Hi everyone! After weeks of writing and anticipation, this story is finally here. It's going to be a very AU story so stick with me. It's centered around Brooke/Lucas but there may be some Brooke/Nathan later on. Basically, Brooke and Lucas have been best friends since childhood but don't worry, it's different. There's a twist that should be apparent at the end of the prologue. Everything will be explained as the story goes on. Thank you so much to my beta, Nora. I coudn't write this without you.

Please read and leave me some feedback so I can improve future chapters.

--

She smoothed down the cream-colored material around her waist a third time. The satin felt soft and majestic in her sweaty palms. Pearls fastened around her neck added a glint of glamour. The diamond-white heels clicked together, and she wondered for a second if she would be able to escape to the safeness of home if she combined the gesture with the magic words.

Nerves struck through her veins but she dismissed them as pre-wedding jitters. Today would be the happiest day of her life, the day she would finally marry and start her life with Nathan.

Glancing at her reflection once more in the mirror, she grinned, pleased with her appearance. Her dark hair was pulled back in an elegant French twist, the sheer, snow-white veil secured on top. The dress fit her like a glove, complete with exquisite beading laced exquisitely around the bodice.

In five minutes, she'd be walking down the aisle towards her whole future. That thought brought back a few more nerves, which she proceeded to brush off.

Looking in the mirror, she saw the familiar figure of her best friend at the door. Unable to contain her happiness, she let a smile creep across her face as she walked over to him happily.

"Lucas, the wedding starts in a few minutes. I'd think that Nathan's best man should be at the altar ready to go."

He took a nervous breath and shakily let it out. Her smile turned to a frown as he started to talk.

"Brooke, sweetheart. ...There's not going to be a wedding," he whispered, his insides turning out as she started to back away.

"What do you mean? Nathan's already out there, with all our friends and family, and we're getting married. You should be next to him, silly."

He hesitated before speaking, searching for a better way to break the news.

"Nathan's gone."

She blinked back a few tears before questioning him again. "Gone? Did he go to get some water? You and I both know how much of a sweater he is." She let out a nervous chuckle, willing him to take back his words.

"He's not coming back."

He saw the look on her face turn from confusion to anger to sadness, and in a flash of white she was gone, running out the church. Worry tormented him as he ran out after her.

Brooke sprinted into the parking lot in search of any trace of Nathan. Rain poured around her. Mud puddles splashed her long dress and damaged her shoes. She barely noticed.

Lucas watched with a heavy heart as she looked around helplessly for a few moments before she started sobbing, falling to the floor in a heap of tears. He ran over and took her in his arms.

"It's-It's not fair. Why? Why would he leave me? We love each other. We were supposed to spend our lives together. What'd I do to deserve this?"

"Absolutely nothing, princess."

He held her as she cried and gathered her up in his arms, carrying her shivering body into warmth.

As she continued to sob, he couldn't help but want to murder his brother for doing this, for banishing his best friend, the woman he loved, on her wedding day.