A/N: So this is my first fanfiction so please bare with me. Brathan is my favorite AU couple, and I really wish they would have been given a chance. Anyways here's some background information.

-Brooke and Nathan were close friends in high school, nothing more. The sex tape never happened.

-Nathan and Haley were married, but Nathan had it annulled due to Haley leaving with Chris.

-Lucas did cheat on Brooke, like in season 3

-Brooke helped Nathan heal from his marriage, and Nathan helped her with her broken heart.

-Brase did happen, but they broke up before they went to college

-Nathan went to Duke on a basketball scholarship, the point shaving never happened.

-Brooke also went to Duke for fashion and got a scholarship due to COB

-Brathan remained close friends during college, since they were the only Tree Hill alums attending

-Brooke and Nathan both had feelings for each back in high school, but neither took it any further

Sorry for all the background info, I had to shape the story differently. Anyways here it is, it might be a slow start, but it's worth it. Please review, good and bad. I'll take any input and try to fit it into this story. Sorry for Naley and Brucas fans, this is all Brathan and Leyton.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, just this specific storyline.

Chapter 1

"People who are meant to be together always find a way to each other. When life gets hard, when things change, true love remains the same."

This epic love story takes place during Brooke and Nathan's sophomore years of college. They became distant in college, having their own circle of friends, until they wound up in the same English 102 class.

Brooke walked in English 102 feeling majorly tired. It was Monday and she hadn't had her coffee yet. She regretted trying to make it to class on time and sacrificing her coffee. She sat down in an empty seat near the door, and tried to stay awake as her professor started his lecture. Suddenly, the door to the classroom opened, and a boy sat down next to her. His hood was up, so Brooke had no idea who it was.

"Excuse me, young man? Please pull your hood down."

The boy obliged, knowing he was late and didn't want to get into any more trouble. Brooke looked over at him, noticing he had a Duke basketball blue hoodie on and black Nike shorts. She could tell by the muscles in his legs that he was an athlete. She followed his body all the way up to his face. She gasped in surprise.

There sitting in next to her, her old crush from high school, Nathan Scott.

"Nate?" Brooke whispered over to him.

"Brooke?"

He turned his head towards her, and she recognized his ocean blue eyes and dark mess of hair. The memories came rushing back to her. The long nights at his apartment, where they both comforted each other, the parties they attended together (just as friends) and prom, where they went as each other's dates just so Brooke wouldn't have to go alone and face Lucas.

"Natey, it's really you!"

She quickly leaned over and hugged him. The hug probably last a moment too long because the professor cleared his throat.

"If you two are done, I'd like to get back to my lecture."

Brooke and Nathan laughed quietly together and turned their attention back to their professor.

God, she's still breathtakingly beautiful.

Nathan kept stealing peeks of her out of the corner of his eye. Her hair looked the same from high school, long and dark auburn. She had a more mature look to her face, and her body had changed slightly. Her green eyes still had that electric spark to them.

God, he's still gorgeous as ever.

Brooke could tell he was looking at her. His hair was a little longer than it was in high school, and it made him look sexy. His eyes were still that deep blue Brooke would always find herself losing them in. He seemed more muscular than before, and looked better than ever.

Is he checking me out?

Why would he be checking me out? We're just friends.

I shouldn't be nervous around a boy.

This boy was special though.

Brooke remembered how Nathan had comforted her after Lucas had cheated on her. She also helped him through his pain with his annulment with Haley. They were friends at the time; they didn't want to ruin their friendship by hooking up with each other to feel better. Then Brooke met Chase, and he was there for her during her pain. But she could never forget the feelings she had for Nathan, which she buried deep inside her. Except now, those feelings were coming back and boy, were they strong.

A/N: I know this chapter is short, but I'm still getting the hang of things. Please review because I want to know what you think, and give me any ideas of what you want in the story. I'll see if I can put it in, and I'll give you credit in the author's note. Not sure yet if I'll update more than once a day, but I'm going to try and update daily.