Chapter 28

Do you believe this?

Lucas' House

Haley quickly got to Lucas' house and ran to his door. She frantically knocked, not stopping until he opened the door.

"What the hell is going on! Haley? What are you doing here this early? Come in, you don't even have on shoes. What's going on?"Lucas pulled her inside and wrapped her in a blanket.

Haley looked up at him."I'm sorry, I just didn't know where else to go."

"It's fine Hales, just tell me what's wrong."

"I found this."said Haley holding out the napkin for him to take."It was on the floor under Nathan's jacket. It must have fallen out."

Lucas took the napkin from Haley and read it. He couldn't believe what he had just read."This has to be some sort of joke. Brooke wouldn't do this to me and Nathan wouldn't do this to you either. They love us too much."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too, but obviously they don't. We are so stupid. We should have seen this coming. They have been spending a lot of time together. I guess they thought doing it in our faces wouldn't cause suspicion."

"You can't seriously believe this crap Haley. I think I know Brooke well enough to know she wouldn't mess around with my brother."

"You just love her too much. You can't see that she is the same Brooke she used to be. Sleeping with who ever, not thinking about the consequences. She hasn't changed at all. She had us fooled, huh? They both did. They are just alike."

"Haley do you hear yourself? This has to be some kind of joke. They probably planned this to make us all laugh."

"Are you laughing? Do you really think this is a laughing matter? I know I don't."

"Haley think about it. Nathan loves you. You two are married. Do you honestly think he would do anything to risk ruining his marriage?"

"No, but then again not very many guys have been able to resist Brooke. She's beautiful."

"So now your saying this is all Brooke's fault? It takes two Haley, or have you forgotten that?"

"I know Lucas, but look at her. No guy in his right mind would ever turn her down."

"I did once."

"Yeah, and now look at you. Your completely in love with her."

"I'm just trying to get you to see that this is some kind of mistake."

"Yeah, the mistake is that we trusted those two. They really do deserve each other."

"Haley will you please just stop and think about this."

"I am thinking about this. I couldn't stop thinking about this, even if I wanted to."

"No, I mean really think about this. It doesn't make sense. Do you remember earlier this year when all that stuff happened with Brooke, Peyton, and me?"Haley nodded."Okay how did Brooke take it? You and Nathan were the only ones she let in."

"She was devastated. She hated both of you for what you two did to her."

"Brooke is a caring person Haley. She knows how bad something like this feels. She would never want someone to feel that much pain, let alone be the cause of it. Once when Peyton and I tried to talk to her, she told Peyton that she had done a lot of horrible things, but messing with a friends boyfriend wasn't one of them and that would never change. I know she considers you to be one of her best friends, so I want you to really think about this. Do you think she would hurt you the way I hurt her?"

"No."

"Okay, then there has to be an explanation for this."

"There better be, because you are a great guy and Brooke would be stupid to give you up."

"Thanks Hales. Now why don't you let me get dressed and then we can go to your house and talk to Nathan. I'll find you a pair of my mom's shoes for you to wear. Your feet must be freezing."

"They are. I didn't even think about putting on shoes. I just had to get out of there."

"We'll figure out all this together. I promise and in the end you'll still have Nathan and I'll still have Brooke."

"I really hope she knows how lucky she is."

"I hope so too."

Lucas quickly got dressed and he and Haley went to the apartment in their separate cars.

-

Nathan and Haley's Apartment

Brooke walked up to Nathan's apartment and saw that the door was wide open. She let herself in cautiously."Hello is anyone here?"she asked. She walked back out and looked for Nathan's car. It wasn't there. She went back in and closed the door behind her. She walked to the open bedroom door and saw Nathan alone and figured he was either asleep or dead. Going with asleep, she heavily sat down."Wake up sleeping beauty. It's late."

Nathan looked up at her."What are you doing in here Brooke?"

"I'm just making sure you were alive. I didn't think when I got here I'd see the door wide open. I thought maybe something had happened."

"Wait. The door was open? Where's Haley?"Nathan jumped up and out of bed.

"I don't know, she wasn't here when I got here, but neither was your car. I think she left and just forgot to close the door all the way. The wind probably just pushed it all the way open."

"I'm sure your right. I would have heard if something bad happened. I'm worrying over nothing." said Nathan sitting back down on the bed."So what brings you by this early B?"

Brooke turned on the bed to face him. She slipped off both of her sandals and sat cross legged on the bed."First of all, it's not that early. You actually should start getting dressed for school. Second, I kept this picture last night without thinking of Tutor Girl. I thought that she might want a picture of her husband and J.T. You look so adorable hugging him."laughed Brooke.

"Be quiet."Nathan leaned over and tried to take the picture out of her hand. She moved it so he couldn't reach it. He was practically on top of her stretching for the picture when they heard voices.

"Well look what we have here. Maybe your the one that is wrong here Lucas. It looks to me like everything we just read is actually true."

Lucas now didn't know what to believe. He was looking at his brother lying on top of his girlfriend."You might be right after all Hales."

Nathan got off of Brooke and she sat up.

"Hey Haley. Where have you been? Nathan over here was having a heart attack, thinking something happened to you."

"Yes, I can see he was really worried about me."

Brooke was taken back by the coldness of her words."What's up Tutor Girl? You don't seem happy."

"Am I supposed to be happy seeing my husband on top of another girl?"

Brooke couldn't believe what she had just heard."Oh, that was nothing. He was just trying to take this picture away from me. See."said Brooke holding out the picture.

"Whatever you say Brooke. Look no more lying okay? We know everything."

"What are you talking about?"asked Brooke. Nathan still hadn't said a word. He was shocked at how Haley was acting. She had seen him kid around with Brooke this way before. This was nothing new.

"I found this."said Haley holding out the napkin for Brooke and Nathan to see. I guess you didn't hide it too well Nathan."

Brooke looked at it and then at Nathan."What is that Nathan?"

Nathan once again looked at what Haley was holding and then at Brooke."I was hoping you'd know. She seems to be pissed at both of us."

"You two need to quit playing dumb. We've already read the damn thing."said Haley raising her voice.

Brooke looked at Lucas."What is she talking about Broody?"

Lucas stepped forward and took the napkin from Haley and handed it to Brooke."Read it."

Brooke took the napkin and read it. She couldn't help but laugh. She handed it to Nathan when she was done and he read it and also started to laugh.

Haley was really annoyed that they didn't care that they had gotten caught.

Brooke saw the look on Haley's face and immediately stopped laughing."This is why your upset? Oh come on Haley you don't honestly believe I wrote this right? Oh wait, this is a joke you two are playing on us. You both need to stop, it's not funny."said Brooke looking from Haley to Lucas.

"This isn't a joke Brooke."said Haley.

It all started to sink in. Haley really thought she wrote this."You don't really believe I wrote this right Lucas?"

Lucas looked at her and saw that she was seriously scared. He walked up to her and put his arm around her waist."No I don't Brooke. I know this has to be some kind of mistake."

"You can't be serious Lucas."said Haley."Did you not see what we walked in on?"

"What we walked in on was exactly what Brooke said it was. She even had the picture in her hand. Look at her face. Does it look like she's trying to hide something?"

Haley looked at Brooke and saw she was completely scared."Your right it looks like she's about to pass out."said Haley with a smile.

"I am. Hell, can you blame me? Your accusing me of sleeping with Nathan, your husband. I thought I was about to lose everything. Your friendship and Lucas. What the hell is going on here? Who wrote that damn letter?"

Everyone shrugged their shoulders, not knowing the answer.

Haley walked up to Nathan and sat down."What do you have to say about all this?"

Nathan looked up at her."It's all lies. I swear!"

"I know that. It just took me a while to see."Haley leaned into Nathan and he held her.

"You know I'm happy that everything is okay with all of us, but I really want to know who the hell wrote that letter. Whoever it was wanted you both to think we were seeing each other. They wanted to break us all up."

"Or just you and Lucas."said Nathan.

"Yeah, but who would want to do that?"asked Brooke.

"Peyton."said Haley.

Brooke shook her head.

"Come on Brooke she's right. It has to be Peyton. She's the only one that doesn't want us together."said Lucas.

"Look it wasn't her. She may do a lot of awful thing, but she wouldn't do this. She wouldn't ruin Haley and Nathan's relationship to keep us apart. Think about it."

"It has to be her Brooke. Look I know you miss her and want to believe she wouldn't do this, but come on there just isn't anyone else."said Lucas.

"This isn't even her handwriting Lucas. It wasn't her! Besides she didn't even know that Nathan and I went out last night."

"Then who Brooke? Please tell me who else there is."

Brooke only had one name in mind, but didn't want to say anything until she was sure."I don't know Lucas, but it's not Peyton."She went and got the napkin from Nathan and stuck it in her pocket."I'll see you guys later."She started to walk out of the room.

Lucas pulled her arm and stopped her from leaving."Where are you going?"

"Somewhere to get answers."said Brooke pulling her arm free and walking off. She got into her car and drove.

-

Peyton's House

Peyton was getting ready for school when she heard her front door slam and then some one run up the steps. She soon saw Brooke walk into her room.

"Read this."said Brooke handing her the napkin.

Peyton read it and didn't know what to say."Your sleeping with Nathan?"

"No! You didn't write that did you?"

Peyton looked at her."No I didn't. You have to believe me. I swear."

"Chill out Peyt. I don't think you did. I just had to ask."

"So I take it you didn't write it either."

"Of course not! Are you crazy? Somebody wrote that and Haley found it this morning."

"Oh, wow. Tell me she didn't believe it."

"At first she did. She looked like she wanted to kill me, but Lucas told her it wasn't true and then she realized it wasn't."

"So Lucas himself never believed it?"

"Nope."

"That's good. At least you know he loves you enough to know you would never do something like this to him."

"I know. I'm really lucky. He so could have just shut me out, but he didn't. So if I didn't write it and you didn't write it, who do you think did?"

"Only one name comes to mind."said Peyton.

"Alison."said both girls at the same time.

"I'm sorry Brooke, but it has to be her. There is no one else."

"I still don't see her doing this, but if everything you've said about her is true and I think it is. It has to be her."

"It is her Brooke. I told you she wants Lucas."

"Okay, not that I don't believe you, but why exactly do you think that?"

"Well I once saw her at school staring at you two make out and she didn't look too happy about it and then when she was telling me about when she went out with Lucas she said who knows what would have happened with them if they were still in Charleston."

"She said that?"

"Yes, that's why I had to warn you about her that day in the locker room."

"And I completely jumped down your throat for it. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. You didn't have any reason to believe me."

"Still, I shouldn't have said the things I said."

"It's okay Brooke. You know this is all starting to make sense."

"What is?"

"Do you remember what I told you the other day?"

"No, you've told me a lot of things lately."

"I told you that Alison started asking a lot of questions about you and Nathan and now this happens."

"Yeah, I remember now. This is too freaky. It's like she's planned this the whole time she's been here."

"Yeah, and I bet she was planning on everybody thinking I was behind it if some how her plan didn't work."

"I think your right, but what she doesn't know is that we're smarter than that. I knew as soon as they said your name, you didn't do it. They said it was just wishful thinking on my part."

"Who are they?"asked Peyton.

Brooke hesitated, not wanting to tell Peyton who had doubted her."Haley and Lucas."

"Wow, they really thought I'd do this."

"Don't be mad at them. You have to see it from their perspective. They don't know everything I know about Alison. You haven't told them anything you've told me, so your the only one they see."

"Your right. I guess I'm really surprised you don't think it's me."

"I know you Peyt. You may not want me with Lucas, but you would never mess up Haley and Nathan's relationship to keep us apart."

"I don't want you and Lucas apart Brooke, honestly. I know I was stupid and I did some really messed up things, but I miss you and I just want you back Brooke."

"I miss you to Peyt. I've been acting like I hate you and being all bitchy because I didn't want to let it show. I didn't want to let anyone know how much I need you."

"You will never know how sorry I am Brooke. I know I said I kept the letter because I thought I'd lose our friendship again, but maybe at the time I really did want Lucas back. I don't anymore, but I do want you to know that I no longer have any feelings for him what so ever."

"Don't worry, I believe you Peyton. I now see that you have been trying to help me and Lucas. You could have kept everything Alison told you to yourself and then watched as we broke up and I lost Haley, but you didn't, you tried to warn me from the beginning. I just wish I would have listened to you sooner."

"I never would have just sat back and watched that happen. Do you think that in time we could maybe become friends again?"

"No, I don't think we need time. We're already friends. You've been a friend to me all along. I just didn't know it."

"Are you serious? You forgive me?"

"Yes, now come and give your best friend a hug. I missed you."

Peyton went and gave Brooke a hug, tears streaming down her face. She didn't want to let go of Brooke.

"Come on Peyt you need to stop crying. I'm going to bite you if you make me cry too."

'I'm sorry."said Peyton wiping her eyes.

"Good you stopped, now are you going to help me put this bitch in her place?"

"You better believe it. We just need to come up with a plan. Maybe you should call everyone and tell them to come over."

"That means I have to tell them about it being Alison."

"Yeah, your kinda gonna have to. I can't believe they don't already know. I mean if it was me, I would have shouted out her name and made everyone hate her."

"I know, but I didn't want to say anything before I talked to you and got your opinion on all this."

"And now that you have?"

"I'll call them and tell them to come over. We have to make her regret messing with us."

"And we will."

Brooke pulled out her cell and dialed Lucas' number. He quickly answered.

"Hello."

"Hey, Broody."

"Brooke where the hell are you? You just left without telling us where you were going."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, but I really needed to talk to Peyton."

"So you do think it was her."

"No, I needed to talk to her to see what she thought about all this."

"Well what did she say?"

"That's why I called. Are you still with Nathan and Haley?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Okay, well bring them with you and come over to Peyton's."

"Why?"

"Because I said so, now hurry, we'll be waiting."

"Fine."

"Oh, Lucas one more thing."

"What?"

"I love you."

"I love you too babe. We'll be right there."

"Bye."

Brooke hung up and looked over at Peyton."They're on their way."

"This should be fun."said Peyton rolling her eyes.

Brooke smiled."I know, it is going to be fun."She saw Peyton's face."Oh, you were being sarcastic. I get it now. Sorry."

"You unbelievable Brooke."

"Hey shut up."said Brooke tossing a pillow at her.

"I'm glad we're okay now."

"Me too Peyt."

-

Sorry it took so long for me to UD again. I really have no excuse other than laziness. Thanks for all the reviews. I hope you liked this chapter. Let me know what you think about Brooke and Peyton making up. Was it realistic? Please read and review.

P.S. Sorry, but there will not be any more spoilers seeing that the story is ending.