Chapter Eight

Insomnia

A few weeks later, it was Christmas-time. Audrey had gotten a little bigger, but the vet said that was about as big as she would get. That, of course, was fine with Brooke. She loved her new dog so much. Sometimes, it seemed as though Audrey loved Nathan more than Brooke.

Brooke and Nathan had gotten closer in their relationship, especially after her birthday dinner surprise. They were great friends, doing everything together. Brooke had new respect for him, and was finally beginning to let herself trust somebody. She hadn't really trusted anyone since Lucas cheated on her, but Nathan was different. He was sincere and gentle.

Brooke had also made new friends. Maria had stopped by the store a few times, and her and Brooke had found they had many things in common. Maria headed up the local fashion magazine. Then, there was Peyton. She had come back to visit a few times since she and Brooke had first reconnected. Brooke had visited her once. They were close again, and Jenny adored Audrey. Brooke was pulling off the cool aunt gig well.

Brooke was in her pajamas eating ice cream when her phone rang. She jumped. She looked over at Audrey, who was sleeping soundly. She reached over and grabbed the phone.

"Hello?"

"Brooke, what's up?" Nathan asked. She smiled into the phone.

"Nothing, really. Where have you been? I haven't seen you in over a week. I miss my lunch buddy."

"Sorry. I've been working over time. Christmas is around the corner, so business is heavy."

"That's cool. So what's up?" While she talked to him, she went into the kitchen to put up her ice cream.

"My company is hosting a Christmas Ball for the employees and town residents. Its next week. Short notice, I know. Anyways, I was wondering if you would like to come with me?"

Brooke grinned. "Yeah! You know how I love to dress up."

"You sure didn't want to when Karen was going to take you to that play," he laughed.

She scoffed, "That was different. Anyways, yes, I would love to go with you."

"Cool. I'll call you later with more details." They hung up, and Brooke wandered into her room. She started looking through the closet. She didn't have anything that jumped out at her, so she decided go shopping the following day with Maria.

She went back into the living room, and Audrey curled up in her lap. Brooke talked softly to her. "Aud, do you think this is like a date? I mean, like a date-date? Because if it is, then I need to start getting nervous and everything." She looked down at the dog, who was dead asleep. Brooke laughed. "What do you care?"

Across town, Nathan was at Lucas's house. He had just arrived to hang out. He walked inside, and he and Lucas sat down to watch sports.

Nathan asked, "Where's Crystal tonight?"

"Out with friends. Where's Brooke?" He challenged him.

Nathan looked at him. "We aren't together, man."

Lucas shrugged. "Whatever. Its none of my business."

Nathan sighed. "Brooke and I are friends. Nothing more. I don't know why everyone keeps thinking there is something going on."

Lucas laughed. "Sure you don't. You guys do everything together. You eat lunch with her at least once a week, you go to the movies together, you went with her to buy that dog. Then you planned her that big birthday gazebo thing. Can you honestly tell me you two aren't a couple?"

Nathan argued, "You have to have feelings to be a couple."

"So you don't any have feelings for her whatsoever?"

Nathan was stumped. "No," he lied. He was relieved when Lucas decided to drop it.

One week later, Brooke was getting ready for the event. She had bought a brand new dress. It was light green, and was a tube dress, in a way. It flowed to the ground in two or three layers. The back was bare. She had put her hair up. She felt like she was going to the prom or something. She had heels to match, and she had gotten a pedicure and manicure earlier that day. She loved dances, but what she loved even more was the way it made her feel.

Her doorbell rang, and Audrey barked at the door. It was a new habit that Brooke didn't care for.

Brooke swept through the room. She scolded the dog, "Aud, its Nathan. Hush." She opened the door to find a very handsome Nathan Scott standing on the other side. "You look great," she complimented him.

The reason Nathan was speechless was because he couldn't get over how hot Brooke looked. "Yeah, uh you too. You look awesome."

She smiled. "Thanks. Ready?"

He nodded, and held out his arm. She took it, and said goodbye to a sad Audrey. Then, she closed and locked her door and they were soon on their way.

In the car, he said, "Thanks for coming with me."

"No problem. I love these things. It will be fun." She pulled the mirror down on the dash and checked her make up. "I barely slept last night because I was so excited about this."

"For someone who had no sleep, you look great," he assured her. And she did. He wished he could take her in his arms, kiss her, and tell her everything was going to work out for them. But he knew that wasn't possible. It wasn't realistic. Their friendship was too important to him. But that dress...

In excitement, she reached over and gave his free hand a squeeze. "Tonight is going to be fun. I can feel it."

He glanced over at her and smiled. "Yeah, it will."

Soon, they were at the Christmas Ball. The room was crowded with ritzy people dressed in nice gowns and tuxes.

Brooke grinned. "I love this feeling!"

He put his hand on her back and led her towards a table. "What feeling?"

She looked up him with bright, glowing eyes. "Like I'm rich," she laughed.

Nathan chuckled. "Yeah, this atmosphere definitely makes you feel like that."

They sat at one of the tables, and Brooke scanned the area for someone she knew. She came up empty. "So, does your company do this each year?"

Nathan nodded. "Yeah, but this is the first year I have actually come."

She looked at him inquisitively. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Never had a reason to go."

Brooke smiled, but didn't say anything. Was his reason her? She decided to drop the subject, and she was about to comment on the live band when a couple walked up to their table

"Nathan!" Crystal exclaimed. Nathan looked up, and smiled. He stood, and gave her a polite hug.

"Hey, Crystal." He shook hands with his brother before returning to Brooke's side.

Brooke smiled. "Hey, guys." Trying not to show it, she was surprised they were there. But why wouldn't they be? Lucas is the local basketball coach, and this was hosted by a sports company.

Lucas nodded in her direction. "Hey, Brooke. You look great."

Crystal gushed, "Yeah, you do. I love that dress. Is that Gucci?"

Impressed, Brooke replied, "No, it's a Gucci knock off. I'm sort of on a tight budget. Do you know much about fashion?"

Crystal sat down next to her. "Yeah, I was going to major in fashion in college when I changed my major at the last second."

Brooke grinned. She loved this girl. "Awesome. I ended up majoring in fashion, at NYU."

While their dates talked, Lucas and Nathan stood back. Lucas asked, "So, is this a 'just friends' date?"

Nathan shrugged. "Haven't decided."

Lucas looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Nathan sighed. He trusted his brother; they were best friends. He knew he could confide in him. "I like her, man. I mean, who wouldn't? She's classy, sophisticated, and sexier than hell."

Lucas laughed. "True. So, what's the problem?"

"She's Brooke Davis," Nathan said simply. "Why would she date a loser like me?" At that moment, Lucas caught the look Brooke threw at Nathan from across the room. It was a simple smile, but Lucas knew it was more than that. He knew Brooke Davis pretty well, and she kept her emotions bottled up most of the time. But he could tell she was falling for Nathan, hard. And vice versa.

"Nate, she doesn't think you are a loser. Neither do I. You should go for it with her."

Nathan stared at him. "Wait, you...Lucas Scott... are telling me, Nathan Scott, to go for your ex girlfriend?"

Lucas laughed. "Yeah, I am. Brooke is great, and you guys are obviously good together. So why don't you swallow your damn pride?"

Nathan sighed, and went to the bar for a drink. He was so confused, unsure of what to do.

At the table, Brooke and Crystal had turned their attention off of fashion and onto their dates.

Crystal asked, "You dated Luke right?"

Brooke nodded. "In high school, yeah."

She sighed. "Did you love him?"

Brooke looked at her, surprised. "Why?"

"I know its none of my business, but I was just wondering if I am weird for feeling the way I do. I am completely in love with him. If I am with him, then I am the happiest woman in the world. When I'm not with him, I can't wait until I see him again. Is that crazy?"

Brooke laughed. "No, its not. Its called love, and I think its sweet. I'll admit, when I was in high school, I loved your boyfriend. It just wasn't meant to be for us. But that doesn't mean its not for you. Crystal, I have known Lucas a long time. He loves you. And if you play your cards right, you guys will probably get married, grow old together, and have tons of kids."

Crystal smiled at her. "Thanks. I just can't tell if he wants what I want. I mean, we have talked about this stuff a little, but nothing big."

Brooke saw out of the corner of her eye that Lucas was staring at Crystal. "Take my word for it. He loves you."

She then asked, "What about you and Nathan? Lucas told me nothing is going on between you two. I, on the other hand, can totally feel the sexual tension."

Brooke burst out laughing. "Well, the sexual tension may be there, but that's about it. He doesn't want a relationship with me, and I think I feel the same way. I treasure our friendship, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."

"Have you guys talked about this?"

Brooke sighed, toying with a paper flower on the table. "We have discussed being friends, and nothing more. But the more time I spend with him, the more I find myself falling for him!" As soon as she said that, her face turned red. "Sorry. I've never actually said that out loud before."

"Its okay. Brooke, you should tell him these things."

"And risk losing my best friend? I only moved here five months ago. Nathan and I have come so far. We used to hate each other. I was the bitch, he was the ass. They never mixed. Until recently. Ever since we met up again, its been different. We understand each other." She had no idea why she was telling this woman this things. She barely knew her. Then again, if Lucas trusted her, Brooke knew she could trust her. "We both haven't had a serious relationship in over four years. Our high school lovers turned and treated us both like shit. We have fun together, you know? Whether its laying on the river court staring at heat lightening, or hanging out at my apartment watching tv."

Crystal asked, "Then what's the problem?"

"I'm scared," Brooke responded simply. "I was really hurt in my last serious relationship, and I just don't want to be hurt again."

Crystal said gently, "I don't think Nathan is ever going to hurt you. From where I am standing, he is totally and completely in love with you. He made you that sweet, romantic birthday dinner. Come on, Lucas hasn't ever done something like that for me, and we have been dating for over two years!"

Brooke laughed lightly. "Yeah, and the dinner was wonderful. I had so much fun that night. That's the thing with us. We have fun just being together. We don't need movies, tv shows, stuff like that. He is constantly making me laugh, usually just being his stupid self. And that night was just undescribable."

Crystal smiled. "Sounds to me like somebody is in love."

Brooke looked at her sharply, but couldn't find the words to correct her. At that moment, Nathan and Lucas walked up.

Nathan held out his arm. "May I have this dance?"

Brooke smiled, and obliged. "Of course." Nathan led her out to the dance floor, and soon he had swept her off her feet. They danced a few fast songs, and then "If You're Not the One," by Daniel Bedingfield came on.

They slowed down, with Nathan pulling her closer to him. She set her chin on his shoulder, allowing herself to relax in his arms.

Nathan murmured in her ear, "You look beautiful tonight."

Her cheeks flushed, and she said, "Thank you."

They danced together, and about halfway through the song, Nathan pulled back a little and Brooke lifted her head up. He looked into her eyes, and leaned in to kiss her. He had almost touched his lips to hers when Brooke pulled back, startled.

She released her hands from his, and took a few steps back. "I'm sorry," she whispered hoarsely, and then ran out of the room.

Author's Note: Sorry it took two weeks to update! I have been pretty busy with school stuff. But I am back, and sorry I left you guys on a cliffhanger... don't worry, it will be well worth it! By the way, where did all my reviewers go! Thanks to those that did review!

Mony19: Thanks. I love clueless yet sweet Nathan. Always have, always will. More of that romantic side will be coming up soon.

Ababy99: Don't worry, they will definitely be showing signs of love. Thanks, as always, for the great review.

Swedishblonde: Thanks!

Okay, now PLEASE go review!