A/N –Tutorgurltigger: This is a joint project, though this chapter is more one sided, in the writing front. We both ventured into this blindly, reaching out and searching for a way...sorry that sounds like a start of...something. Ahem, we both thought this would be a good idea, to join our writing styles together, because maybe just maybe, we'll mesh and write a winner. Okay! Enough rambling by me. IndigoBaley: Finished? Good! Cus that was some first rate god awful rambling Jodie, dear sweet Jesus. ANYWAY, I asked Jodie if she wanted to write this baby with me and she gladly agreed cus she luffs me like lampposts love dog urine, I love her fic, she loves mine, together I hoped we could make something everyone would be like "damn that's ta shizzle nizzle motha fizzle". Oh I do dream.

Disclaimer – TGT: Sadly, we do not own the character. Though, could you imagine the fun if we did? IB: I would lick them all thoroughly while they slept… shifty eyes

The denials of Brooke Davis

Haley whistled along to the infectious song playing from the radio in Karen's café, a flourish in her step as she wiped down the counter. Whistling was a lot less embarrassing to do in public than singing, she discovered this a few days ago when she sung enthusiastically to a Michelle Branch song that just happened to play. Singing one of your idol's songs was nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you could hit every note perfectly like Haley James could. But it made people stare. They were stares of admiration but it involved the eyes of strangers watching you intently.

So she vowed never to let herself get carried away by songs in the café. Not even for Mich. Not even for the Jackson's ABC. Haley shuddered at the memory; it was bad enough I sung that one...but the dancing...why oh why did I dance...

Thankfully a bell chimed to the arrival of a new customer as the café door swung leisurely open, giving Haley a reason to drown her haunting memories. She looked up, welcoming smile at the ready, which transformed into an outright grin when she saw Brooke stumbling on inside with an armada of different sized bags. "God, I'm so sick of the mall! If I see one more half price sale it'll be way too soon!"

"Really?" Haley asked, reeling from what could possibly be the biggest revelation in human history.

"No, I love it!" Brooke replied ecstatically as she dumped her heavy load of fashion designer bags on top of Haley's recently cleaned counter. Haley flinched as the hard top disappeared beneath masses of prada, Armani and Ralph Lauren.

"Uh, Brooke-"Haley began to protest but couldn't bring herself to finish it. She needed to stop being uptight and live a little.

"Yep?" Brooke replied as she put her purse away and looked at Haley questioningly.

"Why…don't you put your stuff behind the counter, so they're safe," Haley tried casually.

"So considerate! Thanks Hales you're a star," Brooke gushed, eagerly passing her heap of merchandise on to Haley's over-packed arms. Her knees threatened to give way as she wobbled slightly then let them fall haphazardly to the floor. She ignored the small smashing sound she heard and moved the bags with her foot under the tabletop.

"Phew, much better and nothing broke." She beamed innocently as Brooke gave her a suspicious look. "Coffee? Free muffin? Invitation to be my bridesmaid?"

"Ha ha, very funny tutor-waiter." Brooke retorted as she scrutinized her nails idly. Haley looked confused as she glanced right and left as if she'd just said something completely ridiculous that she wasn't aware of.

"No…seriously, do you want to be my bridesmaid?" Brooke looked up from her nails, did a double take, and then became inexplicably overwhelmed by Haley's request as she clutched he chest. Only Brooke Davis could pull off a look that dramatic in this town.

"Really? Jeez, Hales, like...wow, I never expected you to ask that. From Peyton sure! But me...like outta the blue, knock me down with a bowling ball, cause really who can knock you down with a feather? That's just stupid. Bowling balls are much more effective anyway, not that I've tried it, I mean. Metaphorically...is that the right word. Oh god, totally not what we were talking about! What will the dresses be like? Have you picked them out already? Can I see them? But I totally get it if you haven't picked them out already. But not green ok, they don't go with my eyes and well you can't have anything that clashes with your eyes. It's just wrong. It's in Cosmo don't you know. And yeah...I'd love to be your bridesmaid."

"Okie dokie..." Haley replied weakly, reeling from Brooke's mind numbing babble-thon.

Brooke yawned lavishly and stretched her arms high above her head as she spied on the other occupants of the café. Her eyes wondered over to the display case that rested humbly on Haley's precious counter. It was full of all numbers of different calorie inducing pastries and baked goods. "I still want that free muffin." She stated with an air of playfulness, "If you broke one of the perfume bottles you technically owe me one hundred thousand muffins. Or fifty bucks. But I'll do with the one cus I'm just soooo laidback andddd…grrrreat!" she gushed like the egotistical idiot she truly was.

"Yeah, as laid back as a kitten…" Haley muttered aloud before coughing unnecessarily. Her innocent smile didn't fool Brooke for an instant. "I'll get the muffin," Haley sighed as she walked over to the display case. Brooke watched her go with amusement. She swallowed hard.

Tell her

Brooke sighed, she tried to make it casual but it came out as a nervous, ragged breathe. She watched as Haley fiddled with the latch on the display and reached inside.

Tell her

Brooke closed her eyes forcefully as her nails dug deep into the palm of her hand. Willing her mind to stop tormenting her, wishing for freedom. Begging for it.

Tell her now or it'll be too late and she's gone Brooke. She's gone out of your life and into his. You lose your chance.

Brooke cursed to herself quietly as her mind tore her heart apart. She focused on the kitchen behind the counter, welcoming the smell of cooking food and the clutter of pans as a distraction from her inner turmoil.

Time's running out Davis.

"Ta da!" Haley announced as she appeared out of thin air in front of Brooke as she placed a large chocolate muffin before her. She almost hit the ceiling with her forehead and had to straighten up as she sat back down on her stool. Brooke's awkward gaze met Haley's perplexed one and there was a beat where Brooke felt like she was as easy to read as an open book. It passed. Brooke smiled and looked down at the scrumptious muffin. The chunky chocolate chips sat guiltily in a mass or sugary goodness, inviting her to take a bite. It was a mouth watering sight.

Not as mouth watering as the brunette dead ahead of you. But you won't look up will you; you're too scared she'll catch on. Know your dirty lil secret.

Brooke hid her blush with a well timed moan of delight as she took a bite into the muffin. Haley who had been going through a checklist of orders looked up and said, "Everything to your satisfaction?" Brooke gave an inaudible reply as she took another greedy bite. "I'll take that as a yes then," Haley grinned and shook her head briefly before going back to her notepad. Brooke's eyes flickered momentarily on the focused girl, taking in the way strands of her auburn hair hung limply in front of her face, the way she would chew on the end of her tooth-marked pen, the adorable way she would scrunch up her nose when it itched...

You sound like you'd be happier eating her rather than a double chocolate muffin.

"SHUT UP!" Brooke exclaimed through gritted teeth. Heads turned as her voice reverberated throughout the café. The fact she had said it to herself making the situation all the more awkward. Brooke's hand acted as a shield from the prying eyes of strangers as she sighed inwardly, nudging her muffin on its little white plate half-heartedly. Haley continued to stare as the regulars turned back to their morning coffees and cooked meals, she being the only one truly curious of Brooke's erratic behaviour.

"Call me crazy," Haley said as she continued to clean an already spotless glass, "But that has to be the third time this week you've openly talked to yourself. Or was that some kind of code...that I'm just not twigging to. Shut up could mean...buy more shoes! "

Brooke gave a dismissive laugh, hoping to draw Haley away from her train of thought." Ignore me, it was nothing." she told Haley waving her hand, brushing off her previous slip up. Looking up at Haley she gave her a fake grin. "So...what's up with your hair today?" Brooke questioned suddenly, mentally berating her brain for asking such a lame ass question. "It's all...poofy." The words felt like slime on her tongue. Poofy! Seriously? She's not a frigging poodle!

"Thanks…I think…" Haley replied with her eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. Brooke straightened up and attempted a go at being her perky self.

"So my job as bridesmaid, being a crucial part of the whole wedding thing, do I get responsibilities? Cake guarding perhaps? Seat assignments? Making sure you don't over do it with the white wine spritzers?" Brooke mused jokingly and ducking beneath Haley's swatting hand. Brooke giggled, "Haley that glass aint getting no cleaner." Haley glanced down and chuckled at the practically see-through glass and put it away.

"It's this wedding, I'm all jittery and thinking about it 24/7, god I've never been this excited!" She squealed a bounce in her step as she went to pour coffee into a cup from the dispenser. Brooke smiled thinly as the machine whirred away.

"I'm happy for you, Hales."

No you're not.

"You deserve the most perfect wedding. Ever."

You hope the church will burn down.

"Nathan's damn lucky to have you as a bride Tutorgirl." Brooke sighed through gritted teeth. Haley smiled over at her as she came back with the fresh cup of coffee. Haley squeezed her hand gratefully and Brooke's lungs missed their cue.

"Thanks, Brooke that's sweet."

And above all, you know he doesn't deserve her.

"Anytime…tutor-waiter," Brooke's flawless facade was cracking and her smile was faltering. Her mind was forcing her to face the facts and she didn't like it. Not one prada purchasing bit. Haley seemed to have gone off into a daydream of weddings and bridesmaid's dresses as she looked off into the distance, her hand still in contact with Brooke's. Sending all the signals it shouldn't be. All the feelings she didn't want to feel, couldn't. Not now, not with the wedding so close and Haley so happy. Then her mind said the one thing that threw her over the cliff edge.

Denial won't stop you loving her, Brooke.

Brooke drew her hand sharply away from under Haley's as if she'd been bitten by a snake. Haley turned to her perplexed, saw the lost look on her face and her confusion deepened. "Tigger-"

"I need to g-go Hales," Brooke flustered out, standing abruptly and turning to leave. She hesitated as Haley tried to muster a protest to her sudden departure and looked back over her shoulder at the smaller girl. "I'm sorry." Closing her eyes in defeat, she pushed open the café's door just as the tears threatened to make their usual appearance.

"But, what about all these bags and-", the door swung shut. She was gone. "-and your coffee…" Haley mumbled. Her shoulders slumped as she peered down at the unwanted mug, her reflection in the murky surface looking as lonely as she felt.

Damn.

End of chapter 1

Read and review: TGT: Two words. Gypsy...curse. Now you don't want that do you, so review! DIB: Three words. Raped...by a bear. Wait that's four...

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