Part 65
Brooke gasped at her mother's words. Enraged she stepped towards her only to have a hand grip her arm stopping her. "Peyton?"
Peyton released Brooke and shook her head. "She's not worth it." She said softly, giving her girlfriend a pleading look as she reached for the door. "Let's just go." She said softly trying to prevent Victoria seeing the pain her words had caused.
Brooke heard her mother scoff at her girlfriend, causing her to clamp her jaw closed before she said something, instead she glared at her mother. Ineffectual perhaps, but it made her feel a whole lot better.
Brooke kept her eyes focused on her smirking mother. "You go on down Peyt, I need a second here." She said in a steely voice.
Peyton hesitated in leaving Brooke, but figured her girlfriend could look after herself. She'd survived growing up with the hell bitch, a few more minutes wouldn't kill her. "Okay." Peyton gave Victoria one last hateful look and left the pair to it.
Victoria chuckled at the blonde's quick departure.
That was it.
Brooke walked quickly over to her mother and just as the older woman's laughter began to fade, Brooke smacked her across the face with her open hand.
Victoria reeled back clutching her cheek. "How dare-"
"Shut up!" Brooke yelled, her anger finally taking over. She watched a moment as her mother struggled to regain her composure. "Peyton was right, you aren't worth it." She said bitterly. "But she is." She continued. "She's worth ten of you!"
"Brooke, stop being difficult. Your father is expecting you to be on that flight this morning." Victoria reminded her daughter as a more confident look appeared on her face. "And you wouldn't want to disappoint your father now would you Brooke?"
Brooke turned her back to Victoria. She shook her head in disbelief. It always came down to appearances with her parents. Brooke could only imagine what comments were being put to her parents when they failed to fly to her bedside the minute the news of her attack broke.
She turned back around wondering why she still called this woman her mother. As sad as it was Brooke knew she was still as unwanted in the Davis household as she had been as a child growing up. "Why change the habit of a lifetime?" Brooke asked derisively, still angry at her mother's treatment of Peyton. "Just go home Victoria."
Victoria blinked in real shock. Her daughter was always a stubborn child but she normally always did as she was told, especially when it concerned gaining her father's approval. She folded her arms and gave Brooke a knowing look, trying to persuade her daughter another way. "Your father will be upset if you aren't with me, maybe even enough to stop paying for this hellhole you call home, ever think of that?"
Brooke laughed at her mother. She laughed so hard her side hurt and she had to force herself to straighten and calm down. The stunned look on Victoria's face almost set her off again but she managed to control herself.
"I'm eighteen mother." She said in explanation, only to see a blank look in return. She shook her head finally realising that she was wasting her breath and that neither her mother nor her father deserved any of her time, especially not at Peyton's expense.
Reaching for the door handle Brooke gave one last scathing look before giving Victoria the bit of information she was missing. "Grandpa's will was executed over to me. Kinda nice to see all those zero's in my bank account." She smirked as her mother's face went slack as it finally sank in. "Yeah," Brooke continue on happily, enjoying her moment. "His lawyer never did tell me why he cut you out ten years ago but knowing you I can think of enough reasons why your own father wanted nothing more to do with you."
"Brooke," Victoria softened her tone and tried to step closer to her daughter but Brooke shook her head still looking angry. "You have to understand, things have been difficult for your father and I these last few months."
"Don't apologise for forgetting, I'm sure you were both busy." Brooke said before chuckling to herself, when did her parents ever remember her birthdays? "Just go back to L.A. mother and leave me alone." She said as the anger she felt was replaced by a pit of disappointment. How can they care so little, even now, she's only here because she wants something.
"Just go home." She repeated leaving her mother standing there as she rushed out into the rain and quickly making her way to Peyton's car.
"You okay?" Peyton asks as Brooke takes her seat beside her and shakes off the rain.
Brooke wipes the moisture from her face and smiles at the blonde for looking all concerned for her. "I'm fine." She said. And she was. There was something to be said by having your head finally accept the facts that had been torturing her growing up. She couldn't make her parents love her growing up so why should she go out of her way to make them feel better?
Peyton looked at Brooke, trying to figure why she'd be so happy. A glance out the windscreen revealed the older Davis making her way towards them.
"Ah…Brooke?" Peyton's eyes widened as Victoria stopped on the sidewalk near the hood of her car and every time the windscreen wipers cleared the rain she got a quick view of the glare being directed at Brooke.
"Hm?" Brooke asked as she fiddled with the radio dial.
"Your mom's…glaring our way."
Brooke snapped her head up at Peyton with a gleam in her eyes. "Really?"
Peyton's brow furrowed at Brooke's excited tone. "Uh huh." She replied quietly, as if just speaking about her would somehow compel the older women to attack the car. "She's just…standing there. Watching you." She said, her eyes glued to the figure outside.
"Great!" Without another thought, Brooke's hand cupped Peyton behind the head and brought their lips crashing together in a heated kiss.
Long moments later the kiss ended and Peyton sat back slightly and just stared at Brooke in shock. There was no way Victoria Davis hadn't seen that.
Brooke smirked as she watched Peyton twitch. "As the Great Oz once said; pay no attention to the bitch outside Peyton."
Peyton made a face. "I think you might have paraphrased."
Brooke shrugged and quickly leaned in for another quick kiss, leaving her girlfriend slightly dazed.
"I just meant don't worry so much Victoria hasn't been able to pull my strings for a long time now, okay? Is she still there?" Brooke questioned quietly with a devious smirk on her face.
Peyton turned pale and was more than a little scared to look, but she braved it figuring she'd be able to drive off before Victoria managed to reach into the car and strangle her to death.
The space were Brooke's mother had stood was empty. "Um no." Peyton looked around and saw the black town car that had been parked a ways behind her begin to drive off. "I think she's gone." She said with relief turning back to her girlfriend.
"Shame." Brooke muttered with a laugh before going back to trying to find a decent station to listen to on the ride over to the school.
Peyton shook her head at her girlfriend's antics and put the car into gear as Britney Spears belted out loudly. "You're killing me Brooke." She said as pulled out and tried to get them to school as safely she could with a racing heart and shaking hands.
xxxxxxxxx
"Think it's true?" Nathan asked while pacing in front of Haley.
Haley shrugged still staring down at the article in question. Exclusive interview. Next Friday. Diane Sayer and Brooke Davis. The survival story.
"I really don't know." She replied. "I can't really picture Brooke doing this but who knows? If the money's right?" She shrugged. The magazine wouldn't run an advert like this without it being true. Haley couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in her friend though.
Nathan scowled. Brooke was very private, he didn't think there was any way this could be true. Brooke wouldn't go into details of what had happened to her with her best friends, there was no way she would expose herself like that for America to watch and comment on.
"Nah, no way. Besides that woman's a bigger bitch than Victoria Davis and that's saying something." He told her pointing to the picture of the smiling show host.
"Guess we'll find out." Haley muttered tucking the magazine away into her bag as she spotted her two friends at the glass doors giggling to each other. It sure didn't look like either of them had the weight of the world on their shoulders. Her brows furrowed as the pair looked up and Brooke sent her and Nathan a quick wave of her hand.
Maybe the money's just too good to pass up.
Peyton kept her arm around Brooke's shoulder as they stopped beside Haley and Nathan. Nathan was standing but his pregnant wife was currently sat on a chair that no doubt belonged in the classroom they were next to. "Hey guys, guess we made it on time then." She smiled and winked at Brooke. Her driving skills did prove useful once in a while.
"Uh…yeah." Nathan checked his watch, there was about two minutes before the bell was due to ring.
Brooke raised her eyebrow at the way Haley was looking at her but the other girl glanced away.
"Okay well, we can meet you guys later if you want? Catch up?" Peyton offered not wanting to go straight back to the apartment where she knew Victoria could turn up at any time. She wasn't above hiding out and given the quiet sniggering coming from her girlfriend she wasn't capable of hiding her motive either.
"Yeah sure," Nathan replied as Haley fiddled with her handbag. "You could, ah, just swing by when you guys get finished? I don't wanna hang around with this weather." He tried to smile but couldn't help wondering if he should ask about the interview now or wait.
"No problem." Brooke gave Nathan an easy smile and let Peyton start moving them off towards the school office. "Bye guys."
xxxxxxx
"Did they seem a little weird to you?" Peyton asked as they rounded a corner into an empty hallway and were far enough away from the married couple not to risk being overheard.
Brooke lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "Maybe." She squeezed Peyton around the waist still much more concerned by her mother's comments back at the apartment and how her girlfriend was feeling than worrying about Nate and Haley.
Peyton smiled at Brooke as the pair slowed to a stop. She glanced around, noticing no one was around and wiggled her eyebrows. "What?"
Brooke rested her hands on Peyton's stomach on the inside of her open leather jacket. She looked up at the blonde with a pensive expression. "I'm really sorry Peyton, about what my mum said, she had no right." She said quietly.
Peyton sighed. She'd repeatedly told Brooke it wasn't her fault on the journey here. She shifted closer rapping her arms around her girlfriend and resting her forehead on Brooke's. "Babe, again, not your fault." And what she said was true Brooke, and we both know it. She finished silently to herself, but something must have shown in her expression because Brooke's eyes saddened and she captured Peyton's face in her hands.
Peyton swallowed carefully, staying silent as Brooke's eyes began to water.
Brooke let out a breath knowing this wasn't the place for a heart to heart conversation. "I love you." She stated and as a smile bloomed on her girlfriends face she quickly leaned in for a kiss.
Peyton kissed her back, her arms quickly tightening around Brooke in an attempt to prolong the moment. She giggled as Brooke finally squirmed free.
"Peyton!" Brooke hissed slapping at the blonde, although she was clearly holding back her laughter.
"What?" Peyton said looking innocent.
Just then the bell rang and Peyton grinned, slipping her hand into Brooke's and tugging her along. "Come on, wouldn't want to have my driving go to waste."
Brooke snorted but squeezed Peyton hand.
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A few hours later and Peyton was leaning against her locker as she waited on Brooke finishing her exam. She'd been spoken to by Turner for leaving her art exam the other day, luckily her teacher had offered to mark her based on her classwork over the year which Turner had agreed to only because he had little choice and it gave him a way to pass her without having it questioned given she was the best student in the class.
Peyton nibbled on her bottom lip in boredom as she checked her watch again. She'd been waiting close to ten minutes already so she was hoping Brooke wasn't far from done.
Hearing footsteps she looked up expectantly only to find Lucas marching towards her with anger radiating from the tense motion of his body.
Lucas glared at his ex-girlfriend his hand gripping tighter at the paper in his hand. No matter how much he still loved her he couldn't let go of the fact she always seemed to put Brooke Davis before what they could have had. He would have given her everything, part of him still would.
As he got close he watched her straighten up and turn face on to him, her arms crossing over her chest. It didn't make him even consider pausing as he slapped the paper in his hand into her chest leaving her no option but to scramble to catch it before it fell to the floor.
"What the fuck Lucas?" Peyton snapped at him, not amused by the assault.
Lucas sneered at her, leaning into her as she stepped back into the lockers reflexively. "That bitch you call a best friend sold out Peyton! Sold herself to the highest bidder just like-"
"You finish that sentence and so help me Lucas!" Peyton yelled into his face, not caring if they were making a scene or not. Her hand was clenched at her side as she fought with herself not to hit him for his comments, she knew exactly what he'd planned on calling her girlfriend and she wasn't amused.
Lucas backed off a touch but chuckled at Peyton's defence of Brooke. "Just read the damn thing Peyton." He said gesturing to the piece of paper in her hand.
Peyton frowned at him but her curiosity won out and she smoothed the crumpled up paper to see what had Lucas going off on one at her. It didn't take long for her to see what the issue was, an advert spanned the page proclaiming an exclusive interview with Brooke Davis on national television was due to air next week.
But unlike Lucas, Peyton knew Brooke had nothing to do with the advert. But that didn't stop her paling at the thought of showing this to Brooke. Sure as hell explains why Bitchtoria was trying to drag her back across the country.
"You ripped me to pieces for a poster Peyton, and here it is! Every gory detail of that night is going to be put out there by her for money Peyton! Money!" Lucas told her scathingly, his eyes blazing.
"You broke up with me over nothing Peyton, over guilt for what happened? Guilt? Because it was her and not you?" He continued, seemingly on a roll. "And what does she do Peyton, she goes on national television for everyone to watch her cry as she talks about it." He shook his head in disgust.
Peyton let Lucas' words roll over her, her eyes still fixed on the paper in her hands. Crushing it into a ball Peyton looked Lucas in the eye then hit him in the centre of his chest with it.
"That, Lucas, is trash, plain and simple. Just like everything that's come out of your mouth just now. Do us all a favour and can it." Peyton said as her eyes spotted Brooke over Lucas' shoulder at the far end of the hall and seeing her watching them apprehensively as she stayed back there made Peyton wish Lucas would just leave it alone. The last thing she wanted was Lucas showing Brooke that advert without her girlfriend being prepared for it first.
Lucas was shocked as Peyton started to walk away from him, angrily he gripped her arm stopping her. "You can't seriously still be sticking up for her Peyton?" He asked in dismay.
Peyton jerked her arm free and narrowed her eyes at Lucas. "Stay away from me Lucas. I mean it, whatever this is, whatever you're holding on to, just let it go." She told him in an almost desperate plea.
Stunned Lucas watched her walk away from him, not a bit surprised to see her meeting up with Brooke before they both slipped away.
Hurt, he leaned wearily back into the row of lockers. His heart still felt like it was breaking apart and no matter how hard he tried to make Peyton recognise that he was still the guy for her he couldn't get make her see it.
He didn't understand why, because they'd been dancing around their attraction to each other for two years now. Peyton Sawyer was everything he wanted, all he wanted.
His eyes closed at the thought that he'd never have her again.
I just need to figure out what to say to her. He thought hopefully, especially knowing that it was likely, given the interview promo, that Brooke Davis would be leaving Tree Hill behind in the very near future.
"You okay man?"
Lucas opened his eyes to see Mouth, Skills, Fergie and Junk stood there watching him with concerned expressions.
He smiled at them.
"Yeah," He said, a smile creeping onto his face. "And in a couple of days I'm going to be feeling even better."
With that he walked away from them.
Mouth looked at the others in puzzlement but finally just shrugged. "Maybe he's…" He paused there having no idea what Lucas was talking about.
Skills chuckled and put his arm around Mouth's shoulder. "Right!" He laughed putting Mouth into a choke hold which he struggled out of. "Well, whatever it was about, I'm sure we'll all hear about it in the end."
Mouth scowled at his friend as he tried to fix his now messed up hair. "Right." He replied although he couldn't help but have an uneasy feeling about it.
"So what are we doing?" Skills asked the others more than happy to let Lucas and his many issues slide for now.
Fergie glanced at the other guys hopefully and tapped his hand over his stomach. "Food?"
"Riiight." Skills said with a grin lighting up his face. "And I know just the place!"
Fergie and Junk share a shrug and happily trail after their friend as Mouth followed at a slower pace, still annoyed at Skills messing with his hair.
xxxxxx
AN/ I know, I know. But seriously, I was all buzzed the last time I'd posted, I'd finished my course with the grade I was expecting and been offered a place on a really amazing phd programme. I could not have been happier!
But alas, real life pain in the ass legal issues pushed my start date back again, then again, then again!
(Yes I'm a tad bitter about it!)
Anyway I have yet another start date so fingers crossed this time.
I know there are people out there with much bigger problems but I've been messed about for months and I can't afford to just keep waiting around when jobs are few and far between right now.
So…
On a brighter note I've finally decided on a format (starting point and sorta plot) for a new Breyton fic. I'll be posting the first chapter on Sunday (late UK time) so I really hope you'll enjoy it. Not sure how long it'll be but I already have the first three chapters written so that's something at least :D
Thank you for reading and for anyone bothering to review, you can even tell me off for my poor updating skills. I won't hold it against you promise! :P
There was a spate of alerts and favourites over the holidays for this fic so I'd like to say hello to any newbie readers!
Next time guys!
Oh and is it too late to wish you all a happy new year? (I won't even mention Xmas)
Yeah, probably.
Okay so…happy Friday the 13th ooh, hope everyone stayed indoors, I know I did, hence an update :D
Bye!