I freak out. No, I really freak out. "What?!" I yell out, not even caring that it's the middle of the night and Aaron is sleeping in the next room. "What the hell! How did that happen? Is she alright? Did ... oh, God, did anything happen to her?" 

"Women and all your thousand questions at once," Braden grumbles. "Rory is going to be fine, at least that's what doctors claim. She should be conscious in just a few hours. They have yet to confirm or deny if anything happened, but Lily claims she was with her the whole time and she called me and the hospital straight away when Rory lost conscious. There's no need to panic."

"No need to panic!" I shriek out hysterically. "You call me in the middle of the night, telling me that my friend is in the hospital because she's been drugged. What the heck! How can you be so calm?" I ask in disbelief, placing my hand on my forehead, my emotions all over the place right now.

I saw Rory only hours before and I even helped her choose a dress for a night out with her best friend. Drugged! That's absurd. Why would anyone do that to her? 

"Calm? Brooke, if I catch the bastard who did that, I'm killing him with my bare hands," Braden threatens, his voice so cool it sends shivers down my spine.

"It was a man who did it?" 

"It was a rape drug. Yes, I believe it was a man," Braden informs me.

I sit down on the couch, falling on it like an empty bag. "Holy fuck," I breathe. "Holy fuck, Braden." 

"Yes, Brooke. Indeed."

"I'm coming there. Just give me some minutes," I say hastily, looking around myself, feeling lost. 

"There's no need, Brooke. Rory is currently unconscious. She's going to wake up soon, anyway. There's no need for anyone coming in here."

I sigh, feeling helpless. 

"Brooke? What are you doing up? What's the matter?"

I freeze at Aaron's voice. Braden becomes deadly silent, too. Until, "Brooke? Did I hear correctly?" 

Oh, here we go! "Depends on what you heard."

"Babe?" comes Aaron's voice again. "Come back to bed." 

Braden starts coughing. "Are you with a man right now?" His voice is a little higher than usual and it seems like he's in discomfort.

"Well ... yeah." 

I swear if he gives me a lecture at 27 ... I'm almost two years older than Rory! 

"Do I know him?" Braden asks carefully.

You just might. Does the one that kissed Rory in front of you and flirted with her ring any bells? I thought so. "Yeah," I say cautiously. 

"Huh. Okay. Want to give me his name?" 

A gurgling sound comes from my throat. "Not really, no." 

"Huh," Braden says thoughtfully. "Well, if you want me to, I can check him out."

Trust me, brother dear, you don't want to know. Besides, I think, without a doubt, he already checked Aaron out. Probably the first time he saw Aaron just breathe a bit differently in Rory's presence. I internally roll my eyes. What a possessive bastard, really. 

Another reason why I want Rory and Braden's relationship last, besides the fact that they're both mad for each other, is that I fear Braden won't find any other woman who's going to tolerate his special personality. I know I wouldn't. 

"I'll keep that in mind," I say dryly. "Will you keep me updated with what's going to happen with Rory, please?" He really shocked me with the call, but I'm glad he told me. 

"Of course. You can go back to sleep now."

"Thank you for calling me."

"I thought you might've wanted to know," Braden says. 

Braden and I say our goodbyes and I climb back in bed next to Aaron. I briefly inform him of what happened. He falls asleep soon afterwards, meanwhile I stay up for long hours, still shocked and unable to shut my mind off enough to sleep. 

    ◊    

In the following weeks, Rory is recovering from the attack. We all try to make sure she's got everything she needs at all times, everyone doing everything so she's comfortable. I even don't go to work for a few days to make sure she'll be completely okay.

Until one day Rory explodes and yells at everyone to stop acting like she's going to break. 

However, there are some other symptoms I noticed on Rory. I kept quiet, but when I hear her vomiting three days straight - one time in the afternoon and two times in the morning, I have to face her with some facts. I might be wrong, but it's better to be sure. 

Exactly two weeks and four days after her attack, I burst into Rory's room, throwing the pregnancy tests on the bed beside where she's laying. She jumps up in surprise, taking her earbuds out.

Rory looks at the three boxes on her bed. "What's this?" she asks, taking on in her hand and dropping it right after, shooting her eyes in my direction. "Are you pregnant?" she asks me wide-eyed.

I'm taken off guard with her question. Dear God! I quickly compose myself, shaking my head. "No, dumbass. But you might be," I say, pointing at the pregnancy tests on her bed.

Rory looks at the three boxes. "Uh, what?" she asks, unsure of what's going on.

I come to the bed, grab all three boxes in my hands, shove them to her and then push her towards the bathroom. "I'll wait here," I tell her.

Rory stumbles into the bathroom and I shut the door behind her. And now the waiting begins. I'm excited for whatever news Rory will reveal when she comes out of the bathroom. I'm also somewhat nervous. Knowing my brother, he could either take this very well, or ... I don't even want to think about other option.

I hear something behind the door, a loud thud, followed by a loud sob. I burst through the door to find Rory laying on the floor, crying out as if she's in pain. I fall down on the knees beside her, peeking at the tests. Two lines are shown on all three of them. "Oh, Rory," I say, hugging her. Rory sobs and clings onto my shirt.

  ◊   

Rory waits until Friday to tell Braden about it. She's been throwing up every day now and I helped her as much as I could. What did I know about pregnancy, anyways? 

I wait in the living room while Rory delivers the news to Braden. I don't hear anything and I take that as a good sign. Maybe Braden is ecstatic about the baby? 

But then I hear the shouting. And I hear Braden's words he says to Rory. I hear her broken cries in return. It has me to go in there and slap Braden really hard. It breaks my heart, hearing the words he says to her. It's like it's not even my brother talking.

"Please what? We had a fucking deal that you broke! I know women your range, you little vixen. But you're not going to keep me just because you're pregnant and spilling nonsense. You hear me? I am not going to stay with you. You're not going to pull me into your trap, because I'm smarter than this!"

"Braden, you don't mean that," comes Rory's cry.    

I don't hear anything for some minutes because they lower their voices. But then I hear Rory screaming out, "Get the fuck out, you bastard!" I'm instantly on my feet.

"Gladly!" Braden roars back. 

"I never want to see you again, you shit! I swear to God, I hate you so much right now!" Rory sobs out, yelling hysterically. "Get out of my face!" Braden comes out of Rory's bedroom only seconds later. I watch him with rage but he doesn't even seem to see me. 

"You really screwed this up, you jerk!" I yell after him. I only get the doors slamming in return. I run to Rory and find her laying on the floor, crying out in hysterics. 

She may not realise it, but I know how much it hurts to lose someone you love deeply.  

   ◊   

The three weeks Braden and Rory were separated were miserable for everyone. Rory has spent most of her time in her room, not even wanting to eat. She didn't even go to work. It wasn't easy for her.

As for my brother, I wouldn't know much. We didn't talk much. I'm angry at him for what he's done and what he's said. He has hurt a pregnant woman that's carrying his child so much that I've had to force Rory to eat something most of the time. She was a mess. And from what I could've heard in Braden's voice, it wasn't easy on him, either. 

It hasn't been easy for anyone. I felt bad for Rory. I kind of know how she feels, but for her, it must be so much harder since she's pregnant with the baby of a man who departed with cruel words. 

And I thought Braden would come crawling back after a few days because I'm pretty sure he's got deep feelings for Rory. But now. He stayed away. And I'm pissed at him for that. 

As for Aaron and I, we've been very good. Perfect even. We spend a lot of time together - well, as much as it's possible with our jobs. And he's been great all this time, really supportive and understanding to Rory, too. 

When I'm listing through the fashion magazines in the kitchen, someone appears at the door. I have to pause what I'm doing and double check if I'm seeing correctly.

"Oh, look, the princess found the way out of her castle!" I whistle as Rory comes into the kitchen. 

Rory forces a smile on her face. "I guess it was time already," she says, avoiding my eyes.

There's a silence between us before I ask with a concern. "Are you hungry?" I know that she most probably is because she hasn't eaten a lot, but I assume the food wasn't really on her mind.

Rory stares at the left-overs of what I ate for lunch. "No, but I need to eat anyway," she says, putting the food down on the table.

I nod at her, smiling warmly. "You do have to eat. You don't eat for yourself only anymore."

Rory nods tightly and digs into her food. It pleases me to see her willingly eating for once. 

After she finishes with the food, she excuses herself and goes back to her room. I follow her with sad eyes.

I continue looking through the magazine, answering a few of Aaron's texts. I feel a smile coming on my face everytime I see his name on my phone. Sometimes, the smile is shyer and reserved - when Aaron wants to send me dirty things (which happens a lot). Other times, he's just so sweet and nice to me. 

"Brooke. Hi." 

I jump up, dropping the phone down on the floor with a loud crash, looking up at the intruder. My eyes instantly narrow. I stand up, completely forgetting about the phone, and walk towards the person I really didn't want to see with my finger pointed at him. "What the hell are you doing here?" I grit out, glaring at him with full force. 

Braden remains a stoic figure in front of me, not moving an inch, even though I'm walking towards him like a predator, ready to pounce if he makes even one wrong move. 

"Calm down. I just came here to talk to you." 

I look at him, my head cocked to the side. "Did you just tell me to calm down?" I ask him with a dead-serious tone. "I am calm!" I explode, stopping in my tracks.

Braden's eyes slightly widen. "Uhm. Sure. I can clearly see that." 

"You're being sarcastic," I note, sucking in my bottom lip and then biting the inside of my cheek.

"No, no, I wouldn't dare," Braden says with a straight face. 

I'm completely unimpressed. "What do you want?" I ask him with my bored tone. I really don't want to talk to him right now - not until he apologises to Rory for the words he said to her. 

"I just came here to talk," Braden responds softly. As I look into his eyes, I notice how tired he looks. I can't forget that this is all his fault, that he brought all of this on himself. I know he's been hurt before and that Victoria left wounds, but he can't hurt everyone else and blame others for her mistakes. He can't make Rory pay for them.

I go to the living room and Braden follows me. "I don't think I'm the right person you should talk to." 

Braden's eyes flicker towards Rory's room. "Is she ..." He clears his throat. "Is she at home?" he asks lowly, quietly, as if afraid she is going to hear him. 

"She is," I confirm, hoping he would consider going to talk to her. 

He doesn't. Even though I see the longing on his face, he sits down on the couch beside me. I'm disappointed. I'm also afraid Rory might come out of her room and see him here and that ... wouldn't be okay if Braden's intention isn't actually talking to her.

"Alright, then. I won't be long," 

I look at him, trying to bite down my rage. "You won't be - You're a jerk!" I exclaim, horrified. I can not believe he would be such an asshole to the mother of his child. 

"I don't think how would it turn out if we saw each other, Brooke," Braden has the need to explain. As if I didn't put any thought in it already.

"Then why did you risk coming here?" I want to know. 

I see Braden doesn't have any answer for me this time. I huff to myself, fed-up with him. "Why are you really here, Braden?" I sigh tiredly.

Braden puts his elbows on his knees and leans forward, resting his chin on his hands. "Truthfully ..." Braden starts. But then he sighs, rubbing his face. I give him a time to gather his thoughts together. "I don't know for sure. Things are a little complicated right now. I'm ... miserable without her," he finally admits, his voice cracking. 

I look at him in surprise, now being my turn to be speechless. "Well, tell her that then, for God's sake!" I tell him when I find my words again. 

Braden looks at me with a sad expression. And then everything happens in slow motion. 

"Brooke?" Rory calls out. 

Rory walks towards the bedroom and then comes to a sudden halt, her eyes right on my brother.

Braden swiftly stands up, his hands in his pockets. They both stare at each other with so many emotions in their eyes it's getting emotional even for me. They want to be with each other, that much is clear, but they're both stubborn. 

"I'm sorry. I wouldn't come out if I knew – I won't disturb you any further," Rory stumbles, her voice shaking. 

She turns around on her heel, escaping to her room. "Rory," Braden calls out her name as if he can't himself. 

But Rory doesn't stop. She flies out of the living room.

Braden goes after her and I watch him in shock. Rory closes the door before he could enter it and Braden loudly slams his palm against the door, resting his head against it in defeat. 

I come to him, even though he probably wants to be alone at that moment. I rest my hand on his shoulder reassuringly. It probably doesn't help him much. It's not my touch he needs. "Talk to her, Braden. Apologise. Get her back." 

Braden nods, breathing in and out a few times. "Yeah. I will," he confirms this with a firm look in his eyes as he looks at me. 

After Braden leaves, I quietly enter Rory's bedroom. She's sitting on the chair beside the window, curled up on it, gazing out at the snow falling.

I don't say anything as I come to her and wrap my arms around her in a warm hug. Rory suddenly starts crying. 

"I'm so sorry, I wouldn't come out if I knew he was here, I - "

"Shh, Rory, stop," I say, squeezing her to me. "He was surprised to see you, but I doubt her minded it. In fact, I thought he was even going to come after you." I don't tell her how close he actually was to that.

Rory lifts her head to look at me, surprised. "What?" she mumbles with her groggy voice.

I shake my head, wiping her tears away. "He misses you, too, you know," I tell her. "Even though he doesn't admit it, I know him enough. I know when he's in pain, and that pain I saw, Rory, I didn't even see it when his ex-fiancée left him."

She stares at the wall for long seconds. "I think I'm going to move out and find a new place."

I gasp, thrown off guard. "What? Why?"

She pins me with a gaze.

I only sigh. "I know it's hard, Rory. And if you thought this through, I know I can't force you to stay here. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you." Although, I would be really sad to lose her. 

Rory nods. "And I think I'll look for another job, too," she says, mostly to myself. 

"I don't understand you, Rory, but I'm trying to. And I also beg you that you don't rush things." 

I know she's hurt and she just wants to do something that'll hurt her less, but she's going to put her in even more stress. I would know about wanting to do things just to occupy my mind. 

"I'm not trying to rush anything, but you have to understand that I can't stand to watch him at work and then risk to see him at my home. It's too hard, too painful," she says, blinking back the tears.

I brush Rory's hair back, my gesture tender. She lets out an even louder sob. 

  ◊     

"No changes?" 

I sigh, snuggling closer to Aaron. His fingers are going through my hair, occasionally massaging my scalp. After our love-making, we just snuggle together on the bed, talking about what's going on now. 

I am somehow involved in this Braden-Rory drama since I live with her and Braden is my brother. It's also been weighing down on me because all the drama between them made me stressed out, too.

It would be terrible if Braden and Rory had to avoid each all the time. It would be even worse if Rory moved out.

Aaron has been really supportive, though. 

"Braden came here today, actually. They briefly saw each other and ... it didn't go that well. It made the situation even worse, actually," I explain to Aaron.

He wraps his arm around me now, kissing my forehead. "Let them solve this out by themselves. They have to do this by themselves."

I smile against his chest. "Yeah. You're completely right. Although it's really hard to see them so sad." 

Aaron suddenly rolls me on my back, leaning over me. "Don't stress yourself this much. I'll help you with forgetting about it for a little while, what do you think?" 

He's nuzzling my neck already and I have to let out a chuckle. 

Posted this, now I have to go back to writing the essay about holocaust. Fun, huh? 

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