Summary: As Brooke's family dangerously nears bankrupcy, it seems as though her entire world is collapsing around her. What happens when someone offers her a way out? What happens when she makes a deal with the devil, and who will be hurt as a consequence? BrookeNathan
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of it's characters.
Story Notes: Takes place sometime during season two, I guess. As you can see, I changed some things around, but you'll understand that after you read.
Author's Note: This is my first time writing a One Tree Hill fic, so I hope I can do it justice. Reviews are always appreciated- good or bad. Please and thank you! Now, on with the story...
No matter what catastrophic event she was facing in her life, Brooke Davis turned to ice cream in her time of need. Her first ice cream binge had occured when her parents began neglecting her when she was just a little girl. While they were away on their so-called "buissness trips," Brooke would sit with the housekeeper and watch soap operas, all the while indulging herself with the sugary substance.
When she was in fifth grade, she was filled in on the importance of appearance. Consequently, she tossed out the Ben & Jerry's, placing new restrictions on herself. However, when her one true ally in her family- her grandmother- passed away a year later, she single-handedly finished off two quarts. This was followed by excessive exercise and dieting, but that didn't stop it from happening, and it wouldn't stop it from happening again. In fact, she had lost count of the cartons consumed when the one boy she had ever truly cared for cheated on her with her best friend. Yeah, that had hurt. Since then, she had resolved never to let a boy get to her again. No more temptations to cheat... no more risks of losing stellar bod. Everyone wins.
Brooke had eventually forgiven Lucas and Peyton for their betrayal. This proved to be an extremely difficult task, but step-by-step they gained her trust back. It didn't hurt that Peyton was now seeing Jake Jagielski, school sweetheart, and showed no more interest in Lucas, whatsoever- with the exception of friendship, of course. Lucas, along with Brooke, was keen on being independent. No more girl drama, at least for a little while. In fact, the only woman, besides his mother, that he spent much time with was his best friend, Haley James. That is, when she wasn't off with his least favorite person- his brother, Nathan. He didn't like it, but he cared enough about Haley to let her make her own mistakes.
Tree Hill sometimes reminded Brooke of one big soap opera. At times, it was so surreal she had to pinch herself, just to be sure it wasn't a dream- or a nightmare, for that matter.
"Brooke!" Her reinstated best friend let herself into the house that was so ginormous that her voice echoed. "Are you ready to go?"
Brooke appeared at the top of the staircase wearing a sexy, red halter top along with the shortest skirt she owned. Her matching handbag and heels topped off the already extravagent outfit. "Too slutty?" were her first words as she strided down the staircase to greet her friend.
"Just a little." Peyton laughed as she shook her head. Typical Brooke.
"Perfect." Brooke replied, showing off her signature smile. "You, on the other hand, may need some work."
Peyton, predictably, was wearing one of her trademark band tees and jeans. Her head full of curls was the icing on the cake. "We're just going to the mall." she pointed out. "Not a fashion show..."
"Yeah, but not a rock concert either." Brooke countered. "Whatever, let's just go. I'm driving."
"So, P. Sawyer..." Brooke began once the duo was in the car and well on their way. "How are things going with Mr. Jagielski?" She lowered her voice and smiled mischievously. "Have you two done it yet?"
"Brooke!" Needless to say, Peyton was taken back by the inappropriateness of the question. She marveled over her friend. Why was she surprised? "You are something else, ya know that?"
Brooke came to a halt at a red light and turned to the blonde anxiously. "Don't avoid the question, P. Sawyer. I know you, and I know a sidestep when I see one."
Peyton laughed and shook her head incredulously. "No, we haven't had sex yet." she paused for effect. "Happy?"
"No, I am not happy." Brooke replied, diverting her attention back to the road just as soon as the light changed colors. "You haven't had sex yet." she stated. "Why the hell not?"
"I don't know..." Peyton stalled, playing with one of her many curls. "We're taking things slow, I guess."
The brunette laughed, evidently amused. "Oh, come on. That it the oldest excuse in the book, and you know it. For whatever reason why Jagielski's not initiating things, you're going to have to make the first move."
"I'm completely satisfied with the way things are, Brooke." Peyton replied, trying her best to sound convincing.
"Not as satisfied as you'd be if you were having sex." Brooke retorted knowingly.
The two laughed as Brooke sped down the familiar street, eager to get to her second home.
After two hours of non-stop speed-shopping, as Brooke called it, the two girls were exhausted and ready for a much deserved lunch break. Brooke scanned the food court, simply searching for the place with the shortest line. It was twelve o' clock on the dot, after all. Something caught her eye as she was browsing. She nudged her best friend. "Look who's working at the pretzel stand." she pointed a perfectly manicured finger, smiling mischievously. "I'll tell you, it's our friend, Nathan Scott." she paused for effect. "Let's go say hi... Or make fun of his uniform, whatever."
Peyton had no choice but to comply as she was dragged off in the direction of the pretzel stand. Fortunately, there was no line. Nathan's misguided attempt at a pretzel evidently drove most of the customers away.
"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you without a uniform on, Nathan." Brooke said playfully as they approached. "Except for I don't see the number 23 anywhere, so will someone please tell me what the hell is going on? You're a working man?"
"Brooke. Peyton." Nathan stated, clearly embarrassed to be found in his current attire. "Seeing as how you're probably on some low-carb diet, I assume you're not customers?"
"You assumed right. We just came to say hi." Brooke smiled flirtatiously, willing herself not to get lost in his deep blue eyes... Too late.
"Well, normally I would have to ask you to leave, but seeing as how there's no one here during the lunch rush... I guess I'm on break." he took off his apron before following the two girls to a nearby bench.
"So... from the looks of things working in a pretzel stand's not all it's cracked up to be?" Peyton spoke up for the first time, leaning over Brooke to get a glimpse of her former boyfriend.
"Please." Brooke laughed, ignoring the fact that the question was not directed toward her. "Since when was working in a pretzel stand cracked up to be anything but manual labor? No offence, Nathan, but it sounds like a pretty shitty job to me."
"None taken. The only reason I'm working here is to pay my rent."
"I'm sorry, but isn't your dad loaded?" Brooke inquired, trying to understand why anyone would prefer a job over, well... free money.
"Yes." Nathan replied simply. "And I would gladly take his money if it didn't give him licence to control my life. With my dad, there are always strings attached."
"Are you sure that it's not just money attached to those strings?" Brooke was incessant. What had happened to the rich, arrogant bastard she once knew?
Nathan laughed as he shook his head. "I'm sure."
"Ahem."
The three turned their heads simultaneously to see none other than Haley James standing before them.
Nathan was the first to greet her. "Haley." he smiled as he embraced her. "Brooke and Peyton were just keeping me company on my lunch break."
"But I'm sure you can take over from here." Peyton suggested for Haley's sake. "Come on, Brooke." she tugged on her best friend's arm, but to no avail. The brunette would not budge.
"Tutor girl." Brooke stated.
Haley sighed, exasperated, and tucked a loose piece of her auburn colored hair behind her ear. "Brooke."
Nathan's head shifted from Brooke to Haley, then back again. He could feel the tension building and was relieved when he spied a clueless customer waiting at the pretzel stand. "I'm sorry, but I have to get back to work." He gave Haley a quick kiss on the forehead- not as romantic as she would've liked- and Brooke and Peyton a slight wave before hurrying back to work.
Haley turned to leave, but was stopped abruptly by none other than Brooke. "Just because Nathan has to go back to work doesn't mean you can't have any fun."
Haley willed herself not to laugh. Okay, two could play this game. "What did you have in mind?"
"This will make Nathan go crazy." Brooke said, forcing the set of lingerie on her newfound friend. "And for Mr. Jagielski..." she sifted through the articles, showing off her expertise. "Aha! He wont be able to keep his hands off you."
Peyton and Haley exchanged glances.
"This is all very thoughtful, Brooke..." Haley started, choosing her words carefully.
"No," Brooke cut her off. "What would be thoughtful is if you'd try that on for Nathan after a long day at work."
"Brooke!" Peyton said with a laugh. She knew that her friend was having fun with this one.
"P. Sawyer." Brooke replied tauntingly. "Come on, you were just telling me how badly you wanted to get Jake in the sack. What better way to do it?"
Peyton hit the brunette playfully on the arm, before saying with a gravely serious expression: "You really think that will work?"
The three girls laughed, and Haley was surprised to discover that she was genuinely enjoying herself.
After that one customer, the pretzel stand had been unbearably quiet. This left Nathan with nothing to do besides spy on the many shoppers. He yawned out of boredome and remained unentertained until something finally managed to grab his attention. Haley, Peyton, and Brooke emerged from Victoria's Secret- each with a shopping bag in hand. He let out a small laugh. This was, without a doubt, Brooke's doing. This was what happens when his perfect, innocent girlfriend is exposed to the likes of the devil.
Brooke finally returned home to a very unusual scene. Every painting had been stripped from the wall, and half of the furniture was missing. Her parents were sitting on opposite ends of the couch, both with grave expressions on their aging faces.
"What's going on?" Brooke wanted to know. The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach told her that something just wasn't right.
A familiar tune went off and Peyton picked up her cell phone to see Brooke's name flashing across the caller ID. She raised an eyebrow in confusion- Brooke had just dropped her off ten minutes ago- but picked up the phone nonetheless.
"Hey. What's goin' on?"
"I'm poor!" Brooke wailed, and Peyton could tell that this would not be a pleasant phone conversation.
From the other side of the phone line, Brooke was balancing the phone with the help of her shoulder, lying on a bed that was seemingly cut in half. She picked up the spoon and dug it into the ice cream carton. Rocky road always got the job done.
Welp, there's the first installment for you. Drop me a review, and I'll try to update as soon as I can! Thanks:)