Author's Note: Hey guys! Here the new chapter for In the Presence of an Angel! I know I promised I would update last weekend, but I got grounded, hardcore grounded, that weekend. I mean no computer, no tv, no music (which I usually need to sleep so I had a few sleepless nights), I had to clean my room, wash the stinky dogs (yuck!) and a few other things. Although during this time I did write some stories, both Laley, One In This World and To Have Loved. If you like Laley, then please read them! Anyways, I should have lots of time to work on chapter 3 this weekend so hopefully I'll get it out to you all on time as promised. As always, I love feedback so please read and review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.

Rating: PG – PG-13

P.S. - Nice long chapter for you all! I didn't realize how long it was until now!

Chapter 2

Haley's POV

The next day Brooke did not show up for school and I wondered if her absence had anything to do with what happened between us the day before. I had an inkling that it did and I now lay on my bed, pondering the events of yesterday, the dreams I'd been having for weeks now, and these new feelings inside that had surfaced. I went over everything in my mind, analyzing every part, every event or interaction, down to the smallest bit. I finally came to the realization that I liked Brooke, beyond the boundaries of friendship. This was shocking to me because I never thought I'd feel these feelings, for a girl. Of course, I'd sort of had a crush on her for a few years, but it was the kind of crush some star-stuck teenage girl would have on their favorite actress or singer. They'd want to be like them and fawn over them if they were in the presence of that person like so many of the other girls at school did over Brooke Davis. I guess my simple crush had grown and evolved into something bigger than I ever could imagine.

I was interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door and a hand holding a box of my favorite chocolates, the ones with the cherries in them, appearing from the edge of the door but disguising its beholder. "Truce," the voice called out. I recognized the arm, and the voice, immediately and responded, "I don't know. What else will I get if I say that I'm still mad at you?" I was only joking, but who's to say I couldn't play with him a little? "If you don't want these then I guess I'll have to give them to my new best friend, or I'll just eat them all by myself," he responded as he entered my room.

"Don't you dare! Give them to me," I responded happily, gesturing with my fingers for him to hand them to me, "and what's this about a new best friend? I'm hurt, Luke. Whatever happened to 'Best friends forever'?" He must have seen the smile on my face when he responded as he sat beside me on the bed, "Seriously, you're not still mad are you? I didn't mean to piss you off, I was trying to loosen you up a little. You've been so tense lately and yesterday you were acting weird... so I tried to make you laugh, but obviously it didn't work. I guess I shouldn't make a go of a career as a comedian, huh?"

"Nope definitely not," I agreed. He patted my thigh and asked, "We good?" "Yeah, we're good." Lucas replied, "You want to come get some dinner with me and Peyton?" I shook my head no and smiled, "As much as I like spending time with both of you, I don't want to spend all night watching you two make out so I'm going to stay home and spend my night with Mr. Waffles and my Chemistry textbook. I have a big test tomorrow."

Lucas smirked and let out a light snort of laughter, "Mr. Waffles, Hales? Haven't you had him since you were two years old?" I pointed my finger at him and smiled, "Don't think that I don't know you keep Bankie under your mattress, in your closet, or in your sock drawer... oh wait, no, that's where you keep the small fuzzy basketball your mom gave you when you were four. And, might I add, that you've had Bankie since you were like two months old. You also keep your fake ID in the bed railing between the frame and the box spring..." Lucas raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay! I hope you didn't tell Mom about the fake ID and for your information, I now keep Bankie in my nightstand. I sometimes sleep with him still; I can't help it if he still makes me feel safe when I'm scared."

I burst out laughing at this, holding my stomach because it hurt, "Oh my god, I bet Peyton would love to hear that her boyfriend still sleeps with his security blanket from when he was a baby! The look on her face will be priceless!" A fearful expression appeared on his face, "Hales, you wouldn't..." "Oh really? You think I wouldn't?" I got up from the bed and pretended to dial a number, blocking the phone from his view, "Hey Peyton, it's Haley. Sleepover next weekend at my house. I've got some very juicy details on your boyfriend that are particularly funny. Alright, see you next weekend. Bye." He looked at me incredulously as I hung up the phone, "I can't believe you did that."

"Well believe it baby! It's Tree Hill Spills night on Lucas Scott at my house Saturday. Hmm, maybe I should advertise," I laughed at his horrified expression. "Please don't embarrass me with all our childhood stories. I'll never be able to show my face around town again," he pleaded jokingly. "Oh, you know I love you and would never do that to you. Well, maybe just a little," I smiled back at him. "Yeah, love you too Hales. Well, I'll leave you to Brad Pitt and the hot, blonde Viking guys," he smiled back, "don't think I don't know about your secret fetish for them either." He quickly dodged a shoe I threw at him as he ran out my bedroom door. "I hate you," I yelled, laughing at our antics and witty banter. "I love you," he called out sweetly before he left.

I laid back on my bed as my mind returned to Brooke. How could I love someone who didn't love me back? 'Whoa, I only just realized that I liked her, but I'm using the word 'love'? Maybe my feelings go deeper than I thought...' I was so terrified and confused and sad all at the same time. Scared, that when I was around Brooke I wouldn't be able to control myself and possibly let slip my true feelings for her. Confused, at these new feelings raging inside and Brooke's gazes that she had directed at me. Sad, because I hadn't seen her and I missed her, missed seeing her bright, smiling face every day. I curled up into a ball clutching my childhood stuffed bear, Mr. Waffles, and cried myself to sleep that night.

As it turns out, Brooke did not show up for school the next day either. I again felt a stab of sadness spread through me when I saw her empty seat in English and Algebra and then at lunch with Luke and Peyton. I was oblivious to everything going on around me as I was lost in my own thoughts.

Normal POV

Lucas waved a hand in front of Haley's blank, emotionless face as he tried to get her attention, "Haley? Hey Hales?" He snapped his fingers in front of her face and whistled. Haley finally came out of her trance and asked, "What?" Lucas asked, "We still on for movie night tonight? It's Friday, you know." Haley responded a little quietly, "No, I think I'm going to spend some quality time with myself tonight. Sorry to bail on you last minute." "Hales, you were home by yourself last night. Is there something wrong? Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something to upset you, are you still mad about the other day," he questioned concernedly, a little hurt that his best friend didn't want to spend some time with him.

"No, I just don't feel very well," she told him, but it wasn't exactly the truth either. She felt a little sick and was miserable. "Oh okay, do you want me to take you home? There's enough time for me to take you home and be back before afternoon classes start," Lucas offered. "Yeah, that would be great, thanks," Haley replied softly. Both Haley and Lucas stood then he bent down and kissed Peyton's cheek, "I'll see you later babe." "Bye Luke. I hope you feel better Haley," Peyton responded Haley replied with an automatic, "Thanks," as she clutched her books tightly to her chest and followed her best friend out to his truck.

Lucas pulled the truck up to Haley's driveway and put it into park. He stared worriedly at her as she sat there, still holding her books in a death grip and a somewhat pale complexion. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "Hales, we're here. You do look a little pale. Are you sure you don't have a fever?" He moved his hand to her forehead, but she pushed it away, "No, I don't have a fever." "Are you going to be alright home by yourself," Lucas asked concernedly. "I'll be fine Lucas. I'm not a baby, I can take care of myself." "I know. Call me if you need anything, okay? Get some rest and drink lots of liquids." "Yes Mom," Haley replied sarcastically. "That's Mr. Mom to you," he saluted and laughed as she did too. He hugged her gently before she got out of the truck and headed into her house.

Later that night, Haley was reading a book in the living room in her favorite armchair when she heard a knock on the door. Haley rolled her eyes; ever since he'd dropped her off at home, Lucas had been checking up on her periodically and this would be his third time. She got up and as she opened the door she said exasperatedly, "Go away! I told you I was-" She stopped when she saw that the person before her was not Lucas. The person was dressed in a thin white cotton hoodie and a pair of dark blue hip hugger jeans. She could see a hint of wavy brunette hair underneath the hood, but the person's face was lowered out of sight. "I'm sorry. I had nowhere else to go... I'll leave," they said in a shaky voice as they turned and began to walk down the steps. "Brooke? Wait, Brooke..." Haley grabbed her arm and felt the girl trembling like a leaf from the cold air enclosing them, "you're shivering and it's cold out here, come inside."

Brooke nodded slightly and followed her back into the house. "You must be freezing. I'll get you a pair of sweats to wear and a blanket. It must be forty degrees out there. Are you crazy, Brooke? Running around out there in just a thin hoodie and jeans?" "I must be, because I can barely feel my hands or my face anymore and I feel like my feet are about to fall off. I know, stupid idea, right? I just had to get out of the house..." Brooke replied as she curled up on the couch to try and warm her body. "I'll be right back. I'll get you those sweats and while you're changing I'll start the fireplace," Haley replied as she went to her room to grab the clothes for Brooke. "Here you go," Haley said as she offered them to her, "the bathroom is down the hall and to your right." "Thanks," Brooke replied softly, her teeth chattering a little, before rising from the couch and heading down the hallway.

A few minutes later, Brooke returned to the living room where Haley had started the fire and it now blazed from behind the iron guard. Haley appeared with two mugs and handed one to her, "Here, it's hot chocolate with marshmallows." Brooke accepted the mug from her, "Thank you." They sat in silence as they both sipped their drinks until Haley asked gently, "Want to tell me what's wrong?" Brooke had not raised her head once since coming to Haley's house, but now she finally did, slowly, but her eyes remained to her hands in her lap. Haley inhaled a sharp gasp and covered her mouth with her hand, "Oh my god..." There was a large bruise on Brooke's right cheek, starting just under her eye and extending almost down to her jaw. "Brooke, what happened? Who did this to you?" Tears welled in Brooke's eyes and her bottom lip trembled as she responded, "My mom.. she-she h-hit me..." Haley began to cry too and she hugged the other girl gently, "Oh Brooke, I'm so sorry..." Brooke wrapped her arms around Haley's body as she began to sob. They stayed like that for several minutes until Haley pulled away. "You need to put something cold on that bruise," Haley said softly and Brooke nodded then Haley continued, "I'll go get something to lower the swelling."

She returned a few moments later, a frozen steak in her hand and offered it to her. Brooke's eyes widened in horror, "If you seriously think I would put a raw piece of meat on my face, you're dead wrong!" Haley chuckled, happy that some of the old Brooke was returning, then held up a bag, "That's why I brought a bag of frozen peas." The other brunette's face scrunched up in disgust, "I don't like peas." Haley laughed louder at this, "They're for your face, not for you to eat, silly!" "Can't we use some ice," Brooke asked. Haley smirked and raised the last item in her hand, a damp washcloth with some ice in it, "Gee, why didn't I think of that?" Brooke laughed too as Haley sat down and gestured her to move closer. She swallowed hard, aware of the very close situation this move would put her in, but scooted over anyway.

Haley gently pushed aside some of Brooke's hair from her face and tenderly applied the cold compress to the large bruise. It was then she noticed a few tiny scratches on Brooke's face and some blood, still wet from the skin being slit open. "Brooke, you're bleeding," Haley exclaimed loudly in astonishment. "I am? It must have been from my mother's ring..." Tears started to fall again and Haley gave her a quick, tight hug before responding, "I'm going to go get the first aid kit so I can clean that up." "You don't need to do that," Brooke protested as she looked down at her hands again. "Brooke, you came to me for help. Now let me help you," Haley replied, taking Brooke's hands into her own. Both felt a spark travel through them when their hands touched, but neither knew that the other had felt it.

Haley went to get the first aid kit and applied the ice some more before tending to the small cuts. She dabbed some peroxide on them with a cotton ball and Brooke flinched at the small pain caused from it. "Sorry," Haley said. After placing two small band-aids on the cuts, Haley began to apply the ice again. "She must have hit you pretty hard... it's a big bruise..." Haley said softly as she looked at Brooke's cheek, which was blue, purple, and slightly swollen. "Yeah..." the other girl trailed off. "Why me, Brooke? Why did you come to me when you could've gone to Peyton or to one of the other girls on the cheerleading team? Why me," Haley asked suddenly. "Peyton's with her dad on his boat this weekend. I came to you because you're a very caring person and I knew you'd come through. Those girls on the cheerleading team, all they care about is themselves. They wouldn't help me, they'd laugh and think I deserved it. Everybody in school thinks I'm a total bitch. But I'm not really. Only the people I'm close to know the real me. I have a hard time trusting and opening up to people, partly because of my parents." "I don't think you're a total bitch. And what about me, Brooke, are we close," Haley asked. Brooke gulped, aware of the close proximity of their bodies and responded, "Yeah, you're my best friend besides Peyt." After this statement, both thought simultaneously, 'I wish we were more...'

"Thanks, that means a lot to me. I don't really have a lot of girlfriends that I can talk to, it's always been me and Luke since forever. I'm really glad I got to know the both of you. You and Peyton are my best friends too, well my best girl friends," Haley said sincerely, smiling at Brooke. 'Girlfriend...that sounds nice,' Brooke thought. "I'm glad I got to know you too," she returned the smile, but flinched a little at the pain from her cheek. Haley noticed this and peered at her bruise closely, her face within inches of Brooke's. Her breathing became quick as she inhaled the strawberry scent of Brooke's hair. She slowly ran her tongue over her lips in anticipation, daring herself to plant them on Brooke.

As Haley leaned closer to her face, Brooke felt the air hitch in her throat, forming a lump so tight she was afraid that she might not be able to breathe. When her nose caught a whiff of Haley's perfume, she was almost a goner. The musky, fruity fragrance tickled her nose and she subconsciously licked her lips as if to taste it on her. Brooke glanced at Haley from the corner of her eye and her gaze drifted from her concerned face to her hands in her lap then back up. With Haley leaning next to her, Brooke had a good view at the tops of her breasts. They were almost a pale white, but had a slightly creamy tan to them and she could imagine that they felt as silky smooth as they looked. She turned her head a little more towards her, and found two brown eyes staring back at her with their lips just a mere inch apart.

Both quickly turned their eyes to stare elsewhere but after a few moments, Brooke broke the silence, trying to lighten the thickness of the tension she felt. "So, what's the prognosis Doc, am I going to live?" She smiled and laughed lightly at her attempt at humor. Haley replied, smiling back, a forced one she knew, because she had wanted to kiss Brooke but also knew that there would be serious repercussions to the new friendship they had formed, "Yeah, I think you'll live. The swelling has gone down a bit so we should keep putting ice on it for a little while longer." Brooke nodded and then Haley asked, "Hey, you hungry? I could order a pizza or fix us something to eat." "Pizza's fine," Brooke replied, "we can get half and half. I like pepperoni, sausage, and cheese on mine." Haley grinned at this, "I like my pizza that way too." She then walked to the kitchen to find the number for the pizza place.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, Haley leaned against the counter with both arms braced rigidly on the top, starting to hyperventilate. She had been so close to kissing Brooke, but she knew that Brooke did not feel the same way about her and she didn't want to test the waters on a newly budding friendship. Sure, she could have kissed her and then tried to pass it off with some excuse, but Brooke would have been able to see right through her. 'I can't believe I chickened out,' Haley thought to herself as she grabbed the phone and ordered the pizza.

Back in the living room, Brooke was breathing heavily and silently berating herself. 'Oh my god! I almost kissed Haley! I almost KISSED Haley!' With their faces so close together, she had felt some sort of magnetic pull, guiding their lips to each other, but was reminded that Haley didn't feel the same way and was instantly hurt by this fact. A few tears slipped down her cheeks but quickly wiped them away when she heard footsteps nearing the living room.

"The pizza will be here in about thirty minutes," Haley replied as she sat back on the couch beside Brooke. "Can we watch a movie," Brooke asked softly. "Sure, what do you have in mind?" "I'm thinking something Disney. Do you have Bambi or Oliver & Company," Brooke responded. "Um, I think I have Oliver & Company, but I don't have Bambi." "What? How can you not have Bambi? That is one of the classic Disney movies! It was like one of the first movies I ever watched," Brooke exclaimed with a shocked expression on her face, "it was so sad when the hunter shot Bambi's mother... I was traumatized..." Haley laughed at her sad expression, "Brooke, how could you be traumatized? They didn't even show all that much about it. And it wasn't gory or anything like that, like bleeding all over the place or painful cries from the mother..." Haley was cut off by Brooke yelling in protest, "I was three years old! All I knew then was that there was a shot and the mama deer fell and didn't get back up again. I used to say 'Mama Deer went bye bye' because I didn't yet understand the concept of death. Not to mention, I just think you traumatized me even more, you must watch too many action movies with Lucas on your movie nights."

Haley laughed, "Yeah, but who can resist that Scott charm? I try to get in as many chick flicks as he can stand though." "It's kind of weird, you know? How come you and Lucas haven't hooked up," Brooke asked, genuinely wondering why a friendship so strong like theirs had never evolved into a romantic relationship. "Haley's face scrunched in disgust, "I've known Luke since we were toddlers. We used to play and do everything together; Karen even used to give us baths together back when we were little. Luke is like my big brother, I don't think of him in that way." "Oh okay, I was just wondering. Can you put the movie in now," Brooke replied. Haley nodded then fished the tape out of the video cabinet then popped it in the VCR.

The pizza arrived soon thereafter and they ate in silence as they watched the movie. After she had finished a slice, Brooke said solemnly, "Is it possible to both like and hate a movie? I hate how the movie starts out, but I like the end. This movie is sort of about me; nobody wants little Oliver but he finds friends in Dodger and the other city dogs. Then he finds Jenny and he's happy. Nobody wants me, not even my own parents. And all the guys think I'm just an easy lay. Is it too much to ask for someone to hold, to love me for who I am?" Tears had welled in both the girls' eyes and Haley replied softly, "No, it's not." As she said this, she thought, 'I want you. I want to hold and kiss you and never leave your arms.' "I wish I could end up like Oliver. I want a fairytale happy ending. I want someone to love me unconditionally, without wanting to have sex with me every time the toddler in his pants wants to come out and play," Brooke said sadly. Haley shifted a little and let out an uneasy laugh. Brooke noticed this and apologized, "Sorry about that last remark, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." "It's okay," she replied softly. "Oh look, the movie's coming on," Brooke responded, a happier tone to her voice. She shivered a moment later and Haley asked, "Are you still cold?" Brooke nodded and Haley rose from the couch, retrieving a blanket from her bedroom then covering the both of them up. They began to watch the movie and out of the corner of her eye, Haley watched the emotions play over Brooke's face at parts of the movie then turned her full attention back to the movie before the other brunette could catch her staring. As Haley watched Brooke cry at the part where Oliver was left alone in the box with the rain pouring down, she thought, 'She looks so...broken... I want to help fix her... I want to make her better.' The only problem was, would Brooke let her?

By the end of the movie, both had fallen asleep. In her slumber, Brooke had shifted and she now lay with her head on Haley's right breast and her legs tucked to the side, her right arm flung over Haley's lap. Haley stirred a little, waking up but quickly stopped at the sight of Brooke's sleeping form on her body. She didn't dare move another muscle, not wanting to wake her; Brooke really needed the sleep after what had happened to her that night. So Haley sat there, trying to be as still as possible and trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. She loved the closeness, but at the same time it was killing her. Killing her by not being able to hold her, to kiss her.

She yawned and subtly tried to slip from under Brooke's body, succeeding. Haley turned off the television and cleaned up quietly, throwing the trash away and placing the remaining slices of pizza in the fridge. She then returned to the living room and stared at Brooke for several moments, deciding what to do. She just couldn't leave her on the couch like that; she'd surely be aching from the awkward position she was lying in the next morning. So Haley carefully slipped her arms under Brooke's body and gently lifted her, carrying her to her bedroom and laying her on the bed. She covered Brooke up and went back into the living room as she thought about the events of that night and began to cry. How could someone hurt Brooke, let alone her own mother? She hadn't deserved it, any of it. Brooke deserved someone who could love her and take care of her, protect her. Haley wished she could be that person. She continued to cry for several minutes until she heard a sharp scream, "Haley! HALEY!"

Haley raced to her bedroom and found Brooke huddled at the head of her bed, crying and shaking like a leaf. "Brooke, what's wrong," she asked frantically, worry laced in her expression. "I had a bad dream... I dreamt about my mom... she was hitting me again..." Brooke explained through her sobs as she shut her eyes tight and gripped her knees closer to her chest. "Sh, sh... I'm here," Haley replied as she wrapped her arms around Brooke's trembling body. They held each other for a long time, Brooke crying as Haley stroked her hair and tried to calm her. After a few more minutes, Haley slowly got up and began to walk out of the bedroom. Brooke grabbed her arm in a firm grip, a terrified look on her face, "Haley, don't leave me!" Haley had never seen Brooke so vulnerable and emotional, so open, than at that moment. The pain and fear in Brooke's eyes broke her heart. How could anyone do this to her?

She returned to the side of the bed and stroked her hair, "Don't worry, I'll be right back. I'm just getting you a glass of water." Brooke shook her head vehemently in response, "I don't need water, I just need you. I need to feel safe. I don't want her to come after me again. Please hold me," she requested in a quiet, squeaky voice filled with unshed emotions. Haley nodded then crawled back into bed and wrapped her arms around Brooke, who snuggled up to her and curled her arms around Haley's torso, gripping her tight but not too hard to affect her breathing. Haley kissed her forehead and rubbed her back comfortingly, trying to soothe the distraught girl. 'I kissed her, I finally kissed her,' Haley thought with some satisfaction. An hour later, Brooke had finally drifted off but sometimes stirred in her sleep, making little whimpering noises. At this, Haley remembered a song on one of her CDs and softly hummed as she sang the words in her head. "Trust the voice within," she murmured as she too fell asleep.

Young girl don't cry
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall
Young girl it's alright
Your tears will dry, you'll soon be free to fly

When you're safe inside your room you tend to dream
Of a place where nothing's harder than it seems
No one ever wants or bothers to explain
Of the heartache life can bring and what it means

When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
If you will learn to begin to trust the voice within

Young girl don't hide
You'll never change if you just run away
Young girl just hold tight
Soon you're gonna see your brighter day

Now in a world where innocence is quickly claimed
It's so hard to stand your ground when you're so afraid
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
When you're lost outside look inside to your soul

When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
If you will learn to begin to trust the voice within

Life is a journey
It can take you anywhere you choose to go
As long as you're learning
You'll find all you'll ever need to know
(Be strong)
You'll break it
(Hold on)
You'll make it
Just don't forsake it because
No one can tell you what you can't do
No one can stop you, you know that I'm talking to you

When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
If you will learn to begin to trust the voice within

Young girl don't cry I'll be right here when your world starts to fall