Chapter 4

She said I feel stranded
And I can't tell anymore

Brooke followed Camilla in an awkward state as her numerous neighbors greeted her with smiles and salutes. Brooke tucked her soft hair behind her ear as her mouth dropped open when she was presented with Camilla's home. It was a large lavish home with what seemed as land for miles.

The grounds were lush greens with large apple trees and it seemed the largest home she seen since she entered what was called 'Tree Hill'. "Come on sweetie no time to dwell you must me the best man to ever walk the earth" Camilla said as Brooke giggled gleefully. Camilla grabbed Brooke's arm as she grew uncomfortable by the warmth loving touch.

Walking the pathway and seeing all the wondrous large trees with bright sun light. She reached a large porch with a swing and a small grey tabby cat. "That is Winnie my cat since I was a young girl she looks good don't she" Camilla said as she laughed. Brooke walked into the house and heard a large gruff voice yelling at an unknown person.

Her heart pattered in her chest with fear as she took a step back. Camilla's warm eyes greeted hers warning that it was ok to not worry. "That is just Brian" Camilla said as she placed her bag down for Brooke to follow her actions. Brooke meekly smiled as her stomach gurgled with nervous and large mounds of panic.

"Brian!" as the name rang in the large home and a stout bald man walked in with glasses holding papers. "Cammy darling you are home early" He responded greeting her with a kiss as Brooke's heart melted at the act of law. "I brought home a treat" Camilla said clasping her hands together and motioned for Brooke to step forward.

Nervously approaching the stout man with her head held down admiring the tile checkered pattern on the ground. Sweating profusely and twitting her thumbs words could barely escape her lips to utter a syllable. "Hello there" He said sticking his hand out as Brooke hesitantly grabbed it. It was rough and callous but yet felt warmth and genuine.

"This is Brooke, she is from New Jersey and she needs our help Brian" Camilla said as he dropped his hand from Brooke's. She could tell his mood changed as his demeanor shifted into more of a serious tone but Camilla's eyes fired back the same tone. "Brooke is it … do you mind going into town, you are probably hungry, a great place is Karen's Café" He said as Camilla smiled.

"He is right dear you should I will pick you up you just tell Karen's boy Lucas that you are a friend of our family they will serve you up good" Camilla added as Brian handed Brooke a crisp twenty dollar bill. Brooke whispered a 'Thank You' and slowly she walked out the swinging porch door.

She could hear the hushed yelling of the couple and her stomach enveloped into large knots of regret. She had the urge to cry her green hazel eyes out but instead held herself as she tried finding her way to 'town'. New Jersey was filled with basically large streets with houses, no town except by the mall she barely visited.

If I'm coming or I'm going
It's not how I planned it

Walking past a group of jubilant children enjoying a game of tag in the playground she saw a group of older boys passing around a football. They seemed to be in a fits of laughter as a smaller boy fell from the force of thrown football. He was laughing as well when two dark skin young men helped him off the floor.

One boy with sandy brown hair patted a shaggy blonde hair boy who sincerely looked sorry and scratched the back of his neck. Brooke watched as the smallest boy tried to throw the football but it seemed to defer and land towards her feet. She was astounded when the shaggy blonde ran towards her to see if she was all right.

She could barely speak as she was greeted with a charismatic smile and vivid green eyes staring into her soul. "I said are you ok?" His voice melted her insides as her milky skin tinted with red blush. Words didn't tumble from her lips just unsure grunts and sounds before hastily walking away from frustration.

Brooke wasn't use to getting a crush on anyone in her life, sure she had a boyfriend in a lifetime before everything happened. His name was Felix Tarrago, he was captain of the football team so it was destined for her to date him. It was uncomfortable for her at first he was discourteous, forceful and made her feel less of a woman when he cheated on her every weekend.

I've got a key to the door
But it just won't open

It ended all in haste after her wealthy status fell into a bottomless pit of pitiable and she was dropped from the social scene. She never tried once again to get a boyfriend so instead she stood alone and indulge herself with books and distressing about her stepfather. Crystal tears fell from her porcelain skin; she didn't realize she was crying till she smacked into a large body.

Colliding into the ground and scramming away from the force when she felt a hand grip her wrist. Filled with panic as he found her again and was going to finish the job he started. Yet comforting words caught her attention and Brooke turned to the voice. It wasn't her stepfather it was a man with a light goatee, pleasant smile and sweet brown eyes.

"Sorry to bump into you trying to rush back to work" He answered as Brooke just nodded. "Are you ok? Did you hurt yourself?" He was sincere and kind but Brooke just grabbed her wrist away gently. "I am fine I just need to find Karen's Café" Her voice meekly and still humiliated.

"Well that's great that's where I work, Karen is a good friend of mines … by the way the name is Keith, Keith Scott" He said holding out his hand. Brooke didn't understand how everyone in this town could be so … sincere, engaging and just plain pleased. They all had smiles on their faces and just lent out help as if it was a ordinary thing.

"Brooke" Brooke said and shook his hand. "Well its right across the street over there, it's the best place I guarantee it." They chuckled as they crossed the street into the Café. Warmth circled her as the homey feel just extended even more. She saw a young woman in her thirties behind the counter holding a coffee pot laughing along with a customer.

"Grab any seat sweetie" Keith said as Brooke took a counter seat next to a young lady with light brown hair. Brooke glanced at the girl who was playing with a bracelet on her wrist. "What can I get you?" The woman behind the counter asked. Brooke just shrugged as the woman stared at her with a smile. "Cheeseburger?" Brooke said as the woman smiled.

And I know, I know, I know
Part of me says let it go

"You must be new just like Haley there sitting next to you, the name is Karen" Karen said and smiled. "Yeah, I am staying with Camilla" Brooke said playing with her fingers. "Oh you are! Welcome sweetie they are some great people I will be right back with your food" Karen said disappearing into the back.

Haley turned to Brooke and gave her a once over looking at the girl with strong envy. This was a girl Chris would like, a perfect girl, green eyes, dark hair, and adorable smile. Feeling eyes watching her Brooke turned to Haley with a grin but it erased as the resentment shot from the smaller girl's eyes. "You okay?" Brooke asked as Haley scoffed.

Surprised at the girl's reaction she as well scoffed turning away from the offensive attitude. She was just trying to be polite but instead was back to her reality where the world is cold harsh and unsociable. Brooke smiled as the burger was place in front of her with French fries and a soda. She gleefully began eating as her face covered with ketchup and mayonnaise.

It had been awhile since she had a large meal and she was going to devour every bite before setting off to run again. Haley stifled a giggle as Brooke's face covered in ketchup but the darker brunette didn't care. "Food of the runaway" Brooke said absentmindedly as she wiped h

Face of the sauce.

"The what?" Haley asked as he heart skipped a beat. Brooke's green eyes widened as she realized what she mumbled so she shrugged hoping Haley would drop it. "No what did you say" Urging Brooke to repeat it. "Why does it matter?" Brooke said. Haley looked around as the Café was starting to clear out anyway except for Karen, Keith, Brooke, Herself and an old couple.

That life happens for a reason
I don't, I don't, I don't

"I am a runaway too" Haley whispered as Brooke's eyes widen and a smile placed on her lips. She wanted to hug the girl and smile with merriment, she wasn't alone in the world but Haley didn't seem to have the same joy as finding a runaway. "Bye Karen" The girls heard as elderly couple left the café.

Haley sighed as she had trouble revealing why she ran, how could she trust the brunette who was picking up on her apprehension. As she opened her mouth the bell over the door jingled signaling someone else entered. The two girls looked over at a curly blonde wearing a leather jacket and glaring at them.

The curly blonde turned away as Brooke felt uneasy seeing she was turning the open to close. "Choose any seat" Karen called from the back. Brooke clutched Haley's hand as the two girls blood went cold with horror. They were now staring at the barrel of a gun that saddled in the curly blonde's hand.

Because it never worked before
But this time, this time