Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry for such a LONG wait for this chapter! I was having really bad writer's block for this chapter and wasn't really inspired to write for a while and when I finally was, I was having trouble putting into words what I wanted to say. This chapter has LOTS, LOTS, LOTS of DRAMA! So be ready for it! I hope you all like it and it is all you expected it to be for such an important chapter! As always, please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.
Rating: K+ to T
P.S – Jordan, I am so glad you like my story! Thank you for your WONDERFUL reviews! Well, I won't keep you any longer because I know you're dying in anticipation to read this chapter. Thanks again for reading and reviewing!
In the Presence of An Angel
Chapter 25
Haley sobbed uncontrollably as she drove back to the apartment complex. As soon as she put her car into park, she raced up to the apartment, slamming the door behind her and stumbling through as she rushed to their room and threw herself on the bed. Brooke, who was watching a movie with Peyton on the couch, looked after her girlfriend concernedly and got up. "I think I'm gonna go…So you guys can talk and stuff…" Peyton said as she stood from the couch. She too was worried about Haley and wondered what was wrong. "Thanks Peyt," Brooke replied with a light squeeze of her shoulder then hugged her, "I'll talk to you later okay?" She nodded then gathered her purse and before she left, she whispered to her friend with a sad look, "I hope she's okay…" "Me too…" Brooke said quietly as she looked to the closed bedroom door.
Brooke slowly walked towards their bedroom and cautiously knocked on the door before entering. She found Haley sobbing into a pillow even more than when she'd first come into the apartment. Her heart broke at seeing her girlfriend in so much pain and knew that only one thing could make her this upset. Lucas. He must have found out about them being together. She carefully lowered herself onto the bed beside Haley, and brushed some hair away from her face. "Hales? Baby, what's wrong," she said softly as she stroked the back of her head. Haley turned her head to the side to face her and Brooke saw that her face was a tomato red, swollen and blotchy from crying. "Luke…he-he kissed me and-and we got into a fight and I h-had a slip of the t-tongue and-and…I told him about us and…Oh, it was so horrible, Brooke! He didn't say anything but-but I could see that he was furious. T-Then he just left…H-He was so pissed and hurt…"
She started to sob even more and Brooke gathered Haley in her arms, kissing her mouth gently, "Oh baby…" "Don't Brooke, I'm not in the mood," Haley weakly shoved her away as she stood from the bed, "I-I just want to be alone right now." She cried as she ran from the room and into the guest bedroom, slamming the door behind her and curling up on the bed. Brooke sat there on the bed in their room as she cringed when she heard the other door slam and tears welled in her eyes, her chin and lower lip trembling. She choked back a sob of her own as she laid down on the bed, occupying the pillow Haley had been using just moments before.
The next morning was a silent one as each ate breakfast, Haley curled up on one end of the couch with a bowl of cereal and Brooke at the table with an Eggo waffle. Brooke didn't want to say anything to upset her, knowing she was still in a fragile state, and was trying to respect her need for distance between them, but it was killing her inside. She hated not being able to comfort her, kiss her and stroke her hair, tell her that everything would be alright. But she knew this time it wasn't a sure thing. Brooke didn't know for certain that everything would be alright. Haley's best friend, one she knew almost fully as herself because they'd been together since childhood, hadn't reacted well to the news that his best friend was dating his ex-girlfriend, and a girl no less.
Haley really didn't feel like talking to anyone, at least not to anyone but Lucas, and seeing as how he reacted, they wouldn't be talking anytime soon. When Haley finished her bowl of cereal, she grabbed her keys off the counter and her book bag off the floor, heading towards the door. She didn't feel like going to school today. She was exhausted from crying all night but she needed a distraction. Part of it was also because she had Lucas in her last hour class and part of her wanted to see him, talk to him, but the other part of her was mad at him. Mad at him for reacting the way he did. They were best friends; he should be happy for her, and even though she knew he might be a little shocked or mad that she was dating Brooke, his ex-girlfriend, she never expected him to be so angry and pissed. She hadn't expected him to run off. She hadn't expected him to not say anything.
She put her hand on the doorknob and then looked to Brooke, who was staring down at her plate, slowly swirling a piece of waffle in some syrup. Haley looked at her sadly for a moment before staring at her feet then fixing her gaze back to the doorknob. She said softly, "I um, I have some stuff to do in the tutoring center so um, I'm gonna head over to the school early. I'll uh, I'll see you later. Bye." Then she was gone, slipping quietly outside of the apartment. As soon as Haley left, Brooke choked back a sob as she buried her head in her hands. Haley was isolating and alienating herself from everyone around her, and the worst part was that she was alienating her too.
Later that day in English class, Brooke watched Haley closely in concern. Haley was slumped down in her seat, her arms crossed, a blank look on her face. Even though Brooke was sitting one row over and one seat behind Haley, she could see that she had formed a pout with her beautiful mouth and she looked on sadly, wishing she could comfort her girlfriend. Haley didn't feel like talking, at all, and she hoped the teacher would notice that and not call on her as he usually did when some other person would give him the wrong answer. She just wanted to go home and curl up in bed with Mr. Waffles, her childhood teddy bear that Luke had given her for her sixth birthday. She tried hard to fight the tears that were constantly threatening to fall. She couldn't stop thinking about Lucas and how hurt and angry he was and how mad at him she was for reacting that way. And sad because she was losing her best friend and all because he couldn't accept who she was dating. A few tears slipped and fell down her cheeks but she quickly wiped them away, hoping no one had noticed.
Brooke saw Haley wipe her face with her hand and her heart broke, knowing she was crying. She ripped out a piece of paper from her notebook and began to write. Hey, are you okay? Brooke shook her head. Of course she wasn't okay. She scribbled it out then tried again. How are you doing? She shook her head again and growled to herself. That wasn't right either. She scribbled that line out too and poised her pen over the paper, biting her bottom lip, obviously fighting with herself in trying to find the right words to say to her without upsetting her more. She finally decided to just go with her first suggestion. Hey, are you okay? I um, I saw you crying and I- I just wanted to know how you're doing…Please talk to me… -Brooke. She folded up the paper and leaned over, slowly sliding it onto Haley's desk when the teacher turned his back to write on the chalkboard.
Haley returned it two minutes later and Brooke unfolded it quickly, eager for her answer, even though she knew it wouldn't be a good answer, a happy answer. I'm fine. That was all it said. She winced at the two harsh, thick red lines under the last word. She was writing in red pen. Brooke knew she was anything but fine. She was closing herself off, withdrawing into a shell. No, you're not fine! Why won't you talk to me? Why won't you tell me what happened between you and Lucas last night? She tried passing the note back to Haley, but she ignored her. Brooke pursed her lips slightly in irritation then hit her leg to get her attention. Haley let out a little squeak of surprise and pain as she leaned down and rubbed the spot, shooting a glare her way. Brooke's eyes widened, now remembering she was wearing pointy high-heeled shoes today. Mostly it was just in case she ran into Lucas today so she could give him a piece of her mind for treating Haley so badly and reacting the way he did. "I'm sorry," Brooke mouthed to her, a pleading look in her eyes. Haley grabbed the piece of paper from her and opened it, reading what was written, and returning it back with her own response. I told you, I'm fine. You can believe it or not for all I care. What happened between Luke and I is none of your business... Before Brooke could finish reading the note, the teacher snatched it out of her hands. To both Brooke and Haley's horror, he read it, but thankfully not out loud.
"Ms. James, we do not want to hear what happened between you and Lucas Scott last night and frankly, I'm surprised to see you passing notes, which is something we don't do in this classroom and you know that," he replied as he dropped the note back onto Brooke's desk and Haley's cheeks burned in embarrassment. Brooke read the rest of the note quickly. …but if you're so intent on knowing, I'll tell you. Luke kissed me, we fought, and when it was over, he left without a word and I was crying on the floor. There, you know. Now don't bother me anymore, I'm trying to concentrate. A few tears welled in Brooke's eyes and fell down her cheeks. When class let out, Brooke quickly grabbed her books, hoping to catch Haley before she headed out. Haley was still gathering her things and had just crammed in the last book, beginning to leave when Brooke grabbed her arm, "Hales…" She turned her head to face Brooke and glared at her, trying to pull her arm out of her grasp, but Brooke's hand held fast. "Let go of me, Brooke," Haley said firmly then in a softer, weaker voice, "please…let me go." Brooke dropped her hand and stared at the floor, whispering, "I'm sorry…" Haley quickly ran off, exiting the classroom, leaving Brooke feeling even more saddened and heartbroken than before.
Lunchtime finally came around and Haley grabbed her lunch from her locker after she had put her books away, heading to the outside eating area. She settled down under a tree about twenty yards away from the cluster of concrete tables and picnic benches, away from all the noise and boisterous laughing, all the happiness. She just wanted to be alone so she could cry.
At one of the tables sat Brooke, Peyton, Jake, and Nathan. Lucas was absent of course, and Brooke was somewhat glad he had decided not to show up at lunch today because she wasn't sure if she'd be able to restrain from choking him to death. She waited for Haley to arrive, thinking she would at least sit by Peyton if Haley didn't want to talk to her, but she was wrong. She looked around for a few minutes, finally spotting her sitting under a tree all by herself. Brooke could only see her from an angle, but she could see that Haley was crying again, her head buried in her hands. Brooke frowned, wishing she could comfort her girlfriend, but Haley didn't want to be near her. She wondered with worry if Haley couldn't handle losing her best friend to be with her, if Haley was breaking up with her. She was brought out of her thoughts by Peyton's voice and the snapping of her fingers. "Hello, earth to Brooke," Peyton called out. Brooke shook her head to rid her thoughts, "What?" "Where's Haley," she asked. Brooke dropped her head for a moment to hide the tears welling in her eyes then lifted it back up, nodding in the general direction of the tree where Haley sat. "She's over there," Brooke said quietly.
"Why isn't she sitting over here with us? But more importantly, why isn't she sitting with you," Peyton inquired. "She's been avoiding me," Brooke mumbled as she stared at her hands in her lap. "What? Why," Peyton asked concernedly, her eyes wide, then said quietly, "Is it because of last night…" Brooke nodded, her own voice barely above a whisper as she tried to fight the tears from falling, "She told Luke about us…Didn't get the reaction she was hoping for…" Peyton's hand flew to her mouth as she gasped, her eyes widening even more, "What'd he say?" "He didn't say anything, just ran off and left Haley broken and crying on the floor. She lost her best friend, Peyt. I want to help her through this, comfort her, but she won't let me near her. I don't know what to do Peyt," finally the tears came cascading down her cheeks and her friend wrapped her in a tight hug, letting her cry on her shoulder. "Why don't you go talk to her," Peyton suggested as she stroked her hair. "She doesn't want to talk to me," Brooke responded morosely. "A little persistence never hurt anything. Come on, where's the stubborn girl I know that doesn't take no for an answer?" Brooke sniffled as she wiped her eyes, "I'll try." "There's the Brooke Davis I know," Peyton smiled as she rubbed her back. Brooke smiled slightly, hoping the talk with Haley would go better than the last few times she had attempted to talk to her about the situation with Lucas.
Brooke stood from the table and slowly walked over to where Haley was sitting, still crying with her head in her hands. She bit her lip nervously, wanting to comfort her girlfriend but knowing she was in public, she couldn't do that. "Hey," Brooke said softly as she kneeled down on the ground. Haley's head shot up and she quickly wiped her eyes and cheeks. "What do you want," Haley said in a weak, shaky voice that still held a coldness to it. Brooke quickly looked to see that no one was watching then gently grabbed Haley's hand in her own and placed her other hand on Haley's knee. "I want you to talk to me," Brooke whispered, tears of her own in her eyes, "Haley, I love you. We're in this together. You can't push me away all the time and close yourself off. It hurts when you don't talk to me, when you push me away…" "What happened between Lucas and I doesn't concern you," Haley replied sternly, pulling her hand from Brooke's and crossing her arms stubbornly. "The hell it doesn't," Brooke responded, her voice rising as a mad expression formed on her face, "You told Lucas about us, Haley. Us. You and me. So I don't see how it doesn't concern me."
"Leave me alone Brooke," Haley griped as she turned her head away. "No," Brooke replied as she firmly grabbed Haley's chin in her hand and made Haley face her again, "Stop pushing me away. Please talk to me Hales? What are you thinking? What are you feeling?" "No," Haley simply replied. "Dammit Hales, I love you!" Brooke's voice was loud now with her increasing anger, "What is it gonna take for you to talk to me, huh? This?" Brooke, still holding her chin, lunged forward and planted her lips firmly on Haley's, kissing her intensely in all her frustration at her girlfriend, yet still holding all the passion and love she had for her. Haley forcefully pushed her away and Brooke fell back onto the grass, a stunned and hurt expression on her face as tears once again welled in her eyes. "You shouldn't have done that," Haley whispered as she quickly threw her book bag over her shoulder and ran off. It was only then Brooke realized she was sitting in the courtyard of Tree Hill High School at lunch time and hundreds of pairs of eyes were all trained on her.
Haley drove aimlessly around town for a long while, not really knowing where to go or having a set destination in mind. She couldn't go home to the apartment. That would no doubt be the first place Brooke would look if she had followed after her. She couldn't go to Lucas' house; that was obvious. She had finally decided to head to the docks when her cell phone rang. Knowing it was probably Brooke calling to try and talk to her, she ignored it. The annoying, incessant ringing started up again after a moment of silence. Growling in anger she grabbed her phone and put it to her ear, pressing TALK. "What," she said coldly, another growl escaping from her lips. "Oh my god, Haley! I know you're at school and everything but Luke's been arrested! I need you to come meet me down at the police station," Karen's frantic voice came over the phone. "Serves him right," Haley muttered to herself then said louder so Karen could hear, "Why was he arrested?" "The police got an anonymous call saying they had evidence on him attacking and r-rap…I-I can't even say it! The person said it was you he attacked! It's not true, Haley, is it? I know he would never hurt you, esp-especially like that…" Haley's eyes widened as Karen explained what had happened. Who could have done this? Brooke certainly wouldn't have done it. It had to have been the note…but the only other person who read it besides Brooke, was Mr. Baker, their English teacher. Haley groaned and mumbled to herself, "Damn you Brooke." "What'd you say Haley, I didn't hear you," Karen replied. "I'll be down there in a little bit. I'll see you when I get there. Bye Karen," Haley responded before hanging up, not staying on the line long enough to hear Karen's farewell.
When Haley arrived at the police station, she shivered despite the sweltering atmosphere and stuffy room and also because she was scared too. She had never been in so much trouble as to have to talk to the police. She wrapped her arms around herself, uncomfortable at being here. As soon as Karen spotted her, she ran over and engulfed her in a tight hug. When she pulled away, she noticed the dried tears and mascara streaks on her face and asked, "Haley, are you alright? You've been crying. Why?" Haley could already feel the tears rush to her eyes once again. Everything in her world was spinning out of control. She lost her best friend, she'd had a fight with her girlfriend… She just didn't know what to do anymore. Haley sank down onto a nearby bench as she buried her head in her hands and began to sob. Karen gently sat down beside her and started to rub her back slowly, trying to soothe and calm her. "I-I don't know what to do anymore…" Haley choked out through her cries, "I-I told Luke about us, about Brooke and I, and he-he didn't say anything, Karen. He just ran off! He doesn't accept the fact that I'm with Brooke. T-Then I had a fight with Brooke at school today and…everything's just a mess. I lost my best friend…and now I think I'm losing my girlfriend too…"
"Oh honey," Karen said softly as she stroked her hair, "I'm so sorry…" Haley nodded as she wrapped her arms around the older woman's waist and hugged her tight. They stayed like that for several minutes until Karen pulled away, lightly pressing her lips to Haley's forehead. Haley squeezed her eyes shut as she felt the tears well up again, remembering all the times Lucas used to do that. "Haley," she began gently, "I want to talk to you about why I called you here…" She nodded slowly, pulling away and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Why did the anonymous caller say that Lucas attacked and r-raped you," Karen's voice got shaky near the end. Haley sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, "I know who the caller was, Karen. It was Mr. Baker, my English teacher. Brooke wrote me a note in class wanting to know what had happened between Lucas and I when we had the fight because I hadn't told her yet and I guess I worded it in a way that could have insinuated that he attacked me, but the teacher took the note and read it and I guess that's how he thought I was attacked and- you know…" Haley trailed off quietly but was interrupted from explaining further.
"Haley James," she heard her name called and she turned to see a police officer with a folder of papers in hand. She gulped hard and turned to Karen, who gave her a small encouraging smile. She then rose from her seat and walked to meet the officer, "I'm Haley James." "Come with me please," he ordered and she followed him to a small cubicle office. He gestured for her to sit and she did, clutching her purse tight to her body nervously as she clamped her legs together, crossing them at the ankles and folding them under the chair. "Now Ms. James," he began, clasping his hands together on the desk, "Can you tell me why you're here?" Haley fought not to roll her eyes. They should know why she was here; Karen had talked to them earlier. "Lucas Scott was arrested on charges of assault and rape because of an anonymous caller. I am here to dismiss the charges because the caller claimed that I was the victim. Lucas Scott did not attack me nor did he violate me sexually. This was just a misunderstanding over a note. The note was passed in class and the teacher read it, and it was he who I believe put in the call as he was the only other person besides myself and my friend to read the note. It may have been worded to insinuate that I was attacked and raped, now that I think about it, but that wasn't my intention. I'm sorry to have caused all this trouble over a misunderstanding," Haley explained as her anger at Lucas and Brooke increased. She wouldn't be in this situation if Lucas hadn't reacted this way. She wouldn't be here if Brooke hadn't kept pestering her to tell her what had happened between her and Lucas.
"Thank you, Ms. James, for coming down and clearing this up with us," he stood and offered out his hand, which she took, "I'll escort you out. It can be kind of a maze back here with all the offices." "No, it was no problem. But, um, I have a question," Haley asked as she bit her lip in uncertainty. "What is it," the officer questioned. "Can I, um, see him," Haley asked as she looked up at him. "Sure," he smiled, "Come with me and I'll take you to him. He should be released in a little while. They'll have to finalize his discharge papers and everything." Haley nodded in understanding as he led her back towards lock-up and she shuddered slightly. He led her down a hall of jail cells, most of which were thankfully empty. He stopped after a few more feet and said, "Scott! You've got someone to see you."
Lucas sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes when he heard the officer's voice. It was probably his mom coming to bail him out. He looked up towards the door and saw Haley standing there, and he gasped in surprise. "Hales," he whispered. He slowly stood as he gazed at her, seeing nothing but a blank, emotionless expression on her face and her normally chocolate brown eyes were dark and ominous. He used to be able to read them so well, but now he couldn't. "How could you," she whispered softly, leaving it to hang in the air. Lucas wasn't ready to see her yet. He was still pissed off and upset and still trying to digest the information he'd been told yesterday. He tore his gaze away from her, breaking eye contact as he turned his back slightly to her. A tear leaked from her eye and slowly rolled down her cheek.
When Haley saw Lucas look away, her anger at him mounted even further and she screamed at him through the bars of the jail cell, "How could you! How could you react that way? How could you not say anything! How could you leave me like that! Why can't you just be happy for me?" "Hales…" he began again but instead, Haley turned to the officer, the mad expression still on her face, "You know what? Don't release him! Keep him in there for another day or two. Let him think about how badly he's been treating his best friend!" She then turned back to the blonde haired boy she'd known since they were toddlers, the boy she had thought would always be there to support her, "Goodbye Lucas." With that said, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the holding area, past Karen in the waiting room, and she could vaguely hear her call out to her, but she ignored it and kept on running, tears streaming down her face.
Peyton pulled up to the rivercourt in her convertible, sighing in relief when she spotted Haley on the picnic table. Brooke had begged her to go find Haley to make sure she was alright, knowing Haley wouldn't want to be near her after their fight at school. She was also busy trying to handle all of the many questions and the talking going on behind her back after more than half the population of Tree Hill High had seen their kiss in the courtyard. Nathan and Jake were trying to help her with the damage control as well. She slowly approached her and heard her sobbing, her heart breaking for her friend. She carefully climbed onto the picnic table beside her and wrapped her arms around her, holding her and stroking her hair, "Oh Hales…" "H-How c-could he react that way," Haley sobbed into her friend's shirt. "What happened," Peyton asked gently, knowing it hadn't gone well the times Brooke had tried to get it out of her. "I-I went over to g-go hang out with Luke and-and out of the blue, he-he kissed me and then I started screaming at him. How could he do this to me? How could he do this to you? And then I-I told him I was dating someone and he got this expression on his face and the look in his eyes…I was so scared about telling him…He asked who it was and I told him it was Brooke…he was so angry and pissed and hurt…he-he just didn't say anything and-and then he just ran off…" Haley sobbed in her friend's arms.
"Oh baby…" Peyton slowly rocked her as she stroked her hair and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. She couldn't stop the hurt burning within her. Luke had kissed Haley. Her boyfriend of over a year had kissed his best friend, her best friend. She wasn't mad at Haley, no, never at Haley. She was the victim here; she'd been the one taken by surprise. She was innocent in all this. They sat there for a long while as Haley cried into her shirt and Peyton rocked her back and forth, trying to soothe and calm her. Finally, Haley's sobs had turned into quiet little whimpers here and there and she pulled away, tears still in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I got your shirt all wet," she said. Peyton let out a light laugh as she pulled Haley in for a tight hug, "It's okay. No harm done." "What am I gonna do, Peyt," Haley asked in a squeaky voice, "I can't lose my best friend, but I can't lose Brooke either. I don't want to have to choose. I can't choose. I don't want to hurt anybody. It's killing me because I don't know what to do. How did my life become such a mess?" Peyton hesitated a moment before speaking, not sure if this was the right time, when Haley was so vulnerable, to tell her the news. "Well, your life just got a little bit messier…" Peyton began, a little scared of what her reaction might be. Haley's brows furrowed in confusion, "What do you mean?" "Um, well, you know that kiss you and Brooke shared at lunch today?" Haley's eyes widened, probably realizing what Peyton was about to say. Peyton continued, "Well, um, more than half of the student body saw it and if they didn't see it, they probably know about it by now. Brooke, Nathan, and Jake are trying to handle the damage control now." Haley's mouth dropped open as tears began to well in her eyes again. "I-I have to go," Haley said weakly before scrambling off the picnic table and running to her car.
Lucas was lying on his bed when he heard the door to his bedroom that led outside open and close. "Jeez, doesn't anybody knock in this town," he grumbled quietly. He just wanted to be left alone. He'd already spent more than half a day at a police station in jail lock-up, yelled at by Haley, and had been chewed out by his mother royally for the way he had been treating Haley and what he had done to her. "How could you," a weak, teary voice said behind him and for a moment, he thought it was Haley but then recognized that it wasn't her voice speaking. He quickly sat up and turned around, "Peyton." "I just had to hold and watch your best friend cry for over an hour because she is so heartbroken and confused and hurt by the way you reacted and because she thought you would support her. You're her best friend Luke; she values your opinion more than anyone else's." "I-I'm still trying to process it all…" Luke said quietly, running a hand through his hair. "I know you kissed her Luke," Peyton said with a cold expression on her face, her voice low with her arms crossed, "Why'd you do it? How could you cheat on me with my best friend?" "Peyton, the kiss didn't mean anything… I was just confused. We'd been kind of distant lately and I felt like you were lying to me. I-I thought you might be cheating on me…"
Peyton cut him off, her eyes narrowed as the anger built inside her, "You thought I was cheating on you so you decided to get me back by kissing Haley? You're an asshole, you know that? I haven't been cheating on you. I was distant because I knew about Brooke and Haley and they asked me to keep it a secret until they were ready to tell everyone. I had to try and stay away from you because I knew you would see right through me and then I'd tell you and Brooke and Haley would have been pissed at me. I'm sorry okay? I promised them I wouldn't tell!" "I'm your boyfriend Peyton, and she's my best friend! Don't you think I should know these things?" "I promised them Luke! I couldn't tell you," Peyton shouted exasperatedly, throwing her hands out from her sides. "You should have told me," he growled. "They're my best friends Luke; Haley's your best friend. Why can't you be happy for her, for them? Is it because Haley likes girls, Brooke, your ex-girlfriend no less…" Peyton asked then trailed off as a thought came to her and her eyes widened, tears welling in them, "Are you still in love with Brooke?" "What! No! Peyton…" Lucas' voice softened as he neared her, gently grabbing the elbows of her crossed arms, "Peyton, I love you. YOU. I'm not in love with Brooke anymore. I don't think we ever were in love. It's just hard, you know? Haley's like my sister because we're so close and then I find out she's gay. I don't know how to handle it. I never expected this to happen…" "Luke," Peyton said, pulling away from him a little, "I know this is all hard for you to digest, but I have to tell you something… I can forgive you for kissing Haley, but if you can't support or accept that my best friends are together, then I'm afraid I can't be your girlfriend. I promised Brooke a long time ago that it would always be hos over bros and I'm not going to break that promise now, as much as it hurts me to do this. You need to think long and hard about what you want, Lucas," Peyton stated softly, the tears finally falling down her cheeks. She slowly backed up a few steps before turning around and rushing out the door.