ok, here's chapter one. don't hate me yet... just read it!
Chapter One
Lucas still had a hard time getting up in the mornings. Life was still hard without her in it. It had been almost two years since the accident, and it still hurt everyday to get up and face it all. His apartment in New York was nice, he knew she would have liked it. But he hated New York. It surely wasn't Tree Hill. People were so rude, and didn't care about anyone else. It was too busy, so much hustle and bustle. Nathan and Haley lived in the Big Apple as well. And Peyton. Even after two years he couldn't come to forgive her. He was definitely civil and friendly, but the thought still resided in the back of his mind. They all went to NYU except Nathan, who was, to a everyone's surprise, drafted right of high school and played right in town for the Knicks. Haley was studying Music and Composition, Peyton Art and Business, and Lucas was studying Literature and Creative Writing. He knew that someday his life would make one hell of an autobiography, or maybe some teeange drama TV show. But most importantly, Brooke was here. When she didn't wake up immediately, she was put onto life support, and it was clear that she needed more help than the Tree Hill hospital could give so her body was transferred to a hospital in New York. Lucas knew that was why he chose NYU, and he believed that was why everyone else did too. Even Nathan made arrangements so he could be transferred from the Cavaliers, the team he played for his rookie year to the Knicks. It appeared Dan Scott had more power than anyone believed, and for once, both Lucas and Nathan were happy he could help out.
He got up, took a long shower, ate a small breakfast, and walked out the door. Everyday Lucas went to see her. She had been lying there for one year and ten months, and everyday there was less and less hope for her. But Lucas knew that she would pull through this, and he wanted to do whatever he could to help her. So for an hour a day, sometimes more, he would talk to her. He wanted to keep her strong, and hopefully keep brain activity up. Lucas was amazed at how even though her body was connected to wires and tubes, and she was so frail, she was still the most beautiful girl he'd ever known.
"Hey pretty girl, how are ya today?"
He grabbed a hold of her hand, and slightly rubbed it with his finger.
"Brooke, I know you can hear me. I just wanted to tell you I love you, and I know you're gonna pull through, ok? Please don't leave me Brooke. I never got a chance to say sorry to you, in person. I need you to wake up baby, for me."
A nurse walked in to check on Brooke, and took down notes on her current levels, heart rate, and brain activity. She left, but stopped at the door and turned around to smile at the boy sitting with her patient. He came everyday to see her. And she could tell by the look in his eyes that this was definitely not some puppy dog love. This boy had it bad. Really bad. She sent out a silent prayer to help her patient out. For some reason, she knew that this boy needed Brooke more than God did right now.
- - - - -
"Haley!" Peyton called.
Haley was sitting on the steps of the library studying for her midterm in her Calc class. Why she took Calculus this quarter she can't really remember, but at least it was some sort of challenge. Then again she had enough obstacles in life.
"Haley!" Peyton repeated.
Haley looked up to see Peyton walking towards her with a goofy grin.
"How can I be of service to you Peyton?"
"Do you know where Lucas is, I have something exciting to tell him."
"It's 10:00 in the morning Peyton, where do you think he is?" Haley retorted, knowing that they both knew where he was right now.
"Oh, right. Well, maybe I'll catch him later. If you see him would you tell him I need to talk to him?"
"Why don't you just call?"
"Uh, well, I didn't think about it."
"We're really using our brain this morning we Peyt?" Haley said, rolling her eyes.
"Hiss, hiss. What's wrong with you? Did you and hubby get into it?"
"Peyton, I have a midterm in thirty minutes. You're bothering me with little high school girl drama that I thought ended two years ago."
With that, Haley got up and walked into the library. 'You HAVE to be quiet in there she thought.'
Peyton was left there, dumbfounded. What the hell was her problem? Whatever. It didn't matter. Today was the day, today was her day. Nothing could bring her down. She walked to the street and called for a cab. Unlike Lucas, Nathan, and even Haley, she loved New York. As a cab came hurling to a stop in front of her, she smiled to herself.
"New York City Hospital, please. And step on it!"
- - - - -
"So basically I got midterms today. Well, just one actually. But it's for my English Lit class. This is the only English class in the world that gives a midterm. It's rediculous. But I totally got it covered. But I gotta go, I told Haley I'd meet her for lunch after her Calc test, she was really freaking about it. I love you, Brooke."
Lucas stood up and kissed her forehead. He knew that she wasn't awake, and that they had technically broken up before the accident. But she would always have his heart. And he knew that somewhere in the lifeless body, she was listening to his every word.
"Bye Brooke." Lucas walked out the door, and left the hospital, calling for a cab to take him back towards campus. Minutes later, Peyton walked into the hospital, and headed straight for Brooke's room.
She walked into Brooke's room with a huge smile.
"Hey Luca-" she stopped when she realized he wasn't there.
"Oh, it's just you.."
Peyton left the room as quickly as she entered it.
- - - - -
Lucas met Haley at a deli near campus. He didn't have much time until his own midterm, but he knew that they could grab a quick bite, and catch up on the days events for a little while. She was late, as usual, but she was probably using every second she could on her exam. It made him laugh at how serious she really was about school.
Haley walked in a few minutes later, and gave Lucas a "thank God that's over" glance.
"How's she today, Luke?"
"She looks the same, the doctors say she's the same, but I think she's gonna pull out of it Haley. I really do."
It broke Haley's heart to see him like this. Even she was losing hope, although she would NEVER tell him that.
"That's great Luke. I think she's gonna make it too. I think Nathan and I are going to go visit her after he gets out of practice."
"That's great, Hales. She needs us all right now. Hell, she could even use Peyton." He smirked
"Speaking of, did she get a hold of you?"
"No, why?"
"I don't know, she came up to me excited about something she had to tell you."
Lucas rolled his eyes. Even though they hit a rough spot after the accident, he still considered somewhat a friend. Sometimes she just pushed too much at it, and it angered him. They would never be what they had used to, and she hadn't realized that yet.
"Well, I'll give her a call on my way to class and see what's up. By the way, I gotta run, or even I am gonna need Ms. Tutorwife."
Haley smiled at the comment, but noticed Lucas' smile had fallen at his own use of Brooke's nickname for her. God, she hoped Brooke would pull though.
"Luke, she's gonna pull through this."
"I know Hales, I just miss her. Her laugh, her smile, her spirit, ya know?"
Haley did know. She missed her best friend like crazy. She missed the bouncy happy-go-lucky Brooke who could bring a smile out of any bad situation.
"Well, I'll see you later Hales. Are we all still on for dinner tonight?"
"Yep, my I'm making my speciality - macaroni and cheese and tuna melts!"
Lucas smiled, and left the deli. He had twenty minutes to get to class, so he figured he call Peyton to see what was up.
- - - - -
Peyton was sitting on a bench outside of campus. For some reason, thoughts of Jake entered her mind, and she realized that she really missed him. But she missed Lucas, too. The old Lucas, not this sappy waiting-for-something-that-is-not-going-to-happen Lucas. She wanted Brooke to wake up, but she knew it wasn't going to happen. For the last two years, she put aside her feelings fot Lucas, knowing how he felt about Brooke. But she felt that she deserved a chance. at least a chance to figure out what's in her heart. She felt her phone vibrate, and pulled it out to see who was calling.
'Well, speak of the devil' she thought.
"Hey Luke, what's up?"
"I heard you were looking for me, so I called you to see what's up."
"Oh, yeah. I got us these awesome concert tickets to this musical festival downtown. There's going to be some amazing bands there."
"Peyt-"
"Lucas, please go, it'll be so much fun. Travis is even playing."
"Ok, I'll go. Hey hang on a sec, my call waiting is beeping in."
"Can't you just call them back?"
"I would but the number's restricted, just hang on, ok?"
"Fine."
Peyton waited for what seemed like forever. Finally heard him click back over.
"What's up?"
"Peyt, we gotta go to the hospital. Brooke's parents are there. And they want to talk to all of us."
