AN: So heres chapter 10. Im really sorry its been taking me a while to get updates out but life as usual is getting in the way.
Anways, just want to say thanks to Vicky for reviewing my chapters before I post them. The song is I Turn to You by Christina Aguilara. I felt it was the best song to describe the friendship that Brooke and Haley have built over the years, and just how much they are there for each other.
You all know the drill! R & R please...
"I Turn To You"
When I'm lost in the rain,
In your eyes I know I'll find the light
To light my way.
The knocking at the door came quite early in the morning. A little too early for the one day in the week Haley had the morning off. Nathan had already left for classes around half hour ago and had graciously let the petite blonde sleep. It was so early that even James wasn't up yet so Haley had to wonder just who could be rapping at her door at such an hour.
And when I'm scared,
And losing ground,
When my world is going crazy,
You can turn it all around.
Making her way to the door, slowly and half asleep, she didn't bother checking the peephole to see who it was first and opened the door.
"What do you want? Do you have any idea what time it is?" she asked prior to actually looking up at the person standing before her.
And when I'm down you're there
- pushing me to the top.
You're always there,
giving me all you've got.
Before the pretty brunette had a chance to answer, Haley glanced up at her and noticed the circles under her eyes and her tear stained cheeks. "Brooke! Oh my god! What's wrong?" Brooke just sniffled a little, feeling somewhat silly as the blonde enveloped her in a bear hug. She should after all be dancing on the rooftops.
If there was one thing in Brooke Davis' world that had been her rock over the last few years, it was Haley James Scott and if there was one thing that could make just about anyone feel better when life throws them a curveball, it was a hug from said girl. As the friends stood in the doorway for a moment, Brooke revelled in the immediate healing her best friend was providing for her, just by being there, no questions, no need for an explanation… well at least not quite at the moment.
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.
"Jeez hun…" Haley started, "you're a mess. Come inside and we'll get you cleaned up, a hot cup of coffee, and then you can tell me what happened… Sound good?" Yes, Haley was a mother and with that, her nurturing side went into overdrive when someone she cared about was in need.
"Is James up yet?" Brooke asked as she made her way into the small but quaint apartment's living room.
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that's true
I turn to you.
"Not quite, hence my original question before realizing it was you." Answering nonchalantly, knowing that at that particular moment her friend was not up to answering a truck load of questions as to why she was here at such an early hour and what exactly had happened to make her appear in her current state.
Brooke sat down, tucking her legs underneath her on the oversized chair as Haley walked in and handed her a steaming mug of coffee. Haley took a seat, mimicking the brunettes actions and tucking her legs underneath her on the couch kitty corner to her friend, all while deciding how to broach the topic of what could make the girl across from her so upset. As she was about to say something Brooke held her hand up and began to speak.
"So I guess you're wondering what's going on?" Rather than having Haley ask a bunch of questions, she figured it simpler to just get everything out right off the hop. Especially knowing that James would be up soon and since she was already here, she'd decided it'd be nice to spend some quality time with her Godson.
When I lose the will to win,
I just reach for you and
I can reach the sky again.
I can do anything
Haley could only nod her head in response. Usually Brooke would close herself up to something that had her this upset. She liked to appear strong, in control at all times.
"Well, Jordan arrived at the fashion show to surprise me." The girl figured it best to start from the very beginning. It made the most sense and then she wouldn't have to back track. Brooke let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding before continuing. "It was a really nice surprise. I didn't even think he was in town yesterday, I honestly wasn't expecting him back until tomorrow."
'Cause your love is so amazing,
'Cause your love inspires me.
And when I need a friend,
You're always on my side
"So obviously all this has something to do with Jordan then…" Haley replied softly, if only to assure her friend she was indeed listening.
"Yeah…"
"Did he do something to you Brooke? I mean, I know you guys have been together for a while and everything-" Haley was starting to worry. Was Jordan a bad guy? Jumping to conclusions she started to wonder if the man who seemed so sincere wasn't who he appeared to be. "You now Brooke, if he did something to you, although I wouldn't normally suggest this, we can send Nathan after him…"
Giving me faith
taking me through the night
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.
"No, no, no…" Brooke knew she had to jump to the point right then, she couldn't have Haley thinking that Jordan had been horrible to her, and then Nathan, well Nathan would jump to conclusions and beat the guy to a pulp… "He… he asked me to marry him last night. He reserved the entire dining room of L'Amour, the whole staff there to serve us. A string quartet for us to waltz to…." She babbled on and on, thinking back to the night's events. "It was the sweetest thing, it just… just…"
"Hun, that's amazing… it sounds wonderful… beautiful…. So why are you so distressed?" Now Haley was beyond curious, it sounded as if Jordan's whole planned proposal was everything Brooke would have ever wanted, a grand gesture, an over the top romantic event. It would have been perfect.
"I…. I couldn't say yes Hales, I wanted to, but no words would come, and it wasn't just the shock of it… I don't know what happened."
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that's true
I turn to you.
For the first time since Brooke had arrived at the apartment, Haley noticed to beautiful ring that graced her friend's ring finger. It was astonishing and obvious that no expense had been spared in the purchase and apparent design. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. "Oh my god Brooke, the ring… it's, it's amazing." Haley started out "but you're wearing it, if you didn't answer him…"
"He slipped it on my finger anyways, told me if I couldn't answer him right then…" The brunette could feel the tears welling up. She had cried herself to sleep last night and apparently she'd been foolish to believe that there were no more tears to be shed. "I crushed him Hales… I love him so much and I crushed him. His eyes… you could see it. He was lost, defeated, broken…"
Haley moved over and knelt down in front of her friend, taking Brookes hands in her own and shushing her soothingly. "Sweetie, he's going to understand, you love him right?"
"Of course I do!" Brooke was now crying, nearing a complete meltdown. She had no idea how she was going to fix this.
For the arms to be my shelter
through all the rain,
For truth that will never change,
For someone to lean on,
"It's going to be okay then sweetie. You and Jordan haven't been together more than six months. For the longest time you were taking things slow… Hell, it took you six months just to say yes to a date with him. He'll understand. We can fix this."
"You think?" Beginning to calm down, with just a few sniffles after Haley's comforting words, the brunette started to think about what her best friend was saying.
"I don't think, I know Hun." Happy to know that she was getting through to her friend, she started to mock up a plan to make things right between the two lovebirds. In the back of her mind however, she couldn't help but wonder if there was another reason the brunette had said nothing when her boyfriend asked her to marry him.
"I don't know if I can fix this Hales… You didn't see the look in his eyes when I couldn't answer-"
Cutting her friend off before she got carried away, the blonde could only ask one thing. "You're sure you love him Brooke? With all your heart?"
"I do Hales; I don't know why I couldn't answer him."
"Well then, you're just going to have to call him up, ask him to meet you at that nice little café you like tonight - you know, the one that reminds you of home – and give him his answer." It really was as simple as that.
For a heart I can rely on through anything,
For that one who I can run to...
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
"Your right best friend" Brooke now had a beaming smile, she'd just been overwhelmed the night before, that had to be it. Of course she loved this man, he'd been the sweetest, best thing that happened to her since she'd left Tree Hill. "So, after I give him his answer, can you and Nate meet us at the café tonight to celebrate than? We have to celebrate our engagement with our closest friends, it's absolutely necessary!" She was now rambling on in excitement, she was going to get married, and it would be the wedding of her dreams.
"Of course Hun, as long as we can find a babysitter for James…"
"Good, good. And this weekend we'll start planning the wedding, after all, I need my matron of honour to help me make all the important decisions-"
"Really Brooke? " Cutting her friend off, even though she had always had a feeling that would be a role she'd play in her friend's wedding, it still shocked her.
"Of course, I wouldn't have it anything other way! So what do you say, we can go start the preliminary hunting for potential design ideas this Saturday…" each of the girls were building on each others excitement. At least they were until Haley had to be the downer in the conversation.
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
"I can't this weekend Brooke" she spoke sadly, remembering her other friends current pain… the friend that was known as 'she who shall not be named' in Brooke's presence. "I'd love to this weekend, but I can't… I need to head home for a couple of days…"
Upon noticing the uncertainty in her friend's voice, almost as thought she wasn't sure if she could talk about why she was returning home, she had to ask what was going on. "What's wrong Hales? What's happening at home? "
"Umm… well you see…" unsure of how to broach the topic of two former people who were once very important to the brunette across from her…
For everything you do,
for everything that's true
I turn to you.
"It's all good Hales, talk to me, I'm getting married and nothing can bring me down." Not understanding that statement could be so untrue.
"It's Peyt, Brooke. Luke ended things yesterday… She just really needs a girlfriend right now…"
"Oh." It was the only reply Brooke could muster.
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.
"Yeah." Looking up for permission from Brooke to continue on a subject that had been avoided since they left Tree Hill, her friend nodded at her to continue. "There wasn't exactly a whole lot of explanation; she was just really upset… Anyways, we're going to do a girls weekend this weekend, y'know, the whole sob fest chick flicks and ice cream packed weekend. Post break-up ritual."
"Wow…" What could she say to that, her former best friend and former cheating boyfriend with said best friend had ended things, when they were supposed to be so in love.
"I know what you're thinking Brooke, and I agree, there has to be more to it. Luke wouldn't have ended things with her for no reason. Anyways, let's not talk about this anymore… it's a downer, and you're going to be officially engaged, to a man who adores you tonight, we're going to celebrate and talk weddings. You love weddings." Knowing that changing the topic would perk the conversation up, the blonde girl had to bring the talk back to Brooke's love-life.
"You're absolutely right Hales, no need to discuss he and she who will not be named when I have such exciting events taking place in my life." Unfortunately for Brooke, Haley didn't mention that Luke would be flying back with her for a possibly permanent visit, knowledge that would shake Brooke's world to the very core.
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that's true
I turn to you.
I turn to you...