A/N: I apologize a million times for not updating yesterday, I'm really sorry. Power went out yesterday morning at 4:30am and didn't come back on till 10:30am. I was on withdrawal without my electronics, and yes I know how bad that sounds. Plus, today was supposed to be the first day of school, but it was cancelled due to power outage. Anyways, I hope everyone stayed safe during the hurricane, and here's chapter 11.
SammWamm: Thanks for the review! Parachute is one of my favorite bands, and I love 'The Mess I Made'. I first heard it on The Vampire Diaries actually. I love the Brathan+Sawyer scenes also. I don't like Julian in this fanfic or in other fanfics most of the time, but on the show he's bearable.
Isabel camilla Scott: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you can connect to this story; it inspires me to write even more. I also like your idea of Julian abusing Brooke, I might use that.
IlUvSkitTLes: Thanks for the review! Its okay, I forgive you. I'm glad you found the time to review.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, just the storyline.
"People who are meant to be together always find a way to each other. When life gets hard, when things change, true love remains the same."
Nathan got off the bus, reading the sign "Welcome to Tree Hill, North Carolina".
Home
He grabbed the small suitcase off the rack; it was the only think he brought with him. He looked up to see his mom waving at him. It was good to see her again.
"Nathan."
"Hey, Mom."
Deb hugged her only son. She had missed him, even though she just saw him at graduation.
"How have you been?"
"Good, Karen and Andy moved back. Karen couldn't stand being away from Tree Hill. It's her home."
Nathan knew the feeling. He loved Duke, the atmosphere and the people, but he wouldn't trade anything for Tree Hill.
"Yeah, I know how she feels. It's good to be home."
"It's so nice you're back."
Deb led Nathan to her car, and they drove to back to Nathan's childhood home.
"Dinner will be ready at six."
Nathan nodded and walked up the steps. He opened the door of his room. All the childhood memories crept up on him. He laid his suitcase on his bed and walked over to the dresser. There were still pictures on his mirror, pictures from his senior year of high school. Most of them were with Brooke, or with Brooke, Lucas, and Peyton. They had been called the 'Fab Four' by everyone in high school, and they didn't care. The notorious newspaper clipping of him and Brooke kissing after the state championship was still taped to the mirror. Nathan smiled at the memory, he would never forget it. He looked at the picture of the four of them at the River Court. It had been the first time they all hung out with each other.
"C'mon Peyton, let's go to the River Court."
"Why?"
Peyton just smiled at Lucas, who was standing in her doorway. She was listening to her music, she didn't want to go to the River Court.
"Brooke will be there."
Lucas smirked at Peyton. Peyton jumped at any chance she got to hang out with Brooke. She missed her best friend, they had recently recounciled with each other.
"Lucas Scott, you know all of my weaknesses."
Lucas smiled as Peyton pulled him down on the bed.
Brooke was sitting in her car, getting more pissed off by the second. Lucas said he would be here with Peyton. Brooke was mad because she blew off shopping with Rachel to hang out with Lucas and Peyton. Every time she saw them together, her heart still felt the pain, but it was getting better. A car pulled up beside her.
Finally, they're here.
Brooke got out of her car to see Nathan standing next to her. She was surprised to see him here.
"Nathan, what are you doing here?"
"It's a public park, isn't it?"
Nathan was still bitter about Haley, even though Brooke had recently become his new best friend.
"I know, I just thought you were Lucas and Peyton. They were supposed to meet me here."
"Great, it's a party."
Brooke frowned at Nathan as he walked away. She followed him, and stole the basketball out of his hands.
"C'mon Brooke, I'm not in the mood."
"Well I am."
Brooke ran away from Nathan, teasing him with her eyes to chase him. He finally gave in, he could never resist Brooke Davis. He chased her around the court, finally catching her. He started to tickle her, and that was the precise moment Lucas and Peyton pulled up.
"They're friends?"
"Yeah, Brooke's been helping Nathan, with... you know."
Lucas nodded, Nathan was stubborn when it came to talking about Haley. Brooke had recently confided in Peyton about her newfound friendship with Nathan. Peyton asked her if it was something more, but Brooke denied it. Peyton could tell she was lying in her eyes, but she just got Brooke back, so she just dropped it.
They got out of Lucas' car and walked over to Brooke and Nathan.
"Hey, . Nice of you to show up."
Nathan nodded at Lucas.
"Nathan, it's good to see you."
"You too, Peyton."
"So, what do guys wanna do?"
"How about two-on-two?"
"C'mon, Lucas, me and Peyton suck."
"Okay, then you and Nathan against me and Peyton."
Brooke looked over at Nathan and grinned.
"Okay, I get the better Scott brother."
She jokingly teased Lucas, and he didn't take it to heart. Nathan easily overpowered Lucas. Whenever Brooke got the ball, she would laugh when Peyton charged her. It was a close game, until Nathan passed the ball to Brooke and she threw it up. It went in, and Brooke jumped into Nathan's arms. He lifted her up easily, and they pranced around the court. Nathan finally put Brooke down, and the four of them wandered over to the picnic table.
"So, this was fun."
"Yeah, we should this more often."
"I just realized, this is the last week of summer."
Brooke was sad after she said this.
"Then we're seniors."
Nathan was glad, he was done with high school.
"And then we'll graduate."
Peyton was sad, she didn't want to leave her friends, and she didn't want them to leave her. Brooke was sitting next to her, and Brooke put her arms around her.
"Well, we're all going to be friends forever."
"Sawyer, here's your room."
Sawyer held onto Brooke's hand, excited to see her new room. Brooke opened the door, and Sawyer squealed in excitement. The room was a soft pink, Sawyer's favorite color. All of her stuffed animals and Barbies were arranged in one corner. There was even a tea set for her to play with. The bed reminded her of a princess's bed; it was round and had curtains around it. Around her bed were pictures of Aunt Brooke, Uncle Nathan, Nanny Karen, Nanny Deb, Andy, and, of course, her parents. Lucas and Peyton had the most pictures.
Sawyer looked back at Brooke, who couldn't help but smile. Brooke shut the door, letting Sawyer have her space. She walked back out to the kitchen, where Julian was talking on the phone. She rolled her eyes at him, and he just stuck out his tongue. She walked into their bedroom and sat down on the bed. Julian walked in after her.
"Did she like it?"
Brooke took Julian's hands and pulled him down onto the bed next to her. She started to kiss him.
"I take that as a yes."
Brooke giggled and nodded her head.
"Do you like it?"
"It's perfect Julian, thank you."
"Your welcome."
"Who were you talking to on the phone?"
"Oh, it was just some director. He wants me to make a movie."
"Julian, that's great."
"Yeah, but it's in New Zealand."
Brooke's mood instantly darkened.
"New Zealand? We just moved here."
"I know, that's why I'm not going to take it."
"Julian, this is your big shot, you have to take it."
"Brooke, there's always going to be another movie."
"But what if this is the movie?"
Julian didn't have an answer. It was their first day here, and they were already having a fight. They seemed to do that a lot lately, their most recent one was about Nathan. Julian wanted Nathan out of Brooke's life, but she asked why. He said it was because he wasn't stable for Sawyer; he wouldn't be good for her because he would never see her. Brooke said it wasn't his right to say that. She slammed the door in his face, and he spent the night apologizing to her. She forgave him the next morning.
Julian's phone rang, and he immediately picked it up. Brooke was annoyed that he answered it; they were in the middle of an important conversation. She closed the door behind him, and lay down on the bed. Why couldn't she have a boyfriend that wanted to be there for her?
Nathan ate dinner with him mom, the first time in a long time. He had moved back home right before graduation. He had a hard time making enough money to pay the rent for his apartment. Deb finally kicked Dan out, and Nathan chose her this time. He said good night to his mom, he was tired from the bus ride. He turned on the TV in his room.
"Joining us from the red carpet, newcomer Brooke Davis, creator of Clothes Over Bro's..."
Nathan went to change the channel, but he watched as Brooke's face lit up as the camera was turned to her. She looked so beautiful, Nathan missed her so much. He listened to her talk, not really paying attention to what she was saying, but how she was saying it. She was so enthusiastic and excited, Nathan had never seen her so passionate about anything. It brought a smile to his face. He turned the TV off and turned on the radio. The DJ introduced the song.
"Here's a song for all the broken hearts, The Blues by Switchfoot."
Is this what they call freedom?
Is this what you call pain?
Is this what they call discontented fame?
It'll be a day like this one
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
Nathan turned it off; the words affected him too much. He took of his shirt, and rolled over, trying to find the peace to fall asleep. He rolled onto his back, and looked up at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted off to Brooke and Sawyer. It was going to be a long two months.
Brooke was lying in her bed; Julian was off at dinner with a client and wouldn't be home for awhile. Brooke had made Sawyer dinner, and then she tucked her into bed. She was staring at the ceiling, missing Julian. The sad thought then occurred that she just missed the thought of Julian. She finally felt her eyes closing when she heard a small knock on her door. She excitedly got up, she was glad that Julian got home earlier than he said he would. Sawyer was standing in front of her with her bear in her hand, and her eyes were red from crying. Brooke picked her up.
"What's wrong Sawyer?"
"I can't sleep. I miss Uncle Nathan."
Brooke just nodded and brought Sawyer over to her bed. She lay down next to the little girl and wrapped her arms around Sawyer. Sawyer's breathing slowly steadied. Brooke could tell she finally fell asleep.
"I miss him too."
Brooke finally realized that she hadn't missed Julian, she was really missing Nathan. She cried herself to asleep, finally realizing her mistake.
A/N: Hopefully everyone liked the last chapter, I enjoyed writing the graduation scene. This chapter was inspired by the song 'The Blues' by Switchfoot. I also thank all my readers that have stuck with this story so far, I know you're waiting patiently for Brathan, just wait a little longer. I want the moment they decide to be together to be perfect. Sorry for the shorter chapter, I've hit another writer's block. Next chapter will be longer, I promise, but I can't guarantee when I'll be able to post chapter 12.
