An: Hello, I'm back again with another update. I know someone asked about Peyton/Taylor but that's probably not going to happen because as the story goes on something happens with Taylor's boyfriend. Thanks for reading and I know you're itching for them to get together and it'll happen soon, I promise.
--
Brooke scanned the room full of cheerleaders and began to scrutinize each and every one of them, trying her best to figure out which one Taylor would blow up at. She mentally eliminated Peyton, knowing she had never said one bad thing about Haley. Holly, Natalie and Ashley were next, all three of them being the sweetest things ever. After scratching out two more cheerleaders, it was down to Rachel, Theresa or Bevin.
"Bevin come here," she called out to one of the dumbest, if not dumbest girl she had ever met in her seventeen years on earth. She loved Bevin to death, but sometimes Brooke wondered if the girl had a brain. Bevin quickly stopped in mid-sentence, making Theresa roll her eyes and skipped over to Brooke with a smile. "You know Taylor James, right?"
"Who?"
"Taylor James," Brooke repeated slowly, biting her lip with the blank expression on Bevin's face. "Isn't she like best friends with your sister?"
"Oh, oh, Taylor James!" Bevin exclaimed with a nod. She'd known the older James girl since she was five, ever since the day her sister brought her home and declared Taylor as her newest best friend. "Tutor Girl's sister, right?"
"Her name's Haley," Brooke corrected her harshly, smiling apologetically when Bevin held up her hands in defense. This conversation wasn't going anywhere and Brooke had a feeling Bevin wasn't the one who faced the wrath of Taylor James. "But yes, her sister. Has she, I don't know has she ever threatened to kick your ass if you hurt Haley?"
"Nope." Brooke made a face and let out a heavy sigh. "But she did tell Jill to tell me that if I ever did try to hurt Haley she'd kick my ass. I don't know if she meant my sister was gonna kick my ass or she was…I don't know but I haven't seen her since like the last time my sister was home. I hear she works at some bar…"
"Thanks, Bevin," Brooke cut her off, motioning for her to go on her way. She looked back and forth between Rachel and Theresa, trying to decide who was meaner. Theresa was known for being a bitch but Rachel could easily give her a run for her money. Sadly, Rachel was the new girl and probably had no idea who Haley was. It had to be Theresa.
"Theresa!" She yelled, louder than she originally planned on. The bitchy brunette flipped her hair over her shoulder and slowly made her way over to the captain, something she hated Brooke for. Every year she had tried to go out for captain and every year she lost. "Look, I know we don't get along or whatever but I need to know this. Has Haley's sister ever…I don't know has she ever talked to you?"
"In the form of threatening to kick my ass, yes," Theresa informed her in a bitter voice, rolling her eyes when she thought of Taylor. "I guess Tutor Girl ran home crying and told her everything that happened. Next thing I know, she's banging on my door and telling me if I ever hurt Haley she'd kill me. Whatever, she's just pissed because my brother dumped her sorry ass for someone else."
"Thanks, you've been a real help," Brooke hissed, balling her fists together and holding herself back as Theresa walked away in confusion, not knowing she had just been added to Brooke's shit list for the rest of her life. She definitely didn't want to sit through the next hour of practice, knowing Theresa would still probably continue to torture her newest and most important friend. "Let's just forget practice. I'm not in the mood."
"So you made us get up this early for nothing?" Bevin gasped, her brown eyes widening into saucers. The other cheerleaders agreed and Brooke just simply shrugged her shoulders. "Brooke I could have gone out with Skills last night!"
"Cry me a river," Brooke mocked, flopping down on the bleachers and gathering her pom-poms from the floor. Peyton sighed and sat down next to her, nudging her gently when the brunette didn't flinch. "You'd think they'd be happy about this!"
"So, what's with the interrogation?" Peyton asked, ignoring Brooke's statement completely. She had noticed Brooke seemed a bit distracted each time they hung out, the brunette just telling her she was tired or some other lame excuse. "What's up?"
Brooke couldn't put into words how she was feeling. When she wasn't with Haley, she was constantly thinking about her. There were times where she had to hold herself back from calling her once they parted ways. The last thing she wanted Haley to think she was some sort of crazed stalker or something. She was falling for her, and she just hoped there'd be something there to catch her when she did.
"Just got a lot of things on my mind," Brooke whispered when she finally thought of something to say. Peyton didn't believe a word she said, but decided to leave it for now, knowing Brooke could blow up any second. "You know how they say live life without any regrets? Well, I've got so many that I don't know what to do with myself."
"Like what?" Peyton asked softly, deciding Brooke was in her soft mood. She waited patiently for her best friend to go on, half-heartedly waving to some of the departing cheerleaders she hated. "Do you regret sleeping with all those guys?"
"No," Brooke sighed, oblivious to Peyton's light tone. "I mean, Peyton, do you know she went home crying every day after school? Most of the girls on this squad hurt her, including myself. I, I wish I could take it back but I can't. God, what is wrong with me?"
"I'm not sure where you're going with this, but, Brooke, you can't change the past," Peyton reminded her, trying to get a hold of the situation. She had a hunch she was talking about Haley and just went with it, figuring Brooke would correct her if she was dead wrong. "She's a nice girl, with an amazing heart. I'm sure she forgives you."
"Yeah," Brooke whispered, fiddling with the streamers sitting in her lap. She glanced around the empty gym and shuffled closer to the blonde, allowing Peyton to wrap her arms around her when she stayed silent. "Will you promise me something?" Peyton nodded her head without thought. "Help me kick anyone's ass that hurts Haley?"
"Promise." Brooke smiled up at her and threw her stuff in the duffel bag, wondering if it was too early to go pay a visit to her favorite Tutor Girl.
--
"Sweetie," Karen began in some amusement, watching Haley struggle to reach the cups sitting on the top shelf. She had trouble as it is, only having one arm adding extra struggle to the simple task. "What are you doing here?"
"Working, why?" Haley informed her weirdly, officially giving up and leaving it for later. The Café was dead, which was surprising for a Saturday morning.
"I told you; take as much time off as you need." Haley rolled her eyes, getting fed up with all the constant babying she was receiving. "Lily's coming in pretty soon, why don't you head home and get some rest?"
"Karen, I'm fine," Haley groaned, tossing the dish towel onto the counter before falling down on the stool. "Taylor treats me like I'm about to die and having her boyfriend there every second of the day is annoying. I, he's just not my favorite person."
"Boy troubles?" Karen guessed out of the blue, knowing how sometimes Haley could get a little jealous of her older sister. Taylor knew it too but never called her out on it, not wanting to pick a fight with her sister. "I'm all ears if you want to talk, kiddo."
"Ever since this, this thing," Haley stopped, gesturing to the god awful sling still on her arm. It had been nearly a week since the shooting and she was just praying she'd be able to get it off as soon as humanly possible. She was sick of depending on Taylor all the time and knew the blonde was getting fed up as well. "My life's changed."
"For the better?"
"I don't know, I guess." Thoughts of Brooke began to swarm in her head and she had to shut her eyes, shaking her head from side to side to get rid of them. The girl lived in her head and she was at her ultimate high when she hung out with her. "I've been hanging out with Brooke Davis, the girl who made it her life goal to torture me. But now, now she's so nice to me and I don't know if it's because of what happened or what. I don't think I can take being used."
"Judging from what I've heard about Brooke, she's got a pretty big heart. Maybe she's afraid to be vulnerable, maybe she feels she has to be this person to prove to the rest of the school she lives up to being head cheerleader," Karen threw out with a small smile, her eyes never leaving the blonde in front of her. "Haley, you've got a pretty good judge of character and if you think she's being genuine, then I think she is."
"Thanks, Karen," Haley whispered, fiddling with the places mats on the table. "She understands what it's like to be abandoned, you know? Her parents haven't come home in months and she gets where I'm coming from. Taylor does too, but she's twenty two and she doesn't need a mother like I do sometimes."
"You've got me," Karen told her softly, yet proudly. She reached across the counter and placed a kiss on her forward while running her hand up and down Haley's arm. She knew how devastated Haley was when her parents left, Karen still holding the grudge that had formed when they took off in their RV. "Just remember that, okay?"
Haley nodded her head with a smile and felt so stupid for worrying all the time. That's what she did though; she worried all the time. When Taylor wouldn't come home after her shift at the bar, she'd worry and lose sleep. She'd worry about the humiliation she was going to face when she stepped foot in school and she worried if Brooke was really using her, the thought always settling in the back of her mind.
The ringing of the bell, signaling they had customers, snapped her out of her thoughts. Karen motioned for her to stay where she was and went to greet them, trying her best to remain neutral when it was Theresa, Rachel and Bevin, the trio of cheerleaders who gave Haley a hard time. Bevin wasn't bad from what she heard, her dumbness just making her stand there and let the situation unfold.
"Go home," Karen's motherly voice instructed, giving Haley's back a gentle pat as she gave the girls' order to the cook. She didn't want anything to happen to her, especially in her Café with other people around. "I've got everything under control."
"Thanks," Haley smiled tightly, jumping off the stool and taking a deep breath as she walked by the cheerleaders. She could hear them whispering about her and she shut her eyes, hearing things like: 'I wonder if she really got shot,' or something along the lines of 'I wonder if she'll ever show her face in school. Like anyone would miss her.'
Once she was away from the bitches, she opened her eyes and pushed the door open, the sidewalk setting her free as she made her way back home. Sometimes she wondered why she let everyone get to her. Taylor, Quinn and Vivian had been so popular in school, along with her two brothers. They all told her she would be too; it came with the James last name after all. But when she failed to fit in, they simply just shrugged their shoulders, Taylor being the only one there to console her when she was poked fun at.
Sometimes she'd sit in her room and imagine what her life would be like if she was popular. Everyone would want to sit with her at lunch, they'd feel so happy when she'd wave to them when she passed them in the hallway, they'd envy her lifestyle and try to copy her fashion style. No one would tease her about her brains, no one would purposely knock her books down and no one would call her crush on Brooke Davis crazy. They would probably support her decision to be a lesbian and admire the two of them as they held hands down the hallway.
Her sexuality was another thing she questioned daily. Brooke made her heart beat faster; the butterflies in her stomach flutter harder, her knees weak. She made her smile with her dimply smile and perkiness. Sure, there had been her first boyfriend at summer camp years ago, but it was just a summer crush, nothing more. They kissed once and ultimately decided to be friends after the embarrassing experience. His lips were chapped and she missed them completely.
"You're home early," Taylor's voice greeted her once she slowly made her way into their house. Haley purposely took her time, hoping her sister's sleepover would be over by the time she got home. "Did Karen agree with me and told you not to work?"
"Sure," Haley whispered, collapsing down on the couch next to her sister. So far there had been no signs of the ass hat boyfriend and that made her relax some more. Taylor knew nothing about her hate for him and would be caught off guard if she ever did find out. Besides, it wasn't Haley's place to disapprove anyways. "Can we talk?"
"Oh man, that felt so much better." Haley winced at his voice and sent a glare his way when he kissed the top of Taylor's head. He was all wrong for her and Taylor was just too blind to see it. "Hey, squirt, we didn't keep you up last night, did we?"
"Stop," Taylor hissed in amusement, whacking his large arms with her hands. Haley rolled her eyes and coughed loudly when they continued to flirt. "Oh, what did you want to talk about?"
"Forget it," Haley told her, standing up to her feet and moving away from the couple when Matt sat down next to Taylor. The last thing she wanted to deal with was a lovey dovey couple when she was confused with her own love life. "I'm just gonna go for a walk so I'll see you later I guess."
Before Taylor could get her words out, Haley was out the door, making an effort to slam it loudly when she could hear the obnoxious kissing noises they were making. She let out a frustrated groan and kicked the ground, letting her feet take her down the street to Brooke's house, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw Brooke get out of her car. She immediately turned red when Brooke waved at her frantically, gesturing for her to come closer.
"I was just gonna call you," Brooke giggled when Haley met her in the driveway. "But I figured you wouldn't be up at this hour but you are! So, what's up?"
"Oh, um, nothing," Haley said with a small sigh, smiling when Brooke shot her a skeptical look. She opened her mouth but stopped when she saw Theresa, Rachel and Bevin coming down the street, getting closer and closer. "I have to go though."
"Why?" Brooke asked in confusion, turning around to see what Haley was so engrossed in. Her eyes widened when she saw some of her squad coming towards them, fake smiles plastered all over her face. "Hey guys," she greeted tightly, making sure they weren't going to surround Haley and talk down to her like they normally did. "What brings you to our part of the neighbor hood?"
"We just went to Karen's," Theresa told her with a fake smile, glancing past the brunette to get a good look at Haley. "The food sucks there along with the service. Tutor Girl ran out after we came in and we had to wait to get our food."
"I thought my food was pretty good," Bevin pointed out, nodding her head along with Rachel. The redhead wasn't in the mood for a bitch fest and headed out, sending a small, sympathetic smile Haley's way when she walked past her. "We only waited ten minutes."
"Shut up," Theresa hissed, sending a glare Bevin's way. "So, Brooke, we were wondering if you wanted to go to the mall or something. Unless you've got plans with her over there." She made a face and pointed to Haley as if Brooke didn't know she was behind her.
"I was just leaving actually," Haley cut in before Brooke could say anything. This was it. This was going to prove if Brooke was really her friend. "I'll see you guys later."
"No, wait," Brooke called out after her, smirking at the shocked look on Theresa's face. She was going to remember that for the rest of her life. When Haley stopped and stayed in place, she turned around to face the two others. "Thanks anyways but I have plans with Haley. Maybe some other time, sound good?"
She wasn't sure why she was being so nice to Theresa. The girl was repeatedly harassing Haley and expected Bevin, her little sidekick to do the same. But when Bevin just nodded her head in understanding, Theresa let out a groan and was ready to put up a fight.
"So we're not good enough for you anymore?" Theresa asked in a mock shock, crossing her arms over her chest in a hurt manner. "Tutor Girl gets shot and all of a sudden you're buddy buddy with her? You wouldn't be standing here with her if that didn't happen."
"Shut up," Brooke snapped. She was not going to let Theresa make Haley feel bad no more. She had enough and she was going to keep on fighting until Theresa got it through her head that Haley was her friend, regardless of what happened over the last week. "I think your little act is getting old, Theresa. Grow up, we're seventeen years old. Don't you think it's a little immature to make fun of people?"
"You're right," Theresa responded with a sickly sweet smile. She dropped her hands from her chest and put them in a surrendering fashion. Bevin smiled brightly and stepped next to Brooke, watching her friend advanced towards Haley. "I'm so sorry, Haley. I know how hard it must be for you, with the whole school shooting thing…"
"It's okay," Haley whispered, staring at her feet. She felt so silly turning into a shy little girl when Theresa talked to her. Granted, it was usually teasing but this time she was being nice, or trying to be nice. "You don't need to apologize."
"But I do," Theresa corrected sadly, "I'm really sorry for everything. I guess I'm just insecure and Brooke is right, it's a little immature." Haley nodded her head in understanding and gulped when she saw Theresa was about to hug her. She reluctantly allowed it and winced in pain when she felt the pressure on her ailing wound. "Your sister's not here to save you, huh?" She hissed, purposely putting more pressure on Haley's shoulder before slamming her fist down on it, smiling in satisfaction when Haley cried in pain and keeled over on the grass. "Stupid, bitch."
"Brooke, don't," Bevin said, pulling Brooke back when she lunged for Theresa. She narrowed her eyes at her now former friend and just watched her stroll down the street like it was no big deal. She carefully let Brooke go and knelt down next to Haley. "She's bleeding, Brooke."
"God, Hales, are you okay?" Brooke asked her, trying her best not to hunt Theresa down and kick her ass. It was obvious the bullet wound was still healing and Haley did her best to bite back her tears as the excruciating pain flowed through her body. "Here, stand up and I'll get you cleaned up."
Haley slowly nodded her head and allowed the two girls to help her off the ground and led her inside, Brooke carefully lifting her up to sit on the counter. Bevin just sat back in silence, averting her eyes when the blood formed around the sleeves of Haley's shirt.
"Does that hurt?" Brooke asked softly, gently pressing down the wet cloth on Haley's shoulder. She smiled thankfully at Bevin when she slipped out the door and rubbed her hand all over Haley's back when she whimpered in pain. "You're okay, I think her ring might have grazed it, that's all."
"Oh," Haley sniffled, gnawing on her bottom lip to the point where it was going to draw blood itself. She just let Brooke comfort her the best she could and mentally cursed herself for falling for Theresa's nice act. "It hurts, it hurts a lot."
"I know," Brooke agreed quietly, lifting the cloth off and examining Haley's shoulder carefully. Most of the bleeding stopped and she made a face when she spotted the blood all over her sleeves. "It seems to be okay now. I'm so sorry I let that happen."
"No, no, it's not your fault," Haley told her with a smile, finding it so sweet that Brooke was so protective of her. She was so happy to hear Brooke ditch her friends for her, even though they didn't have anything planned for the day. "I should have known."
"Um, we should probably get you a new shirt," Brooke said, helping Haley jump down from off the counter. Her stomach was in knots when she thought of the idea, knowing she'd probably have to help her with it. "You can borrow one of mine."
"I can just go home…"
Brooke shook her head in protest and grabbed Haley's hand to lead her up the stairs. Haley gave in and took in the large bedroom Brooke had. The queen size bed grabbed her attention immediately, making her full one seem so small. She watched Brooke in amusement as she dug through her drawers in search for a shirt that would be easy to get on without Brooke losing her cool.
"I figured this would be easier to get on," Brooke shrugged, holding up the button down shirt in front of Haley. She took a deep breath and kept telling herself she was just a friend and nothing more. "Okay, so, um, how are we going to do this?"
"You just have to undo the Velcro and well, you're gonna have to help me," Haley whispered shyly, standing up so Brooke could undo the sling. Brooke gulped once the sling was off and fiddled with the hem of Haley's shirt, slowly lifting it up and feeling her knees go weak when she took in her amazing stomach. "Brooke?"
"Right, right," Brooke said, shaking her head out of her daze. "Does it hurt to lift up your arm? Or should I do one at a time?" Haley shook her head and lifted both arms up, trying not to show any sign of pain. Brooke tossed the shirt aside and quickly turned around when she saw Haley's bra. She grabbed the blouse and slowly placed Haley's arms in it, careful when she brought it on Haley's shoulders. "I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"No," Haley told her with a smile, watching as Brooke fiddled with the buttons on her shirt. Brooke felt her knees again when Haley's chest disappeared under the shirt but felt them wobble when her fingers accidentally brushed against her bare stomach. Haley giggled softly at Brooke's expression and sat down on the bed when Brooke was finished. "Um, Brooke, you missed the last two buttons."
"I know," Brooke grinned, sitting down next to her on the bed. Haley fiddled with the shirt and did her best to cover up the exposed skin. "Hey, stop playing with it! Didn't your sister tell you no one ever buttons them down all the way?"
"Oh," Haley whispered as Brooke pushed her hands away. Luckily for Brooke, she didn't realize that she only buttoned a few buttons on purpose. "Well I guess I have to follow the fashion rules, don't I?"
"I guess so," Brooke laughed, grabbing the sling from behind her and dangling it in front of Haley's face. "Don't make a face at me missy. The doctor didn't say you were fine yet so stand up and let me put this thing back on you."
"And what if I don't stand up?" Haley challenged, smirking deviously when Brooke looked down at her in shock. "What are you going to do about it, Brooke Davis?"
"Don't be mean," Brooke gasped, sitting back down next to Haley and placing the sling in her lap. She didn't want to force it on her and if Haley seemed fine without wearing it then she wasn't going to say anything. "Well at least lay down for a bit? Could you at least do that to humor me? I don't need Taylor kicking my ass for letting this happen to you."
"Only if you lay with me," Haley asked shyly, breathing a sigh of relief when Brooke happily obliged. She climbed to the head of the bed with the help of Brooke and snuggled into the fluffy pillows, smiling when Brooke followed suite. "Your bed's comfy."
"So I'm told," Brooke wiggled her eyebrows in a playful manner and laughed harder when Haley's eyes widened and hit her arm. "You should feel pretty lucky, Tutor Girl. You're the first person I've gone to bed with willingly. No alcohol, no seduction, no nothing."
"I'll cherish it forever," Haley giggled, scooting closer and closer until there was no space between the two. She needed to be close to her and was trying her best to control the butterflies in her stomach. "Thanks for helping me, Brooke."
"No problem," Brooke said, grabbing Haley's hand in her own and squeezing it gently. Her smile got wider when Haley snuggled into her side and rested her head on her chest, being able to hear her racing heart. "How about we take a little nap and then maybe later on we can figure out something to do."
"Sounds good," Haley yawned, closing her eyes when Brooke absently ran her fingers through her long hair. She liked the feeling of sleeping next to Brooke and couldn't help but want to do this every single day. "Will you hold me tighter? I'll feel much safer."
"Anything for you," Brooke whispered, carefully pulling Haley closer and running the pad of her thumb over Haley's upper arm. She watched the small girl drift off to sleep in her arms and couldn't help but smile. "I, um, I think I might love you."
The girls eventually fell asleep holding onto each other, Haley smiling at the words Brooke thought she wasn't going to hear.