Chapter Fifteen
Nathan's Muddy Secret
Brooke gloomily walked into her first period class dreading it. School was the last place she wanted to be today. Being with Lucas yesterday and then having to push him away was too draining. She hated that she let herself be put in that situation. Yesterday was just a crazy day and after what happened with that man she didn't want to be alone. She just wanted to forget everything for one afternoon and she did, but in the end she was worse off. She took her seat and laid her head down.
Haley walked in shortly after her and saw her friend with her head down."Hey Brooke, what's wrong?"
She looked up."Hey."
"You look like crap. What happened?"
"Lucas happened."she simply stated.
"Lucas? What do you mean?"
"We were together yesterday and it was a mistake."
"You were together? You mean you two slept together?"
"No."she shook her head."I stopped it before it went that far, but stopping was the last thing I wanted to do. I could tell I upset Luke though."
"Why, because you wouldn't sleep with him? If so then who cares."
"No, that's not why. He's not like that. It's just that I said some stuff and I think I really hurt him. I honestly think that things are over for good. There was a little part of me that felt like we'd get back together in time, but now I know we're not. He said he was going to leave me alone."she let out a sigh.
"You don't sound too happy about that. Isn't this what you wanted?"
"What I want is for none of this to have happened in the first place. It's just hard, you know. Everything that has happened lately is just wearing me down. I need a break from everything, from school, from Lucas, and from Peyton. I need to be pampered and waited on and I know just where to get that."she smiled to herself.
"Well with the way Lucas feels about you, I'm sure you could get that from him."
"Ha, ha, but I just said I need a break from him too remember?"
"Right, sorry. So where is it you go to get pampered?"asked Haley rolling her eyes.
"Amelia's. She has the best spa in town. Everybody who works there has magic hands. Ooh, just thinking about it is relaxing. I definitely have to go and now. Screw school. Will you come with me? I could use a friend to talk to."
"I don't know Brooke. I really shouldn't leave school."
"Come on Tutor Girl live a little. It's only one day. Trust me once you are lying down getting a massage you'll see that it is worth it."
"How much does getting pampered at the spa all day cost? I don't really have money to be spending on stuff like that."
"Well then your in luck Tutor Girl because this little trip to the spa is on me, well on daddy anyways."she laughed."You don't have to worry about anything. Just say yes."Brooke stuck out her bottom lip pleadingly.
Haley smiled. How could she say no to that face."Okay, when are we leaving?"
Brooke squealed."Right after class and don't worry I'll give you plenty of time to say good bye to your boy toy. I'm so excited about this. Aren't you?"
"Well I've never been to a spa so I don't know."
"You'll love it, I promise."
"It does sound fun."
"It is we will no doubt have a great time."
Class ended and Haley left Brooke at her locker to put her stuff away in her own. She knew that when she was done Nathan would be with Brooke. He was still walking her to class even though she repeatedly told him he didn't have to. She just closed her locker when Lucas walked up to her."Hey Hales, can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Oh, Lucas can it wait? I'm kinda in a hurry. I have to meet Brooke, we're leaving."
"Where are you two going in the middle of school?"
"Well Brooke isn't feeling good today and she needs to be waited on, so we're going to spend the day at a spa."
Lucas laughed."You know that sounds just like Brooke, dropping everything to get a massage, but not you. Your really gonna skip school?"
"I know, I can't believe it either, but yep. Who am I to say no to a free day at the spa?"
"That's true."
"Brooke's waiting for me, so I should go, but I'll call you later and we'll talk about what happened with you two yesterday."
"She told you about that?"
"Kinda, but I'm sure she'll go into detail about it later."
"I'm sure she will. I'll talk to you later. Bye Hales."
"See you Lucas."
Nathan walked up to Brooke."Hey B what's up?"
"There you are. I was wondering how long it would take for you to get here."
"Well I'm here now reporting for duty."
"Yeah, about that, it looks like you will be having today off. I'm out of here."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm taking Tutor Girl to Amelia's. I need a little relaxation."
He nodded in understanding."Does this have to do with what happened yesterday in the locker room?"
"Yes, that and some other things are going on too."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yeah, I actually do, but not here and not now. Later, I promise."
"If your sure."she nodded."So you really slapped Peyton huh?"
"Hell yeah, and she deserved it."
"After everything I heard her say I don't doubt it. Did you really kick her off the squad too?"
"You bet I did. Do you want me to let you in on a little secret?"
"Sure."
"I'm going to ask Haley to take her place. Do you think she'll do it?"
"I'm sorry, but there is no way that she will do it Brooke."laughed Nathan.
"You seriously don't think so?"
"Seriously B, Haley will have no part in this cheer leading thing. She doesn't even like cheerleaders."
"She likes me."
"Yeah, but you and Peyton were the exceptions and do you remember how long it took you all to become friends?"
"Well I'm still gonna ask. What if I play the she owes me one for not telling me about Lucas card?"
"Do you really want to do that?"
"Maybe I'll just beg her instead. If she says no, then she says no."
Nathan rolled his eyes at her, like she'd take no for an answer. He kinda liked the idea of Haley becoming a cheerleader. He'd give anything to get her into a uniform.
Haley walked back to Brooke's locker and there was Nathan right where she knew he'd be.
Nathan turned when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist from behind. He kissed her forehead."So Brooke tells me she's taking you to Amelia's. Sounds fun."he said rolling his eyes. Brooke caught that and playfully pushed him."Hey, I'm sorry, but that doesn't sound like something I would want to do."
Brooke opened her mouth to speak, but shut it when he spoke."Don't you dare Brooke."she smiled at him. He knew no matter what he said she'd tell about his spa days.
"Nathan loves going to Amelia's."she blurted out.
Haley turned to look at him."When did you go to the spa?"
Brooke answered for him."He's always gone. He and I used to be regulars at Amelia's.They know him by name there. In fact...do you want to come too Nate? The more the merrier. It's my treat."
"You know B as tempting as that sounds, I'm gonna have to pass. You know I only went because you made me."
Brooke laughed as he made his excuses."Maybe that was why you went at first, but later you went because you liked it. I even caught you there once without me, so don't lie."
His eyes widened."That was a one time thing. I needed to relax for a big game. Dan wouldn't let up on me."
Brooke turned to Haley. She went this far, she might as well tell her everything."I caught him in the mud bath by himself. He looked so cute covered in mud. I teased him about it for weeks."
Haley laughed."I wish I could have seen that."
"No more Brooke. I told you never to say anything."
"Hey, she's your girlfriend, she has the right to know her boyfriend has a mud fetish."
Nathan sighed. He knew he'd better change the subject because this conversation had the potential to get him into trouble."So you two are just going to leave me all by myself today, with nobody to eat lunch with."
"I thought you said you were going to practice with Lucas at lunch today."said Haley.
"Again?"asked Brooke.
"Yeah, we have to work together all week on Whitey's orders."
"Sucks to be you. Now I'm going to give you two some privacy to say goodbye. I'll be in my car waiting, so hurry Tutor Girl. Bye Nate."
"Bye B. Take care of my girl for me."
Brooke waved him off and started to walk to her car. She was about to pull open the door when it was pulled open from the other side. Lucas walked in and stopped when he saw Brooke. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but then changed his mind and closed it and walked off. She was actually surprised that he was doing what she asked and leaving her alone. She walked through the door and up to her car and got in."Hopefully this will get easier."she said out loud.
"So do you want to tell me what happened yesterday?"asked Haley during their manicure and pedicure.
Brooke sighed."Where do I start?"she asked out loud.
"From the beginning."said Haley with a smile.
"You think? Because I was going to start from the end and work my way to the beginning."said Brooke sarcastically.
"Your funny."
"So I've been told."
"Brooke, spill."
She stuck out her tongue."Fine. I slapped Peyton yesterday, but I'm sure you already knew that."
She shook her head."No I didn't. What happened?"
"Well first she wanted me to think Lucas was lying about not being with her the other day, then she changed her story and said she lied for me, all while calling me a slut and saying Lucas deserved to know that if he hadn't of cheated on me I would have done it to him. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to hit her and then I kicked her off the squad."
"Can you do that?"
"Yeah, but if she goes to the head of the cheer committee, she could probably have it over turned, seeing how I was the one to hit her."
"This is all so crazy. Not long ago we were all friends and now everyones at each others throats."
"Well things change, which reminds me, are you interested in joining an after school program?"
Even with Brooke trying to ease her way into asking, Haley knew."Brooke, I know what you want and the answer is no. I do not want to take Peyton's place."
"Oh please Haley. We really need you."
"I have never cheered for anything in my life. I don't even know how."
"I've seen you move when you thought nobody was watching and you can yell. I'll teach you all the routines. Trust me it can work."
"Brooke I don't know about this."said Haley shaking her head.
"Please Haley, besides you owe me."
"For what?"
"For not telling me about Lucas and the skinny blonde bitch."
"Oh, come on. Don't use that one on me."
"It's true. Look I'll make you a deal. We'll try it out. I'll spend the next two days teaching you one routine and you'll do it in the game Friday. If you completely hate it, then I won't make you do it again. How does that sound?"
"Like a trick."
"It's not, I promise."
"Fine, I'll try it out Brooke, but if I don't feel comfortable at any time I'm done. No arguments okay?"
"Okay, now our time is up here, lets go take a mud bath. It's so relaxing, just ask Nathan."Brooke laughed.
They made their way to the mud area. Haley stood above the mud and looked down."I don't know about this Brooke. Sitting in mud doesn't sound like fun."
"It's not normal mud. It feels cool and it's great for the skin."Brooke slowly stepped in and sat down."Ahh, this feels like heaven, come on Tutor Girl, get in."
Haley hesitated, but soon sat down."This isn't too bad, I kinda like it."
"I told you so."
"How long do we stay in here?"
"Just twenty minutes. When we're done, we'll go get some lunch. After that we'll go for a swim and later we have appointments for facials, seaweed wraps, and massages, then we'll eat dinner and leave."
"It sounds fun. How's the food here?"
"Absolutely amazing, anything you can imagine they have and if they don't, they'll get it for you."
"Wow, so this is how the rich live."
"Yeah, but this place is worth every dollar."
"I bet, so are you going to tell me about what happened with Lucas?"
"Yeah, I guess I have stalled enough huh? Well after practice my car stopped on me and and a weird old guy stopped to help me. He kept on telling me to get into his car, but of course I wouldn't. He practically had me pinned against my car when Lucas showed up."
"Oh my god. Are you okay? Did that man hurt you?"
Brooke laughed."You sound just like Lucas and no he didn't hurt me. Lucas showed up before anything happened, thank god. Anyways after that weird old guy left Lucas realized that all I needed was gas so he took me to get some. Then we stopped for some ice cream, then we ended up back at my car. We played around and he kissed me. I kissed him back and we were pretty much going at it on the side of the road. I didn't care if anyone saw us, but then I thought about Peyton and I stopped everything, I told Lucas he was a mistake and that I hated him. I know I hurt him, but he hurt me too. I need him to say as far away from me as possible, so I said what I thought would do it."
"Why is it you need him to stay away?"she knew why, but wanted to see if Brooke would say it.
"Because We're no longer together Haley."she let out a sigh."It's too easy to fall back into habit with him. When we were together yesterday we talked and had fun. It was so easy and comfortable. I can't let it happen again. I know that if I'm around him it will. So if I have to say a few hurtful things to him to make him stay away, then so be it. He hurt me, I hurt him, now all that's left is to stay away from each other."
"Is that what you really want?"
"Yes it is."
"Really?"
"Yes really."
"Okay then, I guess you should leave everything as is and try to move on."
"That's exactly what I need to do, move on. If only it was that easy."she said the last part to herself.
Nathan met Lucas in the gym to practice during lunch."Your here early."
"There's nothing else to do here. My best friend is gone today thanks to Brooke's last minute spa idea."
"They are pretty crazy for dropping school to go to a spa, even if it is Amelia's."
"Well I understand Brooke needing to get away, especially after what happened yesterday."said Lucas shaking his head.
"Yeah, I bet that fight with Peyton was intense."
"I'm sure it was, but I'm actually talking about what happened with that guy ."
"What guy?"asked Nathan curiously.
"Brooke didn't tell you about yesterday?"
Nathan felt a little jealous, Lucas was supposed to be the one who knew nothing about Brooke, not him."No, but you better and now. What happened?"
"Brooke ran out of gas and had to pull over and some guy stopped to help her, but really just wanted to get her into his car. I saw her car and I stopped to see what was wrong. It seemed pretty intense. I guess I scared the guy off and he left. Brooke was pretty shaken up though. She wouldn't let me go. It didn't take her long to recover, but it was still pretty bad. I stayed with her for a couple of hours. I didn't want her to be alone and I didn't think she wanted that either. After everything I followed her home and made sure she was safe inside before left her house. I'm surprised she didn't tell you about it."
"Me too, but she did tell me earlier that she needed to talk, just not here, so I'm sure she'll tell me herself."
Lucas nodded."So how was she today?"
"Okay I guess. I mean I really didn't see her acting weird."
"That's good. I guess it was a good idea she went and had some fun today. She needs a little normality right now."
Nathan looked at Lucas. He seemed to really care about Brooke, but he couldn't tell for sure. He hoped for Brooke's sake it was for real. There was no doubt in his mind that Brooke still loved him and wanted to be with him, no matter how much he tried to discourage it, it was still there. He would still tell her it wasn't a good idea, but that would only do so much. He wanted to spend time with Lucas to see how he really felt about her and so far it was all good. He liked what he heard when Lucas was talking to Peyton and didn't know he was there. He was turning out to be an okay guy, although he still hated him for what he did to Brooke and he still had a lot to do to prove to her that he was worth trusting again. He was going to be there to make sure nothing happened until then. There was no way that he would ever be able to hurt her again, not while he was around and he wasn't going anywhere.
A/N:Thanks to everybody who reviewed. You are the best. I'm sorry once again for taking my time with this UD. I'm still very busy, but didn't want to wait another day to put something up. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think. Read and review. Thanks.
P.S.Last nights eppy totally kicked ass. I loved it. Brucas is on there way. Lets hope the writers don't screw them up again.
Coming Up:
Dan makes an appearance.
Nathan and Lucas spend more time together.
Brooke misunderstands Nathan.