The wind nipped, making a low whistling sound as the students of Tree Hill High pulled their jackets a little closer to their bodies. All but one, a pretty red headed girl with a sad expression who sat on the bench under the tree. She stared at the pieces of paper in front of her. They had been left in an envelope simply marked "Rachel". The letter was a surprise to say the least and she had read the words over and over again. But nothing had prepared her for what it would say and how that might possibly make her feel.

Rachel,

I guess this is the sort of thing best said face to face but we both know that's not a good idea. But I couldn't just not say anything. Leaving without some kind of closure to this wouldn't be right. I've messed up a lot and I've spent a lot of time trying to fix it somehow. It wouldn't be right if I didn't start with you.

First of all, I just want to say I'm sorry. What happened between us was wrong and it never should have happened. You probably don't like hearing that but I have to say it because it is the truth. People make mistakes and sometimes get caught up in the moment. That was our moment. To say it meant nothing would be rude, sort of like saying I don't care anything about you. To tell the truth, I don't know much about you now and before that day, I didn't really know anything at all. But you opened up to me. I hope that was able to help you somehow. I know it wasn't easy to do. It left you vulnerable and I feel like I took advantage of that vulnerability. That is very wrong.

Another thing is the age. Sure the state law says it's barely legal but Rachel, you know that doesn't make it right. You're still a kid. I know you hate to hear that too and I'm not trying to patronize you or anything when I say it. You have your whole life ahead of you. Make the most of it and make it a great one. These are the best years ahead, the years when you can get away with making dumb choices…hell, the time when you're actually expected to make stupid decisions. But that time has passed for me. It's time for me to grow up and take responsibility and that's exactly what I plan to do.

I'm sorry that you got hurt in this. That was never my intention. But I still think you're a great girl. Whatever it is you're looking for, I hope you find it. I know what that search is like. Most of all, I just hope you're going to be okay. But you're a bright and beautiful girl. You'll do just fine.

So if you haven't figured it out already, my time in Tree Hill is over. It's the best for everyone. Hopefully somehow you can put all this behind you and forget about me or at least don't hate me. And stop being so hard on yourself…you deserve a lot more credit. I just wanted to say good bye. I owed you that much.

Take Care,

Cooper

She closed her eyes. At least he'd had the decency and consideration to try to make amends, even if only through paper. Cooper Lee was a good guy. Rachel knew deep in her heart she could never hate him. She also knew it was right…it could never be. But it was a nice dream, a nice fantasy to hold onto. She was graduating soon. They could run away together. She'd be the famous, sexy FHM model and he'd be the cool and flashy race car driver. But it wasn't meant to be.

He'd said some nice things about her and she knew he meant them. It brought a sense of comfort. Maybe she had meant something to him after all. A lot of guys were just in it for the sex. Cooper had had the decency not to use her, which was more than she could say for some. He had liked her, he had thought she was something. He was the only man that had ever felt that way. Well, not the only man. Someone else had loved her with all his heart, worshiping her and treating her like a goddess. And she had given that up in the blink of an eye. What was real and beautiful had been traded for something unsure and fickle. Rachel Getina had taken the ultimate gamble and with it came the ultimate loss.

Folding the paper, she carefully placed it back in the envelope. What would be next? She officially had no friends and no boyfriend. The whole town was gossiping about her. The only constant in the situation, the one thing that never seemed to change was the fact that her parents didn't give a shit. As usual, mom and dad were lost in their own world and problems, oblivious to the private and very public pain of their teenage daughter. Sighing, head in her hands she watched the parking lot as a familiar car drove up and parked in its usual spot. The pretty brunette stepped out, walking casually by the bench.

"Hey, Brooke!"

She had called out the name of her fair weather friend, sometimes rival turned bitter enemy. Before she even knew what she was doing, Rachel had summoned Brooke. Stopping dead in her tracks, she eyed the young woman she had tried to kill with her bare hands just weeks before. Biting her lip, she reluctantly walked over.

"What do you want, Rachel?" she folded her arms.

Rachel was silent for a moment. What did she want? Finally, she motioned to the letter lying on the table.

"Cooper's gone. He left town."

Brooke shuffled her weight from side to side.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know", she treaded. "Is that from him?"

Rachel nodded.

"It was a good bye letter. It was an apology and you know, the usual. 'Keep your head up, kid. You're gonna be something one day'", she rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

She did look pitiful but Brooke found it hard to have pity.

"What did you expect, Rachel?"

She laughed in spite of herself, in spite of the circumstances of the situation.

"I don't know what I expected", she answered honestly. "I guess I thought he'd fall in love with me. That'd make my life better somehow. I'd be happy. It was what I was looking for."

"That's bullshit and you know it."

"Brooke…"

"I'm serious. You know, crushes and fantasies and whatever, that's normal. But sometimes that's what it is…just a crush or a fantasy and you leave it be for the time being because that's what you have to do."

"Are you talking about what I should have done or what you did?"

Brooke looked away.

"I am so not getting into that with you right now. This is about you, not me. You should have thought this through. If it was something that just happened, that's a different story. But this is what you wanted. You planned and prayed and plotted for months to sleep with Cooper and then it finally happened. In putting all that together, you should have thought more about the aftermath. Instead of dreaming about how you two were gonna ride off into the sunset together, maybe you should have thought about the consequences for Cooper. Or if he didn't feel the same way about you. And especially Mouth. You screwed up big this time, Rachel and I don't feel sorry for you at all."

"I never thought I'd say this but Brooke Davis, you're absolutely right. I messed up. I messed up big time and I know it."

"I've got to get going…"

"Have you talked to Mouth?"

Brooke cringed, closing her eyes.

"Of course I've talked to Mouth. I talk to Mouth. We're friends. I care about him. That's what you do Rachel when you really have someone's best interest at heart."

"How is he?"

"Fine, no thanks to you."

"I'm sorry."

"I just bet you are."

"I know you don't believe me but I am. I was wrong and Mouth is a great guy. I feel bad for hurting him. I wish this had turned out different for everybody."

"That's the problem with Monday morning quarterbacking. You can't turn back time, Rachel. Sometimes it's just too late."

"I just…I don't know. I think about him a lot and I do want him to be okay."

"He is okay. In fact, Mouth is more than okay. He's a strong guy. He has a good head on his shoulders and he has a big heart, too. Sometimes it's too big and when you wear it on your sleeve it gets you in trouble. But Mouth is gonna be just fine."

"Good. I mean, I'm glad. I want that for him."

"Well, as nice as it always is chatting with you…"

"Brooke, one more thing."

"What is it?" she sighed impatiently.

Rachel took a deep breath.

"It was you."

"What?"

"Thinking that Cooper would fall in love wasn't ridiculous because he did. But he fell in love with you."

"Rachel…"

"For what's it worth, I really am sorry. You might not believe me, Brooke but I am sorry for everything. I'm sorry for being shallow and jealous and disloyal. I'm sorry for getting Cooper in trouble. I'm sorry for fighting with you. I'm sorry for hurting Mouth."

Brooke looked away, trying to take it all in. It was a bit much. Rachel's mass of apologies that actually sounded sincere. And her revelation about Cooper and how he really felt. Regardless, it was something she was not equipped to handle at that moment.

"Like I said earlier, I have to go. I'm gonna be late for Calculus."

Rachel nodded, not quite knowing what to do next.

"Yeah, if you have to go…"

But she was already gone. Putting her head in her hands, she thought long and hard about everything…her past relationships with everyone, her mistakes, the content of the letter. Emotionally and mentally, it was a hard place to be but that was the one bright spot about rock bottom…there was no place to go but up. Exhaling, she tossed her head back and gathered her things. Somehow Cooper's words had given her renewed strength. If he could start over and pick up the pieces, so could she.