*a/n: Noah's job is actually under Athletic training, so I will be going back and making that small correction. I said physical therapy/sports trainer thinking it was all the same because I'm stupid and forgetful but I knew what I meant! Tomatoe, tomato.*

Season Ten
Noah Silas Anderson

Chapter Eighty-five: "Back to reality"

I left Rick's - well Asia's place - after Em called me over. She said it was an emergency but really, it was just a new dog.

We had just got back home, probably been back in LA for a day - Gael, Cass, Brooklyn, and I. But I could've stayed on the island forever.

The Playroom was a thing of the past and it felt like one of the best decisions I've made yet.

After hitting up Frank's for a session, I went back home. Well, I actually stoped at the grocery store to get frozen peas. Yes, for Brooklyn's ass. She's just being dramatic, though, I think.

As I jogged out of the elevator, I ran into Michael. Awkward. . .

"Michael?" I asked if that was him to be sure.

He turned slightly. "Noah! Hey, how are ya?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, shaking his hand.

"I'm good, how are you? What are you doing back in town?"

He stammered, looking clammy as we held up the hallway.

"I was looking for Brooklyn, actually. Have you seen her?" he asked me.

"Uh, no. Not today. Why?"

"I need to talk to her, it's important, and she's not answering my calls or texts."

I snickered. "She's been feeling a little... under the weather lately."

Michael peeked in my brown paper bag. "Oh. Is that what the groceries are for?"

"For who?"

He looked at me crazy. "For Brooklyn? I see you have peas."

"I hate peas," I said, completely out of it.

"Yes, I asked if they're for Brooklyn; you said she's not feeling well."

Duh, Noah. "Oh, shit! Yeah, she'll be fine."

"But I thought you haven't heard from her?" He questioned me like a true father.

I stopped and stared blankly. After an excruciatingly long pause, I said, "Well anyway, I should get inside before, you know, this shit melts. See you, Michael."

"We'll have to meet up before I leave," he said, starting to walk towards the elevator.

I turned and waved stiffly. "Yeah, anytime. Rick's available actually," I mumbled, "why don't you bother him?"

As I dug for my keys, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Do you have a minute? I need to talk to someone about this," he sighed.

I closed my eyes and slouched, annoyed. "Sure," my jaw clenched. "What's up?"

Brooklyn's father tilted his head to point to a corner where we could talk more privately.

"I don't know how to tell Brooklyn this, maybe you can help me," he started. I crossed my arms, bored, and waited for him to spit it out.
Michael's a cool man, I guess. No, cool is an overstatement. He's okay. Yeah, he's an okay guy, just kind of corny and boring. Like, he's my girl's father, I have to get along with him but he makes it hard. I don't know how two intolerable people made Brooklyn.

Michael said, "Dana and I are getting a divorce."

"Shit," I let out, "that's tough. Congrats."

"No, not congrats," he said, shaking his head.

"Oh." I winced. "Sorry, then. Is Dana okay with this, or?"

"We've talked about it, we've been talking about it. It's time. Brooklyn's not a kid anymore, and she doesn't live at home, so there's no sense in continuing the charade. I'm just not happy, there's only so much I can deal with and our last time here opened my eyes to that. She's horrible, Noah."

"Oh," I spoke sarcastically, "don't talk about her like that, she's an angel ." Lie.

"Noah, come on, you don't have to lie."

"Sorry, yeah she's a bitch, but divorce? That's a big move. How does she feel?"

He made a face like he was about to object to me calling her out of her name but didn't. Michael said, "I believe her exact words were: this was over before it started and I've regretted it ever since but at least I got money out of it."

My mouth went tight, I almost laughed. I didn't laugh because it's funny, it's fucked up, I had no idea what to say.

Michael glared at me and I threw my hands up. "Sorry."

"Stop saying that," he said. I nodded.

"Just tell Brooklyn soon, she'll understand. Trust me," I advised him.

"It's sad you know her better than I do," Michael lamented.

I shrugged, pushing off the wall I was leaning on. "I gotta go, see you Michael."

"Bye, Noah. If you see Lynn, tell her to call. Please?"

I nodded. "Brooklyn, you mean, but for sure."

He sulked away and I finally got my door unlocked.

"Babe!" I shouted, dropping the groceries on the counter, all the fruit rolling out.

When I didn't hear anything back, I walked to my bedroom. Brooklyn was lying in my bed looking like she hadn't moved all day.

"You did this to me," she groaned.

I held off my laughter. "Still hurts?"

She nodded with a long frown.

"I'm sorry. I got you peas, but they might have to go back in the feeezer."

"Yeah, what took you so long?" she asked me, trying to sit up.

"I ran into your dad, you should call him."

She made a sour face. "No. Thanks."

"Don't be like that," I said, walking to the closet to find clothes to wear, "he wants to talk to you."

"Where are you going?" she changed the subject, noticing my formal wear.

Removing my sweaty gym clothes, I said, "Uh, work."

Brooklyn lit up with excitement for me. "Ah, I'm so happy! 'Work.' You're so grown, no more Playroom. I'm proud of you."

As I walked passed the bed, I bent over and pecked Brooklyn's lips that tasted like the cherry Vaseline chapstick she wore.

In the bathroom, I started the shower and scrolled through my playlist until finding a good song.

"What am I supposed to do all day?" Brooklyn whined in bed.

I shrugged. "Wait for me to get back," I suggested, jokingly.

"Whatever. Can I stay here until you get back?"

I crinkled my eyebrows, ripping my sights away from my reflection in the mirror. "You have to ask?"

She smiled small. "Well I don't want to be too clingy anymore. I have to learn how to be alone since you guys will all be working all the time."

"You don't want to go shopping?"

"No," she scoffed, flailing her arms. "I mean yeah, but I can't do that all day, every day... Can I?"

"I dunno. Leave me alone, I'm turning my music on." I shut the door and connected my phone to the speaker on the sink.

"-So what do you think? Ready to work?" asked my new boss, Derek Albright, athletic director of CCU.

I nodded, eyeing the arena they called: the jungle. "I'm ready."

He shook my hand with this crooked smile. "Welcome aboard. G.B.B! Go Lynx!" That's the mascot, the lynx - a type of big cat. G.B.B means "go big black" since the school colors are black with a hint of yellow and white, of course.

"See you tomorrow!" Derek shook my hand again and walked away with some paperwork in his hands.

Left in the arena, I looked around to take it all in.

I could get used to this, I thought in my head.

"Hi," a couple girls said together as they walked by. I just waved.

One turned and said, "Are you the new trainer?" She had on the according attire, I gathered she was a cheerleader.

"Yeah," I said, smiling humbly as I looked away.

"See you around," she said and linked arms with her friend who waved. They walked off giggling and looking back at me.

I twisted my mouth, shaking my head.

Nope. Nope. Not today, Satan.