Brooke walked along the halls; even though nobody was really looking at her in any unusual way she felt like all eyes were on her. Brooke felt like such an idiot, a screw up, a loser. All she wanted was to forget about everything and everyone. Brooke saw Peyton coming towards her, Brooke took a deep breath and looked right past her.
"You can't ignore me forever," Peyton said as she followed Brooke into the library.
Brooke turned around with a painful look on her face, "You want to bet?" She shot back coldly.
"Please just hear me out," Peyton pleaded, "We've been through so much together Brooke, and I'm not going to let some guy get between us!"
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Obviously you already have," she said and then turned to walk away.
"Brooke," Peyton said as she grabbed Brooke's arm.
Brooke pulled her arm out of Peyton's grip, "Don't touch me!" Brooke exclaimed viciously, "I don't care how much you apologize it doesn't matter, Peyton! You went behind my back and lied right to my face! You knew how I felt about Lucas, and you just had to be you and ruin everything!"
"You don't understand..." Peyton began.
Brooke gritted her teeth, "Your right I don't understand...And I never will," she said with a bitter tone and walked down the other end of the library. Peyton watched her and sighed, she knew that Brooke was hurt and it sucked for Peyton because she knew taht she was the cause of the hurt. Peyton turned and walked out the library; feeling defeated and lonely.
Brooke kept her head down to hide the tears from her fellow classmates, but it didn't really matter because none of the people in her crowd came to the library. Brooke looked up and before she knew it she stumbled backwards into the bookshelf. She grabbed her back in pain, "I'm sorry," she said to whoever she ran into.
"It's oka-" Nathan said and then turned around to see Brooke, "Brooke?"
Brooke gave him a fake smile, "What are you doing here?"
"I needed a book," Nathan said holding up an Algebra book, "What are you doing here?" He asked.
Brooke shrugged, "I needed to just get away for a little while, and then Peyton stalked me..." Brooke stopped herself. She didn't feel like getting into the whole Peyton thing, especially not with Nathan.
"Yeah, I overheard your little argument," Nathan said.
"Maybe you should mind your own business," Brooke said spitefully.
Nathan put his hands up in defense, "I'm sorry," he said, "Lucas and Peyton hurt you, so don't take it out on me..."
"Whatever," Brooke said nonchalantly and walked past him.
Nathan sighed, "I know this might not mean much coming from me, but. You're a good person, Brooke, and you're the strongest person I've ever met. Any guy would be lucky to have you, and I'll admit Lucas fucked up pretty bad and you didn't deserve that from him. And Peyton also fucked up, and I wish there was something I could do, but I know that your hurting right now. And...well...All I'm trying to do is be a friend here..."
"It doesn't mean anything to me," Brooke said with hostility dripping off her tongue and then barged out of the library.
It was game night. Brooke put on her cheerleading uniform and sparkles on her face; to anyone she would look like a regular, happy go lucky, teenager. But on the inside she was hurting and didn't even want to go to the game.
Brooke walked into the gym and saw Peyton sitting by herself. Peyton looked at her and Brooke glared at her causing Peyton to look back down at the ground. Theresa ran up to Brooke and smiled at her, "I heard what happened Brookie!" She exclaimed, "And I just wanted to tell you that me and all the girls have decided to shun Peyton!"
Brooke let out a small laugh and looked at Peyton, "Do whatever you want to her...It's not like she's my friend anyways," she said bitterly and walked towards the other girls.
"Brooke," Peyton said softly. Brooke turned around and put her hands on her hips; obviously annoyed by Peyton's presence, "I know that you're never going to forgive me, and I know the rest of the squad is pissed at me...But I just want you to know that I have your back no matter what..."
Brooke gave her a bitchy smile, "Don't stick another knife into it," she said cynically and then walked off.
Peyton walked up to Lucas after the game, "Good game," she said with a weak smile.
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked.
Peyton shook her head, "Brooke officially hates me..."
"We screwed up Peyton," Lucas said and then put his hand on Peyton's shoulder, "It'll all die down soon enough..." He said reassuringly; Peyton smiled.
"Isn't this cute?" Brooke asked with a sharp tongue, "The two biggest ass holes in the world are comforting each other..."
Lucas took his hand off Peyton's shoulder, "This isn't what it looks like..."
"Why should I believe you?" Brooke asked, and then rolled her eyes and barged off. She went outside and leaned against her car crying.
Brooke walked into Karen's Cafe and sat at a small table by herself. Karen gave her a sweet smile, and Brooke smiled back. If only Karen knew what her bastard son had done. Brooke was sick of the apologies and the sympathy; all she wanted was to forget Peyton and especially Lucas. Brooke looked around and saw how non-crowded the cafe was. She sighed and tapped her fingers softly on the table; she heard the bell on the door jingle and saw Nathan walk in.
Nathan sat down across from Brooke. For that one moment neither of them had to say anything. It wasn't that uncomfortable silence, it was nice...Brooke took a sip of her coffee and let the hot liquid burn the inside of her mouth. She closed her eyes as the coffee went down her throat. When she opened them she saw Nathan looking at her intently.
Brooke was beautiful to Nathan; she was beautiful to all the guys in Tree Hill. But this was a different kind of beauty, he wanted to be around her; he didn't just want her for a good lay. Brooke was funny, smart, and caring; everything that Nathan had fallen in love with years ago. He still never understood their break up. They were both afraid of how much they loved each other that they both thought either one of them was going to screw it up.
She still wore the necklace that Nathan had given her for their anniversary. Nathan noticed it, and Brooke knew that he had noticed it. Nathan knew that all Brooke needed was to feel not so alone. Nathan's cell phone rang, but Brooke didn't even react to it. Nathan saw Theresa's name flash on the caller I.D.
Brooke looked down at the cell phone and then looked at Nathan. She was falling in love with him all over again, and she didn't even think about Lucas. Nathan put his cell phone back in his pocket and sighed; everything about him and Brooke was difficult, and they both understood that. Nathan got up from the table and Brooke looked down at her trembling hands and hid her feelings. Nathan walked up to her and stopped; he lifted her chin up and smirked at her, almost telling her that everything was okay.
Brooke closed her eyes to try and stop the tears. A lone tear ran down her cheek and Brooke wiped it away quickly. She just wanted to grab Nathan and kiss him, but she knew that she would never be able to do that again. Nathan walked past Brooke and out the door. Brooke touched the bottom of her chin and looked back down at her coffee cup.
Read and Review.