Chapter 16

AN: I think I'm going to drop the whole Scott thing for awhile, he'll be in it again, when I get the flashbacks up to graduation…

Thanks for those reviews…

Previously on…

"I couldn't do that to her, or him. He needs to be the one to tell her, and she has to get her act together. God, they both do. All this back and forth is driving me crazy. Either just get together forever or just stay apart forever."

"We at least know they love each other, right? So if they just got over the issues that they have it could work for them," Haley said.

"What are you girls talking about?" Came a voice from the hall.

"Nothing Nathan," Peyton told him.

"You can't keep secrets from me," he said.

"Jake still loves Brooke, he lied about going to Florida, and he's here, in LA. He knows Brooke's here, and he told me he never got over her."

Little did they know, someone was standing right outside the door. Listening to every little detail that was being said.

On with the story…

"You're kidding me. He still loves her?"

"Yea, and I'm the one he had to tell. How can I keep this from her."

"I'm still in shock to think that Jake lied to her. He could never do that."

"Still, I'm the best friend that has to keep this from her. What am I supposed to do people?" Peyton asked getting upset. That's when the heard something.

"What are you doing?" asked Adam. All heads whipped around to look at the door.

And that's when Steph was caught red handed.

"Sorry guys. I heard you talking and I couldn't help it."

"What exactly did you hear?" Peyton asked.

"Everything?" she said.

"Please don't tell her, I'm begging you."

"I won't, but she needs to know. I've been living with her for the past couple months and all she does is talk about you guys and how you're the best friends anyone could hope for. I've seen her party, drunk, or high. But I've also seen her depressed beyond anything. Jake meant a lot to her, and every time his name gets mentioned she runs, and does the stuff she shouldn't. If this doesn't work out again, I don't know what she'll do, but I have a feeling it won't be pretty."

"Brooke's been high?" Haley asked in disbelief.

"She wouldn't even touch it in high school, she would drink, yes, but drugs she'd stay away from." Peyton explained.

"She's changed guys, college changes people, and for her, it's been for the worse." And with that they left the room.

"I can't believe this, every time I talk to her, she's seemed like she was fine," Peyton said.

"What are we going to do guys? She's going to get worse when she finds out," Haley asked.

"I don't know, but I'm tired, I'll see you both in the morning," Peyton said.

"Goodnight," Haley and Nathan said at the same time.

Next Day

"So Brooke, I was thinking maybe you wanted to take a walk, and we could talk about some stuff," Peyton said.

"Sure, what did you need to talk about?"

"Just stuff, it's nothing really important."

"Kay, let's go," Brooke said, grabbing shoes to put on.

At the Beach…

"I guess I really didn't need shoes," Brooke laughs at herself.

"So we never really got to talk about what's been going on at school," Peyton says.

"Nothing really, classes, the occasional party, for once there is no really big drama in my life," she says, with a kind of frown on her face.

"Brooke, that's a lie and we both know it."

"What do you mean?" Peyton gave her a look. "She told you. It was only once Peyton, and I really didn't mean to do it. I was wasted, and I was depressed, and…Jake?"

"Hey Brooke," he said slowly.

"What are you doing here? What happened to Florida?"

"Peyton can I talk to her alone?"

"Sure," she said, "I'm just gonna head back to the house, do you think you can make your way back okay?" she asked Brooke.

"Yea, it's fine, I'll see you later," she said to Peyton. Turning her attention back to Jake, "Oh my gosh Jake. I can't believe you're here!" she exclaimed, jumping to hug him, "What happened to Florida?"

"There was no Florida, Brooke. I..."

"Wait, what? You lied to me?" she asked getting visibly upset.

"I had to. You wouldn't have left, you would've stayed and tossed your whole future away. I couldn't let you do that."

"But, Jake, I loved you, we would have been together, and I wouldn't have spent all my time drinking and being depressed, I would be happy right now. I wouldn't be thinking that I lost the one guy for me," she said crying.

"Brooke, I loved you, jeez, I still love you, but I couldn't let you throw your life away for me."

"I wouldn't have thrown my life away. I would be happy, maybe I wouldn't be in New York, and maybe I wouldn't have the life I dreamed of, but who am I kidding, I don't have that now. Jake, I have school, that's all I have. I don't let anyone get close to me anymore. I can't even look at a guy without thinking about you."

"I'm sorry that I did that to you. I just wanted you to know the truth. I'll see you around Brooke," and with that he started to walk away.

"That's all you have to say. I've been imagining this day for the last year, and all you have to say is 'I'm sorry'?" she yelled at his retreating back.

"What do you want me to say Brooke?" he asked turning around and walking back to her.

"I want you to say that you love me, and that you haven't stopped thinking about me, and that given the opportunity, you would be with me," she said, her eyes trying to blink back tears, but failing to do so.

"Brooke," he whispered.

"Please Jake, that's all I need to hear. I need to hear you say you love me, again."

"I, I love you," he said, staring deep into her eyes. Cupping her cheeks.

"Good, cause I love you too," she whispered back, closing the gap between them. He could taste the saltiness from her tears. "Don't let me go Jake. I don't know what I would do."

"I won't let you go again. I don't know if I could take it," he said pulling her into a tight hug.

"Let's go back to the house," she said, grabbing his hand.

"Peyton's? Cause I was thinking more along the lines of you coming over to mine," he said, pulling her to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"I like what you're thinking Jagielski," she said, turning to kiss him again, walking off towards his car.

AN:…Wow it's been along time. I know this is kinda short, or maybe it's not, but it feels short. Anyway, leave me a review, and I'll try to update more.

-Kara