Brooklyn Noelle Brankovich

Chapter Twenty-six: "Girls who witness crimes together, shop together"

I woke up the third day in my new place. Most people can't believe when their dreams come true but it was very real to me.

11 AM

A smile plastered on my face, I got up and stretched as I let out a yawn.

First, I looked out at the view and then cracked my bones and twirled my ankles and wrists.

I was surprised I slept so well after staying up until three AM.
And no, I wasn't up with Noah. I'm really trying the whole space and taking it slow thing. Besides, he has a life of his own, too. He should act the same as he did before I arrived.
That just reminds me that I need (other) friends.

I looked at my phone when I heard a text notification.

I jumped over my bed to grab my iPhone off the charger and saw that it was only Will. He was pestering me and being thirsty per usual, but I guess I should appreciate the effort? With his persistence, I know he makes a great lawyer.

I ignored his message and was ready to get off of my phone when Noah shot me a text, too. It read:

Hey girl

I laughed. I think that's becoming our thing, I love when he says "girl."
So I replied with what I usually say back when he calls me that:

Hey boy

This movie is reminding me of you...

I smiled and texted back:

What movie?

He replied:

Rango

I laughed out loud. Remembering only a little what it was, I had to Google it to make sure.
My face went straight as I saw the animated character.

"It's so ugly," I squealed falling on my back, kicking my feet in the air.

I didn't have to text him back because he sent another message before I could. He said:

You look like Beans

I replied:

😳The armadillo?

iguana* dumbass

*Read*

I laughed and tossed my phone onto my mattress as I crawled out of bed so I could get some clothes to throw on once I got out of the shower, starting my day.

I got out and towel dried my body. Music that was playing from my phone paused when I received a notification. It was another text, only this time, it was Cassie. That came as a shock.
I wrung my wet hair out and then lifted my phone to unlock it with my face and view the message.

Are you busy today? Do you wanna go shopping? You mentioned it the other day

A smile spread across my lips. She's coming around, I thought. That's big of her. For a second there, I was worried we'd never form any sort of relationship because she's so distant. We did agree to be friends on the cruise, though, after all.

I replied:

Please! See you around 3?

Cassie sent:

3 is good!

After finalizing our plans, I let my music play and finished getting ready for the day.
I slicked my hair into a full bun. My outfit consisted of a long-sleeved beige mini dress and white trainers.

Before going shopping I decided to finally unbox everything. I opened the boxes and put all of the shoes along the floor and wall, and my clothes over my bed and in the next room's closet, as well as the walk-in in the master bedroom.

Memories hit me when I came across the box labeled:

ballet

I decided not to open it yet, though, and put it on the shelf in the other closet.

But as I went through the final miscellaneous box, I found a pair of knee pads and my old volleyball shoes from college. I couldn't help but smile as I was hit with memories. It had been forever since I last played. I played for Baylor until my junior year when my mother really cracked down on me. She had me pick: ballet or volleyball. Really, though, the decision was hers. It was always hers. My mother worried I'd get hurt more playing volleyball and claimed dancing would be forever whereas my volleyball career would end with college.

Gosh, I used to be SO good, too. I loved it, but my mother thought I was too competitive (in not a good way.) Yeah, I let my emotions get the better of me often times. When I played, I was a beast - completely unstoppable and high energy; always yelling, cheering, and hyping the arena.

If I could go back, I would've put the tutu away and followed my real passion. . .

***

Two hours later, I sorted through everything. Whatever I no longer need anymore was going to be donated so I could make space since I had less space than I was used to.
Some of it was designer, out of season, too big/small, or I just didn't want anymore. Initially, I thought to give it to Cassie but I remembered how proud she was and figured she wouldn't want hand-me-downs. So, I boxed the items and prepared to drop them off later on.

As I stood in the kitchen eating golden double stuffed Oreos with my water, I heard something fall to the floor in the living room that made me jump. It was the picture I made Noah hang up. Only he did a poor job, obviously, and it fell. AGAIN.
I laughed to myself and texted him a picture before calling his phone.

"Talk to me," he spoke.

"Did you see what I sent you?" I asked, chewing a cookie.

He laughed. "It's not my fault, it's a ghost!"

"Anyway, remind me to never request your services again."

"Sweetie, please. You need me."

"I guess you could make it up to me," I said, walking around the unfurnished living room.

"Oh, yeah? How?"

"Dinner tonight? I'm thinking Italian this time."

He chuckled. "As fun as that sounds, I can't. I have a thing."

I pouted and peered out of the window. "A thing? Sounds like a lame excuse, just say you don't want to, Noah-"

"I do want to. If I get out of it, I'll let you pick me up and we can ride in the Porsche, k?"

I laughed, adjusting my stance. "Uh-uh."

"What are you doing today?" he asked off-topic.

"You won't believe this but, Cassie asked me to hang out - we're going shopping!"

"I believe it, Cassie's not shy, she just doesn't know us yet, give her time."

"What are you, her guidance counselor?"

Noah laughed again into the speaker. "No, just tryna make her feel welcome. You still jealous?"

"You wish."

"I wish you'd make me lunch."

"Dude, I can't cook. I've burned Ramen noodles before," I let him know, biting down my embarrassment.

"How the fuck did you burn instant noodles?"

"I forgot to add water," I cackled.

"Never mind, remind me to do the cooking," he said.

2:43 PM

"Okay, I have to go," I rushed him off the phone once I caught the time on the oven.

After making sure I had my credit card in my wallet, phone, and keys, I headed down the hall to meet Cassie.

She saw me standing there as soon as she opened her door.

"Hey," I beamed.

"Hey," she responded, her tone more optimistic than I expected.

I smiled as she locked the door and twisted the knob to make sure.

"You ready?" I asked her, starting back down the hall.

"Yeah, sure," she said. "Let's go."

"Welcome!" An employee greeted us the second we walked in.

I entered after Cassie, having held the door open for us, and popped the glasses on top of my head.

"Hi," Cassie said back, looking around.

"Are you shopping with us today or just looking?" The lady asked us.

Cassie said, "Just looking."

I excused myself from Cassie and approached the lady. "Actually, I ordered furniture online."

"What's your name?"

"Brankovich."

"Ah, yes. It should be delivered by five PM today," she informed me after checking her pad.

"Thank you," I grinned, inching away.

I walked up on Cassie as she looked at some nightstands. "See anything you want?" I asked her. She stood under me and blew air from her cheeks.

"I don't know, I don't think I like any of this stuff," Cassie answered.

"That's fine," I said, "there's other stores."

As we walked away the lady thanked us. We wished her a good rest of day on the way out.

"Actually," Cassie spoke up during the walk to the car, "can we stop at a thrift store?"

"I've always wanted to go thrifting, yeah!"

Cassie smiled and I could tell she was warming up which made me enjoy our time together even more.

"Wait," I gasped. "Pictures first!"

***

Hours passed - now five in the afternoon - and we were successful in getting Cassie some furniture. What we couldn't fit in my Porsche SUV, she had ordered to be sent to the building.

After I went store to store, getting a new wardrobe - and Cassie got some things as well - we entered the thrift store and I had the box of clothes I was giving away.

"Hi!" I squealed, walking straight to the cash register.

"Oh, hi. Can I help you, miss?"

"Yuh. I would like to donate these," I stated. I managed to put the full, large box of cardboard on the glass and stepped from behind it so the woman could see my face.

"I'll have to take a look at them first," she told me. I nodded, gesturing for her to go ahead and do so. While she did that, I turned and looked out at the store.

"Oh, look at these," I laughed at the glasses on the rack. I picked up a red pair of star lenses and put them on, showing Cassie. She laughed briefly and looked at the stones and earthy jewelry in the case under the register.

"Um, ma'am," the clerk called out for me, "you know these are high-end products? Some of them still have the price-tag."

I just stared at her blankly. "Okay?"

"You can return them to the store, or sell them online?"

"Brooklyn, this is a new Gucci shirt. Are you sure you wanna give this stuff away?"

"Yes, you two, sheesh." I laughed and put the ensemble back in the box. "I don't want it, someone might get lucky and find it here."

"I'll have to talk to my boss, I'm not sure what to do with items like this. Usually we offer you money for the items at ten percent of what you paid for it."

"Yeah, sure. Do that," I said. My eyes followed as she walked to the back of the shop.

Cassie seemed to be in her element as she explored every aisle and shelf. She picked up books and checked out some antique end tables.

"What do you think about this?" she asked for my opinion on a lamp and seating.

My mouth turned down. "They're nice, get them. I like that lamp, it's cool." She smiled, sharing the same opinion, and asked for the price.

My phone went DING! I checked it.
Yet another message from Will that read:

Counting down the days until I'm in LA.

"-Yes, I'm ready," I heard Cassie say to the woman.

I put my phone on silent and roamed while Cassie checked out the items. She got some small appliances, cool decor, and nightstands. I was just happy she was content and finally furnishing her place.

The lady ending up paying me for what she could, and for the articles they refused to take from my pile, she gave back. Cassie and I thanked her for the help and made our way out.

At my vehicle in the parking lot, we loaded the backseat and trunk and then got in our seats.

"Whew," she let out a breath, clicking her seatbelt.

I chuckled, reversing the car. "Hungry?"

My neck turned so I could see her face when Cassie responded. "That's a dumb question to ask," she made us both laugh.

"I'll take that as a yes. Chick orrrrr Chipotle, they're both close?"

Cassie thought for a second before making up her mind. "Hm, Chick-fil-a! Chipotle makes my stomach hurt," she admitted, giggling.

I laughed with her and said, "Chick it is," as I took a right to enter the plaza.

The worker standing outside at the drive-thru greeted me.

"Hi, can I have a large number one, please, but without the drink. Oh, wait, Cassie do you want the drink?"

"Yeah. Lemonade, please?" She inquired, hoping the worker heard that.

"Okay, a large lemonade. Any sauce with your meal?"

I answered. "Extra barbecue please, one ranch. Thank you!"

"Anything else?" asked the short-haired girl in a neon vest.

"A chicken sandwich with only ketchup, mayo, and pickles," Cassie told her order. I slowly turned to face her. My eyes blinked rapidly and she laughed.

"Dont judge me," Cassie blurted.

"I am," I dryly said back but was only joking. She knew I was kidding, and we laughed together before I got the total. I handed over my card without thinking and paid for both, not that I minded.

"Thank you," I said, taking my foot off the brake.

"My pleasure," she returned proudly.

"Ugh, I love when they say that," Cassie and I murmured at the same time. We glanced at each other from the corner of our eyes and then bursted out with obnoxious laughter. I hadn't laughed that hard with a girl friend since ever, it felt really good, and it wasn't even that funny.

After a short wait, our food was presented to us. Cassie checked the bags to make sure everything was right before I pulled off.

"Have a good one," said the tall, male employee.

"Mhm," I sounded, "you too."

I pulled off and rolled up on a stop sign.

"He was cute," I whispered to Cassie, getting her to giggle.

"He was," she agreed, slurping down lemonade.

Veering to the left, I noticed Cassie's drink. The way she enjoyed it made it look even more appealing.

"You know, I've never had their lemonade," I confessed.

Cassie's jaw dropped dramatically. "Never?!"

My head shook. "Nope."

"That's tragic," she monotoned as she sipped the cold drink right in my face.

"You bitch," I laughed it off, popping a fry in my mouth. I offered Cassie one and she took it.

Driving along the highway, I skipped the song that played from my phone and the next one that came on was one of my favorites. I danced in my seat and sang along badly.
Seeing Cassie not engaged, I turned down the volume and started a conversation.

"This is weird, right? First we're strangers on a cruise and now we all live together?!"

She looked as if she'd been dying to talk about it, not hesitating to give a rebuttal. "I still can't wrap my head around it. I look too much into things and this feels weird."Agreed.

I changed the subject. "Where are you from?"

Cassie swallowed and put the styrofoam cup in the holder. "Florida, you?"

"Texas. What made you move here?"

"I just needed a fresh start. Something to look forward to."

"Me too, believe it or not. After the cruise, I was looking to move out when I got this random email offering me a job and a place to stay. Crazy, right?"

She put her head to the window and glanced out at the light traffic.

"I just kind of stumbled on this place, but it's almost like I was supposed to be here," she let out. "I also got a job offer - and I've never had one out of state - and then Cali pops up."

I loosened my grip on the wheel and sat back, taking in everything she said.

"Huh. That is kinda weird. Maybe it's fate?"

"I don't believe in fate, but I see what you're saying. I just can't wrap my head around it. Like, the stabbing we saw on the cruise? Or, the one we thought we saw but, didn't."

My lips parted when she brought that up. I almost erased that from my brain. I could still see the image in my head, and the sounds were so clear.
It couldn't be real, I figured. Because there's no way someone in real life would do that, right, and get away with it at that?

The whole ordeal seemed pretty sinister, especially because Cassie said she saw it, too. Either way it goes, we had no evidence or credibility as we both suffered some blows to the head and were drunk.

I snapped out of my thoughts and returned to our conversation, wanting it to be over. "Eh. We were drunk, Cass. I hit my head a lot, and I think you did, too. Now, enough murder talk!"

I gradually increased the radio's volume but still caught what Cassie was saying.

She sighed. "Yeah, let's just never drink vodka again!"