Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, I got sidetracked with some things and writing this was…well, hard. Although I knew what I wanted to be shown in this chapter, I just for some reason couldn't put it in words. I spent most of my time trying to sort it all out, and now it's all ready. I'm glad you guys like the mix of past and present. There's more coming soon, and some in this chapter too.

.
.
.

Chapter 3: Falling Down

"Hey" Haley greeted her best friend as she slid into the seat across from him.

"Hi"

"Sorry I wasn't able to see you yesterday. As much as I wanted to, I got tied down at the Café."

He shrugged. "Its okay, my mom explained it all to me. It's not like you missed much anyway."

"So how are you feeling?"

The blonde's lips curved into a wry smile. "As okay as you can be with a broken shoulder."

She couldn't help but laugh. "I'm taking that as a good thing"

"Yeah."

Silence settled between the two friends. There was no tension, but it was uncomfortable nonetheless. Haley began drumming her fingers loudly against the tabletop and humming a soft tune. This annoyance prompted Lucas to speak up.

"You're dying to know, aren't you?"

"What?" She asked innocently.

He shot her a knowing look. "You know."

"Okay, you got me." She conceded. "I'm just curious, that's all."

"Whatever you say."

"Inquiring minds want to know, Mr. Scott. Is it true? Did you really cheat on Brooke Davis, slut of Tree Hill with Peyton, the resident moody artist?"

"Yeah." He looked down at his feet, preparing himself for the possible lecture about respecting girls.

But it didn't come.

"So, are you like with Peyton now, or something?"

"I really don't know. When I saw her at the hospital last week, she said she doesn't want to jump into anything without fixing things with Brooke."

She shrugged. "Well that's very considerate of her."

"I guess. They were best friends, after all. But what we did—it was still wrong."

"But that doesn't matter. I mean, it's not like we always do the right thing, right? The real big question is, do you regret it?"

"What?"

"Being with Peyton."

It was a few minutes later until Lucas replied, "No."

"But I just wish that it didn't end up this way. I never wanted to hurt Brooke."

Sadly, his last sentence went unheard by the mentioned brunette, who slipped out of the library in tears.

--

He doesn't regret it. He doesn't regret it, the voice chanted in her head tauntingly, as she quickly walked out of the library, struggling to keep her emotions in check.

She knew she wasn't supposed to be listening into other people's conversations—and she was damn sure she wasn't supposed to hear this one…but she did.

It's almost as if God is out to punish her, or something.

--

Nathan frowned worriedly as he watched Brooke exit the library in haste. He had seen the whole exchange, heard the entire conversation himself. Apparently, silence these days didn't matter—not even in a library.

He fought the urge to run after her and make sure she's okay.

Because he couldn't do that…

Not anymore.

But that doesn't mean no one else can.

--

Brooke pressed her forehead against the cool leather of her steering wheel, breathing raggedly. It felt like her lungs were closing in and someone just ripped whatever was left of her heart and stomped on it.

Tears silently flowed down her cheeks, leaving a salty path at its wake.

Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse…they kid.

I hear sound echo in the emptiness
All around but you can't change this loneliness
Look what you've found, I've fallen down

--

"Tim!"

Tim detached himself from the cheerleader he was hanging out with and ran up to meet his best friend. "Yeah, what's up?"

"I need you to do me a favor"

"What is it?"

"Can you find Brooke for me and see how she's doing?"

Worry immediately appeared on Tim's face. "What happened?"

"Lucas said some pretty dumb things at the library and she heard it and it really did a number on her." He explained.

Tim shifted his feet uncomfortably. "Look, Nate…I think it's best if you went after her. I mean, don't you remember? She hates my guts."

"Yeah, and don't you remember? She hates me too."

"I'm just saying man…you have more experience in this than I do."

Irritation flashed in Nathan's eyes. "If you're not going to do it, I can always have…"

He sighed. "No. It's okay. I will."

"You make it sound like it's such a burden."

"It isn't. I'm just worried about her as you are, but…"

"But?"

"I guess it's just weird, that's all."

"I'll see you later, okay? I have to go."

"Yeah, later." Tim replied distantly.

As he watched Nathan leave, he couldn't help but wonder,

Why is he trying to do this now?

--

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

Brooke, who had been staring off into space, snapped out of her daze and turned to the intruder with a rather annoyed look on her face. "What do you want, Tim?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering if you were okay."

She crossed her arms defiantly. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I saw you walk out of the library. You were upset." He lied.

"Well, I'm not anymore."

He chuckled, and pointed at her reflection on the side mirror. "Doesn't seem like it. You look shitty."

She glared at him. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"No." Pause. "But I was hoping it would snap you out of your moodiness."

She snorted. "What planet do you take psychology classes on?"

"Will you quit being a bitch?" He exclaimed, his patience with her beginning to wear thin.

"No." Came the stubborn reply.

That was when he lost it. "You know what forget it. I'll just go."

"I have no idea why you even did this, I mean, what makes you think that I'll get into bed with you? I already told you numerous times, Dim, no matter what you do; the answer will always be a no" She called after his already departing form.

He turned around, the sincerity in his tone surprising her as he replied, "It isn't about that, okay?"

"Then what is it about?"

"It's because I care. And so does Nathan."

Tears began to fill her eyes once again, this time for an entirely different reason. "Yeah, 'cause you guys just showed that so well the last time."

--

Brooke sighed as she stuffed her pom poms in her duffel bag. Another long practice. At least it took her mind off of…

"Hey, can we talk?"

So much for that.

"What part of I don't want to ever hear from you again don't you understand?"

"Can you drop the attitude?"

"No."

Peyton threw her hands up in frustration. "God, Brooke! Grow up! I'm trying to work things out here and all you do is shut me out!"

"What is there to work out, Peyton? Whatever friendship we had obviously didn't mean enough to you."

"Why do you even care? You'll find another guy eventually…"

She stepped back, hurt. "You did not just say that."

"Brooke…"

"I can't believe you think I'm a slut."

"Well you're not exactly a saint. You've been known to..."

"It's not like you're innocent either!" Brooke retorted. "You probably don't even care about Lucas." She averted her gaze at the mentioned blonde on the other side of the gym. "But that shouldn't matter; he loves you enough for the both of you."

"He doesn't—"

"Oh but he does, P. Sawyer. I mean, after all, he doesn't regret cheating on me with you. That itself, speaks volumes, don't you think?"

The gym became deathly silent. Peyton glanced around uncomfortably, suddenly aware that everyone had been watching them.

Brooke picked up her duffel bag that somehow fell off the bench and slung it over her shoulder, exiting the gym with a satisfied smile on her face.

She was still hurting, but they didn't need to know that.

--

"Show's over! You can all go home now!" Whitey barked.

"This is all your fault, Pucas" He heard Tim mutter angrily before disappearing into the locker room. Nathan followed him, but not after he sent a dirty look Lucas's way.

Jake walked past, giving him a disappointed look.

He stared at his feet guiltily.

Never in his life had he felt like such an ass.

--

Credits:

Down – Something Corporate