Disclaimer: I still don't own anything, especially One Tree Hill related.

Note: The beginning of this chapter was originally the end of Chapter 7, which is why the last title didn't fit too well and this title is off a bit too. Anyway, I hope you like it and that it isn't too weird since I messed up and didn't post it all like I intended. The next chapter is the last and I should have it posted soon.

Fall Into Me
Chapter 8 - Moving On

"So where are we going?" Nathan asked once they got in his truck.

"I already told you."

"I didn't think you were serious."

"Very. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow and you, buddy, need your rest."

"It's not that much."

"We both know that's a lie. Now, take me home."

"Fine."

Nathan pulled in behind Brooke's lonely VW.

"Still no one home?"

"No."

"And you're sure that doesn't bother you?"

"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do, Nathan. I'll see you tomorrow and you better go home, because I'm calling to check. And if you don't answer, then maybe I'll just have a little chat with your mom instead."

"You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I?"

"Fine. You win. I'll be by tomorrow."

"Night."

-----

The next morning, Brooke was awoken by the abnoxious ringing of the doorbell. She turned to look at the clock. 6:42.

"I'm going to kill him," she mumbled rolling out of bed and tumbling down the stairs. "When I said be here early, I didn't mean..." She stopped as she opened the door. "Leave me alone!" She yelled and attempted to slam the door, but he slid inside.

"Brooke, please."

"Please, what?"

"Just don't be like this."

"I'll be however it is I want, you have no say over what I do."

"Don't I know it."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Nothing."

"No. You obviously have something on your mind."

"Look, I don't want to fight with you."

"Then leave. I didn't ask you to come here. In fact, I remember telling you that I was better off without you."

"You don't mean that."

"The hell I don't. You're just like everybody else and just like everybody else, I don't need you. So, just go." She started back up the stairs, but he grabbed her wrist. Brooke felt a jolt of electricity course through her body.

"Brooke," he said softly, almost begging.

"Lucas, please let go," she responded, her tone matching his.

"I miss you."

"I..I.." She paused, getting lost in his soft blue eyes as he looked at her. Suddenly, she removed herself from his grasp. "You don't miss me. You just miss screwing me."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is. And even if it isn't, it's too late."

"Brooke..."

"You don't get it do you? You cheated on me. You took everything I gave you and acted as though it didn't mean a damn thing. I was ready to do whatever it took to make you happy, but I couldn't. Because you never really wanted me, did you?" He paused. "Did you?" She yelled. "You used me to get to Peyton. That's what you did. Whether or not you admit it to yourself, that is what happened. I may be a slut, but you're a lying bastard. I just hope it was worth it."

"It wasn't. I broke up with Peyton, last night."

"That's too bad, you two were perfect for each other."

"Brooke, I still want you."

"Yeah, well, I don't want you. I don't want to talk to you, I don't want to see you, I don't want to hear your voice down the hall, and I sure as hell don't want to date you."

"You don't mean that."

"You know what, I think I do. Before, I didn't. But now, now I do."

"This is all because of Nathan."

"You're unbelievable. Nathan has nothing to do with this. Can't you just accept the fact that you're not perfect, that you aren't better than me or anyone else. Nathan may be a lot of things, but he's not a cheater. You do enough of that for the both of you. Now go."

"Brooke..." He pleaded again.

"GO!" She yelled, opening the door.

He slowly walked away and Brooke locked the door behind him, before going back to sleep.

-----

It was mid-afternoon before the doorbell rang again. Brooke was still asleep. She unwillingly got out of bed. She looked through the peep hole, it was Nathan. She silently opened the door and then went back up to her room and crawled under the covers again. Nathan, completely confused, followed her.

"What's going on, Brooke?"

"Lucas."

"Still thinking about last night?"

"No." Nathan silently lay down next to her. "He broke up with Peyton."

"Oh."

"And he came here."

"What? When?" He asked sitting up quickly.

"This morning."

"Wow."

"He just expected me to take him back."

"Take him back? He still..."

"He said he missed me."

"And what did you say?"

"In a nutshell? I told him to go to hell."

"Good."

"Good?" Brooke asked sitting up. "Really? Because I've been thinking and..."

"No."

"So you don't think I made a mistake?"

"Brooke, listen to me," Nathan said cupping her face in his hands. "I know that Lucas meant a lot to you and I know that you really wanted it, and maybe still do want it to work, but it won't be the same. And if you go back, you're just going to be setting yourself up and I don't want to see him break you, again."

"But what if he's changed. What if being with Peyton made him realize that she's not what he wants and I am."

"Shouldn't he have known that before?"

"Yeah." She replied unconvincingly.

"You're a big girl, Brooke and I can't stop you from seeing Lucas, but I do think you should really think about things before you go and do anything."

"I know."

"You obviously have a lot to figure out, so I'm just going to go."

"No. I promised you I'd help you study."

"I think I can manage some of it on my own, tomorrow, you can help."

"Are you sure?" He nodded and kissed her forehead.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks, Nate."

He smiled half-heartedly and left.

------

The next morning, Brooke was up bright and early. She had thought about what Nathan had said and about what Lucas had said and she knew Nathan was right. Things would never be the same. She couldn't trust Lucas and she didn't want to be one of those girls always looking over her shoulder worrying about who or what her boyfriend was doing. He just wasn't worth it.

So, now, after a long swim in the pool and a nice hot shower, she was on her way to Karen's Cafe to pick up some breakfast. Even after she and Lucas had broken up, she had still been a regular at the cafe. She enjoyed Karen's company and the food really was fantastic.

"Morning, Brooke," Karen greeted warmly. Brooke smiled. "What can I get for you?"

"Two #7's to go."

"To go? You sure you don't want to eat here, it's pretty quiet." Brooke knew Karen was referring to the fact that Lucas wasn't around and she more than appreciated it.

"I would love to, but I'm supposed to be helping Nathan study."

"Oh, that's right. Deb said he finally got a tutor."

"Yeah."

"I'll just go put in your order."

"Thanks."

-----

It was half past ten when Brooke arrived at the Scott house. She saw Dan in the drive-way shooting hoops.

"Good morning, Mr. Scott."

"Ms. Davis." He acknowledged her quickly, never losing his concentration.

Brooke was just about to ring the bell, when the door swung open.

"Brooke, so nice to see you," Deb greeted.

"You too, Mrs. Scott."

"Please, call me Deb. I'm thrilled Nathan finally got a tutor. I've been so worried about his grades and his dad's not been any help. All he ever thinks about is that silly basketball..."

"Mom," Nathan interrupted coming down the stairs. Brooke noticed Deb's smile falter as she turned to leave.

"Sorry about that," Nathan said crossing the room.

"It's not a big deal."

"So, is everything okay with you?"

"Absolutely. And to make up for yesterday, I brought breakfast."

"You didn't have to."

"I know, but you can't study with an empty stomach."

"I wouldn't know."

"Well, that's all about to change. Let's get started," she said happily.

"You are way too excited about studying. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Positive and you were right."

"I was?"

"It wouldn't be the same. He's not the same to me anymore."

"I'm sorry about that." She looked at him skeptically. It was no big secret that Nathan and Lucas hated each other. "Really."

"Thanks."

A few silent moments passed. "Well, we better get started."

"So how far did you get yesterday?"

"I...Well..."

"Nathan."

"Sorry."

"I'm sure you are." She shot him a dirty look before opening the text book.