6 The bar

Brooks and Johnny brought Miguel back to the apartment complex and knocked on the door of Miguel's apartment. Carmen open the door and shouted as she saw Miguel, she grabbed Miguel and glared at Johnny and Brooks as she said "I don't want to see either of you ever again!" before slamming the door.

Brooks clicked his tongue and said "I'm not drunk enough for that." Johnny was silent and Brooks patted his shoulder saying "Don't worry about it dad. Migs is a tough kid, he'll be back up tomorrow." Johnny was still silent and just went to the apartment, Brooks looked in the window to see Miguel laying on the couch talking to his mom.

He sighed and went home.

Brooks saw Johnny drinking with a 6 pack of Coors. He sighed and pulled out a can before saying "Make your way to the bed..." Johnny grunted and Brooks added "Or not. Sleep tight, big guy." before going to his room and closing the door.

The night passed

Brook walked out of his room to see Johnny on the floor and his phone ringing. Johnny woke up and picked up the phone before saying groggily "Hello? Robby's not in school? Fishing trip? He'll be back in school, don't worry." before hanging up.

Brooks chuckled and fixed his jean jacket as he said "Aiyo, family reunion?" Johnny looked up and let out a breath as he said "No. You're going to school." Brooks shook his head and said "Don't go soft on him. He's a punk, him and those scumbag friends of his."

Johnny looked up and said "Scumbag friends?" Brooks fixed his hair in the mirror and said "Yeah, his scumbag friends. The criminals. He hangs around with them doing drugs, stealing shit, whatever. Who cares." Johnny looked up and got up the floor saying "I care."

Brooks looked at Johnny and laughed before saying "Not a good look, man. Don't tell him that, he'll blow his top." Brooks patted Johnny's shoulder and said "Word of advice? Give him a good slap and wake him up. Strike first!" before passing him and going outside. Johnny looked at the closing door and chuckled.

Brooks stood in front of Miguel's door and wondered if he should knock or not. He stood there and when he was about to knock, Miguel opened the door. Brooks froze in knocking position before coughing and saying "Yo." Miguel chuckled and said "Hey." Brooks looked inside and said "Uhh Hola Senorita Carmen y... Abuela... Uhh Rosa!" before giving them a big smile.

Carmen and Rosa chuckled and said "Hola Brooks, como estas?" Brooks was lost and looked at Miguel, who was biting his lips trying to hold in his laughter. Brooks coughed and said "Anyway, we're running late so see you both later! Have a good day!" before fleeing quickly, dragging Miguel with him as Carmen and Rosa laughed.

Brooks wiped his forehead and said "That was a good escape." Miguel felt his mouth twitch as he said "Yeah, they definitely didn't notice at all..." Brooks grinned and said "I'm as smooth as a baby's ass." Miguel just looked at him before shaking his head.

Johnny walked out of the apartment and Miguel ran over saying "Hey so my mom said I can't do Karate anymore but who cares what she thinks, so I was thinking we can go ear-" Johnny cut him off and said "There's no more Karate, kid. It's over." Miguel was shocked and said "What about me?"

Johnny said "Find something else, kid." Before walking away towards his car. Brooks clicked his tongue and shook his head, Miguel sighed and said "No more karate..." Brooks looked at him and said "Idiot, you don't know my dad by now? He says one thing and does another. Just show up at the Dojo today. If he's not there, I'll teach you."

Miguel smiled and said "You're a good friend." Brooks almost threw up and said "Ew, bro. Are you gay?" Miguel just laughed and said "You're the best friend~" Brooks wretched and pushed him away "Gross, get away!" Miguel just laughed and they went to school.

Brooks and Miguel went to school and saw everyone laughing and oinking. Miguel said "What's going on?" Brooks said "Yasmine posted a video of Aisha eating cheetos or something with a pig filter. I don't know, I could've done better."

Miguel looked at him and said "Is that a good thing?" Brooks nodded and said "Of course. You could've just-" Miguel said "You know, I don't really want to know." Brooks threw his hands up and said "Alright, your loss." Miguel rolled his eyes and said "I'm sure it is."

Brooks got to his locker and saw Aisha, he looked over and said "Hey! Piggy! What's up?" Aisha looked over and said "Hey! Don't call me that." Brooks tilted his head and said "Why not? Pigs taste good. I can call you marshmallow if you want." Aishas shoved her head in her locker and said "Can you just call me normally?"

Brooks shook his head and said "No can do. You have to get used to your shortcomings before you can conquer your enemies." Miguel looked at Brooks and said "Eh? Inspirational!" Brooks said "I try." Miguel shook his head and chuckled.

Sam walked over and said "Hey Aisha, are y-" he choked on her words when she saw Brooks, he cleared her throat and said "Why are you here?" Brooks rolled his eyes and knocked on a locker saying "This is my locker, princess. Why are you always following me around, I won't adopt you, scram!" he waved his hand like he was shooing away a fly.

Miguel elbowed him and said with a smile "Hey Sam." Sam looked at Miguel and smiled saying "Hey Miguel." before talking to Aisha. Brooks looked at the absentminded Miguel and snapped his fingers in front of his face as he said "Earth to Miguel! Wake up, man!"

Miguel came back and looked at Brooks as he said "What?" Brooks shook his head and said "Man. You're so fucked! You need to be strong! Not a pussy. You're being a pussy right now." Miguel said "I didn't even do anything."

Brooks rolled his eyes and said "You're hopeless, boy. I'll see you later." before walking away. Miguel shouted "What about the Dojo?" Brooks waved and said "Keep recruiting! I might not see you after, just go home. We'll train later." Miguel was confused and said "But you said-" Brooks replied "I know. There may be a change of plans, tell me later." as he left.

Miguel shouted "But I don't have your.." he sighed and finished "Phone number..."

Brooks realized this but he already walked away, he wasn't going back.

A while later

Brooks was smoking outside after eating lunch, Tory was sitting next to him and said "How's it going?" Brooks smiled and said "Good you? How's your mom?" Tory deflated and said "She's okay.." Brooks said hesitantly "I have a little bit of money, if you wan-" Tory cut him off and said "No it's okay."

She turned her head to look at Brooks and smiled beautifully as she said "Thank you Brooks. It really means a lot." Brooks smiled and said "No worries." Tory smiled and kissed Brooks while wrapping her arms around his neck.

Brooks smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist as he brought her onto his lap. They separated and Brooks smiled, Tory smiled in return and leaned her head on Brooks' shoulder. Brooks sighed and looked out in the distance, they stayed in silence until Brooks finally said "Wanna skip and go ask my deadbeat mom why she's letting my brother quit school?"

Tory giggled and said "As fun as that sounds, I feel like that's a family thing." Brooks chuckled and said "You're probably right, maybe you'll run away after you see my dysfunctional family." Tory laughed and snorted, Brooks looked down and saw her red face while covering her mouth and nose.

Brooks laughed and she slapped his chest, giggling as she said "Asshole!" Brooks shook his head and said "I'm such a bad guy, making you laugh. God! WOW!" Tory laughed again and snorted, Brooks laughed and teased her again.

A while later

Brooks found Miguel in the library for class and was going to talk to him, when he saw Kyler walking towards their group. He hid behind a book case and pulled out a book to peek through. Suddenly there was a voice next to him "What are you doing?" Brooks covered her mouth and shushed her as he said "Quiet, Princess. I'm watching a show. Look." he pulled out another book so she could see.

Sam looked and saw Kyler bullying Eli, Dimitri, and Miguel. She was stunned and the three left, while Kyler left with the fat kid. Brooks chuckled and said "The rat is out of the hole. Time for the snake to strike." he nudged Sam and said "Strike Hard, Strike Fast, No Mercy. Go Princess. Do your thing."

Sam rolled her eyes and left the library as Brooks laughed. He turned around and saw Tory, his smile widened as he walked over saying "Hey! Did you see that show? So good." Tory huffed "Yeah I did." Brooks was confused and said "What's the confrontational attitude?" Tory puffed her cheeks and said "Samantha Larusso?"

Brooks said "Ohhhh! I see." he grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist as he said "Jealous?" Tory looked the other way and said "No." Brooks leaned in and kissed her swan like neck as he said "Oh? You sure?" Tory let out a breath through her nose and said nothing. Brooks looked up and snickered at her blush.

He pulled back and smiled as he said "Don't be jealous. Me and the Princess have nothing in common. I like you." Tory looked at Brooks in shock and said "You what?" Brooks scratched his head and said "Did I say I liked you? I meant 'God you're such a porker!'" Tory giggled and kissed Brooks as she said "YOUR porker."

Brooks smiled and pulled her waist as he backed into a bookshelf. They separated and Brooks said "Are you going to take me?" he faked a weak and high pitched voice "But I'm just a little boy!" Tory rolled her eyes and giggled as she kissed him again.

Brooks separated and suddenly said "Fuck!" Tory tilted her head and said "What?" Brooks slapped his forehead and said "I forgot to tell Miguel I was skipping the rest of school. How am I supposed to find him now. Fuck!" Tory said "I can tell him for you. The mexican kid with the braces right?"

Brooks nodded and said "Could you really? You'd really be doing me a favor." Tory smiled and her eyes turned to crescents as she said "Of course!" Brooks kissed her and said "I'll see you tomorrow." Tory nodded and Brooks walked off.

Brooks paused and turned around saying "How about I take you out sometime." Tory smiled even more as she said "Sure! What's your number, I need to see when I don't have work." Brooks scratched his cheek and said "Uhh. I don't have a phone..." Tory froze and burst out laughing saying "Then I'll tell you tomorrow." Brooks nodded and left.

Brooks walked out on the streets and looked up at a bar before walking inside, passing the bouncer a 20$ bill. The bouncer took it and said "Good to see you again, Brooks." Brooks chuckled and said "Family doing well Thomas?" Thomas smiled and nodded, Brooks smiled and patted his shoulder as he passed by, entering the bar.

Brooks walked into the bar and saw Johnny taking to Shannon. He walked over to the bar in the middle of Shannon and Johnny and said "Hey, Terry. Get me a Rum and coke. Put it on whoever she's scamming today's tab." Terry smiled and said "No problem, Brooks."

Brooks turned around and leaned against the bar in between Johnny and Shannon. A fat guy walked over and said "Is everything alright sweetheart?" before Shannon could answer, Johnny said "She won't go down on you unless you buy her dessert."

Brooks added "And three more rounds. Now beat it fat ass, before I break your legs." the man stayed silent and walked back to his table.

Johnny looked at Brooks and said "What are you doing here. You're supposed to be in school." Brooks said "How did it go with the punk?" Johnny grumbled and ordered a drink. Brooks chuckled and turned his attention to Shannon, he sneered and said "Even after I left you're still skanking around here. Looks like you really can't handle yourself eh?"

Shannon was silent and Brooks grabbed his drink as he said "Make Robby go to school. I don't care what you say you can or can't do. Make it happen." Brooks chuckled and drank from his glass before saying "Maybe you'll lose both kids soon. Well that would be better for you, I guess. Then you can sleep with whoever, whenever, without caring if we see you or not."

Johnny frowned and said "Brooks, enough." Brooks clicked his tongue and drained the glass before saying "Whatever. I couldn't care less. Ruin your life on your own time, try not to drag anyone else along with you." he put the glass back and said "Thanks Terry." Terry took the glass and said "No problem, Brooks."

Brooks handed him a 10$ bill and left saying "See you hopefully never again, Shannon." as he walked out the door of the bar. Johnny sighed and grabbed his beer to go as he said "Put in on piggy's tab, Terry. Thanks." before leaving the bar.

Brooks was standing by Johnny's car and pacing around, clearly angry. Johnny walked over and said "Angry?" Brooks huffed and said "Should I not be?" Johnny shrugged and said "You're asking me? I have no idea." Brooks looked at Johnny and laughed before saying "Let's go home, man." Johnny grinned and they drove back to the Apartment complex.

Johnny got out of the car and looked at Miguel's house before saying "Get in the house, I got something to do." Brooks gasped and said "You're finally making a move?!" Johnny looked and him and said "What?" Brooks was confused and said "Miguel's mom. Carmen. You're not making a move?"

Johnny said "Why would I make a move?" Brooks gave him a weird look and said "Dude. She's hot, why wouldn't you." Johnny shook his head and said "Just get in the house. I'm not making a move." Brooks shrugged and said "Whatever man. Hopefully the new girl is a better mom than Shannon." as he walked to the house.

Johnny said "Har har, very funny. Prick." Brooks laughed and entered the house, closing the door behind him. Johnny shook his head and walked over to Miguel's house.

Brooks sat down on the couch and turned on the TV, watching for the rest of the day.