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Chapter 6 - Confused.

   The next morning, we went upstairs, Jean was sitting at the kitchen table with Red's mom, they were drinking coffee.

   "Good morning Brooke," Jean started, taking a sip from her cup, "How was your sleep?"

   I shrugged, sort of surprised at her presence. "It was okay."

   She smiled, "I've been talking to Chris for the past few hours, about Caroline."

   I glanced at the clock, it was almost 1:00.

   I shifted uncomfortably, "And?"

   Jean stared at her cup, "If she gives you any trouble… Chris has agreed to let you stay with her until you feel safe… I'll talk to Caro—"

   I cut her off, " NO! Don't talk to her, it's okay, really."

   Jean raised an eyebrow, "Why are you so skiddish?"

   I shrugged, glancing at Red, blushing slightly, "I dunno…"

   "Brooke… are you alright?" she continued.

   I nodded.

   Red casually wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I wasn't sure if I regretted what happened last night or not.

   Jean stared at me, "Okay…"

   Red smiled, "Uhh… Brooke, you want to go finish painting?"

   I nodded.

   Jean yelled after us, "I want you to try staying home tonight Brooke!"

   I pretended I didn't hear her.

   Red closed the door and opened the window wide, sitting down on the garbage bags and watching me closely, "Are you alright Brooke?"

   I couldn't look at her, "Uhh… yeah" I said, running my fingers through my hair and shifting nervously.

   She sighed, "I'm sorry…"

   My eyes went wild, they shifted frantically, "Sorry for what? You didn't do anything…"

   She shook her head, "I pressured you."

   I laughed too loudly.

   She looked confused, "Brooke… seriously you're starting to worry me… are you alright?"

   I laughed again, "Yeahh I'm good! My sister wants to murder me cause she thinks I'm a lesbian, which I'm not. Actually I'm not so sure anymore about that because I've liked you since the day I picked up your book, and now I've kissed you and it's changed everything and I just want to be your friend but I'm confused because I like you… I lik—" I continued, breaking down into tears and sobbing, "I think I love you Red…"

   She listened silently, nodding, "I know…"

   "You Know?" I wailed, bewildered.

   She nodded.

   I cried out, "How!?"

   She smiled a little, "When Caroline asked you if I was your girlfriend… You looked at me…"

   "So?" I whispered, staring at the floor, "I look at a lot of people…"

   "I can tell, Brooke…I'm not stupid, you know that."

   I sighed, "No… you aren't"

   "So what's wrong with loving me then?"

   "Nothing… I… Caroline… She…"

   Red stood, her eyes darkening, "Fuck Caroline! Okay? Fuck her. She doesn't mean anything to me, she's nothing! She's a Bitch! And she thinks she's better than you but she's not!"

   My eyes widened with fright at Red's outburst.

   She clenched her teeth, "Go home, Brooke… Come back when you're ready. I'll be here." She stood, walking briskly down the hallway and downstairs. I heard the door slam behind her.

   I stood staring at the spot where she had sat for a few stunned seconds, then I was attacked by feelings. I ran out of the room crying, bolting down the front steps and outside, past Red's father and into the trees. I heard Jean and Chris call after me, but I didn't care. I ran blindly through the trees at full speed.