Chapter Ten

Brooke's Bodyguard

Brooke walked toward the parking lot needing to get the hell out of there. She didn't know what the hell was going on. She just kept losing everybody she thought she could trust. She was on her way to talk to Haley, but when she got there she overheard Nathan's question. She didn't even need Haley to answer the question, she already knew the answer was yes. Of course Haley knew. They were probably all laughing at her. She was pulled out of her thoughts by someone calling her name.

"Brooke! Hey where are you going?"

"Anywhere that isn't here."she searched her purse for her keys and finally found them.

"Don't go."

"What are you talking about? I can't stay and be around all of them."

"But if you go, your letting them win. They will know they got to you and I know you don't want them to know that."

"But if I stay, then I'll have to see them and I don't want that even more."

"I'll stay with you. I'll walk you to class and pick you up after class. I won't leave you alone for one second. You don't have either one of them for your last two classes today, so you'll be okay."

Brooke sighed."Fine I'll stay, besides I have a huge test next period and I really can't afford to miss it."

"Good."

"So can you believe that Haley knew about Lucas and didn't tell me? I mean I thought we were friends, but obviously I was wrong. Hell I was wrong about a lot of things."

"I know that Haley keeping this from you was wrong, but don't you think you were a little hard on her?"

"I was hard on her? I don't think so. Everything I thought I knew was just pulled out from under me and she knew about it and kept quiet. How can I forgive that?"

"I'm sure she wanted to tell you. I bet she even pleaded with them to do it, but she's his best friend, how was she supposed to choose? I'm not telling you to forgive her, I'm just saying don't be too hard on her. I can tell she really hates herself right now."

"I don't know what to think anymore. So how exactly did you find out about all of this? Is it already all over school?"

Nathan looked away. Brooke looked at him, waiting for his answer."Please don't tell me you also knew and didn't say anything to me. I don't think I could take that."

Nathan looked at her."I did know, but..."

"Oh I get it, that's why you want me to forgive Haley for knowing and not saying anything. You just really want me to forgive you. I can't believe this. How could you?"

"Brooke it's not like that."

"Why does everybody keep saying that to me?"

"Brooke will you please shut up so I can explain everything."she stared at him not saying anything."Okay, good. Yes I knew, but I didn't keep anything from you. That's what I needed to tell you earlier. That's why I went over to your house last night."

Brooke nodded."I'm sorry. How did you find out?"

"I decided to follow your advice. I went to see Lucas to see what I could do to get Haley to talk to me again, but when I got there I saw him kissing Peyton."

Brooke's mouth dropped and she shook her head."That bastard lied to me again. He told me he only kissed her the day they came back, all before he told me he loved me. He left out the part about last night. God I was with him all day yesterday. I guess I wasn't enough for him. I guess I'll never be enough for him."her eyes began to water.

Nathan took her into his arms and held her."Brooke don't say that. You are more than enough. If Lucas couldn't see that then he is a damn fool. Your the best person I know and you will always be enough for me."he kissed the top of her head and rocked her back and fourth.

"I just don't know who I can trust anymore. Everyone I was sure of has let me down, well except for you that is."

"You can always trust me B. I will never let you down."

Brooke looked up at him."Thanks. I know you won't and you will always be enough for me too Nate. You always have been."she smiled up at him and hugged him tight. she then pulled way from him and slapped him in the back of the head.

"What the hell did you do that for? I thought we were having a moment."he laughed.

"We were, but now the moments over and you told me to shut up again. What did I tell you about that?"

"Well you wouldn't be quiet and I needed to explain."

"And I needed to hit you and I did."

"I know, your unbelievably strong B."

"Don't you forget it."

"Oh I won't. I don't want to get hit again."he placed his arm around her shoulder."Lets go inside."they walked off together.

They were both unaware that everything they did was being watched. Lucas stood in the back watching everything. He hated what he did to her. He hurt her and he could never take it back. He was glad that she had somebody to talk to, he just wished that that person wasn't Nathan. He hated that guy and right now he had his hands all over Brooke. He wouldn't put it past him to use Brooke to get to him like he used Haley. He was going to have to watch out for her even if she didn't want anything to do with him. Lucas walked away after taking one last glance in their direction. Nathan still held Brooke. He would have given anything to be the one holding and comforting her. It saddened him to know that wouldn't be happening anytime soon. Brooke now hated him.

He walked to the courtyard and found Haley sitting alone at a table."Hey. Are you still mad at me?"

"Yes and no. I can tell you need somebody right now so I'll be a friend to you, but yes I'm still mad at you for the situation you put me in."

"So I guess you know that Brooke broke up with me."

"Yeah, Nathan came by and told me."

"God, I hate that guy. This is none of his business."

"Before you get all pissed off, he didn't come over here just to tell me your business, he wasn't even going to say anything, but I kinda forced him to by what I said to him. So she really broke up with you huh?"

Lucas nodded."Deep down inside I knew she would. It was just wishful thinking that she wouldn't. I guess that's why I was so dead set against her not knowing."

"So how did she find out anyways?"

"I told her this morning."

"Good for you Lucas. That was the right thing to do."

"Don't get too proud of me, I only did it because Nathan was about to. I mean I eventually was going to tell her, but I wouldn't have done it today."

"How did Nathan find out?"

"He saw Peyton and I kissing last night."

"What? I thought you said you loved Brooke and that things were over with Peyton."

"I do and they are."

"Then what the hell were you doing kissing her?"

"I didn't do anything. Last night she came over to talk. She begged me to change my mind and choose her, but I told her I couldn't. She said she was sorry and didn't mean it. Then she leaned in for a hug and before I knew it she kissed me. Nathan must have walked in that same second because that's how long it lasted, just a second. I pushed her away. Anyways I knew he was going to tell her and I caught them right before he did. He let me tell her, but it didn't help any. She hates me."

"So how exactly did she take it?"

"She was angry at first and then I told her exactly how I felt and how I meant everything I said to her and then she got really quiet. It was like she was thinking about believing me. She started to cry, Haley and I just wanted to hold her, but she wouldn't let me. She told me I lost her. I could tell she was so hurt and I hate myself for doing this to her."

"She'll get over this Lucas, she will."said Haley trying to reassure him, but not knowing if it was the truth.

"That's what I thought too, but then I saw her later she was so full of hate, that sad girl I thought would forgive me, was replaced by this angry girl I'd never seen before."

"Well that explains why she chewed me out."

"She's mad at you too?"

"She knows that I knew about it and didn't say anything. So I think it's safe to say she hates me too now."

"I'm really sorry for that. I didn't want for this to happen. I didn't want for any of this to happen."

"I know. I just feel really bad for her. She doesn't have anyone to talk to. She must feel so alone."said Haley shaking her head.

"She's not alone. She has Nathan. Supposedly they used to be the best of friends and now I guess they are good friends again."

"You don't sound to happy about that."

"I just saw them outside and he was holding her. It made me sick to my stomach."

"Why? They're just friends Lucas, nothing more."

"I know, but I hate him and I want to be the one holding Brooke."

"I'm sorry, but your the one who screwed up."

"I know and I hate myself for it. I used to think that she was just another girl, one I cared about, but if we ever broke up it wouldn't be a big deal. I was so wrong and now I hate having to know I have to be without her and it's all my fault."he turned away needing to gather all his emotions before he himself fell apart.

Haley saw how hurt he looked and felt sorry for him. She knew he screwed up and hurt Brooke, but he really did love her."You need to stop thinking about that and start thinking of ways to make her forgive you. That is, if you really want her back."

"You know I do."

"Well then prove it to her."

The rest of the school day was uneventful for Brooke. She managed to stay away from Lucas and even though she told Nathan she didn't need him to walk her to and from class he was always there. Somehow he managed to get to her class even before the bell rang. He was being really sweet and she was glad to have him."You know your great and all, but I can walk to my locker by myself. I'm very capable."

"I never said you weren't. I just want to make sure no unwanted people approach you."

"Your very sweet. I'm done here so lets go to practice."they started walking." I guess it's a good thing we both practice in the same gym, otherwise you'd probably skip yours just to watch over me."she said with a laugh.

"How'd you know I'd do that?"also laughed Nathan.

"Because I know you."

They walked through the gym doors right as Lucas was about to walk out."Sorry, oh hey Brooke. I've been looking for you. I thought we could talk."

"Well isn't that too bad that she doesn't want to talk to you. In fact she doesn't want anything to do with you."said Nathan staring at Lucas.

Lucas stared at Nathan and then turned back to Brooke."Come on Brooke, can we please do this without your bodyguard?"

"Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Nathan."

Lucas shook his head."Fine if your that afraid to be alone with me then okay."he knew this would get to her.

"I'm not afraid to be alone with you Lucas."

"Okay then prove it, send him away."

Brooke turned to Nathan."I'll be fine, go ahead and change."

Nathan looked down at her."Brooke you don't have to listen to him."

"I'm not. I'll be fine."

Nathan hesitated."Okay, well then I'll be right back."

Brooke watched Nathan walk away slowly. She knew he didn't want to leave her with Lucas. She turned to face Lucas."Okay what the hell do you want?"

Lucas smiled at her."I knew you couldn't turn down a challenge."

Brooke shrugged."What do you want Lucas? I don't have time for this."

"I just wanted to talk to you, to make sure you were okay. I miss you. This day has been hell without you. Not being able to hold you is killing me."he stopped wanting to hear her response, hoping she was feeling the same.

"Are you done?"she asked coldly.

"No."he stepped closer and grabbed her hands before she was able to pull away. He looked into her eyes and saw that she was looking back into his."I love you Brooke, nobody else. You may hate me right now, but I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to make you forgive me. I am going to prove to you that you can trust me again and you are going to know that when I say I love you, I mean it. I promise you that."

Brooke stood there looking into his eyes, wanting to turn away, but couldn't. She was somehow pulled to him, by what she didn't know. She listened to everything he said and wanted to believe him. He sounded like he meant every word, but she couldn't trust it. She couldn't trust him."You can take those promises and shove them up your ass Lucas. I will never forgive you for what you did. Not only did you cheat on me, you continued to lie to me after you decided to tell me all about it."

"What are you talking about? I have been completely honest with you about what happened."

"So Nathan catching you two making out last night on your bed just slipped your mind?"

"That wasn't what it looked like."

"Really because Nathan seems to think it was exactly what it looked looked like."

"I don't give a damn about what Nathan says. He's wrong."

"How the hell can he be wrong about what he saw?"

"Do you want me to explain or are you going to keep interrupting me?"

"Go ahead. This should be interesting."

"Right after you left yesterday Peyton came by and asked if we could talk."

"Yeah, talk. I bet that's what she wanted to do."she caught the look on Lucas' face and stopped."Sorry."

"So we went into my room and talked."

Brooke interrupted again."What did you talk about?"

"You don't need to know all of that."

"Really? It was that bad huh? I must have been about me."

"No, I just don't want to be the reason you hate Peyton."

"Oh I hate Peyton because of the things she did just like I hate you for the things you did. Now tell me what you two talked about."

"She begged me to change my mind and to be with her."

"What did you say?"

"I told her no. I said I wanted to be with you. She said she understood and when she was about to leave she leaned in and kissed me. Nathan must have walked in just as she leaned in because I pushed her away the second it happened. It didn't mean anything. You have to believe that."

"I don't have to do anything. We're done here right, because like I said I don't have time for this."she heard a door open loudly at the other end of the gym and looked past Lucas to see Peyton walking in."Now that I have time for."she started to walk toward Peyton when Lucas grabbed her arm and stopped her."Get your hands off of me Lucas."she pulled herself free.

"Brooke please don't do this. Don't cause a scene."

Brooke scoffed."Trust me Lucas, what I'm about to do is gonna go way beyond causing a scene."

"Brooke don't."

"Look I know she's your girlfriend and all, but I think she's a big girl. She can take care of herself."she turned and walked toward Peyton.

Peyton looked at Brooke."Look Brooke I know your pissed at me, but can we do this later when we don't have an audience."

"First of all Peyton, what I am is far worse than just pissed. What I feel for you is pure hatred. I never thought I'd say that, but here I am. Second, why not do this in front of everybody? Do you not want them to know what an untrustworthy, back stabbing, boyfriend stealing, bitch you've become?"she turned to her squad."You better watch out girls. Keep those boyfriends away from her because if she can do this to somebody she called her best friend, then none of you are safe."

"I'm sorry for everything Brooke. We never meant to hurt you."

"I've already heard that from your boyfriend and it doesn't make a difference. I just want to know one thing though. When he kissed you and touched your face, did you want that feeling to last forever? Did it feel good to you? Were you happy?"

"Brooke stop. I'm not going to answer that ridiculous question."

"No please do. I want to know if it was worth it. If being with my boyfriend behind my back was worth losing our friendship. I mean obviously it was seeing how you did it more than once."

"It was a mistake Brooke."

"Yeah, your right, it was a mistake. It was my mistake thinking I could trust you to be alone with my boyfriend for one day, but don't worry I know it's not all your fault. Lucas was right there with you, betraying me."

"It wasn't like that Brooke. We didn't plan it. It just happened."

"I don't care if it was planned or not or how it even happened for that matter. It happened. I would have never done this to you, but I guess that just makes me a better person than you. And they call me a slut."Brooke laughed."How funny is that?"

"Brooke nobody here is a slut."

"No that's where your wrong, you are definitely one."

"Fine, call me what you want, but you need to know that I'm sorry for everything. If I could I'd take it all back. Being with Lucas wasn't worth losing your friendship. I want us to continue being friends. Your everything to me Brooke.Your all I have."

At this point everybody was watching the back and forth argument, hoping for a cat fight.

"Wow, that was a pretty heart felt speech there Peyt. It's too bad I don't believe a word of it. You expect me to believe that if right now Lucas came up to you and said he changed his mind and wanted you, you'd turn him down. Especially after begging him to do just that last night."

She couldn't believe Lucas told her about what she said."I would."

"That's crap and you know it, but I guess we'll never know because Lucas doesn't want you. If he did, he wouldn't be chasing me all around school, telling me he loved me and wanting me to forgive him. I guess he wised up huh? So you can stop throwing yourself at him, he's not falling for it. Don't worry though, there's no way I'm forgiving him so I'm sure with time, he'll go back to your sorry ass. That's good news right?"

"You can say all the hurtful things you want Brooke, but it doesn't change the fact that if Lucas really loved you, he wouldn't have been with me."she didn't want to hurt Brooke, but it was like she was going out of her way to hurt her. Throwing the fact that Lucas loved her in her face.

Lucas wanted to say something, but didn't. He figured they needed to do this and then it would hopefully be over.

What she just said hurt, Brooke couldn't deny it. It was true, but she wasn't going to let Peyton know she got to her."And to think I called you my best friend. Wow."

"Brooke I am your best friend, but you have to realize that you can't always get what you want. You knew I liked Lucas, but you went after him anyways. I just did the same thing you did."

"I asked you repeatedly if you liked Lucas and you said no over and over again. Don't even go there with me. I did nothing wrong."

"Just because you say something doesn't make it so. You should have known that."

"What, am I supposed to be a mind reader now?"

"No I'm not saying that. Look we've both done hurtful things to each other so don't lay all of this on me. If you never would have gone after Lucas in the first place, none of this would have happened."

"How typical, your blaming me for you messing with my boyfriend."Brooke turned to Lucas."Lucas are you getting this? Do you see what a psychopath you've chosen?"said Brooke with a laugh. She turned back to Peyton."I don't know how that screwed up head of yours works, but you did what you did because your a bitch and that's all your fault, not mine. Now why don't you take the boyfriend formally known as mine and stay the hell away from me. I don't want anything to do with either of you again."she saw Jake in the corner of her eye. She knew she shouldn't bring him into this, but the words just came out before she could stop them and she turned to him."I'm really sorry Jake I guess you know that the date I was trying to set you up on is now off. It turns out it was my boyfriend she wanted all along, but it's okay you deserve someone better than some boyfriend stealing bitch. Your too good for her. Hell anything is better than her."

Peyton looked around, everybody was looking at her wanting to see what she would say next. She couldn't take everybody staring at her. She needed to get out of there and fast. She turned and quickly ran out of the gym.

Brooke turned to Lucas."Hey you might want to go after your girlfriend. She didn't look too good."

Lucas shook his head and walked to grab a ball.

A/N:Thanks for all the reviews. I love them.

brucasfanatic:Thanks a lot for your majorly long review. It means a lot to me that you have a lot to say. I'm glad you liked the slap. He did deserve it. I too thought the part where she was alone in the bathroom was sad. I wanted to show that she was truly hurt by what they did. I really hated Peyton last season. She really got to me when she made that comment to Lucas about not kissing Nathan and how she wouldn't do that to Haley. I was like hello, Brooke's supposed to be your best friend, but I guess you can do that to her though. I didn't want Haley not tell Brooke, but Lucas was her best friend and she had to honor that. I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks.

crazy:Thanks for the review. I know this chapter was sad and I agree she has every right to be upset with everybody. She feels like she can't trust anyone right now. I hope you liked this chapter.

ZoeLuv80:Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I agree that Lucas was crazy for comparing what he did to what Nathan did. That's why Nathan told him what he did. Although what Nathan did was also bad. I also feel bad for Brooke. I'm starting to think I need to give her a break.lol. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks.

kinGsFaN: Thanks for your last two reviews. I agree Nathan has been great to Brooke. When thinking up this story it was always in my mind to make it more about her friendship with Nathan, then about her relationship with Lucas. I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks.

I hope you liked this chapter. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I think it's one of my worst, but I wanted to give you guys an update. I rewrote the Brooke and Peyton argument a few times and didn't like how they were so I threw them out. I had Brooke say some really hurtful things to Peyton, but then decided I didn't want Peyton to seem like the victim so I threw that one out. This was the best one so I used it. Please let me know what you think. Read and review. Thanks.

Coming Up:

Peyton's evilness surfaces.

Brooke talks to Haley.

Nathan and Haley also talk.