Chapter 35: True Romance Has Died

"Ok listen up everybody," Brooke said forcefully, "Party tonight at Lucas's place to celebrate his new apartment. You all better be there."

"Relax Brooke," Peyton said laughing, "I'm sure we all wouldn't want to miss it.

"I'm totally ready," Mouth proclaimed.

"Uh Brooke, who else is invited?"

"Don't worry about it Luke. I'm taking care of everything! Don't, you worry your little head about it."

"Yeah Luke," Haley teased, "Don't worry abut it. The party's just at your apartment. No big deal."

"Haley, please don't make me smack you."

"Sorry" she said laughing, "But seriously Luke, chill. If Brooke's throwing the party it means it's going to be good."

"Thank you," Brooke said giving Haley a big smile, "At least someone appreciates my genius."

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Hours later the party was in full swing. Lucas stood by the door greeting people who all complimented him on the apartment and then went to the small kitchens to get drinks. Typical, he thought.

"Hey Luke!" he looked down and saw Haley standing in his doorway with Nathan in tow.

"Hey Hales," he said reaching down to give her a hug.

"Dude who are all these people?" Nathan asked looking at the already crowded apartment.

Lucas waved his hand to show he didn't know or really care. "Brooke's friends obviously. At least they're friendly. Come on." Lucas led them to the hallway where there was a little space.

"So what's up?" Haley asked.

"I just wanted to thank you for like supporting me through this. And having the brilliant idea of emancipation."

"My pleasure," Haley smiled.

"Yeah man, I'm really looking forward to getting to know you better," Nathan added.

"Me too," Lucas said.

"You know I'm really glad you're having this party Lucas. I think it's like the beginning of good things."

"I know what you mean Hales," he said, "Like after this all the drama can just go away. And we can all be happy."

"Amen to that," Nathan said raising his glass.

Haley laughed. "I really, really, want that."

They all started to laugh. But maybe they had spoken a little too soon.

xxxx

Brooke had watched Lucas go off with Nathan and Haley. They all seemed so happy. Peyton and Mouth had been on her case all week to tell Lucas how she felt, and finally she thought it was the right time. Then they could all be happy. Haley and Nathan had disappeared somewhere and she saw Lucas making his way to the kitchen to get another drink. She followed him there.

"Hey Lucas," she said slowly and carefully.

He turned around to face her. "Oh hey Brooke. Great party. Thanks for this."

Brooke nodded. "Uh your welcome. Look I was wondering if I could talk to you about something."

"Yeah sure,"

"Well I,"

"What?" he shouted. He couldn't hear her over the music.

"I think I might I don't know."

"Huh?" he shouted again.

"I like you," she finally blurted out.

Simultaneously the music stopped. And everyone turned to look at them. Both Brooke and Lucas turned red and Lucas dropped the drink he had been making.

"Oh um, thanks," was all he could get out.

Brooke stared at him and she could feel the tears forming in her eyes. Before anyone could see her cry, she ran out of the party. Mouth chased after her.

Everyone looked around uncomfortable, before the music began playing again, and they all went back to dancing.

"Lucas are you ok?" Peyton asked.

"Did she just say, did she really?"" he asked unable to form the words.

Peyton nodded. "Yeah Luke, she really did, and you really blew it."

"Umm excuse me," he said before fleeing into his bedroom.

Peyton sighed and picked up the cup he had dropped and threw it away. She looked up and saw Nathan and Haley. Haley had a horrified look on her face, and Nathan just looked confused. Bevin and Skills were glancing back and forth between the apartment door where Brooke had gone, and down the hallway to the bedroom door that Lucas had disappeared into.

Why did all of the parties this year turn into drama? Peyton began to think about them. First there was the whole Lucas and Haley getting together. Then the one where it had come out that Lucas had cheated on Haley with Brooke. And Bevin's party where Nikki had basically tried to beat her up. That had really sucked. And even at the party for Nathan and Haley, there had been drama because Jake was so on edge. In fact it was the weekend before he left. Peyton frowned thinking about him. And now, there was this drama-filled party. Peyton sighed again. So much for things getting better.

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Haley and Nathan sat on the terrace of Lucas's apartment complex. They were holding hands, but not talking. Both were thinking of what had happened. Finally Nathan broke the silence.

"You're not mad at Brooke, are you?"

"I don't know," Haley sighed.

"Because you shouldn't be," he said looking into her eyes.

"Why," Haley asked slightly annoyed.

"Look at us Hales. We were pretty selfish about our love. Well at least I was. You tried not to be. But in the end we got together, and it was accepted. But do you know who accepted it first? Brooke. Now I know you probably still have unresolved thought about what happened between the two of them when you were with Lucas, but things are different now. You haven't been with Lucas for a long time, and Brooke's feelings probably only developed recently. She's your best friend. You have to be there for her."

"I know. I just I don't know feel weird about it all. I wish she would've told me."

"She probably thought you'd be mad at her. Why would she break up your friendship if she didn't even know he felt the same."

"You've gotten smarter since I started tutoring you," she joked.

"And dating you," he said giving her a short kiss.

"Smart boy," Haley said with a laugh and kissing him back. Then she snuggled up next to him.

"I should talk to Brooke tomorrow."

"I think that's a good idea."

"Yeah." Haley looked up at Nathan's blue eyes and kissed him again. "Can you believe what happened tonight?"

"Yeah who knew Lucas was so clueless," he laughed.

Haley nodded and laughed too before getting serious. "Brooke's probably really upset. I can't believe he left her hanging like that."

"He's a guy. He was shocked."

"That is still no excuse. Weren't you shocked when I showed up at your room that time?'

"Yeah. But I'm the cooler Scott."

"Sure," Haley said rolling her eyes.

"Maybe he doesn't like her back?"

"Again no excuse. He should have taken her someplace quiet and they should have talked about how they felt instead of him just standing there like an idiot."

"Well this proves again why I am the cooler Scott. I don't act like an idiot. I'm better with girls, case in point my beautiful girlfriend, and I can talk about my feelings." Nathan grinned at her before shouting out to the world, "I love you Haley James."

"Shut up," she said laughing and put her lips to his to silence him, "I love you too Nathan Scott."

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Brooke was so upset that she ran all the way to her car even in her high heels. She threw herself into the driver's seat and put her foot to the gas before speeding out of their way. When she got back to her house, her tears were falling freely. She ran into her room and toppled into the bed. She was still crying 25 minutes later when she heard a small knock on the door. She blew her nose and stood up to open it. There stood Mouth. Brooke left the door open and went back to her bed. Mouth held up chocolate ice cream and a spoon as a peace offering. Brooke gladly grabbed it and tore into the comfort food.

"Thanks Mouth."

"I'm sorry about hat happened Brooke."

Brooke nodded and continues to devour the ice cream even though it was freezing outside.

"Look if I'd known out it would turn out, I never would have told you to go for it."

"I know Mouth. It just really sucks."

"Brooke it'll get better. I know it was pretty mortifying but Lucas was just really shocked. I think you just need to give it time."

"Can we please not mention his name right now, or even talk about him," Brooke begged.

"Ok I'm sorry. But what else is there to say?"

"I don't know. Do you think Haley's going to kill me?"

"I think she was just shocked like," Mouth was cut off by Brooke's withering look, "Shocked like everyone else."

"I really don't think I could deal with it if she was pissed at me too."

"Brooke no one is pissed at you. Just it was kind of sudden and unexpected. Give them time. And if all else fails, Peyton and I are always here for you."

Brooke nodded and gave Mouth a hug. "I think I'm just going to go to sleep now. But thanks for this," she said gesturing to the ice cream, "And everything else."

"Anytime," he said slowly standing up. "Take care of yourself Brooke."

When he left Brooke lay down and stared at her ceiling. She hadn't felt this bad since the night Lucas had called her a whore and a slut, and she and Haley almost lost their friendship. It was kind of like the same thing was happening over again. Lucas was rejecting her and Haley was pissed at her. Brooke closed her eyes for what would probably be a nightmare filled night.