Author's Note: Hello. I know it's been a long time, but I just couldn't find time. If I have a spare minute I usually update my other OTH story because it gets more reviews. So if you all like this story and want it updated faster, just leave a review and I'll have the next chapter up in like a couple days. Anyway, I know a lot of you want to see Nathan comforted, but it will sadly not be in the chapter, but it will be in the next few ones, the next one from Brooke's POV, I guess. I hope you still like this story. I'll try my best to keep it interesting. Anyway, here's the next chapter...
OTH
Brooke's POV
You know how people saw that things get better with time? That's all that I keep hearing around here. The doctors keep saying it, Karen says it. God, even Peyton has said it. I didn't think that she of all people would try that crap on me. All I want is something to do, something that will make Hales feel better. Just sitting here and doing nothing is not making Haley get better any quicker. I ask them how I can make things better and they keep telling me the same thing over and over again. It's really starting to get on my nerves, you know? And another thing that's really pissing me off about this whole 'things get better with time' thing, is that things around here aren't getting any better. In fact they are getting worse. Even second that I'm trapped in this place, I hate Nathan even more, if that is even possible. Every time I see Haley in that room, bruises on her face and wrists, I just want to kill someone. And that someone is Nathan Scott. I've made a promise to myself that if I ever lay eyes on him again, he will pay. I'll make him pay for what he did to Haley. What he's done to all of us.
OTH
"You okay down here?" I ask Peyton, wanting to make sure she would be okay by herself. I know that she said she was all right with the Luke thing, but I have a feeling that she isn't as cool with this as she's letting on. But then again, I could be totally wrong, it's been a month since I've been with her, I could be a little off with my best friend radar. Hell, it was totally off at the party with Haley. Peyton gives me her best smile and I'm trying to figure out if it's fake or not. Looks pretty real to me.
"Oh, yeah," she tells me, motioning with her hands for me to go. "You go on up." I really, really, really want to go up and see my Hales, so I better get out of here before she changes her mind. I smile at her and give Karen a quick hug goodbye before making my way up to see Haley. As I step in the elevator, I'm a little disappointed that no one is in here; I'm in a really talkative mode. Boy, is Hales in for a fun visit. I'm not sure if it's because I'm in a weird mood or what, but the ride doesn't seem very long. The doors open and bounce out. I'm so giddy that I don't even see the person in front of me and we collide.
"I'm sorry," she mumbles, without looking up. She bends down to pick up the magazines that had fallen on the ground. I bend down to help her. "Thanks."
"No problem," I tell her, handing her the ones that I had gathered as I grab more. "It's my fault so..." I fade off as I see her face. I thought I knew that voice. She looks up when I stop talking to see what was the matter. "Hey, Courtney. I didn't realize it was you." She shakes her head and stands up, magazines in hand.
"Don't worry about it," she tells me. She looks nervous and goes to move around me to get to the elevator. "I'll se you around." I snap to my senses and reach out to grab her arm.
"Wait," I call. She stops, but doesn't turn around. "I wanted to talk to you about the party." She remains with her back to me. She kind of looks scared. Does she think I'm going to hurt her or something? Why would I do that? Unless... Is there's a reason for me to hurt her? "If you don't mind, I was wondering if I could ask you some questions?"
"I really need to get out of here," she says over her shoulder. "I have somewhere to be."
"It'll only take a second," I beg her. I really need some answers about this. I still can't understand what Nathan did to Haley or why. And I can't help but think that Courtney might have those answers.
"The cops already talked to me," she informed me. "I told them everything that I know. That should be enough to lock that bastard up forever." She takes a step closer.
"How did you know what was going on in that room?" I blurt out. "That's all I want to know." Please, would you just tell me? I need to know. It's driving me crazy. She sighs and her shoulders slump as she finally turns around to face me.
"I hear them," she says. "I heard him telling her to take her clothes off and I hear her say no. The next thing I know, there's a bang against the door and I could hear her muffled screams for him to stop."
"Why didn't you do anything?" I ask in disbelief. Before I had thought she just had a suspicion about what was going on. But she knew exactly what was happening and she didn't do a thing? I take a step forward. She doesn't back away.
"I tried," she says, choking on the words. "But Tim wouldn't let me. He said that he and Nathan had a bet going." She stops to regain her composure.
"A bet?" She nods.
"He said that he bet Nathan that he couldn't get Haley to sleep with him," she explained. Oh, God, I think I'm going to throw up. "They had it going since he and Haley hooked up. He said that if I went in, it would ruin the bet."
"God," I breathe. "Poor, Hales." I suddenly have the need to have her in my arms. I look up at Courtney and she nods, knowing that I what to leave. I turn and start ot walk down the hall.
"Hey, Brooke," Courtney calls out. I turn back around.
"Yeah?"
"Tell her I'm sorry?"
"It wasn't your fault," I protest. Like that's going to make her feel any better. We all blame ourselves for what happened. Besides, with the guilt cards Peyton and me have over this, she's got nothing on us.
"Could you just tell her anyway?" she asks me. I nod and she does to. "I hope you all get back to normal eventually." She gives me a sad smile and finally gets into the elevator. I remain standing there for a few more moments after the doors close. I shake my head and make my way down the hall, to Haley's room. When I reach the door, that same nurse that seems to be everywhere comes out of the room.
"Hi, dear," she greets me. She must see the worried look on my face because her face softens. "Your friend just needed to have her IV changed. No need to worry your pretty little head about it." I smile at her. She's been really nice the whole time. Always trying to make me feel better.
"I'm Brooke," I say, realizing that I had never introduced myself. She smiles and shakes my hand. "Thank you for taking such good care of my best friend. It means more to me than you could ever know."
"That's no problem, honey," she tells me. "I'm Betty. If you have any problems just ask for me." I nod and she walks away, leaving me standing outside Haley's room. I peek through the window to see what she's doing. Truthfully, I wanted to see what she was like when she was alone. I needed to know if she was just putting up a mask for all of us. She looks the same as she did last time I was in there. I take a deep breath and poke my head in.
"Knock, knock," I say. She sees me and her face seems to light up.
"Brookie," she cheers. I laugh at the excitement in her voice and step inside fully. I let the door close and walk over to the chair. "Sit," she orders me. I do as she asks.
"Yes ma'am," I reply with a smile. I look at the smile on her face and it breaks my heart. She has been through so much. How can she still be able to do that? You would think it was physically impossible or something. And what's even more impossible is how she can still look so innocent. I can't tell her about the bet between Nathan and Tim. I'm too afraid that will shatter the only thing she has left.
"Where have you been?" she asks me. "You haven't been back up since you left to go to my house."
"A couple cops felt the need to come between me and my Hales," I answer her and she nods in understanding. "Plus, I figured you would want some alone time with Karen."
"I see," is the only thing she says. The happy expression that was on her face when I came in has left leaving a sad one in its place. She takes her gaze off of me and looks straight ahead at the door. I'm confused and I'm sure my face shows it. I take her hand in mine.
"Baby, what's wrong?" I ask her. She doesn't turn to look at me until I tug on her hand. When I finally have her gaze I repeat the question. "What's wrong?"
"I just thought..." she trails off. She looks like she trying to find the right words to express whatever it is that she's feeling. I squeeze her hand to let her know that I'm listening. "For a while there I thought you weren't coming back." My brows scrunch up, which I hate. Damn, worry lines.
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't want you to feel like you need to be here," she finally says. "I don't want to be a burden to you." She's really not making any sense here. Does she think I don't' want to be here? Well, of course I don't want to be here because I don't want her to be here.
"You think I don't want to be here?" She nods, but can't look me in the eyes. Aw, you poor baby. What the hell has Nathan done to you? "Why would you think that?"
"It's just..." She looks me in the face. "Everyone keeps leaving. It's like they can't be in here for more than five minutes before they have to leave. It's like they don't wanna be here." I shake my head and take her other hand in mine.
"Sweetie," I begin. "You have to understand that being in here is really hard for me." She bows her head, but I take her chin and force her to look at me. "It's just so hard to see you like this, all broken and hurt. It breaks my heart." I sniffle in an attempt to hold back the tears. "I'm just afraid that you aren't my Hales anymore."
"Brookie," she says, shaking her head. "I'll always be your Hales. I refuse to let something Nathan did change who I am." That's good to hear. I was really worried that she wouldn't be the same anymore. After everything, that was what scared me the most.
"Thank God," I exclaim with a laugh. "Cause I couldn't take that." She smiles to reassure me. Before I know what's happening, she's in serious mode again.
"So, you won't leave?"
"I'll stay right here," I promise her, which brings the smile back to her face. Nothing would make me happier than to sit right here with her. That way I can make sure that nothing ever hurts again. Not Luke, not Tim, and sure as hell not Nathan. No one is every going to her again. Not if I can help it.
OTH
That's all for now folks. I know it wasn't anything special. I hope you liked it though. If you did, please, please, please tell me what you thought. It doesn't take that much effort and it gives me a happy. Thanks for reading. Until next time, peace.
OTH
Brooke's POV
You know how people saw that things get better with time? That's all that I keep hearing around here. The doctors keep saying it, Karen says it. God, even Peyton has said it. I didn't think that she of all people would try that crap on me. All I want is something to do, something that will make Hales feel better. Just sitting here and doing nothing is not making Haley get better any quicker. I ask them how I can make things better and they keep telling me the same thing over and over again. It's really starting to get on my nerves, you know? And another thing that's really pissing me off about this whole 'things get better with time' thing, is that things around here aren't getting any better. In fact they are getting worse. Even second that I'm trapped in this place, I hate Nathan even more, if that is even possible. Every time I see Haley in that room, bruises on her face and wrists, I just want to kill someone. And that someone is Nathan Scott. I've made a promise to myself that if I ever lay eyes on him again, he will pay. I'll make him pay for what he did to Haley. What he's done to all of us.
OTH
"You okay down here?" I ask Peyton, wanting to make sure she would be okay by herself. I know that she said she was all right with the Luke thing, but I have a feeling that she isn't as cool with this as she's letting on. But then again, I could be totally wrong, it's been a month since I've been with her, I could be a little off with my best friend radar. Hell, it was totally off at the party with Haley. Peyton gives me her best smile and I'm trying to figure out if it's fake or not. Looks pretty real to me.
"Oh, yeah," she tells me, motioning with her hands for me to go. "You go on up." I really, really, really want to go up and see my Hales, so I better get out of here before she changes her mind. I smile at her and give Karen a quick hug goodbye before making my way up to see Haley. As I step in the elevator, I'm a little disappointed that no one is in here; I'm in a really talkative mode. Boy, is Hales in for a fun visit. I'm not sure if it's because I'm in a weird mood or what, but the ride doesn't seem very long. The doors open and bounce out. I'm so giddy that I don't even see the person in front of me and we collide.
"I'm sorry," she mumbles, without looking up. She bends down to pick up the magazines that had fallen on the ground. I bend down to help her. "Thanks."
"No problem," I tell her, handing her the ones that I had gathered as I grab more. "It's my fault so..." I fade off as I see her face. I thought I knew that voice. She looks up when I stop talking to see what was the matter. "Hey, Courtney. I didn't realize it was you." She shakes her head and stands up, magazines in hand.
"Don't worry about it," she tells me. She looks nervous and goes to move around me to get to the elevator. "I'll se you around." I snap to my senses and reach out to grab her arm.
"Wait," I call. She stops, but doesn't turn around. "I wanted to talk to you about the party." She remains with her back to me. She kind of looks scared. Does she think I'm going to hurt her or something? Why would I do that? Unless... Is there's a reason for me to hurt her? "If you don't mind, I was wondering if I could ask you some questions?"
"I really need to get out of here," she says over her shoulder. "I have somewhere to be."
"It'll only take a second," I beg her. I really need some answers about this. I still can't understand what Nathan did to Haley or why. And I can't help but think that Courtney might have those answers.
"The cops already talked to me," she informed me. "I told them everything that I know. That should be enough to lock that bastard up forever." She takes a step closer.
"How did you know what was going on in that room?" I blurt out. "That's all I want to know." Please, would you just tell me? I need to know. It's driving me crazy. She sighs and her shoulders slump as she finally turns around to face me.
"I hear them," she says. "I heard him telling her to take her clothes off and I hear her say no. The next thing I know, there's a bang against the door and I could hear her muffled screams for him to stop."
"Why didn't you do anything?" I ask in disbelief. Before I had thought she just had a suspicion about what was going on. But she knew exactly what was happening and she didn't do a thing? I take a step forward. She doesn't back away.
"I tried," she says, choking on the words. "But Tim wouldn't let me. He said that he and Nathan had a bet going." She stops to regain her composure.
"A bet?" She nods.
"He said that he bet Nathan that he couldn't get Haley to sleep with him," she explained. Oh, God, I think I'm going to throw up. "They had it going since he and Haley hooked up. He said that if I went in, it would ruin the bet."
"God," I breathe. "Poor, Hales." I suddenly have the need to have her in my arms. I look up at Courtney and she nods, knowing that I what to leave. I turn and start ot walk down the hall.
"Hey, Brooke," Courtney calls out. I turn back around.
"Yeah?"
"Tell her I'm sorry?"
"It wasn't your fault," I protest. Like that's going to make her feel any better. We all blame ourselves for what happened. Besides, with the guilt cards Peyton and me have over this, she's got nothing on us.
"Could you just tell her anyway?" she asks me. I nod and she does to. "I hope you all get back to normal eventually." She gives me a sad smile and finally gets into the elevator. I remain standing there for a few more moments after the doors close. I shake my head and make my way down the hall, to Haley's room. When I reach the door, that same nurse that seems to be everywhere comes out of the room.
"Hi, dear," she greets me. She must see the worried look on my face because her face softens. "Your friend just needed to have her IV changed. No need to worry your pretty little head about it." I smile at her. She's been really nice the whole time. Always trying to make me feel better.
"I'm Brooke," I say, realizing that I had never introduced myself. She smiles and shakes my hand. "Thank you for taking such good care of my best friend. It means more to me than you could ever know."
"That's no problem, honey," she tells me. "I'm Betty. If you have any problems just ask for me." I nod and she walks away, leaving me standing outside Haley's room. I peek through the window to see what she's doing. Truthfully, I wanted to see what she was like when she was alone. I needed to know if she was just putting up a mask for all of us. She looks the same as she did last time I was in there. I take a deep breath and poke my head in.
"Knock, knock," I say. She sees me and her face seems to light up.
"Brookie," she cheers. I laugh at the excitement in her voice and step inside fully. I let the door close and walk over to the chair. "Sit," she orders me. I do as she asks.
"Yes ma'am," I reply with a smile. I look at the smile on her face and it breaks my heart. She has been through so much. How can she still be able to do that? You would think it was physically impossible or something. And what's even more impossible is how she can still look so innocent. I can't tell her about the bet between Nathan and Tim. I'm too afraid that will shatter the only thing she has left.
"Where have you been?" she asks me. "You haven't been back up since you left to go to my house."
"A couple cops felt the need to come between me and my Hales," I answer her and she nods in understanding. "Plus, I figured you would want some alone time with Karen."
"I see," is the only thing she says. The happy expression that was on her face when I came in has left leaving a sad one in its place. She takes her gaze off of me and looks straight ahead at the door. I'm confused and I'm sure my face shows it. I take her hand in mine.
"Baby, what's wrong?" I ask her. She doesn't turn to look at me until I tug on her hand. When I finally have her gaze I repeat the question. "What's wrong?"
"I just thought..." she trails off. She looks like she trying to find the right words to express whatever it is that she's feeling. I squeeze her hand to let her know that I'm listening. "For a while there I thought you weren't coming back." My brows scrunch up, which I hate. Damn, worry lines.
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't want you to feel like you need to be here," she finally says. "I don't want to be a burden to you." She's really not making any sense here. Does she think I don't' want to be here? Well, of course I don't want to be here because I don't want her to be here.
"You think I don't want to be here?" She nods, but can't look me in the eyes. Aw, you poor baby. What the hell has Nathan done to you? "Why would you think that?"
"It's just..." She looks me in the face. "Everyone keeps leaving. It's like they can't be in here for more than five minutes before they have to leave. It's like they don't wanna be here." I shake my head and take her other hand in mine.
"Sweetie," I begin. "You have to understand that being in here is really hard for me." She bows her head, but I take her chin and force her to look at me. "It's just so hard to see you like this, all broken and hurt. It breaks my heart." I sniffle in an attempt to hold back the tears. "I'm just afraid that you aren't my Hales anymore."
"Brookie," she says, shaking her head. "I'll always be your Hales. I refuse to let something Nathan did change who I am." That's good to hear. I was really worried that she wouldn't be the same anymore. After everything, that was what scared me the most.
"Thank God," I exclaim with a laugh. "Cause I couldn't take that." She smiles to reassure me. Before I know what's happening, she's in serious mode again.
"So, you won't leave?"
"I'll stay right here," I promise her, which brings the smile back to her face. Nothing would make me happier than to sit right here with her. That way I can make sure that nothing ever hurts again. Not Luke, not Tim, and sure as hell not Nathan. No one is every going to her again. Not if I can help it.
OTH
That's all for now folks. I know it wasn't anything special. I hope you liked it though. If you did, please, please, please tell me what you thought. It doesn't take that much effort and it gives me a happy. Thanks for reading. Until next time, peace.