Jealousy is indeed a poor medium to secure love, but it is a secure medium to destroy one ís self-respect. For jealous people, like dope-fiends, stoop to the lowest level and in the end inspire only disgust and loathing. Emma Goldman

Brooke almost felt like a stalker. She kept telling herself that she was an independant woman and that she didn't need Lucas, but once she got that into her head Brooke would see Lucas and start feeling jealous. She would watch him talk to girls for two seconds and she would get that burning sensation in her blood. It hurt the most when she saw him and Peyton together. Brooke had gotten nothing out of the whole cheating scandal, except a reason to go out and get wasted; which she had before Lucas cheated on her.

Theresa came up to Brooke with tears in her eyes, "I can't keep up with Nathan anymore," she said in a huff.

"Why?" Brooke asked; she didn't really care, but as of right now Theresa was her best friend.

Theresa wiped her fake tears, "He's changed...We hardly have sex anymore!"

"It's not all about sex," Brooke said.

Theresa laughed, "Sure Brooke!"

"Whatever," Brooke said bitterly, "Are you going to dump him or?"

Theresa shrugged, "That's why I came to you...You hate Nathan right?"

"Yeah," Brooke said; even though she didn't know if she was exactly telling the truth.

"Okay," Theresa said, "Then do you think I should dump him?"

Brooke shrugged, "It's your call Theresa..."

"I think I'm going to..." Theresa said with a nod, "Oh yeah, we're having this talent show thing and all the cheerleaders are doing something!"

Brooke groaned, "And you're telling me this now?" She exclaimed.

"I got to go," Theresa said, "I'm sorry!" She said and then bounced away.

Brooke walked out of cheerleading practice; all she wanted to do was get out of there, "What are you doing for your talent?" She heard someone say behind her.

Brooke turned around and saw Peyton, "I don't know...Besides if I told you I don't want you to steal it!" She said cynically, "You have a tendancy of taking things that are mine."

Peyton put her head down, "I'm never going to win this..."

"It's not about winning Peyton!" Brooke yelled, "It's about trust and friendship...Two things that you don't give a fuck about!"

Peyton stood there stunned, "I'm sorry Brooke...Okay? This is the last time I'm going to try and resolve this so take it or leave it."

Brooke glared at Peyton and walked away, "Lucas asked me out," Peyton called after her. Brooke stopped and turned around, "I wanted to see if it was okay with you if I dated him..."

"You have some nerve," Brooke said through clenched teeth and stormed off.

Theresa sat beside Nathan on his couch as they watched TV. Theresa sighed and started kissing Nathan's neck. Nathan pushed her off a little, "Not now Theresa," he said.

"Then when?" Theresa asked, "You're never in the mood for me anymore! Are you seeing someone else?"

Nathan rolled his eyes, "No."

"Then what is it?" Theresa asked throwing her arms up, "We don't even have sex anymore!"

Nathan sighed, "I think we should break up..."

"You're breaking up with me?" Theresa asked stunned, "I was supposed to break up with you!"

"It's not working out anymore," Nathan said and stood up, "I think you should leave..."

Theresa scoffed and walked to the door stomping her feet, "You are an ass!" She screamed to Nathan and then walked out the door; slamming it behind her.

Brooke walked into the school for the talent show. She saw Theresa run up to her, "Nathan dumped me!" Theresa exclaimed, "It wasn't supposed to work like that!"

"What did he say?" Brooke asked; pretending to be interested.

Theresa clicked her tongue, "The bastard was just like, 'I think we should break up,' I mean how retarded is that?" She asked, "He said it, 'wasn't working out anymore'."

Brooke looked behind Theresa and saw Nathan standing there with Lucas. Nathan looked at Brooke and they locked eyes. Brooke smiled to herself and looked down at the ground. Someone told her she was up in 5; Brooke nodded her head and walked towards the stage.

Lucas and Nathan sat in the auditorium, "What's Peyton doing?" Nathan asked.

"She's reciting poetry," Lucas said, "What's Theresa doing?"

Nathan shrugged, "I guess a dance or something..." He said completely uninterested.

"Aren't you two together?" Lucas asked.

Nathan shook his head, "Naw, I dumped her yesterday..."

"Didn't you guys have a lot going for you though?" Lucas asked.

Nathan sighed, "It wasn't working out anymore, man. She was great whenever I needed some, but it gets lonely after awhile."

Lucas nodded in agreement, "Well, who are you into now?"

Nathan opened his mouth to speak, but the lights dimmed and the rest of the audience got quiet. Brooke walked on stage and towards the mic. She looked absolutely stunning in her beautiful white dress and her hair curled. The music started and everyone was on the edge of their seats.

Brooke took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

You set my soul at ease

Chased darkness out of view

Left your desperate spell on me

Say you feel it too

I know you do

Brooke opened her eyes and looked out into the audience.

I've got so much more to give this can't die,

I yearn to live

Pour yourself all over me and

I'll cherish every drop here on my knees

Brooke made eye contact with Nathan. His eyes were in total shock and amazement. Nathan knew that Brooke could sing, but she never sang in front of anyone but Nathan. Nathan smiled at her.

I wanna love you forever and this is all I'm asking of you

ten thousand lifetimes together

is that so much for you to do?

When Brooke sang she looked right at Nathan; and he looked right at her. It took Brooke back to the night at the cafe when Nathan came in and they just sat in silence. It took her back to the days when they were together, when she depended on him and he on her. The days when Brooke could kiss him so softly and tenderly and have it be the most romantic thing in the world.

'Cause from the moment that I saw your face

and felt the fire in your sweet embrace

I swear I knew.

I'm gonna to love you forever.

Chills went up and down Nathan's spine. She was so graceful and beautiful up on stage spilling her heart for all of those who would listen. For that moment he felt like it was only him and Brooke, like it used to be. Like it should be.

My mind fails to understand what my heart tells me to do

and I'd give up all I have just to be with you

and now I do

I've always been taught to win

and I never thought I'd fall be at the mercy of a man

I've never been now

I only want to be right where you are

Peyton watched from backstage. She had never known what a great singer Brooke really was; when Brooke sang you could feel the hurt, the pain, the emotion. Peyton looked out into the audience and saw Nathan watching Brooke intently. His blue eyes examining her; almost memorizing her every move. Peyton knew that they had been together once upon a time, but they never talked about so nobody else did either.

In my life I learned that heaven never waits, noooo

let's take this now before its gone like yesterday

'Cause when I'm with you there's no where else that I would ever wanna be,

no I'm breathing for the next second I can feel you lovin me

I wanna love you forever

and this is all I'm asking of you

ten thousand lifetimes together

is that so much for you to do?

'Cause from the moment that I saw your face

and felt the fire in your sweet embrace

I swear I knew.

I'm gonna to love you forever.

The song ended and Brooke stepped back from the mic and took a deep breath. She smiled and did a curtsey; everyone applauded and cheered; she got a standing ovation. Brooke giggled to herself and walked off stage. All the girls cheered and hugged Brooke.

Brooke looked at Peyton, "That was beautiful," she said. Brooke could see the tears in Peyton's eyes, "I had no idea you could sing like that..."

Brooke hugged Peyton, "Thanks..." She said and the hug broke, and Brooke walked away. She walked into the hallway and took a drink of water from the fountain.

"That was really good," she heard Nathan say behind her.

Brooke smiled, "Thank you..."

"You looked beautiful up there," he said sincerely, "I thought you said that you'd never sing in front of anyone?"

Brooke shrugged, "I changed my mind..."

"That song was perfect for you..." Nathan said, "You're probably the only girl up there with some talent."

Brooke crossed her arms, "Don't flatter me Nathan," she said softly.

"I'm just being nice," Nathan said in defense.

"Why?" Brooke asked.

Nathan groaned, "Does there have to be a reason?"

"With you, yes," Brooke said, "I want to know what was up with you at the cafe, and why you dumped Theresa, and why during my song you had your eyes on me the whole time."

Nathan put his hands on the top of his head and began to pace, "Because..."

"That's real mature," Brooke said, "I'm done with relationships..." She said sadly, "I always get hurt."

"Why are you letting this Lucas thing get to you?" Nathan asked.

Brooke looked at him in disbelief, "Because I love him!" She said loudly, "I gave him my soul! I gave him everything!"

"And what did you give me?" Nathan said softly.

Brooke bit her bottom lip and felt her eyes began to water, "I gave you my heart," she said weakly and then walked out the school doors.

"Brooke wait!" Nathan called after her as he followed her outside, "I gave you my heart, too..."

Brooke wiped her eyes, "What do you want me to say to that?" She asked.

"Nothing," Nathan said, "You don't have to say anything..."

Brooke heard the hurt in his voice, "Being with you was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I loved you Nathan," she said strongly, "I loved you."

"And you don't now?" He asked, "Because there sure as hell has to be something still there."

Brooke walked closer to Nathan and put her hand on his cheek. She titled her head and closed her eyes when her lips met his. Nathan ran his tongue along Brooke's bottom lip and then she opened her mouth allowing Nathan's tongue to caress hers. Brooke ran her fingers through Nathan's short hair, and Nathan rested his hands on Brooke's hips and would occasionally rub her back; like he used to. They both pulled away panting for air; like they used to. They never wanted to stop, they never wanted to let go.

They heard someone walking towards them and they both pulled away and wiped their lips casually. Theresa ran up to Brooke smiling, "You did a kick ass job, hun!" She said with a hug.

"Thanks," Brooke said with a sweet smile.

Theresa looked at Nathan, "Nathan," she said in a monotone.

"Hi Theresa," Nathan said and then rolled his eyes behind her back. Brooke chuckled a little.

Theresa looked back at Nathan, "Nathan, do you think you could give me a ride home?" She asked, Theresa saw the connection between Brooke and Nathan, and did not like it what so ever.

Nathan looked at Brooke, who looked down at her feet, "Sure," Nathan said grudgingly. Theresa smiled and waved to Brooke and then started towards Nathan's car. Nathan watched Theresa walk away, "Brooke," he said, but she was already gone.

I told myself, I'd never shed a tear over a guy.. but you must be special.. because as I see you tell her you loved her.. a tear ran down my cheek as I turned and walked away..

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Italicized Lyrics: "I Wanna Love You Forever" Jessica Simpson