Tales Of The Heart

Chapter 1- Home Sweet Home *Brooklyns POV* “We’re here!” Cheered Tristan behind the steering wheel. I poked my head up just in time to see the ‘Welcome to Florida’ sign and let out a sleepy sigh. We had been driving for 20 hours, the trip from Boston to Florida was so painstakingly long that we had to keep trading off for naps. Tristan and me have been inseparable since birth, our parents were best-friends and were pregnant at the same time. Growing up we did everything together, we learn how to walk and talk together, learnt how ride a bike together, went to the same schools and clubs together. We even went to the same college together. Whenever he was I was, wherever he was I was. He made life bare-able and he was the better half of me. Tristan was tall and muscular, flawless olive skin and honey brown eyes, his cheek bones prominent with his chiselled jawline. Compared to me he was a god. I was pasty white, bright pink wavy hair that just reached my shoulders, blue eyes with freckles. I was curvy and short, my height was a constant target for Tristan’s jokes. “Which Family are we visiting first?” I chimed, perking up in my seat. That was the worst thing about studying away from home, we missed our families. We didn’t get to travel home a lot, only for holidays and birthdays, and even then they weren’t guaranteed. I had a big family where as Tristan was a only child, but to my family he was one of us and always would be. “Your saying that like my parents aren’t already at yours” Tristan chuckled, tapping away at the steering wheel. Our moms were like us, joined at the hip. Minutes later we were pulling into the drive, the welcome wagon came bustling out the door as soon as they heard the car pull up. We managed to get out of the car before being bombarded by everyone. “Brook your home!” Screamed Imogen, my sixteen year old sister screamed, racing towards me. I opened my arms and she slid in. “Yeah kiddo I’m home” I teased, she normally hated me calling her kiddo but she let this one slide completely unbothered. “Tristan!” Lucas and Lilly shout, running at him from behind, he immediately broke out into a grin and dropped to the floor with open arms. Lucas and Lily were twins, 9 years old, and they idolised Tristan, Lucas definitely did as he was the only boy. “My little angels” Tristan beamed, they ran straight on to him, clinging on to him as if he was about to vanish. He picked them up, spinning them around as they erupt into fits of laughter. “Welcome home!” Our parents cheered. Mr and Mrs Massey going to greet Tristan as my mum and dad approached me, my sister Kat clinging on to my mums hand. Kat was the youngest of us, she was only 4 and was the apple of everyone’s eye. “Hey” i grinned, hugging each one before picking Kat up and hugging her. “Brookie” she giggled, smearing her hands all over my face. “Hey Kit Kat I missed you” I pressed a kiss to her forehead before putting her back down. “It’s nice to have you home sweetheart” dad gushed, his lips stretched out in the widest grin. “It’s nice to be home” I cheered, it really was, as much as I loved the independence of college and my own personal space, it would never be the same. “Let me see her!” Called a voice behind us, I twirl to see Mrs Massey walking over beaming. “Brooklyn look at you, as gorgeous as ever! You’ve grown up so much” she cried, wrapping me into a bear hug, I tangled my arms around her and squeezed. “Nadia you saw me 8 months ago I haven’t changed that much” I chuckled, pulling away from her. “You’ve got shorter” joked Mr Massey, coming over and pulling me into a one armed hug. Mr Massey towered over me just like Tristan, no questions needed on where he got his height from. “I have not your just some how growing” I jested, glaring at a chuckling Tristan. “Brook just face it your a short ass” he teased, I ran it him but he raced away hiding behind my run down Ford Focus. “Your such a coward, Tris” I laughed walking back to everyone as a distraction so he would think he’s safe. He walked back over to us and the moment he got close enough I jabbed him in the rips with my fingers. He howled in pain before swatting me on the back of the head. “Come on pizza is getting cold!” Mum laughed, calling us all into the house. We all piled back in and into the dining room where several pizzas had been layered out to chose from. I grabbed a plate and went in search for my Hawaiian pizza, throwing a few pizzas on my plate before walking out of the patio door into the garden. It’s was fairly big, big enough for play house and jungle gym set. It’s surprising how long that jungle gym set had lasted, mom had bought it when I was 8, I wanted to go to the park all the time and she thought this would be a good solution. I turn to see the old swing bench bad made for mom when she was pregnant with the twins, she constantly wanted to be outside but hated the sun. I take a seat and give myself a big swing before folding my legs up and relaxing. It was noon and the sun was setting, all the reds and pinks gazing into one around the sun. A mark on the arm rest of the swing caught my attention and I peered over to look. ‘Brook & Tristan’s Swing’ carved into the wood and then traced over in black sharpie. Dad grounded me for a week for that, and Tristan wasn’t aloud to come over either which was the worst punishment. “Knew I would find you out here”. I looked up to see Tristan leaning on the patio door smirking, arms folded to his chest. “Am i that predictable?” I chuckled, shuffling over so he could come sit next me. He walked over and took a seat, laying one arm over the back of the chair behind me. “Want the truth or the lie?” He mocked, I flung myself elbow into his ribs. “That was a cheap shot Brooke” he howled and I burst out laughing, the twisted expression on his face to funny to be taken seriously. I stared off into the sunset, taking a smile bite out of my pizza. “I have missed being home, it’s going to be weird when we move out” I sighed, we were staying at home temporarily until the flat we are renting was available. As much as I loved my own space, I loved my siblings so much. “It’s gonna take alot of getting used to Brook but we can do it, we always have” he assured me, taking my hand in his squeezing it gently. “Wanna help me out the kids to bed?” I ask turning to him, he instantly beams. “Dibs on the twins!” He jumped up and raced in through the patio door, leaving me giggling behind. We walk in and I grab a sleepy Kat off of the sofa while Tristan persuaded the twins to go get changed and brush their teeth before their bedtime story. Bedtime story’s by Tristan were everyone’s favourites, he would put on all of the voices and always give in when they ask for one more chapter. Kat’s head lay sleepily on my shoulder as I took her up the stairs and into her room. I managed to change her into pyjamas before she collapsed asleep, ticking her in and switching on her night light before leaving the room, keeping the door open ever so slightly. I walked to the twins room and they were tucked up in their beds, Tristan sat in between on a bean bag reading them a story. They were so immersed they didn’t even realise I was stood at the door till I cleared my throat. “What we reading tonight?” I walked in and perched myself on the end of Lucas’s bed. “Harry Potter and the half blood Prince!” Cheered Lily, she was obsessed with the series and always made Tristan read it to her whenever we visited. “We’ll carry on them” I ordered, relaxing myself. Tristan carried on reading, the twins weee hanging on to his every word and so was I. Two chapters later they were eventually asleep, we retreated out of the room quietly. Tristan went down stairs and I knocked on Imogen’s door to check in on her. “Come in!” She called, I opened the door a peered in. “Hey kiddo just checking in, what you doing?” I asked, she was sat at her desk typing furiously on her laptop. I slid in closing the door and walked over towards her. “It’s a new app, it lets you talk to people in the same country as you within your age group under a different username” she explained, showing off all the different aspects of the app. “Pass me your phone” she laughed, holding her hand out. I slide my phone out of my pocket, unlock it and hand it over. She presses a few buttons and then hands me the phone back, the app open. “Now you create a name and can chat with people everywhere and none will know it’s you” she smiled, closing down her laptop before climbing into bed. “Thanks kiddo, I’ll see you in the morning okay” i chuckled, she scowled at me before throwing the quilt over her face. I left her room but stood at the door trying to think of a name to put in. I decided on ‘Lynx’ just because they were one of my favourite animals. After setting the profile up I put my phone away and headed downstairs to say goodbye to the others. When I came down the stairs they were all sat in the living room laughing at the tv. I didnt notice what was playing until I got closer, they were home movies of me and Tristan as kids. I settled down next to him on the sofa, relaxing my head on his shoulder, to which he’s rested his head on mine. A video of me and Tristan at the zoo came on, we were looking at the lions when one of them had roared and scared me and I burst into tears. Everyone watching was in laughter, my cheeks went a vivid red, I know I was only young but still the embarrassment remains. “Look at how cute you were” Tristan munched me smirking. “I know i was” laughing at him, it was very rare Tristan ever complements me but I barely ever take him seriously. A hour later our parents ran out of footage to obsess over, they got up to say goodbyes. I turned to Tristan but he was already looking down at me grinning. “First night in 4 years we aren’t sleeping under the same roof, how will I cope” he said over dramatically clutching at his heart. I scoff and roll my eyes at him, he should of majored in drama because he was the queen of it. “You have a phone and it’s only for a couple of nights I think you’ll manage” i teased, we stood up and he pulled me into a bear hug. He was so much taller then me I was just hugging his stomach. “I’m gonna miss you Brooke” he muttered, pressing his cheek to the top of my head. I shuffle on meet feet, glad that he can’t see my cheeks flushing. “I’m gonna miss you to Tris” I mumble, it was going to be strange sleeping here again, not being able to wonder into his room at god knows what time in the morning because I can’t sleep. “Call me if you need anything okay, I’ll answer in a heartbeat” he reassured me, as if reading my mind. “I know you would Tris” he hold him tighter, not wanting him to leave, he stroked my back calmly. “Come on Tristan” his mum called and we reluctantly pulled apart, he looked down at me and I tried my best to smile. He waved goodbye to my parents and I walked him to the door. He waved me goodbye and climbed into his parents car, I stayed at the door untill I couldn’t see the car anymore. I close and lock the door, mum and dad had already gone up to bed so I walked up the stairs. I walked past the kids room and listened to make sure they were all still asleep before stopping outside my old room. Pushing the door open, I stepped in shocked, the room had not changed the last 4 years I had been gone. My Paramore, Fall Out Boy and Panic At Disco posters still littered the walls aswell as photos of me and the family and loads of me and Tristan. I walked over to my desk that was littered with old books and scraps of paper, I giggle to myself remembering all the late night studying sessions with Tristan in this room, revising for our high school exams. I then turn to my bed, the same purple bedding covering the sheets. I collapse on to it, falling into the soft sheets. My phone buzzed, reaching into my pocket i pulled it out. There was a notification from that anonymous app, WhatSpace. Mars : What a interesting name, after the animal or the body wash? I giggle to myself, thinking of what to type. Lynx: That’s for you to decide, what about you? The planet or the chocolate? I lie down waiting for a reply, instead I get a message from Tristan. Tris: This feels weird Brooke :( x Brooke: Yeah it does doesn’t it :( x I groan to myself, throwing my phone on the bed. Going to my cases in the corner of my room, Dad must have brought them up. I open one and pull out one of Tristan’s T-shirts and some underwear. I walk into my en-suite and see bath products littered around the room, Imogen must use this bathroom to get away from everyone else, she always used to when I lived here. I start running a bath and pour in some bubble bath before leaving to go check on my phone. Mars: The planet, however now you’ve got me wanting a Mars bar! I bite down on my lip, trying not to laugh. Lynx: Well isn’t that sad, I might have one downstairs. I place my phone on the sink as I undress, throwing my old clothes into the washing basket in the corner of the room. I turn off the water and sink in, letting the steaming hot water simmer my body. Tristan would say I’m mad for having piping hot baths, but I enjoy the heat and was disgusted to find out that he has cold showers. After letting myself stew for a moment I pushed myself under the water to soak my hair. I was my body and hair in record time before climbing out and emptying the bath. I learnt over my phone and had two messages, I click on the one from Tristan. Tris: Going bed Brooke, love you x My heart flutters, Tristan always says love you before he goes to bed, he’s made it a tradition since we moved in together at college, even if I wasn’t staying in our dorm he would always text me goodnight and love you. I know he meant nothing by it and he only sees me as a friend, but it still warmed my heart to know a part of him loved me. Brooke: Goodnight Tristan, love you x I close down the text tab and pull up a message from Mars. Mars: Sorry to keep this interaction short but I’m going to bed, talk tomorrow? I stare at the message from Mars, he still wants to talk to me? Lynx: Ofcourse, goodnight Mars. A few seconds later another message appeared. Mars: Goodnight Lynx. I grinned, plugging my phone charger in next to my bedside table, plugging my phone after. I threw on some clean matching underwear and Tristan’s T-shirt, it was way to long on me and hugged my curves. I climbed into bed, getting myself comfy. I closed my eyes and sleep took me within minutes.