Thanks for the reviews everyone! Sorry it took so long to update, I was sick last week and was busy with school. But I'm on vacation this week which means I can write more. I still don't know exactly where I'm gonna take this story but we'll see how things turn out.
The end of the school day finally came at 2:30. Brooke joyfully shoved her books into her locker as she waited for Lucas to come and meet her. She threw her last book in there when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
She shut her locker and smiled. "Hey babe-" She started but stopped when she turned around and saw Haley standing there. "What do you want?"
"Well hey yourself. I was wondering if you could give me a ride to the café. I told Karen I'd help her out until Deb could come in."
Brooke looked at her. "Haley, the café is like two blocks away! God gave you legs, use them!"
"Yeah two blocks away from OUR house! You're giving Lucas a ride home anyways it's on the way." Brooke started to walk away as Haley followed right behind her.
Brooke reached into her bag and pulled out her change purse. She took out 90 cents and handed it to her sister. "Here's 90 cents. You can take the bus."
Haley stared at her in disbelief. "God Brooke you're unbelievable you know that? If mom and dad were still alive they would be pretty pissed at you for making your poor, innocent little sister take the bus." She said as she stormed off down the hall, bumping into Lucas on the way.
Brooke met Lucas halfway down the hall and gave him a kiss.
"What's with her?" He asked as Haley disappeared out of their sight.
Brooke laughed. "She's got too many problems to count."
Sure she laughed on the outside, but on the inside she knew that she was to blame for most of Haley's so called "problems." They were only 12 and 13 when their parents had died. After their funeral, Brooke made herself get over it rather too quickly. It was something she didn't want to dwell on so she forced herself to move on. Haley on the other hand had a hard time dealing with it. She shut herself out from everyone and lost most of her friends in junior high. Her relationship with her sister drifted apart as well.
Haley sadly trudged towards the bus stop that was located a couple blocks away from school. She was halfway there when it started to rain.
"Great," she mumbled as she continued to walk. She heard a car horn beep and quickly glanced behind her to see Nathan Scott driving up to her in his black mustang. His father had given it to him as a bribe to live with him. It didn't work but Nathan still kept the car. Haley walked faster as Nathan accelerated.
"Hey little Brooke." Nathan scoffed as Haley stopped and looked at him.
"My name's Haley." She snapped as she continued to walk faster, hoping Nathan would give up.
Nathan laughed. "I know. I just like to mess with you. You know, you look kind of sexy when you're all worked up like that."
Haley stopped and stared at him. "What do you want?"
"Nothing," said Nathan as he turned off his car. "I saw you walking in the rain and figured you would like a ride." He smiled and Haley rolled her eyes.
"I'm fine thanks. I'd rather walk than get in the car with an arrogant jerk like you."
Nathan couldn't help but laugh. "No need to be so acerbic."
"Such a big word for a jock like you," Haley spat as she started to walk again. Nathan got out of the car and walked in front of her.
"Fine, I tried to be nice. You know, everyone thinks you're weird, and now I see why. Why do you shut everyone out? What did we ever do to you? I mean your sister isn't like this." He asked as Haley glared at him.
"You don't even know me. And you will never get to know me. I could care less about what people think. I'm not my sister and I never will be. So just leave me the hell alone." She said as she stormed off down the street. Nathan sighed as he got back into his car and drove off.
The end of the week had finally come for the students at Tree Hill High. Today was their annual winter pep rally and the cheerleaders were scrambling to get their routine down.
"No, no, no!" Brooke cried as she scanned the squad. "Bevin it's one, two, three than kick! Theresa for the last time, shave and deodorize those pits! And Lisa, god Lisa, do something with that mop you call hair!"
She sighed and sat down at the table, burying her head in her pom poms. Peyton came and set down next to her.
"Brooke, there's no need to stress out over this! No one even comes to the pep rallies. Besides, everything looks fine" She said, trying to reassure her friend.
Brooke lifted her head up. "Really? Does it really look fine?" Peyton laughed and nodded.
"It looks fine. We're not going to have any problems."
"We have a problem," Peyton said ten minutes later as Brooke's eyes widened.
"What?" She asked, holding her head.
"Well you know how Kara Winters was suppose to sing the national anthem?" Peyton said as Brooke nodded. "It turns out she's out with mono."
Brooke breathed a sigh of relief. She figured Peyton was going to tell her one of the girls broke her leg or something. "That's no problem! I know someone who can replace her."
"No," Haley said as Brooke sighed.
"Haley come on! You have a great voice and you'll do fine!" Brooke said as Haley shook her head.
"You know how I get major stage fright. And besides you made me take the bus yesterday so why should I do something for you?" Haley said crossing her arms.
"Okay look. If you sing the national anthem then I will never make you take the bus again. Okay? I'll never call you Tutor Girl again and I will never ask you to do my homework again. Just please do it!" Brooke pleaded.
"I thought Kara Winters was singing it?"
"She was but she got sick with mono. Who would kiss her is beyond me." Brooke said as she rolled her eyes in disgust. "So will you do it?"
Haley sighed and nodded. "Okay," she whispered, scared to death.
Brooke squealed in delight and threw her arms around her sister; a rare sight, especially at school.
5th period came too soon for Haley. She was nervous and felt sick. But she didn't want to disappoint her sister. She spotted Brooke in the gym and went over to her.
"Okay, can we just get this over with?" She asked as Brooke nodded.
"It's just about to start. We're just waiting for the damn freshmen to shut up."
Haley nodded and took a deep breath. Brooke smiled. "Haley just relax. You have an amazing voice, you'll do fine." She said as she squeezed her sister's hand. Haley smiled and took another deep breath as one of the teachers told Brooke it was time to get started.
Brooke walked over to the podium. "Well welcome to our annual winter pep rally to support the winter teams! As some of you know our basketball team, led by coach Whitey Durham, is undefeated this season. We hope they continue with their record-breaking season. But before we start could you all please rise for the singing of the national anthem by none other than my sister, Haley James."
The crowd cheered as Haley nervously walked over and took the microphone from her sister. She felt her throat begin to tighten and her stomach turn. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Perhaps the mic wasn't on she thought. She tapped the top of it lightly just to make sure. Sure enough it was on. Haley stood there in a frozen stand. People began to whisper and point at her. She started to have flashbacks of when she went back to school after her parents died. Everyone had stared at her and whispered, "that's the girl whose parents died."
She looked at Brooke. "I'm sorry," she mouthed as she dropped the mic and ran out of the gym. Brooke looked at Peyton, Peyton looked at Brooke.
Brooke picked up the microphone and laughed nervously. "Uh, just sit tight for a few more minutes." She said as she ran out of the gym after her sister. She found her outside sitting on the steps.
"Look Brooke-" Haley started to say, but Brooke cut her off.
"No, no. It's my fault; I shouldn't of pushed you into doing this. I just thought it would be nice if everyone could hear how amazing your voice is."
Haley shrugged. "I, I can't do it, Brooke, I can't. I'm sorry." She trailed off as Brooke sat down next to her.
"Look, Haley, I'm not going to make you do this, but I think you can. You just need to believe in yourself. And you have to hurry up, Bevin's in there flashing everyone to calm things down."
Haley laughed. "That isn't going to calm everyone down."
"Believe me, once they see how small she is, they'll come down. Now come on Hales, let's go show them what you're made of. It's either that or you're taking the bus." Brooke smiled as Haley stared at her sister. Brooke held out her hand. Haley reluctantly took it as Brooke pulled her into a hug. "You'll be fine, I'll be right there with you." She smiled as Haley nodded. They walked in to the school and headed towards the gym. Before they went in, Brooke stopped Haley. "Just don't tell anyone I was nice to you," she smirked, "I have a reputation to keep." Haley laughed and nodded as they went back into the gym.
Brooke went over to the microphone and smiled. "Once again, Haley James," she said as Haley smiled and graciously took the microphone. This time delivering an amazing performance of the national anthem. Once it ended, everyone stood on their feet clapping and cheering.