Chapter Seven

"The Party Planning"

The next couple of days were rough for Brooke, and for Lucas. They had a few classes together, and had always sat next to each other. It was hard to see each other after their breakup. They also had the same friends, so they were forced to see each other during lunch, and after school in the gym. Brooke had gone home everyday after school that week and cried on Peyton's shoulder.

Friday morning Brooke walked into school, determined to get through the day without having to leave class because she couldn't stand seeing Lucas without crying. She went to her locker and Peyton walked up behind her.

"How are you doing?"

Brooke said, "Pretty good. I'm done crying. I may not be done hurting, but I am done pining away for him."

"Good for you."

"I still don't understand why he is such an ass, but whatever. I'm done."

"Brooke this has to be hard for you. You guys were so tight."

"Were. Key word there."

Jake walked up. "Hey Peyton. Brooke." He was good friends with Lucas, best friends even, so it was awkward talking to her. "How are you?"

"Good, actually," she smiled. "In fact, I'm great. Totally reared for tonight's game."

Peyton grinned. "I can't wait for the after party."

"Seriously, Teresa's parties are awesome."

"Do you need a ride?"

"No, I can get there. Don't want to intrude on you guys."

Jake said, "You wouldn't be intruding. Come on, we'll give you a lift."

"Okay, thanks," Brooke nodded. She turned and saw Lucas standing across the hall, putting stuff in his locker. She then saw Carson walk up behind him and they started talking. Brooke shook her head. She whispered, "This really doesn't get any easier."

Peyton sympathized, "I know sweetie."

Brooke slammed her locker. "I'll be okay. Guys and girls break up every day, right?"

"Right."

"So then why does it seem like I'm dying?"

Teresa ran up. "Guys, you won't believe this!"

"Good morning to you too, Teresa," Jake joked.

"Right. Sorry. Hey. Anyways, guess what!" She squealed.

"What?" Brooke asked anxiously. She may have been dumped, but that doesn't mean she isn't interested in gossip.

"Carson and Nathan broke up."

Peyton was confused. "Were they even dating?"

"Not really, they had gone on like two dates. But she told him last night she was interested in someone else, and they were done dating." Teresa knew this other guy was Lucas. "I'm sorry Brooke."

"Its okay. Don't worry about it. Lucas is free to date anyone he wants," she said, her heart hurting like hell.

Peyton tried to make things look good. "That doesn't mean Carson and Luke are dating."

Teresa nodded. "Right. Besides, we have three kegs coming tonight. You can get drunk and forget all about those asses!"

Brooke grinned. "I am definitely looking forward to that."

The first bell rang. Peyton and Brooke started walking towards their first class. Brooke mused, "I wonder if Nathan is brokenhearted."

Peyton laughed. "Yeah right, Carson was just a rebound from Haley. She meant nothing to him."

"True. Is Hales coming tonight?"

"I think so. She told me yesterday she was going with Lucas."

Brooke sighed, thinking of a few weeks ago when her and Lucas had made plans for the party. Now the only plans she had was to watch him play basketball and then suffer through a party. Alone.

They walked into class, and saw Nathan sitting at his desk. "Poor thing," Peyton grinned.

"Shut up. Its not like she meant anything to me."

Brooke smiled, "I always knew she was a bitch."

"You don't have to tell me that. Do you know who this other dude is?"

Peyton and Brooke exchanged glances. Brooke hinted, "You know him pretty well. You may even say you have the same blood." Peyton giggled. Lucas walked in then, and Brooke moved to her seat. They hadn't spoken at all, but this time Brooke had something for him. "Here. These are yours," she said, handing him a bag full of cds, shirts, and some keys.

"What?" He took the bag, not believing she was giving him this stuff. "I gave you this bracelet Brooke!"

"And I am giving it back," she said, staring straight ahead.

Peyton smiled. Brooke was strong, she knew she would be okay.

After school that day, Brooke, Peyton, Jake, and Tim were all hanging out at Peyton's car.

"Are you going to the café?" Tim asked.

"We are," Peyton said, speaking for herself and Jake.

Brooke shook her head. The café belonged to Karen, meaning there was a good chance Lucas would be there. "I am heading home, resting before the game."

"Oh come on Brooke!" Peyton urged.

Teresa drove up in her Mercedes. "You guys meeting us at the café?"

Peyton tried convincing Brooke with her eyes, and Brooke gave in. "Yes."

Peyton called to Teresa, "We'll be there in ten!"

Tim hopped in the car with Teresa, and Nathan was walking to his car when Tim yelled, "Nathan! Go to the café!"

"Alright!" He got in his car and drove off.

Jake didn't have a car and frequently caught a ride with Peyton. "Brooke, where's your car?"

She sighed. "In the shop. Oil change. Do you mind Pey?"

"Please, get in."

Haley ran up just as Peyton started the engine. "Wait! Are you going to the café?"

Peyton nodded. "Yeah why?"

"Can I get a ride? I can't find Luke, and he was supposed to take me."

"Hop in."

Haley got in next to Brooke. She knew Brooke through Lucas, and they had gotten pretty close over the past couple of months. "Brooke, I am so sorry about Luke."

"Me too."

"If there is anything I can do..."

"Thanks Haley," Brooke smiled. Haley knew what an ass Lucas had been.

They rode the rest of the ride in silence, except Jake and Peyton talking about Jenny. Peyton was dropping everyone off and then Jake was taking Peyton's car to go get Jenny from his mom's house.

They all walked inside, and Brooke was a little self conscience. Karen noticed her from behind the counter, and walked out to give her a hug. "You are very brave coming here. If you need to talk, you know where to find me." Karen was like the group mom. Everyone went to her for advice, and joked with her all the time.

"Thanks Karen."

Tim, Teresa, and Nathan were sitting in their regular corner. The girls walked over. Haley wasn't due to work for another ten minutes.

Tim called out to Karen, "What's with the music?" She had country music playing on the radio, whereas she usually had the hits going.

"I needed a different tone."

Tim grinned. "It sucks!"

"Thanks Tim!"

Peyton pulled over another table and they all sat down. "What time are you going to the game tonight?"

"Around six. Game starts at seven."

Brooke nodded. "All cheerleaders report in full uniform at six thirty sharp, no later."

Nathan grinned. "Wow, bitchy cheerleader Brooke is still in full form."

"Damn straight," she grinned back.

Haley checked her watch. "I gotta go to work."

"Bye Hales!" They called to her, everyone except Nathan.

Just as she left, Jake walked in with Jenny. Of course, all the girls wanted to hold her but he let Peyton have her.

"Of course," Brooke teased.

Tim asked, "Where's Luke?"

They all shrugged. Peyton said, "Haley couldn't find him after school. Haven't seen him."

A song came on the radio, and was Reba's Somebody. Teresa said, "I love this song! Its so much fun to dance to."

Peyton agreed. "Me too. Its so sweet."

Teresa grabbed Tim's hand. "Lets dance!"

Tim looked at her as though she was crazy. "Uh Teresa, there is no dance floor."

"We'll make one. Come on. Lets be crazy for once."

Tim obliged. Peyton stood up too. "Jake, dance with me."

"Are you crazy? See those customers looking at Tim and T? That's how they are going to look at us."

Peyton shrugged. "Since when did you care? Brooke, will you hold Jenny?" She passed the baby across the table, and pulled Jake out to the makeshift dancefloor.

Brooke turned Jenny around to where she was facing her. "Your daddy and Peyton are crazy little girl."

Nathan grinned. "They look like idiots."

Brooke watched them dance thoughtfully. If she and Lucas were still together, they would be doing the exact same thing. That's what they did; crazy sporadic things. 'Stop it, Brooke. Let him go. Stop thinking if you were together. You aren't.'

Brooke said, "I am really am sorry about Carson."

"No you aren't."

She grinned. "You're right, I'm not."

Nathan laughed. "You are too much Brooke."

"You going to T's tonight?"

"Have I ever missed a party with free beer?"

"Do we ever go to parties without beer?"

Nathan smiled. "True. You got a date?"

"Nope, you?"

"Nope, flying solo." Brooke nodded. He said, "Want to go with me?"

Brooke thought he was crazy. "With you?"

"I know we can't stand each other, but if we show up together we could show Carson I don't need her, and you can show Carson you can have any man you want."

"And that man is you?" Brooke frowned. If she showed up at the party with Nathan, Lucas would be upset. "Okay I'll go with you. One condition."

"What's that?"

"No sex."

"Crush my dreams, Brooke," Nathan said sarcastically.

"I'll meet you in the gym after the game and after you shower."

He nodded. "You sure you want to do this?"

"You asked. What can it hurt?"

"Well, yeah, but you and Luke just broke up."

"So? Its not like I'm in love with you."

He shrugged. "Lets do it. Make the exes jealous."

The song ended the four made their way back to the table. Brooke gave the baby back to her daddy. "She's a sweetheart."

"Thanks."

Brooke told Peyton, "Pey, I won't need a ride tonight."

"You aren't going?" She asked, disappointed. Brooke always made the parties fun.

"I'm going. With Nathan." The entire table looked at her as though she was insane.

Peyton grabbed Brooke's arm and led her away from the table. "Are you out of your mind?"

"No, why?"

"Nathan? Do you know what Lucas would do?"

"That's my point. I don't care about Lucas. Besides, Nathan and I are going as strictly friends. He wants to stick it to Carson, and so do I."

Peyton started to understand. "Oh, so you guys are using each other?"

"Exactly," Brooke grinned. She would prove to Lucas she didn't need him.

Author's Note: Okay, this is where some may like it some may not. i thought it would be interesting to put brooke and nathan together, scheming. anyways THANKS so much for the reviews! keep them coming!