An emotional train wreck… that's what she was. She was a big heap of wreckage and everyone was slowing down to take a look. In today's society it's hard not too. We are fascinated by the things that remind us of how good our lives really are. Even she had to admit that if it weren't herself, she'd be slowing down too.

She was all alone with no one to run to, no one to turn to. It never used to be like that. Yes, her parent's were never around… but at least she had her friends… and then Lucas back then before it all happened. As she stood on the beach, kids drinking and dancing all around her, the same memory kept running through her mind.

"If I tell you I love you… Will you hold it against me?" Peyton said as she draped against Lucas's chest.

"Peyton…" Lucas said as he picked her up as if she were a tiny baby.

"You're always saving me" Peyton said softly. Her eyes fluttering shut as her head leans closer and closer to his anticipating lips.

"Well someone has too" Lucas said before closing the distance and capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

Brooke looked on in disgust. Her boyfriend and her best friend had just cheated on her, again.

Thinking back on that moment, made all the progress they had made seem like nothing had changed. She was glad that it was over… it was the beginning of her junior year and she could try and move on.

She looked around her; the memories were everywhere… the beach, the playful couples. She knew that if she was going to get on with her life, she had to get out of this place. Because now, for the first time in her entire life she felt unaccepted in her own skin. The once strong and brave had turned weak and broken.

She began to walk down the beach, pouring her drink out along the sand. She sat down in front of a row of beach houses. Tears slowly slipped down her face, and as time past they began to fall faster and faster until she was sobbing heavily.

"Uh, are you okay?" A dark haired boy said as he sat down next to Brooke's small body.

"Oh... Yea... I'm fine" Brooke said as she wiped her eyes and sat up straighter. Even if she was upset there was no way she'd ever let anyone see her like this.

"My name's Nathan Scott... and I actually just moved here. I didn't mean to... intrude. I'm sorry, I'll go" Nathan said rambling.

"No, don't go. I mean it's kind of refreshing to have someone that doesn't know everything about me" Brooke said turning her head to finally get a look at this guy.

"Yeah, I mean, I know how you feel" Nathan said as he settled back in next to her. "Being the new guy, it's kind of a good thing."

"Having a fresh start does sound pretty awesome right about now" Brooke said, a small sigh escaping her lips.

"Well I guess you ran into the perfect guy then huh? I'm new, so I know nothing" He said as he got up brushing his self off. He then offered Brooke his hand. "And since I know nothing about this town, maybe you can give me a tour. Show me around a little."

"That sounds like a good idea to me. As long as you never tell anyone you saw me like this" Brooke said taking his hand and brushing herself off.

"I think I could do that" Nathan said with a smirk.