Chapter 8: Crumbling Walls

"Brooke!" Chase greeted with the biggest smile ever. Brooke ran at Chase and jumped into his arms while he spun her around a couple of times. "How have you been?" Chase asked finally setting Brooke back on the ground but not letting go of her.

"I'm doing great," Brooke smiled completely amazed that Chase was back in her life. She thought that after he moved away sophomore year she would never see him again. Damn he sure isn't that scrawny boy that I knew. Brooke took a slight step back and looked him up and down, definitely not the same Chase that left. Chase snickered at her not so discrete action of checking him out. "So what brings you back to Tree Hill?"

"My parents decided to move back and bring me along," Chase smiled relishing in the feel of Brooke being back in his arms. "I heard about the party and thought it would be the best place to catch up with you guys."

Haley watched the scene play out in front of her in shock and horror. She had just had what she thought was an amazing time with Brooke but the second she sees Chase it was like she didn't exist. I guess first loves die the hardest. She looked around at her group of friends and noticed that all of them were giving her sympathetic looks. Haley turned her gaze back to Brooke and Chase and couldn't help the sinking feeling that plagued her body; they look good together, like they always did.

"Haley," someone called from another room.

"I'll be right back," Haley said to the group hoping to catch Brooke's attention but she didn't even flinch. Haley smiled sadly to her friends before exiting in the direction her name was called.

"Why don't we get outta here and catch up?" Chase suggested wanting time alone with his former girlfriend.

"Sounds great to me," Brooke smiled still in utter shock that Chase Adams was back in Tree Hill. She grabbed her coat from one of the chairs and put it on. "See you guys later," Brooke said to the group not realizing that it was one person short. The group watched in awe as Brooke walked straight to the door not even looking for Haley.

Haley came back into the room and noticed that Brooke and Chase were absent; she noticed the direction her friends were starring at and followed. She just managed to see Brooke and Chase leave through the front door. "Hales?' Peyton questioned knowing that her friend was hurting.

"Don't worry Pey," Haley said not turning her attention back to the group. She knew that if she saw their faces she would lose it and start crying. "They're just catching up. Nothing to worry about," Haley said knowing that her sadness was evident in her voice. I can't do this, I can't lose her. Without another word Haley re-emerged back into the sea of partying teens.

"Brooke better not break her heart," Nathan growled not liking the defeated demeanor that Haley had taken on. Mia rubbed Nathan's back in a soothing fashion hoping to calm him down. He smiled gratefully at her.

YGA

"So what've you been up to?" Chase asked Brooke as they walked down the streets of Tree Hill.

"Nothing much, just surviving the last stretch before freedom," Brooke said with a smile. She looked down at their intertwined fingers and couldn't help but smile, this feels right.

"So are you seeing anyone?" Chase asked praying that she was single. Brooke stopped dead in her tracks, Haley. "I'll take that as a yes," Chase said with a defeated sigh. Brooke simply nodded and Chase bowed his head. "Do I know him?"

Brooke snickered a little causing Chase to look up. "Yeah, you know her."

"Her?" Chase was baffled, Brooke's a lesbian, didn't see that one coming.

"Yeah, her," Brooke said with a wistful smile thinking about her girlfriend, fuck, I just left her without saying goodbye, oh my God…she must be pissed, fuck.

"I take it from the look on your face that she was at the party and you didn't tell her where you were going?" Chase asked knowing that look on Brooke's face; it was the classic 'I'm in deep shit' face.

"Yeah," Brooke said meekly. "Shit Haley is gonna be pissed."

"Haley, as in Haley Scott?" He looked at Brooke waiting for her answer.

"Yeah Haley Scott," Brooke smile again.

"You really like her, don't you?" Chase asked sadly. When his parents told him that they were moving back to Tree Hill he had high hopes that he could try things again with Brooke. But now seeing that she was in a relationship he knew he didn't have a shot in hell, unless I do a little meddling.

"Yeah I do but," Brooke paused not really sure she was ready for the repercussions of her next statement. "I still have feelings for you."

"Really?" Chase asked in bewilderment, this could be easier than I thought.

"Yeah it's just that I really do care about Haley and we just have so much history and I don't want to lose her," Brooke said trying her best to put her feelings into words. "Even though we've only been together for two months we have this amazing connection."

"But you're still not sure?" Chase asked testing the waters to see how hard he was going to have to work to get Brooke back.

"Yeah," Brooke whispered hating herself for admitting this. Haley is going to be crushed.

YGA

"I'm worried about her," Nathan sighed looking on at his little sister partying harder than he'd ever seen her before. After Brooke left Haley decided that the best way to numb her pain was through drinking, she knows better than this.

"I know me too," Lucas replied sympathizing with his brother. I've never seen her this bad. I'm so glad that nothing more happened between Brooke and me. She would've been completely crushed. "I think someone needs to go try and talk to her."

"Peyton already tried, she wouldn't listen," Nathan looked sadly upon Haley who had just taken her tenth shot in the past hour. "I hate to say this but I think we should just let her ride this out and pray that she'll stop when she's ready."

"This isn't her," Lucas sighed watching Haley dancing with every guy in sight. He noticed that Haley finally looked like she was done as she headed upstairs. "I'll go check on her."

"Let me," Peyton sighed. She gave Lucas a quick kiss before running after Haley. She first checked all the upstairs bathrooms and was surprised that Haley hadn't decided to occupy one of them. She should be throwing up yesterday's lunch. Peyton tried her luck with the bedrooms but realized that Haley wasn't in any of them; she did however manage to find some of her classmates in very compromising positions. That is more than I ever needed to see of them…gross. Now where the hell is Haley…the roof. I hope she hasn't killed herself. Peyton ran to the secret closet door that Haley had shown her earlier in the day. She opened the door leading outside and found Haley sitting against the wall clutching onto her legs for dear life. "Hales?" The only response Peyton got was sniffles. "I know what you're think Haley Scott and I won't let you give up."

"You don't understand," Haley spoke her voice filled with pain. Peyton sat next to Haley and pulled her into a hug. "I can't compete with Chase, he's her first love. How in the hell is a two month relationship supposed to stand against a two year one, huh?"

"Don't talk like that," Peyton said sternly not liking this defeated Haley. "You are an amazing person Haley Scott. You are beautiful, loving, funny, smart, caring, and you have the biggest heart that I have ever seen. Brooke is an idiot if she even considers ending things with you because you, my best friend, are the total package."

"Thanks for trying Peyt, but there is nothing that can possibly cheer me up," Haley wiped the tears from her cheeks. "The only thing that could cheer me up would be Brooke bursting through that door telling me that I'm the only one for her." Realization just hit her. "Oh my God I'm a complete idiot!" Peyton gave her that 'please explain' look. "Earlier tonight when I brought Brooke up her I told her that she was the love of my life. I totally scared her off…I drove her into Chase's arms." The sobs overtook her body as Peyton tightened her grip.

"Shhh, everything will be ok. It'll all work out in the end," Peyton soothed not knowing if she was telling the truth.

YGA

"You're really worried about her?" Mia asked Nathan as they sat outside near the dwindling bonfire.

"Yeah," Nathan sighed. "Haley's a strong girl but when it comes to her heart it's all or nothing. If she loves you she'll give you her heart, her whole heart and I'm just scared that in the end it's just going to get shattered. And if anyone has the power to shatter her heart Brooke does."

"If that does happen I know Haley will pull through," Mia said laying a comforting hand on Nathan's thigh. He looked up giving her a quizzical look. "I know what you're thinking how do I know all this?" Nathan nodded his head. "Even though I've only known Haley for a week I feel like I know her, like really know her. When we talk or when we're just goofing off in the studio playing music I see myself in her. And I've been in her situation. My ex-boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend and I was crushed. I thought that my life was over and that there was nothing I could do to fix my broken heart but I did. I turned to music and it was my escape. I know that music is Haley's escape and if there is anything that can cure a broken heart it's a great melody, song, you name it, music is the cure."

"You're really smart you know that?" Nathan said with a half smirk.

"Shhh, don't tell anyone," Mia said looking from left to right.

"There's more to you than I thought," Nathan said with a smile, she definitely is something else.

"Should I take that as a compliment?" Mia asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, definitely," Nathan smiled nervously. Never before had he had such strong feelings for someone that he barely knew, scratch that, for anyone. If I don't make my move now I'm never going to. Nathan leaned in hoping that he wasn't moving too fast and scaring Mia off. He let a small smile play on his lips when Mia mimicked his actions. They met halfway in tender kiss. Their lips moved slowly together getting adjusted to the newness they both were experiencing. Nathan pulled back slightly but kept his forehead against Mia's. "So?" He asked nervously.

"Wow," Mia grinned from ear to ear.

"Yeah, wow," Nathan's grin matched Mia's to a tee. "So what instrument do you play?"

"Smooth," Mia giggled. "If you must know I play the piano and the guitar."

"Really," Nathan said with a devilish smirk. "Follow me," he said grabbing a hold of Mia's hand.

"Where are you taking me?" Mia asked with a laugh at Nathan's determination. He was pulling her upstairs and she didn't like what this was turning into, this is not what I wanted. He seemed like a nice guy. Her eyes bugged out when she saw that Nathan was bringing her to his room.

"I'm not that kinda girl," Mia said pulling her hand out of Nathan's grip. He simply turned and smiled at her. "What is so funny?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest. Nathan walked into his closet and pulled out a guitar case. "Oh," Mia said bashfully she mentally berated herself for thinking that Nathan was going to take advantage of her. "You play?"

"Yeah, but shhh don't tell anyone," Nathan said looking from left to right mocking Mia's earlier actions.

"Funny," Mia deadpanned. "Play for me."

YGA

"It seems that our group is dwindling," Rachel observed as she took in her surroundings. The once sea of teens was now more a pond of teens, it seemed that everyone was heading out in hopes of not getting caught by their parents. She looked around at her group of friends. Bevin and Skills had headed out shortly after Nathan and Mia decided to go out to the bonfire. Haley and Peyton were still M.I.A. and Brooke was still out with Chase. Things should be interesting in the morning. "So do you think Brooke and Chase are going at it right now?"

"You're seriously asking me that question?" Jake asked incredulously. "One she's my sister and two she's Haley's girlfriend. She would never do that to Haley and you know that."

"Well you also know how much Brooke loved Chase and how crushed she was when he left," Rachel responded not seeing the wrong in her earlier question. "It's natural to think that she would want to rekindle the old flame."

"You're kidding me, right?" Jake asked growing furious as the conversation continued. "Brooke would never do that to Haley!"

"Don't yell at me because you're too blind to see that Brooke was about to jump Chase's bone when she saw him earlier!" Rachel yelled back.

"You should just leave now," Jake said sternly not wanting to say something that he was going to regret.

"Don't take your sister's easiness out on me!" Rachel screamed not liking being told what to do.

"Take a look in the mirror," Jake couldn't control his anger anymore, she just crossed the line.

Rachel just scoffed before she stormed out of the Scott house. Jerk!

YGA

"What'd ya say we get you into bed?" Peyton asked lightly knowing that Haley needed to sleep off the night if she didn't want a serious hang over.

"Ok," Haley replied almost childlike. The girls made their way down the stairs and into Haley's room. She put on her pajamas and crawled under the covers curling up in the fetal position. Peyton turned to leave when she heard "Pey?"

"Yeah," she asked turning around.

"Do you think you could stay with me tonight?" Haley asked sheepishly, she was in no condition to be alone. Peyton nodded before grabbing some of Haley's clothes and throwing them on. She crawled into Haley's bed and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Peyton gave Haley a reassuring kiss on the temple before sleep overtook both girls.

Peyton woke the next morning to banging on Haley's bedroom door. She padded over to the door noticing that Haley was practically unconscious. The last person she expected to be on the other side of the door was starring her in the face. "You've got a lot of nerve coming here after what you did."

"I know," Brooke sighed ashamed at her actions from the night before. She looked past Peyton and looked at Haley. "Is she alright?"

"No Brooke she's not," Peyton said not beating around the bush; she was beyond pissed at Brooke for what she did. "She's hurting Brooke. After you left with Chase she nearly lost it. She was drinking like there was no tomorrow and all because you completely forgot about her when you saw Chase. You should've seen how heartbroken she was when you left without saying goodbye."

Brooke bowed her head in shame; this is not going to be easy. "Can I talk to her?"

Peyton eyed her suspiciously before exiting the room hoping that Brooke was going to fix this mess. When Peyton was out of the room Brooke slowly walked over to Haley's bed. "Haley?" Brooke whispered, she didn't expect to get a response out of her right away and was shocked when Haley's eyes shot open. "Rough night?" The heartbroken look in her eyes made Brooke regret her previous question. "Sorry."

"What're you doing here?" Haley asked emotionlessly. She managed to sit up and leaned against her headboard.

"I came here to explain," Brooke sighed hating the idea of putting Haley through any pain. "The thing is I'm just really confused and I don't know what to do. You have to know that I love you it's just that…"

"You still have feelings for Chase," Haley finished for her already knowing where this conversation was heading.

"Yeah," Brooke sighed, how can she know all this? "And I just think that it would be best for everyone involved…"

"If we take a break so you can sort out your feelings," Haley said expressionlessly.

"Yeah," Brooke sighed with defeat bowing her head. After a couple moments of silence she looked up to find that Haley was looking out her window.

"You better get going," Haley said plainly. "You know, so you can have your 'space'," Haley said using air quotes.

"Hales…" Brooke tried to reason but Haley just held up her hand.

"Don't, I understand," She finally made eye contact with Brooke. "Even though this is breaking my heart I DO understand that this isn't easy for you. And I understand that you need your space but I just hope that you know I will always love you, no matter who you choose."

Brooke smiled gratefully as she moved towards the door. "You're an amazing person Haley Scott." She left when Haley didn't respond.

"Not amazing enough," Haley whispered before the tears flooded down her cheeks.

That's the end of chapter 8.

Please don't be mad at me for taking this turn with Baley, it needs to be done despite my own protest. Just a warning, this story is coming to an end soon so I hope that you stick with me. Also a reminder, there WILL be a sequel to this and I hope that all of you look out for it. I haven't come up with a title yet but I'll have that figured out by the end of YGA.

Sorry this chapter is shorter than the ones prior to this and that it's a little choppy with the different storylines but things will come back together in the next one.

Please let me know what you think (good or bad, angry, pissed) all reviews are welcome.

=]