Nathan sat at the kitchen counter, looking at the postcard once again. He had received it five days ago... after lying awake worrying about where she was. It was penned in Haley's bubbly writing... only it was anything but bubbly and cheerful. The postcard was wrinkled.. the result of being thrown into the trashcan many times only to be dug out time and time again. The picture on the front was of an autumn outdoors scene... color-changing leaves falling from a tree into small piles at the base of the trunk. A beautiful scene really... just not a very beautiful letter.
Nathan...
I wanted to write to you so you know I'm okay. I know that you've probably been worried. I'm sorry, Nathan. You have no idea how sorry I truly am. But know that I am. I had to leave. I had to see if Tree Hill is really where I belong. I don't regret getting married to you. I only regret that I didn't really have the chance to live before I did marry you. You probably know who I'm with, so I won't bother to say his name. I just had to see what else was out there for me. I do love you, though. More than I can express. There are just things I need to do right now. I'm sorry, and I'll miss you.
Haley
A few more tears fell down Nathan's cheek as he reread the note for the 200th time. He threw it into the trashcan again... not digging it out this time. Grabbing his car keys, he walked out the door, driving to the only place he could clear his mind. He didn't know that he wouldn't be alone there when he arrived.
Brooke got out of her car and walked over to the bleachers. Sighing, she sat down and stared at the basketball court. She had lucked out when she found no one else was here. She just wanted to be alone.
It had happened again. She has lost the guy to someone else. This time it hadn't been her best friend... maybe that made it worse. She had no one to blame but herself. She knew the risks, but she had taken a chance anyway. She had given her heart to Felix only to have him give it back to her three days later.
She could still hear him in her head. He had said he was sorry and that he hadn't expected anything like this to happen. He told her that he had truly been happy with her, but that the earth just stood still when he met Margot.
"Hmph. What kind of fcked up name is Margot?" Brooke said to herself. "Oh well, B Davis. Looks like you're destined to be alone." Brooke let a single tear drop off her face and onto the concrete of the court. She let her mind wander again. Moments later, she was brought out of her daze at the sound of someone calling her name.
"Brooke? What are you doing here?"