Word had gotten out over the weekend about the whole Peyton/Lucas/Brooke fiasco, and all of Tree Hill High was dying to know the juicy details. Of course, not knowing the whole truth didn't keep them from forming their own opinions about the situation.
Only in Tree Hill, Brooke thought bitterly.
"Look at her, she looks so depressed. I feel bad."
She rolled her eyes. Yeah, like they really cared.
She continued walking down the halls, determined to get to class, despite the numerous questions and the pitying looks.
"He is so much better with Peyton anyway. He doesn't deserve someone like Brooke"
She wanted to slap the obnoxious bitch that said that, but she didn't. Instead, she continued walking stiffly, pushing past what she could vaguely recognize as Tutor Girl and Nathan.
It's not like she could argue with that statement anyway. It was the truth.
And the truth hurt. Real bad.
---
Haley backed away as a tearful Brooke sped past them in a huff. She turned to Nathan with a rather amused look on her face. "What's her problem?"
"Lucas cheated on her with Peyton."
"I didn't know she'd care so much."
A deep frown appeared on Nathan's face. "Haley, that's kind of harsh."
"C'mon, you know she has like, a thirty second rebound rate. Besides, she'd probably hooked up with guys that had girlfriends anyway...so it's not like she didn't deserve it."
"You don't know anything about her."
"And you do?"
"No." Not anymore.
"Then why are you so tweaked about it?"
"Because it's just annoying to see people constantly pick on her." He said lamely.
Haley shook away the nagging feeling that Nathan wasn't telling her the exact truth.
Why would he lie to her about something as stupid as that anyway?
---
"Bevin, this is awesome!" Brooke giggled. She was already intoxicated, but not enough to numb the aching pain in her chest.
There was something missing.
Bevin grinned. "I told you, going to a killer party is the best way to forget about Lucas."
Brooke quirked an eyebrow. "Lucas who?"
The two shared a laugh. Bevin pointed over to a handsome guy by the bar, blatantly checking Brooke out. "I think someone's got the hots for you"
Brooke licked her lips. "This party's just about to get exciting. Catch ya later!"
She made her way over to the guy, swaying her hips seductively as she did so. Maybe this was what she needed. A one night stand.
"Hey you" She purred. "What's your name?"
"Josh" He grinned.
"Are you having fun?" He nodded. "Me too...but..."
He chuckled. "But?"
"Oh..I don't know. I think my fun needs to be kicked up another notch" She leaned over him, her lips hovering dangerously close to his. "Any ideas?"
"Definitley" He whispered as his lips captured hers.
The kiss was good...great, even...but something...something wasn't right.
She pulled away abruptly. "I can't do this."
"Tease"
She didn't even bother to reply as she stormed out of the bar.
-
"Hi" She walked in, hands in her pockets, eyes downcast, looking at anywhere but him. She was no longer drunk. She spent two hours walking from the bar to there and that was enough to sober her up.
He glanced up from his book, mildly surprised. "Hey."
"You aren't supposed to be reading, y'know. You have to rest if you want to get better."
"I know." He couldn't help but smile at her genuine care. "I just can't sleep. Got alot of things on my mind."
"Like Peyton?" She asked quietly.
"What?"
"Nevermind."
"So what brings you here?"
His question was met with silence.
Lucas could only stare at the girl who was desperately trying to keep her emotions in check. His heart broke at the sight in front of him.
"I guess I just needed to ask you..." She closed her eyes, tears trickling down her cheeks. "What did I ever do to you to deserve this?"
He had no answer for that. The best he could give her was an apology, and he knew, even that wasn't enough. "I...I'm sorry, Brooke. I never meant to hurt you."
She finally looked up, her hazel eyes shining with unshed tears and anger. "Yeah, you did. You dragged me into this, knowing that Peyton was what you wanted all along."
"It's not like that."
"Then what is it like?"
His blue eyes locked onto hers as he replied, "Despite what you think, I did care about you."
"No, you didn't. You just felt sorry for me because I was alone."
"Is this what you came here for? To argue? Because—"
She stepped back, hurt. "I just wanted answers. And I didn't even get that."
"Well what do you want me to say, Brooke?"
"I don't know" She mumured, and turned around to leave.
"I still want us to be friends" He pleaded.
"No." She said firmly. "You hurt me, and for that, you get nothing."
She closed the door behind her and collapsed into a sobbing heap.
If this is giving up then I'm giving up,
giving up on love
---
Credits:
Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day