Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or Supernatural nor anything affiliated with both these shows.
Summary: It only takes a moment. For your eyes to meet and then. Your heart knows in a moment. You will never be alone again. (Song - It Only Takes a Moment from the Musical: Hello, Dolly).
AN: Karen and Keith Scott are proud parents to Lucas, Nathan and Brooke Scott. Lucas and Nathan are fraternal twins with Lucas being the older one by 4 minutes. Everyone is the same age except for Brooke who is a year younger and Dean who is a year older.
Also, a huge shout out goes to my sister, Rachel and my dear friend, Q for helping me turn this concept into a story.
Chapter 1 Blood Relations
It's been a year since Lucas and Nathan left for college. With them being gone, I was the only child left in Tree Hill. I love my parents very much but life in Tree Hill wasn't the same once Lucas and Nathan left. Although, Mom and Dad spent many of their free time with me, it wasn't enough as they had to run Scott Enterprise.
In the end, I fell into depression. Tree Hill wasn't the same without my brothers and it had been a long while since I've felt so lonely. You're probably wondering what about my friends? Truthfully, I don't have any friends in my year. The only friends I have are my brothers' tight circle of friends. Without them, I lost in touch with reality and I slowly became a recluse in Tree Hill.
When Mom and Dad realized what had happened, they tried every measure they could think off to help me overcome my depression. They cut back their hours at work and Mom even left the runnings of the company to Dad so she could be by my side. They enrolled me in programs hoping I'll hit it off with someone and even sent me to a therapist to help me through my bout of depression. But, no matter what they did, it didn't help. Instead, their methods pushed me even further and I plummeted harder.
At last, they decided to clue in Lucas and Nathan on my condition. Lucas was furious that they kept my depression a secret but I knew why they did it in the first place. They wanted my brothers to enjoy college life and didn't want to damper their spirits. They knew my brothers would feel responsible once they found out that I had been affected badly with their absence.
The following day, both my brothers flew in from New York. The first thing they did when they reached home was storm my bedroom. When they saw me staring blankly ahead, they sat beside me trying to snap me out of my funk by asking why I never once turned to them. Although, I could hear them chatting away, as much as I tried to speak, no words came out of my mouth, so I sat there staring vacantly for hours as my brothers tried their best to reach out to me. After awhile when they realized their efforts were futile, they snapped and left my room in a huff.
-xxx-
That night, Luke came over and slipped into bed beside me. He just laid there holding my hand as he murmured assuring words. "Brooke, I'm here for you, okay. I know I haven't been there lately but that's going to change. I'll be here whenever you need me."
"I just can't believe that Nate and I were so caught up in our lives that we didn't think it was suspicious when we couldn't get through to you. God…I can't believe I didn't see this coming. How could I not? You've always been surrounded by us since young and even at high school, you were always a part of our gang," Luke shuddered.
"Care Bear, I'm so sorry that I never realized how leaving would have left a huge impact on you. Forgive me?" Luke appealed. "You don't have to answer right now, okay? I just want you to know how sorry I am…actually both of us are and that we'll never make the same mistake again."
"Go to sleep, sis. Everything will be better in the morning," Luke whispered as I fell asleep to the soothing sound of his voice.
Lucas has always been my pillar of strength. Ever since I was small, he was always there standing guard watching over me and doing his best to take care of me. He took his job as a big brother seriously and he's almost protective of Nathan as he is with me. But, once Nathan grew older Lucas let loose the tight rein he had Nathan on. He trusted Nathan more and let him out of his sight more often but at the end of the day, anyone who messes with Luke's kid brother or me will have hell to pay.
However, Lucas is different with me. He doesn't give me a free reign like he does with Nathan and even though, I sometimes resent being kept on a tight leash; I know my brother is just looking out for me and that he just wants to ensure that I'm safe. Before the incident that shook our family, Lucas wasn't annoyingly protective. He actually let me out his sight once in a while but after that event, Lucas changed and became overprotective.
-xxx-
When I woke up the next day, I felt so much better. So, I decided to have breakfast with my family which has been a rare occurrence as ever since I fell into depression, Mom or Rosa would bring my meals to my room. Everyone was surprised to see me. The look on their faces had me backtracking to my safe haven but alas, Lucas got up and ushered me to a seat beside him.
"Brooke, I'm so happy you've joining us for breakfast. What do you want? There's toast, cereal, muffins, bagels, bacon, eggs, ham and sausages," Lucas rambled.
"Umm…I'll have some scrambled eggs and orange juice," I replied hesitatingly.
"Coming right up, sis."
As Lucas when about setting my plate, I stared numbly at the table feeling awkward and self-conscious when the clearing of a throat had me looking up.
"Are you okay? Do you need anything besides breakfast?" Nathan asked.
I looked intently into Nate's eyes before answering. "I'm feeling better…all I need is some food."
"Okay, but you and I are going to have a talk after this," Nate mentioned.
"Uhh…I…"
"Brooke, please. I really need to talk to you. Just the two of us," Nate pleaded.
"Yeah…okay."
Just then Lucas arrives with my breakfast. Instead of eating, I stared at my plate impassively as my mind wondered to the conversation that would take place after breakfast. I'm pulled out of my thoughts when I feel a poke in my ribs. I look up to see Lucas nudging me to eat. I take a sip of my juice reluctantly before grabbing my fork.
-xxx-
Once breakfast is over, Nathan leads me to the patio. He makes sure I'm settled down comfortably before starting.
"Brookie, I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you. I should have known that it would be rough for you since we've never been far away before," Nate apologized.
"Nate, I…"
"You don't have to say a word. It's our fault for not realizing sooner. You know we both were wondering why you didn't call. We tried calling but every time, your phone was either engaged or disconnected. Finally, we called Mom and she said you just needed time to adjust. We never thought she meant this," Nate gestured wildly.
"I'm sorry for making you worried."
"You don't have to be sorry. Luke and I will do our best to be here for you, okay?"
"Okay," I answered. "So, how's Columbia?"
"It's wonderful. You'll like it there. Luke and I can't wait to have you join us. Everyone is eager to see you. Haley misses you terribly. We can't wait for you to meet some of our friends there. They've been hearing Luke and I talk nonstop about our baby sister," Nate replied.
"I hope I'll get in. I really want to be in the same place as both of you too. I miss the others too especially Haley," I said shakily as tears clouded my vision. "I hope you didn't say bad things about me."
"You know we'll never do that," Nate assured. "Come here," Nate said enveloping me in a hug as I sobbed.
-xxx-
Lucas and Nathan stayed at home for a week before finally leaving for Columbia. Before leaving, they made me promise to call them whenever I felt lonely. And if they couldn't be there, they'll make sure someone is always available for me to talk to. I promised them I would and if I ever felt like I'm going down the same path as before, I'll let them know. I bid them goodbye hugging both of them fiercely as they dropped a kiss on top of my head.
When they left for the airport, tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks as the feeling of loneliness and dread filled me up inside. But I knew better than to fall into the same habit as I had assured my family I wouldn't take that path again.
With that mantra in my head, I decided to turn my life around. I focused more on my studies and spent most of my time talking with my teachers and doing extra credit. Even though, I didn't have any close friends, at least no one bothered me and left me in peace as I worked my way maintaining my grades. By the end of the month, I became a tutor.
Tutoring was a great experience. I felt alive and I finally understood what Haley meant when she said tutoring made her happy. I loved helping others and the feeling I get when they did well on a test made me blissful. I knew then that tutoring was my calling and I spent many hours at the tutoring center assisting other students in their studies. Through tutoring, I made some friends and it was a nice change having someone to talk to in class.
With tutoring, time flew by so quickly and next thing I know, it's graduation day. I was crowned valedictorian and I graduated high school with a perfect GPA. Mom and Dad were so proud. The look on their faces had me feeling grateful that I decided to turn my life around for the better. The day of graduation, I was a bundle of nerves. I've always been shy and to make a speech in front of the entire student body and their parents was nerve wrecking. When I got onto the podium to give my valedictorian speech, I looked over at my parents and was pleasantly surprised to see Lucas, Nathan and Haley sitting beside them cheering loudly. My nerves settled and I smiled at my siblings, proclaimed sister and my parents as I started off with my speech.
"Today is the ending of one journey and a beginning of a new path. High school is the one place where everyone is cocooned into a clique with no way of escaping the label one is stuck with. On the other hand, with college the world is presented to us on a silver platter and who we were in high school doesn't matter anymore and the label that we wore to high school every day is erased and all that is left is a blank slate. With this new slate, each one of us can create a new dream and have the courage and perseverance to fulfill our lifelong dreams that have taken a back seat in high school. College is the next step for us to find who we truly are and learn to live with who we are. To a new beginning!" I shouted as my classmates and I threw our graduation caps in the air.
Before I could sprint to my family, I felt myself being hugged by them. They were all congratulating me saying how far I have came. I felt so happy having my family with me that tears of joy trickled down my chin.
-xxx-
When I saw the package from Columbia University, I was shaking all over. I really wanted to go there. I opened the package with trepidation as I prayed that I will be accepted into Columbia. With the letter carefully in my hands, I scanned the contents. Once I saw the words 'You've been accepted into Columbia University' I shrieked out loud.
Mom and Dad came thundering into my room shouting, "What happen…what happen?"
"I got into Columbia," I announced breathlessly.
"Honey, that's great!" Mom exclaimed as tears gathered in her eyes.
"I'm so proud of you, baby girl," Dad proclaimed as he smiled happily.
Mom and Dad looked so proud. They knew how much I wanted to get into Columbia as everyone I knew was there. I'm excited and contented that my wish has come true. All the work and effort I put into high school was to help me get into one of the Ivy League Schools in the country. I'm honored knowing I've been accepted by one of the best schools in America.
Life has never really been easy for me. You'll think that since both my brothers were the kings of high school that I'll be popular. Boy is that far from the truth. In elementary and middle school, everything was fine and I had friends of my own but somehow, something changed when I went to high school. Everyone in my year hated me and because of that I didn't had any friends and I was a loner in my year. No one sat with me and everyone avoided me like a plague.
If it weren't for my brothers and their friends, I wouldn't have made it through high school. Since I had no one, my brothers took me under their wing and their friends in turn made me a part of their tight circle. Lucas and Nathan's tight circle consisted of Haley, Rachel, Jake, Clay and Peyton. They treated me as their own and they all had my back.
Besides Lucas and Nathan, I'm super close with Haley. She's my best friend though technically she's Lucas's best friend to begin with. Haley lives next door to us and her parents are the co-owners of James Studios. Our parents are really close with one another and that's how Lucas and Haley became best buds as they have been raised together since they were in their nappies.
As I was always at Luke's side, I hung out with them constantly and with the passing of time, I regarded Haley as my sister. Growing up, Haley and I would always have slumber parties and sometimes our Moms and her sisters would join in the fun. Besides Mom, Haley taught me what fun being a girl is and the joys of sisterhood.
"Haley, is it okay if I call you my sister?" I asked.
"Uhh…I"
"It's okay if you don't want me too. I just thought I should let you know that I think of you as one," I replied assuredly.
"No…I'm not mad. I'm just in awe that you feel like I'm your sister because I've always thought the same thing about you," Haley answered.
"You do?" I questioned.
"Yes, I do. Even though, I have Quinn and Taylor and I love them to death, I've always been closer to you," Haley declared.
That was one of the best days of my life. I love having a sister and for Haley to inform me that I was always like a sister to her made me joyful. I know Lucas is thankful that I have Haley. He has always wanted me to have a sister or a best friend that I could look up to and share my thoughts with and to him, Haley is the perfect choice. She's everything he wants in a best friend.
-xxx-
To ease myself into my new setting, I decided to leave for Columbia two weeks earlier. Luke and Nate are pleased that their baby sis is finally at the same place as them. Truthfully, ever since I received my acceptance letter, I wanted to leave for Columbia. I can't wait to see everybody. Mom and Dad decided to send me off. Dad wouldn't hear of it when I told him I was fine going by myself. Secretly, I'm glad Dad didn't budge as I really wanted to have them see me off. Once we're in the airport, Mom is teary-eyed. This is the first time my parents have ever let me out of their sight ever since that fateful incident many years ago.
"Honey, if you can't visit then your Dad and I will come to New York instead," Mom stated as she pulls me into a hug. "Oh honey, I love you very much. Look after yourself and keep in touch with us."
Once I'm out of Mom's embrace, I turn to Dad. He just smiles sadly before pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. Tears started riveting down my cheeks and it takes everything I have to not leave them and go. I hug Dad back fiercely whispering, "I love you Dad. I'll visit as much as I can."
"Take care. You'll always be my little girl. If you need anything, your Mom and I are here for you," Dad murmurs letting me go.
"Bye…Mom, Dad. I love you both so much!"
"We love you too, honey. Take care and let us know when you've met up with your brothers," Mom replied.
I waved one more time before turning and setting on my journey to Columbia University.
-xxx-
Almost two hours later, the plane touches down in New York. I get off the plane grabbing my bags at the baggage carousel before heading towards the exit. Suddenly I hear my name being called. I turned to my right and I see Lucas and Nathan standing beside the wall with huge grins on their faces. I scurried towards them with my bags in tow. "Luke…Nate…I miss you both so much."
"We miss you too," they chorused as they pulled me into a bear hug dropping kisses on my forehead. I closed my eyes settling in their embrace before kissing them gently on their cheek.
"Brooke, look at you all grown up," Nathan said.
Lucas grinned. "If you weren't our sister, guys would be chasing after you. Luckily, you have us to protect you from those mobsters."
"Haha…very funny," I replied sarcastically as I hitched my jacket closer.
"Come on, let's go. Everybody is dying to see you," Nate stated grabbing my bags as he heads outside.
"Columbia, here I come," I muttered inaudibly as Lucas puts an arm around me steering us towards the exit.
Thanks for reading and reviews are appreciated. ;)