Brick-House- Chapter Eight

Okay, puttin' this out there. In this chapter, I'm skipping through episodes to scenes I feel would be important in the scheme of Jock. So if you haven't seen them, I'd recommend not reading because it will spoil who's eliminated and who's gonna win and such… WARNING THIS CHAPTER CONATINS STORY SPOILERS. DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT THE SERIES TO BE SPOILED FOR YOU. Got it? Kay… Don't say I didn't warn you. Because I just did.
I'm really surprised by the following this story has! Then again, Jock's got an immense following on its own…! Even people who only saw one or two episodes can feel it for them! I mean, they're so obvious! And after the theme video- everyone was definitely suspicious… So maybe it's natural for all things Jock to be popular… Or at least that involving Brick. From all the stuff I've looked at, he and Dawn are pretty much tied for most popular and most liked TDROTI character. Scary…

Brick-House- Chapter Eight- ALL EPISODES UP TO JO'S ELIMINATION


Ever since the cadet was voted off, things have just been weird… I swear Chris is trying to mess with me now, because everywhere I go there's a video of Brick. Like I don't feel guilty enough… This morning he nearly gave me a heart-attack, playing a recording of Brick screaming….! God! Is that in my contract? Death by host… Not the way I envisioned myself going… Lightning was my enemy now- he was constantly joking with me about how Brick was deadweight and such. The blind idiot would pay if it would be the last thing I ever did. Plus he still thought I was a guy…
Chef was concocting weird meals for us ever since Brick left. No more of the gruel the cadet seemed to adore… It only made me miss him more… Tonight's meal was Turkey buttolini… Um… I don't wanna know about the name or where it came from… I didn't eat much, I just ate what I felt would be enough… And then… I don't remember what I did then…
I suddenly woke to a blaring horn and I screamed. Looking around, I found me, Lightning, and the others all floating on rafts in the middle of the water… The horn that had woken us was Brick's alarm clock! I wanted to take it, but then I remembered Scott dropped it in the toilet and I let that thought go.
Looking down, I scowled to find Lightning still sleeping. I hated the jock. I hated him with a passion. So I insulted him by calling him motor-mouth and I kicked him off the raft into the water. I hoped he drowned… But he resurfaced and Chris came to tell us what our challenge was.
Once we had been going for a while on the raft, a giant squid thing came and had grabbed hold of Lightning and I. I had a hold of the sign with the Rats logo on it, and as the monster squeezed my stomach tighter, and idea came into my head. Vengeance…!
I began smacking Lightning as hard as I possibly could. "I won't be some Calamari's dinner!" I shouted, feigning fear. I wasn't aiming for the squid. I was aiming for the annoying face.
"You're hittin' the Lightning!" Lightning shouted to me. I scowled and kept hitting him. I knew very well that I was hitting him. I was trying to. I hope his nose breaks. "Bro!" I scowled harder and hit him harder when he called me that. I wasn't a boy! Brick could see that! Why couldn't this idiot? I hit him harder and harder, no matter how many times he told me to stop. He deserved everything he got. I was angry at him. Was he that blind that he couldn't see I cared about Brick? Maybe you should watch who you insult around me, dumbass!
I'm not really sure how we were freed, all I know is once we were, I was shouting at Lightning again. I hated him. He thought he was better than me. Never.
Chris had put us in shackles, and at one point I saw a giant orange Dakota beating up a mutated alligator. It was amusing. Then Lightning said something about being able to do that too. Smirking, as I saw two alligators swim up behind him, I said, "Oh yeah? Here's your chance…" And I walked away as they attacked him. His life meant nothing to me. Lightning was dead weight. And he accused Brick of being so? Hah! He could hardly do anything right! Sure he was athletic, but he either always failed or was always losing! Some star…
I won the challenge. Right…? Yeah… Dakota just showed up because Sam apparently came back… Oh right, I remember when Chris mentioned that… He had said they were bringing back one of this season's duds and I had nearly choked with eagerness thinking he was going to say Brick… He probably did that on purpose, I'm sure…
That night, as I sat on the steps of the Rat cabin, I frowned when Zoey walked up to me. "What do you want, Red?" I asked, resting my chin on my hand.
She laughed nervously before saying, "Well, uh, we're the last two girls on the island, and all, so I just thought we could talk…"
I blinked. We were the last two girls? Oh gosh… That was a perfect mix… Me, doing everything for myself and kicking butt while she whined for Pointy to help her and begged for Mike to save her at every turn. Pathetic. Exactly what feminists hate.  Exactly what I hate.
"No," I spat, glaring at the ground.
"But-!" She began but she stopped herself. She looked at me for a moment before she asked, "Are you okay?"
"Spectacular," I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
She sat beside me and I immediately scowled at her darkly. "Jo, you've been acting more Jo-like since…" she stopped and her eyes practically exploded with how they lit up. I waited, knowing what she'd say, and I just hoped it wouldn't hurt to hear someone else notice my emotions. "Since Brick left…!" she whispered. I exhaled slowly- yep. It hurt. She quickly said, "You miss Brick…! That's why you've been pummeling Lightning more than usual!"
I smirked. She saw me beating on the fool, huh? At least not everyone was that blind… But then I frowned again when I saw her smiling. "Yeah, well he's the only one I'll miss," I spat, "When you get voted off, I'll dance on the catapult and throw a toast with Chef…" She gasped and looked hurt. Snarling at her, I growled, "Look, you don't need to be sticking your nose into my business. Stay out of my way and let me worry about what I want to worry about, got it?"
She got up and left me alone. Just the way I needed it. I went to bed not long after- not feeling like going for a run. I never felt like it anymore… Without Brick to race with, well, it just wasn't as appealing… This is probably why I never got emotionally involved before. It makes you weak if you lose the one you're involved with… I hated being weak…
I think the next time I woke up was to the sound of a blow horn. Again… Chris was really crazy about that… And he was shouting something to us before he dropped a giant cube of concrete onto the Maggots' cabin. I found that amusing. Better them than me… I think I said that to Lightning at one point. Chris said the teams were dissolving. And even though I detested the dolt lifting dumbbells I knew I'd need his strength to abuse it… So when String Bean offered to make an alliance with me, I turned him down.
I was standing off near my cabin, picking at a scab on my hand, when I had heard Mike talking. It wasn't him that interested me, it was one specific word I heard come out of his mouth that made me listen. Really listen. He was talking to Zoey, who was trying to get her clothes back from the concrete, "I found a pair of Brick's boots if you want…" Brick…! That was the word!
The smell of the boots made Zoey pass out, and of course Mike caught her. Naturally. The damsel in constant distress who can't do anything for herself. Wonderful… Now if only I could take those boots without them reeking as bad as they do… I'm sure Bubble Boy has odor block spray or something…
When I asked, sure enough, he had three different kinds. I took one at random and climbed onto the cabin, sprayed the black boots, and once the stench was gone, I nuzzled them close to me. Anything to remind me of Brick was welcome at this point. I'd even settle to get that alarm clock! Hopping down from the cabin roof, I tossed the spray back to Cameron and I set Brick's boots in my side of the only remaining cabin. Zoey was already getting comfortable and she stared at me when she saw me with the boots, but I ignored her and walked back out.
The challenge today involved a lot of weird graffiti… I used Lightning to my advantage as often as I could, but once I saw a chance to kill him, I took it. Chef had trapped us in a jail cell, and once he had bent open the bars, I shoved him out into the waiting jaws of Fang and I ran. I hoped that the shark would eat him.
But when I was continuing on, driving in one of Chef's crappy go-carts… That kept braking for no reason whatsoever… I smelled something… It was gross…sweaty…masculine… "If I didn't know better, I'd say that smells like…" Brick… That's what I was thinking of, but when I turned my head, I said, "Testosterone! NO!" And Lightning sped past me on a fully functional go-cart… Of course…
When we were eliminating, I knew Lightning hated me. But Scott got to choose who went, and he chose Mike. Haha. Lightning shouted to eliminate "Jo, he's a rat" in his exact words. I was nervous, but I was more angry after. First I worried I was really going, then I worried I wouldn't be able to get Brick's boots, then I was angry he called me a he… Lightning is an idiot. And I hate him. I hope he's eliminated next…
Once Zoey said her goodbyes to Mike, I saw her come into the cabinside looking dejected and miserable. I actually felt bad- I knew how she felt. And I hated knowing how she felt.
"Suck it up," I said to her coldly. She looked at me, looking hurt, and I quickly said, "All you have to remember is that the one who caused you to lose Mike is Scott. Just get your revenge. Otherwise he'll pick you off next…"
"But…!" she mumbled, looking down.
I grumbled to her in annoyance, "Hey, I didn't even get to say goodbye to Brick, but I've survived another two episodes without him so far…  You got to see Mike off. That's more than I got, so if you sit here and pity yourself, I'll be sure to vote you off…" And with that, Zoey looked sad yet determined. Just what I needed. Someone who would be brooding over revenge in total silence.
The next challenge we had was a few days later, and Chris had us building flying machines. Crap… I immediately got Cameron and had him doing all of my work for me. And we met Heather today! Fantastic! A ruthless competitor! Just what I need with no Brick to compete with! Cameron won a prize, go figure… And even though I tried sabotaging Lightning's crap, he still ended up doing pretty well in all this… After I took Cameron's prize from him, it blew up in my face. And I fell into the water… I forget who won… I didn't care; I was too busy laughing as Fang tried to eat Scott again. That shark really has a taste for the ginger.
Back on the island, I almost knew immediately that I'd be going tonight. I grabbed my whistle from the cabin, and I tucked Brick's boots into the pocket of my sweater. The rest of my belongings didn't matter. And besides, I might not be going… You never know…
When Chris said my name for the toxic marshmallow, I was angry and I was yelling. I yelled at Cameron, but he made me realize I was gone because I had taught him too well and that made me proud. But then I focused my attention to Lightning. "You! You're an idiot!" I spat, "You couldn't even tell I was a GIRL!"
His response? "YOU'RE a WHAT????" Go figure….
I was flung across the sky because of the catapult, and once I hit the water, I made sure I still had my whistle around my neck and Brick's boots in my pocket. And as soon as I was reassured, I began swimming toward a faint glow not far off. It was an island! It looked like a resort, but only a few lights were on. I climbed onto the dock there and gasped for my air as I shivered and felt goose-bumps under my sweater.
"Greetings Jo," I heard a soft voice above me say.
Looking up in surprise, I felt my jaw drop when I saw Dawn standing there. "Dawn?" I gasped, "What're you doing here?"
"Oh, we're all here," she said with a soft smile, "This is Playa de Losers. Oh, Brick will be so happy to hear you've finally arrived! I knew my tea-leaves were right. They said you'd be coming tonight! Oh how wondrous!" She had started floating away, but I grabbed her leg before she got far.
"Wait," I pleaded, "Don't tell Brick I'm here just yet…!" She looked confused, but I quickly said with a smile, "I wanna surprise him…" She smiled and nodded before floating off into the resort. I found a nice clump of trees and bushes to hide amongst, and I let the warm, moist air dry my clothes through the night until morning. I woke once the sun rose, and I sat and waited for the other eliminated competitors to come outside.
Not surprising, Brick was one of the very first up and outside. He was followed by Dawn, B, and Staci. Dawn asked with a soft smile, "Are you going on your morning run, Brick?"
She was facing my tree-clump, and I smiled when I saw Brick's back to me. Sam and Dakota were walking over to where the group had gathered, along with Anne Maria, who was spraying her hair as usual. Brick spoke to Dawn, and I seized my moment to sneak out of the bushes and stand behind him. The others were all staring directly at me, a few with gaping mouths, but I was grinning too much with my plan about to unfold.
"I always go on my runs, Dawn, you know tha-…" Brick had been saying when I blew my whistle as loudly as I possibly could.
"TEN HUT!" I shouted in my most drill-sergeant like voice.
Brick quickly saluted and shouted, "Sir! Yes, si-…!" But his voice trailed off. I grinned even more so now- he knew the voice. Three…two…one. He turned around and came face to face with me. His instant reaction was hugging. His arms around my waist, lifting me into the air while he jumped up and down and spun around like a giddy idiot, shouting breathlessly, "JO!"
I only laughed as he displayed his affection. Once he set me back down, he quickly began spluttering excitedly, "I missed you so much! I'm so glad you're here!" I raised an eyebrow at him, smirking knowingly at his mistake, and he blinked once he realized it. "N-no! W-wait, that's not what I meant!" he quickly stammered, "I w-would have loved for you to win! I'm sad you got voted off! Y-you should've won! You earned it! I didn't mean I was happy that you lost, I just-!"
"BRICK!" I cut him off, shouting at the top of my lungs and making my face harden.
He flinched and immediately squeaked, "Yes?" I could hardly keep myself from laughing at his adorable frightened face. He thought I was mad…! Oh, Brick…!
I smiled sweetly at him and I said, "Stop talking." Just before I wrapped my arms around him and put my lips to his. He reacted quickly, holding me tightly with his strong arms, and kissing back. This was wonderful- this was how our first kiss should have been, soft, sweet, passionate, full of love and happiness.
Our lips parted and Brick whispered, "I really missed you…"
Smiling into his deep black eyes, I replied, "I missed you too, Brick-House… I got your message…"
"I got yours too," he said with his incredible smile.
Dawn quickly interrupted our love-fest and said, "I assured you that Brick wouldn't hurt you on purpose Jo."
I looked at her and smiled. "Yeah, you were right, gypsy… Sorry," I said. I greeted everyone else there, and Anne Maria asked where Mike was hiding. I hadn't seen him yet, but I had a feeling Pointy was depressed over Red…
"Dawn, you know where he is?" I asked, still keeping one arm around Brick while I asked. Brick had one arm around me as well, and it felt perfect.
"He's in the living room inside," she said.
Brick asked me curiously, "Why do you need to see Mike?" I smirked at him before pulling his boots out of my pocket and handing them to him. He immediately forgot his curiosity and was overjoyed to see one of his pairs of boots survived the island.
And as he obsessed over his beloved shoes, I went inside and found Mike poking at the fireplace. He looked sad. I walked over to him and sat next to him at the fireplace. He looked surprised to see me and he asked, making sure I was real, "Jo?"
"In the flesh," I said.
"What do you want?" he asked, going back to the fireplace.
Rolling my eyes at his sorrow, I said, "Look, I'm not very good at the sappy crap, but seeing me here should let you know one thing. Zoey's still in the game…" His head lifted up and I knew that he was listening now, "She's going after Scott now, I think… She's pretty angry at him for voting you off, but I can't blame her… If he's next to show up here, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. Anyway, I just thought you should know that she's doing fine without you there saving her butt every two seconds, so…" And I got up and began walking away.
"Jo," I heard him say my name and I turned to look at him blankly. "Thanks," he said, looking slightly happy. I just nodded and went back outside and smacked the back of Brick's head before giving him a hug.
Brick wasn't confused by my behavior- this was how I was. Once we were alone, he punched my arm playfully and said he'd beat me in any race any time. I told him he was dead wrong and smiled at him. Who said rivals can't be lovers?
"Your message was really sweet," Brick said at one point, while I was fixing my shoe- untied… I looked up at him and blushed upon seeing the look on his face; completely and utterly love-struck.
My whole face going red, I replied, "Yours was sweeter…" Then my blush faded as I said something I needed to say in person. "Brick, I'm sorry I was so horrible to you during that last challenge… I should've just told you that I liked you and then we wouldn't have had that fight…"
He looked at me, his face going blank, and I hoped he wouldn't be anything but Brick at that moment. "It's okay," he said gently. I loved him- so sweet no matter what!
"But you were nothing but nice to me! Even after I was so horrible to you!" I argued, turning more towards him.
He smiled. "If you were any different I would've known something was wrong with you…" he said in a voice like silk. My entire face went hot- Brick's smile grew. "I saw your audition," he continued, "I knew from the first challenge that you were tough. If you had ever been tender with me on that island when it was obvious in you audition tape that you were determined, I'd know something was up with you." He tilted his head slightly and said, "I like your intensity. It's very unique to you… It's very… Jo… And if you had lost that intensity, well…" He paused, moving closer to me and taking my hand. "Well you just wouldn't have been Jo…"
I couldn't take the sentimentality of the moment. I kissed him instantly- and I held him so tight that he wouldn't have been able to get away from me if he wanted to, but judging from the passionate kissing back, I had a feeling he didn't want to.
Once the kiss ended, I smiled at him and whispered, "Hey Brick…"
"Hm?" he responded, nuzzling his chin into my head.
"Betcha I can beat you in a race around the island back to this spot," I said.
He moved to look at me and he grinned. "You're on," he said before we each hopped to our feet and began sprinting. This was how it should be. Us racing around the island, having fun together. Everything was right in the world.



Please note, this is not the ending. The ending will be the final episode. Which, again, has spoilers… So please, if you haven't seen it, don't read… Or, if you do read, don't whine to me about spoiling the show. I warned you. So there…
One more chapter of Brick-House! Unless you guys really want this in Brick's perspective… Then I might be continuing on with the Jock love from the masculine Cadet's mind! (I kinda want to already…!)