CCScott23: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! Lol, I'll try my hardest, but I can't make any promises.
CutieRay: Thanks! I love you, too! Hehe. Well, I'm definitely glad you enjoyed it.
Jacqueline22393: Thanks! Yeah, awkwardness can be an- awkward thing, lol. Naley will come soon, I promise. Yep, I had too, lol.
Anarchist278: Ange, trust me! I've got Naley on the way, lol. I just love keeping you in suspense! Okay then, don't admit it, hehe.
Cap'n Keira Sparrow: I love Peyton and Jake, too. So that was fun.
Cait: Exactly. I love surprises, and I love surprising people even more. Yes, they should be happy, despite all the unhappiness around them. Yeah. Well, it's mostly a Brooke and Haley story, but there is a lot of Peyton, Lucas, Nathan, and some Jake, too. I like to include diversity. So even if you don't like Lucas that much, there's still everyone else, too, you know? Lmao! Well, thanks!
Emilie: You have a different way to spelling your name, I like it. I love Brucas, too. After all, they are the primary reason as to why I started watching the show. Yeah, same for me. School's just started, and I'm getting loads of work already, so I can't just be online all day, anymore. I get you, lol. Ooh, really? Well, I look forward to it! Yeah, you guessed write on that one. I think there's an anti- John and Allison thread being made on fan forum soon, lol. Joking.
Brucas4ever: Thanks! Yeah, they should be friends, but you know how it is. Brooke's hard headed and Lucas is- Lucas. So, yeah, hehe.
Bubbly-BooMrWafflesluvr: Yeah, OC-esque. Random! Lmao. Wow, you must be psychic, that not only did you guess that the chapter was of coupling, but also that it was of Jake and Peyton. Hmm.. I know! It's so much fun! We have Social Chair and stuff like that, down here in Orange County, which gets to be loads of fun. See, Nathan may be sneaky, but he's really good at setting people up, so we have to love him. Whoa, did I do that? Yeah, well it was originally a squirrel, but then I made it a bird, because I figured that would look cooler. I guess I forget one squirrel, lol. Yeah, I love play fights. And when Big Birds are involved, it's just- awesome. Yay! Go Jeyton! Lol.. Me too! I love Rooney! I listen to their CD like 23782 times a day, so I'd say obsessed was pushing it, wouldn't you? Aw, thanks, Lizzie! What about you? Are you okay? I heard about your grandpa.
SonnyCarlyJasonCourtney, PrincessSparkle15: Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Only The Good Die Young
Chapter Seventeen: The Pain You Bring Upon Yourself
After a few weeks, when Brooke and Haley's parents showed no signs of a departure, the two decided they would be 'civil' to the older Davis's, as hard as it would be. Of course, they discussed this matter with each other first, as they were twin sisters, and all and everything important would be discussed together.
John and Allison were pleasantly surprised at their daughters' change in attitude, and it seemed that they knew they had some making up to do, as presents and 'quality family time' were now regular occurrences in the Davis household.
Now, however, problems were also beginning to occur more. Haley was visually getting worse and worse; there were frequent trips to Rite-Aid to get cover up constantly. And while Haley and Nathan, and Jake and Peyton were growing closer and closer, Brooke and Lucas were growing farther apart.
Sometimes at night, while she pretended to sleep, Haley could hear sniffles coming from her sister's side of the bed. At times, Haley was even sure she could hear Brooke murmur the word, "Lucas."
School proceeded normally, except for the minor detail that now, the entire school was aware of Haley's condition, and she was constantly being bothered with condolences. She got that people wanted to be nice, but it wasn't like she was dead. At least, not yet.
It was on a sunny afternoon in the courtyard of Tree Hill High, and Haley, Brooke, and Peyton were eating lunch together, chatting about everything.
And when those three talked about everything, it usually meant- everything.
"No way!" Brooke shouted, grinning as she shoved a French Fry into her mouth, savoring the taste, before grabbing another.
"Yes way! My dad saw them making out at a bar!" Peyton laughed, shaking her head.
Haley gagged. "That's kind of gross. I mean- Mr. Duane, and some other guy? Yuck."
"Well, you can't control who you love," Peyton smiled softly, "Can you, Brooke?"
Brooke scowled. "Shut up."
"You know you want to ask him out." Haley sing-songed, and Brooke chuckled, shaking her head.
"You're wrong. I'm over it."
"Right." Peyton rolled her eyes.
"Dude, I know. I want you to be with him, okay? And that's saying a lot. It's just not the same hanging out with Luke, unless he's Having-sex-with-Brooke Luke, you know?"
Brooke frowned. "Nope."
Haley, frustrated, turned towards Peyton. The taller blonde shrugged. "It was worth a shot."
The table seemed to shake a tiny bit as both Nathan and Jake sat down, each respectively down beside their loved ones.
Nathan pressed a kiss on Haley's lips, while Jake did the same to Peyton. Afterwards, each couple sat beside each other, arms entangled in the other's.
"Okay, ew. Couple Fest 2005. So don't want to be there." Brooke stood, rolling her eyes and stomping away.
"Think she's okay?" Haley said after a few minutes.
"Of course she is," Nathan grinned, "Plus, she's walking in the direction Lucas is in, anyway."
Peyton laughed, slapping Nathan a high five. "Damn, you guys are good."
"And how well we know it, too." Nathan sighed, the grin never leaving his face.
Brooke walked angrily away from her group of 'friends', sighing dramatically when her eyes landed on Lucas. Of course, he would be there.
But Lucas seemed generally surprised to see the short brunette, especially after he ran into her, knocking her off of her feet.
Sighing, Brooke allowed Lucas to help her up, and she checked herself for any injuries, satisfied to see only a tiny scratch.
Lucas eyes her nervously, and she couldn't help but laugh in spite of herself. The boy may have been a good seven and a half inches taller then her, but it didn't make him look any less scared.
"I'm sorry." He apologized, quickly walking away.
Brooke bit her lip, watching after him. She'd truthfully hoped he would have stayed, so they could have had even the smallest of conversations. Even if it had ended in an argument.
It was just that she missed him so much- No. She could no longer feel romantically for Lucas Scott. Her thoughts from then on would be focused solely on Haley.
She intended to keep it that way.