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Chapter 8

June 2013

"Lucas! Lucas, wake up, please! Lucas!" Haley shouted frantically at the lifeless body, dark smears of mascara running down her cheeks.

"It was an accident." Nathan began to slowly walk backwards, running his hands through his short hair. "I swear, I didn't mean to!"

Brooke was screaming now as she attempted to shake Lucas awake. "Someone call an ambulance! Please help us!"

Twelve Hours Earlier

Nathan adjusted his tie as he looked into the mirror, a frown deeply embedded onto his handsome features.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't my brother, the graduate." He snapped his head towards the doorway where Lucas stood, the proudest of grins on his face.

"Graduate." Nathan smirked. "Could you ever have seen me as one of those?"

"I could always see you as anything little brother." Lucas squeezed his brother's shoulder encouragingly.

"Thanks, man. I just wish Haley was here to-"

"I'm here. I'm here!" Both brothers turned once more towards the doorway to where she now stood. Soft brown locks loose around her shoulders and a six-year old Lynn propped up on her hip, Haley entered the room.

"Sorry I'm late." She apologized. "Traffic. And then, well, more traffic."

She dropped Lynn carefully to the ground, quickly hugging Lucas before kissing her husband briefly on the lips.

"I missed you." Nathan interlaced their fingers.

"I was only gone for a half hour." Haley giggled.

"Hales, you know that I miss you when you're gone for five minutes."

"Aw, you're so sweet." As if they were in some sort of cheesy romantic movie, Haley wrapped her arms around Nathan's shoulders, pulling him down for a passionate kiss.

Lucas nodded, picking Lynn up off the ground. "That's cool. We'll just go."

Haley quickly pulled away from Nathan, causing an annoyed growl to escape his lips. "No, no! Luke, don't go. We have to get you three dressed and ready as soon as possible."

"Hales," Nathan whined. "I don't have to graduate. I can just lay in bed with you and-"

"Please! My ears!" Lucas rolled his eyes at his brother and then gestured towards himself and the little girl in his arms.

"And what, daddy?" Lynn looked genuinely interested.

"Nothing." Haley swatted Nathan's arm. "Daddy was just kidding, sweetheart."

An expression of pure confusion passed over the girl's face but only briefly. Her young mind was quickly infatuated with the thought of something else in seconds.

"So." Lucas looked at his brother. "You're going to be the CEO of your own company. That's.. exciting."

"Yeah, I think it will be. And we've started all these developments already and with my mom's help, and everything - it's really going to go far, I think."

"Nathan." Haley squeezed his hands. "Are you sure this is what you want? I mean, you could be.. running back for the Los Angeles Lakers if you wanted."

Nathan grinned, kissing the top of her head. "No, sweetie. Not at all. I could never be that."

She winced, squeezing her eyes shut. "Running back isn't a basketball reference, is it?"

"Football." He shook his head.

"At least she didn't say quarterback this time." Lucas offered with a shrug.

"Okay, okay, okay. We can make fun of me later. Right now, Nathan has to get ready. Luke, let's go find you a suit to wear." She pecked her husband on the lips once more before grabbing the hands of both Lucas and Lynn and exiting.

Nathan turned away from the door, a content smile on his face. He sighed, happy with his life.

It seemed like a lifetime ago that Haley had been away on tour and he'd been here - alone. But he still almost couldn't believe she was home. He woke up every morning more happy than the day before. He'd wrap her in his arms and hold her forever if he could.

He remembered the night clearly. He'd told her that they needed a game plan; either get divorced or get back together. She had grabbed his hand and told him that she wanted to return home to be a family with him and Lynn and he'd found himself instantly accepting and agreeing with her decision.

Haley decided to give up on the whole music thing altogether even though Nathan encouraged her not to. He told her that he'd finally come to terms with it. He'd accept it and support her if that's what she wanted to do, but for some reason Haley would have none of it. She kissed her career good-bye and instantly eased back into becoming a mother, much to Nathan's happiness. Of course, he had to try to push away those odd feelings that rose in his stomach at the thought of her leaving the tour. He always wondered if something had happened. Why had she been so eager to return home? More than anything Nathan forced himself not to believe it was out of guilt.

As Nathan finished up school, Haley found herself in search of a new hobby or career. It was the moment she walked into the tiny, cute restaurant with an interesting list of customers that she'd decided she wanted to work there. It didn't matter what she did - she just wanted to work there. After just a few months of being a waitress and a line cook, she found herself as the head chef. She found it to be a particularly rewarding and exciting job for reasons she could not explain.

Nathan, on the other hand, wasn't doing exactly what he wanted to be doing. Basketball would always be his true love but of course things didn't always go as planned. As long as Haley was around he didn't care if he had to run a company and be some guy he didn't want to be. It didn't matter.

Lucas, having really no idea where else he could go, stayed in California. He dreamed of Brooke and what life could be like with her. He thought back to high school and regretted all of the years that had passed. He himself regretted her decision to turn to Jake and the aftermath that her decision had caused.

Peyton had spent the last few months "finding herself" as she liked to call it. She'd traveled to Europe and back quite a few times and had never really settled on a place to call home. Nathan was glad he'd be seeing her today but feared for how her return could affect Brooke and Lucas.

The thought of Brooke bought a nervous smile to Nathan's face. He wondered if she and Lucas would ever get back to where they had once been. He'd always hoped they'd end up together and it absolutely killed him to see how Lucas was without Brooke. Brooke had spent the majority of her time with her kids throughout the past year and was finally beginning to accept that she and Jake would never have lived that "fantasy life" she'd always hoped for. At least, not while she was in love with Lucas.

Jake had pretty much disappeared. Although Nathan had fully intended to invite his old friend to his graduation, he couldn't locate him. All he knew of Jake now was that he almost always missed his weekly visits with his children and that whenever Brooke did manage to see him, he was never in his usual "Jake" frame of mind.

It was sad, really - how they'd become so messed up. Before all of them had been best friends and now they were separated; forced to pick sides and feel feelings for each other that they didn't really.

"Nathan, you'd better be ready when I come up there in twenty-six seconds!" He couldn't help but smile at the sound of Haley's voice, shaking his head as he once again focused on the task of tying his tie.

-

To say the least, the ceremony was beautiful.

The decorations for the place had been beautiful. Nicely and tastefully done, so that everyone 'ooh-ed' and 'aw-ed' as they walked in.

The fact that estranged friends had come together for Nathan's graduation was beautiful. That the ones that had always returned had managed to push aside their differences. That they were all there to support Nathan.

Nathan had been beautiful. He was like a little kid on Christmas morning. A boyish grin grew on his features as he grabbed his diploma, shaking it happily towards his family and friends who cheered the loudest out of all the people there.

And most importantly, Brooke was beautiful. Lucas could hardly tear his eyes away from her. She was so tragic, and yet, so perfect. He wished that he could kiss her.

As the ceremony ended, tears fell from almost everyone's eyes. It seemed like the last person everyone would have expected to be graduating was Nathan. And yet, here he was. He stood taller and happier, and that made them happier.

Lucas wrapped his arms around his brother, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. "I love you, Nate. I'm so proud of you."

Nathan fought back tears of his own, playfully shoving his brother away.

"And now, we party."

-

"Brooke, Brooke!"

She turned to look at him, briefly. "Lucas, please. Stop. You're making this so difficult for me."

"How? How can I possibly be making this difficult for you?" He ran to catch up with her and she quickly unlocked the door to her car, getting in.

Tears flooding her eyes, she looked up from her spot in the driver's seat. "What do you want from me, Lucas?"

He shrugged, eyes watering. "I just want you."

Smiling faintly through her tears she started the car up. "I'm sorry."

He watched painfully as she drove away.

How had things gotten to be this way?

-

If there was one thing Nathan Scott was always able to do, it was throw a good party. There was always a good turnout because he always played the best music and served the most interesting alcoholic beverages.

The beach house they'd rented was filled completely. Some partygoers even found themselves strewn along the beach.

Lynn was being taken care of by her nanny so Haley and Nathan found themselves happy to finally be able to let loose and have a good time, not having to worry for one night. The couple danced on the dance floor, drinking and laughing like normal people of their age.

Lucas watched from afar, wishing that he and Brooke could find themselves in the same position as his brother and sister-in-law. Bitterly he threw back another shot of tequila before pouring himself another.

Peyton pulled the front door open, pushing past the stoners piled by the door in an aloof manner. She rolled her eyes, looking around the house for a familiar face. She felt her heart lift as her eyes landed on Brooke, alone on the staircase. But then, in harsh reality, she remembered that they weren't friends. Sighing, she looked down at her feet. She knew what needed to be done.

-

Brooke slammed one of the bedroom doors shut. She couldn't believe this had once been her scene. This whole party would have been a dream for her back when she was seventeen. And now all she wanted to do was get away.

Throwing herself down onto one of the beds she sighed, looking at the ceiling. The faint sounds of a squeaking bed and moans from the room beside her began to annoy her beyond belief and she placed a pillow over her head, smothering herself.

Brooke heard the door open and she mentally cursed. "Find another room, please!"

"Brooke?"

Snapping upwards her eyes widened. "Peyton.."

"Can we, uh, talk?"

"I really have nothing to say to you." Brooke shrugged, standing.

Peyton reached her arm out, grabbing a hold of Brooke. "Please. Just give me two minutes."

"Fine," The brunette huffed. "Two minutes."

Peyton fumbled. "Look, I just - I really want to say that - that I'm sorry."

"Okay?"

"It was wrong of me to tell you to give up your kids to Jake. I know how much you love them. And maybe sleeping with Lucas was wrong but I know that sometimes you can't control yourself when you're in love. Trust me. I just - I've been a terrible friend to you and I'm truly sorry."

"Peyton-"

"Even if you don't forgive me, I don't care. I just want you to know that I love you. And that you'll always be my best friend. And you'll always have me."

Brooke looked down at her hands. "I forgive you."

"And - wait, what?" She stared at her former best friend in disbelief.

"I forgive you." Brooke shrugged. "I mean, obviously, it's going to be hard going back to - the way we were but I do forgive you. I do love you. Always will."

Peyton smiled, wrapping Brooke up in a hug. "God, I've missed you."

"I have too."

"Brooke, I want you to know something."

"Peyton, if this is going to-"

"No, listen to me. I know that you're in love with Lucas. You always will be. And he's in love with you," She sighed. "Don't let that slip away, Brooke. I don't want you to think I'm ambushing you, or forcing you, but I just think that you should know that if I could take anything back, it would be losing the love of my life."

Brooke made a face. "And who is that? The love of your life?"

"That's not important," Peyton shook her head. "What's important is you and Lucas. And you making sure Lucas knows what he means to you."

"I don't know, Peyton. There's so much that's happened-"

"Do you love him?"

She didn't miss a beat. "More than anything."

Peyton shrugged. "So then what are you still doing here?"

-

Lucas wobbled around, hardly able to hold himself up as he stumbled around the large house.

How had he become so wasted? He'd only had a few shots. Chuckling, he shook his head. He'd definitely had more then a few shots.

The sounds of Jeff Buckley's 'Hallelujah' filled his ears, and he swayed at the familiarity of the song. God, it was so sad. But then, wasn't life sad?

Stumbling into a bedroom, he fell back onto the king sized bed, his mind swirling with questions. How had he become like this? So pathetic. Why couldn't Brooke just love him and let it be? Why had his mother died? Why couldn't everyone just let everyone be happy? Why did Jake have to be born?

He felt as if he were about to puke. Sitting up quickly, he grabbed at his head.

"Oh God."

He heard the door open, and he looked up. It was so blurry. But he saw dark hair, and he heard a familiar, comforting voice. And before he knew it, he'd stood up - finding himself drawn to her.

"Lucas? Oh my God, are you okay?"

"Brooke? Brooke, I love you. Please. Let's just start over, okay?"

"Lucas-"

He pressed his lips to her, pulling her in for a sloppy kiss. Wrapping his arms around her, he felt her struggle against him.

Suddenly, the door opened once more and the world was no longer blurry.

"What the fuck is this?"

Lucas widened his eyes. Nathan stood in the doorway and the girl before him was not Brooke - not even close.

"Haley-"

"Nathan, please! Lucas is drunk, okay? It was a mistake-"

"How could you do this?" The brunette looked back and forth between Haley and Lucas. He looked, for just a moment, as if he would cry. And then, he lunged at Lucas.

The second the first punch landed, Lucas sobered up.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? You son of a bitch!" The brothers punched blindly at each other. Nathan, the taller, bigger, and healthier of the two, found himself at an advantage, on top.

"Nathan! Stop it! Please! It was a mistake! He called me Brooke!"

However, the younger Scott brother found himself insanely mad. He was in a blind rage. His fist pumped itself forward again and again, and his knee made contact with his brother's groin at least three times.

"Nathan, don't! You're killing him! Please stop! Oh my God, you're killing him!"

Brooke entered the room, eyes widening. "What's he doing? Stop!"

She jumped onto Nathan, only to be violently thrown off. As she hit the ground, she caught sight of Lucas's battered face. Tears rushed to her eyes.

Haley was still frantic. "Nathan, please! He thought I was Brooke! He's drunk!"

Tired, Nathan stopped. He rolled off of his brother, fully expecting to be punched in the face or stomach in seconds. He was surprised to find that no such thing happened. Sitting up, he eyed his brother, eyes widening.

Lucas was lifeless. His face was unrecognizable, and his arm was twisted back in a way that resembled a pretzel. Blood was pouring from every which way, and Nathan gasped as he stood up.

"Lucas! Wake up, wake up!" Haley ran towards him, shaking his body.

A tearful Brooke did the same, grabbing his hands and kissing at his bloody knuckles. "Please, baby. Wake up. I love you, I love you."

Nathan felt the room begin to close in on him.

"Oh my God." Brooke sobbed.

"Lucas! Lucas, wake up, please! Lucas!" Haley shouted frantically at the lifeless body, dark smears of mascara running down her cheeks.

"It was an accident," Nathan began to slowly walk backwards, running his hands through his short hair. "I swear, I didn't mean to!"

Brooke screamed now as well, as she attempted to shake Lucas awake. "Someone call an ambulance! Please help us!"

Someone walked in, screaming and pulling out their cell phone, blindly dialing the numbers of the police.

Nathan backed up farther out of the room. "I have to get out of here. I'm going to get - Shit, I have to leave."

"Nathan, what are you doing?" Haley could barely get it out.

Nathan gave one last glance at Haley before running for his life. He had no idea where he was going - he just knew he had to get out.

Brooke leaned over her lover's body. "Lucas, please. Please, sweetheart! Wake up!"

Haley looked towards her husband for support. "Nathan? Nathan, where are you?"