Part 40
Brooke sighed softly as she shifted on top of Peyton.
"You okay?" Peyton asked, her hand drifting back and forth down her friends back. Brooke hadn't been able to fall back asleep since she'd returned and now she seemed to be getting agitated.
"Hrrmph." Was the only reply as Brooke moved to place her face into the spot between the blonde's neck and shoulder, and blew out a frustrated breath. She was tired but she couldn't seem to fall back to sleep.
Peyton shivered at the sensation and only just prevented herself from pulling away from the brunette. But she couldn't hold in a giggle.
Brooke lifted her head and scowled at her friend. Didn't she know that Brooke was trying to sleep here? Her bottom lip extended.
Peyton rolled eyes and shrugged. "How did you expect me to react?" She sniffed in indignation. "It tickled."
"Well, you're not being a very good pillow. Keep it up and I'll have to ask Haley to come back." She threatened.
"Oooh no! Not that!" Peyton pleaded with just a little too much effort.
The giggling didn't help either.
Brooke's eyes narrowed as she looked down at her friend. Her fingers twitched knowing what she'd like to do to the blonde but her body wasn't really up to it at the moment.
Seeing the look she was receiving Peyton decided to relent and pulled the other girl back down and rapped her securelyin her arms again, not wanting to give Brooke the chance to do anything too drastic to her.
"Okay, okay, I'll be good I promise."
Brooke relaxed into the embrace and quickly got back into a good position and grinned to herself. Peyton had thought she'd gotten away with it, but Brooke wasn't one to forget.
She'll keep, and just when she least expects it… bam! Payback!
Peyton smiled as she looked down at Brooke. This felt right. Holding Brooke against her like this. She'd held Brooke many times over the years they'd been friends. But it had never resonated with her the way it did now.
Have I really been this blind, or just too stupid to realise how she felt about me. God, no wonder she was soo jealous of Anna. Peyton felt like smacking herself as she thought back to the brunette's reaction to how often she'd spent time with the other girl.
She blushed.
Damn glad I never told her about that kiss!
At the time Peyton had never expected Anna to do such a thing, but if she hadn't noticed Brooke's feelings towards her even though she'd practically lived with her for years, how was she to know Anna had been attracted to her.
Brooke's right. I can be a dumb blonde at times.
Brooke frowned as she felt Peyton's body move as she giggled quietly to herself. Lifting her head she gave her smiling friend a questioning look hoping to be let in on whatever it was she had found amusing.
Peyton rolled her eyes and shook her head a little, grin still in place. "It's nothing."
And everything.
I was jealous of her spending time with Felix, and maybe I hung out with Anna more on purpose because of that. I should have know better though, when I told her it was him that had spray painted my locker, her reaction should have let me know how little he really mattered to her.
Granted she hadn't been in the best frame of mind back then, and Anna had listened and been there for her when no one else was, and she'd needed that.
But she was still thankful she hadn't mentioned the kiss to Brooke, having no idea what would have happened if she had.
Brooke lifted an eyebrow at her, unconvinced.
"And don't pout," The blonde continued, catching a bottom lip with her forefinger. "You know that doesn't work on me. I'm completely immune."
Brooke smiled back at her friend before snapping at the finger with her teeth. "Liar."
"Would I lie to you?" Peyton retorted back before she cringed at her own answer. She didn't want to think about the times she had lied to the girl in her arms.
Sometimes all she wanted was to forget about the past and all the mistakes she had made, and just live in the present. They were after all getting a fresh start at their friendship, and that was more than she ever could have hoped for just a week ago.
"Plead the fifth?" Brooke offered as a get out clause, not wanting their disastrous past to be brought up right now either. Although she acknowledged that they would have to work through everything that had gone on if they were ever to truly move on from it.
She needed to explain why she had been acting the way she had towards Peyton since Haley and Nathan's wedding. Even if Peyton could guess now, she still deserved to be told that it hadn't been her fault.
Peyton nodded and received a wink as they both shared a smile.
And then there was a knock at the door.
Peyton blew out a breath as Brooke dropped her head back down onto her shoulder. She could feel herself tense up at the idea of going down to dinner with everyone else right now.
Why does reality always have to intrude, just when…
She sighed again but there was nothing that she could do but go down with Brooke.
"Think if we ignore them they'll go away?" Brooke asked in a soft whisper.
Peyton laughed. "No." But I guess I'm not the only one that would rather stay here, although I'm not sure it's for the same reason.
Brooke rolled her eyes at the blonde and slapped at her gently. "Well obviously not after that!" She grumbled playfully and got out of the bed as another knock sounded into the room. "In a minute." She called out to whoever it was as she looked for clothes that would cover her more than the ones she had on.
Peyton tried not to pout as she followed the brunette's actions with her eyes, she was sure her headache would be returning soon.
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Brooke felt Peyton squeeze her hand in reassurance as they approached the dinning table. She returned the gesture and gave the blonde a quick smile in thanks.
Deb was placing a final dish onto the table before tacking a seat at one end. Taking the seat on the other end of the table was Lucas Scott, while Haley sat to the right of Debbie on one side with Nathan next to her. That left the two empty chairs on the other side of the table free for them.
Peyton guided Brooke to take the seat directly across from Haley, on Deb's left, while she sat next to her across from Nathan.
Peyton gave everyone at the table a quick smile, but she noticed Brooke had kept her eyes focused mainly on the table. She knew she was nervous, but she hoped after a while Brooke would be able to relax a little more.
She shifted her seat closer to the brunette's and leaned in so she wouldn't be overheard by anyone else at the table. She was also helped as Haley asked Deb about what she had cooked for them.
"You okay, Brooke?" She asked in little more than a whisper, her arm resting on the back of Brooke's chair, her hand moving to rub the top of the brunette's shoulder.
Brooke fiddles with the cutlery in her hands before lifting to looking into those green eyes watching her every move. Her hands were sweating, but she didn't want to be acting like this. It was only Nathan after all, and she'd know him all her life, why was she getting so worked up over it?
She sighed and consciously tried to let go of the apprehension she was feeling.
She gave Peyton a nod not sure she was up to speaking yet.
Peyton watched her steadily before accepting that, her hand moved to pat Brooke's knee before she turned her attention to Nathan who was staring at her like a condemned man.
She resisted rolling her eyes at him. Where was the guy that used to cause hell in Tree Hill, throwing parties and stealing buses? Haley has him soo whipped!
She gave him a small grin as she shook her head at the thought.
Nathan wasn't sure how to take that but his eyes drifted to his brother who'd been staring at both girls since they'd arrived together.
"So Brooke," Lucas asked with a smile, as he put down a bowl of potatoes. "You all ready for tomorrow?"
Peyton scowled at the question but Brooke didn't notice as she had yet to lift her head enough to make eye contact with anyone at the table other than Peyton seconds before.
"Yeah, sure," She said as she spooned out some vegetables onto her plate. "Shouldn't be that bad I don't think."
"Yeah, it's not like they'll see you naked."
The moment Nathan had finished the sentence he recoiled wishing he could take it back. The table fell deathly quiet as everyone froze in the middle of what they were doing to look at him.
This is soo not good. He thought to himself, and he was right as he received two hard kicks to his legs, painful enough that he couldn't quite stifle the groan that accompanied them or the need to reach down to try to rub the pain away.
Brooke found a grin forming on her lips as she looked from Peyton to Haley and then to Nathan. It wasn't hard to figure out what had just happened to Nathan given the angry looks he was getting from his wife and Peyton.
In fact Brooke even managed to laugh at her friends expense, which caused Peyton and Haley to share a puzzled glance.
"Actually if gets too awkward I might just try that Nate, thanks for the idea." Brooke said as she gave him a friendly smile.
Deb had been right, out there on the back porch. These were her friends and every one of them loved her unconditionally, these were the people she didn't have to be afraid with, or nervous of. These were the ones that got to see her at her worst, and still accepted her.
And she loved them for it.
She continued grinning as she went back to filling up her plate.
Peyton lifted an eyebrow at Haley wondering what the pregnant girl had made of what just happened.
Haley just shrugged back at her as if to say 'just be thankful she's smiling' and set about fixing her own plate before the food could disappear, she was feeding two after all.
Deb seemed to be the only one to notice the almost frown that Lucas had worn throughout the whole exchange. She'd often seen his father with a similar look when he hadn't been pleased with the way a conversation had been going, she just wasn't sure what it meant on Lucas.
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Nathan walked out of the kitchen, where he'd been helping his mom tidy up after dinner, just in time to see Lucas heading for the front door. "You taking off?" He asked with some surprise.
Lucas looked around then gave his brother a shrug of his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess so." It's not like anyone's actually going to miss me. He thought to himself miserably.
Nathan studied his brother for a few seconds wishing he could offer words of encouragement, that if Lucas just hung in there things would eventually get back to normal for everyone.
But he didn't really believe that himself, so he wouldn't be able to convince Lucas.
"Your car's at school still?" He asked and got a nod in reply. "Give me a minute and I'll drive you over okay?"
Lucas shook his head as she shifted his weight, he just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible, but he also didn't feel like company.
"No, I think I'd rather just walk if you don't mind Nate." Lucas sighed, he doubted the still drizzling rain would even bother him with the mood he was in. "Clear my head."
Nathan nodded as Lucas continued to the door. "Talk to you tomorrow, Luke."
"Yeah." Was the soft reply as Lucas disappeared out of the house.
A few moments later Deb walked into the hallway to find Nathan standing next to the closed door. "Everything okay Nathan?"
Turning to his mom Nathan gave her a smile, not sure if he should voice his concerns over his brothers mood. "Lucas went home." He informed her.
Deb nodded having spoken to him while she had prepared their dinner. "He said earlier that he'd be going home. He didn't want to leave Karen alone all night in case she needed him."
Nathan could understand that, not wanting to be far from Haley himself now that she could go into labour at any moment.
"Was there anything else Nathan?" She asked curiously.
He shrugged. "He was kinda upset, I think he's missing spending time with Peyton." He explained.
"Ah, but she's spending all her time trying to help Brooke."
"Yeah." Nate agreed. "I guess he just isn't sure where he fits in right now."
"You can't blame Peyton for wanting to be with Brooke right now Nathan, not-" Deb said scolding her son but he cut her off with a furious shake of his head.
"I'm not saying that at all mom, I know Brooke needs Peyton right now," He replied quickly. "I just feel bad for Luke that's all."
Debbie sighed at the situation. "I'm sure everything will sort itself out in the end son."
Nathan nodded then gave his mom a kiss before heading up the stairs in search of his wife. He missed the look of happiness that covered his mothers face at his gesture as he took off with his thought still centred around the current state of his brother's relationship with Peyton.
It may all sort itself out in the end mom, but I'm not sure Lucas will still have a girlfriend by then.
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Haley tried to ignore her husband as he shifted beside her, again. It was late and if Nathan didn't want to talk to her that was fine. But the least he could do was to lay still so she could get some sleep.
"I just don't get it." Nathan said as he shifted in bed to look at his wife.
Haley rolled her eyes and reached over to turn on a light for this conversation. Nathan had been grumbling to himself for the best part of two hours without talking to her about whatever it was that was bothering him.
So of course he had to wait until the moment she had almost fallen asleep before he started talking to her. He hadn't even said goodnight to his son, he had been in that much of a state since he'd come into their room earlier.
"What exactly don't you get?" She inquired as she adjusted her body so that she was resting against the headboard.
"Peyton." He replied. "Both of them. All night it's like they didn't even care that Lucas was here. I don't even remember Peyton saying anything to him all through dinner, not even hello for goodness sake!"
"I think she had enough trouble trying to make sure Brooke was okay tonight, don't you think that was a little more important than humouring Lucas? I think he should be mature enough to understand the situation and not get in a sulk over it." Haley said disappointed in her husband's attitude.
Nathan frowned at Haley.
She sighed feeling some sympathy for Lucas but not enough that she would begrudge the way Peyton was helping Brooke deal with what had happened to her. She could only image how Brooke felt, and she tried her best to not to think about it too often. She knew Brooke was a strong person, but everybody needed someone to lean on in difficult times.
"Come on Nate, you barely left my side after the accident. Peyton just wants to be there for Brooke, and Lucas should understand that." She said in an effort to get Nathan to stop and see that Brooke needed Peyton, especially now.
Nathan's eyebrows rose sharply at the comparison as he noted one obvious difference between the two circumstances. I'm your husband Haley, of course I'm going to want to be there for you the whole time! You needed me.
But before he could put a voice to his thought on how different their situation had been they both heard a set of footsteps quickly followed by a second, and could make out Peyton calling to Brooke.
Nathan quickly got out of bed and looked for something to throw on. "I'll go check on them." He said worried as to what could be wrong.
Haley bit her lip before getting up herself. "We'll both go."
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"Hey, it's okay, just take it easy. I'm right here, Brooke." Peyton said, sweeping up all the loose strands of hair from Brooke's face as she hung over the toilet bowl throwing up.
"Urgh." Brooke groaned as she lifted her head before her stomach was hit by another spasm forcing her back into position.
Peyton winced, unsure what to say as the brunette continued to lose the little she had in her stomach from dinner. Instead she just ran her free hand up and down her friends back hoping it would be over quickly.
Finally after what felt like an eternity to Brooke her stomach relaxed and ceased its torture letting her slump back against Peyton's body exhausted.
Peyton closed an arm around her and just sat with her a while to make sure she was finished before attempting to move them back towards the bedroom.
"Think you can get up now?" Peyton asked softly into the ear at her lips.
Brooke took a second to check that her body was okay to be moved before giving the blonde a nod of her head.
"Okay then, let get you off this cold tile and back into bed." She said as she kept her hands on Brooke to steady her as they both got up.
"Actually Pey, do you mind getting my wash bag so I can brush my teeth after that?" Brooke asked as she grimaced at the condition of her mouth.
"Sure." Peyton agreed as she guided the brunette to sit down on the now closed toilet seat as she flushed it clean. "You wait right here, and I'll be back in a bit." She continued placing a kiss on to the other girls temple before backing out of the bathroom right into a nervous Nathan Scott.
"Uhh, is she okay?" He asked, his hand smoothing the hair back on his head. Once he and Haley had gotten close enough to hear what was happening Haley had insisted they go back to bed, saying Peyton would come get them if they were needed, but Nathan had wanted to stick around just to make sure they were okay.
Peyton frowned at him and quickly lead him further down the hall by grabbing his arm. "She's fine, mostly. Probably just something she ate." She told him.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, but thanks." She replied sending him a small smile in an attempt to get him to head back to his own room.
"Well if you're sure." He said reluctantly, glancing at the closed door a few feet away. "Night, then I guess."
"Night Nathan." She responded, standing there until he continued on to his bedroom, the last the Brooke needed right now was an audience.
Sighing she then hurried off to get Brooke's things.
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"Are you sure you're feeling better?" Peyton asked once they were tucked up back into the bed in the guestroom they were using.
Brooke rolled her eyes at her friend. "Yes, I feel better."
"Well, how do you know you are? You could have a temperature, or a fever, or anything…" She continued as she moved her hand to rest over the brunette's forehand trying to see if she felt overly warm. "After being dragged out into the rain like that you could end up getting pneumonia!" I am so going to kill Nathan for this.
"I do NOT have pneumonia Peyton, would you calm down?" Brooke asked, pushing her friends hand away from her head gently.
"How would you know that?" Peyton asked as her eyes grew wide and she felt herself begin to panic. What if she is really sick and I don't do anything?
"Peyton?" Brooke said calmly as she turned to cup the blonde's face in both her hands, needing her to focus on what she was saying. "There isn't anything wrong. I don't have a fever, or a cold, or pneumonia… okay?"
"Okay?" Peyton replied in confusion. "But you were just sick Brooke, and you hardly even touched what was on your plate down stairs."
"I know." Brooke sighed, her thumb moving back and forth along her friend's cheek as she continued to try and calm her down. Peyton's arms had automatically moved to hold her around the waist, one hand nervously moving up and down her side.
"Nothing's wrong? But you were sick Brooke, something has to be wrong." The blonde asked still not having a clue what was going on, but Brooke didn't seem too alarmed so that had to be a good sign, right?
"Well not really," She started to explain. "See the thing is all those pills I'm taking don't always react well with your body." She gave the blonde a shrug. "This is just one of the side affects that can happen."
"Being sick?"
"Nausea. And there's also headaches, insomnia, and a whole other bunch of not nice stuff that I could go through." Brooke replied.
The blonde let out an unhappy breath at the news. On one hand she didn't want Brooke to have to go through any of that on top of what she already had to deal with, but she wanted Brooke to keep taking the medication she was on.
"That sucks." Was all she could think of to say as she gathered Brooke into her arms.
"Yeah." Brooke agreed as she found her usual spot and started to relax, hopefully there wouldn't be anymore bathroom visits tonight. But if there were, she knew Peyton would be right beside her to help her every step of the way.
The kiss she received to her head just then only seem to reinforce that thought.
"But if you do feel like being sick again, can you give me some warning… just so I don't get puked on?" Peyton asked, before she had to defend herself from being hit by the pillow in Brooke's hands.
"Argh!"
"It was a joke!"
"Sure it was."
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AN/
But thank you for reading I hope everyone is still enjoying it!
Thank you to everyone that takes the time to review to a chapter, I love hearing what you guys think so feel free to share anytime you want ;)
Oh, umm….
WARNING!!!
The next chapter is….
The one!
You know…
*whispers quietly*
with
the
L.
E.
Y.
T.
O.
N.
Don't go getting all upset. It'll be okay I promise.
You do believe me right?