Chapter 2: Brayden

When I woke up the first thing I saw was Ariana. She was curled up against me with her face close to my chest. I could feel her steady breathing against my skin. My arm was curled lightly around her tiny body. But her face was so...angelic. Her face was soft, unlike last night. She was so hard and tough last night but it was fun making her mad. Plus her mouth's as bad as mine. It was weird though. She didn't like my charm, and she even called me out on my bullshit AND she said no when I asked her to have sex with me. I know right, that never happens...ever.

I got out of bed and grabbed my notebook off the dresser. I searched for a pencil and once I found one, I sat back down on the bed were I was laying.

I glanced down at her face again and began to sketch. About half an hour later, I looked down at the sketch pad and then back at her face. She stirred a bit and I shoved the sketch pad into the drawer on the bedside table. She looked at me sleepily and then glanced at the clock.

"The fuck are you doing up this early?" She asked and I smiled at her vulgar language.

"I just woke up," I lied.

"Well go back to sleep or something, don't stare at me like a fucking weirdo," she turned over and curled up next to Brock. (What I pictured Ariana to look like right here! Her name is Claudia Lynx, the only difference is Ari has green eyes.) I couldn't help but smile, she was hilarious. I grabbed my notebook and looked down at my drawing. Thank god she didn't see, I would've died. I mean what would you say if you woke up and someone was drawing a picture of you? Its my dirty little secret. Only a few people know I draw, my family and a few of my closer friends but otherwise, no one. I've never been very comfortable with it, its just a very personal thing. Plus if people knew that I loved to draw, it would mess with my "bad boy" rep.

I got out of bed and walked down the hall to one of the extra bedrooms. My easel was in the center of the room and there were paintings on the floor and walls. There were too many to count. I've been drawing for as long as I can remember but my dad wasn't too big of a fan. He didn't mind it but he didn't support it either. My mom did though, she's all about expressing yourself and my siblings think its cool. Plus it helps me relax or sometimes I just see something and get inspired and I have to draw it. I put the notebook on top of the small desk cluttered with papers and left the room. I walked back into my room and headed straight for the shower. I walked out with the towel on my waist and Ariana was still sleeping like the dead and Brock was just sitting there staring at her.

That's so strange, Brock never takes well to strangers, never ever. He always gets worked up but there he is, laying down just watching her sleep. I rolled my eyes and got dressed. I walked out into my living room and there were a couple of my friends in there playing PS3.

"Have you heard of knocking?" I asked searching for something to eat.

"Your the one who gave me a key," Todd said not taking his eyes off the screen. "Plus you said we could chill today."

"Fuck!" Will shouted slamming down the controller.

"Shh!" I munched on my cereal and they all looked up at me.

"What? Did Elena spend the night again?" Tucker asked raising his eyebrows suggestively and I shook my head. "What? A different girl?" They all came to sit on the stools in front of me and asked too many questions.

"What's her name?"

"How old is she?"

"Did you fuck?"

"How'd you meet?"

"Scale of one to ten?"

"Shit, only one question at a time," I ate some more cereal and they waited for my answer. God they're annoying sometimes, all up in my business. "Ariana, she's 23. No, we didn't fuck. I met her on the street and she's an 11."

"An 11?" Todd looked at me appalled. "She's hotter than Elena?" I nod.

"How is that even possible?" Tucker asked, "Elena is kind of a goddess."

"What's she look like?" Will asked grabbing a bag of chips and opening it.

"Short, green eyes and long ass black hair. Perfect ass to boob ratio-"

"Wait, she short?" Todd shoved some chips in his mouth and offered some to Tucker who grabbed a handful.

"Yeah she kind of reminds me of a kid but her mouth," I shook my head, "She talks like a sailor." The front door opened and I could hear some shrill laughing and I automatically rolled my eyes. Elena and her prissy friends walked into the kitchen.

"Hey baby," she cooed kissing my cheek. Elena's that one chick that you date for a good amount of time and she never really excepts that its over. She's super clingy and she's always all over me. I mean she's a decent fuck but that just about it. Elena does look like a goddess a little bit. You know that fake blond hair, big boob and spray tan. She's gotten work done on her face, boob job and she still gets Botox regularly. She's cool and all but she just so incredibly annoying and fake. You could see her make up caked on her face from across the room, it was disgusting.

"Hey," I grumbled. She's the jealous type and if she knew about Ariana, she'd have a cow.

"What're you guys talking about?" She asked scooting closer to me and the guys looked at me. I shrugged.

"Nothing," I said trying to move away but she linked her arm around mine. We made our way to the living room and then they began gossiping. I hate when they gossip. Its so dumb I mean who gives a fuck about what Paris Hilton did at her cousin's last weekend? I sure don't. They droned on and on. I was zoning out when they all suddenly got quiet. I looked up and there was Ariana. She had a different dress on than last night but it was just as provocative. It was short and strapless, maybe reaching her mid-thigh. It hugged her body in all the right places, showing off her hot body. Her hair had big curls but her hair still looked long as shit and her make up was minimal, thank god because she had way too much on last night. She's one of the few that don't need that much make up.

"Who the fuck is this?" Elena asked, not hiding her dislike.

"My fucking name is Ariana," she said. Tucker looked at me and smiled.

"Well you look like a hooker," Elena said and her friends laughed but I didn't I just waited.

"And you look like someone who sat too long under the tanning bed with a fucked up nose," Elena's hand went instinctively to her nose. It was one of her many insecurities. She'd tried to get it done but the doctor said there would be too many complications. The boys laughed like hyenas, it was rare that anyone stood up to Elena, it about time someone did though. Elena looked at me for help but I shrugged.

"Play nice Ariana," I smirked at her and she rolled her eyes.

"Learn to control your groupies," she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"I'm not a groupie you whore! I'm his girlfriend!"

"And...?" Ariana said shrugging. "What's your point?"

"Brade will just pass you up like all the other whores and come back to-" She stopped because Ariana was laughing. All I could do was raise my eyebrows, I mean it was kind of funny but not that funny.

"You think we," she motioned between us, "slept together?" she laughed again. Ow, way to damage my ego. "Oh hell no! Honey, you can have him."

"So your single?" Todd asked smiling at her and she just nodded. "Well its nice to meet you, I'm Todd." She smiled and sat down next to him and Tucker.

"I'm Tucker," she shook Tucker's hand and he grinned like an idiot. I rolled my eyes.

"Do you need a ride somewhere?" I asked and she shook her head.

"Someone's coming to pick me up in ten minutes," she said crossing her legs and then turning her attention to Todd and Tucker. Elena's friends were just staring at her, I think we all were for some reason. I don't know, its kind of weird. She just makes you want to look at her, she's got an inviting aura. Elena clutched my hand in a death grip. She was pissed.

"Why didn't you tell me you had someone over last night?" She hissed glancing in Ariana's direction. I turned to look at Elena.

"To be honest," I pulled my hand out of hers, "it's not really any of your business anymore, we aren't together, and we haven't been for months." She pouted and crossed her arms.

"Come on Brade," She wined. "You know you'll be coming back to me soon anyway! So why not just get together now?" She looked at me but I stayed focused on the TV.

"That's what makes this different, I won't be coming back," I changed the channel. Elena has cheated on me, more than once. I may be a "player" but I'm not a cheater. What made it worse was it was all over the media and my agent was pissed so we broke up for a while. Then we just got back together a couple of months ago and she told me she accidentally hooked up with another guy but she still "loved me". The funny thing is, I don't love her, I never have. And in all honestly, I probably never will. I shifted so I was sitting a little further away from her. Elena just sat there pouting, waiting for me to give in. But this time I won't, she hurt me and I will not let her do it again. I am tired of her bullshit and I will not be putting up with it anymore. Elena thinks just because she's an actress and daddy buys her whatever she wants that she can walk over everybody just to get her way. She's just used to it though, no one has ever had the balls to actually stand up for themselves or knock her down a few notches. Except for Ariana. I glanced over at her and she was saying something while Will, Tucker and Todd were enthralled in whatever she was saying. When she was done, they all laughed and that made Elena glare at her.

I found my fascinated with her. I mean what prostitute looks that good, her dress was Versace and those heel aren't cheap either. Well she said she was stripper so maybe thats where the money came from. She just seemed a little bit too together to be a legit stripper/prostitute from the streets. The doorbell rang and I got up to get it. I opened the door to two guys I didn't recognize. They were both a few inches shorter than me but then again I was just a big guy. One had really dark hair and the other had brown hair. They stared at me for a moment,

"Is Ariana here?" the dark haired one asked and I nodded with a smile. "I'm Aiden and this is my friend Dylan." Dylan gave me a nod and grinned.

"Come on in," I said leading them into the living room. Ariana looked up at them and a slow grin spread across her face. She got up off the couch and gave Aiden a hug. It was a long hug and I felt really awkward standing there. I shifted my weight and glanced at Todd and Tucker. Their eyes were narrowed and there faces showed every bit of their jealousy. Elena faced seemed to light up as she eyed the two boys. When they finally pulled back they just kind of looked at each other for a second. They defiantly looked like a couple.

"Your making this awkward for everyone," Dylan said, thank god.

"Shut up Dylan," she said looking at him but Aiden was still watching her. "You know you missed me too." Dylan smiled at her and pulled her into a hug.

"Never said I didn't, but you don't want to freak them out, you don't have very many friends," he said and she slapped his head. "Ow!"

"That's what you get," she smirked but Aiden was still watching her. I would've said it was creepy but it was the way he was watching her, more caring and loving rather than weird.

"What happened to your face Ari?" Aided asked grabbing her chin and looking at all the scratches. She pulled out of his hand and didn't meet his eyes.

"Nothing," she was obviously avoiding his gaze but he looked mad.

"Don't lie," he said, "who did it?" she stayed quiet and still didn't look at him. I felt like this was more of a conversation to have in private. "Ari-"

"Goddammit Aiden! It was just a guy on the streets, relax! I'm fine!" She snapped looking at him and he clenched his jaw. He was about to say something but I spoke up,

"Don't worry about it man," I put a hand on his shoulder. "I took care of it." He eyes widen in surprise and he looked from me to Ariana. She looked at me and the side of her mouth twitched.

"Thanks man," Aiden smiled at me. "I need someone to look after her when I'm not here-"

"I'm not a fucking child you know!" She said crossing her arms and Dylan slung an arm over her shoulders.

"You sure as hell look like one," he said and she shot him a death glare. Aiden still gave me a thankful look.

"Do you work?" Elena asked smiling flirtatiously. Aiden shook his head.

"Nah we play soccer at UCLA," He said motioning between him and Dylan.

"OMIGOSH! I know who you are!" Elena's friend Kelly said, "My friend goes to UCLA and she says that you're the best on the team!"

"Please don't boost his ego," Ariana rolled her eyes and Aiden looked at her. Something private passed between the two and Ariana looked away.

"Do you come up here often?" Elena asked and Aiden glanced at Ariana again.

"Only to see my favorite girl," he said looking at Ariana but she still didn't look at him.

"Don't let Ariel hear you say that," Dylan said and I ushered them into the living room where we all took seats. Todd, Tucker and Will looked a bit angry but were obviously jealous of Aiden and Dylan. It was cute. We started talking sports and I was surprised to see the Ariana actually knew a lot about sports.

"How do you know so much about sports?" Todd smiled at her from across the room.

"I grew up with these two," she nodded towards Dylan and Aiden.

"You guys went to the same high school?" I asked and they nodded. "That's cool, Todd, Tucker and I went to the same school. The football players always got mad because we got more attention then they did." I smiled at the memory.

"Same for us dude!" Dylan said, "They are some cocky bastards." Ariana scoffed and he looked at her and just grinned. "None more cocky then you though Ari."

"Don't be mad because I was more popular than you in high school," she muttered and he rolled his eyes.

"You were popular because you knew us," he said nodding toward Aiden.

"Is that why all of your friends gravitated towards me?" she smirked and he pouted.

"Whatever," he sighed.

"Are you two dating?" She looked between Ariana and Aiden and they both burst out laughing. "What?"

"No, we're cousins," Ariana said still smiling. I looked between the two and could immediately see the resemblance. That dark hair and their faces were similar too. "He's like a brother to me." She glanced at him. "Except he's over protective."

"Its not like you don't know why," Aiden snorted and she just rolled her eyes.

"What about you two?" Kelly asked eyeing Dylan's arm over Ariana's shoulder.

"Oh hell no," Ariana said, "He's the brother I never wanted but got anyway." She said playfully and Dylan mocked a pained expression.

"Except you don't do what you did in Cancun to a brother," he winked at her.

"Will you get the fuck over it, it was two years ago!"

"Wait, what happened in Cancun?" Todd asked grinning.

"Well it was Ari's 21st and a whole bunch of us went to Cancun. We had a few too many-"

"More like ten too many," Aiden scoffed.

"And one thing led to another," He smirked at Ariana and she stuck her tongue out at him. "She just won't admit it was the best night of her life."

"Like I would if I actually remembered what happened," she ran a hand through her hair.

"I could refresh your memory," he whispered in her ear and she elbowed him in the ribs.

"Don't be a fucking pervert," Aiden said glancing at his phone. "We'd better go, Ariel's going to be pissed." They all stood up. He thanked me one more time and out the door they went. Even when they left, I found myself thinking about how much a prostitute makes.

"So tell me exactly how you met her?" Todd said grinning like an idiot...still.

"I was walking down the street and I saw her in an alley and this guy was choking her-"

"Wait a sec, he was choking her?" Will asked and they all looked at me and I nodded.

"She was pushed up against the wall and his hand were on her throat so I pulled him off her and ruffed him up a bit."

"What the hell was she doing out in the street alone that late of night?" Todd asked, obviously pissed. I shrugged, I didn't really want to tell him that she was a prostitute, its not really my business to tell. He went on his little rant and I let him. Because if I didn't then I'd be hearing about it on the court. I found my mind drifting back to Ariana, Aiden and Dylan. They were funny, no hilarious. Their relationship was...strange. It was like they fought but they were still super close. I could tell Ariana and Dylan were close but for some reason they didn't seem as close as Ariana and Aiden. It was kind of like they connected on a level that no one really understood.

After a while of chilling, Elena and her posse leave and we had to get to the gym. Even though basketball was a good distraction, I still found my mind drifting to that prostitute.