Chapter 10: She's Leaving
I know I must respect her mother's wishes but surely she was just trying to protect her daughter. She couldn't have meant what she said; Brooke is apart of this family even if sat the moment she doesn't feel like it. I know that I'm not her mother and she's not really my daughter but in my heart she is and that's all that's matters. I need to talk to Barbara again make her understand. I wonder if 8o'clock is too early to call? Oh what the hell this is important…
"Mrs. Davis…this is Karen, sorry to call you so early."
"Yes well that's okay. Is there something I can do for you?" said Barbara a little impatiently.
"Um… yes, well I wanted to let you know that the back door is unlocked. No one will be here after 9 or before 4. Is that enough time for your assistant to get Brooke's belongings?"
"Oh about that. My assistant can't make it. Brooke is actually going to do it herself."
"Oh well…umm okay. How does Brooke feel about that?" asked a concerned Karen.
"She is fine with it. I'll pass on the message about the times."
"Yes okay thank you. One more thing have you thought about withdrawing her from school? I know you have to do that in person."
"Yes we have Brooke will be doing that as well."
To say the least, she was a little bit surprised that Brooke agreed to go to the High School after last night. No offence to Brooke but the last place she wants to be is anywhere near Lucas or Peyton. "Agreed or forced?" asked Karen while fearing that she already knew the answer.
"I resent the implication Mrs. Roe. Brooke knows that her Father and I are very busy people. She is a big girl she can take care of herself."
The last thing she wanted to do was make Barbara mad but sometimes the woman was so selfish that it amazed Karen she had become a mother in the first place. "I'm sorry Ms. Davis. Its just…you do realize that if she goes to the High School she is almost certain to run into Lucas or Peyton and having talked to your daughter that is the last thing she wants."
Taking a deep breath Barbara responded, " I'm sorry but it can't be helped. Goodbye Ms. Roe. Please don't call here again."
"Barbara! Wait!" She paused for a moment searching for the right words, " I'm not trying to cause trouble…but I saw Brooke last night and she's not in a good place. I know you love you daughter…I just don't think you understand how bad the situation is."
Here's your chance to make things different, to actually love Brooke instead of just saying you do. No…no it's too late Barbara thought.. "Karen I understand the situation perfectly but Brooke has to learn…to count on herself and only herself."
"But if you would only listen to me –" but there was no use, Barbara had already hung up. Stunned and a little angry that she could have such little compassion for her daughter Karen hung up the phone and went in search of Lucas, hoping that somehow Brooke would be alright.
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"Lucas, honey its time for school." I wonder if he got any sleep last night I know I didn't.
"I'm awake." He knew it was wrong but he couldn't help but be angry with his mother. He wanted so badly to talk to Brooke and she just flat out refused to tell me where she was.
"Its almost 8 o'clock. You're not ready."
"That would be because I'm not going to school today."
"And why not?" If he thought not going to school was acceptable then he had another thing coming.
"Because I don't feel like facing the anyone today. I just want to stay home."
"You know Lucas sitting in your room isn't going to change anything that has happened. You still have a life to live."
Putting his head in his hands, "Don't you understand? Brooke is gone! I may never see her again and all you can talk about is going to school. Well thanks but no thanks I whether stay home."
"Lucas feeling sorry for yourself won't being Brooke back."
"No but being able to talk to her would! But wait I can't cause you won't tell me where she is."
"Lucas if you crowd her now you risk ruining whatever chance you may have with her."
"I just need to see her. Please! Tell me where she is."
Karen looked away and Lucas knew the answer, "Just leave, Mom and don't brother talking to me again. I want to be by myself."
A little annoyed Karen said, "I know you are upset and hurting so I'm going to ignore what you just said but it is a school day so I suggest you get dressed."
"Give it up already! I'm not going to school! Not today and probably not tomorrow."
"I'm sorry that you feel that way…but you will go to school today. The subject is closed." Lucas opened his mouth to respond but one look at his mother and he decided against it, "LUCAS…get dressed and don't make me tell you again." Karen had every intention of letting Lucas skip school today but for reasons unknown to her, the moment she walked into his room she knew he had to go. Maybe it was because she knew Brooke would be there or maybe it was because she knew Lucas wanted so desperately to talk to her. But whatever it was it didn't make sense unless maybe…just maybe fate had a different plan.
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Peyton's House"Damn Peyton you look like shit " said Nathan as Peyton proceeded to walk down the stairs.
"Nathan!" yelled Haley
"That's it I'm going back upstairs."
All of a sudden Nathan felt a hand upside his head "Good going jackass."
"Ouch! Haley what was for?"
Haley looked towards Peyton's retrieving form heading up the stairs. He finally caught on, "oh, umm…Peyton I was just messing with you. You look great. Come back"
Peyton turned around and said sarcastically "Yea whatever lets get this over with already. I can tell this is going to be a wonderful day."
"Come on my beautiful ladies. Lets get to school."
The car ride to school was uneventful and very quiet. Having had enough of the silent Haley turned towards Nathan, "Lets pick up Lucas. I have a feeling he could use his friends right now."
"Now? Haley its already 8 o'clock if we pick up Lucas we'll be late."
"Ok Mr. Being ten minutes late doesn't make us tardy."
Laughing Nathan responded, "Ok, ok we'll pick him up. But just so you know being 10 minutes late isn't tardy. You're only tardy if you're 12 minutes late isn't that right Peyton."
Peyton had stopped listening to the 'happily' married couple from the minute they started talking; she just wasn't in the conversation mood. "Huh? What? I didn't hear you."
"Don't worry about it Peyton. Nathan was just being stupid like always."
"Hey I take offense to that. I'm not always stupid." It's nice that Haley and me can fall back into the couple mood so easily and so fast.
"Aww did I hurt my poor baby's feelings?"
Nodding his head Nathan said "Yes but I know a way you can make it better."
"Ewwwww! I'm still here can you please stop that?"
"Oh we're sorry Pey. Aren't we Nathan?"
"Yup really sorry."
Peyton rolled her eyes and went back to looking out the window when she noticed where they were going. "Haley why are we going to Lucas's?"
"We're giving him a ride to school" replied Nathan.
"Haley!"
"Peyton I'm sorry but you know he going to be upset since you told Brooke last night
and –"
"What? You told Brooke last night?" interrupted Nathan.
Peyton shook her head 'yes'.
"Well how did she take it?" asked Nathan.
"Well she run out of my room if that tells you anything."
"That good, huh?"
"Yea that good. Look Nathan I know that Lucas is your brother and he's your best friend Haley but can we please not pick him up today" pleaded Peyton.
"Yea we don't -"
"Sorry Peyton but Nathan already told him we would take him. Isn't that right?" said Haley.
"Umm…yea sorry Pey."
Nathan whispered under his breath "I hope you know what you are doing."
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Outside Lucas's House"I'll go get him, be right back" said Haley as she jumped out the car and ran to the door.
Knock, knock. "Luke open up! Its me."
Luke opened the door and said, "Hey come on in."
"How are you?" asked Haley although by the looks of him not very well. His eyes were blood shot red and it looked like he had been up all night crying.
"I'm assuming you know, huh?"
"Yea Peyton told me this morning. Are you okay?"
Of course she did, thought Lucas. Did she also tell you that she never wants to see either of us again? "She hates me Haley…" a solitarily tear fell down his cheek.
Haley ran towards her best friend and eloped him in a big bear hug, "No she doesn't Luke. She's just angry. "
"No…I hurt her too much. She won't even pick up her phone and I've been calling it all night." It was all happening too fast. Last night we were so happy and in love and now Brooke is moving to California just to get away from me. As much as he wanted too, he couldn't stop the tears from coming. His heart was breaking and it was the most horrible feeling in the world.
"When she's ready to talk, she'll come to you." Right?
"I wish you were right but I don't think so…she's moving Haley."
"What? Moving? Where?" No it wasn't supposed to happen like this.
"To California with her parents. My mom called her mom last night apparently Brooke wants to be as far way from me as possible…. My mom knows where she is Haley and she won't tell me. I can't even tell her goodbye," whispered Lucas. Do you have any idea how it feels to know that the person you love more than anything is leaving and it may possibly be the last time you see her? Now try dealing with that and the reality that there is not a damn thing you can do about it. I can't tell her that I'm sorry. I can't tell her that I never meant to hurt because when she hurts, I hurt. I can't even tell her goodbye.
"Oh Lucas…"
"I miss her. She slipping away and I don't know what to do." This can't be the end of us. It just isn't possible. Not after everything
What could she say? Nothing would stop Brooke from leaving not if her mind was made up and from what Lucas was saying, it was. But there just had to be something she could do, if only she could talk to her somehow. Make her understand that it was a mistake and they never intended to hurt her. Brooke would probably be closed off and icy but Haley had to at least try because things were bad. In fact things were horrible and they getting worst by the minute and even she was having trouble believing it would all be all right in the end.
"Just don't give up on her Lucas. Fight for her."
"How Haley she's leaving?" How am I supposed to fight for her if I don't even know where she is?
"Don't worry we'll think of something but for now we need to get to school. Come on we'll give you a ride." First thing to do: figure out where Brooke is staying and I know exactly who can help me.
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"I know your wife means well Nathan but right now I don't want to see Lucas," said Peyton.
"Well Haley is never wrong so if she thinks you and Lucas should talk she's probably right," replied Nathan all the while thinking that maybe Haley should stay out of B/L/P love triangle.
"Look if I want to talk to Luke I will. This has nothing to do with her."
Nathan's face soften, "She loves you Peyton, she's only doing what she thinks is best."
Closing her eyes, Peyton responded, "I know okay but I just told Brooke last night. I can't deal with him right now."
"Well its looks like you don't have much of a choice."
Peyton followed his hand as he pointed to Lucas and Haley walking down the driveway "Just great!" she yelled.
Opening the door, Luke noticed that Peyton was in the car, "Pey…Peyton!"
"Hey Lucas" whispered Peyton.
"Lucas hurry up and get in the car. Its cold out here you know," shouted Haley.
"Oh yea, sure. Sorry Hales."
Getting in and shutting the door quickly, Haley rubbed her hands together attempting to get warm.
"Haley you've been crying. What's wrong?" asked Nathan.
Haley looked towards Lucas wondering whether or not if was her place to tell, "Don't worry Hales. They were going to find out sooner or later," said Lucas as he turned to look at the window.
Peyton looked from Haley to Lucas and back to Haley again. What ever it was, it wasn't good she thought. "Find out what?"
Haley blurted out, "Brooke is moving to California." Almost immediately Peyton's eyes welled up with tears." Peyton, sweetie I'm sorry. I didn't mean to blurt it out like that," explained Haley.
"She's leaving?" Peyton cried. She couldn't be leaving. Brooke wasn't one to run away, she thought.
All Haley could do was nod her head "But I thought she would clam down…we could talk" muttered Peyton.
"How do you know?" asked Nathan a little too harshly.
"My mom talked to Brooke's mom last night. She leaves today sometime. I don't know much more than that," said Lucas while still looking out the window.
"No! She just can't leave. I haven't gotten a chance to explain…to tell her that I am sorry," cried Peyton.
"Well I think it's a little too late for that."
Haley grasped, "Nathan!"
"Look Haley I'm sorry but Brooke is my friend and now she's leaving and it's because of those two dumb asses in the back sit."
Haley was shocked that Nathan could be so insensitive "Nathan please you're not helping here."
"I don't need a lecture from saint Scott," yelled Lucas.
"I never wanted her to leave, Nathan. I never meant for any of this to happen." I don't want her to leave. I need her! She's my best friend, thought Peyton.
Looking in the rearview mirror, Nathan saw the broken look on Peyton's face and he instantly regretted his harsh words but he was angry. Brooke was leaving probably for good and he couldn't do anything about it "I'm sorry Peyton. I shouldn't have said that. You too Luke."
Looking towards Lucas, Peyton whispered loud enough for him to hear, "Oh god Lucas what have we done?"
All Lucas could say was, "I don't know. I really don't know, Peyton."
tbc...
review please! lol
-Meredith