Thank you to those who replied. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story. Sorry that I've taken so long to update. Life is keeping me a little busy.

Hidden Away pt 3

It was early morning when Brooke started to pack up her car. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before but she had so much adrenalin in her that she was ready to hit the road.

Surprisingly, her parents had gone to talk to her after she stormed up to her room the night before. They had told her that even though it was probably best that she goes to Chicago, they would help support her financially until she finishes college. However, they would not acknowledge the child in public. Obviously they sucked as parents, but she really didn't care at that point.

Brooke was all set to go, but she did have a few things to do before she left Tree Hill for good. She looked at the letter in her hand and sighed.

"Well, to the end of an era." She kissed the envelope and drove off to her destination.

When she arrived at Lucas' house she stared at his private entrance for a few minutes before getting out of the car. Memories of her sneaking in to his room flashed through her head.

Flashback:

Brooke quietly tapped on the door. When Lucas opened the door, she jumped into his arms and began to kiss him passionately.

"Brooke, what are you doing here?" Lucas asked between kisses.

"Kissing you." She said with a smile.

"Obviously, but what if we get caught? Keith is here, you know."

"Lucas, you need to loosen up and live a little." Brooke said as she nibbled on his neck. "The excitement lies in the anticipation of getting caught."

Lucas pulled away for a second. "I thought us having sex was the exciting part."

"It is. But put those to together and we'll have a lot more fun." Brooke winked at him.

"Well when you put it that way." Lucas kissed her hard and pulled her into his room.

As she pushed away the memories, Brooke walked up to the door and stuck the letter under the door handle. She placed her hand on the door for a moment before running to her car and driving off.

Brooke drove up to Karen's Café and wiped away the tears that had been falling since she left Lucas' house. She had decided that she needed some breakfast before she continued on her long journey.

Through the window she could see Haley wiping down the counter. She took a deep breath before walking in.

Haley had seen Brooke through the window too. She rolled her eyes at the thought of dealing with the overactive, bitchy cheerleader. However, the rolling of the eyes did not go unseen by Brooke.

"Hey Haley." Brooke said quietly.

"What no 'Tutor Girl' or some snide remark that you usually throw my way?" Haley asked in a sarcastic tone.

Brooke looked down at her hands. "Uh, no, not this time."

"Oookay. So do you want your usual?" Haley asked. She was somewhat taken aback by Brooke's behavior.

"Again, not this time. Could I actually get a non-decaf herbal tea and a blueberry muffin?" Now that she was pregnant, Brooke decided that she needed to eat healthier. She wanted to give her baby the best care.

Haley began to get her order. "Brooke, what's wrong?"

"Why would you think something's wrong?"

"Well for one, you're being nice and two, you're not ordering your usual double mocha latte and chocolate chip scone."

"Nothing's wrong. I just think it's time to make a change." Brooke shrugged her shoulders as she nibbled on her muffin.

"Care to elaborate?" Haley was very curious about the change.

"Well, since my life is turning out a little different from what I expected I thought that I could use kind of a life make-over, if you know what I mean. You know a healthier diet, an attitude adjustment, or maybe a change of scenery. Something, anything that will make me happy with myself and what I have. Besides you know how much I love make-overs." Brooke laughed.

Haley smiled at Brooke, she knew what it was like to suddenly change the way you live life, that's how it's been since she started dating Nathan. Her smile suddenly turned into a frown when she thought of the reasons of why Brooke might be making these changes.

"I'm sorry about Luke."

Brooke stiffened at the mention of his name. "What does Lucas have to do with anything?"

Haley walked around the counter and sat on a stool next to Brooke.

"Well, doesn't he factor into your little change of lifestyle? Look, I know what he did to you. He's an asshole for doing what he did. There's no excuse for cheating on you with your best friend. And just because he's my best friend, doesn't mean that I'm not pissed at what he did to you."

"Okay, so maybe he's part of the reason I'm different, but there's other things that are going on too. Has anyone ever told you that you're way too observant for your own good?"

"Yeah, but I think it's a good thing. I give really good insight into people's problems."

"I can tell."

"You know Brooke, Lucas and Peyton are my friends but I'm surprised you didn't do anything to those two for what they did. If Nathan ever did that to me I think I would have to castrate him."

Brooke laughed at Haley. "Haley, if Nathan cheated on you with your best friend, he'd be cheating on you with Lucas. And there's just so many wrong things about that."

Haley joined in the laughter. "Oh my god, eww, you're right!"

After a few minutes they began to calm down.

"You know, I'm glad that we can talk like this."

"Me too. Who knows maybe we can even be friends."

"I'd like that. But, um, before we do that I just wanted to apologize about the way I treated you. I know that I can be mean and bitchy, but I'm really sorry about the way I acted. And for the things I did to you."

"Brooke, it's okay, you don't have to apologize."

"But I do. I just want us to start over, you know, a clean slate. No more snide remarks, no more mean tricks, no more bad vibes."

"That sounds nice. So, friends?" Haley stuck out her hand.

Brooke took her hand. "Friends. But can I still call you Tutor Girl?"

"Only if I can still call you Tigger."

"Deal." Both girls smiled.

"Okay, well I should get going. So how much do I owe you for all this?" Brooke asked as she slid off the stool.

Haley thought for a second. "It's on the house. I like to do that for my friends."

Brooke hugged her tightly. "Thanks Hales, for everything. Bye, now don't forget about us."

Haley smiled as Brooke ran out of the café, but she was a little confused about her last statement.

Brooke got into her car and a few tears began to roll down her cheek. She took one last look at the café before she drove off to her new life.

"Good bye Tree Hill." She said as she crossed the town border.

Ok, that's it for now. I'm in the process of writing the next chapter and I promise that I will update a little quicker. Thanks for reading.