Julian Baker walked into the record store. It was weird how much had happened today, he had his first day at Tree Hill High, joined the mathletes, found the girl who's been occupying his thoughts these past three months, and she even agreed to go on a date with him. Now after getting lost again, he found the record store. Brooke had went home because she had to meet Peyton, and he was still mad at his mother for being slightly rude to Brooke, so he came here.
The first thing he noticed was Haley James sat at the counter, with a spikey haired guy shoving his tongue down her throat. Gross was the first thought that came to mind. He just wanted to ignore them and continue looking for a record, but he didn't know what the hell he was looking for. He decided to wait until they were finished and then ask for some help.
He breathed a sigh of relief when they broke apart. ''What's that mark on your face?'' he heard the guy ask Haley.
Haley coughed. ''Um, nothing. I tripped.''
The guy sighed in annoyance. ''Again? You're such a klutz.''
She's used to people calling her a klutz all the time, they say it in a nice way or teasingly. But Chris just said it like it was a defect, and that really hurt.
''Oh, by the way, I'm going to leave earlier tonight, I said I'd go and hang out with Lucas.'' she said, desperately trying to change the subject.
''Why do you always ditch me for them?'' he accused.
''I didn't see them much over the summer, I was with you most of the time.'' she said frustratedly.
''Well sorry for keeping you away from your friends.''
Julian decided to step in to save Haley from an argument. He came from 'round one of the aisles and coughed to get their attention. ''Hi, I'm looking for an album.''
''Well this is a record store.'' Chris said rudely.
Haley glared at Chris, but smiled at Brooke's guy. ''Oh hey, Julian. What were you looking for?''
''Um, do you know what Mouth would like? He's been really great to me today and he's helped me out, he mentioned that it was his birthday next week so I wanted to get him something.''
''Mouth, is he okay after what happened?'' she asked softly. Sure, she'd spoke to Mouth and he said it was okay, but she still wanted to make sure. She still felt incredibly guilty, and so did Lucas.
Julian looked at the small girl in confusion. ''What happened?''
''In the parking lott.''
This just made him more confused. ''What happened in the parking lott?''
''Crap, you don't know do you?'' she asked.
''I don't know what? Haley, what happened?'' he asked in a panic. It was obviously bad, because Haley had a really guilty look on her face. And it involved Mouth, his new friend Mouth.
''Every year the Ravens have this... tradition, it's really stupid. We have to pull a prank on one of the other extra activies clubs, this year was the mathletes. They planned to egg them in the parking lott, Brooke was sent to go and get them. She had to make an excuse to bring them out, she didn't want to do it Julian, she really didn't.'' she explained.
''I'm a mathlete.'' he stated in confusion why didn't this happen to him?
Haley looked at him in surprise. ''You weren't there, I didn't see you.'' she stated.
''Brooke came into classroom, she saw me and we talked, then we walked out... But we walked the back way. She was acting really strange and jumpy, like someone was about to jump out of a bush and scare us.''
''So she got you out.'' Haley realised.
''But my friends got hurt, Haley. Because of your stupid high school prank, you know, it's really perfetic. Brooke knew exactly what she was doing, she knew what was going to happen and did it anyway.'' he said angrily.
''I'm so sorry Julian, me and Luke stopped it. They didn't get too hurt, Mouth said he was okay. Brooke was just trying to protect you, you don't understand what Alex would have done if Brooke wouldn't have done it. She would have forced her off the squad, and cheerleading means everything to Brooke.'' she explained, she really doesn't want Brooke to get her heart broken because of a stupid prank.
''I've gotta go.'' Julian said quickly before heading out the store.
Chris smirked. ''Thank god he's gone, now where were we?'' he said leaning towards her.
She pushed him back and glared at him. ''I'm going to Lucas'.'' and with that, she stormed out of the store.
Brooke and Peyton sat on her bed as they painted her toe nails, she was so happy that her and Julian were going on her date. She'd already given him her address and number so they can sort out the arrangements. She still can't believe he's here after all this time, and he actually wants to be with her.
''Are the mathletes okay?'' Brooke asked Peyton.
Peyton shrugged. ''I think so, Haley ran after them and said they were okay. Can you believe that Alex bitch? She actually threw an egg in Haley's face. I should have punched her.''
''I can't believe any of it happened. I really wish it didn't, those good people didn't deserve to be humiliated like that.'' she said softly.
Peyton placed a comforting hand on Brooke's shoulder. ''It's okay Brooke, it's not your fault. It's all of ours, for believing in that stupid tradition. We'll be in college next year, we wont have to deal with that crap ever again.''
Brooke smiled and sniffed. ''You're right P. Sawyer, thanks.''
''Anytime B. Davis.''
A loud banging noise made them both jump.
Brooke and Peyton both walked down the stairs, they wondered who it could be considering Haley was at the Scott's with Lucas and Nathan was probably with some skank. No one ever really goes to Brooke's house besides her four best friends.
She opened the door and smiled when she saw Julian on the other side, she frowned though when she saw the hurt expression on his face. ''Hey Julian, what are you doing here?'' she asked in her typical cheery voice.
''How could you do that Brooke?'' he asked in hurt.
Peyton could sense the thirdwheel-ness and coughed awkwardly. ''I've gotta go, I said I'd help Jake look after Jenny. Later Brooke, call me.'' she said quickly and put her flip flops on, she walked past Julian and out of the door.
Brooke signaled for Julian to come into the house properly, so she could shut the door, she doesn't want the whole neighbourhood knowing her business.
After she closed the door she turned around to him. ''Julian-''
''No Brooke. How could you do that to them? How could you do that to anyone? You didn't even tell me, I didn't even know what happned. I had to find out from Haley, when she asked if they were okay. Those people have been completely humiliated, your best friend has got a mark on her face for trying to stop it. You should have stopped it Brooke, you should have told me.'' he shouted in hurt.
''I'm sorry.'' was all she could say.
''Sorry doesn't cover it Brooke. You can just go back to your cheerleaders and basketball players, I wouldn't want to hurt your popularity by hanging out with a geek.''
''You're not a geek.'' she denied, as the tears formed in her eyes at his words.
''Yes I am, and I want to be. I don't want to become popular, or stop being me. I just want to hang with my friends, and stay out of everyones way. I really like you Brooke, but I can't do this. I'm sorry.'' he said softly before walking out of the door.
Leaving Brooke Davis with a broken heart.
'''Sup loser.''
''Hey Hales.'' Lucas smiled as his best friend walked into his bedroom. ''Who let you in?''
She shrugged and sat next to him on his bed. ''Your mom. Where's Nathan?''
Lucas grimaced. ''With some skank in his room, what a surprise.'' he said sarcastically. He can't help but get really mad at his brother, he knows Nathan loves Haley, so why does he sleep with a different girl every week? In Lucas' eyes, if you love someone, you love them. That's it. It's this amazing experiance which would make you never even consider being with someone else. Sure, Haley's with Chris, but if she knew about Nathan's feelings for her then maybe she'd change her mind. But of course, Nathan's too chicken to find out.
Haley rolled her eyes. ''Of course he is.''
He then noticed the sad expression on Haley's face. ''What's the matter, Hales?''
''I've done something really, really stupid.'' she whispered, tears were starting to fill in her eyes.
''Hales, what is it?''
''Julian knows what Brooke did, and it's all my fault.'' she sighed as a tear rolled down her cheek.
''Julian who?'' Lucas asked in confusion, Haley then realised that Lucas didn't actually know Julian was in Tree Hill. He knew there was a Julian Baker at Tree Hill High, he just didn't know for sure if it was Brooke's guy. His best friends obviously forgot to include him on the secret.
''Julian Baker. Oh my god, we forgot to tell you.'' Haley sniffed. ''It was the Julian who Brooke met over the summer. And when she was sent to do the prank, she saw him. He was one of the mathletes, she got herself and him out of there, just not the others.''
''Wow. So how is this your fault?''
''He was in the record store and I asked if Mouth was okay, I told him what happened and he told me he was one of the mathletes. It was awful, Luke, he looked so hurt. I think he was going over to Brooke's place to talk to her.'' Lucas pulled Haley into his chest. ''But what if he shouts? What if he hates her? What if he never forgives her? Brooke really liked this guy and if she loses him she'll be heartbroken, and it will all be my fault.'' she cried into his chest.
''It's not your fault, Hales. It's not your fault.''
''Brooke?'' Peyton called as she walked into Brooke's house. She didn't actually got to Jake's house earlier, she just sat in her car and waited for Julian to leave. Over the summer she spent most of her time with Jake, now she wanted to be the first one to know the gossip. She noticed that Julian left pretty quickly, and he looked upset, so she really wants to know what's going on.
Peyton walked up the stairs and into Brooke's house. Her heart broke for her best friend as she saw her lay on her bed and sobbing into a pillow, completely soaking it. She ran to the bed and sat Brooke up, she pulled her into a hug. Waiting until she calms down to find out what's wrong. She'll wait for how ever and long it takes.
''Hales, why don't we play a game?'' Lucas suggested. Haley had stopped crying, but she was still really down. So Lucas was trying to cheer her up, he also had a plan. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Get Haley talking so she'll forget about earlier, and help Nathan out.
''What type of game?''
''I ask you a question and you answer.'' he said simply.
Haley rolled her eyes and giggled. ''Gee, sounds fun.'' she said sarcastically.
''Come on, just try.''
''Okay, what's my question?'' she sighed.
''If you had to pick, who would you date, me or Nathan?'' he asked and smiled. It was simple, if she picked Nathan, then he could tell Nathan and he'd be happy. If she said him (which he hightly doubted), then he could find out why. Win, win.
Her face scrunched up. ''Eew, Luke. You guys are like my family.''
''I know.. but if you had to choose.''
''You.''
Lucas was taken aback, it took him a couple of seconds to get over his shock. ''Wait, why me?''
She took a second to choose the right words. ''I know that you would never be unfaithful to me.''
''Hales, Nathan would never cheat on you.'' Lucas said.
Haley nodded. ''Maybe not. But have you seen the sluts he's been with? He would never be into me like that, I don't wear tons of makeup and short skirts. I'd constantly be insecure, paranoid. You were with Lindsay last year, she wasn't like that, and you really liked her before she left. But lets just say we did get together, not that that would ever happen, I would comfortable with you.''
''Wow. But lets say if Nathan was in love with you, crazy head-over-heels in love with you. Would you pick him over me then?'' he asked, searching for some kind of hope.
She shrugged, ''Maybe.''
''Maybe?''
''Lucas!'' she exclaimed. ''Have you seen how he treats those girls? I know we label then as sluts and skanks, but they have feelings. They actually think they have a chance of being his girlfriend, but then he never calls them, or speaks to them again. I've had girls walking up to me in the corridor asking if he's said anything about them, and I've had to watch their faces fall everytime I say no.'' she explained sadly. ''It makes me feel sick, actually sick, everytime I try to imagine what they feel like when he never calls again. He uses people, and it disgusts me. I love Nathan, but I've never liked how he's handled girls.'' she added softly.
Lucas was shocked, completely shocked.
But not as shocked as Nathan who was stood at the door, who has just heard the whole conversation.
''Brooke, what happened? What did he do?'' Peyton asked softly after Brooke had finally stopped crying.
''Everything happened so fast.'' she said, her raspy voice was hoarse from crying. ''He told me that he didn't want to ruin my popularity by hanging out with a geek. He couldn't believe that I didn't tell him, or stop it. He didn't want to be popular, he didn't want to change.''
Peyton sighed. ''Everyone changes in high school.''
Brooke nodded. ''We said we wouldn't, before we started high school we promised that we wouldn't let it change us, we said we wouldn't let it change who we are, and our friendship.'' she remembered. ''I know we're still friends, best friends. But we've changed. Look at Nathan, he used to be so sweet, to everyone. He used to tease people, he still does. But he's also mean and violent, he sleeps with loads of girls. He was never like that, he only used to care about Hales. I used to be convinced that he loved her, but look now.'' she sighed.
She really didn't know how wrong she was.
''Nathan follows the crowd, he's always been that way, we expected it. No one else has changed.''
''I have. I never cared about what people thought about me, well boys I did. I never used to trash people clothes, or call people ugly or nerdy. I do all those things, and I have to change back.''
Peyton really didn't know what to say, but Brooke spoke again.
''I have to change back. I need to be Brooke again. I loved the Brooke I was in L.A., with Julian. I need to be her again.''
AN: HOPE YOU LIKED IT. I HOPE YOU DON'T THINK JULIAN WAS TO HARSH OR ANYTHING. AND DON'T THINK BROOKE IS CHANGING FOR JULIAN, SHE'S CHANGING BACK TO WHO SHE WAS BEFORE SHE REACHED HIGH SCHOOL. SHE'S FINALLY REALISED THAT HIGH SCHOOL HAS CHANGED HER, AND SHE NEVER WANTED TO BE CHANGED.
I GOT THE NALEY BALL ROLLING:). NATHAN WILL BE SIMILAR TO BROOKE, HE'S CHANGING TO WHO HE WAS BEFORE HE BECAME A PLAYER. WE'LL SEE MORE OF THAT NEXT CHAPTER.
I'VE NOTICED A DROP IN REVIEWS:( (THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO DID REVIEW, I LOVE YOU GUYS.) PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE CHAPTER AND THE STORY, GOOD OR BAD. FEEDBACK HONESTLY MAKES ME HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF HOW TO WRITE. SO PLEASE REVIEW!