Once Upon a Stream ● dreamwastaken

chapter 5

"Look who's jumping to his defense!" she cheered, bouncing up and down. "Who knew it would take absolute chaos to get you to like him?"

I covered my face with my hand. "No," was all I could say through her squealing and shaking me.

"I'm so glad I woke up early!" Brook sang.

Which meant she pulled an all-nighter.

Again.

"I'm going to class," I said, hopping up and darting into the kitchen.

"Why?" she whined. "I'm going to be so bored."

Slinging my backpack over my shoulder, I gave her a sympathetic smile. "I have to, Boo."

"Whatever," she huffed, giving me the side eye. "Go to class. I'll be here, doing nothing."

"I'll be back around noon, okay?"

Brook shot me a dirty look, then returned to her latest Netflix reality show without another word.

↠

After classes, I took Brook out for Chinese as a late lunch to apologize. She wasn't used to spending every day alone with the dog, and it was making her bitter and angry.

"I'm considering fast food at this point," she grunted into her orange chicken. "I can't stand another day of this!"

"It'll work out," I said through a mouthful of noodles.

"Because it's so easy." Brook dropped her chin into her hand, pushing her chicken around on her plate. "Pretty much every manager is like Pervy Peter. I'm not trading a shitty job for a shittier job."

I reached for my water glass. "Aren't there places with female managers?"

"Only a few close by and they're not hiring," she said. "Trust me, I'd know if they were."

"I'm sorry, but try not to worry. You'll find something."

"Yeah, believe in myself and all that." She stabbed a piece of chicken, scowling at it before popping it in her mouth. "I just want a job with a hardworking woman who will actually see my potential."

"And you'll fi—"

Her phone rang under the table, only slightly muffled by the napkin spread across her lap.

"Hold that thought."

I watched her weave through the tables to the main doors. The waiters cast her confused, and slightly annoyed, looks, but Brook didn't seem to notice. Or care. All her attention was focused on the person on the other line.

Brook stayed outside for what felt like hours, so I pulled out my phone and browsed Twitter.

Through the cluster of memes, nonsense, and retweets from the people I followed, I came across a tweet from Rye earlier that morning.

rye @wryehumor ● February 21

finally reached 150k on twitch!
thank you to everyone who's supported me and the channel. can't wait for the next milestone with you all!
@itsjessie @robnation @tazroyce @lanicorn @dream

I smiled, feeling my heart flutter. Being included in the string of names responsible for his success made me undeniably happy.

Though, I knew it wouldn't take long for the fans to put two and two together about the username they didn't recognize.

I was about to text Rye with my concerns when Brook plopped back in her chair, practically dancing and singing.

"Guess what?"