Okay, I'm finally back...sort of! College..is different and it's taking a bit of time to get used to it and all the piles and piles of work. Here's the chapter, it's nothing i'm too proud of because it didn't go anyway I wanted to. I just got so fed up and just decided to post it.
Haley sat on the edge of her bed, listening to Brooke's words ring through her head over and over. "Just do me a favor and don't tell Haley I'm leaving Tree Hill, okay? I want to find the right time to tell her."
She sighed heavily and picked up Mr. Waffles from beside her, smiling sadly at his old, beat up face. His right eye was practically falling out and his color had faded heavily since she had gotten him for her 5th birthday. She held him closer to her chest and drifted off into the memory, trying to blink back her tears.
"Haley! Haley, wake up!" Brooke cried, jumping onto her sister's bed and shaking her from side to side. "Today's your birthday!"
Haley let out a small groan and sat up, rubbing her eyes before throwing her hands up in excitement. "I'm 5!" She yelled, giving Brooke a big grin. Brooke nodded with her own smile and gave her a hug.
"Just like me!" Brooke told her as the two got off the bed in their semi matching care bear pajamas. Brooke insisted on having wish bear ones while Haley opted for bedtime bear ones. They had both gotten them on Christmas last year and practically lived in them the weeks that followed. "I want to give you my birthday presents first!"
"Okay!" Haley said, following Brooke over to the corner of their room. Brooke let go of her hand and motioned for her to turn around while she opened the closet door. "Should I close my eyes?"
Brooke nodded her head and waited for Haley to shut her eyes. When she did, Brooke rummaged through the closet and took out the big birthday bag she picked out weeks ago with her mother. "Okay, open!"
"It's so big!" Haley exclaimed, her eyes widening at the present in Brooke's arms. Brooke placed it on the floor and watched in excitement as Haley dug her hands through the bag, pulling out the pair of pajamas Brooke had gotten her. "Birthday bear pajamas!"
"Yeah! I thought it would be cool to give them to you on your birthday, birthday bear, your birthday, I'm so smart!" Brooke giggled, taking the pajamas and placing them on the floor next to her. "There's something else in there too, but hold on one second." She ran over to the bed, and climbed up the ladder, grabbing her teddy bear before hurrying back over to Haley. "There, I want Ms. Waffles to see!"
"Okay," Haley said, digging her hands into the bag and pulling out a teddy bear, resembling the one in Brooke's hand. "It looks like Ms. Waffles!"
"I know!" Brooke said, practically shoved the bear in Haley's face. "His name is Mr. Waffles, it's Ms. Waffles husband! Isn't that so cool? We have matching teddy bears."
"Who are married!" Haley finished, hugging the bear tightly to her chest. "Thank you so much, Brookie! This is definitely the best birthday present I've ever had."
"But, Hales, you haven't seen your other birthday presents yet? By the way, Taylor just gave you a card she made in art. How cheap is she?" Haley giggled and shifted Mr. Waffles into her other arm and hugged Brooke with her other.
"It doesn't matter because you gave it to me and you're my bestest friend in the whole wide world. And we'll always be together with our married bears and grow up and share the same room!"
"Yeah!" Brooke nodded, making Ms. Waffles kiss Mr. Waffles, before placing her arm around Haley's shoulder and leading her out of the room. "We'll be together forever."
"Haley?" Brooke knocked loudly, snapping Haley out of her daze. Haley sniffled and wiped her eyes, wishing Brooke would go away soon. "Can I come in?"
"No," Haley called out, rolling her eyes when the door opened and Brooke walked over to the bed. "I said no."
Brooke sighed and sat down next to her, looking at Mr. Waffles with a smile on her face. "Do you remember when I gave that to you? Ms. Waffles was so happy to finally have a husband," she laughed, hoping Haley would do the same. "Whatever happened to her?"
"They divorced when you sold her at a yard sale and she went home with the little girl and her Garfield doll. He hasn't been the same ever since." Haley said coldly, listening to Brooke sigh again. Brooke chewed on her bottom lip and realized she couldn't talk her way out of the current situation.
"Haley, I didn't mean for you to find about me leaving like that. I guess, I guess I just wanted to tell you when time was right."
"And when was that? When you were boarding your bus?" Haley said flatly, avoiding the sad look on Brooke's face.
"Not at all," Brooke corrected her, "not at all. I just wanted to take the time to figure out what I was going to say, I wanted to explain to you why I was leaving. I didn't want you just to hear the end of the conversation."
"Yeah well I did. So, it's a bit too late for that now, huh?" Haley snapped, standing up from the bed and walking over to the window. Brooke a hand through her hair and took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the situation.
"Baby, don't make this difficult for me."
"Don't call me that." Haley snapped harshly, making Brooke wince. She got off the bed and walked over to Haley, placing her hand in Haley's shoulder. "Just say what you have to say and leave."
"Can you just listen to me for one second? I'll tell you why I'm leaving then hopefully you can understand where I'm coming from, okay?" Brooke said, hoping Haley would agree to it. Haley shrugged her shoulders and mumbled something.
"Whatever, it's not like you're going to change your mind anyways."
"Haley," Brooke yelled in exasperation, "Stop with the attitude right now. If you just sit down and hear me out, I'm sure you'll be thanking me once you know the truth." Haley rolled her eyes and motioned for Brooke to go on before heading back over to the bed.
"Fine, Brooke, what's the truth? Why are you leaving Tee Hill, I mean what is so bad that you have to go and leave?" Haley asked, anxiously waiting the answer.
"It's just," Brooke sighed, trying to regain her train of thought. "All the drama here is just too much for me to handle. Do you get what I'm trying to say?"
"I guess," Haley mumbled, shrugging her shoulders, "but what the hell does that have to do with me? Do I cause you drama? I'm sorry I didn't realize that."
Brooke quickly shook her head and looked at Haley. "No, no, no. I did not say that, I did not say you cause me drama. All the drama with Lucas, Theresa, school, it's just everything, it's just too much for me to handle. So I talked to Grandma and she said I could stay with her for senior year."
"You're leaving because of the 'drama' with Lucas and Theresa? I think that's the stupidest thing that's ever come out of your mouth, Brooke. You're lying to me."
"I am not lying to you-"
"That's bullshit!" Haley finally yelled, fed up with her sister all together. She just wanted the truth and she wasn't sure she was going to get it. "What's the real reason you're leaving? Are you pregnant?"
"No!" Brooke exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. "No, I am not pregnant. God, Haley, why would you think that?" Haley rolled her eyes and Brooke was close to snapping and telling her the real truth. "Can you just, can you just trust me on this? In the end it will all work out."
"Yeah, okay," Haley said with another eye roll, prompting a loud groan from Brooke. "You know what? I don't even care anymore, just go."
"Haley, please don't be mad at me. Please just take my word for this, when have I ever let you down?" Brooke said quietly, trying her best to bite her tears back, but if Haley kept going the way she was, the tears were going to fall soon.
Haley swallowed past the lump forming in her throat and nodded her head. "Have you ever let me down? Yeah, Brooke you have, but for some reason, I don't think you know that. Just go, okay?" It's easier that way."
"Brooke?" Taylor said, coming into the room, saving Haley from Brooke's possible fury. "Peyton's downstairs, she wants to talk to you."
"Can you tell her to come back later?" Brooke asked, sighing when Taylor shook her head. "Will you talk to her for me? She won't listen," she asked as she past by Taylor before leaving the room and heading down the stairs to see Peyton.
Taylor sighed and forced a smile when she caught Haley's gaze. Haley rolled her eyes and flopped down on the bed, groaning when Taylor joined her. "Are you okay?"
"Never been better, why?" Haley said sarcastically, staring down at her feet. Taylor bit her lip and realized this was going to be more difficult than she originally thought. Brooke was a stubborn girl and there was no way Taylor would be able to get her to change her mind.
"Look, Hay, I don't want Brooke to leave either, but you know how she is. Once she's got her mind made up about something it's hard to change it."
"That's the thing, if you don't want Brooke to leave then make her stay. You're her guardian, Taylor, you can tell her not to go, you can make her stay." Haley told her, gnawing on her bottom lip. She sighed when Taylor shook her head, telling her she couldn't.
"I can't Haley, I tried, but she won't listen. She's too stubborn for her own good. And no matter what I say, she won't change her mind. She'll only listen to you, and if you can't change her mind, then I don't think anyone can." Taylor said sadly, her heart breaking when she saw the tears fall down Haley's cheeks. "You'll still have me, Hay."
"I know," Haley whispered, resting her head on Taylor's shoulders and sniffling. "But you're not Brooke." Taylor wrapped her arms around Haley and did her best to ignore those words, even though they hurt so much.
"Yeah," Taylor whispered back, rubbing her hand up and down Haley's back. "I know I'm not Brooke, but at least I'll be here no matter what, right?" Haley sighed at the bitterness in her sister's voice and looked up at her.
"I didn't mean it like that," she said quietly, watching Taylor nod and put a smile on her face. "It's just that, everyone I love always leaves." Haley admitted, finally breaking down in tears. "Mom and Dad are gone, Mike's gone, but that's fine by me, you left for like 2 years and Brooke's leaving. What is wrong with me? Everyone always leaves me, doesn't anybody love me?"
Taylor was caught off guard by Haley's breakdown and she took a few seconds to take it all in. "Oh Haley, honey, of course we love you. It's just, our lives are so different from each other and sometimes I know I get wrapped up in my own problems, but I'm always going to be there for you, Hay. Like it or not, things are going to change and it may be hard to get used to at first, but at least we have each other, right?"
Haley sniffled and rubbed her eyes before looking back at Taylor. "Right," she whispered, reaching over to give Taylor a hug around her shoulders. "I never really got a chance to thank you for defending me against Christian, I'm sure he would have killed me."
"Don't say that, Haley." Taylor told her, wincing at the pure thought of that guy ever laying a hand on her sister again. "But, it's no problem, what else are big sisters for?" Haley shrugged and smiled, forgetting about Brooke leaving for a few seconds.
"The bruise finally healed, do you want to see?" Taylor nodded her head and watched Haley lift up her shirt and point to where the bruise used to stretch across her abdomen. Taylor noticed a semi-large red line across Haley's stomach.
"Hay, what is that?"
"What is what?" Haley asked, pulling down her shirt and staring at Taylor in confusion. "What's what?"
Taylor debated whether or not to bring it up again, but she decided to let it go for a while, not wanting to upset Haley more than she already was. "Nothing, I must have been hallucinating or something. But that's great about the bruise, I told you it would only take a matter of time."
"Yeah," Haley said quietly, taking a deep breath. "Do you think Brooke will change her mind?" Her eyes began to water again and Taylor pulled her into a hug, letting her own tears fall down her face. "I can't lose her, Tay."
"Me either, Hay, but to be honest, I don't think she'll change her mind. I'm sorry," Taylor whispered, closing her eyes, trying to hold on tight to her trembling sister. "She's doing this for you, Hay. She really thinks that if she leaves, this Theresa girl will leave you alone."
"What?" Haley asked, pulling out of Taylor's embrace. Taylor gave her a confused look before throwing her hands over her mouth.
"She didn't tell you why she was leaving? Shit," Taylor cursed, rolling her eyes at her big mouth. She stared at Haley's shocked expression and sighed, biting her lip so she couldn't do anymore damage.
Haley stopped the tears flowing from her eyes and got off the bed, ignoring Taylor's protest. She grabbed Mr. Waffles off the bed and threw him across the room, not wanting anything from Brooke anymore.
"Haley-"
"Leave me alone," Haley muttered, staring absently out the window. She rolled her eyes when Taylor didn't move and turned back around to her. "Please?" Taylor nodded her head and sighed, wondering what she was going to do with the situation.
xxxx
"Look, Peyton, if you came over here to try and convince me to stay, then hold your breath," Brooke told the blonde as she flopped down on the couch. Peyton rolled her eyes and joined her.
"Brooke, you can't leave," Peyton simply said, not knowing anything else to say. Brooke groaned and threw her arms up in the air, already getting fed up with her best friend.
"I have to Peyton," she told her harshly, "it's the only way Theresa will leave Haley alone."
"So that's it then? Some cheerleader tells you she's going to stop harassing your sister if you leave town and you're going to believe her? What about Haley, Brooke? What's going to happen to her?" Peyton asked, her tone just as harsh as Brooke's.
Brooke sighed and turned away from Peyton, biting back her tears. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Peyton exploded, giving Brooke a disappointed glance. "Brooke, she needs you. And for you just to pack up and leave is lame. You're the only one Haley has, and if you go, the poor girl is going to be so heart broken she's going to be like she was when your parents died."
"Peyton-"
"Don't Peyton me! Jesus Christ, Brooke, if you were my sister I'd slap you right across the head for doing this. When you leave, Haley is going to be so depressed she won't know what to do with herself. And can you honestly sit there and tell me that you're okay with it?"
"I'm not okay with it," Brooke yelled back, "do you think I want to go and leave her here? I don't Peyton, I really don't. But I don't have much of a choice, do I? If you were my friend you'd understand."
Peyton bit her lip in frustration, trying not to reach over and strangle the brunette. "That's the thing, Brooke, I don't frigging understand. It's hard to comprehend why you would leave your sister just because Theresa made a deal with you. That's like selling your soul to the devil and quite possibly the lowest thing anyone could do."
"She's going to keep her promise."
"You don't know that!" Peyton yelled once again, startling Taylor as she came down. "Taylor, will you talk some sense in to her? Everything I say goes in one ear and out the other."
Taylor put her hands up and shook her head, still thinking about Haley. "Don't drag me into this," she whispered, walking past the two girls. "I hope you're happy, Brooke. Haley's back to shutting people out again. I," Taylor started to say, ready to explode, but backed off, knowing she would go too far. "Forget it, I can't look at you right now."
"See?" Peyton said, prodding Brooke on the shoulder. "Look at all the people you're hurting if you leave. Think about Haley, she's your baby, and if you leave her, who knows what will happen."
Brooke swallowed past the lump forming in her throat and put her head in her hands, sniffling softly. "I know," she cried, looking back at Peyton through watery eyes. "That's why I need to ask you something."
"What?" Peyton asked quietly, watching Brooke get up from her seat and pace around the room. "Come on, Brooke, what?"
"I need you to look after Haley for me." Brooke whispered, walking back over to her friend and sitting back down next to her, leaning closer to her. "I know what she'll do and you need to make sure she doesn't shut people out and walk around with her head down."
"If you know that, then why would you still go?"
"Please, Peyton, please." Brooke pleaded, smiling slight when Peyton finally nodded her head. "Thank you so much," she said, throwing her arms around Peyton.
"No problem," Peyton whispered, her own eyes filling up with tears. She was too busy thinking about Haley that she forgot she was losing her best friend. "I'm going to miss you so much, Brooke."
"I'm going to miss you too, P. Sawyer." Brooke whispered, falling silent as the two began to cry in each other's arms. "So, you're going to try really hard, right? The last thing I want is for Haley to be sad."
"She's going to be sad, Brooke," Peyton told her slowly, "no matter what. But Haley's like my little sister, and if she needs another big sister, then I'm here for her."
"Thanks," Brooke whispered, looking at her friend in confusion when Peyton got up and headed for the stairs. "Pey, where are you going?"
"I'm going to talk to my little sister," Peyton whispered, turning away to avoid the expression on Brooke's face. "I'm guessing she needs someone right now."
xxxx
"Hales?" Peyton called out, pushing the slightly ajar door open and stepping into the room. "Are you okay?" She spotted Haley sitting in the corner, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "Haley?"
"Go away," Haley mumbled, not bothering to look up at the person. When she recognized the voice, she gazed up at the blonde, wondering why she was here. "Oh, I didn't realize it was you."
Peyton laughed slightly and joined Haley on the floor, tugging at a stray curl when Haley turned away. "Look, I know I'm probably the last person you want to go talk to, but I understand where you're coming from. Brooke's just being lame."
"She's being retarded," Haley whispered, continuing to fiddle with the hem of her shirt. "Did you tell her not to go?" Peyton nodded slowly and sighed at the hopeful look on Haley's face. "And?"
"No luck," Peyton told her quietly, looking at Haley sympathetically. "Sorry, Hales, I tried. At this point it's up to her. Or you, have you tried talking to her?"
"It's no use," Haley said, staring down at her hands which were rested in her lap. "If she won't listen to you or Taylor, what makes you think she's going to listen to me?"
Peyton shrugged her shoulders and patted Haley on the leg. "It's hard to explain. With you, it's different. It's like she's a different person around you, and when she talks about you, her face lights up and she just gets this glow to her."
"She talks about me?" Haley whispered, in somewhat surprise. A smile spread across Peyton's face and Haley blushed slightly. "Oh, I didn't know that. What does she say?"
"Everything," Peyton told her proudly. It always made her happy to see Brooke talk about her sister so lovingly, even when she never showed it. "Although it never looked like it, your sister admired you in so many ways possible."
Haley looked up at Peyton and stared at the smirk she had on her face. "Why are you smiling like that?"
"Because," Peyton laughed, enjoying making Haley squirm. "I don't get why you act like this is news or anything. Brooke is really in love with you, Hales."
Haley wrinkled her nose. "That's sort of disturbing." Peyton rolled her eyes and hit her lightly on the foot. "I know, but if she loves me, then why is she leaving me?"
"She thinks it's the best thing for you," Peyton said, the smile disappearing from her face. "And who knows, it could be. Maybe it's a chance to break out on your own and be your own person, not just Brooke's little sister like everyone knows you as."
"I'm fine with that," Haley muttered, lying through her teeth. "Okay, I'm not, but still. I just don't get why she would believe Theresa and agree to this deal. I mean, I don't care if Theresa picks on me, I've gotten used to it I just ignore it."
"Like I said, Brooke just wants what's best for you. And right now, it looks like she thinks this is the best option for her. Everyone knows it's not, but it's so hard to convince Brooke into staying. She's a pain in the ass when it comes to things like that. Hales, just tell her how you feel."
"It won't work," Haley admitted, breaking down in tears. "Even if I tell her everything, it won't change her mind."
"Everything? Are you not telling her something, Haley?" Peyton questioned, staring at Haley in concern. "Hey, what's going on with you?"
"A lot of things," Haley said, wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve. She had problems no one, not even Brooke, knew about. "A lot of things that no one knows, a lot of things that can destroy my life."
"Haley," Peyton stood up in concern, "what's going on?" Haley turned away and curled herself into a ball. "You're scaring me, Haley. What the hell is going on?"
"It hurts," Haley whispered, tears falling down her cheek. "They hurt so badly, Peyton. They're everywhere, up and down, all around."
Peyton stood there, trying to think of something to say. She didn't know what to do, nor was she following Haley's train of thought. "Hales, what are you talking about? What hurts?" Haley gulped, realizing she had gone too far.
"Nothing, I was, I was just being stupid."
"I don't think so," Peyton told her, heading for the door, "I'm going to get Brooke up here, maybe whatever you're hiding will make her stay."
"No," Haley yelled, jumping to her feet and running after Peyton. "Please don't." Peyton sighed as Haley latched onto her arm and started to cry. Peyton gave her a hug and listened to the small girl, trying to figure out what she was hiding.
xxxx
"I still don't understand why you're leaving," Taylor whispered, staring at Brooke scornfully. Brooke sighed and sat down on Taylor's bed.
"It's for the best," Brooke whispered back, contemplating if it was for the best or not. "I'd rather not have you yell at me right now, do it over the phone another day."
"Fine," Taylor grumbled, pulling Brooke off the bed and giving her a hug. "If you change your mind, you know what to do."
"I won't, but thanks." Brooke said, pulling back. "I'm just going to grab my suitcase and then attempt to say goodbye to Haley. Granted, she probably won't talk to me, but it's worth a try."
Taylor nodded and watched Brooke disappear out of the room, hoping Haley would at least say goodbye to her. She hadn't heard a word out of her since this afternoon and was starting to get a little nervous when Haley had locked herself in the room.
Brooke slowly made her way to her room, going over in her head what she was going to say to Haley. She pushed her door open and stopped in the doorway, her eyes widening at the sight. Haley was sitting in the middle of her bed with all of Brooke's clothes strewn out over the bed and on the floor. Brooke glanced at the now empty suitcase on the floor and sighed.
"You're not leaving me," Haley whispered, noticing Brooke in the doorway. Brooke stepped further into the room and began picking the clothes up off the floor and throwing them back into the suitcase.
"Nice try," she said with a light laugh, looking straight at Haley. "But the plans are already made and I can't turn back now."
For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Haley's eyes began to water and she turned away from her sister. "Forget about the plans, just stay. Stay for me, please?"
"So, no you're talking to me?" Brooke said a bit harshly, sitting down on the heap of clothes piled on the bed. "Earlier you told me to leave you alone and now all of a sudden you're begging me to stay?"
"I was just mad," Haley admitted, sniffling slightly. "You caught me off guard and I was mad that you were going to wait and tell me you were leaving. I don't understand why you wouldn't just tell me straight."
Brooke sighed and took Haley's hands in her own. "Because, you're the last person I wanted to hurt. And I wanted to find a better way to tell you, I wanted to prevent from hurting. But Lucas told me you can't prevent pain, and I guess he was damn well right."
"Brooke, I'm not a little baby, I can handle things on my own. I don't need you to protect me from the big bad world or cushion me from things." Haley said, chewing on her bottom lip. "I just, I just wish you could treat me like one of your friends and not some baby that constantly needs to be watched."
"I'm sorry then," was all Brooke could manage to say. She thought all along she was just protecting Haley and was having a hard time taking it all in. "I thought that's what you wanted. But look on the brightside, I won't be here anymore to do those things."
Haley groaned and pulled her hands away and set them on her lap, cracking her fingers now and then. "I didn't mean it like that."
"Then what did you mean by it? I was just trying, trying to…"
"Replace mom?" Haley finished the sentence quietly. Brooke went to say something but Haley quickly cut her off. "I never asked you to do that."
Brooke's eyes started to water and she got off the bed, throwing the remaining clothes in the suitcase, not bothering to fold them. "Well I'm sorry then, I thought that's what you wanted. I'm leaving soon, so say what else you want to say to me, you've only got a half an hour left."
"Brooke, don't get mad at me," Haley whispered, watching Brooke wipe her eyes quickly. "I don't have anything else to say." She paused and watched Brooke zip the suitcase up, throwing it into the corner of the room. "Don't leave."
"What?"
"Don't leave me, please," Haley said, finally breaking down into tears. "I'm begging you, Tigger, don't leave me here all alone."
"You're not going to be alone. You'll have Taylor and Peyton, and Karen, you'll have Karen." Brooke told her, trying her best to hold in her tears. She went back over to the bed and sat down, sighing when Haley got up.
"They're not you, Brooke!" Haley yelled, running her hands through her hair before groaning in frustration. "Do you really trust Theresa? Yeah, Taylor told me why you're leaving and I think it's pretty pathetic."
"I'm doing this for you!" Brooke yelled back at her wits end. "I'm doing this for you, baby. Don't you want to go through one day of school without Theresa trying to make your life a living hell?"
"I don't care about that, okay? So what if Theresa has it out for me, I learned to ignore it. You don't need to go, I can live with it. Please, I'm begging you, please stay with me."
"Haley," Brooke started to say before her own tears started to fall down her face. "I have to go, please just understand it."
"So this is it then? You're just going to go, just like that?" Haley said, sighing heavily. "Brooke, I can't do this. I'm not going to sit here and let you leave, don't make me chain you to the bedpost."
Brooke laughed slightly tried to dry her tears with her hands. "I wouldn't put it past you. Look, can you just give me a hug and let me go?"
"No."
"You're not going to give me a hug?" Brooke asked in somewhat shock. "Don't do this, Haley, not now. Please, just give me a hug, give me something."
"You want something?" Haley asked, walking out of the room and returning seconds later with a bag in her hand. "Here," she spat, throwing the bag in Brooke's hand. Brooke pulled the object out in confusion and held it in her hands.
"You're giving me Mr. Waffles?"
Haley sniffed back the fresh tears forming in her eyes. "You're going to need a friend once you move away. I know he's just a stuffed animal, but I figured he'd remind you of me, incase you ever forgot me."
Brooke held Mr. Waffles close before setting him down on the bed. "Baby, I would never forget you." She walked over to Haley and hugged her, despite Haley's earlier wishes. "But Mr. Waffles? You can't sleep without him, I can't take him."
"Yeah, well, I can't sleep without you either but we all have to adjust, right? Just take him, Brooke, he's all yours."
"Okay," Brooke whispered, staring at the old teddy bear on the bed. "I'll take good care of him and sleep with him every night."
"You better," Haley said sharply, crossing her arms and surveying the room. "He likes the left side of the bed better than the right, just remember that."
Brooke laughed and made a mental note of it. She found it cute that Haley had made up a specific side for him to sleep on. "Before I go, I just wanted to tell you one thing." Haley looked up and waited for her to go on. "No matter where I am, and no matter what, you'll always be my baby sister and I'll always love you, even if you're going to hate me for the rest of your life. If you ever need to talk to me, you can call me day or night, whenever, I don't care. I'll still be your big sister even though I live 4 hours away. And I'll miss you so much, I can't even tell you."
Haley bit her lip and turned around on her heel, heading for the door. "Haley," Brooke called out after her. "I love you." Haley started to cry again and ran out of the room, leaving Brooke to collapse on the bed with Mr. Waffles wrapped tightly in her arms.
Fifteen minutes later, much to Haley's dismay, it was time for Brooke to leave. She had spent the last 10 minutes on the phone saying goodbye to Peyton and the last 5 saying goodbye to Taylor. She took a deep breath knocked on Haley's door before walking in.
Haley looked up from the floor and rolled her eyes when Brooke stood in front of her. Brooke bent down to get eye level with her sister. "I'm leaving now."
"Bye," Haley said with no emotion in her voice. Her eyes were puffy from crying and her nasal voice matched Brooke's. "Have a nice life."
"I'm not going to leave with you mad at me," Brooke said quietly, trying her best not to get frustrated with how stubborn Haley was being. "Can I just have a hug? That's all I want, one hug and then I'll leave you alone."
Brooke stood up to her feet and watched Haley fiddle with her thumbs before she got up to her feet. She held out her arms and waited for Haley to fall into them. But when she didn't she mumbled a goodbye and headed for the door.
"Brooke," Haley called out after her, running over to the doorframe and practically jumping into Brooke's arms. Brooke dropped her suitcase and hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. "I'm going to miss you so much."
"I know, I'm going to miss you so much too."
"I love you," Haley sniffled, her voice muffled by Brooke's shoulder. "I love you so much. I love you. I really love you, Brooke."
Brooke laughed and rubbed her hand up and down Haley's back. "I know you do. And I love, love, love, love, love you so much too. I'll always love you no matter how far away I am, just remember that."
"I will," Haley whispered, tightening her grip on her sister. Brooke held her tighter and jumped when Taylor's voice interrupted them.
"Brooke, your cab's here," Taylor told her sadly. She watched Brooke nod and whisper some last minute things into Haley's ear. "Hales, come on, let her go." Brooke tried to pull back but Haley's nails dug into the back of her neck.
"No," Haley sobbed, putting Brooke in a death grip. "You're not leaving me, you can't leave me. I won't let you leave!"
Tears fell down from Brooke's cheek as she sighed, desperately trying to release herself from Haley's grip. "Baby, come on, I have to go."
"Please, don't go!" Haley said, sobbing harder when Taylor wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her away from Brooke. "Let me go!" She yelled, squirming about and letting out a screech when Taylor held her tighter. "Don't go! Please, don't freaking go, Brooke. You don't understand how lost I'll be without you."
The horn outside beeped and Brooke reluctantly picked up her suitcase. "I'll call you when I get there." Taylor winced as Haley flailed about in her arms, wishing she could have done something to stop Brooke from leaving.
"Brooke, don't!" Haley yelled as Brooke turned around and headed for the hall. "Taylor let me go!"
"No, Hay, she's gone, okay?"
"No she's not gone! She's just outside." Haley told her, stomping on Taylor's foot. Taylor cursed and let Haley go, sighing when Haley ran out the door. "Brooke!" She yelled once she got outside, running over to the cab when Brooke was just going to get in.
"Haley?"
"Don't go, please. Please? I'll be a good girl, I'll sleep by myself, I won't bother you to tuck me in, I'll stay in my own room when I have a nightmare. Please, stay! I love you too much to let you go."
"I love you too, but baby, I have to go. It's too late." Brooke gave Haley a quick kiss on the forehead and got in the car, despite Haley's whimpering. Taylor finally appeared as if on cue and caught Haley as she fell back into her arms.
"It's okay, I know, I know," Taylor whispered soothingly, rocking Haley back and forth as the cab pulled down the street and out of sight.
"She's gone," Haley whimpered, burying her head into Taylor's shoulder. "She's really gone."
"I know, Hay," Taylor whispered, biting back her tears as Haley pulled out of her grip. Haley took a deep breath before running down the opposite side of the street. Taylor sighed and sat down on the curb with her head in her hands.
Haley turned the corner and rushed up the street, hoping Peyton would be home as she banged on her door. A tired looking Peyton opened the door and looked confused as Haley stood on her porch sobbing out of control.
"Hales?" Peyton asked her in concern. She looked surprised as Haley fell into her arms.
"She's gone, Peyton, and, and I don't know what else to do."
Peyton sighed and held her close, stroking her hair. Haley's tears began to stain her shirt, but she didn't care. All she cared about was getting this girl through the night.
Yeah, I know you probably all think it's retartded that Brooke really left. But I've got the rest of the story planned out and if I changed it, I wouldn't have a story anymore. Anyways, this is where it's going to get depressing and more secrets come out and all that fun stuff so I hope you stick around. Please tell me what you think. Thanks :)
Kristin