Sooo, this is what we like to call an update for those of you who can't remember what an update for this story looks like. Again I would like to welcome the new kids to the class and thank everyone for reviewing and following this crazy carnival.

Chapter 8

"I said the red heels" the clearly frustrated designer yelled, "These sweetie, are red" Brooke said, sounding all kinds of condescending as she grabbed the high heels and walked over to the model, shoving them at her.

"Sorry, I thought you said yellow" the skinny redhead said, dropping the shoes on the floor to put them on.

"My fucking 5 year old nephew knows the difference between red and yellow" the brunette rolled her eyes as she walked back to a table with more accessories on it.

"Do you think he would look as good in this dress?" the redhead tried to egg Brooke on, not really caring too much for her boss's temperament.

"He also knows shapes and numbers Rachel, if you needed help with that too" Brooke said, not in the mood to be messed with.

Since she had gotten to New York, she had been in quite a shitty mood and the people that worked for her had figured out quickly to give her a wide berth. Generally this was a side effect of Victoria's attitude or venomous words, but her staff noticed that Brooke came to New York this way and had not let up. That's not to say that Victoria's snide remarks or the things that she said to try and tear down her daughter didn't make things worse, because it did. Brooke's staff was use to her being quite cheery, she generally deflected her mother's comments away from them, believing in the whole 'happy workplace, happy worker' motto. The only person that knew it was something at home that was bothering Brooke was her assistant Millie who had landed a couple of days after Brooke. Millie didn't know exactly what had happened, just that back at home; Peyton was in a similar mood but avoided people from what she had heard. That is, Millie didn't know until a picture of Lucas Scott kissing Peyton Sawyer, Brooke Davis' girlfriend, in the parking lot of a nightclub had popped up on the front page of damn there every tabloid there was. So Millie flew out to try to deflect and do as much damage control as she possibly could, which wasn't really going so well when her boss was being tight lipped about it.

"Fashion Week starts tomorrow and you're going make all the models quit" Victoria walked over to Brooke who had started to put together another outfit on one of the mannequins.

"And you would love that, wouldn't you" Brooke said sarcastically as she continued with her work, not bothering to give her mother her full attention.

"Is this about that girl?" Victoria asked, "Honestly Brooke, the skeletons that are coming out of that girl's closet could fill a graveyard" the older woman finished through a light chuckle when she caught a glare from her daughter.

"This has nothing to do with Peyton" Brooke lied, she never liked talking to her mother about Peyton and especially now, Victoria would only try to tear Peyton down.

"Right" Victoria followed Brooke as she walked off, "This has nothing to do with the fact that she's probably sleeping with that boy as we speak" she grinned in satisfaction when she saw her daughter's jaw clench at her words.

"Victoria, I don't want to talk about this" Brooke said, willing her anger to simmer.

"Brooke you're so foolish, I warned you that that girl was a whore, who probably only used you for what you could do for her. Darling why do you think her own father doesn't want to be around her?" Victoria looked at Brooke incredulously, going in for the kill she thought.

"Victoria, I'm really busy, so if you could leave me alone so that I could get back to work, that would be fantastic" the brunette felt herself about to boil over.

"Okay darling, but if you need any help, you be sure to let me know" she smirked, walking away and knowing that she had gotten to her daughter again.

"Millicent!" Brooke yelled for her assistant.

"Yeah Brooke, what do you need?" Millicent came strolling over, not generally affected by the mood Brooke's been in recently.

"Get Peyton on the phone" the designer told her assistant, only to clench her teeth when she heard her mother's bitter laugh in the background.

"Brooke" Millicent started, wanting to tread lightly on the topic, "I don't know if she'll answer" she finished, only to receive a glare.

"Why the hell wouldn't she answer?" Brooke faced her loyal assistant with her hands on her hips.

"Because you've been making me send her to voicemail since you've been here" Millicent raised her brows, silently challenging her boss.

"Call her" Brooke said, her stare level and steady.

Not wanting to poke the bear, Millicent scrolled Brooke's cellphone and waited until she heard ringing, then handed the device over to Brooke. When she heard an aggravated huff, she knew that she had been right.

"It would be really fucking nice if you could find enough time in the day to answer your damn phone Peyton" Brooke seethed to the blonde's voicemail, her mother's words wrecking havoc on her nerves.

She wanted to throw the phone but something in the back of her mind told her that this would have been the fourth one that she would have replaced since she's been back in New York, not that she cared, but she felt like she was slowly losing her mind. Her solid, her rock, her weight when she felt like she was floating away was blonde, 5'9" and obviously very pissed at the moment. That was not a surprise to her; Millicent wasn't exaggerating when she had reminded the designer that she had in fact been sending her girlfriend to voicemail all week. She thought she had had good cause, when she left for New York she was fuming and she had finally felt the flames being somewhat extinguished, of course it wasn't without the unwanted help of her mother the comments that were meant to be low blows. It was just too bad her and Peyton weren't on the same schedule.

"Maybe now's a good time to turn in, tomorrow's going to be a long day, you might want to get as much sleep as you can" Millicent firmly suggested to Brooke, knowing the brunette well enough to know that if anything, she needed to put space between her and all things work for at least a couple of hours.

"Right, sleep" Brooke responded in the dry sarcasm that she used when she wasn't yelling. Sleep was just another thing the brunette could add to the list of things that were missing out of her life at the moment. Heading towards the elevator with Millicent, Brooke knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep but time to try and clear her mind if not just a little bit would make her less edgy.

Brooke's adrenaline was finally starting to taper down as she sat down in the front row at the fashion show. Her muscles felt stiff and tight, she had the kind of headache that should've involved the consumption of a whole mini bar and if she hadn't washed her face and reapplied her makeup, the bags and dark circles under her eyes would have probably scared the shit out if these people.

She hadn't slept well again last night; therefore she had Millicent pumping her full of everything that wouldn't have her developing a substance abuse problem. As she sat waiting for the next set of models to walk down the runway, Brooke checked her phone for what seemed like the thousandth time for a missed call, voicemail or text message. She had tried to call Peyton several times after she had returned to her apartment the night before, only getting the same result she had gotten earlier in the day. Even though she was still angry with what had happened outside of Tric, Brooke knew that she had overreacted. Oh, she was definitely still pissed, and every snide comment that Victoria would make had all sorts of thoughts about Peyton and Lucas running rampant in the brunette's mind that just got her pissed all over again. That didn't mean that it wasn't driving her just as crazy to not be able to at least hear Peyton's voice.

She knows ignoring the blonde's calls for the better part of two weeks was a bitchy thing to do, but she had still been very pissed off and if ever she felt the need to hold her tongue, it would be for this. Though, what else could she say that she hadn't said that night? Anything else would be going for the jugular and though Brooke was pissed, she did have some self-control, though it was often lacking when she was seeing red. She knows that the lack of a certain blonde is what's keeping her up at night and all the second guessing is where the invisible rhino that has taking up purchase on her head is coming from. Brooke's self-therapy session was interrupted by a hand being placed around the back of her chair by the person that sits in the chair to the right of her.

"Hello Ms. Davis" the man leaned over and spoke directly in Brooke's ear, startling her.

"Oh God, not tonight" Brooke spoke out loud to no one in particular when she saw who the person was.

"Oh come on Brooke, act a little happy to see me" he said with the same smirk that never seemed to leave his face.

"Julian please, I can't deal with this tonight" Brooke almost begged the man as she felt her headache grow in size just by his proximity.

"Brooke, why do you always play hard to get whenever I'm around?" Julian asked, he always loved being the thorn in her side.

"Mr. Baker, I'm glad to see that you got the invitation" Victoria said as she took the seat on the other side of Brooke.

"I did, and I'm glad because I'm really enjoying myself" Julian said as he placed his hand on Brooke's thigh and leaned over her to talk to Victoria.

"Julian, if you don't-"Brooke started to say but was interrupted with the flash of a camera.

Her eyes readjusted only to see the fleeing photographer that had been walking around the room taking photos. Her previous irritation was kicking up again at the way Julian and her mother were talking so animatedly with each other, like they talked often. She knew that they knew each other; Julian's father was one of the board members for her clothing company and she knew that Victoria was rather close to the man and if she still talked to her father she would be curious to hear what he would have to say about that. Brooke's revere was broken by her cellphone ringing.

"Haley?" Brooke answered when she saw the caller I.D.

"Hey Brooke, how's the show going?" Haley asked her friend loudly to make up for the background noise at the show.

"It's almost over, thank God, what's up?" Brooke said back and then slapped at Julian's hand when she noticed that it was still on her thigh.

"We kind of have a surprise for you" Haley squeaked out and Brooke could only imagine the face the mom was making.

"What kind of surprise?" Brooke asked suspiciously, knowing what the other girl was like.

"Well, we just thought that you might want some support, so…" Haley trailed off and her tone of voice made Brooke look up and slightly scan the room thinking she might see the mom.

"Haley…" Brooke said when she spotted the figure standing to the side of one of the bars.

"We love you sweetie" Haley said and then Brooke heard the line go dead.

Brooke heard Victoria calling her name but she was already on her feet and walking over to the bar. She could already feel herself tearing up at the sight and every step she took she could swear that her legs got heavier. She almost let out a sob in the crowded room when Nathan stepped forward and took the shorter brunette in his arms. When Nathan felt Brooke start to shake in his arms, he looked around and took her over to the nearest hallway.

"All the girls cry when I tell them I'm married" Nathan joked as he rubbed his friend's back.

"It's really good to see you Nate" Brooke said, trying to compose herself as she kept her head on his chest.

"You did really great tonight kid" Nathan said, kissing the top of Brooke's head and squeezing her gently.

"Um 'kid', you're only 4 weeks older than I am" Brooke said, lifting her head after her tears had subsided.

"I'm still older than you and as your elder…we need to talk" Nathan said as he looked down at his friend.

"Oh God, not the talk" Brooke joked as she fidgeted under the gaze directed at her.

"What happened?" Nathan asked, getting straight to the point.

"With what?" the designer asked, stepping back and leaning against the wall to create space.

"'With what?!' Peyton looks like shit, you look like shit" Nathan stated, "Very pretty shit" he amended when Brooke glared at him.

"So you're telling me that you're the only one that didn't see the magazine covers?" Brooke asked, her glare dying down when she lifted an eyebrow.

"Lucas" Nathan stated the obvious.

"Yeah" the brunette mumbled and ran a hand through her straight hair, teasing it.

"Okay, I get that you're pissed, I do, but you guys can't just throw yourselves into work" Nathan stared at his friend knowing exactly how she felt; it might have been a couple of years, but Chris Keller still ground on the ex-basketball player's last nerve.

"Nate, I had to come here" Brooke tried to side step his comment.

"Bullshit, you didn't have to be here for 2 weeks" Nathan called Brooke on the comment.

"Nathan, if I stayed…" the brunette trailed off, knowing that he would know where she was coming from.

"I know, but I thought I told you to fix it?" he asked. There were only two people that wouldn't let Brooke get off easy, and one wasn't exactly talking to her at the moment.

"It's hard to get a word in edgewise when your brother has his tongue down her throat" Brooke vented, the situation annoying her to no end.

"Brooke, I love you guys like a couple of sisters, really hot sisters, but as vocal as the both of you are, I can't understand why neither one of you haven't said anything to Lucas" Nathan's blue eyes shone with curiosity because the question had been bothering him since high school.

"He's our friend, your brother. It's just been easier on everything to not say anything. A while ago, Peyt asked me to drop it so I have, I don't want it to ruin things between us" Brooke said as she ran her hand threw her hair again and looked into the room she had previously come out of.

She should be happy that she just released an amazing spring line that she worked her ass off to get done. Anyone would be ecstatic that this would just propel them further into their career then they already were. It wasn't like she wasn't grateful for everything she had; the houses, cars, vacations and bank accounts. She just wasn't happy at the moment; this isn't how she wanted tonight to turn out. She loved Nathan to death and was extremely glad that he showed up tonight, but it didn't feel right.

"So this is the situation not being ruined. Do you even know what's going on back at home Brooke?" Nathan asked his friend who had fallen silent after she spoke.

"What do you mean?" she asked after dragging her eyes away from the sight of her mother and Julian sitting next to each other in deep conversation.

"I mean, have you talked to Peyt?" he asked, trying to catch anything the brown eyes in front of him would gift.

"I tried, she wouldn't answer" the brunette kept her stare even, her emotions locked up.

"When?" Nathan asked, knowing most of the tell-tell signs of Brooke Davis.

"Yesterday" she answered, "What?" Brooke asked when the taller man smacked his lips.

"Something's wrong with her" he tried to clue her in, "And besides the obvious. She's not talking to anyone…like at all" he searched for any kind of reaction and then internally sighed when Brooke's eyes flickered with concern.

"She's not answering my calls" Brooke stated and then stared at Nathan as he pulled his cellphone from his slacks and started to press numbers.

"And I'm the one who acts like a kid" Nathan said while rolling his eyes and handing Brooke the device.

"Nathan! I said I was fine, you can stop calling me" was the barked greeting that caught Brooke off guard, thinking the call might just very well go to voicemail.

"It's me Peyt" was the raspy reply that damn there got stuck in the brunette's throat.

"Brooke I don't have time to talk right now" the blonde said after a long sigh that she tried to cover up.

"I've been trying to call you" Brooke said and fidgeted, because Nathan was staring at her, waiting for her to do what he had asked her to do.

"Um right, I'm sorry that I missed your call" Peyton laughed making Brooke grit her teeth with the amount of sarcasm that was emanating from the other girl.

"I was busy" the designer stated lamely, shifting when she caught Nathan roll his eyes at her answer.

"And now I'm busy" Brooke heard paper shuffling on the other end of the phone.

"Peyton, we need to talk-" Brooke started to say and got cut off before she could finish.

"Brooke!" Peyton yelled through the phone, "I don't have time for this right now; I tried calling you for a week and a half because I needed you, but you wouldn't answer. Right now I, I-" the blonde cut herself off this time as she caught her breath and the half cry that escaped her lips.

"Peyton, what's wrong?" Brooke asked, standing straighter and completely focused on the conversation.

Any other person would've thought that Peyton's dismissals and chocked back cry were due to their predicament over the last couple of weeks, Brooke knew better. She always brags about knowing the blonde inside and out, and it's because she does. She knows that she uses different tones for different people, conversations and moods; right, who doesn't. Over the years, especially when they were in high school, Brooke perfected being able to tell what Peyton wanted or felt just by observing her body language or tone of voice. Everyone knew that she was the pretty cheerleader with curly blonde hair that rolled her eyes a lot and used the head tilt and raised eyebrow way more than most, used sarcasm like a weapon. But no one knew what any of it meant, they couldn't stand across a gymnasium full of screaming basketball fans and tell you what was going on behind the green eyes. Brooke could. That's why she knew that the distracted shuffle of papers, the stutter and cut off sentence mixed with the half sob and now unanswered question was Peyton's way of hiding something from everyone else. And though she wasn't doing a very good job at hiding the fact that she was upset, Brooke knew that whatever it was, it had to be something important because she hated showing this side of herself to people, even Brooke.

"Peyton?" Brooke called for a response from the blonde when her first question didn't get answered.

"Brooke I can't talk right now, I'm like sinking over here" Peyton's voice came over the phone as a little heavier then it usually was, which told Brooke that she was holding back tears.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked the same question Brooke had, his mouth and eyebrows heavily scrunched taking away from his handsome features.

"I don't fucking know" the brunette vented in frustration after hearing the call end, she honestly just wanted to be back home right now.

"Okay, well let's-" Nathan started to say as he ran a hand through his dark hair, but was cut off.

"Brooke, if it's a problem with just me, I'm sure we could convince one or two of these models to some with us" Julian said, same slapable smirk in place as he walked up to the two friends, interrupting their conversation.

"Julian-" Brooke started to bite off the head of the man that only seemed to bother her when she was in a terrible mood.

"It ain't fucking happening" Nathan finished bluntly, "Brooke's got to go now, but would really like to thank you for attending tonight" he continued just as properly as his mother had taught him while leading Brooke towards the exit and flagging down Millicent.

"What's wrong" the more than observant assistant asked as she finally made her way over to the pair.

"Today's question of the day" Nathan muttered as he pushed through a few more photographers to clear a path for the girls.

"I'm going back home. Can you please book me the next flight leaving?" Brooke asked as they all but rushed past people.

"I already got it, we take off in 2 hours" Nathan spoke up, "Davis, you were coming back with me if I had fold your ass up and put you in the bottom of a suitcase" he said when he saw the look on her face.

"Okay um, Millie can you just-" Brooke really was trying to get her brain to function properly right now, but its refusal was obvious.

"I'll go back to your apartment, pack your stuff and have it shipped back" Millicent jumped into full assistant mode as she handed Brooke her purse, "You're not going to have enough time to get to the other side of town if you don't leave now" she finished and pointed Brooke's driver and car out to Nathan who waved him over.

"Brooklyn Penelope Davis" Victoria shouted toward her only child, making her jump.

"Oh God" Nathan said lowly when he saw the woman approaching.

"I cannot even believe that you were just going to sneak out of here before the Q & A was over" the elder Davis seethed as she came to stand behind her.

"Victoria I'm going home" the designer said as she turned to address her mother, "Besides, you like the attention side of this more anyway" she finished.

She didn't know why Victoria was trying to stop her from leaving when all she ever did was dismiss her opinion and take over the interviews anyway.

"When are you going to learn that you cannot save that silly girl from all the trouble that she gets in?" Victoria asked Brooke, only everyone within earshot of the conversation could tell that it wasn't a question.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Brooke asked, she was very fluent in Bitchoria.

"Oh Brooke, you know how to read between the lines" Victoria smiled the evil smile she had paid good money to keep intact.

"Victoria, what did you do?" Brooke asked taking a step closer to her mother only to be stopped and pulled back by both Millicent and Nathan.

"I've warned you, you can only push up against a mountain so long before you end up hurting yourself" Victoria's smirk only got bigger as she talked, then promptly turned and walked back the way she came.

"Wow" Millicent was the first to speak after the verbal exchange. She was only use to hearing Victoria belittle Brooke and others, this was…

"Nathan, I need to get home" Brooke said shakily. She knew a threat when she heard one and apparently her friend did too as they rushed to get into the car and he yelled to the driver what airport they needed to go to.

When they both pulled out their cellphone's and started dialing, the driver put his foot on the gas and quickly weaved his way through traffic; well as quickly as you could weave through New York traffic on a Saturday headed to the airport. He figured that they might want to get there quickly by the way they were acting like the situation was important, but then again these were celebrities, what situation wasn't important.