AUGUST
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Cancel plans just in case you'd call
And say, "Meet me behind the mall"
So much for summer love and saying "us"
'Cause you weren't mine to lose
It's a Friday night and Brooke Davis is drunk, bored, and lonely.
She was currently at Vegas' beach house for the spring break kick off party. As always, she was surrounded by her minions and of course, she's received a few offers for the night from some of the hottest guys in school. Unfortunately, none of them came from the guy she wanted to have since freshman year.
Brooke couldn't help but snort. Some guy was whispering things to her but she didn't understand anything. She didn't even want to try to.
God, how pathetic was she? She's the hottest girl in school, captain of the cheerleading team. She can have any guy she wanted.
Well, all except one.
And unfortunately, that one was the only one that mattered.
Nathan Scott. Tall, dark hair, bluest eyes ever, and a body sculpted to perfection. He's the captain of the basketball team and the king of Tree Hill High. It was law for them to be a couple.
Or at least that's how Brooke saw it.
She never did understand why she and Nathan never got together. He used to screw any girl that was hot and willing. Both of which, Brooke always was when it came to him. And it definitely isn't because of the lack of trying on her part.
Brooke has done everything she can think of for the past three years. From walking in on him showering in the boys locker room to sneaking up to his bedroom after a party. He's seen her naked more times than any other guy in Tree Hill High. How ironic is it that out of all the guys who has seen her completely in the nude, he's the only one who she hasn't slept with?
Remember, this is Nathan Scott we're talking about. He sleeps around with almost half of the female population of their class.
Or at least he used to.
Before he started dating Haley James.
Haley James. Sweet and smart. A total opposite to Brooke's sensual and peppy. She's a 4.0 student who lettered in academics. Who knew it would be a girl like her who would make Nathan Scott change his old ways and actually commit?
A look of disgust instantly appeared on Brooke's face. The guy who was openly flirting with her gave her a questioning look and she just shrugged.
"I think the alcohol's taking its toll on me," she giggled and leaned even closer to the guy.
God, she can't even remember his name.
He smiled back and went back to whispering whatevers to Brooke.
Okay, to be fair, Haley James is not a total prude nor a bore. Brooke would definitely wear some of her clothes, plus, she's part of the cheerleading team. In fact, she belongs to the popular crowd but she was also friends with the outcasts. Maybe she belongs to everybody. To Nathan, especially. Just like how he belongs to her.
And fine, she has a great ass. But literally everyone is so far up her ass, it's pathetic.
Oh, who was she kidding? Brooke would totally kill for her ass and everything that came with it.
Especially the lap where her ass usually sits on.
God, she was the pathetic one.
Brooke groaned and quickly pushed the guy off of her. She finished her drink in one quick gulp and began walking to the kitchen.
She needs another drink. Something stronger.
On her hazy journey, she couldn't help but hear two voices arguing on the secluded patio outside. Brooke, never one to turn away from good gossip, quickly forgot about her much needed drink and took a detour.
She planted herself just behind the door. She could see the couple clearly but not too much that she'd look like a creepy stalker.
As soon as she was able to identify the two figures outside, a smile formed on her lips.
There they were. The couple who has occupied her thoughts for the past three hours, the past 7 months actually if she were being honest.
"I didn't do anything wrong, Haley!" Nathan was pissed. That much was obvious.
"I just walked in on you doing body shots on Bevin." Haley explained in a calm voice.
Brooke rolled her eyes. Even in an argument between her and her boyfriend, she couldn't even drop the Mother Mary act.
"I know that! But it was completely innocent!"
"And that's supposed to make it alright?"
"Yeah—"
"Oh, but what about all the other body shots you've done? Were they innocent too? Didn't they always end with you screwing the girl?"
That seemed to shut Nathan up.
Damn, who knew Haley James actually had it in her?
"Im not a prude, Nathan and you know that! Im sorry that Im not comfortable with you licking my body in front of the whole senior class but that isn't an excuse for you to find some other girl who is."
"Baby," Brooke cringed as Nathan pulled Haley closer to him. His hand holding her waist tightly. "The guys and I were just having some fun."
"Seeing you lick salt off of one of my friends isn't my idea of fun."
He groaned, "I know."
"Then why did you do it?"
Brooke couldn't stop the giggles bubbling in her throat. Haley James is pathetic.
"Because Im a dick, okay? Im an asshole! Isn't that what you want to hear?" Nathan removed his hold on her and moved away.
"Nathan!"
"Ever since we started this relationship, you've just been waiting for me to screw up! Every chance you get, you bring up my past and use it against me. Im sorry, Haley, not all of us can be perfect like you!"
"Excuse me?" Haley yelled as she stepped closer to Nathan. "How did this become my fault?"
Brooke's eyes were glued to the couple with a permanent smile on her lips. Turns out the golden couple isn't as perfect as everyone thinks.
"Oh, right. Im sorry. I forgot that things can never be your fault, Saint Haley."
This time, Brooke's giggles erupted to full on laughter. She received a few weird looks from people but she couldn't care less.
This was it.
The mighty was falling.
"I don't even know why I try, Haley. Im never gonna be good enough for you." Nathan's voice was soft and vulnerable. Brooke's laughter stopped and she was frozen on her spot. She's never heard him sound like that. Ever.
"Is that what you think?" Haley completely closed the gap between them and held Nathan's face in her hands.
Brooke couldn't look away.
"You are enough for me, Nathan Scott. More than enough actually. I wouldn't be here if you weren't." Haley's voice quivered. "But I think you're not good enough for yourself. Everyone's put so many labels and expectations on you and you try so hard to live up to them. But Im here asking you to stop, Nathan."
"What do you want from me?"
"I want you to let me in and not hold me at arm's length. I want you to stop holding yourself back from me. I want to be the person you run to for everything. I want you to let me off of the pedestal you and everyone else have forcibly put me on."
Haley was sobbing by now as Nathan pulled her into a tight hug. He kissed her hair over and over again while whispering his apologies.
Brooke almost felt bad for her.
Almost.
Haley pulled away and looked up at him with tears still in her eyes. "Im leaving tomorrow morning to visit my sister in Seattle."
"I know," he nodded. "I'll miss you."
"I'll be back in a week. Just in time for school." Haley gave him a soft smile and Brooke rolled her eyes. "Maybe you can use this time to figure out what you really want, Nathan."
"Hales, you're the one I want—"
"Our relationship can't be like this forever. We can't keep pretending to be the perfect happy couple and just sweep our problems under the rug. Im getting tired, babe, and eventually, you will too."
Nathan nodded and leaned down to kiss her lips. It was probably the softest and most gentle kiss Brooke has ever seen but there's no denying the love and passion shared between the two. Usually, this would be the time when Brooke would turn away from them and roll her eyes but right now, for some reason, she just couldn't do it.
"I love you, Haley James."
"I love you too, Nathan Scott." Haley pulled away but not before standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Im gonna head out now. I'll take Peyton up on her offer earlier to drive me home. You should enjoy the rest of your night with your friends."
Nathan could only nod as her fingers slowly slipped away from his. Haley made her way to the door and Brooke turned around so fast, she could feel the headache developing. She pretended to busy herself with the picture frames on the wall when she felt Haley pause and look back at Nathan.
"We'll save our relationship while there's still something worth saving, right?"
Nathan's signature smirk spread across his face and he threw her a wink. "You know it. I'll see you in a week, baby."
"Don't do anything stupid, Nathan Scott."
And just like that, Haley James was gone and Nathan Scott was alone on the patio.
Brooke Davis decided it was time to make her move.
She quickly stole the cup of whoever was the closest to her and simply rolled her eyes over the death glare she received. She pulled her top down to reveal more of her cleavage and raised her skirt so high up you can almost see her underwear.
She sauntered her way over to him, taking an extra effort to make her hips sway even more sexily. She stopped at his side, pushing her chest to his arm.
"Where'd the virgin Mary run off to?"
He scowled instantly and took a step away from her. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear Haley's little petty bitching," she giggled and took a sip from the cup.
"Don't talk about her like that," Nathan groaned. "Just fuck off."
"Relax. I was just kidding. What's gotten your panties in a twist? She still refuses to give it up, huh?"
Nathan sighed loudly and began walking away from her. "Goodbye, Brooke."
No. She's been waiting for a chance to talk to him all night. There's no way she's letting him get away that easily.
"Lighten up, Nate!" She giggled again and grabbed his arm tightly. She started to walk closer to him but careful not to get as close as she was a while ago.
It was time for a different approach.
Or maybe, it was just time to drop the act.
"Are you okay?"
Now, it was Nathan's turn to laugh. "Why do you care?"
"Because we're friends," she shrugged as she let the hand on his arm fall in between them.
"We're not friends, Brooke," he snorted.
"But we can be," she replied softly. Her eyes locked on the waves hitting the shore.
And she meant it.
Nathan turned to look at her. His eyes searching her face for any sign of her hidden agenda. He was taken aback to find none. Not her usual flirting smile or her lustful gaze.
"Yeah…"
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"No. I just wanna forget about the past 30 minutes."
Brooke tore her gaze away from the beach and looked back up at him. "I can help with that," she smiled.
His eyebrows rose up almost instantly and Brooke could sense the scowl coming on.
Before Nathan even got a chance to say anything, Brooke spoke up again. "Get your mind out of the gutter. I didn't mean it like that," she laughed. "I meant we can talk. Not about whatever's happening between you and Haley but about anything. Life. You know, I've been told plenty of times that Im pretty good company. Even with my clothes on and my hands to myself," she joked.
Nathan couldn't help but laugh. "Is that so?"
"Yup. Wanna be the judge of that?"
He smiled. A real one and not just his smirk. Brooke feels her heart beating faster. She's seen him smile many times before, she's always staring at him, how can she not? But this was the first time that the smile was actually directed at her.
And she likes it. She couldn't help herself from smiling back.
"I appreciate the offer, Brooke but I think it's time for me to go. Sorry."
And just like that, the moment was over. Her smile dropped.
She quickly put a her smile back on but this one didn't reach her eyes. "That's okay."
Nathan gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before making his way back inside the house. Brooke looked back at the beach and sighed.
God, what happened to her? She came into this night frustrated that Nathan will most likely never have sex with her but now, she's sad because he won't have a conversation with her? Pathetic. She should be happy after what she just witnessed. Ecstatic even, with or without Nathan screwing her. Haley James was gonna fall of her high horse soon enough and she had a front row seat. That's what Brooke has been waiting to see for so long. Why does she feel like shit now?
Nathan couldn't help but look back at Brooke. He can't ignore how sad she looked. And it wasn't the kind of sad that he always saw when he rejected her. This one was different.
He knows because he's feeling the same kind of sad right now. He found himself walking back to her and sighed.
Contrary to what most people believe, Nathan Scott is not a heartless asshole.
Brooke immediately turned back when she felt another presence, her mouth agape when she met Nathan's eyes.
"Does your offer still stand?"
And that's how it started.
On that fateful Friday night, Brooke finally found her way in.
If only she knew it was more than what she bargained for.
"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked as Brooke made her way from her car to take a seat on the bench.
She shrugged. "You mentioned last night that you were gonna be here training the whole day so I thought I'd keep you company."
Nathan's eyebrows went up to his forehead and he stopped dribbling the ball. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it again.
Brooke inwardly cringed. "The friendship thing… It wasn't a one time thing, was it?" She asked softly and Nathan didn't say anything.
Oh my God.
"Oh, Im sorry. I… I thought… Wow, this is embarrassing… Im gonna go," she stood up and quickly walked towards her car when she heard Nathan laugh.
"It's fine, Brooke. It's a public place. You can stay." He continued to laugh as began dribbling the ball again. "I just didn't expect to see you, that's all."
Right.
Brooke couldn't hide the small smile that was forming on her lips as she settled herself on the bench once again.
"How's the hangover?"
"Surprisingly, not as bad as I expected it to be. Guess all that talking helped me sober up," she giggled. "What about you? How can you even be playing right now?"
"I didn't drink a lot," he shrugged as he continued to run up and down the rivercourt, shooting the ball from different angles.
"Is that all you're gonna be doing the entire break?"
"Pretty much. My dad would kill me if I slack off."
"Ahh, so Papa Scott's got you on a tight leash? Where is he now?"
"Charlotte. He'll be there for the whole week."
After another effortless shot from the three point line, Nathan put the ball down and began walking to where Brooke was seated. He plopped down next to her, still with space big enough for one more person in between them. But that didn't stop Brooke's heart from running wild.
Before last night, Brooke wanted Nathan because he was easily the hottest boy she's ever laid her eyes on. And he was the basketball varsity team captain while she was the head cheerleader. It was simply meant to be.
But after one night of talking to him, she realized that there was a different side to him, one that she didn't even know existed until last night. And now, she just wanted to spend the rest of her days learning the other sides of Nathan Scott.
She can only hope that he felt the same way about her.
"Hey, you okay?"
Brooke was pulled out from her daze. She turned to Nathan, "Sorry, must be the hangover. What were you saying?"
"I asked what're you doing home for the spring break?"
"I just didn't make any plans."
Lie.
Two hours ago, she called Bevin to tell her that she won't be joining the group's trip to Florida anymore because something important came up.
Or someone.
"Well, that a good thing, I guess. At least now, I have someone to suffer through this ghost town with me," he laughed and Brooke quickly joined in.
"So what time do you stop training? Let's get something to eat. Im starving!"
"My dad and Whitey aren't here so I can go anytime. You wanna go now?"
Brooke eagerly nodded and jumped up which caused Nathan to chuckle. They made their way to Brooke's car and she quickly began driving.
"So what do you feel like having? Do just wanna go to Karen's cafe or do you wanna go to the mall?"
Silence.
After a few minutes, Nathan still hasn't answered. Brooke snuck a quick glance at him. He seemed to be deep in thought. She cleared her throat to get his attention again.
"Oh yeah, uhm, do you wanna grab drive thru instead?"
Brooke frowned. How was she gonna eat while driving? Were they gonna park?
She shrugged, "sure."
Brooke gets it now.
As she's lying on her bed, she finally understands why Nathan insists they get drive thru and park at the mall afterwards so they can eat their food in the car. She didn't think much of it then but she gets it now. That way, nobody would see them together.
Brooke frowned. Who are they even hiding from? No one from school is in town right now. Everyone's off partying elsewhere. Most especially, why are they even hiding? It isn't like they're doing anything wrong? Can't a guy and a girl just be friends?
They can. Brooke knew that.
But not when it's Nathan Scott and Brooke Davis.
Brooke also knew that.
Her worried frown deepened. Her reputation never bothered her before. Yes, she enjoyed sleeping around, so what? It was her body anyway. Besides, there's been countless rumors about her causing break ups right and left before. That didn't bother her either. Not all were true but not all were lies.
So what? It wasn't her fault. It's not like she was the one who was in a committed relationship to the other girl. If anything, the guy is to blame. It's not her fault he couldn't keep it in his pants.
Or at least that's what she tries to tell herself every time she'd receive death glares from girls at school whose boyfriends she slept with.
God, why was she even thinking about this? It's not like Nathan is cheating on Haley with her.
He wouldn't. With anyone, for that matter.
Would he?
Now, that would be a different story.
Brooke's been the cause of multiple break ups. That was public knowledge and yet, in the end, she's never actually had to pay for her mistakes. She didn't have to apologize to anyone or even be afraid of people taking the girlfriend's side.
Because she's Brooke Davis.
But then this time, the girlfriend would be Haley James. And Brooke wasn't stupid enough to think that the student body would choose her over their beloved sweetheart.
Seriously, why was she even thinking about this? No choices have to be made because it isn't even happening.
Fuck, she needs a drink. Badly.
Brooke isn't sure how much she's had to drink but she's sure it's enough to piss off her dad when he comes home from wherever he is right now.
After she's drunk enough to forget about her imaginary indictment, she decides that now, she needs a friend.
Hmm, friend.
She knows exactly which one to run to.
Still in her yellow silk pajama top and matching shorts, she rushes to her car and begins to drive to Nathan's house. Due to everyone being gone and given how it's around 1:30 in the morning, Brooke arrived at his doorstep in record time.
She knows his dad is still in Charlotte while his mom was off doing something for her charity somewhere. Not that them being here would stop her from seeing Nathan right now.
"Nate!" She yelled as she banged on his front door. "Natie!"
A few minutes later, there he was. The star of her drunken and sober thoughts ever since she was 14 years old. Brooke couldn't stop herself from checking him out. He was in nothing but grey sweatpants, still rubbing sleep from his eyes and his hair sticking out in different directions.
"Brooke?" He squinted and she giggled.
"Hi Nate!"
"What are you doing here? What time is it?"
"Almost two in the morning," she couldn't stop giggling. God, he is so hot. "Well, aren't you gonna let me in?"
Nathan yawned as he opened the door wider to let her in. That was when he smelled her. He shut the door behind him and faced her, brows furrowed. "Are you drunk?"
"I just had a tiny bit to drink," she put thumb and index together, leaving a very small gap between them.
Nathan groaned. "I know we just started this friendship thing but you have to know that Im not someone who takes care of his drunk friend."
"Silly, I know that! But I also know that you're the friend who someone gets drunk with."
"Im not in the mood, Brooke. I just wanna go back to sleep."
"Oh, come on, Nate! You used to be fun! They used to have to carry you out of a party! What happened to that guy?"
"Im different now, Brooke."
"Because of Haley?" This time, Brooke couldn't keep the disdain from her voice.
"Brooke," his tone was warming.
Brooke raised her hands in surrender and laughed. "Lighten up, friend. Im just here cause I want somebody to hang out with."
Nathan sighed and led her to the living room. He sat on the down on the couch while Brooke plopped down on the love seat. He leaned back and closed his eyes.
Suddenly, everything was silent.
Brooke's giggles disappeared and Nathan opened one eye to look at her. She was hugging the pillow tightly while staring at him. Her face flushed from the alcohol as she was leaning on one of the armrests.
Nathan frowned. "What?"
"Nothing," she gave him a small smile and inhaled a deep breath. "Im just wondering why we ever decided to let other people label us…"
His frown disappeared but his eyebrows remained arched. "Who knew Brooke Davis could be a philosophical drunk," he teased but he knew exactly what she was trying to say.
"Im being serious, Nate. When did we start letting people dictate who we should be?"
"It's just the way things work, I guess."
"Not always. Look at you. You're with Haley and that's a relationship no one saw coming. I mean, no offense, but she's not who people would expect you to be with."
Nathan didn't know what to say. He isn't sure where this conversation was headed or if he even liked it.
Brooke cleared her throat. "I just mean you broke out of your labels, you know? You used to be Nathan Scott, the big man on campus."
Now, he's sure he didn't like this conversation. He didn't get out of bed just to be psychoanalyzed by a drunk Brooke Davis.
"I still am," he scowled.
"Nope." Brooke shook her head and made sure the p popped. "Now, you're just Haley's lapdog."
Nathan scowled even more. "I am not."
Brooke let out a laugh. "You totally are! You follow everything she says and avoid everything that will disappoint her."
"She's my girlfriend, Brooke."
"I know."
Trust me, she knows.
Nathan sighed and sat up straighter. "Why do you hate her so much?"
Because she's beautiful and she doesn't even know it. Because she's so smart and she doesn't even have to try. Because everybody adores her and she doesn't even have to pretend to be someone else to get their admiration. Because she's everything Brooke is not.
But most of all, because she has Nathan. Because without any effort, she was able to get Nathan Scott wrapped around her finger. Something that Brooke has been trying so hard to do since he sat next to her in Math class their freshman year.
"I just do." She shrugged. Brooke swallowed the lump in her throat before asking, "does she hate me too?"
Nathan met her eyes and gave her a small smile. "No. She doesn't hate you."
And that just made Brooke Davis hate Haley James even more.
Brooke was on her way to the mall to meet up with a few friends when she saw Nathan walking on the side walk. She pulled up and rolled down the window on the passenger's seat.
"Hey there, stranger!" She flashed him a smile. "Get in!"
And he did. "Where are we going?"
"I don't know. Anywhere. When was the last time you did something spontaneous, Nate?"
He shrugged and Brooke just laughed.
"Well then, are you up for an adventure? What do you say we bring back the old Nathan Scott just for today?"
Nathan frowned and was about to say something but Brooke beat him to it. "If you don't remember, the old Nathan Scott never slept with me either so you've got nothing to worry about," she joked.
Nathan couldn't stop the laugh from escaping his lips. "Just drive, Brooke!"
And so she did.
That's how they ended up on the beach three towns over. Currently, they were lying on the sand with no idea how they're going to get home because they were both too drunk to drive.
"The sky's so pretty," she whispered as the raised one arm up to try and reach for the stars. She heard Nathan chuckle beside her.
Brooke smiled as she decided that it was a sound she'd never get sick of hearing.
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just weird being here with you."
Brooke's smile dropped together with her hand. She slowly turned to her side to face Nathan.
"Am I really that bad?" She whispered.
"No." He tore his gaze away from the sky and met her eyes. "You should let more people get to know this side of you."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, cause opening up to people is so easy, right Nate?" She teased but her eyes grew as soon as she realized what she said. "Im sorry, I didn't mean it that way. It's just… you're different from who I thought you were… Im sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything."
Nathan shrugged and gave her a reassuring smile. He turned away from her and looked back up at the sky. He cleared his throat.
"So you heard that part, huh?"
"Yeah… sorry."
He sighed loudly before tucking his hand under his head. "Im just so afraid of disappointing her. Every time Im with her, I just feel like Im holding my breath. I can't do too much of this or too little of that. I can't be too defensive but I can't let her walk all over me either. I want to let her in so badly but Im scared that she'll realize how flawed I actually am and just leave."
"Nate…" Brooke reached for his hand in between them. When he didn't pull away from her, she gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Everyone always tells me how lucky I am to have found the perfect girl but… I don't know. Sometimes, I wish she was just as screwed up as I am." He turned towards her and met her gaze.
Brooke wasn't sure if his eyes were glassy because of the alcohol or because of his confession.
"Does that make me a bad person?"
That's when she heard it again for the second time in her life.
Nathan's voice was soft and vulnerable. Just like it had been when he told Haley that he would never be good enough for her.
Finally, Brooke had gotten something from her. Nathan's vulnerability was something that only Haley has seen but now, Brooke has too.
She should be happy. This is what she's waited for for so long. But why does it feel like her heart is breaking?
"No," she whispered. "That doesn't make you a bad person."
"But it's not Haley's fault, you know?"
Brooke gave his hand another reassuring squeeze and gave him a small smile.
"I just wish she was more like me. Or like you. Maybe then, being with her wouldn't be so hard."
"It doesn't have to be," Brooke replied softly.
Nathan returned her smile and squeezed her hand. "I know."
That was the moment Brooke Davis knew that she lost everything.
But it was worth it.
Because Nathan Scott was the type of guy worth losing everything for.
"No way! That did not happen!" Nathan exclaimed in between laughs.
Brooke smiled and slapped his arm playfully. "It totally did!"
"Where was I?"
"Passed out on the couch," she snorted.
Nathan's laughs died down and turned into a brittle smile instead. "I don't even remember the last time I got wasted."
"That long ago, huh?"
Nathan shrugged and stood up from the lounge chair he was currently sitting on. He removed his shirt so that only left him in his dark blue swim trunks. Brooke was in awe.
It's not like he's the first guy she's ever seen shirtless. She's seen quite a lot actually. But none of them compared to Nathan Scott.
Brooke looked away and finished the last bite of her burger. She stood up soon after and discarded her robe, leaving her only with her red bikini. She could feel Nathan's eyes on her and she couldn't help but smirk.
Nathan cleared his throat. "Are you ready to come in yet?"
"Nathan Scott going into the pool even after he just finished eating?" She teased and let out a gasp. "What a rebel I've turned you into!"
Nathan rolled his eyes playfully as a response before running towards her and tossing her on his shoulder. He then ran back to the pool and jumped.
As soon as Brooke was able to get her head above water, she was greeted by Nathan's loud laugh. She frowned and swam towards him.
"You are so gonna pay for that!"
When she reached Nathan, she immediately put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him down. Unfortunately, he was too strong for her. He continued to laugh as he turned around to face Brooke. Because of his sudden movement, Brooke's hands slipped and her body was pushed against his.
"Nate…" Brooke felt her breath hitch.
They've been this close before. With all the times Brooke has attempted to seduce him, they've been in this position more times than you can count in one hand.
But this was different. Brooke knew that. Nathan did too. But nobody moved away.
"Nathan," she whispered again.
Still no answer.
His eyes remained locked on hers. Brooke unconsciously licked her lips, causing Nathan to turn his gaze there.
That was the final straw.
Brooke couldn't take it anymore. She crashed her lips on his.
She's tried to sleep with Nathan many times before but it never reached this point. She never kissed him.
Until now.
She was finally kissing him.
Nobody moved. Their lips attached to each other but no movement was made by either of them. Their breaths caught in their throat, their eyes closed, they hearts running wild.
Brooke's kissed a lot of guys before. All of them involved tongues fighting for dominance and lips sucking each other. Yet none of them was as intense as this. None of them gave her the adrenaline that she was getting from this closed mouth kiss.
She was an impatient person. She doesn't like waiting. And so she slowly opened her mouth to suck on his bottom lip but before she could do it successfully, a piercing sound tore them away from each other.
Nathan moved back quickly. His eyes wide and his mouth agape.
"Haley."
Brooke frowned but before she can say anything, Nathan was already out of the pool, running to answer his cellphone which was on the lounge chair.
"That's my ringtone for Haley."
What the fuck just happened?
She sighed before running her hands through her face. Then she began to hear Nathan talking.
"I-Im just at the rivercourt, practicing." His eyes were closed and the hand not holding the phone was clenched into a fist on his side. "No, Im alone right now."
Brooke bit the insides of cheeks as she felt the tears forming in her eyes.
What the fuck just happened?
"Im actually getting ready to leave right now. I'll call you when I get home."
Nathan accidentally met Brooke's eyes but he looked away instantly.
He inhaled a deep breath. "I love you, Haley James." He whispered softly but loud enough for Brooke to hear.
Now, Brooke couldn't stop her tears from falling.
Nathan put his shirt back on even if he was still dripping wet. "I gotta go," he said before leaving without even throwing her a glance.
Brooke was left in the silence of her own home and a heart that felt like it was shattered to pieces.
What the fuck just happened?
Was this her karma?
Brooke couldn't help but wonder if this was how all the girls felt after they found out that she slept with their boyfriends.
But she shouldn't feel this way.
She had absolutely no right to feel this way.
Because she isn't the girlfriend and Nathan isn't hers to claim. Once again, she was the other woman in all this.
Brooke squeezed her eyes shut.
Damn it, she just wanted to sleep with the guy. Falling in love with Nathan Scott was never part of the plan. But it happened. And now, it hurt like hell.
This is what she's always wanted. She kissed Nathan and she's breaking Haley's heart even from miles away. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. She should be happy.
But she isn't.
She's the farthest thing from it.
How did things get this screwed up?
Brooke wiped her tears away before grabbing her phone and quickly sent in a text before she could change her mind.
We need to talk.
Fuck, why did she have to kiss him?
He was the first person she ever truly opened up to and she just had to royally screw this up too.
Why couldn't she just be content with being his friend?
Brooke knew she had to fix this. She knew this was different from all the other times she messed up. She had to fix this one.
She quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. She ran to her car and drove faster than she ever has before.
She couldn't lose Nathan.
As soon as she arrived at his house, she banged on his door. It didn't take long before a drunk Nathan greeted her. His eyes red and puffy, a smile on his lips and a bottle of beer on his hand. He reeks of alcohol.
But he wasn't drunk. She's seen Nathan drunk and this wasn't it.
"If it isn't Brooke!" He yelled while laughing. He opened the door wider for her. "Come in!"
He pulled her inside and shut the door behind her. Brooke thinks she hasn't seen anyone look this broken before.
"Nathan, we have to talk."
He smirks as he plops himself down on the couch. "Im all ears."
Brooke sits on the coffee table in front of him, leaning forward as elbows rests on her knees. "I won't tell Haley anything, I promise."
This time, Nathan laughed. Not the laugh that Brooke fell in love with. No, this one was harsh and cynical.
And sad. Very sad.
"That's bullshit. You've been waiting for this moment all along. This is why you even befriended me in the first place, isn't it? Well, congratulations, Brooke! You finally got what you wanted."
Just like that, Brooke felt tears spring to her eyes again.
Did he really think that low of her? Even after everything they've shared, did he still see her as a petty bitch who just wants to get into his pants?
"No, Nathan. That's not—"
"I take it back. Im not all ears." He threw his hands up, the beer spilling a little on the couch. "Im gonna talk and you," he points to Brooke, "are gonna have to listen."
Brooke sighed and leaned back. She found herself nodding slowly.
Now, she has to listen to Nathan stomp all over her broken heart.
Maybe this really was her karma.
"You're a bitch. You always treated Haley like crap. She tried so hard to be your friend and to get you to like her but you always shunned her out. From the cheerleading team. From all your parties. From everything. What did she ever do to you?"
She got you.
"You trying to get into my pants before was actually amusing before, Brooke, but then I got a girlfriend. Couldn't you just back off? You'd even flirt with me in front of her. Do you know how messed up that is? And yet you have the nerve to wonder why nobody likes you."
By now, Brooke's tears were falling from her eyes non-stop.
But she deserves.
She deserves all of it.
"Im an asshole. I know that," he chuckled. "But the one moment I tried to be a better man, the one time I tried to become the guy who was deserving of Haley, it all went to hell. I should've walked away. I know that. But I didn't. I looked at you and just like that," he tried to snap his fingers but failed miserably, "I thought I found somebody who understands."
Brooke opened her mouth to say something but Nathan shook his head. He wasn't done talking.
"And I did."
This time, Brooke's mouth fell agape. "Nate…"
"I should've moved away, Brooke. I could've pushed you off of me but I didn't. I just stood there… waiting for you to kiss me."
"Nathan, I—"
Before Brooke could even finish what she was trying to say, Nathan's lips were already on her's. This one wasn't like the first kiss they shared. This one was harsh and intense.
A total opposite of the kiss she saw Nathan and Haley share last Friday.
Haley.
She pushed him off of her. Brooke touched her lips softly, eyes wide as it locked with Nathan's glassy ones.
"What about Haley?"
Nathan sighed. "I love Haley."
"I know."
And just like that, his lips were back on hers.
But she really did know. She knows that Nathan loves Haley.
But right now, he was kissing her and she was kissing him back.
Fuck whatever happens next.
Silence engulfed Brooke and Nathan as they lie side by side on her bed. Their shoulders touching, their hands occasionally brushing against each other.
Brooke wishes she can freeze time. Wishes she can stay in this moment forever. But she can't.
They can't.
Because tomorrow, they have to go back to school and they'll be back to reality.
"What are thinking about?" Nathan asks her softly.
Brooke sighs and feels his eyes on her but she doesn't turn to him. She keeps her gaze locked on her ceiling.
"What's gonna happen to us tomorrow?"
He answers her truthfully, "I don't know."
Neither did she. She grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She cleared her throat and asked, "what about you and Haley?"
"I don't deserve her." Brooke can see the sad smile on Nathan's lips from the corner of her eye. "I never did."
"Are you ready to lose her?"
"No."
Finally, Brooke tore her gaze away from the ceiling and met Nathan's sad eyes. She matched his smile. "Then you won't."
Nathan frowned and using the hand that wasn't entangled in his, she smoothened out his forehead as she giggled.
"I won't tell anyone, Nate. I promise."
"Brooke…"
"It's okay." This time, she let her smile reach her eyes. "You gotta let yourself be happy."
"You should too," he whispered. "Im really sorry, Brooke."
She shrugged and squeezed his hand once again. "I knew what I was getting myself into."
It's just that she didn't expect this outcome.
Their silence was interrupted by Nathan's cellphone ringing.
Haley's ringtone. Brooke knows by now.
Nathan clears his throat. "I gotta go."
Brooke doesn't have it in her to reply. She can only nod.
She knows this is the end.
Nathan brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed the inside of her wrist. Then he let go.
He stood up and walked slowly towards the door. But before he left, this time, he looked back at her and gave her a smile. A real one.
The smile that reached his eyes.
The one that makes her heart flutter.
Then he was gone.
She never even got to tell him that she loves him.
Brooke felt her heart breaking all over again but knew that she had no right.
The time she spent with Nathan was short and it would never be enough for her. But it was also longer than she ever could have imagined.
Haley's return was delayed because her sister just gave birth two days ago. But she'll back home before school ends tomorrow.
School. What would happen there? Would Nathan greet her whenever he passed her? Would he sit next to her in the classes that they have together?
Would she?
She wanted the answer to be yes but she wasn't that naive. She knows it ends here. Knows that whatever they had would never transcend their privacy.
And she had no right to complain because she was just the other girl.
Because she got herself into this.
Because she forced herself into this.
It hurt like hell but it was worth it. Nathan was worth it.
She wouldn't trade the past few days for anything.
Slowly, Brooke got up from her bed and stood in front of her window. Just in time to see Nathan get in his car.
Brooke closed her eyes again as she remembered that fateful Friday night. She was so sure she was witnessing the fall of the mighty.
Turns out she was looking at wrong girl.
She wiped her tears and peeled her eyes open to watch Nathan drive away, knowing that she just lost him forever.
Even if he wasn't her's to begin with.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
In love and soon, off of her throne.