Chapter 11

The Day After

Nathan and Haley's Apartment

"Hey Haley, where's Nate?"asked Brooke gloomily.

"What! No, hey Tutor Girl or Tutor Wife? Where is the normally chipper, cheery Brooke we all know and love?"asked Haley seeing that Brooke was in no mood for joking around."What's wrong Brooke? What happened?"

"Nothings wrong. I guess it's just this day. Funerals always put me in a crappy mood."

"Come on Brooke you know it's more than Dan's funeral. What's going on?"

Brooke let out a sigh. "It's nothing really, just the fact that Lucas and Peyton are probably back together as we speak."

"What!?"

"Yeah, I caught them making out last night."

"When? We were all there last night?"

"Well after I left I got about half way home when I realized that I left my purse at Lucas' so I went back. I saw Peyton's car out front so I let myself in the house. When I got my purse I heard Peyton's voice. She was talking about working things out with him and he agreed. I guess they were together the other day too. Supposedly they had some argument and she was there apologizing. Lucas said something about not being able to stay mad at her and then I saw her go up to him and kiss him. It was so disgusting."

"Oh my god I can't believe it. Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. I saw it with my own two eyes Haley."

"Well for what it's worth and I'm sure it's not much, but one kiss doesn't constitute making out."

"Whatever. It doesn't matter. They are still working things out and I gave them my blessing last night. I just don't give a damn anymore. They deserve each other. They really do."

"Come on Brooke, you know it still matters."

"No, really it doesn't, but you know the funny thing is that I actually thought we were the ones working things out. When I left his house last night I was so happy. We had the most amazing goodnight kiss and then I go back and have to see them together. It's sickening."

"So he was making out with the both of you again?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Who was making out with both of who again?'' asked Nathan coming out of the restroom.

"Nobody!"

"It's okay Haley, Nate's my best friend and he'll find out sooner or later. It was Lucas. I saw him kissing Peyton last night."

"I thought he was into you again?"

"Well, obviously not."

"That son of a bitch! I can't believe he did that to you again. I'm gonna beat his ass."

"It's okay Nate. It doesn't matter anymore. HE doesn't matter anymore. Whatever I thought was happening again between us, wasn't. Anyways enough about Lucas. I came over to see if I could go with you two to the funeral. I was supposed to go with Lucas, but obviously that isn't happening."

"Sure you can come with us, well me. Nathan is going with his mom. He doesn't want her to be alone right now."

"Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and leave. I'm already late. Remember Brooke I'll kick his ass for you all you need to do is ask."

"Thanks your the best. I don't know what I'd do without you."said Brooke going to give him a hug.

"Bye Honey, I'll see you there later."said Haley kissing Nathan goodbye.

"Okay so now that Nate's gone why aren't you going with him and his mom?"

"You know we can't stand each other Brooke."

"Yeah, but this is a family thing."

"And she doesn't consider me family. I don't know Brooke. I just can't stand to be near her for more than five seconds and this might sound crazy, but I think she is using this whole Dan dieing as a way to keep Nathan away from me. She is always calling him over there at all hours of the night and then convincing him it is too late to come back home. I barely got him to go to Luke's yesterday. She called him and said she was lonely and didn't think she should be alone. I just know she is using this to try and break up my marriage."

"Come on Haley, don't you think you are going a little overboard here? She's not that bad."

"That's easy for you to say. She likes you. Your the one she wants with Nathan, not me. She lets it be known that you two would make the perfect couple. What did she say the other day, oh yeah, "I always thought that a Scott should marry a Davis."said Haley in her best Deb impersonation."What did I do to make her hate me this much?"

"I don't know, marry her 17 year old son maybe."said Brooke laughing.

"So what? He's happy right?"

"Right. Well you know that you don't have to worry about me and Nate so lets drop all the Deb talk and get out of here."

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Funeral Home

"Hey Luke I'm glad your already here already. I thought I'd have to be by myself. So have you talked to Brooke yet?"

"No, you?"

"Me neither. I called her a couple of times last night and then again today, but she didn't answer."said Peyton looking down.

"Yeah I'm sure she's still pretty mad at us. She was supposed to come with me today, but that didn't happen."

"I'm so sorry Luke. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have kissed you last night."

"This isn't your fault Peyton. It was just a little kiss on the cheek. It meant nothing. Brooke just thinks she saw something that she didn't. Hopefully she'll realize that."

"I hope so. I don't want to lose my best friend again."said Peyton as she held both of Lucas' hands.

"You know, I was kind of hoping that Brooke was wrong or at least exaggerating, but from the looks of this"said Haley motioning between Lucas and Peyton."She was exactly right. How could you two do this to her again?"

"Haley we didn't do anything to her. She walked in on something and got the wrong idea. Peyton just gave me a kiss on the cheek and a hug goodbye."

"Wait. So it was just a kiss on the cheek?"

"Yes, it was just a little kiss on the cheek."

"So then why did she say she saw you two making out?"

"We don't know. We're still trying to figure that out ourselves."said Peyton.

"Okay, so you two aren't together?"

"NO!"shouted Lucas and Peyton.

"Well then I suggest you two tell her that because she thinks you are."

"How can we? She won't even talk to us. Peyton has tried to call and she won't answer."

"Well then go find her and make her listen Luke."

"Where is she?"asked Lucas.

"In the restroom. She saw you two holding hands and said she needed to throw up. I'm sure she's still there."

"I'm gonna go find her. I'll see you two later."

Lucas waits outside the restroom for what seems like forever.

"There you are. I've been waiting out here forever."

"Well nobody asked you to. So leave."

"Come on Brooke, just listen to me."said Lucas grabbing Brooke's arm turning her around to face him."Whatever you think you saw last night wasn't actually what happened. Peyton was about to leave and it was a goodbye kiss that's all. It wasn't even on the lips."

"Whatever you say Lucas. I don't care anymore. I know what I saw and I know what I heard."

"What did you hear?"

"I heard everything Lucas.Peyton said that you two were working things out."

"We are working things out, but only as friends."

"Well then why didn't you say anything about spending time with her the other day?"

"I didn't say anything because Peyton was the one who said all that stuff about me and Dan and I didn't want you to be mad at her because of me."

"Okay so Peyton said all that crap to you that made you mad and then she came over last night to apologize?"asked Brooke finally understanding what was going on.

"Yes that's it. Nothing more."

"And that kiss was really just on the cheek?"

"Yes!"

"Oh wow. I am so embarrassed. I can't believe I was so stupid. I blew up for no reason. I mean it's not like we are even together. You can see whoever you want. I'm sorry Lucas."

"It's cool Brooke. Your not stupid and I know that we're not together anymore, but I would still be jealous if I thought I saw you kissing another guy, especially right after we kissed."

"I guess that's what had me so upset. The fact that you had just kissed me and then were able to go off and kiss her too. Oh god Peyton! I have to apologize to her. I was so horrible to her. Where is she?"

"She was with Haley a minute ago."

"I have to find her."

"You will. So everything is okay with us right?"

"Yeah it is. This was just one stupid misunderstanding that I wish I could take back."

"Good now how about we go find seats and sit down."said Lucas taking Brooke into his arms and kissing her forehead.

"What the hell is going on here! Get away from her!"yelled Nathan pulling Lucas away from Brooke forcefully.

"What the hell is your problem? Don't you ever touch me like that again."said a furious Lucas.

"Why, what are you gonna do? Don't ever come near Brooke again and I won't have to."

"You want me to show you what I'd do."asked Lucas taking a step toward Nathan.

"Sure go ahead. Try it!"said Nathan also taking a step forward.

Brooke steps in between both of them holding Nathan back.

"So what now you think you can choose her friends for her?"

"Yeah when bastards like you start coming around again I do. You have a problem with that?''asked Nathan trying to push pass Brooke to get to Lucas.

Brooke couldn't take it anymore and people had begun to stare."Nathan stop it! Nothing is going on here, we were just talking that's it."

"Not that she or I have to explain ourselves to you, but yeah she's telling you the truth man."

"I don't care about what you think is the truth MAN. Stay the hell away from her. It's sick how you go from her to Peyton. You were with Peyton last night right?So I guess it's Brooke's turn today huh?"

"Shut the hell up Nathan! You don't know what your talking about."

"I know exactly what I'm talking about and so does Brooke."

"Seriously guys stop this. Nate I'm fine. Everything is okay now. Last night was a big mistake he isn't with Peyton again."

"So now you believe him?"

"Yes, he's telling the truth."

"Fine whatever you say. She may forgive you Luke, but that doesn't mean I do. If I were you I'd watch my back. Lets go Brooke, my mom is saving us seats."

"Actually she's sitting with me, right Brooke?"

Brooke who is still standing between both looks from one to the other not saying anything.

"Brooke?"said Nathan holding out his hand for her to take.

"Lucas I'll see you a little later okay? I'm gonna sit with Nathan and Haley."said Brooke taking Nathan's hand.

As they both walk away Nathan turns around and gives Lucas a smirk.

Brooke sat in the first pue with Nathan, Haley, Deb, and Keith while Lucas went to sit in the back with Peyton.

The service started and the Priest spoke."Today is a sad and mournful day.Today is the day we put to rest a very well respected and loved man. Daniel Scott. He served his community well. Always helping out when needed and never complaining.There was never a worthy cause that Daniel wouldn't be there for with a helping hand. Not only was he well known in his community for his charitable acts, but he was also a very respected business man. Also basketball was high on Daniel's list of priorities, but it didn't come before being a good husband and a loving father. Just ask his two sons Lucas and Nathan Scott who loved him dearly and who he loved back."

Brooke turned in her seat to find Lucas who had a look of disbelief plastered on his face. She turned back around and saw that Nathan had a few tears in his eyes. She reached over and held his hand in hers giving it a quick squeeze before turning back to the service.

The Priest went on and on about Dan and the man he supposedly was for a while longer."Dan we know you can hear us. We will all love and miss you forever. You are now in a better place. Before the service is complete I would like to inform you that there will be a gathering at Debra Scott's home. She would love it if you all would attend. It is to celebrate the life of Daniel Scott. Have a happy and safe drive."

When the service was finally over Nathan let out a huge sigh as Haley went to hug him. He cried on her shoulder as she held him tight saying everything would be alright. Brooke excused herself feeling that they needed time to be alone.

Brooke walked up to Lucas and Peyton who were standing by the front door. "Hey you guys. So that service sure was something else huh?"

"Yeah can you believe he had the nerve to say that Dan was a good and loving father? It just goes to show that he didn't know Dan at all."said Lucas.

"I'm sorry Broody. I'm sure that made you uncomfortable having to hear that."

"Yeah me too."said Peyton looking at Lucas. And I'm sorry to you too Brooke. Lucas said you know that last night was nothing. I didn't want for you to think that anything was going on with me and Lucas."

"No, I'm the one who should be saying I'm sorry. I was being stupid and jealous yesterday over nothing. It won't happen again. I promise. I love you Peyt. Nothing is gonna come between us again."said Brooke hugging Peyton.

"Are you two going to Deb's?"asked Brooke as she pulled away from Peyton.

"Well I was, but after what happened here earlier with Nathan I don't think it's a good idea. I think I'll just go home."

"No come on you have to come. I'll talk to Nate and explain everything to him. Everything will be fine. Just come. You too Peyt."

"I'm coming, it's Lucas that you have to try and convince."

"Well Lucas will you come?"asked Brooke.

"Fine I'll go, just for you Brooke,your lucky I like you,but if Nathan flips out on me again don't hold me responsible for what happens."

"I won't, because nothing will happen."

"Do you need a ride? I brought my mom's car. We could talk on the way."

"Um, yeah I think I do need a ...

"Are you ready Brooke?"asked Nathan holding Haley's hand."We're about to leave."

"Yeah, I'm ready, just give me a minute. I'll be right out."

"Bye Haley."said Lucas.

"See you later Luke."said Haley as her and Nathan walked out of the funeral home.

"Well it looks like I don't need a ride after all. I'm gonna go, but I'll see you both there right?"

"Yeah."they both said.

"Okay bye."

"Bye."

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Thanks for all your reviews. They mean a lot to me. I hoped you liked this chapter. I had a lot of fun writing the Priests' speech about Dan. It was hilarious. I know none of it was true, but the Priest didn't know Dan, he was told what to say by Deb and Keith. I know that Nathan seems to be getting in the way of Brucas right now, but he is just worried about Brooke. He doesn't want Lucas to have the chance to hurt her again. Anyways enough rambling. Let me know what you think. Read and Review.

Coming Up:

Brooke talks to Nathan.

Brucas, Brucas, Brucas!

Brooke finds out a devastating secret!