2/28 11:00 a.m.

Brooke awoke with a start as a cell phone ringing by her ear jolted her awake. Slipping out of bed so that she didn't wake Lucas, Brooke walked out into the living room and sat on the couch.

"Hello?" Brooke answered sleepily

"Brooklyn Victoria Davis, where the hell are you?" Ellie yelled into the phone

Brooke sighed. "Hi Mom. I take it you're home?"

"Yes. And you're not."

"Jesus. You couldn't have been home for too long! How did you know I was gone?"

"The school called. They said you haven't been in your classes. I would like some answers. Now!"

"I'm in Tree Hill, Mom. Peyton-"

"You're joking me right? What, did you move back as soon as you turned 18? And without telling your father or me?" Ellie's voice began to rise again

"No! Mother, would you please just listen?" Brooke said, putting a hand to her head, trying to prevent an oncoming headache

"I'm sorry. Please explain." Ellie said impatiently

"I'm in Tree Hill because Peyton and two of my other good friends got in a car accident. Lucas called me, and I got a ride down here to be with them."

"Oh Brookie. I'm so sorry! How are they?" Ellie asked, the anger drained from her voice

"Not good. Peyton and Taylor are both unconscious." Brooke said, trying not to cry

"How bad was the accident?"

Brooke filled Ellie in on everything, and when they had finished talking, Brooke set her phone down and began to cry.

"Hey Tigger." Haley said as she sat next to Brooke

Brooke let out a little laugh. "Hey Tutor Girl."

"How are you doing?"

"Probably as shitty as I look." Brooke joked

"Must be pretty bad then." Haley joked back

"Shut up." Brooke sighed. "How are your parent's doing?"

Haley shook her head. "Not good. Taylor was always kind of the black sheep of the family, and I think that they regret not being better parents to her."

"I couldn't imagine." Brooke shook her head

"Just when things were starting to get better between me and her, this happens."

"I get that, believe me." Brooke said

"This sucks. I don't care if I'm selfish for saying this, but they have to wake up. They can't just leave us like this. We need them."

"I know." Brooke nodded in agreement

"Well let's go wake up the brothers and head back to the hospital."

"Yeah."

1:30 p.m.

"Hey you four. Did you guys get some sleep?" Lydia asked when the teens approached the adults

"Yes. How about you?" Nathan responded

"A little." Jim said

"Brooke!" Larry said as he rushed into the waiting room

Brooke turned around. "Mr. Sawyer. You got here faster than I thought you would."

Larry walked up to Brooke and crushed her in a hug. "How is Peyton? Have you heard anything?"

"No." Brooke squeaked, trying to breathe while Larry held on tight

"Oh. I'm sorry!" Larry said as he pulled back to let Brooke breathe

"It's ok." Brooke smiled

"Hi everyone." Larry greeted the rest of the waiting room. "I'm going to go talk to a doctor." He walked off quickly

"Poor Larry." Lydia said. "I know how he feels."

"Have you heard anything about Tay?" Brooke asked the James'

Jim shook his head. "No change."

"Are you and Taylor close?" Lydia asked

"You could say that." Brooke said semi-sheepishly

Jim and Lydia exchanged looks, and turned back to Brooke. "I'm sorry, are you involved with my daughter?" Jim asked

"What? Oh! No!" Brooke laughed. Not anymore at least. "No, I'm with Peyton."

"Oh." Lydia said, and then got wide-eyed when what Brooke said registered. "Oh. Oh my."

Everyone else laughed as Lydia blushed.

"Mom, you don't even want to know what's gone on since you have left." Haley said

"Actually, it all sounds quite amusing." Lydia laughed

4:00 p.m.

"Brooke, have you been to see Peyton at all?" Larry asked as he joined everyone in the waiting room

"No. Not yet. I wasn't sure if I should yet." Brooke said. "I was actually kind of scared to." She admitted

"Why don't you go see her." Larry said with a smile

"Is she awake?" Brooke asked hopefully

Larry shook his head sadly. "No. Not yet. But she's in room 205 if you want to see her."

Brooke nodded and stood. Haley stopped Brooke before she walked out.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Haley asked

Brooke shook her head. "I'd rather do this alone, if you don't mind."

Haley nodded in understanding as she sat back down.

Brooke made the trek to Peyton's room, and stood outside the door when she got there. Taking a deep breath, she went in, letting the door close behind her