chapter.one...brooke

Graduation. Kids all across the country wait anxiously for the day they will finally graduate. Some people get upset because of leaving their parents and long time friends. After they get over the upset stage, they finally move on, go to college, and hopefully become successful. All I was thinking about was getting the hell out of Tree Hill. I had no parents to be upset about leaving and I was happy to get away from my so called, "friends".

If you are feeling behind, let me review this for you; starting from the beginning.

Nathan- He and Hailey got married last year. They thought about leaving Tree Hill last summer, which I knew would never happen and it didn't. He continued to play basketball and got a scholarship to UNC to play basketball for them. With Hailey's academic help, he got a full ride.

Hailey- After she and Nathan got married, we became better friends. I had never given her a chance but since Lucas and I were dating and she and Nathan were married, I felt like I was a part of the family. She decided to go to UNC along with Nathan and major in Elementary Education.

Peyton- She sent in hundreds of drawings to The Art Institute of Charlotte until she finally got accepted. After finding out Charlotte was only three hours from Wake Forest, she decided that it was official. She was going to The AIC.

Lucas- Basketball was calling his name. He couldn't get away from it and when a scout from Wake Forest came to Tree Hill to see him play it was final. Lucas was offered a partial academic scholarship and a walk on to the basketball team. He agreed and decided to become a Wake Forest Demon Deacon.

Then there was me. I spent hours and hours talking to the schools guidance counselor about what I enjoyed. Finally I came to the conclusion that the only thing I was good at was shopping and spending money. I told him that I didn't even need to work because of all the money my parents left me. Then he told me that if I didn't get a job that I would shop all day and by the time I was twenty one I would have to file for chapter eleven bankruptcies. He told me that maybe I should go into fashion merchandising or design. I thought about it for a few minutes and came to the conclusion that it was a good idea.

Hailey was so excited when I told her. I remember exactly what she said, "Brooke, I am so happy for you. I thought you were going to have to go to college with an undecided major or that maybe I would have to pick a career for you." She was so good to me. After the whole Lucas thing, Hailey was really there for me. She was the only one; well she and Nathan. But Nathan was a guy; he didn't fully understand the complications.

I couldn't talk to Peyton because she was the root of the problem. I never would have thought that it would happen again. How many times can you cheat on someone? Obviously more than twice. I remember it just like it was yesterday...

Flashback to September Senior Year

"The second month of school and you are already skipping first period?" Peyton said as she caught up with me in the hallway. "I can't believe it... well I mean, I can but, still." She threw the pencil that was behind her ear into her backpack.

I rolled my eyes and straightened my strapless rainbow Tiffany Alana top. "Ya know, I mean, I have had close to thirteen years of English, I think I know proper grammar by now and anyways, who uses whom or thou anyway." Hands that were not mine were on my hips, I turned around to see Lucas behind me. "Hey baby." I said kissing him on the cheek.

"Didn't see your car this morning." He said, now walking next to me. He looked so handsome. He had on a pair of dark Diesel jeans and a green Von Dutch shirt that I bought him during the summer.

Peyton butted in, "That's because she just got here." She said giving me a snooty face. "She's decided to skip English 12 all together."

"But don't you think it makes sense, how many years of this stuff do you need? I feel like I know everything there is to know." I looked up and down the hall, "I bet I know more about life than every single person in this hallway."

Peyton agreed, "I bet you do." She stood at the doorway of her next class. "Hey, I'll see you all next period." We all had the same third period class. Lucas and I waved to her and went on our way.

I reached into Lucas' pocket. "Hey there," He said, "Save it for later.""

"No, lemme see your cell phone." I reached deeper into his pocket and finally pulled it out. I called Hailey's cell phone number. She answered and I said, "Hales, math test? Easy, hard, so-so?"

"Um... I think I did okay on it. Maybe a low A."

"So what do you think I will get? B-ish?"

"Yeah... I think so."

Lucas and I stood in the doorway to my next class. I closed the cell phone and threw it into my purse not even remembering it was not mine. Lucas kissed me on the cheek and went on to his next class. I took my regular seat behind Nathan. He said hey as I took my seat. He looked like something was one his mind. "Whats wrong?" I asked him, leaning forward in my seat.

He shook his head, "Oh, nothing. I'm fine." He said halfway smiling. The look on his face resembled that face that you get before you vomit. I leaned back in my seat and made sure not to talk to him again this period. I didn't want puke all over my outfit. I had a best dressed standard to uphold.

A vibration was coming from my purse. I reached in and realized it was a cell phone. Lucas' cell phone. I opened it but didn't say hello. The caller id said Peyton Cell. I heard the voice on the other line. "Did you tell her yet? I don't know if you should or not Lucas, I mean she is my best friend and I really don't want to hurt her again. What do you think?"

I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. He had cheated on me with Peyton, again. I threw the cell phone back into my purse and tapped Nathan on the shoulder. He turned around. "If Ms. Lambert asks where I am, I went to the bathroom. I am feeling sick. Okay?" I told him. He nodded his head in agreement.

I casually walked out of the classroom. Once out, I ran to the bathroom. My back slid down the wall. Someone was in there. I wiped my eyes and stood up. It was a sophomore, Maggie Coleman. The only reason I knew her was because she was on the JV Cheerleading squad. "Hey Brooke." She said. "Killer shoes. I have them in pink."

I gave her a half smile, "Thanks." I went into a bathroom stall and put down the lid to the toilet and sat down. After several minutes I heard a knock at the door.

"Brooke, its Hailey. Nate sent me a text message, he said you were sick." She opened the door and saw me sitting on the toilet with mascara running down my face. "Oh god Brooke. What is it?" I began to sob. She put her arms around me and held me.

"Peyton called Lucas' cell phone that I had. She said something about telling me about a secret." I looked up at her. "I think he cheated on me again."

"Brooke, I..." She paused and knelt down in front of me. "We didn't want you to find out like this."

"You knew?" I asked her, wiping my eyes.

"Nathan told me. Lucas told him. No one knew that I knew. Brooke, I thought about telling you, but you were so happy..."

"So it's true?" I interrupted.

I watched her nod yes. She gave me another hug. I started to push her away until I realized she was the only person I had right now. I couldn't believe it. I thought he was the one for me. Man was I wrong. I had been wrong before, but very seldom admitted it. Right now might be the only time I will admit it, but I was wrong about Lucas. He was not who I thought he was... he was more like me that I had ever known.