VULNERABLE

(disclaimer: i sadly own nothing... but if i did... oh the fun me and the tree hill gang would have, no?)

So I know this has been done before, but this just took over my mind for a while and I had to get it out… hence the writing!

What you may need to know.

-naley is married

- Brooke and Lucas and Peyton triangle happened, but for now, Brucas is together, but no tension b/w the three.

-Brooke and Haley are friends as well as Brooke and Peyton and Haley and Peyton are friends as well

-I heart Jake, but I don't think I'm gonna have him in this, maybe though, so keep your eyes open.

-Ellie happened, but a year before than how it was in the show, lk while they were all sophomore

-if there is more, I will let you know!

-this was going to be a one shot... but i've divided it up into three or four parts... they are all written and typed, i just need feedback to post the next part!

Brooke sat at a table in the quad before school waiting on the rest of her friends to join her.

Peyton was the first one to show up after Brooke. "Good morning B. Davis,"

"P. Sawyer,"

"How was your night?" Peyton asked getting out a drawing.

"Okay, I didn't really get much sleep last night though,"

"Really, I'm sorry," Peyton said truthfully.

Brooke nodded. "Me too," she said as Haley joined the group.

"Good morning," She offered.

Peyton smiled as Brooke laid her head down on the table.

Haley looked at Peyton confused.

"She didn't get much sleep last night," Peyton told her.

Brooke nodded.

Haley laughed slightly.

"Where's your husband?" Peyton asked.

"I don't know, practice should be over by now," Haley said looking around for Nathan.

Just then Peyton's phone rang. "Lucas," She said. "Hello,"

"Peyton?"

"Your ears burning?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"Who is this?"

"Nathan…"

"We were just talking about you,"

"Okay, why?"

Peyton shrugged. "I dunno, why are you calling on Lucas' phone, and why are you calling me?" She asked.

"Because Haley's phone was dead this morning so I gave her mine,"

"Still, didn't you answer why you called me…"

"Do you know your own number?"

"Well yeah," Peyton said like it was obvious.

"Okay, well I'm not giving mine out to people because I'm married, so I don't know mine,"

"Wow… you're cool,"

"Shut up and put Haley on,"

"Please maybe?"

"Please Peyton," Nathan said politely.

Peyton handed her phone to Haley. 'Nathan' She mouthed.

Haley nodded. "Hey you,"

"Hey baby,"

"What's up?"

"Um Luke asked me to get you to do a favor for him,"

"K, what is it?"

"Watch Brooke for him, he said she seemed out of it for a while now,"

"Yeah, tell me about it," Haley said looking at Brooke. "Wait, where's Lucas?" Haley asked.

"Shower,"

"Oh, okay, does he know you have his phone?"

"Yeah, I'm giving it to him first period,"

"Wait, where are you?" Haley asked, then realized that Nathan had hung up. She stared at the phone puzzled. "Huh…"

"What?" Peyton asked, not looking up.

"He hung up," Haley said and slid Peyton her phone back. Then it quickly went dark. Haley squealed, surprised. "Knock it off Nate!" She laughed turning around to face him.

"Hello," Nathan said giving her a kiss.

"Hi," Haley smiled.

"Get a room," Peyton mumbled, still drawing.

"What cha' drawing Sawyer?" Nathan asked sitting down, his arms wrapped around Haley.

Peyton flipped the picture so it would be right side up to the couple.

"Wow…" Nathan said.

"That's really good Peyt," Haley told her.

Nathan looked at Brooke. "Wake up Davis," He told her.

"Nathan," Haley barked and hit him slightly.

"Broooke…"

"Shut up Nathan," Brooke mumbled. "I'm tired,"

Peyton shook her head rolling her eyes. "Where's your brother?" She asked Nathan.

"He should be done in a few minutes, he was in the shower when I left."

"What time is it?" Brooke asked.

"We got 30 minutes," Peyton told her.

She nodded. "Thanks," She said and drifted back to sleep.

A few minutes later Lucas walked over to the table. "Hey guys," he said sitting down next to Brooke.

Everyone said hi back, then continued their previous conversations or, in Peyton's case, drawings.

Lucas rubbed Brooke's back. "Hey Pretty Girl," He whispered.

Brooke readjusted herself and leaned into Lucas's chest.

"You gonna make it through the day?" He asked.

Brooke nodded slowly. "Yeah,"

"You sure, I can take you to the sick room,"

"I'm fine Luke, thanks though,"

Lucas kissed the top of her head. "Okay,"

Brooke plopped down next to Peyton in homeroom.

"You okay?" She laughed.

Brooke looked at her.

"No…"

"Peyton…"

"Brooke," Peyton said, worried by the tone of Brooke's voice.

"You're my best friend, you know that right?"

"Are you okay?" Peyton asked seriously.

Brooke shook her head.

"I'll take you to the sick room - -"

"Peyton, I'm just having an off day, okay?"

"I don't buy it Brooke, you can tell me, what's going on?"

"My parents don't even know,"

"Okay…"

"I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow,"

Peyton nodded.

"They think I might have cancer…"

"Wait what?" Peyton said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Peyton, God, don't do that please," Brooke said, tears also springing to her eyes.

Peyton bit down on her teeth trying to control her tears.

Brooke grabbed Peyton's hands. "Peyt…" She said looking into her eyes.

"Are you going to be okay?" Peyton asked shaky.

Brooke smiled slightly. "Yeah, I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I didn't want to lie to you, but… Peyton, please, don't tell anyone else, okay?"

Peyton nodded. "Okay,"

Brooke glanced up at the TV where the announcements were being broadcasted, then she looked back to her friend.

Brooke sighed. "Peyton,"

"Brooke, you don't get it,"

"Baby yes I do,"

"Then why and I the only one crying?"

"Because I can't"

Peyton looked at Brooke.

"If I let it get to me, if I break down, people will know and I can't handle those looks."

Peyton closed her eyes and exhaled shakily. She shook her head. "I can't handle this," She whispered and got up and quickly left the classroom.

"Shit," Brooke whispered and went after her. "Peyton!" She called down the hallway. "Peyton stop!" Peyton leaned up against the wall and fell to the floor.

Brooke got on the floor with her, holding her friend in her arms. "Shh, Peyton,"

"I'm sorry," She whispered. "I'm sorry,"

"Look at me, remember what I told you?"

Peyton looked at her confused.

"It's not for sure,"

"Think and might mixed with the word cancer doesn't scream positive,"

"Well thanks for the support,"

"Brooke,"

"No, okay… you wanna come with me?"

"Where?" Peyton asked confused.

"To my appointment tomorrow?"

"You want me to?"

Brooke nodded. "I really don't wanna do this by myself," She said honestly, beginning to break down.

"Why not Lucas?" Peyton asked.

"I don't want him to know, he'll worry, not like you didn't do that enough of that already, but the way he looks at me when I have the flu kills me. I just don't think I'd be able to stay strong, ya know?"

"Brooke, you don't have to be that kind of strong. That's not… it's okay to be scared or worried," Peyton told her.

Brooke shook her head. "Not for me, I've not let people see me break down since the 6th grade when I got made fun of by Tim and Nathan,"

Peyton giggled slightly at the memory.

"Not funny,"

"You're right, sorry,"

"But since then, I refuse to show my emotions to everyone,"

Peyton shook her head. "This is bigger than that, you can't keep this in Brooke,"

Brooke shrugged. "I'm gonna try,"

"Brooke! Peyton, guys get back in here," Their homeroom teacher yelled down the hallway.

"One minute Hayden," Brooke said, leaving off the 'Mrs.' in front of her teacher's last name.

She sighed and went back into the classroom.

"You okay?" Brooke asked her best friend.

"Are you?" Peyton asked seriously.

"That wasn't the question, but if you need me to answer before you do, then yes, I'm okay,"

Peyton sighed. "Then I guess I am too,"

"Then let's get to - -" Brooke said but was cut off by the bell. "Lunch," she finished.

Peyton stood up and they both walked down to the cafeteria.

"Well you look better," Lucas said sitting down next to Brooke giving her a kiss.

"Thank you," Brooke smiled. "Oh, p.s. I'm skipping tomorrow,"

"All day?" Lucas asked.

"No… um, homeroom, lunch and activity. I think I'll be back for 7th, but I'm not sure,"

"Okay, any particular reason?"

"No, me and P. Sawyer are just gonna jet for a bit," Brooke told her boyfriend. "Hales, I would invite you, but I know you'd never skip." Brooke said.

Haley smiled. "Not very tutor-girl-y,"

Brooke laughed and shook her head. "No,"

"So sadly I will not be attending,"

"Ah, it's all good," Brooke assured her friend.

"What's up with Peyton?" Lucas asked Brooke.

"Um… yeah, I - - she's, yeah, no I don't know," Brooke stumbled.

"You okay?"

"Mu-huh,"

"Okay…" Lucas said not convinced.

Brooke stood up quickly to go to the vending machine, but sat right back down with a painful expression on her face.

Peyton looked at her concerned.

"Brooke," Lucas questioned.

Brooke forced a smile. "I'm okay,"

"You sure?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah," She assured him.

Brooke plopped down on her bed. "Ugh, this day was so long,"

"Well tomorrow will be shorter for you and Peyton,"

"Yep," Brooke said excited about leaving early, but then remembered why she was leaving. "I'm exhausted," She sighed.

"Rough day?"

"You have no idea," Brooke said snuggling into Lucas' chest.

"You gonna take a nap?" Lucas asked.

Brooke nodded.

"What time you want me to wake you up?"

"Don't,"

"If I don't, you'll wake up at midnight and be up until school starts then be tired all day,"

"What if I sleep until school tomorrow?"

"Then I'm taking you to a doctor because it is only four now and you've never slept that long,"

"How bout we make a deal?"

"Okay," Lucas agreed.

"You let me sleep until I wake up and if I'm awake and not tired at midnight you can make me tired,"

"Oh yeah?"

Brooke nodded.

"Who says I'm going to be up then?"

"Me, because you always watch me sleep and stay up with me when I wake up… that and if I'm hyper at midnight, you can bet your ass I'll make sure you're awake,"

Lucas laughed. "Alright, go to sleep Pretty Girl,"

Brooke smiled slightly, wrapped comfortably in Lucas' arms and drifted to sleep.

Lucas carefully got out of Brooke's bed heading to the bathroom.

"Mmm," Brooke moaned. "I thought I told you not to wake me up,"

"Oh, sorry baby, I had to go to the bathroom, I didn't think you'd notice,"

"I can tell when I'm not in your arms,"

Lucas just looked at her.

"Hurry up and pee, I wanna go back to sleep, I need you here for that mister,"

Lucas laughed and went to the bathroom. When he walked back out Brooke was still laying in bed, her eyes closed. Lucas got back into bed pulling Brooke closer to him. He kissed the top of her head. "I love you," he whispered.

"Don't say that Luke," Brooke mumbled.

"Why not?" Lucas asked confused.

"Don't get attached to things Lucas, have you not been listening to Peyton? People always leave,"

"What are you talking about Brooke? Neither of us are going anywhere,"

"I know… never mind, leave me alone, I'm tired"

Brooke whined burring her head into Lucas' chest.

"So I'll see you after school?" Lucas asked Brooke before fifth period knowing she was leaving.

Brooke nodded. "Yes,"

"Alright," Lucas said and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I'll see you then, have fun,"

"Will do," Brooke smiled then the two went to their classes.

"You ready Sawyer?" Brooke asked waiting outside her car for her friend.

Peyton nodded.

"K, let's go," Brooke said and got in, followed by Peyton.

Brooke looked over at the blonde. "Okay, talk,"

Peyton looked at her confused. "What?"

"Talk Peyton, don't be so broody, I already have one of those,"

"I'm sorry Brooke, I'm just thinking,"

"Well stop, see, me and you are out of school right now,"

"Stop joking Brooke,"

"Okay, Peyton, I love you, but I brought you along not to make me act a certain way, okay? I've gotta do this my way,"

"Brooke," Peyton tried as they pulled into the barking lot.

Brooke looked at her. "What do you want me to do?"

"Let us be there for you,"

Brooke shook her head. "There's no us, Peyton, you don't get it, you're the only one that's going to know anything either way,"

"Why Brooke?"

"Because it's my business,"

"What's stopping me from telling Lucas or Haley?"

"Nothing, but I'll deny every word and me and you will be over,"

"Brooke, you can't do that,"

"That's how serious I am,"

"That's how serious you are or that's how serious this is?"

Brooke looked at Peyton. "Both," she finally whispered looking forward.

Peyton sighed. "Come on buddy," she said placing her hand on Brooke's back.

Brooke looked back over at Peyton and nodded.

A/N:

like i said, i know this has been done before, but don't give up just yet on this one, okay?

comments are what i look forward to!!!

lemme know what you think and i will UD asap!

xoxo

-manda