Chapter 4: Disgruntled
12 hours later
As I watched the funeral proceedings, I gazed into people's eyes. Some were filled with despair and loss while others were just blank. Like being here was just a technicality. 'Oh yeah, I think I may have heard of Haley at one point or another. Maybe I should go.' It was a load of crap. No one knew her like I did. I saw and watched as her mom and dad were falling apart at the seams. Her sisters, Vivian and Quinn were leaning on their significant others for support. Taylor was showing her strong side, but inside I knew that she too had fallen apart. I could see it in her eyes. Ryan and Mark, her older brothers, were strong faced with silent tears falling from their eyes. James was situated between Brooke and Peyton. Brooke was a mess to the point where she let her mascara run and her makeup smear. Peyton was silent and just stared at her coffin. Nathan had been a wreak today. As we watched the funeral proceedings he lay in my arms and cried. On one side was a clearly shaken Nathan and on the other was my mom. Haley had been like a daughter to my mom. Thankfully, Keith was there to consol my mom giving me the opportunity to take care of Nathan.
The funeral was over. I wandered out into the cemetery after I thought everyone had gone home. The sky was gray and the wind was howling and all I could do was stand there. I finally began to realize that I would never see my best friend again. It was at that point that I realized that my soul mate was gone. She was the person who knew everything about me. She knew when I was upset even if I had a genuine smile on my face. She would know if I was crying even when she was across town. Realizing this just made me feel worse. There I was fully enjoying myself these past few days and I barely thought about her. And another thing, maybe Nathan was only being with me because of the tragedy. My mind spent the countless moments contemplating these thoughts that I never heard anyone come up behind me.
"Hey Broody." Brooke called from a few yards away. "Luke?"
"Hey Brooke." I replied barely taking notice of her.
"How you holding up?"
"A good as I possibly can"
"I've known you for a while now. I know when you're trying to be strong Luke. You don't have to be strong for me. It's okay to fall apart and miss your best friend." She said sitting down next to me.
And I did. I allowed my head to fall against her shoulder as the tears streamed from my eyes. "I miss her so much Brooke. I never got to say goodbye. I can't help but blame Nathan. He didn't tell me she was in the hospital. How do I know he isn't trying to replace Haley with me? Maybe he doesn't really love me."
"First of, Luke you have to forgive him. He only did what he was asked to do. Secondly, I know he loves you. I've seen the glimmer in his eyes every time he looks at you."
"I know. It's just hard. I love him Brooke. I really love him."
"Okay, time to cheer up. The mood is so going to kill me if it doesn't stop. Let's change the subject to something…um…better. So, is he as big as I've heard he is."
I chucked a little. Brooke always knew how to cheer me up. She was Cheery after all.
"Yeah. I'm still a little sore." I smiled.
"See, there's the smile. Come one we have to go pick up James."
"God, can't a guy mope a little."
"No, and besides your mother told me to tell you that you have to come to the cafe.
"Why?"
"Alas even my skills couldn't make your mother tell me the secret."
"My mom always was tight lipped."
"Unless it came to us having sex. Then she had no problem setting us straight on that."
"Yeah. Mom was pretty blunt about that. So was there any hint as to why she wanted me to come."
"No, but all of us have to be there."
"All of who."
"Me, you, Peyton and Nathan."
"Oh, this can't be good. The last time she wanted us all together was to tell us about Dan and to say she was pregnant."
"Well maybe she has another surprise. And if everything works out okay, maybe Peyton and I can get some alone time for you and Nate."
"I'm still sore Brooke. Anymore and I won't be able to sit down for a month."
"I meant to talk. Jeez, is it always sex with you?" She joked.
"Yeah." I countered.
"Come on let's go. I want you to see the surprise is." Brooke begged.
"Fine" I said as we walked to her baby blue Beetle.
We quickly jumped in the car and speed towards the cafe. The drive was fast but for me it wasn't fast enough. My mind wandered around, mainly thinking about Haley and Nathan. Then I would try to guess what my mom's surprise was. I figured that if I kept my mind busy I wouldn't feel the pain. I stared out the window glancing around at people I've never met. I would often look at Brooke and wonder how she could bounce back into her old self so quickly.
"Luke, you okay?"
"I'm trying Brooke, I'm trying." I felt her fingers become intertwined with mine and could feel the uneasiness wash away.
"It's gonna be okay. I want you to be happy Luke and I will do whatever it takes to make you happy."
"Thanks, Brooke. It really means a lot to me."
"Good because you are probably going to kill me after we go inside."
I looked straight at her and caught a glimpse of mischief in her eyes.
"Brooke Davis what are you up to."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She smiled.
"What did my mom tell you?"
"Like I said your mom was tight lipped about everything."
"But…"
"But Uncle Keith wasn't."
"Brooke." I said my tone heightening.
"I am not saying but I will give you a heads up and say that Nathan and I were completely against this."
"Brooklyn Penelope Davis you tell me this minute. I am not in any sort of mood for jokes."
"First of, ouch with the whole name and second of you should know that your mom planned this. It can't be that bad."
"Then why are you and Nathan so against this?"
"I don't know, call it a gut feeling."
"Whatever, let's just go so I can show my mom that I came."
"Here, I'll make a deal with you first. Here are the keys. If you feel like bolting than you just go." She said grabbing my arm and turning me towards her.
"Okay. Thanks Brooke."
"Anything for my Broody." She replied as we walked toward the café.
I could see Nathan huddled in a corner crying. Peyton sat at a table drawing fiercely. Her hand was moving erratically and I knew that she was pouring her emotion into her sketch. Even in the distance I could see her bloodshot eyes and tearstained face. As if he sensed my presence, Nathan lifted his head and stared directly at me.