Story 2: "One Shot."

Summary: Brooke is shot instead of Peyton, will things take a different turn?

Check Yes, Juliet
Are you with me,
Rain is falling down on the sidewalk
I won't go until you come outside.
Check yes, juliet


"Check Yes Juliet," - We the Kings

Brooke and Peyton chatted harmoniously as they walked to class, the buzz of the day surrounding them. Students joking, laughing and asking around for homework was overheard as they walked down the hall. She told Peyton of how great things were going with Lucas, how she was doing good with school and Peyton was telling her about a recent dream. She heard Bevin chatting animatedly with someone in the distant, but didn't look. Haley was somewhere around here as well, and Brooke needed to ask her about a project for class. She had gotten stuck on the essay, and needed the help. Brooke heard Tim ask a random person for their homework and smiled. It was no different from any other day.

Brooke then realised with a start that Peyton had froze, grabbing Brooke's arm in the process. She followed her friends line of vision, and felt her heart stop before speeding up at a rapid pace. She couldn't move, her blood had run cold, her muscles froze up and her mind kept drawing blanks- she was in a state of shock and panic.

Jimmy was pointing a gun right towards she and Peyton. The only thing separating them was a few meters and a brittle glass door. She opened her mouth to try and soothe the boy, but no words would come out. Her throat was dry.

Students were backed up against the wall, all with alarmed and scared expressions. Brooke could have sworn she smelt the fear it was so palpable.

Before she had time to think, move or jump, the trigger was pulled.

And she felt an unbelievable pain race through her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Peyton shielded herself as she dropped to the ground, and students began sprinting out of the building. She put her hands over her head in an effort to protect herself from being trampled. Peyton was rather immobile at the moment, as she couldn't think properly, let alone will her legs to move. Her eyes were shut tightly, and she was afraid to open them. Remembering her best friend though, Peyton's eyes immediately flew open. "Brooke?! Brooke!" She shouted above the panicked screams and hysterical yells from students.

She felt someone hauling her up from the ground, then grabbing her arm and dragging her out of the school, all the while Peyton frantically calling Brooke's name.

The sun was harsh against her eyes, and she shielded them to look around for Brooke. "Brooke!" She stumbled as she walked around the plain of grass, trying to see her friend in the flurry of students. Her eyes halted as she saw the yellow school bus stop and a familiar blonde getting out.

Lucas.

Peyton immediately raced towards him, her legs now working compatibly with her. "Lucas! Lucas!" she shouted as she reached him, breathing heavily.

"Peyton, what's wrong?" Lucas asked, his eyes flickering to the terrified state of students running around like headless chickens.

"Someone has a gun, Lucas! They-they're shooting and I.. oh god, Lucas, I lost Brooke. I don't know ,she was with me one minute and then she was gone!" Peyton cried, becoming hysterical at the thought of losing someone else in her life.

Lucas' eyes suddenly widened and he instantly ran, dropping his bag and pushing students out of the way as he did.

Nathan then stepped off the bus, a bemused expression on his face. "Is there a fire?" He joked, but seeing Peyton's expression immediately stopped. "What happened, Peyt?"

"Someone has a gun.. I-I think Haley's in there too."

Nathan's face became pained and worried and his eyes shot up to look for Lucas, spotting him, he ran after him.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Lucas cursed under his breath as he searched the classrooms carefully for any sign on Brooke, but students and teachers were still evacuating. He should have walked to school everyday with Brooke, never left her side, never fought with her. He wouldn't allow himself to think of the possibility that she could be dead though, because he wouldn't be able to deal with it if she was. He wouldn't be able to function, so he repeated the chant 'She's alive, find her' in his head as he looked for his girlfriend.

Bat in hand, which he had found in the sports hall, he entered the library. He had the bat in case someone was in here, say the person with the gun, as he didn't know whether they were still in the building or not. He just knew Brooke was.

He heard a loud intake of breath and stilled, who was that? He quietly approached the aisle it came from, and raised his bat.

The girl looked to the side, gasped and flinched. Lucas dropped the bat.

"Brooke?!" He exclaimed as he raced towards her and crushed her into a hug.

He felt her arms wrap around him and tears fall on his shoulder, "Oh Lucas.. I-I think I'm going to die… honestly.." He pulled back, ready to hear Brooke laugh about her dramatics. His hope for that fizzled though as he saw the dark red stain growing on her t-shirt. He gulped loudly, his heart beating wildly as he took in his sobbing girlfriend. "Brooke, where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere!" She cried, panicked.

"Especially?"

"My chest ..everything!… Luke, My head is throbbing. I'm going to pass out," She said, and he noticed then how drowsy she seemed.

"No, Brooke, don't… stay with me, pretty girl." He told her and scooped her up in his arms, "Everything is going to be okay,"

"Okay, Broody.." Brooke's eyes struggled to stay open, and he looked just in time to see them close.

Lucas knew he had to get her out, quickly and quietly. He didn't know how much longer she would last if he didn't. He knew the person with the gun was still in the building, but everything seemed quiet outside the library. He would have to take the chance and try and get Brooke out. Peyton would probably dial the ambulance now.

Lucas adjusted Brooke in his arms and crept out of the classroom, looking around each corner before stepping out.

His and Brooke's life depended on Lucas getting out of the building now. There was no where to hide.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh god.. Brooke! Are you okay?" Peyton asked her as she stroked the girls hair. Brooke was unresponsive, save her light breathing. The ambulance and police hadn't arrived yet, and Peyton was anxiously anticipating their arrival.

"We have to get her to the hospital, Peyton.. I don't know where she was shot exactly." Lucas admitted as he lifted Brooke into the car.

"She'll live of course, won't she?" Peyton asked tearfully.

Lucas wished he could assure her, tell her with confidence that Brooke would be fine and it would be forgotten tomorrow.

"I don't know, Peyt" He answered truthfully.

He wished he could tell everything was alright, but he wouldn't be able to convince Peyton or himself.

Chapter Two: Hope..lessly?

Hopelessly
I feel like there might be something that I'll miss
Hopelessly
I feel like the window closes oh so quick
Hopelessly
I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cuz hopelessly
The hope is we have so much to feel good about

"Good Life," - One Republic

Lucas held his head in his hands whilst waiting for the doctor. Peyton sat beside him, sitting completely still, even her breathing was quiet and shallow. Haley and Nathan were being checked too, but for physcological trauma. They had been in a room with few others with Jimmy, the point of his gun roaming around the room - but no shot emitting from it. Haley was surprisingly calm, keeping her emotions under control while panic ensued in her mind. She had broke down crying afterwards, her worry for Brooke, her terror of Nathan being shot, her sympathy and anger towards Jimmy.. It was overwhelming. Nathan would not move from her side though -- and Lucas would have to thank him for that later. Even though Nathan was her husband, Lucas still felt obliged to offer his gratitude. He should have been comforting Haley as a best friend, but his mind was preoccupied with Brooke.

He didn't know what he would do if he lost her, and coming so close was driving him insane. He still didn't know if she would be okay or what was wrong with her, and the wait was agonizingly long. What if Brooke died? Could he honestly go on without her?

He never ever wanted to lose her. Lucas froze. He never wanted to lose her.

He didn't want to lose her to a gun, a knife, any weapon, or any other man. His revelation was slightly shocking him, as he had never felt so sure of something in his life.

Brooke was it for him. Brooke was his pretty girl, his love and his first. His first everything, and he loved her so.

Fear crept back into his train of thought as doctors emerged from the room, talking in hushed words and leaning in inconspicuously so no one would overhear the conversation. Sweat beads were forming along his hairline as their faces grew severe. He felt the perspiration trickling down his face, but he paid it no heed.

The smell of the hospital was getting to him now, memories of him being rushed here invaded his mind. Flashes of family and friends' faces showed in his mind.

"Are either of you related to Ms. Davis?" One of the doctors eventually spoke, now standing in front of them and the others dispersed.

"Er.." Lucas and Peyton exchanged looks, "I'm her boyfriend?"

"Sorry, but I need to speak to a legal guardian or family member," the woman said gently, almost apologetically.

Lucas felt frustrated, "What? Why? Her parents won't even bother coming, they'll send you a cheque or something- they're non-existent! Why don't you just talk to me," Lucas went on, becoming more desperate than angry as he approached the end of his plea, "Please, I need to know that she's okay…"

Peyton suddenly put her hand on Lucas' arm to stop him talking, "Don't worry, I give you permission to hear." Lucas attempted to hide his confused expression. Peyton turned to the doctor. "I'm her sister, how is she?"

The doctor looked extremely suspicious, but didn't comment on it. Now that Lucas thought about it though, Brooke and Peyton were sisters in everything but blood-- and Lucas felt a twinge of guilt creep in as he remembered how he had broke that trust and friendship they had. Luckily though, their friendship survived it.

"My name is John Dorium and I'm Ms. Davis' doctor. Do either of you know when she was shot?"

"Um… it was just before nine." Peyton replied, feeling irritated that he was asking such a question. It was a school shooting!

"You were with her?"

"Yeah.. But we lost each other somehow. Is she okay?"

"She'll be fine. She punctured a lung, but with some surgery she should be fine."

Lucas let out a sigh of relief, a beaming smile spreading across his face, "That's.. amazing news!"

He hugged Peyton tightly, nearly crushing her in the process, "She's okay!" Lucas whispered thrillingly into Peyton's ear.

"Yeah, Lucas, she's okay." She replied softly, closing her eyes and enjoying the closeness of her friend.

::::::::::::::::

Lucas smiled softly as he watched his pretty girl sleep. He was overjoyed with the news of her health -- she would be okay. That was all that mattered to him, she was alive. He had waited all night for her operation to finish and had finally been allowed in the room this morning.

Her parents had called to make sure she was alive, and that was about it. Though Lucas did get the impression her father actually cared. It still angered him that they weren't bothering to make an appearance though. Lucas couldn't understand why someone would be so neglecting of Brooke, how could you be so careless with a girl like her?

Peyton had left under Lucas' persuasion -- she hated hospitals and needed some rest. He had also called his mother and Keith to update them.

Keith had been contemplating following Lucas inside when Lucas emerged with Brooke, ten minutes before the officials arrived.

Lucas had just wanted to get Brooke out of there, to guarantee her safety as quick as he could.

He'd talked to Haley, too, who had stopped by an hour ago. She was still shaken but glad to have Nathan with her. Her and Nathan were closer than ever and working through their problems. Lucas had no doubt that their relationship would survive whatever was thrown their way.

His eyes focused on Brooke's face, "I hope you wake up soon, Cheery. You've had me worried sick. You don't know how happy I am you're alive. Seeing you injured and bleeding.. It--it was an eye-opener. I thought you were going to die," His voice cracked a bit here and he stroked her hair lovingly, "I could never lose you, Brooke. You're my everything and I would never be able to survive without you. I don't want to ever lose you, whether to another man, a gun shot or an accident. Which is why, when the time is right, I'll ask you to marry me. Perhaps not today, tomorrow, or a week from now, but someday. I promise, someday, I will marry you. We may be young -- but you're all I could ever want. I love you, Pretty Girl." He smiled and watched her sleeping form before adding softly, "More than I think you're aware of."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Onto the next one? ;) Comments appreciated x