Stronger Chapter 1, an one tree hill fanfic

Okay, so this is my first fanfic that I post on a website and I'm very excited!! I'm sorry for the possible grammar mistakes, I tried my best to correct them all, but if there is any left, I'm really sorry. I'd love to know what you think, so please leave a review at the end, even if it's a simple 'Good job.'

This takes place after Peyton told Brooke she had feelings for Lucas and they started dating. So here it goes.

STRONGER

Haley slowly opened her eyes. It was still dark outside. She wondered the time, but she guessed it was probably around three. She tried to get up, then she felt the arms on waist tighten. That made her smile. Nathan and her had something special. She once had been stupid enough to walk away from them, but there was no way in hell that she would make the same mistake ever again.

She laid her hand upon his arm. She tenderly moved her hand from side to side and then interwined fingers with him. She started to make small circles on his hand smoothly with her thumb. In response, Nathan pulled her closer to him, like he would never let her go. Then leaned into her hair. God, she loved him!

She stayed in that position for a while. She could stay like that forever, that was where she wanted to be for the rest of her life, in his arms. It was pure happiness she was feeling at that moment. But as much as she loved that feeling, she had to be up early in the morning for school, so she tried to go back to sleep. After a long fifteen minutes, she understood that going back to sleep was not an option. Her sleep was long gone. She decided to watch TV or maybe a DVD. With that thought on her mind, she carefully got rid of Nathan's grip and placed a soft kiss on his cheek before leaving the room.

When she entered the living room, she heard faint sobs. She stood alert, the sobs were coming from outside the door. She quickly opened the door and found a crying Brooke on her porch.

"Oh my God, Brooke!" she cried out while sitting beside her.

Brooke didn't hear the door opening, that was why she jumped when she heard Haley. Brooke didn't mean to wake her up, but she didn't have anywhere else to go. She had seen them today, them, and now she was so broken.

Haley started to stroke her hair, but that only made Brooke cry harder. Brooke didn't care if she was loud or it was late, she was hurting and the pain was unbearable. Haley caressed her back gently 'till Brooke calmed down a little.

"I -, I -, I s-saw th-them…" said Brooke. She was still crying desperately. Her eyes were burning because of crying 'till she couldn't anymore. There were no more tears to drop in her eyes.

Haley understood straight who she was talking about.

"How long have you been here?" she asked softly.

"I don't know, two hours I think." answered Brooke as a whisper. Her throat was aching.

"Why didn't you wake me up? You could've called me you know."

Brooke shrugged. " I didn't want to disturb you."

"Oh, Brooke…" Haley held Brooke tightly. " You would never disturb me." They stayed like that for a moment, just swaying back and forth. "Come on, let's get you inside."

x X x X x X x

"I saw them." Brooke repeated. They were on the couch, sitting across. Brooke was completely calm by then, she was able to tell Haley the whole story.

"I was at the mall, just wanted to buy a new pair of shoes. I was fooling around, then I saw them." Brooke started slowly. "They were holding hands, Peyton looked sickeningly happy, I mean I've never seen such a huge smile on her face before."

Haley watched her friend in worry. She looked so sad. Her eyes were blank, she was just staring at the floor. Haley felt so bad for Brooke. Lucas was Haley's best friend, they had grown up together for God's sake! But as much as she loved him, she also hated him for putting Brooke through this. Last year Brooke was the only one who stood by Haley and Haley appreciated that. While they lived together, they had got so much closer and now Brooke was one of the people Haley loved the most. And since Brooke's parents were never around, they were like family. She reached Brooke's hand and squeezed it encouragingly.

"And you know what is the worst part about this? Lucas seemed happy too! I didn't want to believe it! Just a week ago, he was telling me how he loved me and how I am the one for him. And he kept assuring me that Peyton didn't mean anything to him. I just can't believe all those things he said were just a bunch of lies! Still, I can't understand him! If he didn't love me, then why didn't he just go screw Peyton? Why did he have to make me fall for him again?!! But no, he had to hurt me, he had to bring me into this sick triangle! I wonder what was going through his wacky mind?!" Brooke's voice got louder as she talked, she was practically screaming at that moment. She had been keeping it all in and finally she started to take it out. There was no way she could stop now.

x X x X x X x

Nathan tossed and turned in his bed. He tried to reach Haley but he only found the emptiness. He struggled to wake up, there were voices coming from the living room and they were getting louder. He heard someone scream and quickly jumped out of the bed. His mind was working incredibly fast, processing all his thoughts; "Haley's not in bed." , "Someone screamed." , "Someone's in there." … He thought about all possible senarios and he didn't like any of them. He stormed out of the room. If he could've just calmed down a little, he would have recognised the voices and known that they belonged none other than Brooke and Haley.

When he got out of the room, he saw the lights were on. Just then it hit him that it might not be an emergency. He stopped and heard Brooke and Haley talk.

"I wonder if he ever loved me, Haley." Brooke said sadly. Her eyes were shining because of the tears.

'Lucas!' thought Nathan. He had started to date Peyton, Nathan just found that out yesterday. Just a few days ago, Lucas was telling him how he loved Brooke and how he hated himself for hurting her twice. And now, he was going around with Peyton, looking madly in love. Nathan had never thought it through Brooke's perspective before and he suddenly felt sorry for the girl. Sure she was the one to break things off, but she had her reasons. He didn't understand what the hell Luke was doing but it wasn't his place to question it.

"Of course he loved you, don't you ever think like that." Haley tried to sound convincing, but she wasn't sure if she herself believed that.

"Then why is he doing this to me? I've tried so hard to forgive him the first time, and he promised…." Brooke's voice went silent. "And Peyton! How could she do that to me again?! To her-supposed-best-friend?! She's just a skinny little bitch! I thought she loved Jake. Poor Jake. He'll be devastated when he finds out."

'Yeah, Peyton.' thought Nathan. He loved Peyton, she was a good friend, but not lately apperently. The past year all she talked about was how bad she messed things up and how she wanted Brooke's trust back, but then, when she and Brooke were getting on good terms again, she came out with this whole 'I-have-feelings-for-Lucas' thing! You wouldn't tell your best friend that you are in love with her boyfriend, right? There must be a rule against it! So what the hell was wrong with Peyton?! Nathan secretly looked at Brooke. She looked pale and thinner than ever. But more importantly she looked tired. Way too tired. From that moment, Nathan Scott hated his own brother and his ex-girlfriend.

"You are right Brooke. You are so damn right to be angry. What they did was unacceptable. And I'm so sorry that you had to go through this. I wish I could do something to ease the pain."

Brooke looked at her best friend grateful.

"Thank you. For being my best friend and listening to me. I'm sure it got staled and I love you for sticking with me. I just can't get over it…"

Just then Nathan couldn't take it any more and blurted from his hiding space.

"Fuck them Brooke! They can do whatever the fuck they want! You'll be much better without them!"

Two girls stared at him shocked. Brooke quickly tried to wipe away her tears while Haley stood there open-mouthed.

"How long have you been there?" Haley asked once she got out of the shock.

"I…. Uhh…." Nathan didn't know what to say. It was probably better if he stayed at his hiding place. He saw the anger in Haley's eyes rise and he knew he was in trouble.

"Excuse us." Haley said to Brooke sweetly. Then nodded Nathan to follow her. When they got to their bedroom Haley turned to him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" She asked furiously. "Why were you listening to us?! Didn't you understand it was a private moment?!" She was trying to keep her volume down.

"I woke up and you weren't there and I heard someone scream… I paniced, okay?! I was afraid that something happened to you!" Nathan said in defense.

That seemed to soften Haley.

"Then I heard Brooke, felt so bad for her. She didn't deserve any of that." He added.

By then Haley had already started to melt. How could he be this sweet? She fell in love with him even more than she already was, if that was possible. He looked so sad. Haley couldn't stand it and pulled him to her. She clinged onto him. His arms went around her waist and her hands found their way to his neck.

"You are adorable, you know that?" she said sweetly, looking into his eyes.

Nathan smirked. "I knew you loved me Haley James."

"Scott. Haley James-Scott." she corrected, moving her face closer to his. Nathan felt the wave of passion go through his body and crashed his lips to hers.

x X x X x X x

Brooke sadly watched Haley as she pulled Nathan to their bedroom. She didn't mean to cause trouble. She wasn't angry with Nathan, at variance she loved him for defending her. She wasn't offensed, no, not at all, because he was right. Why would she keep hurting herself because of two excuse of people? If she ever needed a two-faced liar bastard or a back-stabbing bitch, she would call them right away. Yeah, that was it. She still could hear Haley yelling to Nathan. She didn't want them to argue. They were the cutest couple! But she didn't want to interrupt either, it could've blown on her. 'They would work it out.' she thought. 'They always do and always will. They are Naley after all.' She decided to play her radio game, she was going to turn over a new page, she needed motivation. She walked over to Haley's radio. She waited 'till the right moment came and turned on the radio.

You were everything, everything that I wanted
We were meant to be, supposed to be, but we lost it
And all of the memories, so close to me, just fade away
All this time you were pretending
So much for my happy ending

It's nice to know you were there
Thanks for acting like you cared
And making me feel like I was the only one
It's nice to know we had it all
Thanks for watching as I fall
And letting me know we were done

'Ouch.' Brooke thought. 'Too much for a start over.' She decided to take another shot. Meanwhile, Nathan and Haley came back to room, but Brooke's back was facing them so she didn't see them. Haley stopped Nathan and watched her beautiful brunette friend. Brooke took a deep breath and a soft music filled the room.

Would have given up my life for you
Guess it's true what they say about love
It's blind
Girl, you lied straight to my face
Looking in my eyes
And I believed you 'cause I loved you more than life
And all you had to do
Was apologize

Brooke didn't know the song, but it felt so emotional that she listened to the end.

You didn't say you're sorry
I don't understand
You don't care that you hurt me
And now I'm half the man
That I used to be when it was you and me
You didn't love me enough
My heart may never mend
And you'll never get to love me, again

No, no, no, no, no, no

Sadness has me at the end of the line
Helpless watched you break this heart of mine
And loneliness only wants you back here with me
Common sense knows that you're not good enough for me
And all you had to do
Was apologize, and mean it

But you didn't say you're sorry
I don't understand
You don't care that you hurt me
And now I'm half the man
That I used to be when it was you and me
You didn't love me enough
My heart may never mend
And you'll never get to love me

It's like hell I could go back in time
Maybe then I could see how
Forgiveness says that I should give you one more try
But it's too late, it's over now

Again

Again, yeah, yeah

Again, again, again, yeah, yeah, yeah

Never get to love me

'You will never get to love me, never again.' Brooke thought. 'Are you kidding me?!' Haley sensed her friend's mood changing, went over to her.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah I'm fine." said Brooke as she turned to Haley. She really was fine. "I'll never feel all alone. Cause I know I have you guys, but more importantly I know that I'm strong enough. I know I can make it out there on my own."

Haley hugged her with teary eyes. Brooke saw Nathan standing in the corner of the room and smiled at him.

"Hey HotShot! Why don't you come over here and give us both a huge hug?"

Nathan's face lit up and he was immediately beside them. Haley laughed at this. Once they chilled, Nathan spoke.

"I'm sorry Brooke, I didn't mean to poke my nose into your business…."

"Oh shut up Nathan, you know it's okay. Actually it was you that made me wake up."

"Really?" asked Nathan while looking at Haley meaningly.

"You had to tell him that, didn't you?" said Haley in mock anger. Then she turned to Brooke serious. "I'm really happy that you feel better Brooke. You deserve to be happy." She stood silent for a second, then abruptly asked. "Can I make an observation?"

"Sure." said Brooke confused.

"Have you realised that you guys are just like the Dawson-Joey-Pacey triangle? Peyton is Dawson, cause it's no secret that Luke and Peyton get along really well and understand each other on a level. And you are Pacey, cause you and Luke definitely have the opposite characters."

"Okay, I'm not sure if you're insulting me or making a compliment?" said Brooke looking confused as hell.

"Hey, Pacey and Joey were totally opposite but that was what made them this perfect, it was like every disparity they have connected them deeper to each other. I mean, look at Nathan and me. And you'll remember Dawson and Joey tried so hard to make it work, it even seemed to work a while, but we all know what happened in the end." Haley finished with a smile.

"I don't know what happened." said Nathan like a kid.

"Pacey got Joey." Brooke explained while smiling to Haley. "She said it's been Pacey all along."

Nathan then understood what Haley was saying and smirked.

"But it will be too late by then. Cause I'll have a hot and rich boyfriend who loves me to death and I'll be head over heels in love with him and we'll be overflowing happiness!!" Brooke said, clapping her hands like a little girl who got the best doll. "Let's try one more time. I've got a feeling that it will be right this time." She said happily and reached the radio. Little did she know she was right…

I'll make it through the rainy days
I'll be the one who stands here longer than the rest
When my landscape changes, rearranges
I'll be stronger than I've ever been
No more stillness, more sunlight,
Everything's gonna be alright

I know that there's gonna be a change
Better find your way out of your fear
If you wanna come with me
Then that's the way it's gotta be
I'm all alone and finally
I'm getting stronger
You'll come to see
Just what I can be
I'm getting stronger

Sometimes I feel so down and out
Like emotion that's been captured in a maze
I had my ups and downs
Trials and tribulations,
I overcome it day by day,
Feeling good and almost powerful
A new me, that's what I'm looking for

I didn't know what I had to do
I just knew I was alone
People around me
But they didn't care
So I searched into my soul
I'm not the type of girl that will let them see her cry
It's not my style
I get by
See I'm gonna do this for me

x X x X x X x

This was it. I hope you like it, 'cause I liked writing it. This was a possible one-shot, but if you want me to continue, I'll work on it. The songs were My Happy Ending Avril Lavigne, Never Again Justin Timberlake and Stronger Sugababes. Please let me know what you liked or not.