"I thought it was just time you know? Tree Hill will always be home for me and it's about time I got back here to my roots. A Tree Hill location made all the sense in the world. My family is here." Brooke said to the TMZ reporter with a smile.
All the big press had shown up to the opening, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, etc, etc, etc.
She was getting tired of answering all the same questions with the same stupid fake smile on her face.
"That's great Brooke! What about Lucas? Is he part of the reason you're back in Tree Hill? You've been dating on and off for years now, is marriage in the future?" The reporter pressed her with questions with the microphone shoved to Brooke's face.
"I….Uh…. Well…." Brooke struggled for an answer as she looked over her shoulder to see Lucas still talking with her models. It made her sick. Air. She needed air.
"That's all the questions we have time for tonight. Thank you." Victoria Davis said stepping in front of her daughter, smile plastered on her face, as she shook the reporters hand. Her mother wasn't good for much, but at least she was good for something. She grabbed her daughter's elbow and led her to the back office, all with that same stupid fake smile on her face waving to people as she shut the door behind her.
"What is going with you Brooke? You need to put on a better face to the press. You don't seem like a girl in love!" Victoria huffed.
"That's because I'm NOT a girl in love mother. This whole thing is your stupid arrangement and I hate it. You know that, this game has been going on for years now and I'm sick of it." Brooke said growing more and more frustrated.
"Well, like it or not, it's the way it has to be. Your relationship with Lucas is the third highest searched on google. They love it. You're successful, he's successful. It's a match made in heaven! Make them believe it." Victoria said with a threatening tone.
"I don't give a shit about what the press thinks. And by the way, I'm staying in Tree Hill awhile; I have things to take care of here." Brooke said crossing her arms.
"Fine, whatever. Stay here with Lucas and be in love and run your store here. They will eat it up. But like it or not, you have other responsibilities too. Now, pull yourself together and get back out there to your opening." Victoria said turning on her heels and walking back out to the crowd, same fake smile on her botoxed face. Brooke hated all of this. Except for making clothes, THAT part she loved.
She needed air. Brooke headed up the small staircase attached to the back office.
She stepped onto the roof, a place Lucas and Haley had kind of made their sanctuary growing up and let out a large scream as she ran her fingers through her hair frantically seeking the fresh air she so desperately needed.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the brick wall and looked over the street as she tried to get her breathing to slow.
"Uhhhh…. Sorry. I didn't know anyone else was up here…. Want one?" Peyton said walking towards Brooke from the other side of the rooftop, she'd been pressed against the back wall. The wall where Lucas and Haley used to write their predictions for the year. Cigarette firmly pressed to her lips, beer resting easily in her other hand.
"No thanks. I don't smoke." Brooke said with a glare. She didn't want to deal with this chick right now. She just wanted a minute to herself.
"I don't normally either, just sometimes when the world gets feeling too chaotic. Don't tell Jamie, he'll flip…" Peyton said approaching the brunette.
"Whatever…" Brooke said looking out at the street, maybe she'd get the hint and leave.
"Tough crowd, huh?" Peyton said leaning against the wall next to Brooke as she looked out at the street as well, things seemed much calmer away from the crowd. She understood why Lucas and Haley spent so much time up here.
"How do you even know about the roof?" Brooke said avoiding the question and continuing to look down at the streetlights changing from green to red.
"Haley and Luke used to talk about it all the time, and I just wanted a minute to myself…" Peyton said as she flicked the cigarette off the roof.
Something about the simple act unwound Brooke. It was smooth, sexy. How could she make SMOKING look hot?
Brooke shook her head slightly at the thought, what the hell? Why was she noticing this?! Whatever. She had to hate her.
"Yeah well, so did I. but much to my displeasure… you're here." Brooke said with annoyance in her tone.
"Dude, what the hell is your problem? Why don't you like me?" Peyton said fully turning to Brooke with her hand on her hip.
Brooke had to admit, she was impressed by her straightforwardness.
"I just don't get why you're here. In my town. Hanging around with my friends, my godson, AND my boyfriend…" Brooke said turning to face her, keeping her own hand on her hip.
"Ha…. Wow." Peyton said with a laugh of disbelief.
"Is this funny to you?" Brooke couldn't figure out why this woman was getting under her skin so much, there was just something about Peyton Sawyer. Even when she was angry, she still maintained this sense of…. Swagger. Which unnerved Brooke even more.
"No, it's not funny. I don't get why you're being such a bitch. Totally unlike the Brooke everyone described…. It's a little disappointing." Peyton added with a sarcastic tone.
"I just don't get why you're here… You won't take my place if that's what you're trying to do." Brooke stated in aggravation.
"Haven't you been gone like…. Two years? If anyone's trying to take someone's place… it's you! Why are you so jealous of me?" Peyton said practically yelling, this woman was unbelievable.
Brooke made her blood boil like no one else; she was just trying to be nice. What the hell was wrong with her? Just because she was Brooke-freakin-Davis the world was supposed to stop and bow down?! God. Seriously?!
"I'm definitely NOT jealous of you." Brooke said trailing off, lowering her tone, and looking back out at the street below.
"Yeah… you definitely don't seem jealous. At all, by the way. This is TOTALLY how normal people act." Peyton added with a scoff, pulling out her lighter and another cigarette from her jacket pocket.
Brooke quickly flicked the unlit cigarette Peyton pulled to her lips out of her mouth and watched as it hit the street below.
"Dude, what the fuck?! Seriously? I don't know what you're problem is!" Peyton turned back towards Brooke with fire in her eyes. Why was she being so damn difficult?
"You shouldn't smoke, it's not good for you." Brooke said with a shrug.
They both looked over the ledge in silence for a moment. Brooke's heart was still beating rapidly at her encounter with Peyton. She knew she was being a bitch. But, why was she being such a bitch?
"Look. I don't know what your issue is with me, but I'm here for good now. And it seems like you will be around awhile too, unless you plan on bolting again. I'm not going anywhere. Nate, Hales, and Jamie are practically my family. I love them… So you're just going to have to deal with me being around." Peyton stated matter-of-fact.
Brooke was seriously surprised at how bold the other girl was, it was kinda…. Hot. No one ever stood up to her like that. Again, she asked herself why she was noticing this.
"Yeah… Whatever. I'll deal with you." Brooke said smirking at the blonde.
"And for the record, you have a chance here to make things right with your godson, I'm not trying to take your place, Brooke. But you need to fight to be in his life. He's worth it. They all are…" Peyton said pointing her finger at Brooke.
Brooke stayed silent for a minute, thinking about her words. She was fighting with the girl like they'd known each other forever, but really, she knew nothing about the blonde haired, green eyed girl in front of her. She didn't even know why she was in Tree Hill to begin with.
"And for the record, you being jealous about me and Luke being friends is completely and utterly pointless. Trust me. You don't have anything to worry about with that." Peyton added with a laugh, it made Brooke wonder what she even meant. "Besides, that should TRULY be the least of your worries right now. I'm not even sure why you care…" Peyton added.
"You're right. I don't. Now, I better get back downstairs… I'm sure my mother is just panicking wondering where the hell I went off to and why I'm not dealing with the press… Guess I'll be seeing you around." Brooke said rubbing her arms up and down, the heat she had felt from the argument had worn off and she was starting to feel the chill that was in the air.
"See you around, Brooke Davis." Peyton added over her shoulder as she watched the brunette saunter off. She couldn't help but watch the way her purple strapless dress hugged her body in all the right places.
As Peyton looked out at the night sky again and pressed her beer to her lips, she was just left wondering, what the hell just happened?
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