Brooklyn Noelle Brankovich

Chapter Eighty-nine: "The truth shall fuck you over"

I woke up and rolled over on my side. There was nothing motivating me to move. Mel and Sutton were taking care of the shop and all the renovations, they didn't need me.

No Noah lying beside me, waiting for me to wake up and bother me. I scoffed at the thought.

Was yesterday even real? Noah and Gael told Cassie and I they lied about the whole reason we're here. This was a sham - all seven months. What a joke.

My feet found the carpet before slipping into my slippers. I trudged to the bathroom and closed myself inside.

The elevator doors parted and I was in the lobby. First, I went to check my mail.

I didn't bother looking my best, I didn't even feel like leaving apartment 311. I was clad in a black Lorrcan puffer jacket, a plain white tee, a pair of all white Adidas, and denim jeans. My hair was back in a low, neat bun and parted in the middle. To show how much I didn't care, no accessories, just my cream-colored Coach pennie shoulder bag that I couldn't keep up on my arm.

"Good morning, Brooklyn," Marvin, the building's leasing manager, said to me as I walked past his desk.

I didn't want to be rude to Marvin who's always been nice to me, but I wasn't in the mood.

"What's good about it?" I spat back, unlocking my mail slot.

"Don't be like that," he said, "what's up?" I admired his kind nature but I wasn't in the mood for small talk. Hell, I wasn't in the mood for anything but crawling back in bed.

After digging out some envelopes and a small package, I sighed and slammed the door closed. I made sure to lock it back and fake-smiled at Marvin.

"Not much," I said with a huff and walked out of the room.

"Well I can see you don't want to talk," Marvin threw his arms up in innocence and got out of my way, "I know when I'm being annoying. Have a good day."

Having gotten to the front door, I stopped and looked over my shoulder to actually try and smile at him for real this time since he was still sweet and trying to lighten my mood. "You too, Marvin," I said, making my exit.

***

"Are you sure you want to return this item," the older, blonde woman clerk asked me.

I returned to her after looking around the store. With a prolonged sigh and my hands in my coat pocket, I said, "Yeah. It was a gift for someone I'm not talking to right now."

It was Gael's second gift - a floating globe lamp. His first was a Mont Blanc watch but it couldn't be returned so I figured I'll just give it to Sutton as a thank you for all he's been doing for my boutique.

"Bummer," she sympathized, "and right around the holidays, too. I'm sorry to hear that."

"I'm sorry, too," I mumbled, tapping my card impatiently against the counter.

*

"Excuse me?"

"Miss?"

"Hello?" The employee behind the register got my attention. I had zoned off, thinking about how sad it was that I'm going around returning the boy's gifts.

"Oh, huh? Sorry," I gasped, shaking my head.

He straightened up, eyeing the pile on his counter. "You sure you want to return all of this, Miss?" he asked me. To that, I took a big breath.
Of course wasn't sure but I knew I definitely wasn't going to be giving it to Noah, he didn't deserve it. Not from me.

No words left my mouth, my lips didn't even space, I only nodded. Though the cashier looked at me like I was insane, he began the return and smacked on his chewing gum as I regretted buying the shit in the first place. It was all bullshit anyway, material things I knew he'd like - clothes, sneakers, some hats, and joggers I'd like to see him in. There was one thing, though. One thing I thought was special, kind of corny but that was the point; it was a feel good memory jar. Every time something funny happened, or memorable, you write it down and put it in the jar to look back on later. I figured that'd be great for Noah and I since we have so many small things happen that almost make me pee myself but I can never remember all of those moments.

But he's my ex now and we won't be making anymore memories so it needed to be returned.

I got the money put back on my card and walked towards the door.

The wind cracked my face as soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk. I clutched my bag and kept walking, ignoring the groups of people singing Christmas carols and beggars in Santa suits hoping for donations.

***

"Sorry, we're not open-" Sutton thought I was a customer and quickly noticed it was just me. "Baby girl!" He put his papers down and flocked to my body, consuming me in a much needed hug.

"Mel!" He called for her.

I smiled as he palmed my face and looked me over.

"I thought you weren't coming today," he said, "we have everything taken care of if you want to go home and relax."

I exhaled through my lips and removed my coat, letting Melinda go put it on the coatrack.

I looked around the room at how the store was coming along.

"Trust me," I finally said to Sutton, "the last thing I want to do is go home. Besides, it's my store, I should get my hands dirty, too, right?"

Mel and Sutton exchanged suspicious looks at one another.

"Who are you and what did you do with the real Brooklyn?" asked Sutton, laughing. I faked a laugh and stuffed my hands in the back pockets of my jeans.

Mel, with her dark eyes squinted, shook her head. "Ay no," she said in her Spanish accent, "you only clean when you're upset. What is it, bebe?"

Here come the waterworks.

My chest puffed and I vibrated my lips, blinking to keep my emotions contained. A little snicker came out and I cracked my knuckles, going around their bodies to examine more of the interior.

"The place looks great," I said eventually after a big gulp.

"You can talk to us about anything," Mel said to me in a sympathetic whisper. She and Sutton held me in the back of the store where the fitting rooms were being installed. My vision was, instead of traditional doors, premium heavyweight hanging room dividers.

"And everything," Sutton emphasized in my left ear, smoothing strands of hair from my cheek.

I smiled at them both the best I could and broke away from the huddle to finish my walk-through.
Honestly, there wasn't much for me to do but I was determined to get something done myself while I was on-site.

"So, what can I do?" I asked my two store managers.

Melinda smiled and linked her arm with mine, filling me in on everything 'The First Noelle' related. Meanwhile, Sutton called for me to sign off on the furniture and other packages being delivered.

*

"Here you go," I said with glee to the delivery man, handing his pen back.

"You're all set," he said, "thank you. Have a good day!"

"You as well," I said, adjusting the way I held the box in my arms.

He smiled and looked me over with a smirk before walking out through the brand new frameless glass double entrance doors we just had installed.

While I'd been at the shop for hours and we'd gotten so much done, there was still a lot more to do.

"I'm going on lunch," Mel said to me, "you want anything?" She pulled the purse on her shoulder and then slipped on a pair of sunglasses.

"Oh, I do! Can I come?" asked Sutton, removing his work gloves.

Mel smiled and nodded, sending Sutton rushing over, patting himself down to make sure his wallet was in his shorts. They linked arms and waited for my response.

"Well, you coming?" Sutton questioned me.

I looked around at everything that still needed to be done.

"Neh, I think I'll stay back and finish all of this," I said, gesturing to the mess around me.

When they looked at me like they wouldn't take no for an answer, I flailed my arms.

"I'm not even hungry! For real, you guys, go. In fact, you've done enough, I'll call you if I need you but take the rest of the day off."

"This better not affect my paycheck," Mel joked, heading towards the exit.

I let out a faint laugh and turned my back to look over some paperwork on the white Esquire glass top reception desk where the main register would be.

As I squinted to read the fine print, I scratched my hair and let out a yawn.

"Oh, hey Noah," I heard Sutton say on his way out.

My body went stiff and I literally gasped at the sound of the name.

First, I thought he was just joking, but why would he say that? So, I turned my body slightly and saw Noah entering.

I palmed my booklet closed and ran my tongue over my teeth, waiting for the door to shut behind Mel and Sutton.

Once it did, I placed both palms on the face of the desk and said, "Get the fuck out."

He continued to walk forward and parted his lips to say something I didn't want to hear.

"You have two seconds to leave, I'm not even joking," I barked, letting my rage fuel me.

I felt myself getting angry again, even angrier than when I got the news. Seeing him already was too soon, I needed my space.

"Brooklyn, I just want to talk," Noah said. "Peacefully."

Pfft. I scoffed and switched dominant legs in my stance. My arms crossed my chest as I looked up at the high industrial ceiling and clenched my jaw, my head shaking.

My voice broke before I even got any words out. "Well I obviously don't want to," I sighed, "I'm begging you, just get out and leave me alone." I relaxed my arms and walked to the back.

"I fucked up," Noah projected his voice behind my back. He didn't bother following me, though, probably thinking I'd hit him. "I know that! I'm sorry, so is Gael. We didn't want this to happen, Brooklyn. Obviously. I love you and I don't want this to end what we have. If I had a time machine-"

"BUT YOU DON'T!" I yelled, whipping my neck around. "You don't. And you can't take this back or make it better. God, do you not understand the gravity of this; we would've never been together if you hadn't lied - if you hadn't slipped up. The worst part is... I thought we were meant to be. And you let me. I thought this was fate but no. You didn't think to tell me the truth before? Huh? Before you said you loved me?!"

I paused and fought off my tears, my lip quivering.

"If you even loved me, or was that a lie, too?" My voice trembled.

"I wouldn't lie about that, Brooklyn, of course I loved you," he said, making me roll me eyes. Noah quickly caught himself and said, "Love! I still love you, I mean."

I mumbled, "Just leave me alone. What's done is done - we're done."

"Brooklyn, come on; it's me," he tried to chuckle and grab my waist but I pushed off his chest. A little discouraged, Noah wet his lips and stepped back. "So you're just going to throw this away? What happened to when you said I've given you the best months of your life?"

"I lied," I grumbled, my eyes trailing away.
I know he doesn't believe that because it's not true, I just didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

"I don't believe you," he said and started going on with more bullshit apologies that went through one of my ears and out the other as I stomped through the store.

"Shut the fuck up, I don't care! I'm done! Leave me alone," I screamed like a little girl, stomping my foot and all. In a fit, I found the portrait on the wall he gifted me and knocked it down, chucking it in his direction.

"Do you get it now?!" I roared, hyperventilating.

Noah hung his head and swallowed.

I looked at my hand and saw I cut it from the nails on the wall and suddenly felt the pain.
I then pushed the steel prehung commercial welded-frame door open and stormed to my car in search of a bandage.

When I returned to the inside of the store, about ten minutes later to be safe, Noah was gone. And so was the portrait. In all honesty, I didn't want to get rid of it. It was a nice gift, and actually one from my father.

I ran outside to the bush sidewalk and looked both ways, scanning the road for a yellow Hummer but it was no use.

Nursing my right taped hand, I stomped and clicked my teeth. "Shit!"

*

"-I know, Dad! I know!" I cried on the phone after telling my father what happened with the photo and my hand. I didn't mention the break up at all or why - obviously - just that Noah and I were done. Instead of saying Noah took the photo back - since my dad would just say "go get it back" - I told him I took my anger out on it and broke it to pieces.

He scolded me in German and told me I was a child. He reminded me that money doesn't grow on trees and that I can't act like a brat when I don't get my way. I had to listen to a whole lecture when he didn't even know the real story, and I wasn't about to tell the truth so I had to sit there and take it, burning hot tears streaming down my face.

"Fine!" I yelled back at him. "I get it. I didn't call for you to yell at me. I'm sorry."

Dad sighed. "I have to go, bye." He ended the call.

I sniffled and stared at my phone screen.

I'm going to regret this, but . . .

I called my mother.

"Brooklyn?" she answered the phone.

I waited a few seconds to get myself together before saying anything back.

"Hey, Mom." I laughed nervously. "I- uh. I- sorry."

"Shh, you don't have to say anything; I knew you'd be calling to apologize eventually. And it's okay, you can cry. Let it out. Oh, I knew this divorce would affect you."

"Yeah," I played along quietly. I shook my head and rested it against the headrest as she went on.

"I don't have time to talk, but you know what I say is best for when you're upset," she talked.

I sucked my lips in my mouth and shook my head, clueless. "What's that?"

"Ballet - dancing. It's what you're best at. I'll call my girl-friend Nina and tell her you're coming. Brooklyn," she cooed.

I sniffled. "Yeah, mommy?"

"Go," she said, "Lose yourself."

***

Studio 409. I entered Nina Wu's dancing school around three PM and was immediately entranced by the young dancers showcasing their talents.

"Wow," I said under my breath.

Suddenly, the heavy mahogany doors bolted closed behind my back and drew everyone's attention my way.

I pressed my lips together and sheepishly waved to them all as I started walking forward. Their eyes burned into me, I could feel the judgment.

What is she doing here?

Who is she?

She doesn't look like much of a dancer.

I bet she doesn't know anything.

Are we accepting new girls now?

She's too big.

She probably sucks.

The anxiety wasn't something I missed. I was afraid to meet the girls, or even the instructor.

"Brooklyn," Nina's soft voice welcomed me.

I retracted my nails from the sweatiness of my palms and blew air from my lips in an 'o.'

"Hi," I said after a few seconds.

"Your mother told me about you," she said with a warm high-cheekboned smile. "We've been expecting you."

"We normally don't accept late enrollees but for Dana, I'll always make an exception. Your mother was exceptional, and you were too. I understand you haven't danced in a while, are you ready?" she asked as we walked to the far wall.

I nodded after a slight hesitation. "I just want to let go," I breathed out.

Nina squared my shoulders. "That's what it's all about. I have no doubts you'll get along fine here, the girls look intimidating but they're really nice. I emailed your mother all details about our program and upcoming recitals, she said she'll forward them to you."

I nodded my head again and took the information in.

"So," Nina exclaimed, pressing her hands together, "where's your leotard?"