My Lucas,

I love you, and as I've said a million times before, I always will. You'll always be my Broody boy, and I'm sure I'll always be your Pretty Girl. But it's almost summer, and I've been hurting so much this year, mostly due to you. I spent so much time in pain, and angry at you, and angry at myself for trying so hard with you and you never fighting for me. And I'm tired. So, I need to leave Tree Hill for a little while, at least for the summer. I'm missing the last few days of school and I'm going to California to see my parents again. I don't know when I'll be back (if I come back), but I'm sure Rachel, no matter how many times I tell her not to, will tell you when I figure it out. But I can't see you before I leave, because it'll hurt to much, for both of us. Maybe we just need our space, and if you're right and we are meant for each other, we'll end up together in a few months. But until then, I can't see you or talk to you. I think it's for the best. Don't wait for me though, have fun with other girls and do not for a second let me stop you. I'll love you, always, don't forget that my blue eyed boy. Let's just see where this summer takes us.

Love, Brooke

A single tear fell onto the letter as Brooke folded it. She looked around her room at the empty suitcases waiting to be filled. A plane ticket sat on her night table next to a half-empty bottle of Vodka that she had full intention of finishing before the night ended.

"So, you're really leaving?" Rachel walked into the room.

"I have to Rach..."

"No, I understand. But this place will always be here for you when you get back... unfortunately for me." Rachel forced a smile and hugged Brooke. "When do you wanna start packing?"

"How about we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter before?" she wagged the bottle of Vodka showing it to Rachel.

"Oh Brooke Davis, no matter how down you are, you always know how to have a good time. I'll get the cups." Rachel returned with two red cups and orange juice. She quickly mixed them each a quick drink.

"Here's to..." Rachel started...

"A new future." Brooke completed the toast. They clinked their cheap plastic glasses and drank down.

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"Tigger, do you have to leave? The baby's gonna pop out any moment and I want you to be here!" Haley whined. She was 8 months pregnant and had intended for Brooke to be the God mother.

"I'll be back in two months!" Brooke said matter-of-factly. But the truth was, she didn't know if she wanted to come back. Only time would tell.

"Fine, but I hate to see you go."

"Where are you going?" Karen chimed in from the back of the cafe.

"Just on a trip for the summer..." Brooke hadn't told Karen or Lucas yet. She was on her way to drop off the letter at Lucas's when she stopped at the cafe.

"Lucas never mentioned it, that's weird. He normally tells me that kind of thing..." Karen said puzzled.

"That's the thing Karen... Can you do me a favor and not mention it to him? I'll explain to him myself." Brooke pleaded.

"YouEnter away message text here.

didn't tell Lucas yet!?" Haley exclaimed.

"No! I was on my way when I stopped here! Jeez, give a girl a break!" Brooke laughed.

"I won't say a word," Karen promised. "I'm gonna miss you Brooke, and I know Lucas won't smile all summer without you around."

"Yeah..." Brooke said distantly.

Brooke's flight left tomorrow early in the morning... She'd be out of her apartment by 3AM for her 4:30AM flight. It was now 8PM, and by the time Lucas read the letter and had a chance to react, Brooke planned to be halfway to the airport.

"Well, I'm gonna go." Brooke began to get up from her chair. "Bye Karen... I'll miss you." She hugged Karen.

She walked over to a huge Haley and patted her stomach. "Bye Little James-Scott, you're gonna be a cutie." she whispered to her belly, "and I'm gonna be the coolest God-Mother ever, just wait and see." She smiled at Haley with tears in her eyes. "I'm gonna miss you friend."

"I'm gonna miss you more girly." Haley said. Tears began to form and run down both of their faces.

"Okay, enough of this sobfest! I need to finish packing! I'll call you Hales, I promise! You better call me the second that little God-child rascal of mine pops out!"

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Brooke arrived at Lucas's black door. It once was red, but after Lucas and her had broken up after the car crash, wedding, and Keith's death, Lucas had painted it black out of anger. She slipped the letter under the door knowing Lucas wasn't home. But she didn't want him to be home, she knew if he was they'd begin to fight and she'd start to cry and she didn't want to leave like that. She sat on his stoop for a minute remembering a million different times that Lucas had kissed her here. She was going to miss that boy.

She got back into her light blue VW Bug and put down the roof. It wasn't completely dark yet, and the air was warm. She popped in a CD, which happened to be the playlist she made for Lucas burned onto a disc, and blasted it loud. She drove home full speed with the wind blowing through her hair and tears streaming down her face.

Goodbye Tree Hill.

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Lucas laid sprawled across the River Court with his iPod blasting Brooke's playlist. It was 1:30 in the morning, but he couldn't sleep. Brooke's letter was in his pocket burning, dying to be read, but he couldn't do it. Everything was going to be alright, they were meant for each other... Right? So what could that letter possibly say? He put his hand over the bump it made. He wasn't sure if he should read it yet.

"What are you doing here, man?" Nathan asked.

"I could ask you the same thing. It's 1:30 in the morning, I couldn't sleep." Lucas sat up.

"Are you dumb? You're gonna let her leave?"

"What are you talking about Nate?"

"Brooke! She's leaving!"

"Where is she going?!" Lucas shot up. What was he talking about?

"Clearly you didn't get the memo... Brooke's leaving for California for the summer. Why aren't you two spending her last night together?"

"I had... I had no idea." Lucas's head was racing. Brooke was leaving? For the other side of the country?

"She told Haley she gave you a letter you idiot!"

"She did... I didn't read it yet! I didn't think... I couldn't bring myself to read it!"

"Well she's leaving her house around 3AM... if that helps at this point. You have less than an hour and a half."

Lucas took the letter out of his pocket. He quickly read it...

"Shit Nate..."

"What'd she say?"

"She basically said she's leaving, she doesn't wanna see me, and after the summer we can see what happens." Lucas was hurt. Was this how the love of his life was going to leave?

"What does that mean man! Are you gonna listen? You're just gonna let her get away?"

"No! Of course not... But what if space is really what she needs?"

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There was a knock at the door. Brooke heard Rachel open it from her room as she was packing. She recognized the mumbling voice from the other room. 'Lucas?' she thought to herself. All she had wanted was for him to come and fight for her and tell her to stay. He came into the room. She stood up... He put his arms around her and kissed her. He told her that he wanted her to stay so badly, and that he couldn't live without her. Brooke told him she loved him but she had to be on her own away from Tree Hill for awhile. They kissed and kissed until...

Brooke woke up. The clock read 2AM. She had fallen asleep while packing her carry-on bag. Her dream was exactly what she wanted to happen. She wanted to leave Tree Hill, but she wanted Lucas to try and make her stay. She knew she'd say no, and she knew they'd fight, but she needed to hear Lucas say he needed her.

"Brooke..." Lucas said softly standing in her doorway.