Sometimes You Just Have to Let Go

"I wonder how long it will take Lucas to come running back to me now that his precious Peyton has cheated on him." Brooke said to Nikki as she twirled the phone cord in her fingers. She was lying back leisurely in her chair and she looked very satisfied with herself. Suddenly she sat forward with her elbows on her knees and bit her lip. "Do you think there's any way they'll find out what happened?"

"Well of course they will, Brooke! That's the point."

"What?" Brooke asked uneasily.

"You really are very gullible for being a fellow witch, dear. Do I need to spell it out for you? I…set…you…up."

"Would you care to explain what the hell you're talking about, Nikki?" Brooke asked angrily, sitting up again. "Is your inner craziness popping out again at inopportune times?"

Nikki laughed. "That plan was so full of holes I can't believe you didn't see through it, Brooke. Peyton and that guy know they didn't do anything together and you were the only one with them last night. All they have to do is tell little Lukie what they remember happening and they'll piece it together in two seconds. They'll know you did it and they'll hate you for it. You won't have Lucas or Peyton. That's what you get for messing with me. Well, so many lives to ruin and so little time to do it in. See you later."

There was a loud click as she hung up. Brooke dropped the phone and just sat there staring at herself in the mirror. She was still staring, in a daze, when another figure came into view behind her. She came out of it when she saw this and turned around nervously.

"What are you doing here?" she asked rudely. She silently thanked God that it wasn't Peyton or Lucas. Or worse-both.

"I was in the neighborhood, just thought I'd stop in and say hey. Is that all right?"

"Yeah, perfect."

"So how are things with you and Peyton lately? I thought I saw the two of you last night, but I told myself I must be seeing things because (he gasped) you guys looked happy!"

Great, she thought to herself, yet another witness to last night's outing. "Peyton and I are fine. We did go out to the bar last night, just for old time's sake. You aren't delusional, Jake, at least not this time."

"Well, that's cool. She really needs a friend after all the crap that's been going on with her and Lu—um, yeah. Well. Just after everything."

"Sticking your foot in your mouth again? Whatever, Jake. It's fine, we all know what happened. You don't have to act like it's news to me."

"Right," he stuffed his hands in his pant pockets and looked down at his shoes. "Listen, did Peyton mention me at all?"

"Um, no, I don't think so. Why?"

"No reason," he covered quickly, "I had just asked her to baby-sit Jenny, um, soon. She didn't get back to me yet. No big deal."

"Are you sure that's it?" she looked closely at him. "Are you hiding something, Mr.Jagielski?"

"No, Brooke. Even if I was, I wouldn't tell you. I gotta go though. I'll see you in school or something."

"Yeah, sure. Bye…" she trailed off, staring at his back as he walked out of the room. She sighed and walked to her chair and fell back into it, squeezing her eyes shut. She opened them after a few moments and was stunned to find Luke standing in front of her. Peyton was just outside the door, looking like she was trying to decide if she wanted to come in or not.

Brooke looked from one and then to the other. "Hey, friends! I knew I was too lucky when it was just Jake who came knocking on my door just minutes ago," she said quickly. She tried to look as if everything was normal but of course the only thing that was going through her head was oh Lord here we go…..

Lucas nodded and said, "Brooke." Peyton continued to stare at the floor. She couldn't bring herself to look at the stranger who stood in front of her.

Brooke laughed nervously, "What brings you guys over here?"

Lucas glanced behind him at Peyton and then back at Brooke. "We need to talk about what happened last night."

Brooke took a deep breath and composed herself, smoothing her hair down with her hand and looked defiantly at him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you do, Brooke. You have something to tell us about it?"

"I don't know what you're getting at. I was at home all night yesterday. Peyton and I were supposed to go out, but she never showed up."

Peyton suddenly came alive and stepped into the room, furious. "That's a lie, Brooke. You know it! Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what, Peyton? I'm sorry, was I supposed to hide your cheating ways from Lucas? You know, I'm sure he'll understand considering he's well practiced in the art of deception."

"You know, Brooke, as long as you're putting me in that category you might as well add yourself,"Lucas said, eyeing her dangerously. "We ran into Jake on his way out. He told us he saw you and Peyton together last night so cut the crap." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Peyton walking towards Brooke and he tried to hold her back.

"No, it's ok. I'll deal with this."

She stood in front of Brooke so closely that give or take a few inches
their noses would've been touching. She looked her right in the eyes and said, "Why would you do this to me?" Her voice cracked as she struggled to keep herself together.

Brooke's eyes frantically shifted from Peyton, to Lucas, then all over the room and back to Peyton. "I just-you just-" she couldn't get the words out. Why were they just STARING at her like that, just waiting? Her eyes filled with tears.

"You shouldn't have the one thing I want!" she yelled suddenly. "My parents give me anything and everything. They give me so much that I don't even care anymore, but I cared about Lucas. I WANTED Lucas. There shouldn't be anything Peyton Sawyer can have that I can't. It isn't fair. That's why I did it. Are you happy now?" She wiped at the tears ferociously.

"I can't believe you think that about me. How were you ever my best friend?" Peyton exclaimed.

"How were YOU ever my best friend? You stole him from me!" she cried back, pointing at Luke.

"We couldn't help it, Brooke! I didn't want to purposely hurt you, unlike you! I cared if I hurt you. But I can see now that you don't give a crap about who you hurt. Don't ever speak to me again, Brooke. I should've known it was too good to be true." The anger and resentment faded momentarily from Brooke's face as she realized what Peyton was saying. She panicked and grabbed for Peyton's arm as she was turning away. Peyton shoved her off angrily. Lucas looked at Brooke and put his arm around Peyton as she came towards him.

"Lucas…" Brooke whispered.

"Whatever." He turned away and the two walked out of the room.

AN:

Here 'tis another installment! Read and review and as always thank you for taking the time to check this out. Don't forget to take a look at The Way He Sees Her if you haven't already:)