I should’ve never told him that my last name is Brute. Or the last name I was given is. My full name ‘Jenna Alice Brute’ was all I had from my parents, written in locket found around my neck. I wished he would stop using it as a joke. I mean, This isn’t the first time he’s made this joke. In fact, he’s made it 8 times this week! And it is Tuesday!
Huffing at him, I pouted and looked away. “I have to go…” I declared, probably a bit melodramatically. I am a thespian, after all. “I may never see you again. But I have a quest and I must leave. I am sure you will one day love another.”
Thomas snorted and put a hand to his heart. "Oh, woe is me. A lowly Tom-Cat whose Genie has left." He threw himself onto me so I cushioned his fall when he fell to the ground.
I snorted at him. Everyone called me Genie. I don’t even get it. I mean, my name us Jenna. Barely any comparison. I mean Tom-Cat and Tom fit. But, I digress.
“Get offa me!” I shouted, pushing him away as my cheeks flushed. His muscular body was pressed against mine and, oh my god, I both wanted my space and never wanted his delicious form anywhere but on my own. Tom can never be serious. Not even for five minutes. It was basically impossible for him.
Thomas smirked and looked down at me, a strange glint in his eyes. It made my pulse quicken and I had to put a lot of effort into not just beginning to hyperventilate. It was strange, but it was gone as fast as it came and I relaxed.
For a moment I relaxed. After that, his pink tongue came out and licked my face. His tongue had a strangely sandpapery texture. “Ewww!” I yelled, pushing him off me as I wiped his disgusting saliva off of me. “Disgusting, Dude! Why would you even-”
“I can always just come with.” He offered, so nonchalantly as he cut me off, that I cocked my head at him. What? I guess I should be used to this by now. He was always up for anything. No loyalty to a place or his friends or anything. What even makes my Tom-Cat tick? Not… that he’s mine or anything. Or that I even want him to be.
“I…” I was torn. Do I say no? Can I just send him away? I don’t really want to. “Fiine.”
The way his entire face lit up ticked me off for some reason. Idiot. Overly excited, endearingly adorable, idiot. His eyes glittered like precious gemstones and his lips curled into this grin, that I wanted to punch off his stupid face. Ugh. This is seriously unpleasant.
Chapter 2
It took less than a day to pack up all our belongings and stuff ‘em in some bags. We were just orphans without any rich adoptive parents, after all. Tom-Cat had rich folks, but they died and he can only get a little bit of his money at a time. He wastes most of it immediately. I try and give him good advice, but he never listens. And then he gives me this innocent pout that I can’t even deal with. Idjit.
While walking out of the apartment we shared, I carried my one duffle bag. Dumb Tom-Cat kept sending me texts to hurry up. I mean, holy shit. He sent twenty in the past hour. What is even wrong with him? Not generally, because there is a lot that’s wrong with him. But what’s wrong with him right now. It’s almost like he wanted to leave just as much as I do. Which is nothing like him. And he has no reason to want to rush to somewhere that he barely even gets the point of going.
“Holy shit,” I face palmed. So Tom-Cat used his money to get a new car? It’s awful. It’s an ugly incredibly beat up purple thing with cheetah print seats. He probably got it old and ‘pimped it out’ or maybe, he did the opposite? I refuse to call this ‘pimping’. “Are you from the 70s? What the hell, dude?”
“It’s awesome!” He argued, pouting. Damn him, he made me feel weird whenever he did that. How dare he use my emotions against me… without even knowing I feel them?
I flicked his adorable button nose, before tossing the suitcase in the back. “You are an idiot. It’s tacky and nobody thinks it’s cool!” I couldn’t help but reply.
He was scowling now. He's so adorable when he does that. I punched him in the arm as I climbed into the passenger seat of the car. "Dork," I added as an afterthought.
"I'm not a dork." He sounded offended, but from the grin on his lips, as we started driving, I could tell he wasn't genuinely mad at me. “I’m the coolest – and totally the hottest – dude you’ll ever meet! Ask anyone.”
“You think I’m gonna spend my whole life around dorks?” I teased him. “I mean, I once saw you ride a skateboard straight into a garbage can.”
“Aww. Come on!” He was pouting like a child now. It wasn’t fair that anyone can be that cute. Dumb freckle-faced, Dork! “I thought everyone forgot about that by now. I was like, twelve at the time.”
"Sorry, Babe," I smirked at him. “I’m never gonna forget it. It’s too amazing.”
“Yeah, Yeah.” He replied as he continued to drive us. This trip wouldn’t be as long as it would be if I left without him, I could tell. “Of course, I’m not the girl who almost once tried to eat a Urinal Cake because she got totally wasted and was told it was a cake.”
I growled at him, my face turning bright red. “S-Shut Up!” I huffed, turning away and staring out the window. “Don’t bring that up anymore, you clown. I was blackout drunk in the first place! So it doesn’t count.”
The laughter that came from his lips almost made me forgive him. Almost. It is amazing how happy he can be. Especially when he was disowned from his ‘new, loving’ familes four times.
One of the times was something really weird that almost stuck out to me. Something about arson? I brushed it off though. I've never taken much stock in anyone's arguments against him. I knew him since we were kids, and he was a good guy. He was too innocent to have hurt anyone in the past and too kind to try and do it in the future. And if someone can’t see that, I can’t really put much faith in who they are or what they have to say, can I?
“How are you single?” It came from my mouth without the consent of my more rational mind. I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just… I was curious. Not ‘cause I like him! He’s a dork. It’s just, I’ve noticed that some people like him. For some bizarre reason.
“Huh?” He seemed almost as confused as I was when I first figured out l like him. “Honestly,” He gave me one of his most dreamy grins. I felt jealous all of a sudden, and I have no idea why. “I’ve never really been interested in the girls that I know like me.” He seemed to be trying to say something, but no matter what I couldn’t piece it together in any way. “I’ve had my eye –”
“Keep your eyes on the road, Idiot!” I barked at the idiot who was driving the car, as he was starting to drift. How can he be this genuinely stupid? Doesn’t he have any brains rattling around in that silly skull of his? “Of all the moronic, inconsiderate things..” I muttered, looking out the window as I bristled with indignation at how unfair the universe was to pair me up with a guy like that.
Stop looking at me like that! It’s not 'cause he was looking at me like I was special. And my blood was not boiling over the mere fact that he was going to tell me about whatever (stupid, clearly not good enough, airhead, most likely blonde) girl he was into! He could’ve gotten us killed! That’s why I was mad. Get your priorities in order, why don’t you!
His mouth curved down into a frown and his shoulders slumped. Now I kinda feel like an asshole. Well… good. Focus on the road this time. Not on some girl who was clearly no good for you. Usually, he was a lovable idiot, but he didn't feel so lovable right now. Idiot.
The rest of the road was quiet. He had deflated and every moment it pissed me off more. What the hell? He usually never shuts up, no matter what I say to him. He must be obsessed with this dumb girl. I mean seriously, all of a sudden he’s listening to me? What? How?
When it was getting dark, we decided we needed to go to a hotel. I mean, we were already here in Indiana “Uhh, we can go to a nicer hotel with one bed instead of some seedy motel with two. Especially if we tell em it’s out honeymoon.”
It made fiscal sense, sure. Plus, it’s true that it’s not like we haven’t done it before. But still. Just… I
know my Tom-Cat is a cuddler. The idea, of his body pressed against mine, made me flush for some utterly unknown reason.
“You pervert!” I shouted in my shrillest, venom-spitting voice. I don’t know how he makes my voice go to that annoying, almost impossible octave. I punched him roughly in the shoulder. “Now I know why you wanted to go on this trip with me.”
He rubbed his shoulder and whined. He seemed less depressed right now, that’s good at least. “I honestly don’t see what your problem is? It’s not like I’m even into you or anything.”
Okay. I am allowed to be offended by that, right? Even if we aren’t together? Hopefully, I am because I feel a fire lit up my belly as my cheeks flush a deep red. How dare he! He definitely just insulted me! Am I not hot enough? Or funny enough? It’s because he prefers blondes, isn't it! He said that to me once in passing. Grr. This jerk!
“Hmph!” I crossed my arms and turned away from him. I planned to snub him all night.
“Aww. Come on!” He pouted. “Geniiie. I wish you wouldn’t be so mad at you. I swear I’ll stop being such a Brute!”
I groaned at his puns. God. How come he is so dumb? I can't even really be mad at him because it’d be like being mad at a puppy. A dumb, pouty faced puppy. How dare he be so cute and endearing?
“Ugh! Fine.” The smirk on his face when I relented made me want to be mad at him again, but that would be childish. And I am not childish. I am an adult. A mature, grown adult who just went across the country to visit a diner in a state I have never been in, on a whim. Hmm. Maybe I’m not actually that much of an adult.
“Yessss!” He fist-pumped in the air as he drove up to the hotel. This dork. I just knew that this is going to suck. He sucks.
I looked around as he paid for the room when we got into the hotel. It was actually really nice. The air smells like bubblegum and mint. There was an aquarium and everything looked fancy and high class.
Turning back to look at him, made all my thoughts go dark again. He was definitely wasting my time by flirting with the receptionist instead of actually getting anything done. Ugh. I recognize that tone of dumb giggle anywhere. The ’oh, you’re so charming. Why don’t you take me out?’ giggle. The desperate stupid laughter that just made my skin crawl.
Looking out of the corner of my eyes, I huffed. Of course. She was a strawberry-blonde twig thin, overly tall thing with a big rack. Why would I ever assume otherwise? Idiot. I have to put a stop to this right now!
I am not overreacting either. You are overreacting. Great. Now I’m talking to myself like some kind of freak. Greeat.
“Honey. Sweetie Pie…” My voice was sugary, but harsh underneath it. I have always been told I have a tongue like a dagger. He needs to remember that now. That we are supposed to seem like a happy couple in order for this ruse to work. So no one questions why two 17-year-olds are taking a cross-country journey all alone. "Have you gotten the tickets yet? You aren't wasting the time of this nice girl, are you?"
The audible gulp he made, was extremely satisfying. Did it make me cruel to enjoy the way his smile morphing into a grimace made me feel a bit too smug? Perhaps. But do I regret it? Nope. Flirtatious little manipulative jerk deserved it.
Not that I really care what he wants to do or who he wants to do it with. Cause I don’t.
“What’s your problem?” He asked, scowling at me the second the two of us got our moment alone in our honeymoon suite. I knew him chewing me out for being a cock-block was coming, so why is it that I was so bothered about it? It’s not like there is anything between the two of us in the first place. “It’s not like I was doing anything wrong.”
“You were flirting, again! Duh. You fucking idiot. We are supposed to behave like lovers! What about that concept do you not get?” I huffed at my Tom-Cat.
Uhh… Not that he’s mine or that I want him to be mine or anything. I don’t like him that way at all. (And if you really believe that I sincerely hope you never find yourself in a used car dealership. Too gullible.)
“It was just a little harmless flirtation.” He snapped back at me, making me offended. That’s just how he thought about all romance. It’s a harmless distraction.
“Well, it’s a good thing neither of us are attracted to one another than!” I bit out, probably harsher than strictly necessary. I should have been sweeter about it. It’s not like he’s some kind of monstrous jerk. He is my friend after all. It’s just, it really bothered me when he flirted like that. Especially when it was with someone other than me.
The look on his face after I let the harsh words leave my lips actually hurt my heart. The way his face twisted in a grimace for a moment, the light in his eyes dimming. He looked so hurt. And I did that to him. How cruel of a person am I? I don’t think of myself as cruel.
I don’t know why I was so angry with him for flirting. I am so annoyed right now. Especially by the way his expression was altered in seconds. He was back to his jokey self who couldn’t take anything seriously no matter how serious everything was. A jokester who can never be serious or focus on what they should.
Why can’t he just tell me what is on his mind?
I mean, we are friends aren’t we?
“Course not.” His voice was as relaxed as ever at the moment.
I gnashed my teeth. I would’ve argued. I should’ve screamed and raged and –
“I got some beer.” My Tom-Cat teased, holding the alcohol in front of me, smiling suggestively.
Last time that happened, I ended up nude in bed with Tom-Cat. He was too much of a gentleman; he wouldn’t take advantage of his drunk friend. And, well, it seems like he wasn’t interested in me in any way in the first place. No way am I ever going to allow that to happen once again. I won’t ever be that drunk!
Unfortunately, as I have said before, my middle name is Impulsivity. So I, of course, accepted his challenge and chugged some of it.
Chapter 3
She was pushing my limits all over again. My hands itched to grab onto her beautiful body. But no matter how much she asked me to do something with her, I couldn’t. She was drunk, I shouldn’t have let her take a hold of the bottle. I shouldn’t have challenged her. I shouldn’t be here doing this.
But she asked me to come. No… I asked her to let me come. I begged her to let me come. On this journey! The journey is what I meant! G-Get your minds out of the gutter! I wasn’t thinking about that at all.
“Just run away with me.” Her smooth, sexy voice purred in my ear, holding onto me. She pressed her beautiful body against my own. Her whole body was pure muscle and it was beautiful. “I want to feel you.”
“What?” I choked as I looked down at her. Wavy black locks, glossy as ever, resting over her broad shoulders. She was too perfect. Jenna. Jenna. My beautiful-
“I want you.” She told me, pressing her soft lips to my own.
I felt fireworks go off behind my eyelids. Oh my god. I am in heaven right now.
She moaned, and I had to pull away. No. This is wrong. She doesn’t want this. She doesn’t want me.
I’ve always known this. I’ve accepted it. Don’t hope, Thomas. Don’t hurt yourself like this.
I pulled away from her, seeing the hope in her glossy blue eyes killed me. There was a drunken haze over her mind.
“No. We are not doing this.” I told her, pulling away from her. She looked so hurt. So broken. She was upset. I hated it. But you know what? I can’t hurt her.
“Wha- Why not?!” She was angry. She was drunk. She didn’t know what she was doing. “What’s wrong with me?”
"Go to sleep, Genie," I told her. "Sleep it off. You'd just regret anything we did in the morning."
Chapter 4
My head was pounding and my legs were intertwined with his. Did it happen again? Holy shit. Oh my fucking god. I could feel his entire body against my own, feeling my face burn. We were both nude. Oh god. What did I do last night? What did we do? When I opened my eyes, I saw my face was pressed against his muscular yet soft che
st. His pecs were… amazing and I wanted to cuddle into him. Feel him against me.
Oh no. Oh no. No. This is not happening. I don’t like him. I am normal and know exactly what I want.
I know exactly what I want. And it isn’t this. Well, technically it is actually exactly this, but… you know… err…. It’s what I want. But I can’t just have it!
I need to get out. I need to escape him. And his stupid smile. And his stupid messed up brown hair. His dumb jokes and his stupid endearing laughter.
Huffing, I got dressed quickly and left the hotel. I can’t deal with any of this. Any of it! I can’t deal with him. I can’t deal with these stupid feelings I caught and they need to die as immediately as possible. And I will not deal with them.
Because I didn’t catch any. Not really. It’s just my emotions going haywire.
When I stomped my way into the front desk, I was growling in my head. That dumb blonde receptionist. Ugh. She can have him! I don’t want him.
I took the car and drove to a convenience store and huffed. How does he light my blood on fire the way he does? Without even knowing how he affects me? How is he just so amazing at making me crazy?
In the convenience store, I saw something I never thought I would. A woman. Okay, the way I said that was stupid. But it’s this specific woman, I mean. With soft blonde locks, but otherwise, it was my exact face staring down at me. The wrinkles covering her face were shocking. How do I deal with any of this? It… it couldn’t be anything else. They could not be anyone else.
“My baby!” The woman cried. “My Jem- Jenna! My sweet thing. I’ve searched everywhere for you.”
Arms wrapped around around me and I felt so safe and warm, something in me rejected this. It called for accountability. It demanded questions that I know I don’t want an answer to in any way.
I quashed all the confusion and contradictory feelings down into the pit of my stomach, where they would be allowed to fester. I don’t care what the logistics of this is right now, for the first time in my life, I have my family back. The relief and feeling of completion seemed to fill me. And that’s enough. It is enough for me. Even if it’s not what I think I really want.
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