I don't own One Tree Hill or the characters. Now on with the chapter, and remember… If you read it, review it. It means a lot.
Chapter 5- Crazy Girls
The ringing of Brooke's cell phone distracted her from getting ready, and the familiar sound of Jimmy Eat World's "Hear You Me" echoed throughout the room. She looked at the phone, but wasn't sure how she could answer the familiar voice from Tree Hill that was sure to be on the other line.
So like she did every week when that particular phone call came, she ignored it, unable to pick up and say hello to one of her best friends. The truth was, she was dying to pick up the phone, but she wasn't quite sure how she would explain her actions over the last few months.
So she continued to just stare at the phone and just let it ring, patiently waiting for the voicemail she was sure would soon follow.
Every week she got voicemails form her old life. Most were from Peyton, a couple from Lucas, the girls on the squad, even one from Karen and one from Nathan. She knew they missed her; truth was she missed them too, but she was afraid to face what they had to say. It was the same fear the kept Brooke in California, the fear that was eating her alive. So like she did every time the phone rang she simply waited to hear what news she would get from Tree Hill this time.
The phone chirped, signaling that she indeed did have a new voicemail, and she could feel her palms get just a little sweaty as she punched in the familiar security code. She may not have been able to talk to all her old friends, but that didn't stop her from listening to what they had to say.
She listened to every single voicemail that they left her, she saved them all too. No matter how pointless they seemed at the time, she always saved them, unable to part with the last part of her old life that she desperately clung to. She usually listened to those voicemails over and over, trying to figure out a way to tell those who had been everything to her that she had let them down, that she just couldn't face them, so she had started over.
She smiled a sad smile as the familiar voice rang in her ear. Same time each week, she would hear her best friend give her the details from home. 'Hey Brooke it's me…but you already knew that… I call every week. Truth is girlie, we miss you. And Tree Hill hasn't been the same since you've been gone. I keep trying to think what California has that we don't besides a lot more sun and shopping,' the voice half-heartedly laughed from the other end. Come on Brooke, the old B. Davis would have faced her fears by now, and I can't figure out what has you so afraid. The thing is, we need you. I need you, and I'm not the only one. The real reason I'm calling this time is...' Brooke could hear her voice pause on the other line, and then let out a sigh. "The real reason is… Nathan and Lucas. They have been getting out of hand lately with the fighting, and I think you are the only one who could actually stop them. You, and a certain other person who is currently missing, but that's beside the point. Anyway, I just wanted to say come home. And I'm going to keep telling you to come home until your back. Because you know it and I know it, Tree Hill is where you belong.'
Brooke was almost in tears by the time she finished listening to the voicemail. Leave it to Peyton to make her want to hop on the next flight home. But, she knew she wouldn't. She had a new life here. A life that she liked. And she wasn't about to go running back just to get her heart broken again.
Still, the voicemail kept nagging at her. This was the first time that Peyton had mentioned Lucas. Little did she know, that he was the main reason Brooke was afraid to go home.
Shaking herself from a train of thought that would simply drive her crazy, she turned back to her vanity and continued getting ready for the wild night Shelly and her crazy cheerleading friends had planned. What better way to forget the past, than to drink to the future.
And that's exactly what Brooke planned to do. 'No more thoughts of Lucas Scott, there are plenty other boys to play with' She smiled, content with her appearance, and when the little nagging voice in her head chanted, ' There may be other boys, but none of them are Lucas,' she simply chose to ignore it. She was going to have a good time tonight if it killed her.
The honking of Shelly's limo made her hurry out the front door of the beautiful mansion. It was time to have fun, and she certainly remembered the definition of that word.
Smiling as she climbed into the limo of her awaiting friends she announced, "Okay ladies, the night is young, we are fine, let's break some hearts." And with that, Brooke Davis was off to enjoy her new life.
She woke up with a slight headache, wondering what exactly happened the night before. She was in her own bed 'Good sign' She was alone. 'Good sign.' But, as she crawled out of bed to take a look at her appearance, she noticed a rather large hickey on her neck. 'Bad sign'
The last two weeks had been a blur for Brooke. There was the killer party last Friday, followed by an even bigger blowout on Saturday. Then Brooke and her friends had continued the festivities with Martini Monday, Tequilla Tuesday, and a whole array themed drinking parties. She had truly reverted back to her sophomore year antics, but this time, at least she was a little more careful about who she brought home after a night of drinking.
Sure, she had made out with a few guys; she even had the hickey to prove it, but so far no one had joined her in her bed. At least that was a good thing. She knew she couldn't keep this up all year, but she was having fun, and most of all she was avoiding all her problems.
Tonight, though, she was going to be reminded of her past, because tonight she was going to see Haley James play at the beach-front concert she and her friends would be attending.
Truth was, she was really excited to see Haley, and really curious to see why she was still on tour. Brooke was sure she would have gone home by now. But she really couldn't blame her; Tutorgirl wasn't the only one avoiding Tree Hill. For some reason, Brooke wasn't afraid to face Haley. Maybe because she had run away too or maybe because she knew Haley would simply understand. Either way, she knew this concert would definitely be one to remember.
Brooke was amazed at how many people were actually at the concert. Shelly had managed to snag them pretty good tickets, so she was upfront to see what Tutorgirl had in store for them.
"Brooke, why are you bouncing around like your nervous?' Shelly asked, getting a little annoyed with Brooke's constant fidgeting.
"I'm just excited that's all… The thing is, I used to be friends with the opening act." She replied nervously. She hoped that she and Haley would get the chance to be friends again after tonight.
"You mean from back in Wood Mountain"
"Its Tree Hill guys, and yes, we were friends back home. Now, shut up, she's about to come on stage," Brooke yelled, as the lights began to lower and a confident and sexy looking Haley James took the stage.
Brooke was surprised at just how far her shy Tutorgirl had come. Gone was the girl who nervously played at Tric, gone was the girl who was afraid to let other's see how talented she was. Instead, Brooke saw Haley James, rock-star. The only way Brooke could even tell that she was nervous was when she saw her gingerly grasp onto something around her neck, and recognized the wedding ring that had once adorned Haley's finger. Maybe Tutorgirl hadn't forgotten about her husband after all.
"Hello California!" came Haley's voice from the stage. "I'm so excited to be here tonight. This first song is something I wrote that is very special to me. I wrote it for someone that I care about a lot. Here it is, Crazy Girls…"
The crowd immediately applauded as the first chords of Haley's song reverberated across the beach.
I've been behind on the events of the past 7 days
I've been sleeping in my bed
And missing you like sometimes crazy girls do
I've been hanging like a child onto this photograph of us
It was taken on a bus across town the last time I saw you
Nathan. Brooke could immediately tell that Haley had written this song for him. There were so many memories of them in that song. Obviously, she wasn't over him, but the question was why wasn't she with him? 'You should ask yourself the same thing about Lucas' her mind screamed, but she ignored it and quickly got lost in her friend's voice.
And now this whole world is going 'round
But it's when you're gone it really brings me down, down
Well I can't get myself together I'm soaking in the pain
It's ridiculous how easy it is to go astray
When my focus ain't right
Sometimes crazy's all right
And now this whole world is going 'round
But it's when you're gone it really brings me down, oh
Oh well You wait till I get back home again
Cause I'm willing to give this another chance
Only you baby keep me up at night
Sometimes, crazy's alright
Home. Damn, Haley James for making her think of Tree Hill when she was supposed to be enjoying her new life. It felt like Haley was singing this song directly about her. She guessed she wasn't too far off, after all Scott boys were hard to forget. She just guessed it was something she and Tutorgirl had in common. Now, she was more determined than ever to talk to Haley.
Well I never thought I'd say I was in love with you again
Funny how my life had come around to this
And I'm crazy for you I do like crazy girls do
And now this whole world is going 'round
But it's when you're gone it really brings me down, oh
Oh well You wait till I get back home again
Cause I'm willing to give this another chance
Only you baby keep me up at night
Sometimes, crazy's alright
Crazy' alright
After the song, Haley sang a few more, doing some more originals and some covers as well. But Brooke couldn't get the words to Crazy Girls out of her head. There was just something about that song that was playing with her emotions.
Brooke was taken out of her thoughts by the thundering applause signaling that Haley had indeed finished her set, and was soon replaced by the cocky Chris Keller; just looking at him made Brooke cringe. 'I'll never figure out what even possessed Haley to kiss that boy, he's so repulsive' she thought to herself. But that wasn't important right now. Right now, she had to find Tutorgirl. She just hoped Haley was happy to see her.
Haley was signing autographs after another show in another city. Just a part of her new life, a part of her new daily routine.
She really loved the music, and she was getting the opportunity of a lifetime, but she couldn't help but feel lonely sometimes. After all, the old Haley James would have been content to curl up with some homework, chase Lucas with water balloons, or watch Nathan play basketball. The problem was, she wasn't the old Haley James anymore. She had a great life and a great career; she really didn't have any room to complain. So for now, she would push away all the thoughts threatening to bombard her, and she would enjoy the life she had.
She did love the rush of all the fans who screamed her name after a show, though. That was the part she loved the most. It still thrilled her that people actually liked what she sang and that people would actually stand and wait to receive an autograph from her. So, she would always stay and make sure that she greeted each one of her fans personally.
"Tutorgirl"
Haley looked around; she had to be hearing things. There was only one person in the world who would dare call her Tutorgirl, and that person was back in Tree Hill, wasn't she? But, as she turned back to sign more autographs, she distinctly heard that name again.
"Tutorgirl," and then she was assaulted by the familiar chestnut hair that could only belong to Brooke Davis.
"Brooke, what are you doing here?" Haley asked while detangling the brunette, and waving off the security members who were about to drag Brooke away.
"I live here now. You're not the only one who left Tree Hill" Brooke replied cheekily, but Haley could see the sadness behind her eyes. It was the same sadness that was mirrored in her own.
"What do you say, we ditch this joint and catch up like old times" Haley nervously asked, hoping that at least the brunette in front of her would understand why she had never returned.
The enthusiastic nod coming from the brunette, made Haley grin in relief. Somehow, she knew that Brooke was exactly what she needed to feel better. And then maybe, she wouldn't feel quite so alone. Besides, she was extremely curious to figure out why Brooke was residing in California instead of Tree Hill, and especially how her best friend factored into the equation.
The lyrics in this chapter were from Bethany Joy Lenz, Crazy Girls. This chapter was just filler, but I was really nervous about it, so I would love to hear what you guys think. The next couple of chapters are going to be drama-filled, so be prepared. Thanks for reading.