"Hey man…how's she doing" the blonde looked behind him and just shook his head.
"I don't know Nate. Amy won't tell me anything and the doctor's won't tell me anything because Amy told them not to." Lucas sighed in frustration. "I had to beg her to let me come in here. She doesn't trust me and to be honest I don't blame her."
"Look…bro this isn't your fault. You didn't know, none of us did. We were all pissed when she came back so if your gunna blame yourself you gotta blame us all." Nathan stepped closer to his brother and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"How's Haley?" Lucas stood from his seat next to the hospital bed, letting Peyton's hand fall on the cotton sheets.
"Beating herself up over this whole thing. It's not blaming herself for Peyton getting sick or anything…it's more of wondering why she didn't know. Almost six years and we talked to Peyton every week…how could we not know about this. She doesn't get it and neither do I" the younger Scott admitted.
"Peyton's always been the most secretive person we know." Lucas pushed the knot in his throat back down before speaking again. "Look, I'm gunna get out of here for the day. I've been here for awhile and I gotta go get Alex from school. Besides, Brooke will be in here soon and we can't be in the same room, we tried already and it just won't work." He forced a laugh.
"Well you've got that right and considering I'm here now, I'm kinda thinking you should leave" The two Scotts looked towards the door to find Brooke standing there with her hands on her hips. The both shook their heads as they walked towards the door. "Bye now" Brooke spat bitterly as she moved out their way.
"Last time I saw Brooke she hated Peyton...why does she suddenly have the right to kick you out the room?" Nathan asked as he looked up at his brother.
"She doesn't hate her and I don't think she ever did. They're best friends and that…" Lucas motioned to the open door to Peyton's room. "…that gives her the right." Nathan followed Lucas's gaze to find Brooke hunched over the blonde's bed. He listened as Brooke spoke to the sleeping figure, her voice cracking in carious places.
"Hey Blondie…how ya doing babe?" Brooke rested her hand on Peyton forehead, moving a few curls from her face. "We all miss you, so you gotta open your eyes for us. Come on Pey…please…" They could both see the tears sliding down the brunette's cheeks and they watched as she laid down next to the motionless blonde.
"We can't be near each other…and I'm not about to make her leave" Lucas stated simply as he turned away and retreated down the hall. Nathan took once last glance into the room before following his brother out of the hospital.
"Hey you two" Amy whispered as she entered the hospital room. Brooke turned and smiled at the brunette before going back to painting Peyton's nails.
"I have nothing do with myself so I figured there's no reason that she can't have a good manicure." Brooke laughed to herself.
"I agree" Amy pulled a chair up to the bed and sat next to Brooke. She watched Brooke position Peyton's hand's carefully so she would have access to her nail, that was until they heard a slight moan from the bed.
"Peyton…" Brooke set the nail polish on the side table and stood up, hovering next to the blonde's body. "Come on…open your eyes…come on Pey…" Brooke's eyes were hopeful and the tears Brooke free when hazel eyes slowly met hers. "Hey you…"
"Brooke…" Peyton inhaled sharply. "What happened?"
"You passed out…but it's okay…you're fine now" Brooke smiled genuinely.
"You just couldn't stand not being able to see me before I left" Amy joked as she stood next to Brooke.
"What do you mean…we don't have to leave for another week." Peyton's brows furrowed in confusion.
"No…actually I was supposed to leave yesterday…hun you've been out for a little over a week." Amy brushed a stray curl from the blonde's face as she spoke.
"Do you have to go" Peyton looked up at the girl who had been with her every step of the way for the past six years.
"Yeah…but hey you get to stay with Brooke. I offered to send your stuff down here but missy refused. She said she's gunna get you a whole new wardrobe." The three of them laughed lightly before Amy bent down and hugged the slim blonde. "I'm gunna miss you Peyton…but I'll be back and you'll always have a place to sneak away to. It'll be equipped with a room and all your clothes too." Peyton smiled slightly and nodded at the taller brunette.
"I'll miss you too"
"I know you will…but if I don't get out of here now I'm never gunna get back to VA...I've gotta long drive ahead of me." Amy rolled her eyes before glancing back towards Peyton.
"Take care of yourself…" Peyton whispered.
"You too" Amy said as she stepped backwards towards the door. She hated leaving but she knew she had to get back home and more importantly she needed to let Peyton get her life back together. Amy waved before turning around and walking out, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Bye" the blonde whispered to the empty doorway.
"What? I'm not good enough for you anymore?" Brooke was hoping to get a smile and was glad when she did.
"Do you still have your old house?" Peyton asked as Brooke sat back down in her chair.
"Yea…my parents wanted to sell the place a few years back but I couldn't give up the house I lived in my whole life…so I bought it from them. I come back here every now and then but no one ever sees me. It's just a place where I can get away and feel comfortable…you know…really feel at home." Brooke shrugged her shoulders.
"How's Alex" Peyton inquired.
"I'm not sure…I haven't seen her since that day. Lucas won't bring her here to see you, but I don't think it's because of the same reasons anymore" Brooke gave an incorigningly smile which the blonde returned but they both knew the smiles were fake.
"I'm glad you're back P. Sawyer." Brooke leaned forward and embraced her best friend again.
"Me too B. Davis, me too."