Thank you all so much for reviewing. I love hearing what you all have to say…you have no idea. I am so shocked to see the number of reviews as well. I never would have thought I would get this many. Thank you so much for everyone who does review it is very much appreciated. :D Anyways…here ya go! I hope you like it!
Chapter 8: "The Return"
Brooke pushed open the main doors to the school, some needing to fresh air.
"Brooke!" She heard from behind, making her turn around. She spotted Haley running after her, a worried look washing over her facial features.
Brooke let out a loud sigh before bringing her hand to her forehead as she paced back and forth. She didn't want to feel this way.
Haley could tell that Brooke was beating herself up over something. It had to be Nathan, since Brooke had left the gym immediately after her little run in with him. "You care, don't you?" She asked.
Brooke shook her head, trying to convince herself that she didn't care. For some stupid reason, she felt something when Nathan had kissed her. However, a relationship wasn't something she wanted, or needed. Then again, maybe it was something she needed, but not with a guy who was the son of her father's girlfriend. "I don't want to." She mumbled shortly under her breath.
"You shouldn't." Haley said, taking a few steps towards her. "He's an ass."
"You were encouraging this, like, an hour ago." Brooke said, narrowing her eyes in Haley's direction.
"I was suffering from temporary insanity. Besides, I don't him anywhere near you if all he's going to do is upset you…or, whatever he does." Haley sent her a gentle smile.
Brooke smiled slightly in response.
"Come here." Haley said, giving Brooke a hug.
"Thanks, Hales." Brooke pulled away from the embrace.
The doors behind them swung open and Peyton appeared. "The bitch is beckoning." She stated, rolling her eyes.
Brooke and Haley both shook their heads before Haley walked past Peyton and inside. Brooke looked over at Peyton, dreading the moment she would have to step back inside the double doors. "Come on, B. Davis." She heard Peyton said.
"Fine." Brooke pouted.
Peyton walked over to and placed her arm around Brooke, pulling her into a hug. "We'll piss Rachel off, it'll be fun!" Peyton exclaimed, forcing a laugh to escape Brooke's lips as the two headed towards the gym.
-----
She went against her better judgment and went home. However, she definitely wasn't going to stay the night since Nathan and Rachel would be just down the hall. Brooke had asked Haley to drop her off so that she could get a few things. Haley had to run a quick errand but promised she would be back as soon as she could.
After entering the house, Brooke quietly shut the door, not wanting her presence to be known. She made her way down the hall and into her bedroom, getting out an outfit to wear to school in the morning and something to sleep in.
Brooke picked up her bag and turned around, needing to get the last of her things in the bathroom. She jumped slightly, seeing someone standing in her doorway.
"A little jumpy, are we?"
"What the hell do you want, Nathan?" She asked, glaring at him.
He merely laughed before leaning against the doorframe.
"I thought you'd be occupied by now." Brooke said, after a moment of silence. She looked away, averting eye contact.
"I could be." He said.
Brooke looked up at him, quirking her eyebrow in confusion.
"What do you say?" He asked with a smirk.
Her mouth dropped at his comment. "I say, you're a conceited little piece of shit!" She exclaimed. "But, I think that's pretty clear, don't you think?" It was true, when Brooke was mad, she was mad and there was no stopping the words coming from her mouth.
"Ouch." Nathan replied, not fazed at all. "You need to loosen up, it was just a joke."
Brooke narrowed her eyes in his direction. Lately, that seemed like all she was doing when she saw him. "Why did you kiss me?" She inquired, quickly changing the topic of discussion.
"Why do you care?" He asked.
"Just answer the question."
"Well," He paused momentarily, "It was the only way I could think of to shut you up."
Brooke walked towards him so that she was just a few steps in front of him. "So, it didn't mean anything?"
He took his eyes away from her own, not responding for quite some time.
"Well?" Brooke questioned, clearly growing tired of waiting.
He finally looked back at her, blue against hazel. "A kiss doesn't always have to mean something."
Brooke's mouth dropped open slightly. She nodded, her eyes clouding over with the anger she was truly feeling deep down. "Move." She said, pushing past him and making her way as quickly as she could out of the house.
-----
"I saw Peyton and Lucas talking after practice." Haley said as she and Brooke walked into her bedroom. They had spent most of the night watching movies and eating – two things most girls enjoyed doing. Brooke had told Haley about her encounter with Nathan, but quickly changed the subject since she did not want to think or talk about him ever again.
Brooke looked up. "Oh, really?"
Haley nodded. "Yeah. I'm sure that made her happy. She's had her eye on that boy for a long time."
Brooke smiled at the thought. "Good for her! He did tell me he has a thing for blondes." She paused momentarily, "I think they'd be good together."
"I think so too."
A moment of silence passed between them before Haley decided to speak again. "So, tell me about your life."
"Well," Brooke began, sighing heavily, "It pretty much sucks." She laid down on the bed, as did Haley.
Haley laughed slightly. "No, your life before Tree Hill."
"Not much to tell." She said, looking down at her hands.
Haley bit down on her bottom lip. She didn't want to upset Brooke, that was the last thing she wanted. However, she did want to know more about her. "Come on. There's gotta be some things worth remembering."
"All the good things lead to bad things." Brooke mumbled shortly.
Haley nodded, a frown playing upon her lips.
"There was this guy." She said, unexpectedly.
Haley's eyes widened, urging for her to continue.
"I was so into him." Brooke started to smile, as the thoughts entered her mind. "And he was so wrong for me." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But, that didn't matter. I was positive I could change him, and make him good for me. Or at least, I wanted to believe that I could change someone."
"Maybe you can." Haley encouraged.
Brooke shrugged. "Maybe." She paused, taking in her thoughts. "He was the popular guy, the basketball star, and I was the girlfriend, the head cheerleader, and the bitch."
Haley let out a quick laugh.
"Not something I'm proud of, but, that was my life. It got tiring. Then one day, when I actually needed him to be a boyfriend, he bolted, so…"
"I'm sorry, Brooke."
"His loss, right?" Brooke asked.
Haley nodded. "Definitely. What was his name anyway?"
"Marcus."
-----
It was yet another day at Tree Hill High. Brooke had to keep herself from falling asleep. She and Haley had stayed up late talking about anything and everything. The bell had just rung and all the kids were settling in their desks.
The teacher walked in front of his desk, addressing the class. "We have a new student today."
Brooke smiled. Finally, she wasn't the new kid anymore.
The door of the classroom opened up to reveal a dark haired boy. Brooke's mouth dropped. "Marcus?" She whispered.
Ooh the drama. I hope you all don't hate me for this, but I have a plan…just bear with me. ;) Please review and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading. And yes, it is the Marcus from the show.
