Life: It's the ultimate sin, a game with no rules that you're expected to win
- - -
Every girl loves a musician. That's lie number two.
Yearbook are great. Except when there's a couple things you don't want to remember. Peyton's looking through Lucas's yearbook when she comes across what Brooke wrote. It's so little she's not really sure it exists but there it is.
Broody,
Cheer up. I'll always love you.
Your Pretty Girl.
She wishes she had a nick name.
- - -
They're all standing there in the dark. Stranded, great way to follow up a stalker's attack. "You guys, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault." Brooke says as she leans against the hood of the car.
"It's okay, we'll be fine." Haley says in her 'mom voice'. She pats Brooke on the back and when Brooke flinches from the pain, Lucas isn't the only one who notices.
"Brooke, you okay?" Nathan asks. She can feel all eyes on her and decides to play it off.
"I'm fine, I just got a chill." She says with a smile.
- - -
Headlights shine from yards down the road and Peyton steps behind Lucas, throwing a frightened glance his way. Brooke notices and so does Skillz.
"Please be Kanye." He says, and both girls laugh a little.
But it's not. It's so not.
"Well, well."
"Oh god." Brooke mutters.
Long story short, they end up on a tour bus with Chris Keller.
"Let's see. Got slapped by you, went on tour with you, slept with you." Chris says.
The last one strikes a nerve as Lucas balls his hands into fists at his sides. He hates Chris Keller.
- - -
Everyone is asleep except her. Well, and him now too.
She sits next to him, staring out the window as the scenery passes by in the moonlight.
"Why don't you tell anyone?" he asks quietly.
"Because he's not my stalker."
"But there are bruises all over your back and shoulders. I know you don't wear tank tops now just because you think they're not pretty."
"I just don't need anyone to worry about me. It's not a big deal."
"It is. You know it is."
- - -
And if I make it through today
Will tomorrow be the same?
Am I just running in place?
And if I stumble and I fall
Should I get up and carry on?
Or will it all just be the same?
- - -
"You know I worry anyway. It's what us brooders do."
