Chapter 10-Flashbacks and Thank You's

Authors Note: Hey guys! I just want to say I am so sorry for not updating. It's just that life has been so crazy and I lost my computer rights so i haven't really had a chance, but I'm not here to make excuses. I hope that you guys will be able to still enjoy the story and you'll notice that in the next few chapters they'll all start with a flashback. So that you can sorta get a feel for the characters and why they are the way they are. Kay? Good. And I just want to say it feels SOOO good to be back. And please READ and REVIEW...I love reading what you guys think. It really is my inspiration.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Tom Welling. Yep, he's my husband. We got married last Tuesday! Mhm. Oh and during the ceremony...hell froze over.

Summary: This chapter is just a flashback but I wanted to give you a visual of how the Rachel-Brooke friendship began. After this chapter you'll really start to notice that Rachel is Brooke's rock. Besides Ryan Rachel is all Brooke has. And I really wanted to convey that message. And I also wanted to show you how the Peyton-Brooke friendship started, and how that changed. I hope you enjoy.

May 18, 2007

Tree Hill, North Carolina

Brooke Davis sat in one of the very uncomfortable chairs in the middle of the Tree Hill Airport. Her eyes were puffy, her nose red and, her cheeks tear stained. In one hand she clutched a very over used Kleenex and in the other her diploma. Every teen dreamed about the day they would graduate. They dreamed about what doors it would open, what new opportunities would be revealed. About the freedom that came with that little piece of paper their principal handed them as they rushed on and off stage. The dreamed of the keggers that would be held that night and of packing their bags and heading off on to a three month long road trip, free of parents and responsibilities. It was supposed to be one of the best day of a persons' life, but Brooke Davis had always been different.

True, Brooke had always dreamed of this day. She couldn't wait for this day to come. To get the hell out of this little town. Away from the drama, the lies, the tears, all of it. Brooke Davis was made for the big city. For the shimmering buildings, the expensive shops, the rich boyfriends. And she was never going to find that in little old tree Hill. And she never did. She found better. She found a best friend. A little girl with blond curls and sparkling green eyes. A girl named Peyton Sawyer.

Brooke had met Peyton one day in the Tree Hill cemetery. it was unknown, to most, even Brooke's parents, but Brooke had always been fond of cemeteries. She didn't know why, but she found them peaceful. They were quite, clean, and they always had pretty flowers everywhere.

One day while Brooke was sitting silently on a small bench she noticed a little girl sitting at a gravestone, crying. Brooke tilted her head and watched the girl for a few minutes before hopping up and picking up a small bouquet of flowers, "Sorry,...I need these more than you do." Brooke walked up to the little girl, quite boldly and placed the flowers in front of her and smiled, "Hi."

The little girl looked up and frowned, "Um...hi." She quickly began wiping away her tears.

"Don't do that." Brooke said simply as she sat down.

The little girl looked at her puzzled, "Why not?"

"Because...you're alone in a grave yard, crying. Usually people who cry in grave yards go home and cry more. So you might as well just keep crying." Brooke stated her theory like it was the simplest thing in the world.

The girl stared at her for a moment before the tears began to rain down from her eyes, like they would never stopped. Brooke frowned. She never enjoyed seeing people cry, unless it was because of her and they had caused her to do something to make them cry, but this girl hadn't done anything to Brooke so she slowly pulled the other girl into a hug. Brooke never did find out how long they sat there for but Brooke never let go, not even when Peyton's father came along and said he'd take her. Brooke never let go...

Brooke wiped her eyes and sniffled. She remembered that day like it was yesterday. She could even swore that she could still feel Peyton's tears soaking her sweater. Brooke looked down at her hands and grimaced immediately, "Eww.." Brooke frowned and quickly tossed her tissue towards a trash ben as a janitor wheel it by. She wiped at her eyes and pulled her compact from her bag. She flipped it open and took in her reflection. Her eyes went slightly wiped and she reached into her purse and pulled out ever piece of make up it held.

Five minutes lately and 20 dollars worth of Revlon Brooke looked at her reflection and smiled. Perfect. Not one tear stain. Brooke closed her bag and sighed. She stole a quick glance at her watch; 7:59 p.m. Was this plane ever going to come. Brooke felt like she had been waiting forever. The plane was already two hours late and Brooke had been ready to go 2 years ago, "Dammit."

"Hey now! Pretty girls shouldn't cuss." A perky familiar voice sounded from behind her.

Brooke quickly turned around and smiled, "Rachel! What are you doing here?" Brooke jumped up from her seat and hugged her friend.

Rachel laughed and hugged back, "Someone's bored."

Brooke pulled back and smiled, "No...I just...missed you. Yeah, that's it."

Both girls laughed and sat down, "Riiiight. And I believe that why. Oh, wait. I don't."

Brooke scoffed, "I never asked you to believe. Just to accept it."

"Ahhh...gotcha. I'll try and do that."

Brooke shook her head and smiled, "So what are you doing her? I thought you didn't leave for another two weeks."

Rachel sighed, "Well that was the plan, but Mommy and Daddy decided it was best I meet them in NY on Wednesday instead."

"Really?" Brooke couldn't help, but smile.

"Yep."

Brooke instantly hugged Rachel, "Yay! Thank god!"

Rachel laughed, "Whoa. Who's gotten into you?"

"Bitch!"

"Just kidding, just kidding, kinda."

"Whatever. I'm just glad I don't have to be stuck up there by myself."

Rachel kinked and eyebrow, "You're not? Who's going with you?"

Brooke furrowed her brow, "Aren't you?"

Rachel laughed, "Sweetie, I've never been to New York. Don't you know what that means?" Rachel waited for Brooke to say some thing but she remained quiet so Rachel continued," Brooke, I've never been to New York. So that means that there are two million untouched boys out there that I have to go and hunt down. I don't have time to waste with you." Brooke could have sworn she felt her mouth hit the floor. She tried to think of something to say, but she came up blank. Rachel laughed, "Brooke come on. Seriously. Do you really think I'm gonna pass up the chance to shop…with you…in New York?"

Brooke smiled and shook her head, "No."

"Of course. Besides…I really want the chance to stand next to you in the fitting area and see just how much better the clothes look on me before we buy them."

"You motherfu-" Before Brooke could finish a woman came on the PA and cut her off.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Flight 697 to New York is now boarding."

Rachel smiled and hopped up. She grabbed her bag and Brooke before pulling Brooke up and locking her arm with Brooke's, "Come on. You have a fashion line to start and I have boys to find. What are you waiting for?"

Brooke smiled, "I don't know?"

"Then let's get the hell out of here." Rachel began walking practically dragging Brooke when she realized she was. She stopped and turned to face her, "Hey! What are you doing? No where in my job description as your friend, does it state, 'Carry cow.' Now let's go."

"Rachel, wait."

Rachel stopped once more, "What is it? Did you forget something?"

"No, yes, sorta. I need to tell you something."

"What is it, babe?"

Brooke sighed, "Okay, look. I don't know how to say this 'cause I've never been good with words, but I just wanted to say thank you."

"For…"Rachel interrupted impatiently.

"Just hush for a second. Pretend you're doing what gave you those infected tonsils two weeks ago and be quite." Rachel glared and waited for Brooke to continue, "I'm saying thank you because six months ago you hated me, but in the last few weeks you've really been there for me. You did something not a lot of people have done or ever will do, you cared. And you'll never know how much I appreciate that. I know that I haven't been the best friend in the world and I'm sorry, but I promise I'm going to try harder." Brooke took a deep breath and smiled, "Okay, it's out there. I did it." Brooke waited for Rachel to say something but all she did was hug her. Brooke hugged back without hesitation, "Thank you."

Rachel pulled back and smiled and then slapped Brooke's arm, "And the doctor said that the infection came from some bad milk."

Brooke smirked, "I'm sure it did,"

Rachel shook her head and began walking again, "You know I'm going to get you for this right?"

"Yep. But is SO worth it."

The two girls approached the ticket counter and handed the women their tickets and enter the boarding area as they continued to walk without breaking her gaze on the entrance to the plane Rachel simply said, "You're welcome."

Brooke smiled. She could tell Rachel really meant it. Her tone was sarcastic or filled with pity it was just sincere. Brooke smiled and continued to walk with her arm interlocked with Rachel's.

As the entered the plane and found their seats and Rachel pulled out her i-Pod Brooke looked out the window and realized, life really was better when you had friends to pull you through.