Ch.3

Lucas had to tell someone, and without further hesitation, called Haley.

"Hales? Can you come to the Café? We need to talk."

Haley hurried into the Café. Lucas was sitting at one of the tables. The Café was empty aside of a couple having a cup of coffee. She sat across from him. "What's up, Luke?"

He faltered. "It's Brooke. Felix has been abusing her. She says it's been happening for awhile."

Uncharacteristically, Haley swore. "So that's why she's been acting so timid lately? And why she's been getting so 'clumsy'? It makes sense now."

Lucas nodded. "It sucks, I wish there was something I could do, but I can't think of anything."

"Did she tell you herself?" Haley asked. Lucas nodded. "It took awhile, but yeah, she did."

"Is she ok?" Haley asked, concerned.

Lucas shrugged. "She seems to be pretty shaken up, but she's got Peyton. They've been through so much together, haven't they?"

Haley nodded. "I'm going to go see her."

"Hales, I wasn't even supposed to tell you." Lucas protested.

"I don't care, Lucas. She's my friend and she needs me too. I'm not just going to stand here and do nothing. I wont tell her that you told me, but I'm going to go see her."

Lucas nodded. "Okay."

Haley turned back to face him before leaving.

"Luke, are you okay? I know how much Brooke means to you."

"I'll be fine," he managed a small smile. "Thanks."

Haley gave him a hug, and he hugged her back. "I'll talk to you later."

Haley knocked at Peyton's door. Peyton and Brooke looked at each other. There was only one person who ever knocked at Peyton's house.

"Who do you suppose that is?" Peyton said wryly.

Brooke gave a small smile as Peyton went to answer the door.

"How did Haley find out?" Brooke wondered.

Haley gave Peyton a hug. "You ok?" she asked.

Peyton shook her head and gave a shrug. "I've been better," she admitted.

Haley nodded, as Peyton tilted her head upstairs. They both went up.

Brooke was sitting on Peyton's bed when Haley opened the door, followed by Peyton.

Haley looked sad, as Brooke opened up her arms. Haley went into them, as the two girls hugged. Peyton smiled. She loved seeing how the two had become friends. Each of them were so different, but their differences didn't matter at all.

"I'm so sorry Brooke." Haley whispered. "I should have known Felix would do something like this."

"No, stop." Brooke shook her head. "No-one knew. He was good at covering up his tracks."

Haley nodded. "Ok," she said.

Brooke was confused. "How did you find out?"

Haley was silent, and Brooke looked at Peyton.

"Lucas," they both said in unison.

Brooke marched into the coffeehouse. Lucas tried to hide from her by covering his face up with a menu. She snatched it away from him.

"Why did you tell her? I was going to tell her." She asked.

"I needed someone to talk to," he replied defensivly. "She's my best friend, Brooke. I just needed to talk to her. I'm really sorry, Brooke." He looked so remorseful that Brooke sighed.

"Yeah, whatever." She replied. "No big thing, I guess."

"Friends?" Lucas asked.

Brooke nodded. "Friends," she replied, as she smiled at him.