Are You Happy Now? Chapter 14: She is Love, an one tree hill fanfic

Disclaimer!! I own nothing! Except my wonderful Ipod and my own ideas for One Tree Hill. Everything belongs to Mark and whatever going on inside that mind of his. All I did was use quotes from the show sometimes. : )

Song by Parachute.

Chapter Fourteen: She is Love

John Steinbeck once wrote: "No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself."

I've been beaten down; I've been kicked around,

But she takes it all for me.

And I lost my faith, in my darkest days,

But she makes me want to believe.

"American Pie."

"Don McLean."

"Break On Through."

"The Doors."

"Through the Blue."

"Evan & Jaron. Come on, give me a hard one."

"Feeling a…"

"Feeder."

"…Moment. Damn you're good." Tyler sighed putting the CD back on the shelf. 'Smart too.' He thought. They had been in Max's for about an hour and neither one was bored staring endlessly at the piles of CDs. Peyton watched from behind the counter as the two teenagers played around and made jokes like friends usually do.

"River Below." Tyler challenged her.

"Billy Talent." She said without a second thought. "You know you really do suck at this game."

"Maybe if you weren't so good I'd win a few. Or you could just let me win. All this losing is really lowering my self-esteem." He said pouting his face.

"Awe, poor baby." She replied rubbing his arm. 'Now would be the perfect time to tell her.'

Ever since they made up, everyday after school they'd hang out together. They went to the Rivercourt, to Karen's, To Max's, they went everywhere together. Rumors of Kimberly being mentally ill went flying out the window as soon as the whole school saw them walk the halls together between every class everyday. From the outside looking in they were a couple; but from their point of view they were just two kids hanging out.

"Hey Peyton, you got the new Beyonce?" Kimberly asked tearing her eyes away from Tyler's fake cries.

"What!?!" Tyler and Peyton hollered in unison.

"Kidding." She affirmed looking between the two. 'She's funny too.'

"Whew…good. I thought Brooke was putting mindless music into your head." Peyton said.

"You know I only get my music expertise from you, Peyton."

"Why thank you ever so much." Peyton giggled glancing towards the door.

"Waiting for someone?" Kimberly said stacking CDs on the counter with Tyler following behind.

"Lucas is supposed to be here soon. Said he had something to talk to me about."

Just then Lucas, accompanied by little Sawyer, walked through the door with a smile plastered on each face. "There's my girl." He said leaning over the counter to kiss his wife.

"There's my boy." She said kissing him back.

"And there's my girl." Kimberly said stealing Sawyer away from Lucas' arms. Everyone laughed as Kimberly made baby faces causing Sawyer to laugh at well.

"You said you had something to tell me." Peyton said looking over to her husband.

"We'll just go." Kimberly announced before being stopped by Lucas.

"Actually if you hear this now I won't have to make a trip over to Brooke's." Lucas stopped her.

"Well what is it?" Peyton asked losing her patience.

"My editor called and said that for the release of The Comet it would be best to do another book tour. And I can say no, Peyton; I would much rather stay here with you and Sawyer…"

"How long is it?"

Lucas sighed hoping she would tell him to stay. He really wanted to go but would rather stay here in Tree Hill with his wife and child. But deep down he knew Peyton wouldn't make him stay. She had always been the one to support him. "A month."

"A month?!?" She repeated. They hadn't been away from each that long since she returned to Tree Hill and for him to be away that long was too long, for both of them. But she had to support him in whatever he did.

"Now, Peyt, I can so no."

"Go."

"What?"

"Go. Go promote this book. Our book." He leaned over the counter again to kiss her on the cheek making her blush. "When do you leave?"

"Two days."

"Well I'm glad their giving you time to say goodbye." She said sarcastically.

"It's not like their shipping me off to war. Besides, the sooner I start the sooner it's over." He said giving his wife a smile.

"That means you'll miss my birthday." Kimberly said making her presence hiking Sawyer up on her hip for more support. She wasn't expecting anything for her birthday except maybe a dinner at Haley's. Not a big blow out or anything. All she wanted was to be around the people that meant the most to her, including Lucas.

"No actually I'll be there. I made a promise to you and a promise is a promise." Lucas said smiling at the girl. To Kimberly, Lucas was the hardest to connect with out of the group. For some reason he kept his distance when she was around. She thought it was because he was scared to confront her. But over time they progressed and started talking when he found her reading an old classic.

"Brooke!" Lucas yelled barging into the Davis household only to find Kimberly sitting on the couch and no one else, which made him a little nervous.

"She's out with Haley. Said she wouldn't be home for awhile." Kimberly said not bothering to look up from her book.

"Oh OK. What are you reading?" He asked trying to make small talk.

"The Winter of Our Discontent."

"Steinbeck." He said nodding his head.

"Yeah. You like Steinbeck?"

"He's one of the reasons I started writing myself. What about you?"

She sighed looking back down at the book. "I don't know yet, just started. I got bored and decided to read; so I just picked a book off the shelf."

"Let me see that." She handed him the book and flipped through the different pages. He turned the front cover and found the initials L.S. scribbled in. Suddenly he knew where she got this book from. "I gave this book to Brooke when we were in high school."

"Brooke read Steinbeck?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, it was only because I told if she did I would go out with her." He said remembering their first date.

"Were you ever in love with Brooke?"

"Now if I say no, I'm going to piss off Brooke; and if I say yes, I'm going to piss off Peyton. Now do you want to attend my funeral anytime soon?"

She chuckled. "Sorry."

"It's OK. I did love Brooke and I still do. But not like that." He said with a grin. "Listen, when you're done with that come by my place; I'll recommend something else."

"Thanks Lucas."

And so began there own friendship. It may not have been like the one Brooke and Haley had with Kimberly, but it was something. "Thanks, Lucas." Kimberly said grabbing her bag of CDs lying on the counter. "Oh and I finished that book you gave me. I'll come by later and return it."

"OK. See you then."

"Actually if you're leaving in two days we have a lot goodbye kissing to do." She said giving him a sly smile.

"OK eww, children in the room. We'll just go so you can get back to your marital…" she stammered trying to find the word for it. "…stuff."

Returning Sawyer, Kimberly pulled Tyler along with her.

They call her love, love, love, love, love.

She's all I need.

They stepped out of the store just as the seventy degree weather of October hit their faces. It was the perfect day. Not to hot, but definitely not cold at all. The leaves had all turned red and night had fallen quicker lately. The season when everything changed; the leaves, the weather, the timing. Most people don't like the transition from summer to fall. Some do. To Kimberly, it was the sort of change she felt comfortable with; because this kind of change happened every single year at the same time, while other kinds of change popped out of nowhere.

"So where to next?" asked Tyler. "I mean we've been to the Rivercourt, to Max's, walked along the boardwalk, to the beach; where else do you want to go?"

"Karen's." Kimberly simply answered.

"What? Why? We've already eaten."

"I know, but I'm supposed to meet Brooke."

"Oh." Tyler said a little disappointed he was losing his friend for the day. "OK, well I'll get out of your hair for the day. I'll see you later." He said beginning to walk away. 'Wait for it…'

"Tyler!" She yelled. 'Yes!'

"Why don't you come along?" Like Tyler, she didn't want to quit hanging out with each other either. They were so different, but so alike in so many different ways. He became a big part of her life in such a short amount of time; but she felt like they'd known each other their entire lives.

"I don't want to be the third wheel." He said making up excuses. It took a lot of his power to not instantly say yes to her.

"You won't, I promise. Besides, you haven't even met Brooke yet. Please." She begged with that puppy dog face.

"Well if you're going to sound desperate about it, I guess I can clear my schedule." He joked dragging his feet back towards her.

"Shut up." She said lightly punching him in the arm.

Well I had my ways; they were all in vain,

But she waited patiently.

It was all the same, all my pride and shame,

And she put me on my feet.

Walking into the café, Kimberly instantly spotted Brooke's chestnut hair sitting in a booth hidden away in the far corner.

"Hey." Brooke said once they walked over.

"Hey. Umm, Brooke this is Tyler. Tyler this is my foster mom, Brooke. Is it OK if he joins us?"

"Of course." She said shaking his hand before the two sat down beside each other. "It's nice to finally meet you, Tyler. Kimberly has talked a lot about you."

"Brooke." She glared slightly embarrassed. Brooke just gave her a sly smile and returned her attention to Tyler.

"Oh really?" Tyler said giving Kim a cocky grin.

"I've mentioned you once or twice." She said trying to sound nonchalant. Really since they made up, Tyler was all Kimberly could talk about. Brooke had heard so much about the 'great Tyler' she had to meet this boy for herself.

"You know, you look familiar." Tyler said directing his attention towards Brooke. "Do you mind me asking what your last name is?"

"Davis." She simply answered.

"Davis." He repeated trying to remember where he had heard of it before. Then it came to him. "Brooke Davis. As in owner of Clothes Over Bros. My mom really loves your clothes."

"Thanks, but I'm not the owner anymore and they're not my clothes. I gave all that up for something better." Brooke remarked glancing at Kimberly who held a proud smile knowing exactly what she was talking about.

"I don't know if I should say 'sorry' or 'good for you'."

"Good for you will do." She chuckled. "Kimberly, I actually wanted to talk to you about the company."

"OK." She said tensing up a bit.

"What do you think about opening my own clothing store right here in Tree Hill?"

"I think that's great." She said still surprised about the question.

"Good. And this time we're going to do it without the help of Victoria."

"We're?"

"Yeah. I was hoping you could help me out with the designs."

"Brooke, I don't know anything about clothes or fashion." She said truthfully.

"You don't have to. All I need is the teenage point of view."

Kimberly thought about this for a minute before turning to Tyler. "What do you think?"

"You're asking for my opinion?" He said in disbelief.

"Looks like it."

"I think you should. It sounds fun, Nirvana" He said nonchalantly.

"Nirvana?" Brooke asked not catching on.

"It's his annoying nickname for me."

"Oh." Brooke said nodding her head.

"Anyway, let's do it, Brooke." She said getting excited about the whole thing flashing a wide smile. 'God, I love that smile.'

"I was hoping you would say that." Brooke replied just as Karen came up with a pad and pen in hand.

"What can I get you guys?"

Brooke looked up at Karen and began to say. "Actually Karen we're not…"

"I'll have a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake." Kimberly chimed in.

"Kimberly, you just ate." Tyler spoke leaning towards her before thinking it was a bit too close so he back off.

"I know but all this good news is making me hungry. Besides were celebrating."

"Celebrating what?" Brooke asked giving a confused look.

"The fact that you found something to do with that empty store of yours, I got a hundred on a history test, Tyler finally beat me in basketball, my birthday's is less than two weeks away, we have great health, and I really, really want a cheeseburger." She blurted out giving everyone a goofy smile.

"Well in that case I'll have the same thing." Tyler said to Karen wanting everything Kimberly got.

"Me too." Brooke said before Karen scribbled down the orders and walked off. "Besides it is a celebration." She said repeating Kimberly's early words.

"Well before the celebrating starts, I'm going to the restroom." Tyler announced standing from the table and walking towards the back of the café. 'I really need to think about this.'

"He's cute." Brooke squealed after Tyler had left.

"Brooke." Kimberly groaned.

"What?"

"First you embarrass me right in front of him and now you're going to embarrass me once he's gone." She admitted.

"Oh I didn't embarrass you, you're just overreacting. Besides, you guys are going to be dating soon." Brooke said giving her knowing look.

"I've told you this before and I'm going to tell you one last time. We. Are. Just. Friends." She said slowly just so she was extra clear.

"You guys might be 'friends' now, but in a couple weeks you both will realize that you have the hots for each other."

"OK, first off, gross, and secondly, what makes you so sure he has the hots for me?" She asked trying to stump her.

"Because of the way he looks at you, Kimberly. Every time he does he always makes sure to stare one second longer before looking away; as if it's the last time he'll ever see you. He has a cute little nickname for you too."

"It's not that cute." Kimberly added in.

"And you had to notice the way he leaned into you when you were ordering your food." Brooke said ignoring her last comment.

"That doesn't mean anything." She stammered.

"Keep telling yourself that, but you know that I'm right."

They call her love, love, love, love, love.

She is love, and she is all I need.

Tyler stood in the bathroom staring at himself in the mirror trying gather his thoughts.

"Come on man, you can do this. Just tell her." He said to himself.

"No you can't tell her, her mom's out there. Besides what if she doesn't like you back?" Before he knew it he was having a conversation with himself in the privacy of the men's restroom.

"You got to tell her."

"But what if she just wants to be friends?"

"Kimberly's been through a lot, I really don't want her to lose a friendship just because I had to admit my feelings for her."

"But what if she feels the same way?"

"Does she feel the same?"

"I'm sure she does." He said looking into his own blue eyes. "Yeah, I mean of course she does. I mean who wouldn't like a guy like me?"

"God, that sounded so cocky." He looked at himself and gave the mirror him a look that said you have to tell her. After debating it for another five minutes he finally came to a decision.

"OK, I'm going to go out there. Ask Kim if I can talk to her outside, and then I'll tell her my true feelings for her. Yeah that's what I'll do. And then after that, nature will take it's course."

He looked back up at the mirror and gave one more look over. "You can do this, Tyler." He said before reaching for the door knob.

Cause when that world slows down, dear.

And when those stars burn out, here.

Oh she'll be there; yes she'll be there,

"OK, so what if you are right? Then what?"

"Tell him." Brooke clearly answered.

"But aren't you the one that said girls should never make the first move?"

"That's only when you're trying to get a guy that doesn't know he likes you to like you. Tyler already clearly likes you, so you should make the first move." Brooke answered knowing she had completely lost Kimberly.

"OK, but what if you're wrong? And he really just wants to be friends?"

"Have I ever been wrong?"

"But…" Before she could finish they were interrupted by the subject of their conversation returning to the table.

"Sorry for taking so long." Tyler said sitting back down beside Kimberly. He looked over at her and smiled which she returned before looking back over to Brooke who had that look on her face saying 'I told you so'.

"It's OK." Brooke said.

"What were you guys talking about?"

"You." Brooke said bluntly earning a glare from Kimberly.

"Good things I hope." Tyler said not reading much into it.

After that everything became less awkward and more at peace as the three talked. Kimberly watched as the two talked about school, and music, and even went into a deep conversation about Kimberly herself. Kimberly would chime in every now and then to make sure they remembered her presence at the table, but she would mostly sit back and watched as they interacted.

Before Tyler could ask for some privacy with Kimberly, Karen soon brought their orders.

'There's always next time man.' He thought to himself before returning to his and Brooke's conversation.

Eventually, Lily sat down at the table following by Karen as well for the café was empty as could be. And before they knew it, there were five people all crowded in a tiny booth laughing and sharing their own little memories about school, and friends, and life itself. Still, Kimberly sat back and watched as a memory in the making unfolded right in front of her and she couldn't be happier about it.

Here were the people that meant the most to her. A little girl that inspired her to open up to the world. A hard working woman that only gave out the best of advice. A friend that was hopefully on the fast track of becoming more. And a person that she herself called a mom, this person gave her a home and so much more. These were the people, including many others that weren't there at the time, that were becoming her very own family and she wouldn't have it any other way.

They call her love, love, love, love, love.

Soon the lunch had ended and everyone needed to get back to their original plans for the day. Karen went back to work as soon as customers walked in. Lily went back to playing with her Barbie dolls. Tyler soon returned home to kick himself in the ass about the whole Kimberly situation leaving Brooke and Kimberly time to talk while they walked home.

"So you really like Tyler?" Kimberly asked already knowing the answer.

"Yeah, he seems like a sweet kid, weather he's your boyfriend or just a friend."

"Thanks, Brooke. That means a lot."

"So are you going to take my advice?" Brooke asked after they walked in silence for awhile.

"I don't know. I think I need to think about it for a little bit."

"Well don't think about it too long. Because then they get impatient and run off with some hoe." She said throwing her arms in the air frustrated making Kimberly laugh.

"OK, I'll think about it, but not too long, wouldn't want him running off with some hoe." She chuckled.

"Hey!" Brooke warned giving her a glare. "Will you at least have a decision by your birthday?"

"Yeah."

"Speaking of your birthday, I heard you mention it early. Does that mean you're excited about it?"

"I don't know. I mean I always get a little excited around my birthday, but I'm never like super duper off the walls happy about it." She said trying to make a point.

"Why's that?"

"It's like I told you before: the foster parents I had didn't really care if it's your birthday or not."

"Well that's going to be different this year. We're going to throw you a party and everything." Brooke said letting out another squeal.

"Brooke, you don't have to do that. It's no big deal."

"Of course it is it's your sixteenth birthday. It's going to be huge."

"How about a small party?" She compromised causing Brooke's face to fall. "Yeah, just something small at the house. You know, cake, happy birthday song, candles, and what not. And instead of inviting all of Tree hill, let's just invite the people closets to us. Like Haley, and Karen, Nathan…"

"Tyler." Brooke said giving off a devious smile and the kink of an eyebrow.

"Yeah, why not?" She said hoping this was the end of the conversation.

"OK. Now what do you want for your birthday?"

"You don't have to get me anything."

"Kimberly." Brooke groaned stopping in her tracks. "It's your birthday. For your birthday you get present. And since your not letting me throw you a big party, I'm going to get you something you'll love. Now what do you want?" She repeated.

"A car." She challenged her but was really hoping she would say yes.

"That one I'll have to think about for awhile." Brooke said causing Kimberly to let out a whine. "Anything else?"

Kimberly stopped and turned towards her. "Brooke, I have everything that I want: a home, a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and you. But if you want to get me something then you pick; because I know you'll find something that means a lot to you and that I'll love and cherish forever. But if you don't find that thing, it's OK if you don't get me anything."

"You're really going to trust me with your birthday present?"

"Yeah."

"Then you're going to love what I'm going to get you." Brooke said flashing a smile from ear to ear as the two continued their walk home through Tree Hill.

She is love, and she is all I need,

She is love, and she is all I need.