I had been in school for almost a full semester, and the guys were still working on their album. It was the Friday before Thanksgiving, and I was currently sitting in Jimmy and Leana’s living room with the girls, planning our Thanksgiving dinner. “Okay,” Val started. “I’m going to make the turkey, Lee’s doing the ham, and we’re all bringing a side and dessert. Question is, who’s going to host?” “I’ll do it.” Lily spoke up from her spot next to me on the chaise. “I’ve always wanted to host Thanksgiving dinner. Zack won’t mind.” “Okay, dinner at Zack and Lil’s. Works for me.” Val said, writing on her notepad. “Brook, make sure Brian calls his dad, Lil, make sure Zee calls his parents too. I’ll invite the Berrys, that should be everyone.” She said, reading off her paper to herself. “Yep, that’s it. Okay, are we going Black Friday shopping?” “Hell yeah we are.” Leana said with a laugh. “Even if we don’t shop, we can go and laugh at everyone else.” “Yeah, besides the guys will be up all night playing video games anyway.” Lacey said with a laugh, remembering last year’s Thanksgiving dinner, where the guys stayed up until four AM at Matt and Val’s house, playing Madden and Guitar Hero, being as loud as they possibly could. All of us girls were piled in Matt and Val’s bed, watching movies and gossiping. “Even if we don’t go shopping, it will be nice to just have girl time, we haven’t had it with all five of us in so long.” I said. “Yeah Bean’s right, it has been forever.” Val said, nodding her head. Just then the door opened, and all the boys came running into the living room. “Who hey there superheroes, is something on fire?” Lily asked with a laugh. “No, but we do want to take you girls out. Everyone go home and get dressed, we’re going to dinner and karaoke.” Matt said with a huge grin. “Once we get to the karaoke bar something will be on fire. The roof! Tha roof, tha roof, tha roof is on FIAAH!” Jimmy sang as loud as he could, causing everyone to laugh. “Okay there Jimbo, I’m going home to get dressed.” I said, kissing his cheek. “I’m right behind you babe. We can all meet up at our place and ride together.” Brian said to Matt, following me out the door.

I got home and showered, which took longer than expected because Brian decided to join me. I hopped out and threw my hair in a towel and pulled Brian’s robe around me. “Hey, what about me? Why not use yours?” he whined. “Brian, you rarely ever use this robe, and it’s bigger and warmer.” I said, walking toward the closet. “Hmm. Options options options.” I muttered to myself, looking around. “Here. Wear this.” Brian said, pulling out a dark red tank top with skulls printed on it. “You don’t need to dress up all fancy, you’re just gonna get drunk and smell like cigarettes. Besides, you always look beautiful to me.” he explained, kissing my cheek. “Okay, I’ll wear this.” I said, grabbing the tank, a black one to go under it, and my underwear and ripped capris. I put my clothes on, quickly applied makeup, and put scrunched my hair with gel and hair spray. I grabbed my black diamond earrings and my cameo skeleton necklace and I was done. I went and put my favorite gladiator sandals on my feet and went to find Brian. “Baby? Where are you?” I asked, walking downstairs. “In the kitchen, I made you a drink.” he said, walking out with two plastic cups in his hands. “Oh thank you baby.” I said, taking a sip. “Mmm. Rum and Coke, my favorite.” I said, pulling him into a kiss. “You’re welcome my beautiful girl.” He leaned in and kissed me passionately, I sat my cup down and wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. We were interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. “Ugh. Fuckers have perfect timing.” I grumbled, picking up my drink and walking to the door. “Welcome to Casa de la Syn.” I said, opening the door to reveal Johnny and Lacey. “Oh yea, looks like you were getting a taste of Syn.” Johnny said with a laugh, causing Lacey to smack his arm.” “Shut up Seward. You’re just jealous cause I wasn’t making out with you.” I said with a smirk. “Oh holy shit, who told you? Lace, did you tell her I wanted to bang her?” he asked with mock surprise. “Shut up short shit, I’ll kick your ass.” Brian said with a laugh as we all walked into the kitchen. “Okay, who wants a drink?”

By the time we left the house everyone had a pretty good buzz going, so we decided we would call a cab to get to the restaurant and karaoke bar. After a delicious dinner at the Steakhouse, we headed straight to the Johnny’s bar, which was hosting a karaoke night. Luckily everyone there knew us, so we weren’t carded. The alcohol was flowing, and everyone was having a great time. The guys kept buying drinks for all us underage kids. Jimmy, Johnny, Zack, Matt, and Brian all got on stage and sang Lil Jon’s “Get Low,” which had all of us girls laughing hysterically. Leana, Lacey, and Val all sang some terrible Taylor Swift song, I was laughing so hard I was crying. “Oh my god” I said in between laughs, “they’re fucking terrible.” “Oh yea? Let’s see what you got there Bea.” Jimmy said with a laugh. “Okay, deal. Come on Lil.” I said, pulling my best friend out of her chair. We had gotten to the stage as soon as the girls had finished their song, and they knew exactly what we were going to sing. “Oh man this is gonna be good.” Lacey said with a chuckle. Lily and I got on the stage and grabbed our mics. The music started and I looked over at our table, who were all laughing. They knew “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” was our favorite Journey song, and we sang it all the time. I started us off, “You make me weep. I wanna die. Just when, you said we’d try. Lovin’, touchin’, squeezing’ each other.” Then Lily came in “When I’m alone, all by my self. You’re out with someone else, lovin’, touchin’, squeezing’ another.” we both sang. “You’re tearing me apart every every daay, you’re tearing me apart, oh girl what can I say? You’re tearing me apart.” Then it was just me again. “It won’t be long girl, til you’re alone when you’re looooover. Oh he hasn’t come home, cause he’s lovin’, touchin’ oo he's squeezin' another. He's tearin you apart, every every day he's tearin you apart, oh girl what can you say? 'Cause he's lovin', touchin' another. Now it’s your turn girl to cry” and Lil came back in and we both sang the rest of the song. The song ended and we had huge smiles on our faces, and the other girls came back on stage and we all sang “I Love Rock N Roll” as loud as we could. Once we were finished singing we all went back to the table, laughing the entire way. “Wow, great job girls.” Matt said with a laugh. “Thank you, thank you.” I said with a bow. We stayed for a few more hours at the karaoke bar before we decided to call it a night and head home.

Brian and I were walking into our bedroom to change into pajamas when I said “Ugh, you were right. I reek of cigarette smoke. I think I need another shower.” “Go ahead baby, I’m gonna lay down and watch some tv.” Brian said, changing into a pair of basketball shorts. “Okay babe, I’ll hurry.” I went into the bathroom and stripped down and quickly showered, once again using Brian’s robe when I was finished. I opened the door to get pajamas out of the closet and noticed Brian was sound asleep. I smiled softly and walked to the closet, grabbing a pair of underwear and one of Brian’s old tee shirts. I climbed and bed and snuggled close to my boyfriend, inhaling his scent of cologne, cigarettes, and Jack Daniels, and drifted off to sleep.

“Baby, wake up, did you hear that?” I heard Brian whisper, while shaking me. “Bri? What’s going on?” I asked sleepily. “I think someone is trying to break in. I’m gonna call 911.” “Bri-” I was interrupted by a crash downstiars, making me jump and cling to Brian. “Ssh babe, take your phone and go hide in the space in the closet. Call 911, and call Jimmy to come pick you up.” He said, kissing me and placing my phone in my hand. “Brian, no way, I’m not going to just leave you out here alone.” I argued. “Brooklyn, please, I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.” There was more crashing coming from downstairs and tears started rolling down my cheeks. “Baby please, just go in the closet. I love you Brook, I love you more than life.” Brian said, kissing me passionately. I tiptoed over to the closet and hid in the small cubby hole in the back. I quickly called 911 and then called Jimmy. “Brook? It’s like 4:30, why the hell are you calling?” “Jim” I sobbed quietly. “Someone is in the house. Brian made me hide in the closet, I’m so scared Jimmy. I called 911, they’re on their way.” “Brook, you stay right there in that closet, I’m on my way.” Jimmy said before hanging up. I sat there in my little whole, clutching my phone tightly to my chest and praying that Brian stays safe when I hear voices. “Where the hell is she Haner?” “Jamie? What the hell are you doing?” Brian asked calmly. “I’m here to get what’s mine, now where is she?” Jamie asked angrily. “Whoa, hey man, put down the gun, we can talk about this.” Brian said as I choked back a sob. “I swear to god Haner, if you don’t tell me where she is in the next five fucking seconds Avenged Sevenfold will be looking for a new guitarist.” Jamie threatened violently, and I sprung out of my hole and ran toward the bedroom “I’m here! I’m right here just please leave Brian alone” I sobbed, holding my hands up when he pointed the gun toward me. “Brook! What are you doing? I told you to stay in there!” Brian said, fear lacing his voice. “Brian, he was going to kill you. I wasn’t going to let that happen.” I said, tears falling down my face. “Yeah yeah, this is great and all, let’s go Brook. We’re leaving.” he said, gesturing toward the door with his head. I looked at Brian hesitantly, and he had tears rolling down his face and he was shaking his head no, begging me to stay. “NOW!” Jamie barked, causing me to jump and move toward the door. “Brook-” Brian started to walk toward us. “No Haner!” Jamie shouted, firing the gun. “NO! BRIAN! Jamie are you fucking crazy?!” I shouted running over to Brian. “Oh god, baby I’m so sorry.” I sobbed, seeing that he was shot in the leg. “I’m so so so sorry Brian.” “Brook let’s go, now.” Jamie said angrily. “You’ll be the next one I shoot, and you won’t get as lucky as Haner here did.” I looked at Brian with wide eyes. “Go baby, I love you.” he grunted. “I love you Brian, with my whole heart.” I said, kissing his forehead then standing up. “Okay,” I said calmly, “let’s go.” As we were walking down the stairs Jimmy walked in the front door. “Don’t move Jimmy.” Jamie warned, holding the gun to my head. “Oh my god. Brook. Jamie, what the fuck are you doing? Do you think she’s going to want to date you now that you’ve scared the shit out of her?” Jimmy asked, holding his hands up. “I refuse to see her with the likes of Brian Haner.” He spat, saying Brian’s name like it was some sort of disease. “If I can’t have her no one can. Now move Sullivan.” I looked Jimmy, my eyes pleading him to do something. Stall. Anything until the cops got here. “Wait a second, where’s Brian?” Jimmy asked frantically. “He’s in the bedroom bleeding out of his leg.” Jamie said with a laugh. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.” “Come on Jamie, we can talk this out rationally. It doesn’t have to be like this.” Jimmy pleaded. “Sullivan, MOVE!” Jamie barked, “Brooklyn, sweetheart, please ask your idiot brother to move.” he seethed, “JimJam, it’s okay, I’ll be okay.” I said softly. “I love you Jimbo. Take care of Brian for me.” I sobbed. “Bea, no. Baby, come on, you’re gonna be okay. I love you sis.” Jamie huffed and drug me out the door. We were halfway down the driveway when the police appeared, lights flashing and sirens blaring. “You called the fucking cops?” Jamie shouted at me, pulling my hair. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know who was in my house!” I sobbed. “Sir! I’m going to ask you to put the gun down!” The officer shouted, pulling his pistol out. “Well, I guess it ends here. Just know that I loved you Brooklyn Sullivan. I loved you more than Brian Haner ever will.” Jamie said, putting the gun to his own head and pulling the trigger, causing blood and brain matter to shower all over me. I stood in the same spot, screaming and crying for at least five minutes. An officer came up to me to calm me down. “Ssh, mam you’re okay, It’s all going to be okay. Is there anyone else in the house?” When he asked that question my mind instantly snapped back into focus. “Brian.” I whispered, “Oh my god, Brian! My boyfriend! He was shot!” I shouted, taking off into a sprint back into the house and upstairs. “Brian! Jimmy!” I screamed, stumbling and sobbing as I ran. “BRIAN!” I shouted, getting closer to the bedroom, smacking right into Jimmy’s chest. “Brook. Oh my god. Oh my god you’re okay.” Jimmy sobbed, and hugged my tightly. “Oh Brook, I’m so glad you’re okay.” “Jimmy, Brian. Is Brian okay?” I asked, looking up at my brother. “Baby.” I heard Brian croak from inside the bedroom. “Brian. Oh shit. I thought I was never going to see you again.” I said, as I ran to him sobbing and clinging to his body. “Are you okay baby?” “Why are you even asking me that question?” I said with a weak laugh, “You were the one who was shot.” “I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about my girl.” he smirked. “Oh Brian, I love you so fucking much.” I sobbed into his chest. The police and an EMT came upstairs with a stretcher and loaded Brian up. “We’re right behind you baby, I love you.” I said to Brian, as he was loaded up into the ambulance. “I love you too baby girl. See you at the hospital.” Brian said, as the doors closed. I walked back into the house and back upstairs, quickly pulling on a pair of sweatpants. “Okay Jim, let’s go.” I said, getting into my brother’s car. “Brook. I’m so glad you’re okay. I was terrified that I was going to lose you tonight. I can never lose you Brooklyn.” he said, choking on his tears. “Jim, I’m okay, everything is going to be okay, now let’s get to the hospital to make sure Brian is okay.” I said, grabbing his hand as he started the drive toward the hospital.

Notes

Ahh! Sorry I haven’t updated in forever! Hopefully this chapter will make up for it! Thanks for reading and reviewing!