Chapter Six

"The Breakup"

The next day looked better for Brooke. Everyone seemed to have forgotten about the pregnancy rumor, and they were back to their own lives.

The previous night, she hadn't answered any phone calls. Lucas and Peyton had each called at least ten times each, but she didn't answer. She refused to see Lucas when he came to the door. She had needed time to think. She had thought things over, and was ready to talk to Lucas.

In first period, she sent him a note saying to meet her during lunch in the library.

Peyton walked her to her next class. "So are you ready to talk?"

"Anything special happen after I left yesterday?"

"Not really. Carson was all over Lucas though. Nathan had left or something, and she kept giving him hugs or talking to him between classes."

"Was he leading her on?"

"Not really. I mean, he would smile at something she said, but nothing too serious. Why?"

"I dunno. I just feel like I can't trust him when she is around."

Peyton wasn't sure what to say, and she was relieved when the bell rang. "I'll catch you later."

Lunchtime couldn't come fast enough for Brooke. Even though she didn't have any classes with Carson, she still saw her all the time. She always managed to be in her way.

Brooke was the first to the library, but Lucas came in soon after. "Hey."

"Hi," he said, sounding upset.

"Look I'm sorry about yesterday. I just needed a day to think..."

He interrupted, "Brooke I can't do this anymore."

"Do what?"

"Have you question me every single time I talk to another girl, especially Carson. I feel like you don't trust me at all, and I can't take it anymore."

Brooke was stunned. She hadn't expected this at all . "What are you saying?"

"I am letting you go. You are free."

"Luke, where did all this come from?" Tears stung her eyes.

"You question my every move."

"So you are going to just throw our relationship out the window?"

"I'm not throwing it away, Brooke. We can still be..."

She pointed her finger. "Don't say it. Don't you dare say we can still be friends."

"Fine. All I am saying is I need some time Brooke."

"Time? You want time? You got it." She stood up.

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"You didn't want to hurt me? Are you kidding?"

"I just feel as though we aren't connecting anymore."

"You sure as hell didn't think that when we had sex three nights ago," she hissed.

He looked around. "Shh... don't be so loud."

She turned and ran out the room, but he went after her. "Stay away from me."

"Don't be mad."

"Don't be mad? Don't be mad?"

"Just, let me explain some more."

"I think you have done enough explaining for the both of us. Let me ask you this one question."

"What?"

"Was it really me or was is Carson?"

He wasn't sure how to answer. "Carson and I were talking yesterday, and she said some things..."

Brooke put her hand over her mouth. "Oh my God. This isn't happening. This isn't happening. God, I'm gonna throw up. I swear."

She walked off, and he started to walk after her but she held her hand out. "Stay away. I'm not kidding. Stay away," she said, turning a corner before letting the sobs out.

Peyton walked up. "Oh my God Brooke, what's wrong?"

Brooke didn't say anything, just continued to cry. Peyton led her to the nearest bathroom and on the way she saw Lucas standing in the middle of the hall.

"Okay, tell me what is wrong."

"Luke broke up with me."

"What?!"

"He said I was too jealous."

"That came out of left field."

"Tell me about it. I gave him four damn months of my life. Four months. You know what the worst part is?"

"What?"

"He said he realized what he had to do after talking to Carson," she said the name as though she had a bad taste in her mouth.

"Carson? That little bitch," Peyton said, mad at Lucas and Carson. "I can't believe her, I can't believe him!"

Brooke sniffed. "I was meeting him there to talk about how close we are...were. I love him, Pey!" She rested her head on Peyton's shoulders and let the tears slide down her cheeks.

"I know, hun."

Peyton tried to calm her best friend down to little result.

The bathroom door opened and Carson and Teresa walked in. Carson said, "Brooke, I'm so sorry. I just heard."

Brooke stood up and glared at her. "Are you happy? He's single."

"Why would I be happy?"

"You wanted him, so now you can have him."

"Thanks, even though I didn't really need your permission."

Teresa wasn't sure what to say except, "Sorry about Luke, Brooke."

"Sure."

"Really. You guys were always so cute together, the good boy and bad girl."

Peyton said, "Could you guys leave?"

"Nope," Carson quipped, applying make up. "Feel free, though." She gestured towards the door.

Brooke stood up, and threw her tissues away. "Let's get out of here." They left.

Teresa said, "Carson that was kind of cold."

"So?"

"Brooke is a close friend of mine."

"Well, who cares? Because I really don't."

Teresa was starting to see what Peyton had seen long ago. "I can't believe how mean you are being. She was just dumped by the guy she loves and adores!"

"Lucas isn't a puppy, and I am sure she will find someone else. In the meantime, Lucas is probably feeling bad, and, as I said, I am here to pick up the pieces. I am going to find him, to comfort him." Carson walked out the door, and Teresa followed, except turned a different way. She ran to catch up to Brooke and Peyton.

"Guys! Wait up!"

They paused, not sure what she wanted. "Brooke, I am so sorry about what happened with Lucas. It really sucks."

"Thanks, but why aren't you with Carson?"

"I finally saw the Carson you guys are talking about. She's horrible."

Peyton grinned. "Tell us about it."

"So, Brooke, do you need a hug?" She nodded. Teresa gave her a warm hug. "It will be okay. I know it looks bad, but things will change. For the better."

Brooke sighed, and sniffed, tears still rolling down her face. "I just don't understand. It was so out of nowhere."

Across the school, Lucas was in the gym, shooting baskets. He wasn't making any. He felt horrible about what had happened with Brooke.

He thought about the previous night.

Flashback

Lucas was sitting in the bleachers after school and Carson walked up and sat down next to him.

"Luke, I didn't start that rumor."

"I don't care anymore."

"Well, are things okay between you guys?"

"Fine," he barked. He sighed. None of this was her fault. "Sorry."

"Its cool. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is Brooke always so jealous when you interact with other girls?"

"Pretty much. She doesn't like to share me," Lucas smiled, thinking of all the times Brooke would tell another girl off. She once even told Haley off.

"Doesn't that bother you? I mean, she obviously doesn't trust you."

Lucas started to get angry. "Look you don't know Brooke at all."

"I can tell the difference between a trusting couple and a nontrusting couple."

"Just don't tell me how to run my relationship."

"I'm not, I'm not. But, do you get mad when she talks to Tim or Nathan?"

"No."

"I bet she gets mad if you talk to Teresa."

Lucas didn't answer.

"That's what I thought."

"Look, can you please leave me alone?"

"Yeah, of course. Just think about what I said. There are so many other girls out there who would trust you. Brooke is just one in like a million."

Lucas watched her walk out.

End Flashback

He wasn't sure he did the right thing, breaking things off with Brooke. He knew he loved her, but Carson said some things that made him put their relationship in perspective. He needed to take some time away from Brooke to figure some things out. Without being in a relationship.

"Cheap shot," Carson called. She walked up to him. "Sorry about Brooke."

He shrugged and shot the ball. "Thanks."

"I hope I'm not to blame."

"No, no, it was me. You haven't done anything wrong. Other than getting into a fight with her."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Anyways, if you need me you know where to find me."

"Yeah."

Carson finished with, "You going to Teresa's party after the game Friday?" The charity basketball game was Friday night.

"Yeah, probably. Why?"

"I guess I will see you there."

"Guess so."

Carson waved good bye. "See you later."

"See ya."

After Carson left, Lucas stopped shooting baskets and picked the ball up. Peyton was walking towards him.

She pushed his chest. "You jerk."

"You talked to Brooke."

"Hell yeah I talked to her. What is your problem?"

"I need a break."

"You love her!"

"Yeah, but I was tired of her not trusting me!"

"Look, that's just Brooke. She is protective of her man, if you have a problem with that then you're right. You guys are better off apart."

"Maybe we will get back together in the future, who knows."

"No, if you don't go find her right now, you guys are done. She will hate you forever."

"I'm not going to ask for her back. I do have some pride."

"Whatever. Let me just say you are a major ass for listening to whatever the hell Carson told you. If you really loved Brooke you would listen to her when she says Carson is bad news."

"Carson just had a bad start."

"Shut up Luke! Stop defending her! You are such a bastard, you know that?"

Peyton turned and walked away. "Peyton!" Lucas called after her, but she never turned around. He knew Carson had been mean to Brooke at the party last weekend, but other than that she had always been nice to him. He didn't see the witch Brooke and Peyton were always talking about. He believed her when she said she hadn't started that rumor. He loved Brooke, but Carson had pointed out that he needed a break. That is exactly what he asked for. And it was exactly what he got.

A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews. I know a lot of you are going to hate me for this chapter! keep reading and reviewing. when you review it keeps me motivated to write more! -Emilie-