Disclaimer: I own nothing :D
Takes place during school shooting.
Peyton felt her arm urgently tugged downward as the glass before her shattered. It was all happening so quickly, the blur and commotion of it all striking her at once. The shot of the gun left her ears ringing while bodies frantically raced in every direction seeking self preservation. The screams were terrifying and the pounding of scrambled footsteps created more confusion in her mind. The only thing that kept her grounded was the grip Brooke had on her arm. While the strength of it expressed her friend's fear and anxiety, the reminder that she was close by was comforting. She was having a hard time keeping her thoughts straight, trying desperately to figure out what was happening.
As the noise began to dissipate and most made their way out of the building, she heard a small gasp of pain nearby. Snapping herself out of her mind-freezing daze, Peyton looked around. Next to her, lay Brooke, shaking terribly and holding her stomach tightly. It took a moment for the whole thing to set in but the realization that her childhood friend had been injured petrified her.
"Peyton – you've got-to get – outta-----here" Brooke gasped, choking on her words. Her voice sprung Peyton into action. It was all she could do not to break down as she watched the tears fall from the trembling girl's eyes – she wasn't going to let her down.
"You've got that right," she said shakily as she pulled her sweatshirt out of her backpack and tied it tightly around her friend's waist, trying her best to ignore the gasps of pain it caused.
"Ok B. Davis, get your ass up and let's get out of here" she said as she carefully helped her up. She could see the mind power and courage it was taking Brooke to stand but dwelling on the pain wasn't going to save them.
"Peyton, I'm slowing you down. Really, I'm already down. Just get out of h-" Brooke tried to protest but Peyton merely wrapped her arm tightly around her friend's waist to both stop the bleeding and support her as she kept her close.
"Shut up and work with me. We're getting out of here so just deal with it, come on, Lucas will be worried sick" she said with determination. Step by step they made their way down the long hallway. As much as Peyton wanted to start up some kind of confidence boosting conversation, she knew it was taking all of Brooke's energy and will power to keep up with her.