"How do I look?" Brooke did a small spin for her friend that Monday morning.

"Gorgeous as always," Quinn told her shuffling her stuff in her bag. She was so nervous to return to Tree Hill and now that it was Monday and she had to go to school those nerves were going into overdrive. No one knew she was home, well other than Haley and her mom and she wasn't sure how the school would react to her walking back through those doors. How he would react.

"Thanks," Brooke looked herself in the mirror checking her appearance. Quinn had taken notice in the change lately. Her best friend use to live in cute skirts and hot tank tops and halter tops. Lately Quinn was sure the only time she saw any skin of the brunette was when she forgot her shampoo and walked out of the bathroom in her towel.

However her best friend could wear a trash bag and look gorgeous. Her hair was pulled half back; she had on a cute brown sweater that was open to reveal a cream colored tank underneath it. She put on her skinny jeans Quinn hadn't seen her wear in weeks, and they ran into a pair of brown boots that hit just below her knee. She looked perfect, well except the broken look in her eyes she constantly tried to hide.

"You ok?" Quinn sat her purse down looking at her friend.

"I need to redo my hair," Brooke undid the clip letting it fall into curls around her face.

"Why? You always look good with your hair like that," she walked over to her and stood behind her.

"I…umm…" she chewed her bottom lip. Taking all her hair in her hands and moving it to her right shoulder. "I didn't know you could still see it."

"Oh," Quinn frowned hating that the marks were still there. It was hard for Brooke to forget it if she saw it all the time all over her. "We can fix that," she took hold of her hand and tugged her towards the bedroom. "When I was little mom put Haley, Taylor and I in plays. Taylor of course always outshined everyone," she teased. "Sit down," she waved to the bed walking over to her closet. "You'd be surprised what I was taught to do with makeup."

"I always wanted to be in drama in school. Mother told me it was a waste of time," Brooke let out a dry laugh very aware her parents haven't contacted her since she moved. They weren't exactly aware of the reasons but just told her whatever, just don't bother them.

"Your mother is always so sweet," she let out a bitter laugh grabbing the sponge. "Turn your head just a bit," she took her chin and tilted it to the side. Swallowing back the tears at the large bite mark with the bruising, hating to admit it might actually scar. "Ok…" she dapped the spot, watching the mark fade under the creamy makeup.

"Do you think it will stay long?" Brooke asked and her friend shook her head.

"No, I don't think," she lied, blinking a few times to clear her eyes. "Are there…I mean is this the only one?"

"No," Brooke fidgeted, tugging on the sleeves over her hands. "I have a few more, but my clothes hide them."

"Brooke…" Quinn frowned dropping down beside her friend. "You should have let me take you to the hospital," she shook her head thinking she should have pushed that more.

"No, Quinn its fine," she shook her head. "I'm fine. I mean I took the pill, got some dirty looks from a few people but I took it."

"I swear I could kill that woman. What kind of person thinks it's ok to chime into other people's business like that?"

"Old people," Brooke let out a bitter laugh, hating the scolding she received that day.

"Brooke I don't know, please let me just take you to the hospital," Quinn begged as her friend almost walked like a zombie down the aisle. "I've read some of these things and the side effects can be painful."

"Trust me Quinn, I don't mind pain," she let out a dry laugh thinking that the pain she felt the other night was the worst pain she could experience ever. "I just need this," she took it off the shelf and studied it. Placing her hand on her stomach as she read the back of the box.

"Crap," Quinn looked down at her phone. "It's the woman about the apartment," she frowned looking back at her friend. "I'll call her back…"

"No go get it, its fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," she smiled tucking back her hair. "Go make sure we get that apartment. I really liked it on the website."

"Ok, I'll be right here ok?" she pointed towards the door by the check out and Brooke nodded. "Ok," she gave her a small smile flipping open her phone. "Hello?"

"Alright," Brooke took the box in her hand, tapping it nervously as she approached. Her stomach was churning and her head was pounding and she really just wished she could be at home but she had to do this. She was in high school, she didn't want a baby, not if it was made the way it was made.

"Is this all?" the younger girl behind the counter questioned as Brooke nodded. Glancing at the small box before nodding and reaching to scan it.

"Cami don't go far!" a women's voice called and Brooke tossed a look over her shoulder to see the two women with dark hair, looking to where they were watching to see a small blonde trying on some sunglasses. "She is just into everything these days…"

"It comes with the age," one flipped her hair over her shoulder before looking forward. Brooke offering her a small uncomfortable smile that the woman returned before her eyes trailed down to what lied in her hands. Her making a noise of not at all approving before turning to face her friend. "It's a shame these days though…"

"What is?" her friend questioned and Brooke turned to focus on the line moving in front of her.

"How easy it is for girls to just be loose with themselves," she stated with a bite and Brooke's eyes slammed shut curling her body into her jacket. "They can just go out and be careless and just take care of it like it was nothing…"

"Janey," her friend awkwardly shifted, cutting her eyes at Brooke as the young girl tugged her jacket around herself.

"I'm just saying it shouldn't be that easy too…well you know," her tone sharp as her eyes trailed over Brooke.

"No, I don't know," Brooke spun to see Quinn behind her, eyes blazing and arms crossed.

"Quinn…"

"No, B," she threw her hand up to stop her. "I want to hear this," her eyes focused on the woman before her. "So tell me, makes us girls easy to what?"

"I'm sure I don't need to say anything," she shrugged and Quinn's blood boiled when her eyes cut to the box in Brooke's hand.

"You don't know anything," she hissed, Brooke moving quickly towards her friend and grabbing her arm. "You have no clue what the hell you are talking about or what she has been through the last twenty four hours so, shut your stuck up mouth and mind your own damn business."

"Quinn…" Brooke tugged her forward, both women getting a good look at her and eyes widening. The slice in her lip no long hidden behind her hair and black eyes not as covered under the make up as she probably hoped it might be.

"Honey…" the nicer of the two women stepped forward and Brooke coward behind Quinn's shoulder, tugging her and wanting to leave. "Are you ok?"

"Fine," her lip started to tremble, wanting to be somewhere else.

"Now you show concerned," Quinn let out a dry laugh, holding her friend's arm.

"Quinn come on," Brooke tugged her again. "I need to go, my slut self has a mistake to fix," she cut her eyes at the older woman, her looking pretty guilty as pressure built in Brooke's eyes.

"Don't worry about it," Quinn rubbed her friend's back, honestly a little happy her friend has a bit of her bite back.

"Bitch…" the brunette grumped as they walked out, her friend trying to hide the slight smile. Her friend was coming back, might take a while but she was.

"All better," Quinn spun her friend to face the mirror and Brooke let out a semi smile. "Like nothing was ever there…"

"Wish it was that easy," she let out a dry laugh, biting her bottom lip.

"Brooke…" Quinn frowned, wishing she didn't say anything.

"School…" the brunette sprung up from her seat. "Don't want to be late our first day, do we?" she moved towards the kitchen and grabbed her bag.

"B…" Quinn caught her arm, hating when she cringed back. "I…" she slowly released her. "I know things aren't good right now," she said, Brooke going to object but her hand going up. "And I know you don't want to talk about it, I get that," she told her, because she did know her best friend better than anyone. "However, one day you're going to have a bad day, and I'm not saying it's today, or even this week or month but one day…and I just… I want you to know when that day comes I'm here. Always," she gave her friend's hand a squeeze and Brooke felt the tightness build in her throat.

"But…" she pulled in a deep breath. "What if all the days are bad days?" her bottom lip trembled a hot tear slipping from her eye. "What if every day I can't remember why I get up every morning?"

"Brooke…" she moved quickly to stand before her friend, gripping tight on her shoulders.

"Every time I close my eyes I see his face, I hear a noise and I'm afraid he is behind me somewhere and every time someone touches me I feel him," she waved her hand over her body. "Just yesterday this guy spilled coffee on me, completely my fault and when he apologized I slapped him! What if I'm always like that? I mean this poor guy did nothing wrong!"

"Brooke…I don't have any idea what you are feeling or doing but I promise you, I promise it won't forever last. I don't know how to fix it, but I promise you things are going to be ok, alright?" she promised, giving her friend the most reassuring smile she could.

"Ok because I really don't want to be like this forever, and if I am I'm kicking your ass for lying," she tried to laugh but it just came out a really broken sob.

"I know sweetie," she pulled her into the hug. "I know," she held her close, hating how broken she was. "I love you Brooke Davis and I'm so sorry."

"It's ok," she breathed in deep to calm herself. "Because we are starting new right?" she pulled back, just wanting to start all over.

"Right," she gave a half smile. "Now come on, let's go to school. We have almost two full semesters to reestablish our badass rep," she teased and Brooke laughed.

"Let's show Tree Hill how we do it, huh?" Brooke raise a brow and Quinn laughed, knowing that without a doubt she was going to need her best friend more today than she was probably aware off.

"Hear the new school gossip?" Bevin leaned on her hand talking to her group of friends.

"No Bev, what is the big gossip?" Clay acquired to know, knowing Bevin is always spilling some gossip.

"We're getting new students!" she announced with her normally giggle. Haley awkwardly shifting towards her boyfriend at the mention of the new students, promising her sister she wouldn't mention her return to anyone. "And apparently one is a bad ass cheerleader; maybe she will replace Claire since she got kicked out."

"Maybe," Rachel shrugged, taking a bite of apple. "We will see what happens."

"You ok?" Nathan looked at his girlfriend, her having a weird look he couldn't read.

"Yeah, you know just tired," she lied, brushing her hair back and giving him a smile. "Didn't sleep much last night," she smirked and he let out a grin giving her a sweet kiss.

"It is way too early for yall's lovey dovey crap," Lucas rolled his eyes at his best friend and brother. "I don't want to see my breakfast back out of me yet."

"Luke shut it," Nathan shoved his brother, the table laughing at him.

"Don't be jealous," Haley snipped at him, snuggling into her boyfriend. "You wish you had someone."

"Yeah yeah," he shook his head, taking a sip of his drink. Honestly not going to admit she was right, he liked relationships, hadn't been in one in a while but he did enjoy being in one.

"Don't worry Luke," Clay threw his arm over his friend's shoulder. "I've been there, you don't want it," he whispered like it was a big secret and his friend laughed. "But back to the new girl," he turned his attention back to the topic at hand. "You think she is hot?"

"There is two from what I hear," Tim chimed in. "And also from what I hear they are fine as hell."

"Nice," Clay grinned, slapping his friend's hand. "It's about time we got some new scenery; it's been the same forever."

"Gee, thanks Clay," Rachel rolled her eyes. "You say the sweetest things don't you? No wonder you are still alone."

"Hey, I'm not saying you all aren't gorgeous, but come on? Peyton is up Jake's ass all the time, Nate has Hales," he tossed his hand to his friends. "And I love Bevin but…no…"

"Wouldn't anyway," she told him with a smirk and he let out a laugh.

"And you Rach…"

"And me what?" she challenged, raising a brow that made him nervous.

"You're a scary bitch that even I wouldn't try to tame," he joked and the table let out a laugh.

"As long as that fact is known, we're good," she shrugged, very proud of her reputation.

"All I'm saying is it will be nice to have some new girls around. Who knows maybe even Rachel will be nice and help us all out."

"Don't count on it," Rachel told him quickly. "If I hate the girl, I wouldn't help you out and if I really like her…well I don't hate her enough to hook you two up," she told him and he placed his hand on his heart as if wounded.

"Ouch…" he frowned and the group laughed, the sound of the bell announcing school starting.

"Well guess we are off," Haley rose up, checking her phone to see if Quinn had texted her, finding nothing. "See you all at lunch loves," she flashed a smile, lacing her fingers through her boyfriend's, getting a later from their friends.

"You sure everything is ok Hales?" Nathan asked, not really at all convinced.

"I'm fine but I… I got to tell you something," she paused to face him, making sure no one was around to hear. "But you can't tell anyone."

"Hales, anything you tell me is always between us," he told her, not understanding how she didn't know that, and also not getting why his girlfriend looked so serious. "What's going on?"

"It's just…you know the new girl everyone is talking about?" she questioned and he slowly nodded. "She isn't really new," she told him and he just grew more confused. "It's Quinn, Nate. Quinn is back."

"Quinn is back?" he repeated, tossing a glance up to see his brother and friend laughing as they headed towards class. "Shit," he cursed knowing this could go bad. It seemed like everyone had just got over the damage of what went down with Quinn and with her back…well a lot of not so close wounds would be bust wide open.

"Now you sure you know where you are going?" Quinn repeated for about the millionth time since they got to the school.

"Yes Quinn," Brooke rolled her eyes, so tired of being babied. "I know where my class is, I know how to open my locker and I know this sounds a little crazy but I even know how to piss all by myself."

"Right sorry," she apologized knowing she was hovering, knowing a huge part was because of her worry for Brooke but also some being her need not to focus on her own issues. "Just text me if you need me and we have second together, so after that we will figure out lunch and the rest of the schedule," she told her and Brooke nodded.

"Things are going to be ok Quinn," she gave her the first real smile she had showed in a long time. "New life right?"

"Right," she nodded with a smile. "I'll see you in a few, ok?"

"Yeah," she said as the girl before her started to move down the hall, waving goodbye and spinning on her feet. "New life," she breathed out slowly, looking at her map and started down the hall. Wondering how even though her old school was about a million times bigger this one was way more complicated to figure out. She thought she had it figured out but now…now the map looked like a big mess of lines and numbers. "Shit…" she chewed her lips, spinning the corner and her small body slamming into what she swore was a brick wall, her papers going flying and body jerking back, a quick hand on her wrist making her cringe and skip the blow of the ground.

"I'm sorry," was the first thing she heard and she yanked her hand back. "Sorry," was repeated when her eyes trailed up to the familiar face. "You…" he smiled a bit.

"Me…" she let out dry laugh, slapping her hands to the side. "You must really enjoy knocking things all over me, don't ya Diner Boy?" she growled a little, leaning down to pick up her papers.

"No…it's not a known habit of mine," he admitted, bending down to help. "I really am not meaning too."

"Thanks," she offered a half smile, taking the papers from his hands. "Sorry," she said, slowly standing up. "I wasn't trying to sound so…bitchy."

"It's ok," he shrugged. "If someone kept slamming into me and spilling stuff on me, I'd be bitchy too."

"No, it's not you," she shook her head. "I just don't know where I'm going and I'm lost and…well honestly I'm hungry. I didn't eat this morning because I had to meet with my counselor who by the way…kinda a bitch."

"Oh yeah," he laughed, his laugh sounding real nice to her, she hadn't heard someone genuine laugh in a long time. "Ms. Moore is like that, she is retiring in like two weeks so just pissed at everyone. But here," he slid beside her, looking over her shoulder and not realizing how uncomfortable it made her. "Where are you heading?"

"I…I…" she kept glancing at him, not at all liking how close he was to her, not liking his hot breath tickling her neck. "Mr. Bones…" she stammered out.

"Oh he is awesome, he's my first also," he told her and she awkwardly nodded. "However he isn't here today, or the rest of the week," he informed her and she just slowly slid half a step to her left.

"Why?"

"His wife had surgery so he is out taking care of her, but will be back Monday," he explained and she nodded. "Right now we are seriously just watching movies and hanging out. So good week to start," he joked and she laughed a little.

"Guess I can't get behind then huh?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "However, being he isn't here and you aren't missing much, would you like me to show you the best place to eat?"

"You mean skip?" she kinked a brow and a sweet smile spread across his face.

"Never done it before?"

"Tons," she admitted and he slowly nodded. "However it is my first day…"

"Then you have the perfect excuses," he pointed out. "You are new and I am showing you around, so thank you Brooke for getting me a reason to skip."

"Oh, well you're welcome," she told him with a grin and he returned, holding her gaze and noticing something in her eyes he wasn't sure of…a look of just…emptiness.

"So what you say? Want to raid vending machines with me? I know where some of the best are located," he teased and she laughed a little.

"Sure…" she answered slowly and he waved his hand before them.

"Then let's go," he flashed a smile and she slowly started to walk. "Do you like chocolate?"

"Do you know a girl who doesn't?" she kinked a brow and he laughed.

"Touché my lady, touché," he chuckled, thinking his year might have just gotten about a million times better.