Chapter 16
Prom was just around the corner for Tree Hill. Guys were already asking for dates, and girls were already buying their dresses. It seemed like everything was finally back to normal for the students.
"Lucas" Haley shouted as she closed her locker behind her
"Hey Hales. Excited about prom?" he asked as he pointed to a banner hanging above them promoting the magical night.
"Sure"
"Don't sound so enthused" he joked
"Sorry, there's just alot going on you know?"
"Like what?"
"With Brooke and stuff"
"Yeah I know, but we just gotta make it better for her and I think prom will do just that"
"I'm so glad she finally told you"
"I know, I knew something was wrong with her but..."
"Yeah and now that you know maybe you can help her through her sickness"
"Wait, what?" he asked so confused
"Her sickness Luke, the one she told you about" she was getting a little nervous that she had just said something she wasnt suppose to
"She didnt tell my anything except for the baby Hales, what is wrong with Brooke?"
"Nothing, I got to go." Haley said as she tried to turn and leave
"Haley, dont walk away. What is going on?"
"I cant say Luke, please" and she left him alone to worry.
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"Peyton" someone yelled from behind her. She turned around to see Jake running toward her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm back in school. I wanted to be able to graduate with my friends and my girlfriend" he said smiling as he touched her chin
"Where's Jenny?"
"Daycare, and then she'll go to my parents"
"That's great." she said and wrapped her arms around him. They stood there for a little kissing, as if time had stood still. All was going so well in her life right now.
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After first period had ended, Lucas rushed out of the class room to find Brooke. He needed to know the truth, now. He knew she had just finished gym and would be by the cafeteria headed to math. He would stop her there.
"Brooke"
"Hey Luke" and gave him a kiss
"We need to talk" he siad hastily
"Sure, what's up" she was so perky and happy today. she wasnt expecting anything to go wrong
"Are you sick?"
"What" she looked around her to make sure no one had heard "What are you talking about?"
"Haley accidently said something and I need to know. Are you keeping something from me?"
"No Luke, I wouldnt do that."
"Brooke?"
"Not now Luke" she began forming tears. She was mad that Haley had said something, and she was mad that Lucas was bringing it up at school. She was even more mad at herself for not being stronger. "I got to go"
"I wish people would stop saying that to me today"
She gave him a look and walked away. It was the second time Lucas was left to worry.
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As everyone was heading to the parking lot after school had ended, Brooke confronted Haley about what had happened.
"Haley" before turning around she already knew who it was
"I'm sorry Brooke, I thought he knew"
"Why would he know?"
"He was saying how he was gonna be there for you and stuff and I just assumed that you told him. I'm so sorry"
"Well you know what they say when you assume things"
"Brooke?"
"Haley I thought I could trust you. That you were the one person I could still confide in, but I guess I was wrong again. Man I suck at picking friends."
"Brooke that's not fair."
"No Haley, what's not fair is the fact that I get screwed everytime. I must be high when I pick my friends or something because I'm always the one who gets the short end of the stick"
"Brooke I'm sorry. It was an accident" Haley was getting upset that this one slip of the tongue could cost her a friendship. And more importantly, she was worried for Brooke, more than Brooke would ever know, and she didnt know what to do about it. And not being her friend was the worst thing.
"I can't do this anymore"
"What's that suppose to mean?" Just then Nathan walked up to them
"Hey guys" he said as he kissed his wife
"Hey Nate" Brooke replied.
"So how are you feeling today" completely forgetting the fact that he wasnt suppose to know
"You told him too? Geez Haley, why dont you put it on a poster and display it around the school."
"Brooke?" Haley pleaded
"I got to go" and she stormed off
"I really messed up this time" Haley whispered and Nathan gave her a hug
"It's gonna be okay, Haley. It's gonna be okay."
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As they entered Peyton's room, Jake immediately noticed the dress hanging from her closet door.
"Already have a date, I see? Damn, I was hoping to go with you. Oh well, guess I'll find some other girl" he smiled
"Yeah, you see this guy didnt really ask me as much as I just assumed he would so I bought the dress"
"Oh, is this guy cute"
"He's alright" she smiled coyly as he ran toward her and began tickling her
"Funny" he said
"Yeah I know, I'm hillarious" They fell on the bed together.
He turned his head toward her. "No seriously, will you go with me?"
"Of course" she said and leaned into him to kiss him.
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Rachel drove Mouth home today from school, since he still had a bike, and driving with Rachel was so much better.
"Thanks Rach"
"No problem Mouth, now give me some mouth" she giggled. They kissed eachother goodbye. Just as Rachel was about to pull away Mouth turned around.
"Rachel, will you be my date for prom?"
"It would be my pleasure" she said and drove off, leaving Mouth in full bliss.
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"Brooke we really need to talk" Lucas said as he followed her to her car.
"I cant Lucas"
"Why"
"Because there's nothing wrong. I dont know what Haley was talking about"
"Brooke please stop lying to me" he pleaded
"Lucas" she turned around and stared him in the eyes. Tears were forming at the corners of her own. She put her hands in his. "I cant tell you, okay? Not yet."
"Why?" he was getting emotional himself
"I just cant. I'm not ready to. Please Luke, just leave it at that, okay? I'm fine. I'm not going anywhere." she lied the best she could. She fought back the tears to make sure she looked as strong as possible
He stared at her for a little, hoping he could trust her. "Fine" he said and leaned down and kissed her. "Promise?"
"Promise" she leaned into him. She buried herself in him. Because when she was in his arms, she felt the safest and strongest, a feeling she desperately wanted to have.
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