Disclaimer: I do NOT own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.

An Anonymous Truth

Brooke threw the hand mirror across the room and watched it shatter. The shiny pieces of broken glass lay diagonal to where she now lay on the floor. In the broken pieces her scars were defined which only brought on more tears. The scars not only marked her once perfect skin but they also were a daily reminder of the one time she couldn't save herself the one time she was weak and the one moment in her life where she was defeated. The chills ran up her spine as she thought back to the fearful day where her life was on the line and her best friend paid the ultimate price. Pulling herself of the ground she saw none other then Haley James standing in her doorway.

"Hi Brooke." Haley said with sad eyes and a faint smile.

"Hi. How are you feeling? How is your leg? More importantly how are you?"

"I'm fine so is my leg. I came here to thank you. You saved my life. You scarred yourself to save me and for that I thank you. I know you hate those scars but to me they represent just how much I mean to you. Even though I don't really know you. You did that for me and you did it so Lucas wouldn't feel pain. So I came to thank you. Thank you Brooke Davis for being my hero and being strong enough to save me!"

A tear rolled down Brooke's cheek as she registered what Haley had just said. Maybe she wasn't as weak as she thought. She had taken that knife and scarred herself so Haley could live and breathe and walk this earth. She had set aside every insecurity she had and for once she wasn't conceited. For once in her life Brooke Davis's looks didn't matter. She would have cut scars in every body part just to see that this girl she had never even really got to know was safe. Now she had that chance to get to know her and she wasn't going to waste it.

"Haley I know we aren't the best of friends but I really would like to get to know you better. I mean you're the first person that actually made me hate the way I looked and not because I was jealous but because if I didn't change the way I looked you wouldn't be here. Seconds before you were shot you meant nothing I barely knew you. You were just Luc's friend but the second your life was in danger I knew I wanted to know you."

As Haley left Brooke's house she pulled out the envelope that had arrived to her mailbox today. It was a long walk home and her first walk since her recovery. The air was warm but had a light breeze to it that nipped at her nose and ears. Nightfall would come soon but for now she enjoyed the light the sun brought to her and the world.

Dear girl,

It's been a couple days and I'm sorry. I've been sort of busy. One of my friends has been going through a lot and I needed to be there for them. That doesn't mean I haven't thought about you though. You are amazing you know that I mean I know I will probably never get the opportunity to meet you and tell you this but you really are. You have helped me through my darkest hours and for that I thank you.

So how has life been with you? Any new Nathan drama, any new rude comments to each other? You don't seem as sarcastic as you once did can I ask why?

Well I've finally started to converse with that girl a little more if you must know. She's great. She always has this twinkle in her eye well she used to now it is kind of a darker sadder look to her eyes. I really hope her smile finds its way back eventually. It kills me to see her so hurt and depressed.

Yours truly,

A character unveiled.

Haley walked the rest of the way home with tears glistening in her big brown eyes. She couldn't help but to cry. His letter had really gotten to her. He was reallygetting to her. Nathan was too. He always came over to check on her and to make sure she was okay. He even went to her first three check ups with the doctor after the accident. She couldn't help but to be grateful she had him. She didn't know why she felt this way though. At school sometimes his old jerk ways showed and he even had a temper with her sometimes.

Dear character,

I just got done reading your letter well about 5 minutes ago. I was walking home from a friend's house and decided to read it on the way.

Well thanks for making it so sincere it actually made me cry. Man did some people stare on me on my way home. One of those look how pathetic she is stares you know? Don't feel bad though they were happy tears not sad. Your letter really cheered me up.

I'm finally getting over all tragedy and getting back to myself though and it's good. A couple more weeks and I will be the same girl I always was!

I'm really sorry about your girl. I'm sure she will find herself again. This whole year is taking a toll on all of us and I just know she will be back to her cheeriness that you once adored about her. Now I know this is short so don't hate me please but I have a tutoring session with none other then Nathan Scott so I'm off.

Sincerely,

Getting back to normal.

Haley heard the knock at the door and sprang to answer it.

"Hey Hales. You ready?" Nathan asked

"Yeah just let me run up stairs and grab my poncho."

She literally meant run and took up off the stairs. Nathan waited at then end of the stairs patiently for his tutor. Upon running back down the stairs Haley tripped over the third to last step and landed right in Nathan's arms.

"Oh man oh man. Haley are you okay?!"

"Yeah I'm fine. Sorry I didn't mean to trip."

"It's fine I will always be here to catch you I promise. You really need to be more careful though Hales it's only been a week since you haven't had your crutches I mean that no more running okay?"

"Okay… okay. Lets go I think math is calling your name. Remember you can't sweet talk your way into the right answer so you better bring you're A Game" Haley stated with a slight laugh.

"Is that Haley James being sarcastic and laughing? Never thought I would see the day when she made fun of me Nathan Scott all star basketball player again. How did she once state it oh yeah bow before your kind. All hale Nathan." He chuckled as he mimicked her on the river court from a long time ago.

"Shut up Nathan you know I thought differently of you back then. Also you were different. That was back when you disliked Haley James Queen of the math geeks remember?"

"Don't you mean Haley James Scott? I mean ugh no I'm just kidding how does Nathan say it Hales." Nathan's smirk grew bigger until he saw a familiar sight.

Haley was hurt at what he had said. She couldn't believe how insensitive he really could be. He had brought up the release of the time capsule the same one that led to a bullet in her leg, Mouths raspy voice, Brooke's vanished beauty, and Peyton's ticket off the planet.

"Nathan you need to leave!" She opened the door and signaled for him to leave.

"Hales why?" Nathan stammered as a look of shame fell upon him.

"Just go I can't even look you in the eye right now."

Nathan walked through the door. Haley shut it behind him and fell against it. Within seconds he could hear her quiet sobs through the thick piece of wood that now separated them.