can I help you? - I ask with coldness when I come across Aron, who stretched his neck to try to look inside the apartment.
- I'd like to ask you to turn down the sound a little bit, because I'm trying to get some rest. - he says with arrogance. - If you don't understand, there's not just your apartment in this hallway.
I cross my arms without patience.
- I know that there is another apartment in this hallway that, by the way, belongs to a very noisy and inconvenient neighbor, but I don't usually disturb your parties. - Aron snorts at my words. - Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a competition to win.
I start to close the door, but Aron frowning as he recognizes Brooke, who had his back to us, dancing to the sound of Umbrella of Rihanna. She was wearing one of my cotton shorts, which I wore to sleep, and a Queen T-shirt.
- What the fuck are you still doing here? - Aron asked me to come into my apartment without giving him a chance to stop him.
Scared, Brooke turns to face him as I approach with an angry face.
- Aron, you're breaking into my apartment, so I'll gently ask you to leave. - I mean cold.
- If not what, Taylor? - she challenges me with an arrogant arrogance. - You gonna pierce me with that little knife of yours? I'm not afraid of you!
- Is that so? - I mean by folding my arms in front of him. - In your place I would fear myself!
Aron releases an ironic laugh, without being intimidated by my threatening posture.
- What's going on? - Brooke approaches, stands between us and faces Aron. - Aron, what are you doing in Ryder's apartment?
- What am I doing? What are you doing here? - he asks ironically. - Do you know how many girls he's brought to this place? This is a slaughterhouse.
- Not unlike your apartment, is it? - I shoot in a debauched way. - You're a hypocrite, you know that? I already told you not to compare yourself to me.
- I can't believe you're really fucking this guy," says Aron, who looks offended. - So many
