The Next Day:

Brooke and Lucas were lying in his bed. Neither of them had slept at all the previous night. How could they?

Flashback: (the night of the party)

Brooke, Peyton and Lucas were sitting in Brooke's car. Haley already went home.

"Brooke we need to take you to the hospital," Peyton said worriedly.

"No."

"Brooke, Peyton's right, you should go."

"Why? What's the point? It's not like we don't know who did it."

"Yeah, but you should still get checked out," Lucas added.

"There's nothing wrong with me."

"Brooke, you know as well as I do that you're supposed to be checked out after you've been…," Peyton quickly stopped herself when she realized what she was about to say.

And with that Brooke lost it.

"GOD DAMNIT PEYTON! JUST SAY IT! I WAS RAPED. ..I WAS RAPED…I was…." Brooke couldn't finish anymore before she broke down. She leaned down with her head in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. Lucas immediately took her in his arms but Brooke pushed him away and ran out of the car. Lucas was left with a stunned expression on his face. Peyton put a hand on his shoulder.

"Luke, it's not you. She probably doesn't want to be around any guys right now. You know she loves you, everyone knows she loves you. Let me go talk to her. You wait here." Luke simply nodded and Peyton opened up her door and took off after Brooke.

"Brooke, wait up!"

Brooke said nothing and continued walking away from Peyton, hugging herself tightly.

"Brooke, come on…talk to me."

"No." She simply said as she continued walking.

Peyton sped up until she caught up to Brooke. She stepped in front of her, not letting her pass.

"Peyton, move."

"No Brooke, you need someone to talk to."

"Peyton, I don't need anyone to talk to. I need to go home and forget this whole night even happened."

"You know that's not possible."

"Let me go." Brooke said sternly.

"Fine. At least let us take you. It's not a short walk."

"Peyton, would you stop worrying about me? I'm fine."

"You're not fine Brooke. Because I know you better than anyone else in the whole world and I know you are not fine right now!"

"Why do you care so much!"

"Brooke are you kidding me? You're my best friend. You're one of the most important people in my life and you have just been through the worst thing that will probably ever happen to you. How could I not care?"

Brooke was speechless. Peyton was never one to throw her feelings out like that.

"Pey…" Peyton cut her off.

"No…Brooke…don't tell me to leave you alone! Because I won't. I love you too much!"

"Pey…" Peyton cut her off again.

"What!" She said a little angrier then she meant to, and she saw Brooke flinch when she yelled."

"I'm scared." She was able to get out before she collapsed on the ground.

Peyton immediately calmed down when she saw her friends pain. She kneeled to the ground and held her. Brooke held on to her as hard as she could. She slowly rocked them back and forth on the sidewalk. After a few minutes, Lucas, after having seen everything from his car, came out to carry Brooke to his car. They drove to his house and he got out with Peyton first. He saw how upset Peyton looked and he gave her a hug.

"You did good. You're a great friend."

Peyton just nodded against his chest. They stayed like that for a while before they carried a sleeping Brooke into Luke's apartment, on his bed. He went to sleep on the couch. A few hours later, he felt Brooke get in bed with him, but didn't say anything. They both laid there in silence.

End flashback

Lucas turned around to face Brooke who looked like she hadn't slept in months. He carefully pushed the hair out of her face, avoiding the bruise on her cheek. Damn Vegas.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"How are you, Pretty girl?"

"Yeah right….pretty girl…funny Luke."

"Brooke, you're beautiful. With makeup or without makeup. And while I hate to see that bruise on your face, you still look gorgeous to me.

"Thanks." She said sincerely. "I'm sorry about last night. I was just really upset."

"Brooke don't worry about it. I understand. So you never answered my question. How are you doing?"

"Honestly?"

Lucas nodded.

"Knowing I have you makes it so much better."

Lucas smiled.

"Good. But don't forget, Peyton put a lot of effort into making you feel better last night."

"I know. And I love her so much for it, but I'm IN love with you."

"I'd hope so. Because I'm IN….and I mean really, IN love with you."

Lucas leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips, she wasn't ready for more, and who was he to tell her otherwise?