Hey yall! I just wanted to say I totally shipped Brooke and Jake in season one and was looking forward to seeing them flourish in season two, but sadly he had to die! For some reason I jumped straight into shipping Stavo and Brooke, maybe to cover up all the tears over Jake's death. I was kind of hoping that Jake was red herring and his death was staged to look real but he was actually helping the killer, but sadly he dropped from the ceiling and his guts are still out...so he's not working with the killer- I think it's Kieran or Noah. Anyway, how hot is Stavo? He's so obviously not the killer and he's working on a comic book of the Lakewood Six. A lot of fans think that and it makes sense cuz he's an artist. I ship it. Obviously yall do to or you wouldn't be reading this :)

The song for this fic is Fleurie - Hurts Like Hell

Everyone underestimated me. My dad. My school. My friends. Jake. Everyone thought they knew me. They thought Brooke Maddox was a ditzy, rich, and blonde skank. They'd be partly right. I was blonde. I was skanky, but aren't we past slutshaming? I was a lot of things, but ditzy wasn't one of them.

I scrolled through my texts, hoping Jake would magically text me, but he was being a grade A ass lately.

Maybe it was my fault. Maybe I should've given him the benefit of the doubt at the pool. He'd been there for me more than anyone and those feelings don't just go away. He loved me. He didn't think I heard him, but I did. Besides, I didn't have to hear him say it for it to be obvious. He'd kill himself trying to prove himself to me. We'd been friends my whole life. And there wasn't the Lakewood Six without Jake. As frat boy as he was he was still a sweetheart. My sweetheart.

As I locked my phone with a huff I remembered I was mad at him. Whatever.

I wasn't going to sit around on a Friday night and mope over a guy.

Noah's face popped up on my screen. "Hey," I greeted.

"You up for a movie?"

My eyes lifted to the mirror at the sad sad girl waiting on a guy to make her feel happy. Not anymore.

I nodded to myself in agreement. "Sure."

An hour later I walked arm and arm with Zoey until we stood in front of Noah. And Stavo.

I mentally and verbally sighed. "Who invited the new creep in town?" I looked at Noah. "Is it too much to ask to get a Stavo free afternoon?"

He gave me a smirk. "Sorry, not on the menu."

Zoey and Noah laughed.

I gave a fake smile as I pushed forward.

The clusterfuck of a situation with Seth happened and the last thing I expected to happen was for Stavo to kiss me. Like really? Did there have to be tongue?

With his hand on my hip a heatwave danced up my side. His lips took hold of mine again, and for a second, I thought about leaning into it. When he pulled away his brown eyes grabbed ahold of mine as he wore a smirk.

For a second, my eyes fell to those lips, and then I looked back to Seth.

"My love life is to be determined, Mr. Branson."

Stavo's big and warm hand rested on my hip. Normally, I'd be repulsed, but I was actually grateful for him in this moment because seeing Seth after everything that happened brought back the memories and the feelings we shared. I thought he cared about me, but he was just slightly obsessed with me.

I was done letting men define me.

"Goodbye, Mr. Branson."

I stared at him for a moment longer, letting go of anything else I could've felt for him, and then I headed out of the theater.

Everyone came after me.

"Do you want to call it a night?" Noah asked with concern in his voice.

I saw the disappointment in Zoey's face. Her little crush on Noah was the cutest. Far be it from me to stand in the way of puppy love.

My hand waved it off. "You guys go see the movie." My eyes slid to Stavo's, then back to Noah's. "I'll be fine." I offered a sheepish grin.

"Are you sure?" Zoey asked with a furrowed brow.

I nodded. "Yeah," I grinned, but it didn't reach my eyes. "I'll probably just call Jake and yell at him, so..."

I wasn't going to, but better them think that than the alternative; eating nice cream and watching Pretty Little Liars.

"Kay, be careful." Noah held out his fist for me to pound.

His adorkableness made me happier.

I fistbumped him. "Will do."

Zoey waved. "Bye." She said with a twinge of sadness in her voice.

I waved back. I gave Stavo a parting nod in appreciation for his help a few minutes ago.

I was almost to my car when I heard, "Hey, wait up."

My eyes glanced over my shoulder to see Stavo running after me.

"Yeah?" I questioned with an expectant look.

"You weren't going to leave me alone with them were you? Not fun being a third wheel."

My arms folded across my chest. "Technically, you were a fourth wheel because no one likes you."

His brow lifted. "Oh, is that why you kissed me back?"

A small flush ran over my face. "I did not." Had I?

"We were playing tonsil hockey in front of your ex teacher/boyfriend. I think you can allow yourself to trust me a little bit now. I know that's a problem for you."

I stilled and leveled him with a glare. "Remember when I said you don't anything about the Lakewood Six? That meant stop trying to figure us out. Stop trying to get to know us."

He took a step forward which reminded me of how short I was. "What are you afraid of?" His brown eyes gazed into mine. "That someone would see that you're a little broken? Guess what, we're all broken."

A corner of my mouth tugged up in wry a half grin. "Well, I'm a lot broken, so stop trying to puzzle me back together like you know me."

He sighed as he stared above my head, then looked back down at me. "What if I like broken?"

"Even if I didn't think you were a creep, I'm with Jake."

"Not from where I'm standing. Where has he been the last few days?"

I took a step toward him and placed my hand on his chest. Our eyes locked.

"Let me put it this way, if a new killer started killing off all of my friends again and you were the last person left, not even then." I lightly shoved him back.

A lazy yet cocky grin danced on his lips. "Better get home." He said.

I glanced at him as I walked to unlock my car door.

"There might be a killer on the loose." He did the creepy slow killer wave. "Maybe I should follow you home?"

"Remember when I called you creepy?"

He tilted his head back, which put his adam's apple on display. "Remember when I said you liked it?"

Despite myself, I let a soft grin play on my lips. "Night, Stavo."

I dipped into my car before we could have anymore unwarranted exchanges. Before I pulled off I checked my messages again. Nothing from Jake. At first I thought about driving out of Lakewood and never coming back, but I ended up driving circles around town until after ten.

When I got home the last person I wanted to see was my dad. His No Jake attitude made it really hard to be around, more so than before. So here he was in the kitchen, sitting at the island in his pajamas with a permanently furrowed brow.

"Hi, daddy."

I opened the fridge for a bottle water.

"Brooke, honey," He sighed. "I want to talk to you about you and your friends."

I turned to him. "The Lakewood Six?"

His eyes rolled. "Are people still calling you guys that?"

I shrugged while I leaned against the counter adjacent to him.

"Anyway, you know we increased the police force and security at school. I just want to know if you and your friends feel safer?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's not like there's another killer in town."

He nodded. "Okay, sweetie. You let me know if you ever feel unsafe again or march down to the precinct."

I scoffed. "Not likely. Riley died on top of the police station. The last Sheriff was murdered. And if Sheriff Acosta is anything like his son I won't be making another trip down to Creepville."

He looked at me with concerned eyes. "Gustavo? Did he do something to you?"

I thought back to the impromptu kiss back at the theater for Seth's benefit. Really, it wasn't a hero's move, but a cheap feel up. Still, he didn't have to act protective, but he did. So maybe I should ease up on him. Even so, he was eerily creepy...but kind of hot.

My head shook. "No, he's just obsessed with us like everyone else. No biggie."

"Alright," He patted my shoulder. "I'm going to bed. I have a meeting in the morning."

"But it's Saturday. You said you would start going to see Mom with me."

His faux disappointment rolled off of him. "I know. I'm sorry. This is an important meeting, honey. The PTA wants to plan an annual vigil to your friends, to everyone we lost in the Piper Shaw killings. If I don't attend then it will send the wrong message. I'm not sure how long I'll be tied up in that."

Part of me wondered if he was secretly glad all of that happened because he was able to get out of seeing Mom. Did he ever love her? If he did how could he just leave her there? Honestly, what did I expect?

I pushed off the counter. "Whatever."

After changing into something more comfortable I plopped into bed with a sigh. "What am I doing?"

My phone dinged.

Jake 3: Next time you kiss another guy I'll cut his lips off.

I fought a smile, but it won out. He finally texted me. A few moments later my smile fell. He finally texted me after days if cryptic dumbass Jake responses. Asshole.

Me: You cut up Stavo and I'll cut something of yours off.

This was the day. I actually defended Stavo. Stavo. Well, in my defense he was a killer kisser.

Jake 3: Noted, babe

Annoyed, I was about to click my phone off, but I received another text from an unknown number: Did you make it home safe? - Stavo

A little taken aback, I chuckled.

Me: Yes. Did Noah give you my number?

Him: No. Zoey. A thanks for leaving her alone with Noah

Him: Are you thinking about your deadbeat boyfriend or our kiss?

My eyes rolled. He was so cocky and had no reason to be. Okay, maybe he did. But his hotness didn't cancel out the creepy.

Me: Neither. I'm going to bed. Try not to do anything creepy while I'm asleep.

Him: Noted

For some reason I saved his number because I had a feeling he'd harass me again. Knowing who's harassing you is better than not knowing, right?

I left it at that and let my mind drift to better things.

When I woke the next morning I felt sticky with sweat. My eyes scanned my room until I realized one of my windows were open. Did I open it in the night? Probably, but I couldn't remember ever getting up.

I pulled it down and locked it.

My phone dinged. When would unknown numbers stop harassing me?

It read: Left you a present on the desk.

My eyes went to my dresser, there was a white box sitting on it.

Did my dad get a new number again?

Another text popped up on the screen from the same number: No mas Stavo!

A grin tugged at my mouth. If Jake wanted to bribe me...it might work. It wasn't like I liked Stavo anyway.

I walked over to my dresser and opened the box. A scream clawed its way out of my throat as the bloody box fell to the floor. Along with a pair of lips. Stavo's lips.

A/N: I plan to make this a multichapter fic so look out yall. Please leave a comment/review :) Have a nice day!