"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."
Brooke rolled her eyes as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Sure Mrs. Pierce, the head cheerleading coach was saying something probably important but to the brunette, all the words sort of jumbled together. Just a few feet away over in the next chair, Rachel sat. Brooke wanted to throw up. She hated breathing the same air as her, much less sitting so close. And there she was looking all perfect and innocent. The bitch was even taking notes! And no one saw through that act, not even Mrs. Pierce. Especially not Cooper. For Brooke it was a waste of time and she couldn't wait for the meeting between the coach and two captains to be over.
"Thank you, Mrs. Pierce", Rachel cooed sweetly. "I think that is an excellent idea. Don't you, Brooke?"
Brooke looked up, having no idea what dialogue had just transpired and nor did she care. She just wanted out.
"Sure, Mrs. Pierce", she gave her best fake smile. "Excellent."
"Alright. You ladies have been doing a fine job. The squad looks really great this year. I will see you both at tomorrow's practice."
It was their cue for dismissal and no one had to tell Brooke Davis twice. She tossed her gym bag over her shoulder and headed for the nearest exit, Rachel, unfortunately, hot on her heels.
"Hey, Brooke! Hey, Brooke, wait up!"
Brooke rolled her eyes.
"Go to hell, Rachel."
"That's not very nice", the red head smiled when she finally caught up to her. "I just wanted to talk to you about a new routine I've been working on."
"Talk to me tomorrow during practice. Right now I'm going home."
Rachel folded her arms.
"I detect an attitude."
"Shove it up your fat ass."
"Please don't tell me you're still sore with me about the other day."
"Look, Rachel…"
"This is about Cooper, isn't it?"
Ah, she had said it. The dreaded "c" word.
"I am so not having this conversation with you right now."
"He's just a friend, you know."
"Oh yeah. You two looked real friendly the other day."
"We were just dancing. No big deal. You have absolutely nothing to be worried about."
"Whatever. I don't care what you do", Brooke started to walk away again.
"It really is innocent, although I didn't know you had already hung your label on him, so to speak."
"My label?" Brooke scoffed. "Okay, you don't even know what the hell you're talking about."
"You like him, don't you?" Rachel teased.
"That's none of your business but it's way obvious you do."
"So what if I did or do, hypothetically speaking, of course. I mean, does that bother you? It shouldn't, seeing as you supposedly don't have feelings for him or anything."
"I don't, Rachel, so if you're trying to sink your crooked little hooks into him just to get at me, then you're wasting your time."
"Too bad…he is a cutie."
"Uh, newsflash but did you know Cooper is almost like 30 years old? And he is Nathan's uncle. Yeah, we might be friendly or whatever but regardless that is none of your business. And I have news for you, the guy does have one ounce of taste which means he'd never mess with a ho hopping piece of trash such as yourself."
"Oh really?" she smiled. "We seem to enjoy each other quite well. We hang out, we dance…we talk. Coop and I really get each other."
Brooke turned and folded her arms.
"Since you and Coop are so damned friendly all of a sudden, it seems like you're forgetting one other person in all this."
"You?"
"No, dumb ass. I'm talking about your boyfriend. Remember him? Mouth. Mouth McFadden. You know that sweet, wonderful, innocent little guy everybody loves, well, obviously everyone except for your selfish ass."
"I didn't forget about my boyfriend", Rachel shrugged. "I love Mouth."
"No, Rachel, you love yourself. I'm not stupid. I see what you're doing."
"Care to enlighten me?"
"Fine. You weasel your little way into our clique and just for, oh I don't know, shits and giggles, I guess, you decide to seduce and manipulate one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Look, Rachel, I know what you are. And if you want to play your little games and mess with me, then whatever. I don't care. But when you start fucking with my friends, then we have a problem."
Her nostrils flared and anger bolted through her eyes.
"Is that right?" Rachel asked.
"Damned right."
"Are your threatening me, Brooke Davis?"
"No, I'm educating you."
"That's funny. All of a sudden, you want to play the role of Miss Noble. I love Mouth and Mouth loves me. I make him happy and you can't stand that."
"Happy? How can you say that with a straight face? You're a fraud, if I've ever seen one. You're running a game and right now poor Mouth is just an innocent pawn. For whatever reason, you set your sights on Cooper and I'm sure you can't wait to get him between your grimy little sheets."
"Okay, let's get to the real issue, then. This isn't about Mouth. Sure you're jealous of our happiness and have been from the beginning but let's put all the cards on the table, Brookie. Let's talk about what this is really about and that's Cooper. You're in love with him and you feel threatened by me."
Brooke laughed out loud.
"Ha! Threatened? You must be on crack. Get out of here, Rachel. Bottom line, you're a whore and a slut and Mouth deserves way better. And as far as Cooper? In your dreams, bitch. You aren't that good and uh, he isn't that desperate."
"We'll see", Rachel smirked.
"Excuse me?"
"Just what I said."
"You'd do that. You'd do that to Mouth just to prove a point to me?"
"Who said anything about doing something to Mouth? And according to you, I'm a whore and a slut and I couldn't get Cooper anyway if I tried."
"You are a whore and a slut."
"And don't forget, bitch."
"Yeah, you're that too."
"Then I should have no problem scoring with Coop. You're all those things, too and he seemed to be into your ass."
That was it. Brooke Davis could endure a lot but Rachel had crossed a dangerous line. She marched right up to her, drew her right hand back and let it land hard against Rachel's cheek, sounding with a loud smack and leaving a red mark.
"Brooke! How could you?"
They both turned in the direction of a third voice. Rushing over to them, concerned etched all over his face was Mouth.
"Mouth", Rachel began to whimper.
"It's okay, honey", he gingerly held her. "Brooke, what the hell is wrong with you?"
Brooke let out a breath. Perfect timing. Mouth had walked in just in time to see her wailing on his sorry ass excuse for a girlfriend. Where was he just moments before when she had been revealing all her true colors? And now she was playing the abused victim role to a tee, complete with crocodile tears and all.
"Mouth she started it. Rachel said…"
"I don't care what Rachel said. Sticks and stones, Brooke. That doesn't give you the right to put your hands on someone."
"It's okay, Mouth", Rachel began to sniffle. "Brooke didn't mean it."
And the Oscar goes to…
Brooke wanted to scream!
"Yes, Rachel. Yes, I did mean it. It felt good. In fact, I'd love to do it again!"
She reached for her but Mouth stepped in between the two.
"For God's sake, get a hold of yourself, Brooke", Mouth said after he restrained her. "This is crazy."
"You're right", she nodded. "It's crazy and it's a shame. And the sad part is, you're too blind to even see it."
"Brooke, I think you owe Rachel an apology."
Brooke just shook her head as Rachel stood there pretending innocent. Shaking her head, she slung her gym bag over her shoulder.
"No, Mouth, I think she owes you one", she turned to leave. "And by the way? Stay away from Cooper, tramp."