Author's note: Hey, everyone. This is my first fanfic and since I've become a Brathan worshipper, I decided to write this. Hope it's to your liking. Please read and review! It gives a girl motivation.
Need to know: Brooke and Lucas were together, but he cheated on her with Peyton. Haley left to go on tour, and she was never married to Nathan but she moved into his apartment soon after they became a couple. Jake is also friends with Peyton. It takes place right before summer starts, ending their junior year.
Brooke sat up suddenly from the couch; she couldn't sleep and she couldn't think of anything else except Lucas. That was the problem. He left her, for good, this time. The dark living room reminded her of the heartbreak she was experiencing; it was lonely and quiet. She glanced at the clock on the far wall and it read a faint 2:30 am. She leaned back against the couch and took a deep breath, contemplating on whether she should try to get some sleep or go through another sleepless night. A sound of feet shuffling turned her attention towards the hallway. Nathan made his way to the kitchen, careful not to make any noise. He opened the refrigerator and searched for a water bottle; when he found one, a voice came from behind him. "Grab me one too, yeah?"
Nathan whirled around, almost dropped the bottle, "Brooke! I didn't know you were awake."
Brooke stood up and walked towards him, "Can't really sleep, you know?"
"I know what you mean." Nathan grabbed a second bottle and handed it to her, "This heat is killing me."
"Yeah, that too." Brooke took a drink and put the bottle down on the counter, "Among other things."
Nathan nodded and the two shared a few minutes of silence together. There wasn't much to say. Nathan shut the refrigerator door closed and the photo of him and Haley caught his eye. He took the picture and placed it face down on the counter, "You're not the only one hurting."
Brooke glanced down at the photo and shrugged, "Who would've thought this is where we would end up, Nathan Scott?" She walked back towards the couch and laid down. Nathan didn't know what to say and made his way back to the bedroom. He shut the door and sat on the bed. Haley left him, after what he thought was so real. Music became more important to her and as much as he hates it to admit it, he loves that she chased her dream. She just didn't believe in taking him along for the ride. He chugged the rest of the water and threw the bottle on the floor. Another sleepless night for the both of them. Day 4.
--
Brooke sat in her car and watched the river court. There was no one there, but she imagined Lucas playing on the court, showing off while she watched from the sidelines. A little smile crept up on her face when the image of Peyton shot it down. No, it wasn't really an image, Peyton's car had pulled up next to hers and she was making her way to Brooke's window.
"Brooke." Peyton's voice called out to her. Brooke started her car and drove off; she could care less about what Peyton has to say. To her, she didn't have a best friend. And she didn't need one either.
--
The apartment was quiet when Brooke made her way back home. She saw her luggage in the corner of the room, clothes spilling out of it. A crazy idea crossed her mind and she smiled. She walked to her luggage and packed her clothes, closing it and carrying it by the door. She grabbed her things from the bathroom and when she walked back out, a familiar figure stood next to her things, "Going home?"
Brooke smiled, "I'm leaving, yes. Going home? Not even close." She grabbed a bag from the living room and dumped her things in, searching around for anything she might've missed.
Nathan looked confused, "Are you gonna live in your car, then? The apartment is still yours for the taking. Well, the living room is."
"No, Nathan," Brooke looked back at him, "I'm gonna go for a little road trip."
"To where?"
"Who knows!" She was unusually ecstatic. Her cheery self was coming back, even for a little bit. "I'm just…gonna drive."
Nathan watched as she grabbed her things from all over the room, "Do you have any money to get wherever you're going to?"
"Honestly, I really don't, but right now, I could care less."
Nathan laughed, "So what's gonna happen when you're out of gas and no place to stay for the night?"
"I'll rough it. But my car's doable too." She sounded delirious. Nathan seemed almost worried, until he ran into the bedroom and came back out with a bag of his own, "So let's go."
Now Brooke was confused, "Uh, you're coming with me?"
"It's better than staying in this hell hole. What do you say, are you up for an adventure?"
"Hmm. I guess we might as well make the most of our summer!" She gathered the last of her things and turned back to Nathan, who was holding the door open for her, "When did you pack your bags?"
"Oh, I actually planned on leaving a week ago, but you moved in the living room and I didn't have the heart to just leave you alone."
"Well, well, Nathan Scott. I didn't know you cared." She smiled and he carried her bag downstairs. They packed their things in the car and Brooke took the driver's seat. She turned to Nathan, "Last chance to stay…"
Nathan shook his head, "I have no reason to stay." He looked back up at the apartment that he once shared with Haley, "It's now or never."
Brooke started the car and drove off. It was noon and she really didn't know where she was driving. She just knew that Tree Hill wasn't where she wanted to be right now…or even, at all.