It was the junior year of high school, fresh new faces, old faces, new friends and old. There were millions of possibilities and millions of chances that a young student wanted to take. Brooke Davis soaked in the fresh new possibilities of the junior year. She was excited about the risks that she was going to make. Brooke promised herself that she would enjoy junior year, explore and discover new things. This year was going to be different and epic than any other year. Brooke felt the pressure of leaving high school and becoming boring and old. She knew what to expect when she left high school. She would have to put all her focus on work and live the rest of her life with her mother hanging onto her back. Brooke felt the smile fade away, trying not to think about her mother. Brooke wished that she knew what her mother had planned for her, but that was something that she couldn't control. Brooke's entire life was involved around making her parents happy, even though she felt like she would never succeed. Brooke challenges herself each year, wishing that something would grab her parents attention. If it's out partying, hanging out with strange students from her school or running away from home, she would always wonder if her parents even cared. And in the end, they would prove her right and not flinch. Brooke knew deep down that she didn't want to spend the rest of her life trying to please her parents, but there was nothing that she could do. She had this undying love for her parents, waiting for them to turn over a new leaf. She had this thought, that they would become better parents over time. She had been holding onto that hope ever since she was five years old. Brooke shut her locker door, escaping from her loud surroundings into her mind.
"Brooke," A familiar voice said. Brooke snapped out of her trance, feeling a little embarrassed that she was staring off into the distance. Brooke opened her eyes, planting a fake smile. She looked at the young girl that called her name. Peyton Sawyer. Peyton was a good friend to Brooke, a best friend. Peyton was always there, she was the person that Brooke could vent to, no matter what time of the day it was. "Are you okay?" Brooke felt like those were the only words that came from Peyton's mouth. Over the years, Peyton could see something changing in Brooke.
"I was thinking about how amazing this year is going to be," Brooke put the thought of an epic year back into her mind. The thought made her excited again, Brooke gushed over the possibilities of the school. Peyton chuckled at Brooke's excitement, that's all she could talk about. Peyton hasn't heard anything from Brooke other than her 'epic year'. Brooke was so happy about this year, which made Peyton happy. "Aren't you excited?" Brooke looked away from the yelling teenagers in the hallway. Peyton looked around the narrow hallway, students cheering with excitement, brand new faces, and innocence. Peyton didn't expect this year to be different than the last one, she was just ready to graduate high school and see what the rest of her life as planned for her. Peyton wished that she had the motivation that Brooke had, but there was nothing that was making her excited for the junior year.
"Sure," Peyton smiled. Brooke quickly frowned, she knew when Peyton was lying. Her voice gets high, her eyebrows narrow and she tries to keep direct contact; as if to hope that you didn't know she was lying.
"Oh, come on, Peyton." Brooke pouted, begging her friend to enjoy the time that they have. "This is our junior year, the year before our last year. We have to enjoy this moment, being a teenager." Brooke reminded Peyton. Brooke didn't understand why Peyton wasn't excited, they had been waiting for this moment a long time. Brooke had spent the whole summer reminding Peyton why they should be excited. The truth was, Peyton couldn't find something that was exciting for her.
"And hooking up with college boys?" Peyton raised her eyebrow, judging Brooke a little. Brooke didn't care for Peyton's comment, she was never the one to let one word get to her. Brooke remembered the time that she hooked up with a college boy. There was a college party a mile away from Tree Hill, she went with a couple of friends and couldn't remember what happened after that. She only knew what her friends told her when she woke up.
"Yes," Brooke said proudly. Peyton huffed, she should have expected Brooke would think that this was a game. Peyton didn't care for the idoit students of Tree Hill High, she just wanted to get her degree and leave this town for good. She thought that she would make a music career, help artist finds their talent. "And that was only one time," Brooke raised her index finger, warning Peyton. Brooke and Peyton couldn't keep their eyes on each other, there was so much going around them.
"One time?" Peyton questioned, remembering Brooke telling her about two college guys that she hooked up with. Brooke huffed in annoyance, she couldn't understand why Peyton wouldn't let her live. Brooke didn't want Peyton to ruin her excitement of the year. Brooke told herself that she wasn't going to let anyone ruin her mood, not Peyton and not her parents.
"Okay, maybe two but you know what they say," Brooke sang, waiting for Peyton to finish her sentence. Peyton knew what they said but they also said that there were diseases going around as well. Peyton wanted Brooke to be happy but she also wanted her to be careful. "Please, Peyton," Brooke changed the subject, wrapping her hands around her best friend. Brooke hated seeing Peyton like this, she deserved to be happy more than anyone else. "Be happy, this is going to be our last year where we can actually have fun without getting arrested." Brooke laughed, trying to cheer up her friend. Peyton crossed her arms, laughing with Brooke. Peyton could hear what Brooke was saying and she understood, she just doesn't care. Brooke looked down the left side of the hallway. Brooke's eyes widened, her heart skipped a beat and her mind went completely blank. If Brooke could say something, her words would be completely jumbled. The young boy walked alongside his best friend, smiling and not giving a care to the world around him. Brooke gushed at the sight of her long-time crush. She had a crush on him since elementary, hoping that one day she would get a chance. Peyton noticed that Brooke's eyes were glued to Julian Baker. Julian was the co-captain of the basketball team and his best friend beside him, Lucas Scott, was also the co-captain of the Ravens. Julian Baker and Lucas Scott had been the best friend since they could speak, they were always by each other's side. There was a moment where they betrayed each other, had fights or even separated. If you saw one of them, you would see the other. Peyton thought it was odd how close they were, she first thought they were a secret couple but then saw Lucas kissing on a cheerleader freshman year.
"Hey, Brooke," Julian winked playfully, not thinking about his gesture. Brooke tried to pull herself together, she couldn't freak out in front of her crush. Yes, they talked and Brooke would consider them as friends but nothing more; even though she wished. Lucas kept his gaze on Peyton, trying not to make it obvious but couldn't help but look at their beauty. Lucas had a crush on Peyton since he was nine years old. He knew that he loved her since the first moment that they've meant.
"Uh, hey," Brooke gushed, raising her shaking hand to say hi. Brooke grinned, so large that it was beginning to make everyone around her uncomfortable. Julian looked away, hoping that her smile would change once he looked back. He watched as the new students roamed the halls, and old faces waved at him.
"Hey, Peyton. How was your summer?" Lucas began with something subtle. Lucas had been practicing and learning from Julian. Julian looked back, seeing the panic and awkward look on Lucas' face. Julian was ashamed of Lucas' lack of charm. Julian felt if you were a guy, this was the first thing that you would have to know. Peyton frowned, not giving Lucas any attention. Peyton always looked at Lucas as an annoying little brother that wouldn't leave you alone. Each day, Lucas would try to build up the courage to talk to Brooke but she would brush him off.
"Fine," Peyton shrugged her shoulders, not wanting to continue the conversation. She believed that every guy in Tree Hill wasn't worth her time. She promised herself that she would fall for anyone until she moved away and settles down. Lucas didn't know her plans, he believed that after this year, Peyton would be his. "How was yours?" Peyton asked, knowing that Brooke would kill her for not being polite. Brooke let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling relaxed to know that Peyton wasn't going to ruin this conversation by telling Lucas to buzz off. Peyton didn't really care about his summer was going, just wanted Brooke to be happy.
"It was nice," Lucas raised his shoulders. His summer contest of meeting new girls, learning the ways of Julian Baker and training for basketball. Lucas wanted to go to pro ball and get the girl of his dreams. Julian thought that Lucas needed a little help, he looked like he was drowning and needed to be saved.
"Lucas here did more than just something nice," Julian patted Lucas on the back. Lucas blushed in embarrassment, he knew that's something that Peyton didn't like. Peyton was someone so different than what the world sees. Brooke laughed, seeing Julian's look through his awful humor. Peyton looked over at her best friend, ashamed that Brooke was laughing at his joke. "Ready for junior year, Brooke," Julian focused his attention back on Brooke since she was the only one to keep a decent conversation without awkward silence.
"Yea, wild, right?" Brooke rolled her eyes as if the beginning of school was stressing her out. Peyton couldn't believe that Brooke would completely change herself for this guy. Julian didn't agree, he thought that this was going to be the best year of his life. He was excited about basketball but also meeting new people, as in people, girls.
"Right…well, we'll see you guys later." Julian pointed at both of the girls, winking at them as he grabbed Lucas and walked away. Lucas was rethinking about his chances with Peyton, every time he was around her, he would just completely forget about what he was going to say. "How was your summer?" Julian questioned Lucas, wondering if he was in the right state of mind when he asked that question. Lucas already regretted what he said, he didn't want Julian to remind him.
"Shut up," Lucas chuckled, brushing off his mistake. Lucas glanced back, seeing Brooke blush as she covered her face. Lucas wondered what they were talking about, seeing how Brooke was acting. Brooke smiled widely. Lucas never spoke to Brooke, he wondered what would happen if he did. "Hmph," Lucas let the curious sigh escape his lips. Peyton watched as Julian and Lucas walked away, making sure that it was safe enough to tease Brooke. Brooke let out a deep breath, finally relaxing and concentrating on how she was going to win Julian over.
"Wild?" Peyton narrowed her eyebrows, wondering if she heard Brooke correctly. Peyton was there when Brooke would practice in the mirror on how she would talk to Julian. It seemed like she had the confidence but every time when Julian came around, she would just melt.
"Shut up," Brooke blushed, rolling her eyes. Brooke rested her head on Brooke's shoulder, looking out into the packet hallways. Brooke wanted to take this moment in, one day, she would never see these people ever again. They would just be a blurred image in the back of her mind, and in the end, she would still have her best friend. Brooke wanted Peyton to enjoy her final years as a high school student, you could never get that moment back. "Just look around, Peyton. This is going to be the year that is going to change our lives," Brooke reminded her. Even though Peyton and Brooke didn't know it now, she was right.
