Brooke's Pov.
I could faintly hear the wedding march beginning to play outside. This was it, I thought, but it was as if my mind refused to accept reality. I'm getting married. Today. I was only faintly aware of my mother taking my hands in hers, whispering into my ear, "I am so proud of you." My father kissed my cheek lightly, "My little daughter's all grown up."
Looking past my parents, I caught the gaze of my best friend. Peyton gave me a watery smile before joining hands with Jake, and walking out of the room. She was my maid of honor, and he was the best man. Nathan had jokingly said that if he had known I would be married at such an early age, he wouldn't have married Haley so soon just to be best man at my wedding. That remark, of course, had earned him a slap on the head from Haley. Their playful banter never ceased, and at times, I found myself envying them.
Haley came up, and engulfed me into her embrace. "Oh Brooke," she whispered. I knew Haley was crying; she was always sentimental in events like these. "Whatever you do, just be happy, okay Tigger?" She pulled away slightly, and I saw fear in her eyes. Was she scared for me?
Nathan wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hales, don't cry. This is a happy day." Holding his arm out to me, I gladly buried my head into his chest, and breathed in that familiar scent. Nathan and I, we went way back. Sure, things hadn't always been easy between us, but I didn't let that change who he was to me. I could never forget all the times I ran to his house when my parents were fighting, and we'd stay huddled in his room as he told me how hard Dan had pushed him that day in basketball. Nathan and I, we were so alike, too alike to be together, but perfect as friends.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I looked up. My father stood next to me, waiting. He slid my hand onto his arm, and slowly walked towards the door. My feet followed his, but all of a sudden, I was scared, so scared. I looked back at Haley and Nathan for reassurance, but they were too busy staring at me, not able to utter a single word. So many people surrounded me, but I was alone.
This is all a dream; it has to be. Even as I walked slowly down the aisle, I knew that in any minute, I would wake up and I'd be back in my bed, with the sun shining through the curtains. And then time stood still as my eyes locked with his. I held my breath; he hadn't changed at all, not in the three years that I had known him. The blond hair, those deep green eyes, it was as if I had memorized him, every part of him.
That was when the tears came.
I remembered the first time we met- when I had shamelessly undressed in his car after a basketball game. I remembered our first date, and our first kiss. I remembered all the times I spent reading the books he liked, listening to his favorite music because I wanted to feel closer to him. I remembered his sweet words, the way he caressed my face. I remembered him and Peyton, and how much it had hurt, but also how hard he tried to win back my trust afterwards. I remembered our talk at the beach after the formal, and the student president election. I remembered the moment when I realized I still loved him. I remembered living in his room for 3 months so I wouldn't have to move to California. I remembered the goodbye kiss we shared at the start of summer, and the nonexclusive dating we did at the start of our senior year. I remembered the beach party, where he announced to the world that he was the guy for me. I remembered the stark pain in his eyes when he saw me in bed with Chris Keller, and the way he ran after me and told me that he forgave me even though I didn't deserve to be forgiven.
I couldn't stop the tears. I loved him, Lucas Scott. We were the complete opposites, but through some miracle, we connected. I had never given my heart to a guy before, but he was able to sweep me off my feet. He opened up my heart even though I had taught myself to keep the world at arm's length ever since I was young. Lucas Scott. Broody. I loved him.
It was only then that I was aware of the silence which surrounded me. I was standing at the altar; they were all waiting for my answer- the words that would seal my fate. And suddenly, the fog lifted; my future became clear.
There was only one answer that I could give.
