"Haley, can I talk to you for a minute?" Brooke said as she approached Haley at her locker.
"Yeah, sure. What's up?" Haley pulled her books out of her locker and shut it. The girls began to walk down the hallway.
"Umm…I know that you and Nathan broke up…" Brooke began
"Uh huh…"
"And, well…he sort of asked me out. And I said yes." Brooke said, "But we just went to Tric for a while, that's it." She added quickly. Haley just looked at her silently for a minute. "Hales, please say something." Brooke pleaded.
"I told him to go out with other people." Haley said softly.
"You…what?"
"I did, I think my exact words were…I think we should see other people, and not each other."
"So…?"
"But I never expected him to ask out one of my best friends. And I never thought that she would say yes."
"Oh, Haley. It was sudden, and we were both vulnerable because of the break ups. I'll never go out with him again, if you don't want me to, I swear."
"You know, I thought you of all people would be the one to stay away from him, but I guess not. You got so mad at Peyton for kissing Lucas, and now you're doing the exact same thing!"
"He told you I kissed him?" Brooke said, and then threw her hand over her mouth.
Haley's eyes widened, "You did what?"
"Oh, God, Haley, I'm so sorry. But…this is different than Lucas and Peyton. You and Nathan are broken up. Lucas and I weren't."
"You can stand there and compare this to that? It doesn't matter that we're broken up, you just don't do that with your friend's ex!"
"Peyton went out with Nathan before you even met him, how is that different?"
"I can't believe you would even bring that up! When they broke up, it was final. I told Nathan that this might not be forever!"
"You also told him to see other people! Make up your mind! Admit it, you don't know if you want him or not, and you just want to see how much he wants you!"
"God, Brooke! What are you even talking about? You're not even making sense anymore!"
"Yes, I am, and you know it. Just tell me one thing…do you love him?"
"Wh…what?"
"You heard me. Do you love him?"
"How could you ask me that?"
"Because I need to know."
"Whatever, Brooke. Just…do me a favor and don't talk me anymore…ever." Haley spun on her heel and walked away, leaving Brooke standing in the middle of the hallway.