Chapter 11
A few weeks passed by, as Jake and Peyton got stronger together as a couple as Brooke and Nathan babysat Jenny on their dates. Slowly, but steady, Nathan's grades started to pick up and so did Brooke's. Everyone started to notice the slight changes in Tree Hill High School's most popular individuals. Bets started to be settled up: when Brooke would 'do' someone again or when Nathan was 'scoring' again.
"I wish they would all just shut up" confessed Brooke to Nathan over lunch one day, while they both tried ignore the couple making out next to them.
"And mind their own business…" added Nathan turning to face Brooke again, because Jake and Peyton were getting heathen up and it was a little more intense than his taste.
"And this stupid dance is not helping at all" sighed Brooke
Peyton broke the kiss she and Jake were sharing to comment "since when Brooke Davis is not thrilled about a dance?" she asked
"How did you manage to notice what we were saying?" asked Nathan surprised
"I'm good at multitasking" smirked Peyton while she intertwined her hand with Jake's and they both joined Nathan and Brooke in the conversation. Peyton raised an eyebrow at her brunette friend "Brooke?"
Brooke sighed "I don't know… people gossiping, I have no date for the Winter Formal. I've been asked, but I know what all of them are thinking of doing with me afterwards and I'm really not interested…"
"Damn!" said Peyton "The one time I'm actually looking forward to go to one of these things"
Nathan looked at her estranged and Brooke quickly replied "That's because you're going with Tree Hill's finest suitor"
Peyton smiled silly "Well, yeah, that helps…"
"Actually, if Brooke needs me to be her date, I might have to ditch you…" commented Jake
"What?"
"Friends come first" he smirked at Peyton. She hit him playfully in the shoulder
"That is a lovely thought, Jake, but no, thanks" replied Brooke a little sad.
At the end of the day, Nathan caught up with Brooke in the hallway
"I was thinking…" he started "maybe we can go to the Winter Formal together. I can take care of the stupid horny guys that might want to bother you"
"I'm sure you have better plans…" started Brooke
"I don't… come on, Tinkerbelle. Would you go to the dance with me?" Nathan asked
She smiled softly "I'd love too"
"I'll pick you up at 7" he said before heading to practice.
On Saturday, Nathan knocked of Brooke's door at 7 sharp. She answered the door and the sight astounded Nathan. She was wearing a light green short dress, all layers of different fabric. It was simple, but breathtaking. Her hair was up in a ponytail and a small silver necklace with an emerald charm make the line of her neck soft and elegant.
"You look wonderful, Tinkerbelle" he said
"You too, Natey" she smiled at him. Nathan was in basic black trousers and an open collar white shirt. "You look really hot" she smirked at him
He smiled as he handed her a box "For you" he said.
Brooke's eyes filled with tears… "Nathan" she said softly contemplating the white orchid that was in the box "It's beautiful…"
"Let me…" he said as he put the orchid in her hair and then he slightly touched her cheek "We're gonna have fun tonight, I promise" he said as he offered her his arm
She smiled and nodded
Nathan and Brooke entered the school gym and suddenly they became the focus of everyone's eyes. Bets were made once again. Were they together? Was it just sex? Was Nathan using Brooke or was Brooke using him?
Nathan and Brooke reunited with Jake and Peyton and they tried to avoid all the gossip going around…
"I hate this" she confessed to him while they were dancing slowly
"I know" he replied while he pulled her tightly to him and his grip on her waist was stronger but reassuring "They just don't get it"
"I guess they don't" she said resting her head on his shoulder.
While Brooke was on the bathroom with Peyton, one girl approached Nathan. She was one of the many that wanted to nail Nathan Scott now that he was single again… he politely tried to reject her but before he noticed he was being pulled to the dance floor while she danced sexily all over him
Brooke came to the gym with Peyton and she witnessed Nathan dancing with another girl that was clearly coming on to him. Her heart broke as she realized of something. Her eyes filled with tears…
"Brooke?" said Peyton noticing her friend's face and her eyes followed the line of Brooke's stare… "Brooke, are you OK?" she asked worryingly
"I have to go" stated Brooke before storming out of the gym.
A few minutes later, Nathan went to find Brooke only to find Jake and Peyton…
"Where's Brooke?" he asked
"She left" stated Peyton
"What?"
"She saw you…" Peyton told him a little mad
Nathan's heart stopped "She came on to me…" he started.
At that moment, something clicked in Nathan's mind. Something that had been buried in the bottom of his heart slowly awakened and then he knew. He looked at Jake only to find his best friend smiling at him… "It was about time…" he said smirking "Go…"
Nathan left the gym running…
The beach looked peaceful but powerful at the same time. Nathan took his shoes off as he headed for that corner in the beach. Before arriving, he spotted her sitting there, contemplating the ocean. His heart stopped for a second as he drank her beauty from the distance… he slowly approached her
"Brooke…" he said softly
"Leave, Nathan… please" she pleaded in a shaky voice. He could see that she had been crying.
"Brooke, please, let me explain" he started but she cut him off
"You don't need to explain anything" she replied as she stood up and started to walk away.
She was closing again, she was drifting away from him and Nathan did not want that to happen.
"Brooke wait" he said reaching for her arm and slowly turning her around, making her face him "she came on to me" he explained
"And that is OK, Nathan" Brooke said, trying to hide her pain "You're popular… girls want you"
"Yeah" he sighed "But I don't want them"
"And what do you really want?" she asked before she could realize it what was she doing…
He slowly touched the orchid that was still in her hair "I want you, Tinkerbelle" he replied
"Why?" she asked
"Because you know me. You know the real me. You've seen me at my best and at my worst. And you have been there for me… At the beginning, it was nice to have our friendship back. But I want more, Brooke. I want more for us" he said
Brooke stood there silent… Nathan could see how scared she was, that girl that had never been truly loved in her life. The one that was so amazing and yet thought she was not good enough for anyone
"And I know you want the same" he said
"What makes you think that?" she spat, to scare to recognize her own feelings.
"Why did you come here, then?" he asked softly "To this one spot?"
Brooke remained silent…
"I'll tell you why…" he went on, decided to be honest once and for all "Because you still remember that night…" he took a deep breath "I remember it too. All the time. That was the only time in my life that someone really saw me… all of me. And it was you, Brooke. Only you."
Her eyes filled with tears as Nathan slowly caressed her cheek "And I saw you, Tinkerbelle."
Brooke's feelings took her as she hugged him tightly, tears falling from her eyes…
He held her tightly, caressing her head "I saw you, Brooke. I can still see you" he said softly…
She pulled away and looked at him deeply "Nathan…" she whispered as Nathan slowly leaned in and his lips slowly touched hers… all his emotions in that one simple, gentle kiss she responded to.
Tell me what you think.