Hilaryhilary: It'll be sad and happy, Buddy. Okay, FYI, Naley can still be forever, even if one's dead. I may owe you, but you won't know until the last chapter, hehe.
Nathan'sRaven: Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked the prologue. I really enjoyed writing it. Aw, thanks Ange! Glad to know you like my stories. As for Time Just Won't Stop (which I know his your favorite), I'm still working on the next chapter. I haven't forgotten about it!
Daddyzangel108: Actually, lol, yes I have twenty. But a few are completed, so not exactly. Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
Jacqueline22393: Jackie, I would never try to kill you. I know it's sad, but I can't make them all happy. Thanks so much!
TutorGurl: Wow, you don't know how cool it is, every time I get a review from you. I love your stories! Anyway, thanks! I had to try my hand at this sort of alternate universe to see if I was good at it, lol. I'm really having fun with this story, at everyone else's expense. The rest is in third person, only the prologue was in Brooke's Point of View. Thanks again!
PrincessSparkle15, CutieRay, CCScott23: Thanks! I'm glad you like the story!
Only The Good Die Young
Chapter One: Nothing Else Matters
Sunlight shone through the drapes of Brooke Davis's room, casting an eerie light on the pillow besides her.
In what seemed to be a desperate attempt, the brunette grabbed her comforter, shoving it over her head to block out any more light that dared to shine through.
Footsteps could be heard from outside the door. They were coming closer, closer, close-
"Brooke!" The voice of her seventeen year old twin sister snapped Brooke out of her sleep, as she sat up quickly. She instantly regretted this maneuver as sunlight spilled from the curtains onto her face.
Her hands went straight to her eyes, and Haley frowned, tapping her foot against the ground.
"Yes, Sister Haley? Is there any way I can be of your service?" Brooke said sarcastically, her palms still plastered to her face.
"Uh, yes. You could be ready for school, like, now." She removed her hands to see that her sister was quite obviously dressed for school.
"It's not my fault my alarm clock didn't go off." Brooke shrugged, pushing her covers off of her, and jumping out of bed, towards her large closet.
"Brooke, you probably didn't even remember to set it!" Haley exclaimed, quickly glancing at her watch.
"Sorry, okay? I'll be ready in like, ten minutes. You're so lucky I showered last night so I don't have to do it this morning." Brooke spoke rapidly as she pulled clothes from her closet.
"Whatever. I'll be waiting downstairs. Do you want breakfast?"
"Nope, I'm good." Haley had always been motherly. It was something Brooke had noticed over the years. It was the reason Haley was always left in charge, and Brooke wasn't.
As Haley left the room, Brooke stood slowly for just a moment, pausing to think of how both she and her sister tended to argue more. It had never been like that when they were younger, but nowadays, they seemed to argue over everything.
Of course, there was that unmistakable bond they shared that kept them from hating each other, and kept them loving each other. The fact that they were twins. It couldn't help but allow them to be the best of friends.
Best of friends that argued constantly, that is.
When she was ready, Brooke scurried down the stairs, quickly grabbing her backpack and car keys, and jetting out the door. Haley followed shortly. Brooke drove. It had been like that since they'd first gotten their licenses. Haley hated driving, while Brooke loved it. And every day, it was Brooke that would drive the two to school.
Haley flicked on the radio, flipping through the stations until she landed on a Death Cab For Cutie song. The words of 'The Sound Of Settling' sounded through the car, and both girls began singing along.
It seemed in their own way, this was them apologizing to each other. The smiled at each other knowingly, and continued on their way to school.
The two showed up at school, parking, and walking together towards their first period classes. Lucky for them, their classes were right next door to each other's, so they would walk to first period class every day together. It was like, a ritual.
After class, the two locked arms once more, walking together towards the very crowded courtyard of Tree Hill High. Students were littered around almost everywhere, but both girls could clearly see their group of friends, and they hurried towards them.
It was beautiful, to watch the two sisters, who truly bonded together like no other. The differences between them were apparent.
Haley was dressed more conservatively. She wore a pale blue t-shirt and jeans. With no jewelry, besides one ring she kept on her pink finger at all times. Her hair was left simply down, and slightly curled, as it usually was.
Brooke wore a black tank top, and olive green capris, with black, holed pumps. She wore many necklaces on her neck, and about ten bangles on her wrist. Her hair was pulled up into a pony-tail, with her bangs pushed to the side.
Obviously, it had been Brooke who had put more time into her appearance, but that didn't make Haley any less pretty.
Haley instantly went to sit beside Nathan. She kissed him on the lips quickly, before resting her head on his shoulder.
Brooke went straight for Peyton. She blew Lucas a kiss, but to be honest, the most important thing to Brooke was her friends. She loved her boyfriend more then life, but she loved her best friends more then the universe.
Locking her arm with Peyton's, Brooke was the first to speak up. "So, obviously you people weren't having a good time before we joined you, noting the silence."
"Of course not, Brooke." Nathan rolled his eyes, and Brooke leaned over to slap him playfully.
"Shut up, Nathan," She carried out the word 'Nathan', as she would when they were younger, "You know you missed me. Or at least Haley."
He shrugged. "Haley, maybe."
"You know you love me more, Loser."
There was a constant bickering between the two. But don't be fooled. Brooke and Nathan could easily be considered best friends, and they thought of themselves as this exactly. Luckily, neither Lucas or Haley suspected the two of anything else. In Brooke's words, "That would just be so, ew!"
"Okay, that's it. I'm going to show how much I 'love you' more." Nathan stood up, preparing to tickle Brooke, and she put her arms up in the air in defense.
"Nathan!" She squealed, "No! These are brand new shoes!"
There were echoes of laughter from around them, and Nathan stood back down. Brooke hurried over to Lucas, wrapping one of her arms in one of his.
"Plus," She spoke to Nathan, "Broody will protect me, and we all know he'd beat your scrawny ass."
Lucas smiled, and Nathan pouted, allowing Haley to kiss his neck, whispering, "I think you're stronger, Babe."
That brought a confidence boost back towards him, and once again, he was smiling.
It was only seconds before their conversation changed from Brooke and Nathan, to everyone in general.
Brooke teased Peyton about when she'd find a guy, and Peyton teased Brooke about when she'd let her breathe. Nathan and Haley made out. Brooke and Lucas made out. It was all sort of trivial to them.
Of course, the events that would come, would be anything but trivial.
Haley's eyes didn't leave her computer screen as she typed a homework assignment. School had forever been easy for her. It wasn't something she'd ever had to worry about.
Brooke however, was a completely different story. Haley could only laugh as she thought of her sister, who's best ability was definitely not school. At least not the educational part.
A knock on her door interrupted her, and Haley turned to see Brooke walk in, a large grin on her face.
Haley smiled as well, rolling her eyes slightly as she did.
"Yes, Brooke?"
The younger Davis sister fell back onto Haley's bed. "Nothing. I just want to hang."
"Okay. So, you're hanging with me and the Four Fathers, because I'm doing homework."
Brooke shrugged. "S'okay."
Brooke turned to her side, and smiled at one of the pictures on Haley's bed side table. She picked it up, running her fingers over it. It had been taken when both girls were at some convention with their parents. They couldn't have been younger then six. They wore matching jerseys. Haley's hair was curly, and all over the place and she smiled, and Brooke's hair was neat, in two braids. The more outgoing of the sisters grinned a toothless grin. And it was undeniable. They were both happy.
That had been long before Haley's cancer. Long before their parents had stopped loving them. Long before their perfect worlds had become a little less perfect.
"So," Brooke put the picture down, looking back up at the ceiling, "Do you think we'll always be like this? You know, best friends and sisters?"
Haley turned and smiled. Whether or not she'd ever admit it, Brooke was by far her most best friend in the world. "Definitely. We'll be together forever."
"We'll live together forever." Brooke agreed, nodding.
"In the same house. You'll be married to Lucas, and I'll be married to Nathan." Haley continued, but Brooke shook her head.
"No, no. Not in the same house. It would be so unfair to you and Nathan. You'd have to hear- anyway, we'd live on the same really huge property, with two gigantic houses."
"Good idea. And we'll name our kids after each other." Haley bit her pen cap softly.
"Of course. Little Haley Renee." Brooke cooed.
"And don't forget my little Brooke Allison."
"I wouldn't ever."
Haley stood up, laying next to Brooke, and grabbing her sister's hand.
"You know, I know that a lot of the time, it seems like I'm disappointed in you, or I'm mad at you, or whatever. But I really want you to know," Haley brought her sister's hand to her lips, "That I couldn't ask for a better sister, and I love you. No matter what happens."
"Yeah. Nothing else matters."
And so they lay there, holding hands, and wondering what life would hold for them. It seemed that even then, both knew tragedy was near. Right around the corner, even.
It seemed that they were preparing themselves for what would become of their future. Or lack there of.