I can hear Brooklyn crying from here, but the usual sorrow isn’t there. She sounds happy for the first time in so long. Teegan has her in the tightest hug imaginable while stroking her short hair, whispering something to her. Seven comes to my side, looking like the cat that got the fucking cream.
“You don’t get all the credit for this,” I point out.
“Sure thing, pretty boy. See whose bed she crawls into tonight.”
“I’ll stuff your corpse beneath mine. Problem solved.”
We circle around Brooklyn and Teegan while still giving them some space. Eli’s arm is hugging Phoenix’s waist as they watch the reunion, both smiling. Kade looks emotional at seeing the two girls reconnect. Everyone is happy to finally have the band back together.
“Girl, where did your hair go?” Teegan laughs.
Face soaked in tears, Brooklyn beams. “I thought I’d steal your edgy style.”
“It suits you.” Teegan looks her up and down. “Damn, I fucking missed your voice. You never called me back.” She glances at me pointedly. “I left so many messages for you.”
Smile dropping, Brooklyn stares down at her feet. “I… didn’t know what to say. An apology didn’t feel like enough. I’m sorry, Tee. I should’ve called after we escaped.”
“I had to hear the gory details from this charming asshole instead.”
“Hey,” I protest hotly. “I kept my word, didn’t I? You wanted a reunion.”
“You did?” Brooklyn blurts.
Teegan still holds her tight. “Now I am offended. I haven’t seen you in over six months. That’s too long for any friend to take. You look so different.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to see me after...”
She trails off, staring at her feet.
“Brooke—”
“We don’t need to talk about this.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Teegan insists, ignoring the shutter falling over Brooklyn’s face. “I never blamed you for what you did. Not once.”
“You should. I hurt you.”
“Blackwood hurt us both.”
Gripping her shoulders, Teegan forces Brooklyn to look up and meet her eyes. Shame is devouring her whole, leaving nothing but pain behind.
“The first time we met, I said you’d be better off sitting somewhere else. Even when I explained about my condition, you refused to move.”
Brooklyn manages a tiny smile.
“Nobody has ever accepted me so unconditionally,” Teegan continues firmly. “Not even my family. They try, but they’re still embarrassed by my compulsions.”
“Please,” she croaks. “Don’t forgive me.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because I don’t deserve it.”
Teegan shakes her head. “We all deserve to be forgiven, Brooke. Even the monsters. That’s what makes this life beautiful. The ability to love, no matter what.”
Like hugging an immovable, stone statue, Teegan refuses to let Brooklyn escape her forgiveness. She snatches her hand and drags her to a quieter corner to continue talking.
I never knew Teegan well in Blackwood. Months of keeping her posted on Brooklyn and our whereabouts has allowed me to befriend her. More than anything, she has a good heart.
