Wow, Wow, Wow. We love you guys. You guys review so much and it makes us so happy! By the way, I'm doing better. I hate getting sick though; puts me behind in everything. Anyways, we wrote this new chapter. It's a little shorter than the others but it has a few good things.

Note: This week's episode was the hardest episode to watch. Rose and I cried pretty much the entire time and I was about to die when Lucas didn't talk to Brooke at all. He angers me to no end. I also loved, loved, loved the Brathan scene. We're going to put much more in the story. Gah. Such a sad episode.

For the Dedications: There were so many people who guessed it right but you'll know who you are after reading this chapter. To the people who got it right, this chapter is dedicated to you. :D

Enjoy chapter six!

An Unexpected Guest

Brooke hadn't talked to Lucas since he had confronted her in Haley's game room. He had been right and he probably knew it but he hadn't said a single word to her about it. Had she hurt him when she told him she didn't need his help? Most of all, why did she care?

She sighed and threw her phone on the bed in anger. It had been four days since she began avoiding everyone again. Apparently, Millicent was coming into town in a few days and she would have to start her 'I fell down the stairs' story again.

She just wished she could leave but then Peyton would call the police or air force before she even got out of Tree Hill. Peyton, who had been coming to her door more, was worried beyond belief. Brooke could tell when Peyton knocked and tried to get her to speak.

Brooke knew she was hurting the poor girl but she just couldn't bring herself to tell her best friend; she didn't really even have a good reason anymore. Peyton was moving out this weekend anyway and she would be alone again.

Alone. That scared her too much. She had never been afraid to be alone but lately, with her nightmares, she was more paranoid than ever.

"This completely sucks," she groaned.

"Brooke? Are you up?"

Brooke sighed. "Yes, Peyton." Where did that come from?

"Sorry Brooke." She heard Peyton shuffle into the kitchen. She hadn't meant to be mean. Hell, she didn't even realize she was being mean.

"Brooke?" Great.

"What Lucas?" She said to the door. "What do you want?" He's talking to me?

"I want to talk to you." Figures.

"Come in." He tried the door but it was locked. "I guess that means you can't. I don't want to talk."

"You need to tell Peyton," he whispered as quietly as he could. "Or I will." He was bluffing. If he was going to tell Peyton, he would have already done so.

"No you're not." Lucas was close to breaking the door down. She had locked herself up in that room for four days, only coming out to eat when she thought he was in bed. It was getting to the point of being ridiculous; she was so god damn frustrating.

"Brooke, open up. Come on, please?"

"No," she said. "That's the final answer." He sighed and went into the kitchen.

"Did you get anything out of her?" Lucas shook his head. "What is her deal?"

"I don't know," he said before sitting down next to her and draping an arm around her shoulder. "She's kind of cranky."

"Yeah. I just wish I could help her."

Brooke listened as Peyton told Lucas about her. She wanted to tell her but she didn't know why she couldn't. Was she afraid that Peyton would leave her, even when she found out? No, Peyton wouldn't do that but then again who knew these days.

Should she tell her? If she did, it would be when Lucas wasn't around; which was rare these days. He wouldn't leave until Peyton did.

"Brooke?" Her head snapped up to look at the door. Her best friend's saddened voice could be heard. "Are you okay? You can tell me anything."

"Peyton, I'm fine."

"Then why are you always locked up in your room. You're not fine." Brooke sighed and stood up quickly. She regretted it in an instant but ignored the pain as she made her way across the room.

"Peyton, do you want to know the real reason why I locked myself up?"

"Yes. It would be nice considering you haven't spoken to me in nearly a week."

"Fine." Brooke didn't know what made her open that door. She didn't know if it was because she felt terrible or if she just wanted to be left alone but when she saw the look on her best friend's face, she regretted it. Why did she open the damn door? Why couldn't she just hide out like she had been for the past week?

"Brooke, what happened?" Her eyes didn't leave Brooke's.

"I fell down the stairs." Stupid! The voice was right this time. She was stupid. Why did she let Peyton find out like this?

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry I wasn't here." She went to hug Brooke but she backed up, throwing her palms up in defense.

"I'm too sore to hug."

"This is why you were hiding out?"

"Kind of." Peyton laughed. "It's not really a laughing matter."

"I know but I just can't believe you didn't tell me. Why didn't you tell me?" Brooke smiled but it disappeared when she saw Lucas come up behind Peyton. His eyes widened when he realized that Brooke had finally told his fiance. He watched as Brooke tried to fake it for her.

"I didn't want you to worry about me when you were planning a wedding," she said, hoping niether of them noticed when she squeaked on the last word.

"I'm sorry again for not being here. Have you been to the doctor?"

She nodded. "Yeah." Lie.

"Oh, that's good. Well, how did you fall down the stairs?" Brooke could tell she was looking at all of her bruises; the ones she could see anyway.

"I was carrying a basket and it covered my face."

"Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry."

Brooke waved her hand dismissively. "It's no big deal." Lie. If only she knew the truth. She wouldn't know the truth though because she wouldn't figure it out. She would have her store cleaned soon anyway.

"I need to lay back down though. I'm tired," Brooke lied. Peyton nodded and Lucas disappeared as quick as he had come.

Brooke stepped back into her room and locked the door before going to her bed. Why had she told her? She was so stupid. She could have hid it for another few days until Peyton moved out.

Did she want her to know so that she could be left alone? No, because now Peyton would try to aid her in everything.

She sighed and rubbed her temples as the stress began to take over. So, pretty much, everyone knew and nothing was ever a secret in Tree Hill. She was sure the whole town knew by now and it was on it's way to the press.

Just fucking great. Way to go Brooke Davis!

Peyton went back to the living room after her talk with Brooke. She was still a little upset that Brooke kept that from her but she was also happy that it was finally shared. She saw Lucas sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Did you know what happened to Brooke?"

Lucas looked over. "No, what happened?"

"She fell down the stairs."

Lucas put on his best acting skills. "Is she alright?"

Peyton nodded. "Yeah, she's just tired." Lucas gave a relieved breath before he relaxed. He was glad that Peyton bought his acting; he wasn't sure if it would've worked.

"I wish she would have told me sooner."

"Me too." He couldn't help but want to yell at Peyton for being so ignorant. How could she believe that Brooke fell down the stairs? Who got bite marks from stairs? Peyton probably hadn't seen those. His thoughts were cut off when he heard knocking.

Both of the adults looked towards the door at the same time. Peyton looked at Lucas, confused. "I wonder who's here. Did you invite anyone?"

Lucas shook his head and Peyton headed towards the door. Lucas turned his whole body in curiosity. Peyton quickly opened the door and her heart skipped a couple beats. She felt her palms get clammy and her mind instantly became filled with a million questions.

"Jake?"

Press it! You know you wanna. :D

Bam! Jake is back! How do you like them apples? Ha. Anyways, I know many of you might be angered that we had Peyton learn about Brooke's "accident" but it was conclusive to the story. We had to have her find out, so we figured it would be best if Brooke told Peyton herself.

No game this time. Rose and I have to figure out a new one to play. Anyways, thanks for reading it and sorry if it wasn't the best. Both our brains are lagging right now; we have big essays coming up.