"We're here today to mourn the loss of a daughter, a sister, a friend. Taylor James was all of this, and so much more. She was loved by many people who will miss her dearly. Although her young life was cut short…"
"I really hate how he keeps talking like he knew her." Peyton whispered
"Peyton-" Brooke turned to face the blonde
"Don't. Please, just don't say anything." Peyton said as a tear fell from her eye
Inside the small church was a gathering of Taylor's friends and family. The rest of Haley's family had found their way back to Tree Hill to attend the funeral, and they were all seated as a family on the first pew in the church. All of Taylor's close friends were seated on the second row behind Taylor's family, all trying to stay strong through the tragedy.
After the funeral had ended, Brooke, Peyton, Nathan, Haley, Lucas, and Sydney were all standing outside the church.
"I cant believe she's gone." Haley whispered into the silence
"Hales-" Nathan said as he put an arm around his wife's shoulders
Haley shrugged his arm off. "No." She turned to Peyton and Sydney. "This is all your fault. If you two hadn't been so damn selfish, my sister would still be here. She never should have gotten involved with you people." Haley began to sob and collapsed against Nathan's chest.
Nathan gave Peyton and Sydney apologetic looks over Haley's head, and led Haley away.
Brooke, Peyton, Lucas, and Sydney were all left standing together in shock.
"She's right." Peyton whispered
"No Peyton, she's not. How is this our fault?" Sydney said, trying not to break down. "Taylor made her own choices. We all make our own choices. No one can predict what is going to happen, and it's not anyone's fault that we didn't see this coming."
"Syd's right." Lucas said. "There's no way you guys could have known this is how it was going to end up."
"Why wasn't it me?" Peyton said. "I'm the one who should be dead. This is all because of me."
"Peyton, look at me." Brooke said. "Don't think like that. Taylor is gone. We can't go back and change that. We just have to try and move on, and support each other as we work through this."
"I can't. I can't believe that she's really gone." Peyton cried
Brooke wrapped Peyton in a hug as they both began to sob.
Peyton kept hearing Brooke call her name, each time she said it it got louder.
"Peyton!" Brooke yelled
Peyton bolted upright in her bed. Looking around, she realized that she was in her room. Her eyes landed on Brooke, and immediately her eyes filled with tears. She flung herself into Brooke's arms as she cried.
"It's ok. You were just having a nightmare." Brooke said soothingly
"I had a dream about Taylor. She was dead, and it was all my fault." Peyton sobbed
"Peyton." Brooke said hesitantly
Peyton pulled back to look at Brooke. "Oh God. You know something, don't you? She's gone, isn't she?"
"Peyton, she's awake." Brooke told her troubled friend
Peyton began to cry again, and once again fell into Brooke's arms.
"Pey! She's ok!" Brooke laughed softly
"I'm just so happy." Peyton cried
Both girls laughed as they hugged
3/6
Three days had passed since Peyton's weird attitude in the kitchen. The girls had been trying to avoid any type of serious conversation between each other, because an awkwardness always fell over them.
Brooke had been helping Peyton when she needed help, and as long as they avoided serious talk, they were beginning to build a friendship again. Lucas, Nathan, Haley, and Sydney had been over for dinner every night, and Brooke had to admit that it was nice being home.
The only thing that hadn't changed was Taylor's condition. The doctors had started to get concerned when she made no sign of recovery, and were utterly shocked when Taylor had just woken up and acted like nothing had happened.
Brooke and Peyton walked into Taylor's hospital room to find a bunch of people already there. The James' were there, along with Haley, Nathan, Lucas, and Sydney; everyone crying and laughing.
"I was wondering when you two would get here." Taylor said with a smile
"Tay." Brooke and Peyton both said and smiled
"That would be me." Taylor turned to everyone with a raised brow. "That is me right?"
Everyone looked at her in concern.
"Jesus people! I'm only kidding. Would you lighten up?" Taylor laughed and rolled her eyes
"You think I'm weird?" Sydney asked Taylor
"Yes." Taylor answered
"Hey Taylor?" Peyton said suddenly. Taylor looked at her confused. "You owe me a new car."
That night after Brooke and Peyton had gotten back from visiting Taylor, they decided to make hot chocolate and sit outside.
"It's beautiful out." Brooke whispered
"Yeah, it really is."
The girls sat in a comfortable silence for a while, admiring the sky and drinking their cocoa.
"It has the little marshmallows." Peyton said suddenly
"Huh?" Brooke gave Peyton a funny look
Peyton laughed. "The hot chocolate. It has those little marshmallows you like so much."
Brooke looked into her mug and smiled. "You remember that?"
Peyton looked Brooke in the eye. "I can't drink any other kind. It's just not the same."
Brooke was the first to look away. "So Taylor gets to leave the hospital in a few days. That's good."
Peyton sighed. "Yeah. The whole situation could have ended up so much worse."
"Not for your car." Brooke joked softly
The girls shared a laugh, and another silence fell over them. Unlike the first, this silence was more on the awkward side.
"This has to stop." Brooke said
"Ok, my turn…huh?" Peyton laughed
"This awkwardness. It's killing me."
"Oh."
"Peyton, the past few days have been hell. We barley talk, we try to avoid each other as much as we can without it being noticeable that's what we are doing, and every time we do talk it gets awkward as soon as we start serious conversation."
"I know." Peyton said
"I want-"
Peyton suddenly stood. "Brooke, I'm sorry. I can't do this right now. Not yet. I'm not ready. I'm so sorry."
Brooke stood also. "But-"
"No. " Peyton held up a hand to stop Brooke from talking. "I'll see you tomorrow Brooke."
Peyton walked inside, leaving Brooke standing dumbfounded. What the fuck was that? Brooke set her mug down on the step and began walking.
"It's amazing how much your free throw still sucks." Lucas joked as he walked up to Brooke
"I never practice. You know that I could beat your ass if I really tried." Brooke smiled
Lucas took the ball from Brooke, and sunk the shot. "I'd stick to cheering Brooke."
"Thanks. You're so nice." Brooke laughed. "What are you doing here so late? Don't you have a girlfriend to attend to?"
"She kicked me out." Lucas said as he handed the ball to Brooke
"Oh no! What happened?"
"She said that I was smothering her by being so sweet." Lucas laughed
Brooke rolled her eyes and shot a basket. "At least Sydney is talking to you."
"Are you and Peyton not getting along?"
"We are for the most part. Anytime the topic of conversation gets close to touching on our relationship, one of us freaks out."
"Is that why you're down here with me instead of with her?"
Brooke nodded. "I think that it's time for me to head back to New York."
"Brooke-"
"I was an idiot to think that Peyton and I could work things out. Now that her and Syd are ok, and Taylor's going to be fine, I have no reason to stay."
"Brooke, you just need to give it time. Peyton cares about you; a lot. She's been through a lot over the past few weeks, and she's just confused about everything. I think she's just scared."
"We can't even be around each other without it being awkward though."
"You do what you think is best. But make sure you're ready for the decision you make."
"What do you mean?" Brooke asked, confused
"If you go back to New York without telling her how you feel, you won't ever have another chance. Honestly, I think that if you make the decision to go back to New York at all, you are going to lose her. This is a tough choice Brooke, so be sure you know what you want before you make it." Lucas advised
"So this is the crossroads, huh?" Brooke said sadly
"I guess so."
"This sucks."
Lucas gave Brooke a hug and the two long-time friends played a couple games of PIG and talked well into the night.
A/N- Did I scare you guys into thinking that Taylor was really dead, or did you guys pick up on my evil little plot? ; ) Hope you guys enjoyed!