Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters...we all know that.

Summary: AU. This takes place afterthey all graduated from college. Jake doens't have a daughter, Nathan and Haley got married after graduating from high school and nothing happened between Brooke and Lucas-yet.Lucas was in love with Brooke ever since she moved in to Tree Hill when she was 8. Brooke has this huge crush on Lucas ever since he joined the team. Everyone but them know this...

A/N: Please, please review... I really really appreciate reviews... they seriously make my day. (

Before I Let You Go

Chapter One

It was a late summer afternoon and the gang is all hanging out at their usual 'hang-out place', Karen's Café. It was where they had their usual weekend late-night conversations for the past several years they have been together. Even during their college years they still found time to catch up on each other. And after all those years, they have considered each one of themselves as family.

"Hey guys!" Brooke greeted as she entered inside the café. Everyone was already there, sitting at their usual place. She, as usual was 20 minutes late. "Sorry I'm late. I had to…"

"Save it Brookie." Peyton cut her off with a smirk. "Of course you're always looking very pretty."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "I was gonna say that I had to do laundry but thanks for the compliment anyway." Everyone laughed.

Haley came in from the kitchen carrying a tray full of food. "Okay people, time to eat." She said as she placed the food on the table and sat down joining the group.

"God, Hales" Lucas muttered. "You sound like a mom… wait, are you gonna be one anytime soon?"

Haley glared at him. "Very funny Luke… I just can't stand the thought that you guys might die of hunger." She said in a sarcastic tone.

"Hey, I'm just saying… considering my brother is your husband." Everyone laughed.

Nathan swatted his brother's arm after hearing this. "And what do you mean by that exactly?"

Brooke came to Lucas's defense. "You know what he means by that… you know… can't control your hormones…"

Nathan just laughed. "Well you know… it's purely genetic… and they say that the older one has more of that trait."

"Well, it definitely shows." Jake mumbled as he sipped his cup of coffee. All laughed except Lucas at this comment seeing as it were totally true.

Lucas glared at all of them. "Can we please stop discussing about my hormones and change the subject?"

"Alright, alright…" Peyton said. "Who among you has a more interesting topic than his hormones?" Lucas glared at her once more.

"I heard that the old lady living next to me is getting married again." Brooke said quietly as if someone might hear her.

"Never thought that was interesting" Peyton mumbled.

"Oh… the lady who's always wearing these weird tangerine shoes with little stars on them?" Haley asked with a laugh.

"Yeah!" Brooke exclaimed. The rest of the six looked at them like they've grown a third head. "She's getting married next week… and it's her fourth! Would you believe that? I mean, I'm prettier than her and I've got no boyfriend and she's gonna have four husbands!"

"Is she the one who bakes apple pies for her neighbors?" Lucas asked beginning to get interested. Brooke nodded.

"So she baked one for you?" Jake asked. Brooke nodded again.

"Did you eat it?" Nathan asked with a laugh.

"No!" Brooke said then started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Peyton said narrowing her eyes.

"I didn't eat it but you guys did!" Brooke said while laughing.

The five of then just stared at her then started laughing as well. "Now I know why that tasted kinda weird." Lucas mumbled.

"Hey, when's the big day anyway?" Haley asked motioning to Jake and Peyton. The two of them got engaged the night after their college graduation. They figured that since school is finally over, nothing could stop them from being together.

Jake and Peyton looked at each other before Jake finally answered. "Honestly, we don't know…I mean we're not really in a hurry here"

"Yeah… and we've been engaged for just a month." Peyton added.

"So is it anytime soon?" Nathan asked.

"It can be tomorrow… or after a year… We'll let you know." Peyton said with a smirk.

"Hey, just don't forget to send the invitation okay?" Lucas said. They all laughed.

"So…" Peyton said motioning to Nathan and Haley. "When are you planning to start parenthood? I mean isn't it about time…you know… you've been married for like…four years now… and school's really over."

The two glanced at each other before bursting into a laugh. The rest of them looked at Nathan and Haley weirdly.

"Can you imagine us being parents?" Haley asked incredulously. It took a good five seconds before the rest of them started laughing as well.

"Just the thought of you holding a used diaper is enough to choke me to death because of laughter." Lucas told his brother.

Nathan just glared at him. "Oh, I would love to try that on you." Everyone laughed.

They talked for another hour or so when they noticed that Brooke became silent. It was so unlikely of her to be the silent one, seeing as she was known to be Cheery, the one who could carry on a conversation even in a funeral. Each one of them noticed, of course but refused to call her attention. They just continued talking until Brooke finally spoke.

"I'm leaving in three days."

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