Brooke stepped closer to see which one Anna was talking about. It was her K signet pinky ring. She shrugged.“If that’s the one you want to wear,” she said it as casually as she could, but her heart leapt at the thought of Anna wearing it. She felt like how an American teenager must feel about their crush wearing their letterman. It was ridiculous and possessive and entirely unlike herself, but her heart still clamored against her chest at the thought.
Anna slipped the pinky ring on, and smiled at Brooke in a way that suggested that on some level, she felt the same way.“It’s really okay?”
Brooke nodded.“It looks perfect.”
It was just past eleven when they finally emerged from their bedroom. Anna looked proud of herself when she informed Nate that they were up for adventuring. Nate suggested a little local fish and chips shop that was within walking distance. It was a nice day out so they all agreed. They walked down streets that had long since been buried in Brooke's subconscious.
They passed the little park that they had played at as kids. She pointed it out to Anna, with a head nod and the briefest description.“I played there a lot as a little kid.”
Anna lit up about the small piece of information.“Really?”
Brooke nodded.“Sure did. Learned how to swing on that very swing-set.”
“I got in my first fight there, too,” Nate added, lifting his chin.
Brooke rounded on him.“Yourfirstfight? Nathaniel, why on earth were you in fights?”
Nate ducked his head.“I don’t know, B. Sometimes kids just fight. I learned pretty quickly I wasn’t any good at it and stopped.” He let out a dark laugh.“I smoked a joint in that alleyway. Would you like to scold me about that?”
Brooke just shook her head.“No, I think everyone should smoke a joint at some point in their life.”
Anna laughed at that.“I cannot imagine you high. You being drunk is hilarious enough.”
“God, I would love to see Brooke drunk,” Nate said.
“Why is me being drunk so hilarious?”
Anna grinned.“You’re so much less reserved.”
Brooke felt the tips of her ears go pink.
“Oh, this I need to hear,” Mel said.
“I don’t think you do,” Brooke said, quickly. She was suddenly worried that Anna would quote something embarrassing that Brooke couldn’t even remember having said.
Anna let out the cutest giggle.“Don’t worry, Honey-B. Your adorable drunk ramblings are safe with me.” She slipped her arm through the crook in Brooke's elbow and pulled her in closer.
“You two are genuinely the cutest,” Mel said, happily.
They arrived at their destination not long after that. Brooke’s eyes widened in surprise. Harold’s Fish and Chips had been a childhood favorite for her.“I can’t believe that this place is still here.”
Nate shot her the happiest of smiles.“I was hoping you’d remember it. They paid me to repaint it when I was in high school.”
“Really?” Brooke asked, swelling with a bit of pride as they walked into the small restaurant. There were only a handful of tables in the establishment, but thankfully one of the larger tabletops was open.
“Yeah, it could probably use another go now.”
“Nathaniel,” a booming voice rang out from the back.“And who’s this?” Mr. Harold himself came out of the back. He looked the same. Like somehow age had been unable to touch him in this restaurant. He was a round man with ruddy complexion and short, dark hair. He had on an all white track suit under his massive red apron, though the apron did nothing to obscure the massive gold cross he wore on an equally excessive gold chain around his neck.
Brooke smiled warmly, despite being quite certain that he’d not remember her.
“Brooke Kent?” Mr. Harold asked, taking his little food safety cap off as he came closer, tucking it into the front of his apron.“My goodness. It really is you. Dearie, it has been too long. How are you?” He pulled Brooke into a warm hug.
It warmed Brooke's heart to be remembered fondly. She had been worried that this neighborhood would be filled with people that felt the same way her parents had. To be received so warmly by people who had barely been more than strangers was surprisingly touching.“Hello, Mr. Harold.”
“You’re all grown, dearie. And who’s this pretty girl with you?” Mr. Harold asked, turning his attention to Anna.
Brooke blushed. She wasn’t used to coming out. She didn’t really ever do it and it had been so long since she’d had someone to introduce.“This is Anna, my”… Brooke tripped on her words.“Well, she’s my,” Brooke must have looked panicked.
