Chapter 19

Brooke was released from the hospital that morning. Lucas had taken her home and tucked her in bed saying she needed her rest.

"Do you want me to stay with you?" he asked

"No that's okay, really, you've done enough"

"It sure doesnt seem that way" he paused taking in the beauty around her. Although she would probably think she looked hideous, he thought she never looked more beautiful. "Alright well then if I'm not needed I'm gonna go. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning for your first chemo treatment."

"Okay sounds good" she replied. He leaned down and kissed her and then gave her another one on her forehead before exiting the room. She immediately got out of bed and headed for the shower. There was no way she was going to spend another day lying in bed.

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Peyton awoke to find Jake packing a bag.

"Where are you going?" she asked with confusion

"I need to go Peyton"

"What? Why?"

"I need to clear my head for a few days."

"Was it something I did? Something I said?"

"No Peyt, I...I...just need some space and time."

"Jake I dont understand" she was beginning to cry. He walked over and kissed the top of her head.

"I'll explain everything when I get back, okay?" she nodded her head, still not understanding. She was so confused why he needed to leave, let alone not tell her the reason. He kissed her one last time and then headed out the door. She fell down on her bed and let the tears fall from her cheeks.

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There was a knock at the door and Brooke hurried as fast as she could to get to it. She opened it to find Peyton standing there.

"Hey Brooke."

"Peyton" she loved her best friend that she did, but it was still hard to forgive her for everything. That feeling would always be there she assumed. "Come on in" she motioned for Peyton to enter.

"Thanks"

"So what can I do for you?" Brooke asked as she opened the fridge to grab a soda

"Well, I know this is awful timing, but I had a really bad day, and that usually meant coming to you. And I debated that considering all that you're going through lately but I hope it's okay"

"Of course Peyt. I hate when people treat me differently. That's the reason why I didnt want people knowing in the first place."

"Well you know I'll never treat you differently. You'll always be snobby ol' Brooke Davis to me" Peyton joked and Brooke couldnt help but form a smile as well.

"So what happened today P. Sawyer"

"Jake left"

"What? Like he just left or..."

"I actually dont know. He said he needed some space and time and that he'd explain when he got back but"

"Than I'm sure everything will be okay"

"I guess. It just sucks you know?"

"Yeah I know" The girls sat together and talked about boys the whole afternoon. They remembered the memories they shared and talked about the crap going on now. "Thanks Peyton for letting me forget about all the shit that happened between us. I missed just being able to talk to you. You always seem to allow me to forget all the bad things going on"

"I do what I can" she smirked

"Thank you for that"

"No thank you for giving me another chance. I know I wouldnt have."

"Yeah but whose life can survive without a crazy best friend"

Peyton paused. Brooke had just called her her best friend. Although they seemed to have patched up their differences, she didnt know they were pretty much back to normal. It made her so happy to hear that. "Well, if I'm your crazy best friend, then you're definitely mine."

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"Hey Hales" Lucas said into the receiver "what can I do for you"

"Well, I just wanted to thank you"

"For what?"

"For being there for Brooke. She really needed someone and you were there for her."

"I will always be there"

"I know. I also wanted to thank you for convincing her to take Chemo. I'm sure she didnt want to at first."

"Yeah, but no one can resist my charm"

"That's true" she laughed "Thanks. We all need her in our lives"

"Ain't that the truth." there was a pause of silence "well I'm gonna get back to basketball if that's okay"

"yeah that's fine. Thanks again"

"No problem" and they hung up the phone. Lucas turned back around to Jake, who was sitting beside him in the car.

"Sorry, Haley was talking about Brooke...and I couldnt ignore the call"

"That's cool. You didnt tell her who you were with did you?"

"No I didnt. So what's with the undercover Jake? It's kind of different dont you think?"

"Yeah I guess. I just have some things I need to do and I need your help."

"Okay" and they drove off down the road

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