I am so far behind in my OTH watching I don't even wanna talk about it. So I just threw some things together, and here is the basic background info:

This is set after Lucas and Peyton just went behind Brooke's back the second time. So Brooke is no longer friends with either of them. She is still friends with Nathan and Haley. The Derek stuff never happened just cuz it's too much to factor in lol. Keith is still alive, and dating Karen. Dan is still an asshole, naturally. Brooke's parents still live in Tree Hill, and she lives with them. At this point the only characters planned are the ones who were in Season One, just cuz I like them best. Rachel or Mouth might come around at some point though, we'll see.

As always, any questions or unforeseen inconsistencies, just let me know! And PLEASE review!! You know it feeds the soul :)


Chapter One: So This is Odd


Brooke Davis was afraid of many things. She was afraid of spiders. She was afraid of stray flying soccer balls after that one unfortunate time at recess in 5th grade. She was afraid that her parents didn't really love her. Most of all, she was afraid no one did, and no one ever would.

Brooke Davis didn't let these fears show to most people. She was strong, she was a brave, and she was a fighter.

But Brooke was also alone. She was alone with her fears, and she was running out of ways to convince herself everything was going to be okay.

--

"Hey Brooke," Haley smiled as she cheerfully approached her friend.

Brooke shoved a colossal History textbook back into her locker. "Hey Tutor Wife, how was your test?"

"Oh, you know, aced it," Haley half-teased. Brooke smirked at her as she wrestled with a spiral that had gotten itself stuck on some metal behind the rest of her things. "Hey I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow night. Nathan's going to be out with-"

Haley stopped suddenly as Brooke's notebook went flying free with one particularly hard tug. Unfortunately, it flew a little too free – out of Brooke's hand and into a head on collision with a fellow student.

Brooke whipped around, stunned. "Oh my God, I'm so-" Now it was her turn to stop mid-sentence, as she realized just who her notebook had chosen to attack.

None other than Peyton Sawyer, former best friend, current backstabbing bitch.

Peyton put a hand up to her cheek and rubbed it briefly. It was then, of course, that Lucas chose to come jogging up behind her.

"Peyton!" he called as he reached the three girls. "Are you okay?"

Brooke rolled her eyes. It was a freaking notebook. But of course Lucas Scott was always Peyton's hero, whether it be a not-exactly-life-threatening bullet wound to the leg, or a spastic notebook to the face.

"If you want a fight Brooke, why don't you just come right out and say so," Peyton told the other girl, sending the now-floorbound notebook back to Brooke's side of the hall with a purposed kick.

"Bite me," Brooke muttered under her breath, for once not willing to start a public showdown with the blonde. People were already staring, and Brooke didn't feel like having this escalate.

"Peyton, come on, it's not worth it," Lucas said calmly, scooting Peyton along. The latter shot Brooke a bitch-glare before allowing Lucas to guide her away, arm around her shoulder. Lucas on the other hand, left with a disappointed look on his face, directed towards his former girlfriend.

"God, I just- ugh!" Brooke picked up her notebook and slammed in down on top of the textbook she had pulled out for her next class. She slammed her locker closed with equal force and turned back to Haley.

Haley looked at Brooke with what could only be interpreted as pity for what she'd had to deal with between her former best friend and former boyfriend. She was about to add comforting words but found herself interrupted yet again, this time in the form of a tall, dark, and handsome classmate. He used to be on the basketball team with Nate and Luke, if Haley remembered correctly. She'd never met him though.

"Hey Brooke," the boy said.

"What do you want Robbie?" Brooke didn't intend on coming across so harshly. She had no problems with the kid. Actually, he was pretty cute. But she didn't feel like dealing with anyone at the moment. She just wanted to be alone.

"I heard about you and Lucas," he said, awkwardly. "Bummer." Brooke raised her eyebrows impatiently. "Look, I know it's kind of soon, but a girl like you just doesn't stay single for a long time. I was kind of wondering if you'd like to go out with me some time. "

Brooke sighed. "Robbie-" As she prepared to let him down not-quite-gently she spotted Peyton and Lucas, stopped at Peyton's locker just down the hall. Peyton had her hand on the back of Luke's neck, and he had his arm around her waist. She couldn't see Lucas's face, but Peyton was smiling. Like she was the happiest girl in the world. Like she'd never lost her best friend. "Yeah, sure."

Haley furrowed her brow in confusion. She had been sure Brooke was going to blow this guy off. She knew her friend was broken-hearted over what had happened, and didn't expect her to start dating again so soon. Then again, this was Brooke Davis. Robbie was right, she wouldn't be single for very long.

"Great. I'll pick you up tomorrow night at eight," Robbie told her. He grinned slightly, pleased with her answer, and walked away.

"Sorry to disappoint Hales, looks like I'm going to have to give you a rain check on those dinner plans," Brooke stated.

"I think I'll live," Haley smiled, and so did Brooke. They started off in the direction of the class they shared together, but Brooke couldn't help but take one final look back to Peyton's locker. She felt a slight pang of sadness go through her as she realized the couple was already gone. And for some reason, to Brooke, that was worse than watching them be together in the first place.


Yay end of chapter one! I actually decided to be smart and plan out the first nine chapters before starting this story, which will hopefully make it easier to update. So just read and review and add to your story alerts if you wish and I will try to update again ASAP!