Chapter Five
"The Nasty Rumor"
On Monday morning, Brooke was met at her car by Lucas. "Hey."
"Hey, where were you yesterday? I tried calling ten times."
"Sorry, I guess I was busy," she said distantly.
He pulled her into a hug. "You sure you are okay? You were so quiet riding home Saturday night."
'Go figure,' she thought. Aloud, she said, "Yeah well, who knows."
"Can you be nice to Carson today?"
"Excuse me?" She pulled out of Lucas' hold.
"Just give her another chance."
"Are you actually saying those words?"
"Brooke, come on..."
"No you come on! This is unbelievable. You want me to be nice to that girl? How can you even ask me that?"
Lucas was about to respond when Peyton came running up. "Brooke! Thank God I found you."
"Why?"
"Are you pregnant?"
"What? No!"
Lucas asked, "You're pregnant?"
"No! Peyton what are you talking about?"
The first bell rang, and they started to walk inside. "Everyone is saying you are pregnant, and the baby isn't even Lucas'."
Brooke couldn't believe what she was hearing. "That is crazy."
Peyton shrugged. "Its going around school."
As they walked in the front door, everyone stared at Brooke and Lucas, whispered in little groups. Lucas grabbed Brooke's hand, as confused as she was.
He pulled her into an empty classroom. "Confirmation?"
"I'm not pregnant," she confirmed.
"Then who would say you were?"
She had a pretty good idea. "Oh I know exactly who."
"Who?"
"Carson."
"Brooke, she isn't like that," he insisted.
"STOP DEFENDING HER!" She screamed.
Two freshman were walking by and heard her screaming. One whispered, "Hormones."
Brooke walked up to them. "Listen, fish, I am not pregnant, and I will pound your faces if say ever imply that ever again." They scampered off. She turned back to Lucas. "I am not pregnant, the only guy I have slept with since last November was you, and I will find a way to prove Carson started this rumor."
"How? She is new, no one would believe anything she said."
"Wrong. Teresa and Nathan would, and they have two of the biggest mouths in this school."
"You are looking way too much into this."
"I have been accused of being pregnant due to an affair! I really don't think I am overreacting."
The second bell rang. "Come on we have to get to class." They had first class together, along with Nathan and Peyton.
When they walked in, the entire room was quiet. Brooke wanted to shout, 'I'm not pregnant!' to the entire room, but withheld.
They both sat down and Nathan leaned over and whispered, "So are you? Knocked up?"
Lucas wanted to punch him. "No she isn't. It's a damn rumor, let it go."
Nathan shook his head. "Whatever."
Peyton patted her friend on the arm. "I'm sorry," she mouthed.
By the time lunch time came around, Brooke had been given more than her share of looks and stares. She could wait to get her hands on Carson, even though no one would believe it was her.
She and Peyton went to their regular table, and found Jake, Tim, Teresa, Nathan, Haley, Lucas, and Carson all sitting there.
Brooke slammed her lunch bag on the table, and stood next to Carson. "Why? Why did you do it?"
Carson played dumb. "What are you talking about?"
"You started that rumor."
"I heard the rumor, but I didn't start the rumor."
"Yes you did. No one else would have."
Carson shrugged innocently. "I tried to make peace with you, and you just wouldn't call for it."
Tim added, "Why would Carson start something like that?"
Brooke was so frustrated that no one understood what was happening. "Because she hates me! She wants to break up Lucas and I!"
Carson was shocked. "No I don't. Lucas and I have come to an understanding. I know you guys are together, and I would never do anything to break you up."
Carson put her hand on Lucas' shoulder. Brooke's eyes were huge.
"OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.
Teresa hissed, "Brooke shut up! People are staring!"
"Oh like they weren't before?" She turned to the entire lunchroom. "Let me make this clear," she yelled, "I am not pregnant! The only man I have had sex with these last four or so months is Lucas Scott. Got it?"
The entire lunchroom was quiet. Peyton grinned. "Go Brooke!"
Carson put a hand over her mouth to muffle a laugh. "You talk about not making a scene..."
"Oh just shut up." Brooke got up and left the lunch room, slamming the doors loudly behind her.
Lucas was about to go after her, but Peyton stopped him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. I really don't think she wants to talk to you."
Peyton followed in the same direction as Brooke had gone.
Out in the hall, Brooke was pacing up and down when her cheerleading sponsor, Holly Baker, walked up.
"Brooke?"
She turned, startled. "Yes?"
"Could we talk for a second."
"Sure."
They walked into an empty classroom, and Ms. Baker cleared her throat. "I usually don't pay attention to rumors, but I heard one and I must act upon it with authority. I overheard you are pregnant."
Brooke inwardly groaned. "Ms. Baker, I assure you I am not pregnant."
"Brooke, look, I know how high school rumors can be, but you are not allowed to cheer if you are pregnant."
"But I'm not," Brooke protested. "I swear I'm not."
"May I ask you to take a pregnancy test please?"
Brooke was taken aback. "What?"
"It is school policy."
Brooke folded her arms across her chest. "Fine, just to prove to you people I am not pregnant."
She followed the teacher down the hall, and Peyton caught up with them on the way to the nurse's office.
"What's going on?"
"She heard the rumor, and wants me to take a pregnancy test just to make sure," Brooke said, in a bad mood.
"Oh. That sucks."
"Yeah, just what I needed today... I get to pee on a stick!"
Peyton giggled. "Sorry hun."
Brooke did as she was told, and ten minutes later she showed the test to her sponsor. "Not Pregnant. Are you happy?"
"Yes, thank you."
Brooke stalked out of the office and Peyton ran to catch up. "What are you going to do now?"
"Take this test and shove it in her face."
Peyton hesitated. "You know your piss is on that stick."
"Exactly. She wants to be evil, I can be disgusting."
She walked into the lunchroom and walked right up to Carson, putting the stick directly in front of her face.
"There. I took the test, its negative, are you happy?"
"I never asked you to do that, but I am asking you to take it out of my face."
Brooke tossed it into the trash can and said, "If I wanted to, I could run you out of this school. But you're in luck. I'm not that mean and cruel. One more warning. Stay out of my way or you will regret it."
Lucas spoke up, "Brooke..."
She snapped, "Save it. Do yourself a favor and don't talk to me for the rest of the day." She smirked at Carson. "You got your wish. He is yours for today."
She walked out of the cafeteria, and this time Lucas was the one to follow. "Brooke, baby come on!"
She turned around. "What? Come on what?"
"Don't do this."
Brooke walked to her locker. "I'm going home sick."
"Brooke..."
"Stop. Okay, just stop. You can't trust me enough to know that she makes me want to puke, and yet you still take her side. We have known each other a long time, Luke." She grabbed her backpack and purse and started towards the school office.
"I'll call you later!" He called down the hall.
"Save yourself the trouble, I won't be answering," she called back.
A/N THANK YOU soooo much for all the reviews! They keep me writing! Keep them coming! A lot of stuff coming up won't make a lot of you happy but don't worry. keep reading and you will see how things play out. thanks again for all the reviews!