to the only thing that's true.

so i will not hide

it's time to try anything to be with you.

all my life i've waited

this is true.”

CHAPTER FIVE

What. The. Fuck.

Those three words played over and over again as Brock rubbed his stinging cheek. That sure as hell wasn't the reaction he had been hoping for after he had gone through the trouble of drawing Kansas for five and a half fucking hours. He even willingly broke into the school with his older brother and got two weeks of detention for it. Ever since the start of lunch, girls had been telling him how 'cute' and 'adorable' they thought his gesture was. Which was great, but Brock didn't want to hear anyone else's opinion. He only wanted to hear what Kansas thought.

She obviously didn't think very highly of the drawing because she just slapped him in the fucking face. Seriously, what the fuck? He didn't understand what went wrong. River's plan to make copies and post them all over the school seemed pretty genius in Brock's eyes. He didn't think she'd take it the wrong way. Kansas always liked anything he drew. What was so different about this drawing except for the fact that it was of her?

Brock turned in time to see Kansas rush out of the cafeteria and frowned when she didn't turn around once to look at him. What did he do wrong?

“Kansas!” Jillian shot Brock an apologetic look and then rushed out of the cafeteria after the blonde. “Kansas, wait up!”

Pierce let out a low whistle. “Ouch, man. That's rough.”

“No shit,” Brock sat back down at his usual lunch table. “That wasn't supposed to happen like that.”

“What did you expect her to do, Brock? Shower you with love and affection for drawing a picture of her and then posting it all over school for everyone to see?”

“No, but I sure as hell didn't expect her to fucking slap me for it,” Brock rubbed his cheek again. “A hug or a simple 'thank you' would have sufficed. She didn't have to get all physical and shit.”

“I thought what you did to show her was great, but you gotta remember, man, Kansas isn't used to being thrust in the spotlight like that,” Pierce reminded him. “She likes to lay low. Keep to herself. Yeah, the girl's popular and all, but she's never been the center of attention before. Being with you puts her there.”

Pierce was right. Brock just gave Kansas celebrity status overnight by trying to prove that he loved her. And the only reason people couldn't stop talking about the situation and was because Brock was the first Masterson who tried to peruse a relationship with a girl. He wanted something real with Kansas, something that could potentially last a lifetime, and his peers had nothing better to do than talk about it.

“You're right,” Brock ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe I can get River to convince everyone to leave Kansas alone. You know they'll listen to him.”

“For the love of God!” Brock looked over to the outburst from Fallon Kennedy's table. The girl slammed a fist down on the tabletop and narrowed her eyes at the people around her. “Will you all just shut the fuck up about it already? So he got slapped. Big fucking deal. He probably deserved it anyway. Do some thing better with your time instead of obsessing over this shit.”

“Fallon!” the boy sitting next to her, Perry Matthews, tried to lecture her about her outburst, but Brock saw the girl roll her eyes and then continue to eat her salad.

Beside him, Pierce laughed. “Damn, she's hot when she's angry. You know, I think Fallon Kennedy just helped you out a little. All the whispering has nearly ceased.”

Brock looked around him and the whispering definitely died down. No once dared to cross Fallon Kennedy and for once, Brock was thankful that she kind of ruled the school too. He looked over at River, who was staring at Fallon with a curious interest. Brock never heard anyone but River or Logan command the students of their school, but he heard something about the Kennedy sisters being in a close second, even if he rarely heard about their drama. Brock shook away the thought. He wasn't supposed to focus on the Kennedys or other girls, he was supposed to be focusing on Kansas.

“Remind me to thank her later or something,” Brock said as the bell rang, ending the lunch period. “Right now I have to deal with Kansas.”

“Good luck in art,” Pierce patted his friend on the shoulder. “I have a feeling you're going to need it.”

“I'm going to need more than luck, Pierce,” Brock said to his friend. “With the way things turned out today, I'm going to need a fucking miracle.”

Kansas slumped in her seat, forgetting about the classwork Ms. Johnson had just assigned. She was supposed to be drawing the fruit bowl in the middle of the classroom, but she didn't have the desire to. Plus, hadn't they already done the fruit bowl drawing the year before? Ms. Johnson needed some new creativity. She wasn't that old, so she should have been able to come up with something that didn't involve still life. Kansas figured that the only difference was that they were supposed to put the emotion for their semester project into the fruit bowl. She didn't know how she was going to make a fruit bowl look joyful, since joy was the last emotion she was feeling.

Ugh, the foul mood she had been in was bringing her down in her favorite class. And the fact that Brock Masterson was in the same class and sitting right across from her, didn't make the situation any better or any less awkward. Every time she looked up, his deep blue eyes would lock with hers and then he'd look back at his paper and continue to draw the fruit bowl.

“Alright, class,” Ms. Johnson got up from her desk and walked around the room, placing a piece of paper in front of each student. “I'm sure most of you have seen this drawing already, but I'm not showing it to embarrass anyone,” she paused when she reached Kansas.

Kansas wanted to crawl under a rock after the teacher placed Brock's drawing in front of her. It wasn't that bad when Kansas was in a class by herself, but now that she and Brock were in the same room, she was sure that whispers would start up again. She could feel every pair of eyes on her and she felt goosebumps form on her skin. Brock must have been looking at her too, but Kansas didn't dare look up at him.

Ms. Johnson continued what she way saying. “I'm showing this to you because this emotion has been portrayed beautifully. Do you see how the girl on the paper glows? That is exactly how an artist should portray his subject. Masterson, what was your emotion?”

“Uh,” Brock cleared his throat, “love.”

“And do you believe that the girl in this drawing was showing love?”

Kansas looked up at Brock and he was staring at her, holding her gaze as he answered the teacher's question. “I was watching her do something that she loves, which is art. I was sitting pretty far away from her, but from what I saw, she was in love with what she was drawing.”

She broke eye contact as soon as Ms. Johnson asked another question. “One last question, Masterson. Do you, the artist, think that you showed the emotion of love well in this drawing? Were you feeling love when you observed her?”

Kansas briefly wish she knew what Brock was thinking because he didn't answer her question right away. Ms. Johnson was putting him on the spot, and technically her too, but Kansas was sure it wasn't intentional. She was trying to teach the class something and Brock just happened to help her out with her lesson. Kansas looked up at him once more, his blue eyes still on her.

“I always feel love when it comes to her,” he said seriously, deep blue eyes boring into light blue ones.

“Excellent!” Ms. Johnson exclaimed. “You hear that class? The object or person that you decide to draw has to make you feel that emotion all the time,” she beamed at Brock. “I assume you were going to use this for your semester project, Brock?” Brock nodded. “Draw me another one. With the same subject.”

Ms. Johnson started talking about another topic, but Kansas wasn't paying attention. If she heard the teacher correctly, Brock had to redo his project with the same subject. Which meant that he would have to draw her. Again. “Fucking great,” Kansas cursed under her breath.

“I'll be coming around to check your fruit bowl drawings in a few minutes. Hopefully you've put some emotion into these still life drawings,” Ms. Johnson started to walk around the room, giving her classmates little comments every now and then.

Kansas doodled on her own paper, trying to show that she put in at least a little effort into her classwork. “Brock, that certainly doesn't look like a fruit bowl,” she heard Ms. Johnson say to said boy. Curious, Kansas looked up to see the teacher holding up Brock's sketchpad to observe it better. She didn't know what was on the paper, but Ms. Johnson glanced at her for a second and then back at the paper. “Good work, Masterson,” she handed the sketchpad back to Brock and continued to the next student.

What was on that piece of paper if it wasn't a fruit bowl?

“Kansas,” the blonde looked up to see Ms. Johnson smiling down at her. “You know I never want to embarrass any of my students or call them out, but Brock's drawing of you fit in with my lesson plan today.”

She nodded and offered the teacher a smile. “I understand.”

“Great! Now let's see what you've drawn, you got 'joy', right?” Kansas handed her the sketchpad nervously. It wasn't very good and Kansas knew it, but she just couldn't focus on the drawing when she was distracted. “Not your best work, Kansas,” Ms. Johnson frowned. “I was looking forward to how you were going to make a fruit bowl look joyful.”

“Sorry,” Kansas told her. “My mind wasn't in the right place. Would be okay if I redid it at home?”

“Of course,” she nodded, “just bring it to me tomorrow morning so I can give you credit.”

The rest of the class was uneventful and Kansas spent the remainder of the period on her drawing of the Roman Coliseum. Ms. Johnson rarely ever gave specific assignments during class, so the class was allowed to free draw. She looked over at Brock and he was concentrated on the drawing he had shown their teacher. Whatever was on the paper had his full attention because Kansas sat there and watched him for a good five minutes and he didn't look up once.

Maybe it was wrong for her to slap him after he drew such a beautiful drawing, but she didn't know what else to do. She was angry with him for posting it all over school. What did he expect from her after that? Surely he didn't expect for her to become silly putty in his hands. He could have at least shown it to her in private. That way she could have taken it all in better and people wouldn't be gossiping about her.

When the bell rang, the students filtered out of the class quickly and Kansas took her time cleaning up her area on the table. Kansas frowned when she saw Brock leave the classroom quickly. She wanted to at least apologize to him for slapping him, but it looked like she wasn't going to get the opportunity. Sighing, she said goodbye to Ms. Johnson and left the classroom. The day had mentally drained her and all she wanted to do was go home and sleep.

Kansas put a few books in her locker, but before she slammed it shut, someone grabbed her elbow and turned her around, trapping her in between their body and the lockers. “Brock, what are you--”

He cut her sentence short by pressing his lips to hers.

Before Brock even knew what he was doing, his mouth fused to Kansas' soft lips. It was a move that was probably going to earn him another slap in the face, but Brock didn't care. He didn't know what else he could do to prove to Kansas that he wanted to be with her and only her. If she didn't believe him through his artwork, then she wouldn't believe him if he tried anything else. Kissing her was the only thing he could think of. It wasn't the best way to prove anything to a girl, but he at least had to try.

What took him by surprise was that she willingly kissed him back. Hesitantly, but still willingly. Kansas' hand fisted a handful of Brock's white collard shirt, pulling him closer. Brock smiled against her mouth, surprised that she was being so forward. He made sure to kiss her thoroughly before pulling away for some air.

Brock stepped back and scratched the back of his neck, not daring to look her in the eye. He was waiting for Kansas to slap him again, but when she didn't, he looked at her. She was looking at the ground, twirling a strand of blonde hair around her finger. At least he wasn't the only one who was nervous. The silence went on for a few minutes longer until Brock couldn't take it anymore.

“Sorry about that...” Brock said slowly. “If you want to slap me, you can. I deserve it for that one. I kinda did just, you know, push you against the lockers and attack you with my mouth. I'm not sure if that's considered sexual harassment or sexual assault or whatever, but I think I'm ready for it this time. And--”

Kansas pressed a finger to Brock's lips, which cut off his rant. “I... don't... I'm not going to slap you again,” she finished. “I shouldn't have even slapped you the first time. I didn't really have a reason to, but I was just so angry and embarrassed that you posted that drawing of me all over school. It was amazing and I'm really flattered that you drew me, but I can't handle all the gossip.”

“I know. I realize that now and--”

“And I think that if you and I ever became boyfriend and girlfriend, people would always be talking about us and I'm not sure if I have a strong enough personality to ignore it. We'd constantly be scrutinized by our peers because you're you, a Masterson, and I'm... me...”

Brock frowned. What difference did it make if he was a Masterson? “What does my last name have to do with anything? Yeah, I'm a Masterson and you're a Summer. I have black hair, you have blonde hair. My eyes are blue, your eyes are blue. What are you trying to get at, Kansas?”

“Brock, you and your brother rule the school. You're at the top of the social hierarchy and while I'm not exactly at the bottom or the top, I don't want to be as high up as you are. People watch and talk about your every move. You're the first Masterson out of you, River, and Logan who's looking for a relationship. You can't tell me that it doesn't scare you that people will be watching it closely.”

“I don't care what anyone else thinks, Kansas!” Brock didn't mean to half yell at her, but she was just making up excuse after excuse to not be with him. “Sure, I sleep around and don't give a fuck about the girls I hook-up with, but those girls aren't you. They don't smile like you do, they don't have that little dimple in their left cheek like you do, their laughs aren't as carefree as yours. Do you want me to go on? Because I could stand here and compare you to every other girl in this school, but guess what? There is no comparison, Kansas. Girls here can't hold a fucking candle to you.”

“Brock--”

“River and Logan may never find a girl they want to be with like I want to be with you, but they're not me. I'm not them. We have the same last name, but different personalities and different goals. And if that means I give up all the random hook-ups to be with you, then I'll do it. No matter how long it takes, I'll do anything I can to prove to you that a Masterson can commit.”

“Brock, why do you want to be with me anyway?” she sighed. “Why me? Why not some other girl?”

“Other girls wouldn't understand me like you could. You and I actually have something in common besides the fact that we're attracted to each other. I may try to act all cocky and confident on the outside, but on the inside I'm a nervous fucking wreck. Just give me a chance, Kansas. Give me a chance to prove to you that I'm not like my brothers. I can be better than that. I will be better than that.”

Kansas didn't reply, she just blinked a few times. Times like this made Brock wish he had some kind of super power that told him what she was thinking. The silence was deafening and if she turned him down again, Brock didn't know if he could handle being rejected by his dream girl for a second time. He didn't know if his ego or pride could take another hit like that.

“I...” she paused.

“Kansas, please,” he pleaded. Brock never groveled before, but he would if it meant that Kansas would give him a chance. “I know words don't mean shit, but you'll just have to trust me.”

She nodded, not meeting his eyes. “Okay,” she said quietly. “I'll be your girlfriend... if you still want me to be, that is.”

Brock's jaw dropped. Kansas finally looked at him, and Brock could tell that she was scared. It was written all over her face. There was also uncertainty in her eyes. Not that Brock could blame her for it. He had a reputation and she was probably questioning whether or not he would keep his word to her.

“Are you sure?” Brock asked. “Because I don't plan on sharing you with anyone else.”

Kansas shook her head. “No, I'm not sure, but we can try,” she gave him a small smile. “And I don't plan on sharing you with anyone either, so you can kiss your reputation as a manwhore goodbye,” she told him, a slight possessiveness in her tone.

Brock smiled and cupped her face in his hands kissing her again and again. “You can trust me, Kansas,” he said, smiling against her mouth.

“Ahem,” an amused voice cleared their throat.

Brock and Kansas looked over to see their best friends and Brock's older brother standing in the hallway, smirks on all three of their faces. Brock looked at them and then back to Kansas, who's cheeks were turning about twenty shades of red. It was the most adorable thing he'd ever seen. She shook her head in embarrassment and buried her face in Brock's chest.

“If I'm not mistaken, school's been out for almost half an hour and we should have been home,” River checked his BlackBerry, “fifteen minutes ago.”

“Alright, alright,” Brock rolled his eyes and looked at Kansas. “Oh! I just remembered something,” he pulled a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. “I drew you again. I didn't want to waste time drawing a stupid fruit bowl, so I drew you instead.”

“Brock, tell you're girl goodbye and let's get the fuck out of here,” River said impatiently.

“Hold on, River, fuck,” Brock said in an equally annoyed tone. “Give me a second,” he looked back at Kansas and smiled. “You're my girl now,” he kissed her quickly and walked backwards towards his brother. “You might as well get used to the title because you're going to have it for a long time.”

A few months later, Brock Masterson was no longer known as a manwhore. Much to the dismay of the girls in his class, he was taken and enjoyed having the title. Since one of the Mastersons decided to settle down, there were a few girls who thought that River would follow suit and pick a girl to get serious with. Unfortunately for them, Brock was pretty sure that River already had a girl in mind.

“So guess who River had over the other night,” Brock asked his friends, sitting next to Kansas and kissing her lightly on the mouth.

“Who?” she asked, smiling at him.

He laughed a bit before answering. “Fallon Kennedy. She sat across from me at the table for breakfast Saturday morning. I still can't believe it. Which reminds me,” he leaned over to whisper in Kansas' ear. “When are you going to have a sleepover with me?” he smiled and kissed her cheek.

“Brock!” she hit him playfully in the chest. “Is that all you Mastersons ever think about?”

“No way, babe,” he replied cheekily. “But I'm serious about the sleepover. We don't even have to do anything, we can just sleep. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to try and make a move on you.”

“You guys are so cute,” Jillian gushed, clapping her hands together. “I know I say that every time you're together, but seriously. It's disgusting, but cute.”

“No, Jill, it's just disgusting,” Pierce said dryly.

Brock rolled his eyes. “You're just jealous, man,” he looked over at Kansas. “So what do you say we make use of those janitor's keys and go find an empty classroom?”

“Brock!”

“Kidding, Kansas,” he smiled. “Well, half-kidding. It'll only be a matter of time before you just give in. We've been together for two months, and you should know by now that the Mastersons are very persuasive when they want to be.”

FIN.