Safe Haven- A One Tree Hill Story

Chapter 1- Stay

All along it was a fever
A cold sweat hot-headed believer
I threw my hands in the air and said, "Show me something,"
He said, "If you dare come a little closer."

Brooke awoke in a pool of sweat, covered in a small blanket, on her two seater sofa on a cold Tuesday morning. Sitting up, she starts to take in her surroundings, it's a far cry from her old life. The small one bedroom broken down house she was renting was falling apart, the floor needed re-varnishing and the kitchen cupboards needed repainting. That was only the start of it, the whole place needed her touch, somewhere that she could call her own. Standing up from the couch and folding up the blanket, she makes her way to the fridge, opening it up and glaring at the little contents inside. All that she could afford was a few pieces of fruit, some cheese and crackers and some fruit juice, after having something to eat and drink Brooke makes her way to the bathroom. Staring at her reflection in the mirror a lot had changed. She no longer looked like her happy and content self, her eyes which would usually glisten were sunken in and dark. Her skin which would usually be golden was pale and the bones which were usually covered with flesh and muscle were protruding through her clothes. Washing her face in the sink, Brooke decides to take the little change she has in her pocket and make the 2 mile walk to the local grocery store.

'Oh hi!.' Brooke is startled as she makes her way out of her house and across the street is a tall, thin, blonde woman waving her hands at her. 'Ermm... hi, I didn't realise somebody had moved in already.'

'Sorry I startled you it's just so lonely around here, it's nice to see a friendly face, my name's Peyton and you are?'

'I'm Brooke, and I know the feeling of it being lonely but it's nice around here.'

'Do you know how much dust I had to shake of an old rug in there, literally thought I was going to have an asthma attack or something and I don't even have asthma.' Brooke giggled as Peyton shook her head. 'It's not that bad once you get used to it, but look I gotta run but it was nice meeting you.'

'You too.' Peyton said but Brooke had already made a dash for the store. The walk did her some good, she could feel the breeze through her hair and it made her feel free for a second but then she remembered and she felt scared again and began to pick up the pace.

'Hey pumpkin what are you drawing?'

'Hey daddy! It's a bunny see, there are ears and a carrot.' Said the little girl pointing at the picture. Lucas sighed as he watched his daughter. Lucas was the owner of a small grocery store in the town of Tree Hill. He lived there also with his two young children, Molly and Joshua, who hung around the store whilst he worked. The tall man had sandy blonde hair, bright blue eyes and lightly tanned skin. Sitting behind the cash register his head looked up as he heard the bell go by the main entrance and his eyes followed the young girl who stepped inside the store. His eyes watched her as she browsed the shelves putting very few things in her basket, some nuts and a bag of rice. His eyes narrowed as he saw how thin she was and how sad she looked and that's when he took his initiative and walked over to her to offer his help. 'Hey, i've seen you in here before, is there anything I can help you with?'

'Um no thank you.' She replied quickly getting away from him and making her way to the till. Lucas looked confused but that's when he noticed it, the woman stood by the till twiddling her wedding ring finger but there was no ring, in it's place was a white mark of where a ring would have been. He had seen it before, when he used to work with the police, the nervousness and the sadness in her face. Then his daughter, to his shock, approached her and he decided to stay back and watch whilst his employee rang up her items.

'Hi! I'm Molly.' The little girl said holding her little hand out to Brooke as she started packing her few items in a bag. 'Well hi there Molly, that's a pretty picture.'

'Thank you! I always tell my daddy that when i'm older I want to be an artist.' Brooke chuckled at the sweet girl standing before her, full of innocence and excitement. 'You know I have a feeling that you, little lady, will be whatever you want to be.' Brooke smirked and the little girl reached for her hand. 'Come with me! I want to show you more drawings.'

'Oh sweetheart I would love to but I have to get these things back to my cottage but maybe another time?' Molly looked at the ground disappointedly. 'How about I take this one and put it on my fridge? I always liked bunnies.' Molly's face looked up at her and a huge smile replaced the sad frown she had previously worn, she hugged Brooke tightly and all Lucas could do was watch at the sight before his eyes. After Brooke paid for her items with the few pennies she had to her name, which often embarrassed her as she counted each one out, she grabbed the bag and made a dash for the door, pushing past Lucas in the process.

'Hey Molly, who was that lady? Did you know her?' Lucas asked his small daughter as she took out a fresh sheet of paper. 'That was Miss Brooke daddy, she comes in here quite a lot and I thought she would like a friend.'

'You know I think you are the most intelligent girl I have ever met, besides your mother.'

'I miss her daddy.'

'I miss her too pumpkin.'

Not really sure how to feel about it.
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you.
It takes me all the way.
I want you to stay

Well here is the first chapter my loyal readers, I got the inspiration from reading the book 'Safe Haven' written by the wonderful Nicholas Sparks whilst on holiday and the story just moved me. In no way do I own anything in this story except merging of a good book and a good tv show. As always I appreciate any feedback you guys have for me

Megan