Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter! Sorry it took me so long to post it. It's been a crazy week. But to make up for it, it's a pretty long chapter I think. I'm also sorry to those of you who also read The Sweetest Sin. I'm having a little trouble of how I want everything to go with the aftermath of their night together. So please bear with me, I'll try to get it out soon. Well anyways, here's Chapter 14! As always, please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.
Rating: PG to PG-13
P.S. -How many of you went out and bought, or pre-ordered, Season 1 of One Tree Hill? My dad was supposed to order it for me this weekend but he doesn't get paid until Tuesday so he's going to buy it next weekend. If he doesn't, he'll be in trouble! Lol.
In The Presence of an Angel
Chapter 14
The rest of the week passed by quickly due to their newfound closeness and, needless to say, there wasn't much arguing on Brooke's behalf about getting up and walking around. They were both content to lie in bed as they kissed or held one another in their arms. It was also this new relationship that both found that they couldn't keep their hands off each other. They, especially Brooke, avoided touching the more intimate parts such as breasts and anything below the waist besides legs and the tops of thighs, for she respected Haley's request to take it slow and didn't want to press her to do anything she didn't want to do. So they restricted themselves to simply running their hands over each other's bodies, giving back rubs, and of course, the passionate kissing exchanged between the two.
It was early morning around seven and Haley had already been up for two hours quietly doing chores around the house as Brooke slept peacefully in her bedroom. 'No, our bedroom,' Haley thought happily with a wide smile on her face. With none of her family around and Brooke staying with her for so long, her home had become their home. They each did things around the house, albeit Brooke did smaller jobs such as folding clothes, making the bed, and sometimes tidying the living room, nothing too stressful or straining to hinder her recovery. Speaking of recovery, Brooke had her check-up at the hospital in an hour and a half. She had better wake Brooke up so she could get ready.
Haley entered the bedroom and smiled at the beautiful woman lying in her bed. She gently climbed onto the bed beside her and just simply lay there for a few minutes as she watched her girlfriend sleep. 'Girlfriends… is that what we are,' Haley asked herself. She became both confused and nervous at this question. She and Brooke hadn't really established what they were earlier when they had first revealed their feelings for each other. Were they girlfriends? Were they a couple? Or was Brooke lonely and using her for the emotional comfort that guys couldn't give? And when she got what she wanted or got tired of waiting, would Brooke toss her aside like last year's shoes? Despite these unsettling thoughts, she pushed them to the back of her mind. Brooke didn't need that kind of stress right now. She would talk to her about it another time.
Haley smiled again as she lightly stroked Brooke's cheek with the back of an index finger and saw Brooke's smile widen in her sleep. She began to rub her back in slow circles as she gently pressed her lips to Brooke's in a tender kiss. Brooke started to stir and her eyelids fluttered up and down as she awakened. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Haley said softly, laying her head on the pillow next to Brooke's. "What time is it," Brooke asked in a raspy voice as she tried reading the numbers on the clock over Haley's shoulder. "About 7:15. You have to get up. We have your doctor's appointment at 8:30, remember," Haley responded. Brooke groaned and buried her head into her own pillow, her voice muffled, "I don't want to go. It's too early to be awake, especially on a Sunday morning." Haley kissed her bare shoulder and pulled the hair away from her face, "I know, but they need to make sure you're doing okay and then they can give you the all-clear to go back to school. Won't it be nice to be around all your friends again?"
Brooke sighed and pouted, "Yeah, but you, Peyton, Lucas, Nathan, and Jake are my only real friends. The other girls just hang around me like groupies or lackies to get even a fraction of my attention because I'm popular and they idolize me. And the guys… well, you know, they just want me because they think I'm an easy lay. I know, you don't like talking about 'it', but that's the truth. Everyone thinks I'm the slut of Tree Hill." Tears marred her delicate features and Haley wrapped her arms around Brooke's waist, leaving butterfly kisses all over her cheeks, "No you're not Brooke. You are a wonderful person with an amazing heart and you should show other people that side of you. It will show people how great you are and can be. You don't have to fit the cheerleader stereotype, Brooke. I knew there was something different about you from the others; it was one of the things that made me fall in love with you sweetie, and it's this," Haley replied, placing her hand over Brooke's heart. Brooke stroked her cheek once before leaning in and capturing her lips with her own.
This, calling each other 'sweetie' or 'honey' was also a new development that had been started only three days ago. Haley and Brooke had been sitting on the couch watching a movie when Haley suddenly felt eyes on her and turned to find Brooke staring at her. "What," she had asked. "Nothing," Brooke had replied, smiling. "Then why are you staring at me," Haley inquired. Brooke took Haley's hand into her own and entwined their fingers then looked at their linked hands before gazing back up at her with a large smile, "Because I love you." Haley gave her a huge grin as her face brightened up like a light bulb then squeezed Brooke's hand and gave her a light peck on the cheek, "I love you too sweetie."
They parted for air and Haley said, "You need to get up. We have to leave for the hospital soon." Brooke buried her head in the crook of Haley's neck and replied in a childish voice, "I don't wanna. I want to stay here all day with you." Haley stroked her hair, "I know, I do too, but I'll make you a deal." "What," Brooke asked. "If you be good for the nice doctor man, I'll treat you to breakfast, okay," Haley replied sweetly, talking to her as if she were a small child. Brooke sighed in exasperation, "Fine, but I get to choose the place." "Okay by me," Haley answered as she got out of the bed. "Come here," Brooke said as she too stood from the bed to go take a shower. The brunette walked over and Brooke wrapped her in a tight hug then softly kissed her on the lips, "See you in a while, crocodile." "Definitely later, alligator," Haley gave her a big grin. Brooke then gathered some clothes and went to the bathroom for her shower.
They finally arrived at the hospital and signed in at the front desk then waited for them to call her. "Brooke Davis," a nurse called out ten minutes later. Both girls rose from their seats and followed the woman behind the door to the exam rooms. Brooke spotted someone familiar and waved her hand, calling out excitedly, "Toni! Hey Toni!" The older woman turned at her name and saw her then rushed over, giving her a hug, "Brooke! How are you? Have you been taking it easy like I told you?" Brooke rolled her eyes and laughed, "Yeah, this prison guard over here made sure of it. I've been mostly bed ridden or confined to the couch since I came home from the hospital." "Brooke," Haley exclaimed. "Nice to see you again, Haley," Toni said, shaking her hand. "You too," Haley replied. The nurse that had called Brooke's name cleared her throat and Toni turned to her, "I'll take this one, Carly, I know what she's in for and I treated her last week." The other nurse nodded and handed over the chart to the woman. "Okay girls, come with me," Toni instructed as she walked down the hallway and led them into an exam room.
"Alright Brooke, you just change into this and I will be back in a few minutes," Toni replied as she handed her a gown. Brooke groaned and rolled her eyes as she took it from her, "Not one of these things again. My butt nearly froze last time I wore one of these." "Brooke," Haley warned, "remember what I said about breakfast." Brooke gave a disgruntled huff as she crossed her arms over her chest, "So what am I in for today?" Toni chuckled to herself at the two girls then responded, "First we have to check your heart then we have to draw some blood for some tests to make sure you are ready to handle the stress of going back into your normal routine and if all is okay, then you'll be okay to go back to school but still no cheerleading for a while." "Whoa, whoa. Draw blood? That means needles! I hate needles! I thought we were just coming in for a check-up," Brooke asked as she looked back and forth between Haley and Toni.
"You are, but it's standard procedure that with every heart patient we draw blood and do the EKG. The EKG measures your heart activity so we can tell if the spikes are lessening." "Standard procedure," Brooke mocked with distaste. "Everything is standard procedure around here Brooke. If we weren't, we'd be one big liability and we'd be buried under a never-ending pile of lawsuits," Toni responded with a crooked grin, "Well, let me go get the EKG machine and the ne- uh, supplies then we can get started, okay?" Brooke nodded nervously and wrapped her arms around herself.
Haley walked up behind Brooke and said in her best Transylvanian Dracula accent, "She wants to suck your blood…" Brooke jumped in fright, "Jesus Hales! Don't do that!" Toni laughed as she walked out of the room. Haley continued with her accent as she smiled and placed her hands on Brooke's shoulders, "Your lips taste so sweet, but ah, the neck is so much sweeter. The tender skin covering the tendons and blood-filled veins of your pretty neck. I'm sure your blood will taste like a delicate maple syrup." Haley leaned in and tilted her head with her mouth open and teeth bared as if to bite the left side of Brooke's neck. Instead, Haley lightly pressed her lips to Brooke's neck, which sent shivers down her spine.
"You don't know what you do to me," Brooke whispered huskily, wrapping her arms around Haley's waist. She kissed Haley then pressed her forehead against hers. Haley hugged her and it was then Toni walked in with the EKG machine. "Oh sorry," the woman said when she saw that she had interrupted on a private moment. Haley quickly pulled away and began to stutter nervously, "I-I, we…" Brooke replied, "It's okay, Hales. She knows." Haley gave her a confused stare and Brooke returned with a look that said she would tell her later.
Toni smiled at Haley in reassurance, "I think you two make a great couple and, like I told Brooke, you don't find a love like the one you two have at so young an age very often, so do everything you can to hold onto it." "I will," Haley replied honestly. "Alright Brooke, you need to go into the bathroom and get your gown on so we can get these tests done or you'll be here longer and I know how much you hate hospitals," Toni told her with a wry grin. "Okay, anything to get out of here. Hospitals creep me out," Brooked answered with an involuntary shudder. Both of the other girls laughed as Brooke took the gown and made her way into the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, Brooke was lying on a hospital bed hooked up to the EKG machine and Haley was sitting in a chair beside the bed while they waited for Toni to come back in. "Brooke, how does Toni know about us," she asked confusedly after some thought. "Well, when I was in the hospital last time, Toni saw the way we talked and interacted with each other and she assumed that we were together, like we are now. I didn't really try to correct her then, but it was because I had feelings for you and I wanted to entertain the thought of us being together for a little longer. And now at least one of my dreams has come true and I am so very happy that it did," Brooke wrapped her arms around her shoulders and kissed her. When they parted, Haley asked, "And what is another dream you want to come true?" Brooke blushed a deeply dimpled smile as she buried her head in Haley's neck, "Well, you'll have to wait for that." Haley's cheeks tinted red as she realized what Brooke was implying.
Haley didn't have time to reply because at that moment, Toni walked back in, "Okay Brooke, it's time for me to draw some blood. It will only hurt for a second." "Don't tell me that," Brooke shouted, covering her ears and closing her eyes tight. Brooke began to breathe a little more heavily in short, shallow breaths. It was apparent that Brooke was beginning to really freak out.
Haley placed one of her small hands around Brooke's wrist and gently pulled it away from her ear, "Brooke, come on. It will only take a minute or two. They have to do it to make sure you're doing okay." Brooke replied with her eyes still closed, shaking her head vigorously from side to side, "No, I hate needles; and I'm squeamish around blood." Haley stroked her hair and kissed her forehead, "Come on sweetie, do it for me. Just concentrate on me and hold my hand. It will all be over soon." Brooke reluctantly lowered her arms and opened her eyes, grabbing tightly onto Haley's hand and entwining their fingers. She stared into Haley's loving eyes for several long moments before she took a deep breath, thrust her arm out, and said to Toni, her gaze never leaving Haley's face, "Hurry and get it over with."
Toni tied the rubber tourniquet around Brooke's arm then had Brooke grip onto a stress ball. She felt around for a vein then rubbed the spot with an alcohol swab and took the stress ball from her. She prepared the needle then said, "You'll feel a little prick." At this, Brooke shut her eyes for a few seconds then opened them and resumed staring into Haley's eyes. Two minutes later, Toni finished collecting the blood and replied, "Okay, all done. You did good, Brooke." She smiled at the two young women then turned to Haley, "You were really great at calming her down. Are you good with babies and young children? Because we could use someone like you in the Pediatrics department. We need someone to help keep the kids calm for when we examine them, have tests done, or give them shots."
"Haley's great with kids. Remember the baby she was holding when I was last in the hospital? She is amazing with her. You should do it Hales," Brooke piped in. Haley bit her bottom lip and responded uncertainly, "I don't know. I still have the café to think about. I will consider it though." Toni suggested, "You could work part time, because I know you have school and all, but if you still want to work at the café, you can work here a couple hours a week including weekends, whenever you want to. It would be a great help to us." Toni smiled in encouragement and Brooke rubbed her shoulder, "This is the perfect job for you Hales." "I-I still don't know," Haley replied, tears welling in her eyes as she sniffled. "Toni, could you give us a few minutes please," Brooke requested; Toni nodded in understanding and left them to talk.
"Sweetie, what's wrong? Why are you crying," Brooke asked, stroking her hair then her cheek. "I-I'm not sure if I should do this. I mean, being around all those babies and children… they'll remind me of Ryan and I don't know if I would be able to handle that…" Brooke hugged her and rubbed her back, "You're strong; you can do this. I bet Ryan would have wanted you to do this for him. Listen Hales, I know his death is still fresh since it happened only two years ago, but you have to let go of him a little. He will always be right here." She placed her index finger to Haley's heart. Haley wrapped her arms around Brooke's neck and buried her head into her hair. There were no words to be said, for the hug was all that was needed.
Several minutes later, after Toni had taken the blood to the lab, she returned to the hospital room. "Haley, if you decide you want to do it, here's my home number and the hospital number where you can reach me. You both can call me anytime you need to talk or something," Toni said as she handed Haley a piece of paper. Haley smiled and replied, "Thank you." "It will be another hour probably until we get the results back. Do you want anything from the cafeteria? Something to read or do you want to watch television," Toni asked. "I'm good for now," Brooke replied. "I'm a little thirsty. I'll go down and get something to drink," Haley responded as she squeezed Brooke's hand, "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Haley went to the cafeteria and bought a strawberry smoothie. As she headed back, she heard loud crying from one of the rooms. She was drawn to it by some unseen force and she peeked inside the door. A young child no older than seven years old was screaming his head off and cradling his arm while his distraught mother paced back and forth, muttering to herself before walking out, "I need a cigarette." She entered the room and walked over to the bed, pulling a rolling stool over and sitting on it. "What's your name," she asked in a calm voice, even though she was filled with nervous, flittering butterflies in her stomach. "Jake," the little boy replied. "Really? I have a friend named Jake. He likes to play basketball. Do you like to play," Haley inquired. Jake shook his head, "No, I play baseball." "That's cool. What position do you play?" "First base," he replied proudly. "Wow, that's awesome. I don't know much about baseball, so how about you tell me what happened to your arm? How did you hurt it?"
"I was sitting on a branch in a tree in my backyard and I fell. Do you think it's broken," he asked as he sniffled through his tears. "I'm not sure, it could be just a sprain. Has the doctor looked at it yet?" Just then, the doctor walked in and glanced at his chart then looked up at Haley and studied her closely for a few seconds before offering his hand for her to shake, "Hello Mrs. Cole, my name is Dr. Fitzgerald. If you don't mind my saying, don't you look a little young to have a seven year old?" Haley blushed in embarrassment, "Oh no, I'm not his mother. She went outside for a smoke." "Then who are you," he inquired.
"Oh, I uh, I just heard him crying and I came in here to help calm him down. His mother was very distraught and wasn't doing anything to calm her son down. I was down the hall when I heard him screaming and I didn't think it would be good for the other children to hear him because it would only scare them more," Haley explained nervously. She didn't want to get in trouble. Dr. Fitzgerald smiled at her, "Good job. You were great with him." Haley nodded, "Thank you. I must be getting back to my friend now, she's probably wondering where I am." She quickly exited the room and headed back to Brooke's.
She entered with a wide smile on her face and Brooke noticed this then replied in a sarcastic tone, "Hey, why are you so smiley and cheery? Your girlfriend here is lying in a hospital bed hooked up to like a million machines and her blood supply severely depleted. How can you be happy about something like that?" "I'm not happy about that," Haley smiled even wider as she thought of helping the little boy. "Then what is it," Brooke inquired interestedly. "Let's just say that I'll be taking that job," she replied. "That's great," Toni responded excitedly from behind them. "Yeah Hales, I'm glad you're going to do it," Brooke answered.
"Well Brooke, I have your results from the blood and EKG tests. You are recovering nicely and you are allowed to go back to school, but you must still take it easy and no cheerleading for awhile yet. You need to come back in for another check-up in three months. I don't want to see you here before that, okay," Toni explained. "You got it," Brooke answered, "am I outta here?" "Yep, you're all clear to go." "Great, I'll get dressed and then we can go to breakfast," she said to Haley then turned to the older woman, "thanks for everything Toni." "You're welcome honey," she hugged Brooke. "I'll call you soon with dates and times I can work at the hospital," Haley replied as she too hugged Toni.
Once Brooke got dressed and they left the hospital they went to Denny's for breakfast. They were now in Haley's car, driving home from the restaurant, when Haley asked, "So, what do you want to do today?" "Let's go see if the guys are at the rivercourt. I feel like playing some basketball," Brooke replied. "No way, you heard Toni, you're still supposed to take it easy." "I know, but it doesn't take much effort to stand there and toss a ball into the hoop." "Well, you're going to have to be content with sitting on the sidelines and watching them play and I'll be there to keep you company. Maybe even Peyton will be there too."
They pulled into the parking lot of the park by the rivercourt and both retrieved their jackets and purses from the backseat. As they walked across the grass near the playground, Brooke spun in slow circles with her arms out and head up, staring up at the sky. "It feels so good to be outside again," she said. "It is nice out today," Haley remarked as she too stared around her. She spotted all of their friends by the rivercourt and quickly turned to Brooke, "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" She nodded and went to sit on a swing, patting the one beside her, "Sit." Haley fiddled nervously with her hands, "Um, I uh… I'm not sure how to say this really, but I would like it if we could keep our relationship… whatever this is… a secret for awhile. I mean, it's just so new and I don't want anything or anybody to ruin it for us…" She was stopped by Brooke's hand on her cheek and Haley glanced worriedly over to the court, sighing in relief when she saw that they were out of sight from their friends.
"Of course, sweetie. I was also meaning to talk to you about that. Haley, I love you," she took both of Haley's hands into her own, "I know we didn't really clear this up before, but we can clear it up now. This is a relationship; you're my girlfriend and I'm yours. We are a couple and I wouldn't have it any other way. I know with my past and everything that you might think that you're just some passing fling or a fulfillment of a curiosity of what it would be like to be with someone of the same sex, but it's not like that. I love you and I'm in this for the long run." By now, large tears had welled in Haley's eyes and fallen down her cheeks. Her bottom lip trembled with emotion and she blinked slowly, closing her lids over her eyes before opening them again. Then suddenly she tore from her seat and lunged at Brooke, wrapping her arms around Brooke's upper torso and burying her head into Brooke's neck, "I love you so much, and I'm in this for the long run too."
Brooke closed her eyes in contentment as they held onto each other tightly. She kissed Haley's hair and rubbed her back slowly in small circles. They remained like that for several more minutes until Brooke pulled away and wiped Haley's cheeks with her thumbs before lightly kissing her on the forehead, lest anyone saw them together. She stood and tugged on Haley's hand as she smiled at her, "Come on, let's go watch the guys play."
When they neared the court, Peyton spotted them and ran over, screaming, "Brooke!" The guys stopped playing and came over too. Peyton wrapped her in a tight hug and Brooke responded with a laugh, "Jeez Peyt, could you loosen up a little? I don't want you squeezing what little blood I have left out of me. I just had like two whole pints of blood taken out of me." "Sorry," Peyton pulled away. Lucas saw the dried tears on Haley's cheeks and asked, "Hales, why were you crying?" He touched her cheek softly. "She's crying because she's just so damn happy that she's finally free of her prison guard duty," Brooke smiled at Haley, "Oh wait, maybe that's just me. We just got back from the hospital for my check-up and I'm allowed to go back to school, but no cheerleading still so Peyton will have to continue coaching the squad."
"That's great Brooke," Nathan replied. "Yeah, it'll be good for to be back at school, into a somewhat normal routine," Jake responded. Jenny, who was in her carrier which Jake was holding, began to cry and Haley bent down to her, "Hey Jenny. Why are you crying little girl?" Jake set the carrier down and Haley unbuckled Jenny then picked her up and stood, lightly bouncing the baby on her hip. Jenny immediately began to calm down and Haley smiled as Jake shook his head in amazement. "There you go, that's a good little girl. You just wanted some attention, didn't you Jenny? Everybody saw ole Brookie over there and came rushing over. How could anyone be so rude, huh? Why would someone want to direct their attention to anything but you? You're so cute, yes you are," Haley cooed.
"Hey, I'm the sick person here," Brooke exclaimed, "I deserve attention." Haley laughed, "You may deserve attention but babies can't care for themselves so they need more attention than you. So Jenny should take priority over you." "Hey," Brooke protested. Haley then glanced around at all her friends, giving them a mock glare, "I'm ashamed of all of you. You guys just run over here and forget all about poor, helpless little Jenny." "I didn't forget her," Jake piped in, gesturing to the carrier he had picked up, "Peyton's the one who left her on the picnic table when she saw Brooke." Lucas wrapped an arm around Peyton's waist and kissed her temple, "I hope you aren't like that when we have our own kids." The other four exchanged glances and raised eyebrows then all turned back to look at the couple. Haley asked incredulously, "Peyton, you're not pregnant are you?" Peyton looked around at her friends' serious faces then glanced at Lucas with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She smiled and patted her stomach, "Yep, Baby Scott will be here in about seven months."
There were a few moments of complete silence, all shocked by the news. Then Nathan broke out into a big grin and whooped, "I'm going to be an uncle!" This broke the ice and Brooke inquired, "So, you're really pregnant?" Peyton laughed, "No, I'm not. It was just a joke." Nathan's smile turned into a pout with his lower lip sticking out, "Aww, I really wanted to be an uncle. Then I could teach it basketball." "And you don't think that I, the child's father, who also plays basketball, would teach it how to play?" Nathan placed his hand on his brother's shoulder and chuckled, "Oh Luke man, when are you going to stop kidding yourself? We all know that I'm the better player and the best on the team." Lucas laughed sarcastically, "Ha ha, yeah right. Let's see about that. You and me, right now. First one to fifty points wins." "You're on," he replied.
They all went over to the court and while Lucas and Nathan battled it out, Jake and the girls watched from the picnic table. It ended up being a close game with Luke winning by three points. "Yeah," Luke shouted, thrusting his fist up into the air and jumping once. Peyton turned to Brooke and Haley, "I wonder if he realizes that he just won a game on the grounds of being the better person to teach our fictitious baby how to play basketball." Haley replied, "Nah, might as well let them have their cake and eat it too, or in this case, their pride." Jake laughed and called out, "Hey guys! They're making fun of you over here." "You're making fun of us, huh," Lucas called back from the court beside Nathan. He glanced at his brother and nodded, "let's do it." They raced over and started tickling the girls with Jake joining in.
"Luke, stop," Peyton screamed. "Hey, don't hurt the sick person! I just got out of the hospital! Stop it, Jake," Brooke squealed, trying to squirm from his grasp. "Nate, if you don't stop, I'm going to throw up all my breakfast on you that I just ate," Haley yelled as she giggled. Nathan immediately pulled away, "Eww, stay away! I don't want chunks blown at me!" Jake moved from Brooke too and helped her up. Lucas grinned widely at Peyton, "There's no reason I can't tickle you." He then laid into her more intensely and Peyton screamed, "Lucas Scott, if you don't stop this instant, no sex for a week!" He slowed for a few seconds as if pondering whether he should stop or not, then replied as he continued on tickling her, "Nah, you wouldn't." "Two weeks! A month!" Luke finally let go of her and stood her up. Haley said with a grin, "Maybe some abstinence will do you two some good. You guys are always all over each other." Nathan let out a short laugh, "That'll never happen. They say they will but before you know it, they'll be meeting for quickies in the janitor's closet at school."
Both Peyton and Lucas blushed and Nathan's eyes widened in surprise, "You have done it in the janitor's closet! Eww! I've been in one of them too! Which building? I can't believe I might have been in the same room where my brother and my ex-girlfriend had sex!" "You have," Lucas responded, "my room." Brooke shifted her eyes between the two brothers then turned to Lucas, "What was he doing in your room? You weren't doing anything you weren't supposed to, I hope. Now Lucas, I told you I'd keep your secret, but that's just wrong!" Peyton faced her boyfriend with a confused expression, "What is she talking about?" Lucas chuckled, "For some odd reason, Brooke thinks I'm gay. Brooke, I'm sorry that you think anyone who breaks up with you must be gay, this is not the case. You and I both know why we broke up." "Yeah, you're too conceited," she replied as she crossed her arms, "you have an ego the size of Jupiter." "Me," he pointed to himself with raised eyebrows, "what about you? You-"
"Okay guys, cut it out. No more fighting today," Peyton replied, moving to stand in between the two. "Come on, let's play some ball," Nathan said. "Ooo, I wanna play," Brooke jumped excitedly. "No," Haley responded sternly, "I told you, you still have to take it easy, no strenuous activity." "Looks like she hasn't totally given her job of prison guard up yet, and won't be giving it up so easily," Jake commented. "You're darn right. I want to make sure she gets better and stays better. I don't want to see her have another spike again and remember the doctor said they could get worse," Haley replied. All nodded as they headed over to the court. "We could do a two on two, Peyton or Haley could play," Lucas suggested. "I can't shoot worth my life. Haley, you play," Peyton said. "Okay, I'm in," Haley replied. "You any good," Brooke asked then pointed to the guys behind her, "because you have to be to play against them." "Of course, I have three best friends who are guys on a basketball team teach me how to play," Haley responded with a smile.
"Nathan can be a team all by himself, he usually plays like he's the whole team anyway," Lucas joked. "Oh really? Maybe you're just scared that you'll get beat by the great Nathan Scott, so you're trying to recruit all the others because you'll need all the help you can get," Nathan smirked back at his brother. "You just bring it," Lucas said. "Don't worry, I will. Pick your team member," Nathan replied. "Fine, I pick Hales." "Okay then, I'll take Jake," Nathan answered then both brothers headed to the court, trying to steal the ball away from Lucas who was dribbling it. Haley and Jake stared at each other then he asked, "We're not going to get any game time in this one, are we?" "Doesn't look like it," she responded.
They played for what seemed like hours with Luke and Hales teaming up for the winning shot. Nathan had the ball and was trying to shoot the ball when Lucas blocked his fade away, grabbed the ball, and tossed it to Haley who made a lay up into the net. "What is that Nate, three times I've beat you today? You know what the best part about it is? You got beat, by…a…GIRL," Lucas replied, drawing out the last three words for emphasis. The three others laughed and before Nathan could respond, Peyton and Brooke, who was holding Jenny, came rushing up to them. "Great game, babe," Peyton said as she jumped on his back and kissed him on the cheek. "You played really well, Hales. You should think about joining the girls' basketball team," Brooke told her. "I've thought about it, but it's more of a recreational thing for me to do once in a while. Besides, I've already got two jobs now and school, not to mention tutoring. I'll hardly have time for anything else."
"Wait, what's this about you having two jobs? You're only have the café as far as I know," Lucas asked confusedly. Peyton, Jake, and Nathan nodded too, wanting to know. "Well when I was at the hospital today for the check-up, Brooke had a little freak out session when the nurse wanted to draw blood because she hates needles and gets squeamish. I calmed her down and the nurse said that I was really good at it and that they could use someone to help calm the kids down if they are upset. I was apprehensive at first because of being around babies and kids because of Ryan, but when I was coming back from the cafeteria, I heard a little kid screaming. I followed the voice and there was this little boy who had fallen out of a tree and possibly broken his arm. I talked to him for a few minutes and by the time the doctor walked in, I had gotten him to stop screaming. It felt really good to help that little boy so I decided that I would take the job. It's only a few hours a week, including weekends."
"That's cool. It will be a great job for you. You are awesome with Jenny," Jake replied. Haley saw Brooke try to stifle a yawn then responded, "Okay guys, Brooke's tired. I'm going to take her home so she can get some rest." "But I don't want to leave," Brooke protested with a pout. "I know, but you have to get enough sleep because you have school tomorrow." "Fine," Brooke lowered her head dejectedly. "We'll see you guys tomorrow at school," Haley responded, placing her hand on Brooke's back and guiding her to her car.
Later that evening, Brooke was laying on the couch with her legs draped over the armrest, reading a book. Haley walked into the room and went over to the couch, "Lift your head up." Brooke did so and Haley slid her body over, her lap cushioning Brooke's head. She leaned down and softly pressed her lips to Brooke's then ran her hands along her body before grabbing her hand and entwining their fingers. "I love you," she said, stroking the top of Brooke's head with her free hand. Brooke laid the book down on her stomach and pulled their entwined hands to her lips, placing a light kiss on them, "I love you too." "Come on, it's getting late and we have school tomorrow. Let's go to bed," Haley responded, tugging on her hand. "Alright," Brooke replied, marking the page in the book then swinging her legs to the ground and standing up. She helped Haley up and they made their way to the bedroom. Haley laid down first then Brooke got in behind her, spooning against her body and curling her arm around Haley's stomach, entwining their fingers again. Brooke pushed aside some of Haley's hair and kissed her neck, "Night, Hales." She replied sleepily, "Night Tigger."
The next morning, Brooke and Haley got up early to get ready for school and made breakfast. They had blueberry pancakes, bacon, and orange juice. Both prepared their backpacks then headed out the door to Haley's car. She drove to school and they sat there in the car for several minutes, feeling a little out of place and as if they'd been gone for months, not just a short week and a half. Each stepped out and locked their doors then met in front of the car. They both stared at the grounds and buildings of the high school before them then looked at each other. "You ready for this," Haley asked. Brooke smiled one of her deeply dimpled smiles, "Only if you're with me." Haley grinned widely, "Always." Brooke then linked her arm through Haley's and both made their way into Tree Hill High School.