Hey everyone! I'm so so sorry. I know I'm supposed to warn you before I go on hiatus, and I didn't. You guy have every right to be mad. So sorry! Anyway, on with the story. The lyrics in this chapter are from the song "You" by Breaking Benjamin.

Chapter 7- You

Brooke's POV

My hands are broken,
And time is going on and on, it goes forever (how long).
So I got high and lived all that life that I've taken all for granted.

The breeze whipped through my hair and across my face as I stared at the letters etched on the building. Karen's Café. My hand tightened around Nathan's- his hand was warm and comforting. We walked into the café slowly- together. I was beginning to like this new friendship/relationship thing we had just created between us. We were like the good version of friends with benefits. We cared enough to be friends but we cared more than just that-just friends- and allowed ourselves to be tender in only a way people in a relationship can be. A different itch to scratch…not the itch of raging teenage hormones…the one Nathan and mine's facades were so accustomed to wanting to scratch…but the itch of wanting to love and be loved- wanting to care and be cared- the hardest one to placate.

Promise me you'll try
To leave it all behind,
'cause I've elected hell,
Lying to myself.
Why have I gone blind?
Live another life.

You. You.

As we stepped into the café, we felt the eyes on us. I looked around and saw Haley glaring- she had every right to be I guess- I do treat her like shit. She does have a crush on Nathan. Poor Nathan- he felt so bad last night when I accused him of passing Haley's note around to the party- the not she wrote to him to try to ignite some confidence within him and make him believe he could pass the test he was studying so hard for. He's such a sweet guy. I would assume he doesn't feel the same way about Haley- considering how close he and I have gotten such a short time- but regardless of whether he does or not, that doesn't matter. Nathan's going to feel bad when someone gets hurt. It hurt me to look at him while he looked at Haley- disappointed that he let their somewhat of a friendship slip away- even though it was all my fault. "Hey," I whispered, "I'm going to go apologize to Haley, okay? Tell her what happened- it's not fair for her to be mad at you for something I did. By the way, I'm so sorry. I know how much you care about her- how much you enjoy having someone that believes in you. It's just I, I don't know, I, I…." "It's okay," he replied, smiling, "I care a lot about you too, and I get it, you don't have to explain. I'm going to go order some coffee, and then take my turn explaining myself to Haley, okay? No worries." "Okay," I replied. I walked over to Haley just as a Nathan walked up to the counter to order our coffees.

"Hey Haley," I said a little awkwardly. She glared at me while she wiped down a table. "I'm busy," she grunted. "Look, I know that I've been a total bitch to you, and I just want to apologize- for everything; for the way I've treated you- or mistreated you I should say. And about last night…I'm really sorry. You have to know though, that that was not Nathan's fault. I was dr- out of it. I was really upset and alone and well other things… Anyway, I found that note and read it. Nathan didn't even know there was one- he hadn't opened it- that package that you gave him- I did. I found the note and accused Nathan of passing it around, which he didn't. He wouldn't do that to you, Haley. He's a good guy- trust me on that."

"Trust you?" she scoffed.

"I know, I know, not the easiest thing to do considering the way I've acted. It's true, though. He's a good guy, and he's really sorry,"

"…And what about you?"

"I'm sorry too. I really am."

I left Haley to think over those apologies, and hoped for Nathan's sake that she would accept them.

"How did it go?" Nathan asked when I got the table.

"I said my peace, and now it's her turn to decide if she believes me or not, and accepts my apology," I said sitting down next to him. I yawned and laid my head on the table. "God, I hate this version of tiredness. I want so badly to sleep, but I can't."

The only way out
Is letting your guard down and never die forgotten (I know).
Forgive me, my love,
I stand here all alone, and I can see the bottom.

"Here," he said sliding a cup of coffee towards me, "Drink this. I'll be back." He got up and walked over to Haley. I watched as he tried to explain himself; explain last night and perhaps other times where he was less than friendly. I slowly slipped my coffee; letting the hot fluid slide down my throat. I smiled when I saw them hug. I was happy for him; he regained her trust. I drummed my fingers on the table as he strode over to me and sat down. "Well?" I asked. "She said that we were good- that we could go back to the way we were before- whatever the hell that was."

Promise me you'll try
To leave it all behind,
'cause I've elected hell,
Lying to myself.
Why have I gone blind?
Live another life.

"Well good, I'm glad for you."

"Listen, how are you feeling? You look pretty…excuse the pun…beat."

"Nate, I'm fine. I'm just infuriatingly tired. What about you though? How's your jaw?" I asked brushing my fingers slightly over his bruise, "Did Haley believe that it was a basketball injury when you talked her just now?" "She actually didn't notice; she didn't say anything about it. My jaw is fine. You're the one with bruises decorating your body like flowers on wallpaper." "So do you, and you have to play basketball. I mean come on, that has to be pretty damn tough. I mean I'm tired and bruised, but I don't have it as bad as you do. I mean practices, games, stupid parties where you have to pretend to be king of the school. You must be knackered."

"Knackered?"

"What? It's a word. It's a British word. It means worn out- tired. You know, knackered."

"Knackered. You're very cultured. I like all these surprises."

"Yeah well…there's probably more hidden somewhere."

"Hmm. Look, why don't we stop playing the 'who's more of a victim' game- this isn't lifetime."

"I agree," I said, yawning. "This coffee isn't working," I said.

"I agree, what do you say we try to get some sleep?"

"I would love that idea. Wait, what do you mean, 'we'?" I asked, my stomach fluttering like crazy.

"Together. Look, I know it may sound a little weird, but, I feel comfortable and a little safer when I'm around you, like I'm not alone. I'm thinking maybe if we work together, we could finally get some rest."

"Okay, I'd like that," I said. I really, really like that idea. I really, really do.

"Well, my mom left on some kind of business trip and my dad decided to tag along. Do you want to go back to my house?"

"Sure. I'd like that. Let's go."

You. You.
You. You.
You. You.