Chapter Eight: Heartache To Heartache We Stand
Brooke blinked back at them while they hopefully awaited her reaction.
"You can't be married…" she said, "You guys are only seventeen. No-one with half a brain cell would let you guys get married."
Haley nodded, "That's true. We couldn't find anyone to marry us so we just decided to get engaged!" she flashed them her engagement ring that sparkled on her finger.
Far from being excited and wanting to see her best friend's ring, Brooke sighed. "So you guys just decided to run off and get married? How long have you been planning this?"
"We weren't planning it. After Nathan turned up at my house after arguing with your dad, we went out on our date and ended up here at the beach house for the night. Then Nathan proposed and we thought eloping would be so romantic – except we spent all day trying to find someone to marry us but they wouldn't. Not even when we went out of town. So we just ended up looking for engagement rings. We were going to announce it tomorrow morning." Haley explained, still giddy over the events of the last few hours.
Brooke sighed in relief, "Okay, so you guys didn't totally just screw up everything. I meant, you guys getting married?" she scoffed, "I hardly see it."
"What?" Nathan frowned, "Brooke, we're getting married."
"But you're seventeen."
"Not for long. We turn eighteen in September –which is only four months away- and Haley's birthday is in December. We'll be married before the New Year."
"You're serious about this?" Brooke couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, we are," Nathan confirmed before he fixed his eyes on Lucas, "What are you doing here with him?"
"He was looking for you. He has been helping me try and find you guys." Brooke told them. Lucas grew uncomfortable underneath Nathan's steely glare, despite Brooke's best attempts to defend him.
"I'm going to go call your parents so they know and can call of the search." He excused himself from the three and went to place the call.
"Brooke… you are happy for us, aren't you?" Haley questioned.
"Happy that you and my brother put me through so much misery and worry so you could both go off and try and get hitched without breathing a word to anyone?"
"It's not like we planned it."
"I can see that!"
"Why are you being such a bi-" Nathan was cut off by Lucas returning into the room.
"Um, your parents want you home right now." He told them.
"Okay," Brooke nodded glancing at the two. "Lucas, I'm riding with you," she said as she left the beach house, Nathan and Haley following hand-in-hand, and Lucas being the last to leave.
-----
"You okay?" Lucas asked Brooke as they drove his car back to her house. She hadn't said anything since they'd sat in the car and it was clear that she wasn't too thrilled with her brother's news.
"Am I still dreaming?" Brooke asked, "Or is this some kind of a cosmic joke? Have I been giving out bad vibes lately? Did I forget to give money to the blind? What did I do for this to happen to me?"
"Brooke, relax, they're here. They're safe. They're just…"
"Engaged? Throwing away their lives? It's the same thing."
"Look, I don't see anything really wrong with it. They're not married. Being married at seventeen would be more throwing away their lives. This is-"
"Still completely crazy! I think I liked it better when they were still missing."
"Brooke, don't say that. You know you don't mean it. I know it took you by surprise, but you never know… they really could be in love."
"And I could be Queen Latifah," she shot back as she climbed out of the car when they pulled up to the Scott house. Karen and Dan were already at the front door when both cars pulled up and waiting for their children to arrive. Brooke barely glanced back to see Nathan's car pull up behind theirs before she went to hug her mother. Lucas didn't follow, but rather let them have their family reunion. Nathan and Haley went up to the house together and shut the front door behind them. Lucas stood outside by his car for a few moments before walking across the road to his own house.
He'd spent the day with Brooke when she needed help after two months or barely any contact. He knew he was wrong to expect any sort of reward or change in their relationship, but after their 'moment' in the beach house before Nathan and Haley had returned, he had begun to think that maybe it could. Then again, it could have been simply a spur-of-the-moment thing and because she'd been so upset.
Whatever it was, it told Lucas that the ball was in Brooke's court.
-----
"Are you guys okay? Do you want a sandwich? I have some pizza in the oven." Karen asked as she fussed over her son and his girlfriend.
"We're fine, Mom," Nathan said taking a seat in the kitchen. His father hadn't said anything to them as yet. "Um, can we talk to you?"
"I'm going to bed!" Brooke announced suddenly, removing herself from the inevitably explosive discussion that would take place.
She had barely made it into her room when she heard a loud: "You did what?" emerge from her father. Having no-one but Jake to call, Brooke picked up her phone and dialed his number.
"Hey," she said, "did I wake you?" she asked.
"No, I was already awake with Jenny. She's teething. Why are you calling me so late? Shouldn't you be asleep?"
"Who can sleep?" Brooke sighed heavily.
"Did you find Nathan and Haley?" Jake asked.
"Oh yeah, we found them. Get this, they're engaged."
"Are you serious?" Jake had to stop himself from crying out as he was just getting Jenny off to bed. "What in the world…?"
"I know, right?" Brooke was happy to have found someone who was on her side. "They have some wild notion that once they turn eighteen, they're going to get married and live happily ever after!"
"It's kind of romantic, actually."
"It's kind of stupid, that's what it is." Brooke said.
"You don't sound too thrilled." Jake surmised.
"Would you be?" she questioned as she heard her dad screaming at Nathan. She closed the door so all that could be heard were stern muffles.
"Your dad sounds pissed. Maybe we should throw them an engagement party or something to let them know we're okay with it." He suggested.
"Why? I'm not okay about it. I doubt Haley's parents will be either."
"Why are you so upset? Didn't you want them to get married?" Jake asked. "Just a few days ago, you were telling me how great it would be if they got married so you and Haley could really be sisters and you could spoil their kids!"
"I didn't mean now. I thought that in five years time or something after high school and college that they'd maybe, possibly consider it. But they're seventeen. It's not... I always thought that Haley would rush into our house – because we'd live together in a fantastic apartment in New York – and tell me that she was engaged, and we'd be so ecstatic and have a huge party. Then I'd plan a killer bridal shower, be her maid of honor and plan everything about the wedding with her in precise detail!"
"It doesn't mean you can't do it," Jake reassured, "You can still be her maid of honor and plan a bridal shower and help with the wedding."
"At seventeen? It wouldn't even be legal for them to have champagne at their reception. Besides, I don't like it." Brooke sighed. "This sucks."
"Brooke, I honestly don't know why you're so upset. They're not married yet."
"Yet being the operative word. They've been dating, what, three months?" she asked, "I've heard about these types of marriages. Getting married after some whirlwind romance and breaking up before the wedding cake has gone stale. I don't want that to happen to them."
"You're scared they'll break up?"
"Of course. They don't know enough about each other. Haley's never lived with Nathan. She doesn't know how annoying his snoring his or how messy his closet is. And don't get me started on how much porn he has stored on his computer!" Jake chuckled on the other end, "And when they break-up, I'll be torn between my brother and my best friend and I don't want that."
"They could still break up," he reminded her, "What's the difference if they break up when they're dating, or when their engaged or when they're married?"
"Because it'll just be messier and they'll end up hating each other. This marriage is going to be a disaster."
"Okay, before you start drawing battle lines just stop and think for a moment. What if it works out? Haley's not stupid."
"And Nathan?"
"Well Nathan's just stupid… but he wouldn't do anything like this unless he was sure. Haley's the longest relationship he's had since sixth grade. Maybe you should just put some faith into it. Anyway, if they realize that getting engaged was the wrong decision, then they can end things then. Just be glad they're not already married." Jake's voice turned into a whisper near the end as Jenny stirred in her sleep. Brooke could hear Jake trying to coax her back to sleep.
"Thank god we have laws in this country. Did you know that, in some countries, kids can get married at the age of five, Jake? Five! If that we true then you and I would be celebrating our twelve year anniversary."
"Isn't that like iron or something?" Jake asked.
"Whatever, but this whole thing is a mistake! They don't seem to get that. You should have seen the way Haley was grinning. It's like the time we took her to see that Johnny Depp film."
"She got that doe-eyed look and started plotting out how she'd track him down and get him to marry her?" Jake questioned.
"Yeah, except she had tracked down Nathan and they are going to get married. Jake, come home now!" she begged, needing someone to help her get through this.
"I can't really do that right now, Brooke, but I'll be back later tonight." He told her earnestly. "Speaking of, it's kind of late and Jenny just got to sleep. Mind if I call you tomorrow when I get home? You can fill me in on any new developments." Brooke sighed on the other end.
"Sure, Jake. Thanks for being awake and give Jenny a kiss from me." She told him before they said their goodbyes and she hung up the phone, still feeling upset by the whole 'engagement' ordeal but feeling slightly less despondent after talking to Jake. Jake was the rock who would help her get through this and knock some sense into Nathan and Haley. She was sure of it.
Finally the yelling ceased and Brooke heard footsteps storm past her room and Nathan's bedroom door shut loudly before the front door opened and closed, and a car engine started up and drove away. She waited fifteen minutes before deciding it was in her best interests to see where everybody stood in the situation and whether anything had changed. Brooke heard her father slam the door to his office – obviously he didn't want to be disturbed.
She knocked lightly on Nathan's door before letting herself in without needing a reply.
"Hey," she said as she leant on the doorframe, noticing that he was without Haley "Where's 'the fiancée'?" Though she didn't mean to, it came out condescending; something Nathan didn't appreciate.
"Mom took her home." He sounded upset. She sighed. "Did you know they're trying to get us to call the whole thing off?"
"Nathan, you do realize that this isn't something like you breaking curfew – you ran away to get married."
"But we didn't get married, did we? We're just engaged. Why does everyone think it's a bad thing?" Nathan's phone beeped loudly and he read the message on it before tossing the phone on his bed.
"Because seventeen year olds don't get married. Unless, of course, they're child stars who – let's face it- are pretty screwed up anyway." Nathan ignored her as he pulled out his suitcase from under the bed and began filling it. "Where are you going?" she asked.
"Away."
"Oh, so you're running away again? Why are you going to get engaged to Peyton too?"
"Just shut it, Brooke." It simply made Brooke continue.
"Do you know how childish this is? Running away because Mom and Dad are mad at you for getting engaged?"
"No, I'm running because nobody seems to understand."
Brooke scoffed, "Understand? Nathan, you and Haley are in high school. Neither of you are even legal to get married let alone rent a house and live there. You're not husband material – not at this age!"
"You know of all people, I thought you'd understand. You're my sister, Brooke, and Haley is your best friend. You'd think that'd count for something."
"I know, Nate, and normally I'd be on your side but this is crazy!"
"I thought you would have my back on this but you're just like the rest of them."
"I'm trying to stop you from making a big mistake. I love the fact that you and Haley think you're in love but... you're not ready. None of us are ready."
"I'm ready. You think that I didn't think about this? You think that I don't know what this means? If you're not with us, then you're against us."
"Why do we even have to pick sides?" Brooke threw her hands in the air.
"If we did - whose side would you pick?" his question was met by an uncomfortable silence. "I thought so. You know, I've covered every single one of your mistakes because you asked me to. I've lied to Mom and Dad so you could get away with breaking curfew, or the boys you dated, and all those nights out with Nikki. I did all that for you and this is how you repay me? You can't even help me out this once when I really need you?"
"Nathan, it's because I don't support your decision."
"So? I didn't support any of your decisions but I still stood by you. You think I liked seeing you come home with Nikki drunk off your ass?" He zipped up his suitcase and dragged it towards his door where Brooke blocked his exit.
"Where are you going to go?" she asked.
"Haley's house. We'll stay there since everyone here won't support us." He didn't look at her during his reply.
"What makes you think Jim and Lydia will?" she asked, though she already knew inside that Haley's parents were much more flexible and carefree than her own. Nathan tried to move past her. "Don't go."
"Move, Brooke. You made your choice and you just lost your brother and your best friend."
"It's not like that!" Brooke protested.
"No, it is like that. You're clearly not on our side so pretend that our relationship means something. If you really were my sister, you'd find a way to at least do that." Brooke sighed helplessly as she moved aside. "But don't worry…" Nathan said as he walked past her, "I'm sure Lucas will fill our shoes. You seem to be pretty chummy with him. Hey, maybe Peyton can be your best friend now!"
Brooke fought the urge to kick him or scream or something to express her feelings towards the two of them. Instead, she was forced to watch her brother stand in the hallway as their mother returned. She looked a little surprised to find him standing with his suitcase by the front door. Brooke watched the short exchange in which Karen demanded to know what was happening and try to stop her son – but eventually relent as he walked out of the door and out of their lives. Karen then rushed to her husband's office and the two began a discussion in furious tones.
For the second time tonight, Brooke felt utterly alone. With the argument with Nathan and the argument currently going on between her parents, she knew that whatever happened next couldn't change what had happened tonight. This incident had already changed everybody and everything. Brooke would just have to wait and see where she stood – and who stood by her.
-----
It took all of Brooke's energy to get herself out of bed on Monday morning. The rest of the Sunday had gone by uneventfully. Well, not uneventfully. In fact, Brooke woke up late in the afternoon to find her dad locked away in his office with specific instructions not to be disturbed and her mother working at the café all day. She hadn't heard anything from Nathan, Haley or Jake.
She had tried calling Jake but everything went straight to voicemail, and by the evening, Brooke had started to worry. That was until, of course, the front door opened at eight in the evening and Jake and Nathan appeared.
"What are you doing here?" she had asked. Nathan had not replied but disappeared into his room, leaving Jake to try and explain.
"They're coming with me," Jake said. "Haley's parents weren't exactly much supportive either, and since my parents won some month-long cruise while they were in Florida, they're going to stay with me for a while."
"You're siding with them?" Brooke asked, "I thought you said that you were with me on this!"
"I didn't say I was siding with anyone."
"But you're taking them in!"
"Because they're my friends, Brooke. I'm kind of neutral on this." Jake insisted.
"That's not being neutral! Neutral is sticking a white flag on your door."
"That's surrendering." Jake commented but Brooke glared at him. "Listen, Brooke, I called Nathan and he filled me in on what happened. Right now, they need more help than any of us. I know how it feels to have a family divided over something that happened," he thought of what had happened when Jenny had first been left to him, "and I know it's tough. Fortunately my parents supported me but Nathan and Haley don't have that. They can't legally afford a house either so this seems the best way. This way they're not too deep into something that hey can't get out of if they need to later." Despite Jake's reasons to justify his actions, Brooke wasn't convinced or happy.
"So you're just going to help him leave?"
"We're not packing up his entire room. Just getting a few more clothes. Oh, um, Haley wants to talk to you. She feels really bad."
"Well let her feel bad," Brooke snapped back. "I don't want to talk to her, or Nathan, or you."
"Brook-" Jake began but was cut off when Brooke slammed the door in his face. He didn't try to talk to her again and simply went to help Nathan with his things. Brooke watched the two leave the residence with two more suitcases and drive away. She caught Lucas' eyes watching them leave too. He offered her a small smile but she wasn't in the mood. Her three best friends in the whole world had just left her.
So on the Monday Brooke had every reason not to get out of bed. But over the last day or so, Karen's temper had begun to run short. She'd yell at Brooke for reasons such not washing one dish in the sink or snap at her husband for keeping the television on 'too loud'. The minute Karen had told Brooke to get her ass out of bed; Brooke had done so despite having little reason to go to school. Two homework assignments hadn't even been started and she hadn't studied for the chemistry test first thing. Not to mention, they had practice that afternoon but she wasn't feeling very cheery.
Brooke had left relatively early for school – deciding that maybe hiding away in the library would force her to do some homework. It didn't work.
Especially with the arrival of Haley James. Brooke immediately sank in her seat. She wasn't ready to deal with her yet. She wasn't exactly sure what she felt towards Haley now. She loved her, sure, but wasn't exactly thrilled with what she and Nathan had done.
"Hey, Brooke," Haley said as she came up to her friend. "How are you?"
Brooke shrugged, "I don't know. How's Jake's?"
"Listen, I know we kind of sprang it on you, but it was supposed to be a surprise. We knew that people would have thought we were crazy if we told them beforehand."
"You would have been right about that," Brooke sighed as she pretended to get on with some work. Haley looked over her shoulder.
"You studying for the chemistry test?" she asked.
"Trying to," Brooke said curtly.
"Brooke, I don't understand why you're acting like this. You were always our biggest supporter. Remember the incessant squealing?" she joked to try and draw out a smile from the girl. But none came.
"That was when you were dating, Haley, don't even get me started on your 'engagement'." The air-quotes caused Haley to self-consciously touch her engagement ring.
"I thought this would be something you'd be excited about. Your brother and your best friend? Who could ask for more?"
"You don't get it, Haley. I wouldn't have minded if the two of you dated for a few years and after college decided that you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together. You've dated for two months. I've had relationships with shoes longer than that!"
"But we're in love." Haley insisted.
"You know, for the smartest girl in school, you're really naïve. You might think you're in love now but what about next month? Or next year? Or when you guys go to college? There are a million other people out there; you're supposed to shop around before you buy! Who says you won't find someone else."
"I wouldn't do that to him." She shook her head, horrified at the thought.
"What if he does it to you? I know my brother, and he is loyal, but if he wants something he'll get it. You might be in love now, Haley, and you'll rush into marriage but soon you'll fight, and eventually you'll separate, and then what will happen? I'll be caught between you and I'll be the one who has to choose. I'm sorry, Haley, I love you but if it came to that -- no-one comes before my brother. Even if he and I aren't talking right now. When you split up, don't be surprised or upset when I side with him. He's just my brother."
"What makes you so sure we'll split up?" Haley asked.
"Because... he's my brother." Brooke replied almost sadly before shutting her books and walking out of the library, leaving Haley behind to ponder what she had said.
The conversation with Haley had left Brooke in a worst mood than earlier that morning, and she almost didn't hear someone calling her name until they jogged right up next to her.
"Lucas, what are you doing?" Brooke asked when he appeared next to her. His sudden appearance had frightened her.
"I was calling you but I guess you didn't hear me. Are you okay?"
"Just peachy. My brother moved in with my best friend and my other best friend and leaving me totally alone. Apparently Nathan doesn't like me anymore because I'm actually sane enough to realize this whole engagement thing is stupid."
"You can add my name to that list," Lucas said. Brooke looked at him.
"No offence, Lucas, but that doesn't really make me feel better. The whole town could think it's a stupid idea but all I care about is Nathan, Haley and Jake thinking it's a stupid idea. After all, it was their stupid idea. Well, not Jake's but-"
"I get what you mean. I was just here to tell you that if you needed me… I'm here for you." He said to her. She smiled slightly.
"Thanks. I guess I'm really sending out the 'in need of a friend' vibe, huh?"
"Well, you shouldn't be alone, and it's not going to be long before the rest of the school finds out. I just thought you might like someone to vent to or help you out. Haley and Nathan have each other and Jake, by the looks of it. You should at least have someone there with you." Lucas explained.
"That's really nice of you." Brooke admitted, "Want to walk me to chemistry? I don't like going alone."
Lucas agreed and the two walked down the hall, helping Brooke finally feel a little less alone.
To Be Continued…
