10 Chapter seven: Growing bond

The bright sunlight beaming down on Brooklynn's face causes her eyes to slowly flutter open. She freezes being in an unfamiliar environment until all the events of yesterday come rushing back at once.

Thats right, Sonny said I could sleep in his room for tonight. It wasn't all some crazy dream but everything last night actually happened. Cheryl...

Looking around the main color theme seems to be blue and red according to the curtains and covers. There's several skater posters decorating the walls, and a game system plugged into the TV in the corner. His desk is neatly organized with only a few art supplies scattered about, and a picture with a family of four on the nightstand. Sonny's room is completely different from Josef's, but that's kinda expected not really seeing much in common between the two.

Feeling a presence next to her she rolls over, only to see Sonny's sleeping face inches away from her own. Letting out a yelp she falls back off the bed to the floor as he starts to wake up. "You're so loud, even this early in the morning," he mumbles. She can't believe they were actually sleeping side by side all night.

"What are you doing sleeping here?!"

"What are you talking about? This is my room. You're telling me I'm not allowed to sleep in my own bed? And after I was so nice saying you could sleep here too."

"You can't offer your bed to a girl then sneak into it yourself. You could've slept on the floor..." Flashbacks of last night resurface again on just how sad Sonny looked back there. Should she ask him about it? She glances at her guardian yawning and stretching. He seems okay now but...

"What are you staring at me like that for? Do I have a bedhead or something?"

"No, um..."

"If you're captivated by my looks you could take a picture. It'll last longer."

Brooklynn rolls her eyes at his cockiness. "In those cute space pajamas of yours, I wouldn't call captivated the word," she replies with a small smirk. He is wearing a black and yellow tank with blast off written on the front, plus matching shorts to go with it. "I didn't think you would still wear kiddy things like that. Even if it is just to sleep in."

"That's-I mean these aren't..." His face flushing red as he rambles, seeming to have a hard time coming up with an excuse. Sonny's always nitpicking with her, so it's about time he got a taste of his own medicine.

"A-Anyway we cleaned up your room the best we could last night. Do you wanna see it?" She nods grabbing her uniform as they go over to her room.

The broken door is now fixed but when opening an ear piercing sreeching noise comes from it. "Yeah, we got the door in place but the hinges are still messed up. You should really spray them when you get the time."

Inside the room is far better than last night, but much more empty too. There are still some scratches and burn marks on the walls, but all the trash has been picked up. "Sorry, but whatever of your belongings was beyond repair was tossed out. Ron and Jerry said they'll take you shopping to pick out some stuff today."

"Huh, really?"

"We'll go before practice so it'll be cut short, but with not much left to teach you it doesn't really matter."

"Oh..." She kneels over at the corner where her favorite stuff animals were. Now out of her mini collection only two remain. Brooklynn's pink dresser is also nowhere in sight. Must have been too damaged with that last move and got thrown out. She lets out a frustrated sigh flopping down on her bed. At least this is still in one piece.

"All the clothes we could spare is folded up over there. You should get ready, I'll be going to get dressed too. I'm sorry all this went down in your room, Brooke. I should've told you I suspected she was someone from the organization from the very beginning. I guess I just didn't want it to be true."

Just for a moment that same expression as last night is back on his face. She shouldn't have been so stubborn and listened to his warning. "No, you don't have to apologise," she mumbles, looking up to see another yawn escape his lips. "Still sleepy?"

"A bit, we were in here practically all night long so I didn't get much rest."

"If you're tired shouldn't you take the day off?"

"I can't leave you to go to school on your own, especially after what happened yesterday. I'll be fine." He turns to leave but stops in the doorway. "Oh, we have a meeting with the principal this morning before we go to our first hour class. You'll see about what when we get there."

After getting ready the two head towards the school building. He did say he would explain things today, and she really wants some answers. "Sonny, who excatly was Cheryl?"

He's silent for a minute with his expression turning grim. "Cheryl was...a childhood friend of mine. She was three years older than me and a junior at Weinbury high school."

"I can't believe she really was a high school student all that time in disguise. You said that power was  impersonation?"

"Yeah, as you already know we all have a certain ability that appiles to each of us. That was her's."

"You were friends, huh. I know Victoria Lewis was only a facade, but she didn't seem like a bad person."

"Well back at school she was misunderstood by most. Because of her looks most girls were jealous with the attention she got. Assumed things about her personality that just wasn't true. She couldn't really connect with the guys either so it left her pretty lonely. Cheryl might've came off cold at the start, but was a good person deep down."

"It makes me wonder why someone like that would join forces with them in the first place. Just because she was affected by the dark magic? Cheryl seemed like she had some kind of strong resolve when going against us. And because of this reason felt she had no other choice but to fight. Guess it's no way to ask her about that now. Do you have any idea what it could've been?" He said they were friends so prehaps he knows something, but Sonny slowly shakes his head.

"I...don't know but she did seem like whatever she was fighting for was important. I didn't want to have to hurt her..." The mood steadily decreasing and she decides not to pry for any further information. The two walking the rest of the way in silence.

Upon reaching the school they head straight to the office where the agents are already waiting inside. "Ron, Jerry? Why are you here too?"

"Please have a seat, Hira." The principal says, motioning her to take a seat towards the right of them. He's dressed in a black fancy suit and tie. Having short blonde hair and serious green eyes. Rembering what Raylen shared with her this man is Josef's father. It would make sense why they look so much alike.

"Yesterday the dorm advisor got complaints of noise coming from your room that was disrupting students studies. Naturally she went down there to tell you to keep it down. Instead of loud music I was notified that your room looks like a battlefield. It was left in a disastrous state. What happened to your room, Hira?"

Brooklynn swallows thickly trying to think of any reasonable excuse. "I-It, um-"

"She was cooking and it ended up exploding. Didn't think that small fire would spread so quickly." The boy still listening from behind them answers.

"A cooking accident you say. And just how do you know this, Sonny?"

"My room is right next door to her's, so I went to check on her. When I saw the fire I helped Hira put it out. We wanted to tell someone what happened, but were afraid she was going to get kicked out the dorm housing," he says this looking him straight in the eyes. The burnette holds her breath waiting for the principal's response. He's making a look she can't quite read before letting out a deep sigh.

"This is why we don't allow stuff like that in the dormitory. Very well then, this here is for you. It is the money I need for all the damage you've done."

Just looking at the number makes her feel lightheaded. She knows her room was in pretty bad shape and all but this is ridiculous. "I can't afford this!"

"It's me being generous with settling for that price. I'm sure your guardians here wouldn't want this bill preventing you from going to high school next year."

"You mean if I don't pay this I won't graduate?"

"Please understand this isn't what I want to do, but I have no choice. If you need time to get the money together that's fine." She can't believe all because of one mistake they won't allow her to continue on to the nineth grade. Like they need to put up with this after all that went down yesterday.

Jerry takes out a check book this time scribbling something and handing it to him. "We definitely can't have that. This is enough for you, right?"

"This is...more than I asked for."

"I threw in a bit of extra cash so this can stay our little secret."

Mr. Huxley is silent for a moment then tucking the check away in his pocket. "That settles it then. Thank you both for coming this morning on such short notice. The two of you can head to class now. And Hira, please have no more accidents like that again, or I'll have no choice but to remove you from the dorm entirely."

The minute they reach the hall Jerry lets out a groan. "You realize how much money you're costing us, right?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry."

"We're just relieved you both got out unharmed. We're going to take you shopping to replace some of the things you lost after school today," Ron informs.

"I know, Sonny told me but are you sure this is okay? You just had to pay off the principal and then the old man before that," she mumbles, and a heavy hand pats her on the head surprisingly. Jerry giving the girl a large smile.

"It's fine, you are going on a life threating mission to save the world. We can at least give you this much."

Ron pushes up his glasses. "We're both aware the incident that conspired yesterday was out of your control. The agency is simply restoring what you lost, however please be more cautious in the future."

"We will, thanks so much."

"We'll be taking our leave now. See you after school, kids." Jerry leaving first as Ron follows after.

...

"I'm afraid to announce Victoria Lewis has transferred to another school. She won't be going here anymore." Their teacher announce soon as class begins. Whispers spread throughout the room and Raylen taps on Brooklynn's shoulder.

"She transferred? I wonder why? I thought she liked it here."

"Yeah, me too..." She glances over at Sonny who is flipping through his notebook with a hard expression on his face.

After the bell rings Josef walks over while Brooklynn is still gathering her things. "It's a shame Vicki left so suddenly. I assumed things were going smoothly, but I guess not. Well, I wish her all the best. You aren't planning on leaving anytime soon, are you?"

"N-No! Of course not."

"That's good, I'm happy you decided to stick around. We better get moving. I'll see you later."

"Alright, bye!" Waving as the blonde heads out. Naturally the events of last night is still upsetting, but talking to Josef helps take her mind off things.

Leaving the room she detours to the restroom real fast. While fixing her hair in the mirror her magenta eyes catch two familiar reflections in the glass behind her. Spinning around quickly to be face to face with none other than Jennifer and Nicole. "Still talking to Josef I see." The black hair female sneers crossing her arms.

"Either he is just dragging you along like every other girl here, or doesn't realize how pathetic you are." The blonde spats next, her icy blue eyes glaring down at her. Jennifer could be lying but she does recall Raylen saying something similar to this a while back. Even if that is true why are they singling her out then? Just because Josef's been welcoming towards her?

"M-My connection with him is none of your business!" she argues, but the girls exchange looks bursting into laughter.

"You actually believe you have a connection with him! Aren't you in for a treat," Jennifer says in between giggles.

"Yeah, he's just afraid of hurting your feelings because that's the way Josef is." Nicole follows up, the burnette slowly shaking her head at their words.

Maybe Josef doesn't see her like that, but it's no way his acts of kindness towards her is all a facade. He wouldn't have helped her study otherwise. "You're wrong. He doesn't-"

"Look, even if Josef does hold some interest in you, it won't take long for him to realize he can do so much better," Jennifer finishes coolly. Her blonde curls bouncing as she storms out the bathroom. Nicole taking off behind her leaving the burnette standing by herself as the bell rings.

Josef stuck up for her against them not long after she first arrived here. Everything they said is feeble attempts to get under her skin, and yet part of her believes the stuff they spoke is true. Washing her face with water she tries to control her emotions when exiting. Not even having the energy to deal with Sonny's lecture on how they're late for class. Brooklynn speeds ahead right past him down the hallway, the ginger hurrying to catch up. "Wait up! What's with you?"

"Do you think Josef would ever go out with a girl like me, or am I just wasting my time?"

"Only Josef himself would know that. Why are you suddenly asking?"

"I don't know. According to Nicole and Jennifer, Josef would never even consider it."

"Don't listen to them, they're probably just jealous. I don't think he'd keep talking to you the way he does if that was really the case," Sonny says, having her raise an eyebrow. He always seem so agitated with her even mentioning him before, but now telling her something like this.

"You think so?"

"Yeah, you shouldn't let it bother you too much. Now let's get moving, we're already running late." Normally he would have complained the whole walk of her taking so long. Though perhaps he chose to let it go this time when seeing her upset.

...

Just as promised when school ends the two agents take Brooklynn out shopping. Sonny complaining but still decides to tag along in case something were to happen. Making sure the girl stays in budget she's able to buy new curtains with a matching colorful hearts bedspread. A whole new white bedroom set even throwing in a vanity as well. Including brand new television and an alarm clock. After over three hours of shopping they just head out of the last check out line.

"Man, I can see why they say not to tag along when a girl goes on a shopping spree. My feet ache with all of this walking," Jerry groans.

"Thanks so much for everything today!" she exclaims practically beaming.

Jerry giving the younger a small tired smile. "We told you it wasn't a problem. Your stuff may have gotten recked, but at least you got the chance for a remodel."

"Seems like there is still a little time for you to practice, so we need to make haste," Ron informs, looking at his watch.

"Sonny must be happy we can finally leave now...Wait, where is he?" she mumbles, looking around but the boy is nowhere to be seen. He was just standing with them a minute ago.

Oh-no, could something happened like Gores again, or even Duran? Cheryl had said the easiest way to get to me was through him...

Brooklynn is just about to take off to start a frantic search when Sonny suddenly approaches from another aisle. "Hey, where were you? Don't just disappear like that!"

"Takes one to know one. Are you done now?"

"Yes, we'll be dropping you off at the agency." Ron taking lead for the exit and before she can follow after them Sonny catches her arm. Revealing a small stuff animal hidden behind his back.

"Here, take this." Her hands absent-mindedly grabbing the pink stuffed elephant from his grasp.

"What's...this for?"

"You like collecting them right? I noticed them in your room the other day, but most were destroyed and the sales lady suggested this one."

"Thanks, it's really cute. I can pay you back for it." 

"It's a gift just take it," he mumbles, going straight for the door.

Examining the thing it seems to be a normal stuffed toy. Though Sonny just giving this to her with no teasing remarks is strange. Definitely not like him one bit. Is it because he still feels guilty about yesterday? Hearing her name being called she decides not to ponder the nice gesture any longer, hurrying after them out the doors.