Brooke awoke the next morning in a daze. She groaned when she saw it was only 8:15 in the morning. She let out a yawn and turned over to see Taylor lying next to her, staring at her.
"Jesus, Tay! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" She yelped, quickly putting her hand over her heart.
Taylor chuckled and sat up on the bed. "If I wanted to kill you, I would of done it by now." Brooke looked a little nervous, but quickly shook it off when she felt numbness around her right ankle.
"Oh, God," Brooke moaned when she looked at the bottom of the bed. She saw Haley fast asleep in a mess of blankets. She carefully took her foot from underneath her sisters head and rubbed it in an attempt to get the feeling back. "My room is not a hotel!"
"How often does she sleep in here?" Taylor asked, gazing at her sleeping sister.
Brooke sighed as she continued to rub her numb foot. "Practically every night. It used to be only when it rained, but now it's become an every day thing."
They watched as the ratty teddy bear dangling out of Haley's hand fell to the ground. She let out a small moan and rolled over, now facing Brooke and Taylor.
"Did you ever figure out how she got those bruises?" Taylor asked in a small whisper, hoping not to wake Haley up.
Brooke shook her head and sat up, leaning her head against the headboard. "No, but whatever she's hiding I'll find out. I have a fifth sense like that."
Taylor burst out laughing, as Brooke looked at her confused. "It's sixth sense you dork." Brooke rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Come on, I'll make you breakfast. Should we wake her up?" She pointed to a sound asleep Haley.
Brooke shook her head and smiled. "Nah, let her sleep, lord knows she needs it."
The two sisters quietly crept out of bed and headed down the stairs and into the large kitchen. Brooke sat at the island and watched as Taylor fished through the cabinets.
"Any requests?" She asked, taking out a few eggs from the fridge. "Eggs? Waffles? Toast?"
Brooke shrugged. "I don't know. How about a bacon egg and cheese?" She asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes.
Taylor put her hands on her hips and sighed. "Brooke, you're not five anymore, give it up." Brooke continued to bat her eyelashes until she gave in. "Alright, fine! But you're doing the dishes."
Brooke squealed in excitement and poured herself a glass of juice. A few minutes later, they heard footsteps come down the stairs. Haley appeared a few seconds later.
"Morning!" Brooke said in an over zealous tone. "We weren't sure if you wanted to get up so we figured we'd let you sleep in."
Haley ignored Brooke and grabbed a bowl from the cabinet. She slammed it on the counter and grabbed the box of cereal from the top of the refrigerator and slammed it down next to the bowl.
Before Haley could pour the cereal, Taylor snatched it out of her hands and put it behind her.
"I'm making you a bacon egg and cheese." She said with a smile something she thought Haley would return with.
"I don't want one," Haley muttered, grabbing the cereal and pouring it into the bowl. She poured the milk in and practically threw it back in the fridge. She grabbed a spoon from the drawer and slammed it shut, she left the room leaving her two sisters speechless.
"Jeeze, what's her problem?" Taylor asked annoyed. Brooke shrugged.
"I don't know but I'll go find out." Brooke mumbled walking towards the living room, but quickly turned back around. "Watch those eggs, I don't like them burnt!" Taylor rolled her eyes as she watched her sister disappear into the other room.
"A little old to be watching cartoons, aren't we tutor girl?" Brooke said with a laugh, climbing over Haley's legs that were rested on the table.
"So what's up?" She asked, gently tapping Haley's leg. Haley abruptly took them off the table and rested them underneath.
Brooke watched as her sister gazed into her cereal. Every now and then she would move the lucky charms around with her spoon, not bothering to look up at Brooke.
"Haley?" Brooke asked quietly. She was probably better off getting a response from the wall. Haley looked up at her sister and was about to say something when Taylor walked in, three plates balanced in her arms.
Brooke liked her lips and graciously accepted the breakfast sandwich. Taylor placed the other one in front of Haley, and then sat down on the armchair across the room.
Haley raised her eyebrow at the sandwich sitting in front of her. "I said I didn't want one." She bitched, pushing it aside. Brooke was too busy wolfing down her food to notice.
"I know," Taylor shot back defensively, "I just thought I'd be nice and make one for you anyways. They are starving people in the world that would be glad to have that!"
Haley rolled her eyes. She picked up the plate and shoved it into Taylor's arms. "Give it to them then."
Taylor put the plates down on the table and looked outraged. "Don't you dare walk away from me," She yelled as she watched Haley stomp up the stairs.
"Go to hell you stupid bitch," She heard Haley mutter as she made her way up. Brooke almost choked on her food. She could never imagine Haley saying something like that to anyone.
Taylor was about to go after her when Brooke grabbed her arm. "Taylor, don't. Just let her cool off, I'm sure she's just mad about something."
"Who the hell does she think she is? You try to be nice to someone and this is the thanks I get? If she thinks she's going to get away with this then she's got another thing coming." Taylor complained, snatching the plates off the table and bringing them into the kitchen.
Brooke rolled her eyes. If people thought she was dramatic, then they would be in for a shock if they met Taylor. Her parents used to tell her she learned to be a drama queen from Taylor. In fact, Brooke was nicknamed Taylor Jr. by most of her relatives, a nickname that soon wore off after the accident.
'What could she be so mad about?' Brooke thought. She pondered on the question for a few minutes before it hit her. "Last night," she muttered out loud. She quickly ran up the stairs, almost knocking into someone on the way.
"Sorry!" She called out, not bothering to see who it was. Mike shook his head. 'Teenagers.' He mumbled, obviously unaware of what just happened down stairs. Even if he did, he probably wouldn't have the time to fix it. He was already late for work, and this case he was working on was riding on his shoulders. If he didn't win this case then his career could be over. No one beats Mike James in court, no one.
Brooke finally reached Haley's room and groaned when she saw it was empty. She searched the whole upstairs and still hadn't found her sister. There was still one room she hadn't looked in. Her parent's room. Brooke hadn't set foot in there in four years. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
Haley practically jumped out of her skin when the door flew open. She calmed down a bit when she saw Brooke walk into the room, shutting the door behind her.
"What are you doing in here?" Brooke asked her, leaning against the wall.
Haley shrugged and fiddled with a stray thread on the bed covers. "I, I don't know," she stuttered, trying to find the right words. Brooke sank down to the floor, avoiding going to sit on the bed. It made her feel uncomfortable to be in a room she hadn't been in for a long time.
She scanned the room; the bed was neatly made, courtesy of either Mike or Jen, photos hung neatly on the wall, and shades were pulled open, allowing the daylight to shine right through. You would never tell that this room was unused and that the occupants were dead.
"Do you come here a lot?" Brooke finally asked, breaking the never-ending silence. Haley shrugged again and looked out the window.
"Only when something's bothering me," Haley whispered, just loud enough for Brooke to hear.
Brooke ran her hand over the carpet and stared dully at the ugly color. It was a maroon color with a hint to brown to it. Her father had found it at a yard sale and insisted they bring it on home. And whatever made her dad happy, made her mom happy.
"If it's about last night, I'm sorry." Brooke began to say, but was soon cut off by Haley.
"No, no, it's not your fault. I should of known better, I'm sorry, it sounded better in my head." Haley said, getting off the bed and standing near the dresser. Brooke got up and walked over to her, gently placing her hand on Haley's shoulder.
"Hales, are you okay?" Brooke asked sincerely, it killed her to know that something was bothering her and she couldn't do a thing about it. "You can tell me anything, you know that."
Haley bit her lip, desperately trying to think of a lie to cover up her true feelings. "I'm fine Brooke, really." Brooke raised an eyebrow, not buying any of it. "I should be asking you the same thing," Haley shot back, "are you okay?"
Brooke shrugged, she too was looking for a lie to tell. She put on when of her famous smiles and nodded. "Yep, never been better."
"You're lying," Haley said, crossing her arms. Brooke did the same.
"So are you," She said back, staring intensely at her sister, hoping to crack her. Haley quickly turned away, possibly avoiding a huge lecture from Brooke.
Brooke put her hand up and sighed. "Alright, well I'm not going to make you tell me, but when you're ready, I'll be here." She smiled and started to walk to the door.
"Brooke wait," Haley called out. Brooke turned around, hoping her sister was ready to tell her. "Thanks," Haley said with a smile. She ran up to her sister and gave her a hug. Brooke did the same, but she didn't want to let go. She wanted to hold her for as long as she could, hoping to erase all her problems and make her feel better again. But it wasn't something she could do, not unless Haley was willing to work with her.
But eventually Haley broke away from the embrace. Brooke shook her head in an attempt to break away from her daze. "Well, have fun doing whatever you're doing." Brooke murmured, opening the door. This time she was halfway out the door when Haley called out her name again.
"Brooke," Haley called out again, this time her voice shaky. Brooke reappeared again, this time her arms wide open. Haley fell back into them and buried her face into her sister's shoulder.
"Brooke, I'm scared." Haley said with a muffled voice. Brooke gently pulled her way from herself so she could face her.
"Scared about what, baby?" Brooke asked in a gentle tone. Haley sniffled and took a deep breath.
"Tomorrow," she whispered, leaving Brooke confused. Tomorrow. What was tomorrow? It was Sunday, why would Haley possibly be afraid on a Sunday? It took her a minute to realize what tomorrow was, April 16th, 2005. The 5-year anniversary of her parent's death. She held her tighter and gently stroked her hair.
"It'll be fine, I'll be there with you, don't worry." Was all Brooke could come up with. Nothing she could say was going to make Haley feel better so she might as well let her know that she'd be there for her every step of the way.
"Thanks, Tigger," Haley whispered, pulling herself out the embrace and walking out of the room, avoiding Taylor at all costs. Brooke took one last look at the room and quickly followed her sister out, gently shutting the door behind her.
"Haley!" Brooke called out, running up to her sister before she went downstairs. "Peyton and I are going shopping later, why don't you come with us?" Brooke gave her a smile and clasped her hands together, in a begging position.
Haley shook her head and smiled. "No, that's okay." Brooke looked at her and tried pleading with her. "Sorry, Brooke, but Christian's coming over later."
"Ohh," Brooke said with a wink. "Do you two have something going on that I don't know about?"
"No!" Haley said a little too quickly. Brooke squealed in delight.
"You do too! Aw, this is too cute! Wait till I tell Peyton!"
Haley grabbed her arm before she could reach the phone. "Brooke, no. Seriously nothing is going on with us, he's just a friend. Honestly." Brooke didn't look convinced, but decided to give her sister a break. They linked arms and headed down the stairs.
"Just a friend, huh?" Taylor said with a sly grin from the corner. "Haley thinks she can give me attitude and get away with it? Wait until she sees what I do later tonight."
What felt like forever, Brooke finally left with Peyton and Haley was eager to get ready for Christian to come over. Sure they were only friends, but Haley was sure she felt something more to their friendship.
The doorbell rang and Haley ran down the stairs. She was still pretty much ignoring Taylor, who really didn't seem to mind. Taylor took it upon herself to go upstairs and leave the two teenagers alone.
"Hey, Christian, come on in," Haley said, trying to hide the smile that was creeping upon her face. He smiled back and gladly stepped in. He blonde hair was neater than usual, his striped polo shirt went well with his dark jeans and Haley could of swore she smelt cologne.
"You look nice," He said, glancing at Haley from top to bottom. She looked different then she did in school. Her hair was straighter then usual and she had a tiny bit of makeup, mostly to cover up the bruises.
"Thanks," She said, leading him into the living room. "So, what did you want to do?"
Christian shrugged and took out something from underneath his jacket. "Well someone told me how much of a Will Ferrell fan you are, so I brought this." He handed her the best of Will Ferrell volume 1, a smile from ear to ear on his face.
Haley's eyes widened. "Do they have the cowbell skit?" She asked in excitement. Christian nodded and grinned.
"Of course! That's the best one!" Haley nodded back and laughed.
"Well, you can get it started and I'll make us some popcorn." She quickly jumped off the couch and ran into the kitchen. Christian smiled and popped the DVD in, waiting for Haley to come back.
Taylor appeared in the room and smiled. She sat down next to him and waved.
"Uh, Hi?" Christian said, unsure who this girl way.
"So you and little sis shacking up or what?" Taylor said, not bothering to introduce herself. Christian just assumed that this unfamiliar girl was Haley's sister.
"Um, no. We're just friends." He said, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Friends, friends? Or Friends with benefits?" She asked, inching closer to him.
"No, just friends." Christian stated slowly, making sure he got the point across to her.
Taylor smiled and shrugged. "Well good then. You won't mind if I do this," and before he could stop her, Taylor lunged herself and planted a kiss on his lips. Haley stood in back of them shocked and hurt. She dropped the popcorn bowl and ran out the door. Christian immediately pushed Taylor off of himself and got up, wiping his lips.
"Tell Haley I'll see her later," He snapped, rushing out the door, not noticing the trail of spilled popcorn on the floor. Satisfied with herself, Taylor grinned and played the DVD.
Haley ran down the street as fast as her legs could take her. She was crying uncontrollably and stumbling up the hill. She didn't care if people saw her or not, she was too upset and pissed off to care.
She ran up the hill and then turned the corner. She hadn't planned to go there, but it was the only place she could think of. She banged the door furiously and waited for him to come out.
A few seconds later, Lucas appeared, looking like he had just woken up. His eyes widened when he saw his best friend sobbing on his porch.
"Hales? What's wrong?" He asked, worried. She shook her head, unable to speak and fell into his arms. "Buddy, what happened?" He asked again, but she still couldn't respond.
"I, she, he," was all she could get out. She tried to pull out of his arms, but he wouldn't let her go. She gently banged her fists onto his chest in an effort to break free, but Lucas wasn't having any of it. He brought her inside and gently sat her on the bed.
Haley grabbed his pillow and buried her face deep into it. Lucas sat there worried and a bit scared. He had never seen Haley act like this before. The kiss kept replaying over and over again in her head. Her lips against his. Neither of them making an effort to stop.
"Haley?" He gently asked, rubbing her shoulder. But she pulled back and fell back onto the bed, trying to muffle her sobs.
Her cries became so loud that Andy came in to see what was going on. Lucas looked at him concerned.
"I'll get your mum," Andy said, quickly leaving the room. Seconds later, Karen came running into the room, immediately taking the sobbing girl into her arms. Lucas excused himself and walked into the living room, exchanging worried glances with Andy.
He picked up the phone and dialed Brooke's cell phone number. It rang and rang. "Come on, Brooke, pick up!" He said out loud.
"Hi, Broody!" Brooke's voice finally came onto the line.
"Brooke, where are you?" He said in a rush.
"I'm shopping with, Peyton why? Everything okay?" Brooke asked, getting a little worried.
"I don't know, something's wrong with Haley. She showed up to my house and she won't stop crying."
The minute Brooke heard Haley's name her heart skipped a beat. She was silent for a minute but finally said, "I'll be there as soon as I can."
Lucas shook his head and put the phone back on the receiver. He put his head in his hands, trying to figure out what would make Haley so upset. He knew tomorrow was the anniversary mass for her parents, but she was usually calm the night before.
Twenty minutes later, Karen came out of the room with a small smile on her face. She quietly shut the door after her and made her way over to her soon.
Lucas jumped up and ran to his mom. "Is she okay?"
Karen laughed and put her hands on his shoulders. "Relax, she's fine. It looks like Haley just experienced her first broken heart."
"Oh thank god," Lucas mumbled, falling back into the chair. Moments later, Brooke and Peyton came rushing through the door, both of them breathing heavily.
"Is, she, okay?" Brooke managed to get out between breaths. Peyton took a seat next to Andy and tried to catch her breath.
Karen smiled and nodded. "She's fine. I think she's feeling the pain from her first crush."
Brooke's hand immediately went to her heart. "Oh thank God. I thought something bad happened."
"She's sleeping right now, but I told her you would take her home when you got here."
Brooke nodded and gave Karen a hug. "Thank you so much, Karen. I don't know where I'd be without you." Karen nodded and gently rubbed Brooke's arm.
"Peyton, do you mind helping me get Haley home?" Brooke asked, opening the door to Lucas' room. Peyton shook her head and followed her in.
The two girls managed to get her home and into bed without waking her up. After Karen had told her what happened, she couldn't wait to go home and rip Taylor apart.
"Thanks, Peyt." Brooke said as she and Peyton pulled the covers over Haley.
"No problem. Are you going to be okay?" Peyton asked. Brooke nodded and gave her friend a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow," Peyton said, giving Brooke one last hug before leaving.
Brooke was about to shut off the light when she heard Haley stir.
"Brooke?" She whispered hoarsely.
"Yeah?" Brooke asked, making her way back to the bed.
"Thanks for coming to get me. I'm sorry I ruined your plans." Haley said shyly. Brooke shook her head and sat down on the bed.
"Haley, you didn't ruin our plans. I was so scared when Lucas called me, I was so afraid something happened to you."
Haley smiled and sat up next to her sister. "I'm sorry for over reacting like that, it's just that I guess I really like Christian and seeing Taylor kiss him like that made me really upset."
"Well knowing Taylor I'm sure she's the one to blame for it." Brooke said, laying her sister back down. "Night," she whispered, kissing her on top of the forehead.
"Brooke?" She heard Haley call out again.
"Yeah, baby?"
Haley pulled the blankets closer to her. "Will you stay with me tonight? I get kind of lonely."
Brooke smiled. "Sure, I'll be right back." She flicked off the light and made her way down to her room, bumping into to Taylor on the way.
"You're back early. Get anything good?" Taylor asked with a smile. Brooke wanted to wipe that smile right off her face, something she would of done if Haley wasn't waiting for her.
"You're fucking unbelievable you know that?" She spat, not bothering to look at Taylor's shocked face.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Taylor said, following Brooke into her room.
"Don't act all innocent, I know what you did. Lucas called me saying Haley showed up in tears because of something you did. You know, I don't get you sometimes, Tay." Brooke bitched, looking under her bed for something.
"It was just one kiss, I wanted to see if he really liked her." Taylor said, trying her best to defend herself. "It didn't mean anything."
"Yeah to you it might not of, but to Haley it did. She really likes Christian and now thanks to you her hearts been broken. She's already got enough pain to deal with, she doesn't need more." Brooke said, standing up with several pieces of paper in her hands. "She doesn't need this right now, especially tomorrow."
"Why, what's tomorrow?"
Brooke stared at her in disbelief. "You're not serious are you? What's tomorrow?" Brooke asked her. Taylor had no clue.
"April 16th?" She shrugged. What was so special about that date?
"Yeah," Brooke said, waiting for her answer. "And what's so special about that date?" Taylor shrugged and began to think. She really had no idea. Brooke shook her head in sadness. "You don't even know, do you?"
Taylor gave up and shook her head. Brooke sighed and went on. "Tomorrow is the 5th year anniversary of mom and dad's death."
Taylor closed her eyes and felt like a complete jerk. "Oh my god, I totally forgot."
Brooke let out a bitter laugh. "Of course you did, I wouldn't expect you to remember."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Taylor snapped. Who the hell was Brooke to tell her off like this?
"Whatever." Brooke mumbled, thrusting the pieces of paper into her hands. "Here, read those. I wrote those for you when you left and never came home for 2 years." She walked to the door and took one last look at her sister. "Now if you'll excuse me, my sister needs me." She said harshly, walking out of the room and up the hall.
Taylor sighed and sat on Brooke's bed. She rolled her eyes and began to read the songs Brooke had written for her.
Can you save me
Will you fail me now
It's almost over cause you've faded out, again
Will you break me
When you're holding me down
I will escape you and I'll
I'll push you closer to the ground
Cause you're the one that's going down
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away
You're so far away
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away, since you crawled away
Never gonna save me
You just shut me out
And now it's over cause I'm stepping out, again
Never gonna break me
Just try and hold me down
I will escape you and I'll
I'll push you closer to the ground
Cause you're the one that's going down
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away
You're so far away
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away, since you crawled away
You want to tear me down
You want to hold me down
You can't control me now
You cannot take me out
You cannot save me now
Because I'm stronger now
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away
You're so far away
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away, since you crawled away
You want to tear me down
You want to hold me down
You can't control me now
You cannot take me out
You cannot save me now
Because I'm stronger now
She rolled up the piece of paper into a ball and threw it into the barrel. She read over the next piece of paper and sighed.
Something isn't right
I can feel it again feel it again
This isn't the first time
That you left me waiting
Sad excuses and false hopes high
I saw this coming still I don't know why
I let you in
I knew it all along
You're so predictable
I knew something would go wrong
So you don't have to call
Or say anything at all
You're so predictable
So take your empty words your broken promises
And all the time you stole cause I am done with this
I can give it away give it away
I'm doing everything I should've
And now I'm making a change
I'm living the day
I'm giving back what you gave me
I don't need anything
I knew it all along
You're so predictable
I knew something would go wrong
So you don't have to call
Or say anything at all
You're so predictable
Everywhere I go
Everyone I meet
Every time I try to fall in love
They all wanna know why I'm so broken
Why am I so cold
Why I'm so hard inside.
Why am I scared
What am I afraid of
I don't even know
This story's never had an end
I've been waiting
I've been searching
I've been hoping
I've been dreaming you would come back
But I know the ending of this story
You're never coming back
Never..never..never..never...
I knew it all along
You're so predictable
I knew something would go wrong
So you don't have to call
Or say anything at all
You're so predictable
Everywhere I go for the rest of my life
Everyone that I love
Everyone I care about
They're all gonna wanna know what's wrong with me
And I know what it is
I'm ending this right now..
She did the same, letting out a sigh and throwing it away. But the third and final piece of paper was what got her.
Hey Taylor
I'm writing to you
not to tell you, that I still hate you
just to ask you
how you feel
and how we fell apart
how this fell apart
are you happy out there in this great wide world?
do you think about your brother?
do you miss your little sisters?
when you lay your head down
how do you sleep at night?
do you even wonder if we're all right?
but we're all right
we're all right
it's been a long hard road without you by my side
why weren't you there all the nights that we cried
you broke my heart
you broke your sister for life
it's not ok,
but we're all right
I remember the days, you were a hero in my eyes
but those are just a long lost memory of mine
I spent so many years learning how to survive
Now, I'm writing just to let you know I'm still alive
the days I spent so cold, so hungry
were full of hate
I was so angry
the scars run deep inside this fragile body
there's things I'll take, to my grave
but I'm okay
I'm okay
it's been a long hard road without you by my side
why weren't you there all the nights that we cried
you broke my heart
you broke your sister for life
it's not ok,
but we're all right
I remember the days, you were a hero in my eyes
but those are just a long lost memory of mine
Now, I'm writing just to let you know I'm still alive
yeah, I'm still alive
sometimes
I forgive
yeah and this time
I'll admit
that I miss you, said I miss you
it's been a long hard road without you by my side
why weren't you there all the nights that we cried
you broke my heart
you broke your sister for life
it's not ok,
but we're all right
I remember the days, you were a hero in my eyes
but those are just a long lost memory of mine
Now, I'm writing just to let you know I'm still alive
yeah, I'm still alive
and sometimes
I forgive
and this time
I'll admit, that I miss you, I miss you
hey Taylor
Well I hope that satisfied your Baley needs! The next chapter will probably be up by Sunday at the latest. Only because it will probably be an emotional chapter and when Brooke finally comes to terms with her parent's death. Well thanks for reading and reviewing!
Also, I know I said Taylor would change, but I never said for the better ;)
And incase you were wondering about the songs:
#1 Trustcompany-"Stronger"
#2 Good Charlotte-"Predictable"
#3 Good Charlotte-"Emotionless," with lyric changes.