Author's Note; Wow thanks so much for all the reviews. I'm sorry for the lack of update, I've kind of had slight writer's block especially with this story. But I've had some ideas in my mind, &i think i found the right ending that i wanted. The ending won't happen for a little while, of course, but it's starting to wind down. This is probably one of the shortest chapters, mainly because it's mostly dialogue between everybody.
Don't forget to check out my other story, We Are Pilots. I've realized that there is another story with the same title as mine, so I'm considering changing the title, so if i do, watch out for it. I'll make a little note of it when i change it! The chapter's going to be a little funny with all the rest of the characters except Lucas and Brooke. It sounds kind of confusing right now, but when you read on you'll know what I'm talking about. Enjoy &Review!
Chapter 24;; Mixed Casualties.
I've come to realize that there has never been a time where Brooke Davis didn't crossed my mind. Usually I embraced the thoughts, egging them on almost constantly. Only lately, it's been a nuisance, and instead of basking in them, I'm drowning. This isn't a good thing, either, because she's getting married. In one week to be exact.
Yeah, I've been here for almost three months, and so far I've tried to keep myself busy with all the things to do around this place. Ma didn't even have the sense to put gutters in the Cafe. If we weren't in Italy, where it rains this time of the season, I wouldn't hold it against her. But I still can't, because Lily's here. So I don't blame her for not getting around to it. Plus, it gives me something to do, and despite my prior attempts, not even this can keep my mind off Brooke Davis.
I called Haley, Nathan, and Peyton all of once since I've been here, just to tell them that I was alright. There was no way in hell I was going to tell them exactly where I was at, despite their complaints and Peyton threatening to key my whole car around and then set fire to the house with all my possessions in it. Then I counter it, saying that I'll have her Comet painted bright pink. Don't think I wouldn't do it. She sighed, saying okay, and telling me that she had the annullment papers up and ready whenever I got back.
Not like there would be any use for them anymore. Don't get me wrong, me and Peyton don't need to be labeled husband and wife anymore, but what would be the rush with it? It's not like Brooke was going to come back to me anyway. There, I said it. Brooke wasn't going to come back to me, and I think in my heart I always knew that. All it took was an engagement with a huge ass ring to finally get me to believe it. Brooke wasn't going to be with me, because she was getting married to Brian Grant.
Brian fucking Grant.
I would hate him, if there was something about him to hate. He didn't have a hidden agenda, he didn't need Brooke for her money. And let's face it, who the hell would cheat on Brooke Davis? There was absolutely nothing. But I did hate him for one thing. He had her, and I didn't. But for some reason, I didn't actually hate him. Instead, I envied him. He was a good guy, and I'm pretty sure he would make her happy and be good to her. But it didn't make the pain hurt any less.
Great, I'm moping. Again. This was exactly what I didn't want. But here I am, on a ladder, thinking about Brooke Davis. Not exactly a good combination. But if I were to fall, break my spinal cord, and be paralyzed for the rest of my life, what would that matter? Maybe Brooke would come back? Yeah, right. When Brooke Davis decides something, that's final. I hate to say it, but it's true.
Climbing down the ladder, there was tons of people on the streets of Florence this evening. Some of them were rushing home from work, maybe stopping by to grab something a little sweet for dessert. And some were sitting in all the various shops, having dinner because they didn't have any family or any reason to even rush home. Join the club. It's not like I didn't have any family, but frankly, it felt weird being with my mom and little sister again.
First off, I haven't seen my little sister since the time she was teething and tried to get ahold of my Van Halen CD. I for one would've been very pissed off. It took me a two weeks working at Keith's Body Shop to be able to buy the special edition. Me and Lily also don't have anything in common, other than we share the same mom. And the last time I ever talked to my mom face to face was when I told her to get the hell out of my life. Not exactly a time to remember.
Surprisingly, she hasn't held it against me. I've been here for almost three months, and she has yet to kick me out, like a normal mother should do. But Karen Roe isn't normal. She's amazing, and I don't think I would ever be who I am if it wasn't for her. That would be a lot more better to say if who I am today didn't suck so much, and there's nobody to protest to that. Boy, am I just pathetic.
Snapping his journal closed, Lucas stuck it in the back of his jeans along with his pen. Cautiously, he continued the descent down the ladder with a sense of accomplishment. He had finally finished installing the gutters for his mom's Cafe and he had finished his first journa entry. Lucas had purchased the small leather bound book at a small shop for cheap. There was really nothing that had possessed him to buy it, let alone write in it, but it made sense to track down his thoughts. Maybe it would keep him from going insane.
"Ma, I finished the gutters," Lucas said, walking around the counter, pouring himself a glass of water.
"You know you didn't have to do that Lucas. I could've gotten a professional," Karen said, returning with empty plates.
"Yeah, you could've gotten a professional to do it, but it would cost you a shitload of money," Lucas explained. "This way, you're getting it done for free."
"We'll see if they stay up," Karen smirked.
"Ha ha," Luca said dryly. "Plus, there's nothing else for me to do around here."
"Why don't you go out into the city and go sight seeing?" she suggested, wiping down the counter.
"Already did. Although it was beautiful, I'm not much into sight seeing," Lucas said, looking out the window.
"I was thinking that after dinner tonight we would go to the lake and feed the ducks with Lily."
"Sounds good," he answered shortly, his mind wandering off.
Karen stared at her son. Lucas had been completey helpful the past couple of months. He had always been there, whether it be when Karen was too busy at the Cafe to take Lily to the park or run errands. He showed up every morning with a smile on his face, and buried himself into helping her with whatever needed to be done. But Karen knew that her son wasn't happy, but he sure was trying to be. She didn't know if maybe Lucas wasn't paying attention when they had their talk the first day he got there, but he wasn't going about this the right way. It was never going to get easy, and Karen thought she had made that clear. Obviously not.
"So I know we haven't talked about this, but when exactly are you going to go back home?" Karen asked. She had been in Florence, Italy for almost six years, but Tree Hill, North Carolina would always be home to her. It was safe to say that she missed it, and she was sure Lucas did, too.
Lucas rolled his eyes, "Where's that these days?" He had already thought about it the minute his place took off. When was he going to go back? It wasn't a matter of when he wanted to, because that day would never come. It was more of, when did he need to go back? Lucas had yet to figure out when that time was.
"What have I always told you? Home is where the heart is. And I'm pretty sure Brooke hasn't gone anywhere," Karen smiled. She knew that the mention of Brooke's name would stiffen up her son. It wasn't her intention, but the spunky brunette would always be a subject that Lucas could not discuss half heartedly.
"I don't think I'm ready."
"Then when do you think you'll be ready? Next week? Next year?"
Lucas chuckled, "I don't think I'll be ready next week. That's her wedding." He had been counting down the days ever since he had talked to Nathan.
Karen set down her rag, "Okay now I'm not trying to rush you, but you're on the clock, Luke. If you ever hope to get Brooke back, you're going to have to put your ass in gear and get back to Tree Hill."
"Ma," Lucas said warningly, "During the three months I've been here, I've realized that me and Brooke are never going to happen, ever again, and that's final. So no, I'm not going back to Tree Hill and I'm not going to get my ass in gear. I thought you would be happy that I've been around."
"Lucas, I've been ecstatic since you've been here!" she exclaimed. "It's been so great having you around, not just for me, but for Lily, too. She missed her big brother. But Luke, you're not happy, and I think you know that. You've put up a good front for awhile, but in case you forgot, I'm your mother. I know you, being away from Brooke is killing you."
"It doesn't mean I need to go back, though," he said stubbornly. "I don't even see the point in succumbing to being embarassed by the whole town."
"And you haven't done that before?" Karen shot back.
Lucas sighed, "That's different this time, Ma. People can say whatever the hell they want about what I've done in the past. But this, I can't do it." It was obvious that this conversation wasn't going to go anywhere, so why did Karen even try? Even she didn't know.
"We should probably stop talking about this, huh?" she asked.
"I think so," Lucas said right after her.
"Okay," she nodded, just as the door jingled and Lily ran through, her long dark hair cascading down her back.
"Hey Ma! Hey Luke!" she chirped, settling next to Lucas at the barstools.
"Hey hunny, how was Chloe's house?" Karen asked. Although Italy was a foreign country, the neighborhood that they resided in Florence was one of the most safest places. Lily would easily walk across the street by herself and go to her friend's house.
"It was fun, her dog licked my face though. It was icky," she explained, crinkling her nose.
"Did you wash your face?" Lucas asked.
"Duh!" Lily exclaimed, rolling her eyes.
"Lily I got something for you to do for mommy," Karen started. "Go down to the bakery and get a loaf of French bread. Mr. Lorenzo should have a fresh loaf around this time."
"I got it," Lucas said. "Lil, go upstairs and find my brown wallet. There's a blue card in there. Buy two loaves."
"Gotcha," she said, sprinting up the stairs.
"She's just so full of energy," Lucas admired. "Was I ever like that when I was little?"
Karen snorted, "Hardly. You were a thousand times more hyper. That's why I wanted you to get into basketball, so you could wear that energy out. It didn't work even a little."
"That's strange to believe."
"Do you still play?"
Lucas shrugged, "Actually, I just started shooting around again. Granted, I suck, but I really missed it."
"Basketball was a huge part of your life, and to just stop playing must have done a number on you."
"I'd like to think of it as bad karma," he explained. "That was when I actually thought things were going to work out with me and Brooke."
"Lucas! I can't find it!" Lily's voice rang throughout the Cafe. Lucas and Karen both looked up to the ceiling.
"That's my cue," Lucas said, climbing up the stairs. He knew that Lily was little, but how hard was it to find a blue credit card in his wallet? It was the only blue card that he had, anyway. Or was it? Maybe he lost it. Shit, he thought. He was going to have to cancel that card.
He walked into his room to see Lily sitting Indian style on his bed, his wallet sprawled out in front of her. It seemed like she took everything out of his wallet and had it scattered along his bed. Right next to her left knee was a glossy blue credit card.
Lucas pointed to it, "My card's right there, Lils."
She looked up at him, "I know, I just wanted to get you to come up here."
"And why's that?" he asked, sitting down next to her. Lily held up a worn picture. Lucas didn't even have to look at it to know what it was. He had it since senior year, and he made sure he had grabbed the wallet sized photo. It had been taken the night they had gotten together, and Lucas could never forget that night. It had been the first time in awhile that he had felt complete, that he was okay. That they were okay. It was everywhere he went, and even though those times were long over, he couldn't go without it.
"Is this why you're so sad, Luke?" she asked innocently. Lucas felt bad for her. He didn't mean to seem to down while he was here. He had just been reunited with his mother and sister, he shouldn't have been moping around the city of Florence, Italy.
Lucas sighed, taking the picture in his hand, "It's not that I'm not happy to be here, Lils. I missed you and Ma very much."
"She's pretty. Do you miss her?" she asked, taking the photograph back from him. 'She's pretty' was an understatement, and so was the fact that Lucas missed her. His heart and body ached for her every second of everyday, but he would never tell his little sister that.
He nodded, "Yeah, I miss her a lot."
"Then if you miss her, why don't you go back and see her?"
"It's not that easy, Lily."
"Do you love her?" she asked.
Lucas smiled, "Yeah, very much."
Lily handed him back the photograph, "Then you'll go back to Tree Hill. I like having my big brother here, but you need to go back to your Pretty Girl."
One week. In one week, I'll be Mrs. Brian Grant. Brooke Grant. Brooke Penelope Grant. It does roll off the tongue pretty nice, doesn't it? I always said that when I got married, I would keep my last name because I wanted to be an independent, not wanting my husband's name. I also wanted to remind myself of where I came from, but I quickly realized that I hardly wanted to remember my family.
My mom nearly had a heart attack over the phone when I told her I was getting married in Tree Hill. Also Victoria has always approved of Brian, she wanted the wedding to be in the city, where all her colleagues and frenemies and associates could see her daughter get married, making the Davis/Grant family the most powerful in New York. Just the thought of it makes me want to throw up. It's the nerves, I've been getting them since my wedding dress has been finished. But I told Victoria that if she wants to see me get married and brag to all her friends about it on the next spa day, then she'll fly down to Tree Hill. Personally I don't care if she comes down or not, but it would be nice to actually have some family there. She says she'll go, but only because it's Brian Grant I'm marrying, and not that 'blonde Scott.'
Lucas has been gone for three months, and I can't say I haven't noticed. That would be a huge lie. Lucas' random departure left a lot of questions running through everyone's minds, and they've all been linked to me. No surprise there. It's a good thing Brian's been away finishing business so we have time together for our honeymoon. If he had been around Tree Hill, he would've had questions of his own. But they're all right. Lucas left because of me.
Apart of me is relieved that the rest of the town hasn't found out about my miscarriage, but another part of me just wants to come clean with the whole situation. It's been driving me crazy for the past six years having to keep this a secret from the people that mattered in my life. They haven't held it against me, luckily. I can actually say that I am so happy that me and Peyton are friends again. Sure, I was angry with her, but I realized that I can't anymore. That was all in the past, and I need to let it go. I'm getting married, and I no longer am holding a grudge against my old best friend. It seems perfect huh? Like everything is going right. But it isn't. Deep inside I feel like jumping off a fucking cliff.
I can't help but wonder where Lucas is. The truth is, all I think about is where he is at this moment, what he's doing, what he's thinking, and if he's thinking about me. But I just want to know if he's alright. Of course, if he's still pissed at me comes to mind also, but I just want him to be okay, even though I know mentally he's probably not. I would be too. But Brooke Davis royally screws up once again. That's nothing new, though.
Nathan told me that they haven't heard from Lucas either, but he and I both know that is complete bullshit. The truth is, Nathan has never really been a good liar, even when he was lying about whether or not he stole an extra cookie after dinner. He tends to babble and his face gets flushed. I've known him long enough to decipher his tendencies. So it only takes me halfway through his explanation and babbling to know that Nathan has indeed talked to Lucas. The only problem is, Nathan stands his ground, and I already know that he isn't going to tell me where Lucas is. Peyton knows too, but I find the whole investigation hopeless. They won't tell me. If only Lucas had contacted Rachel...
Thinking about Lucas is not something that I should be doing. I'm getting married for goodness sakes, I should be thinking about floral patterns, cake selections, the wedding music, my dress, bridesmaids, flowers, the rehearsal dinner. I should even be thinking about my fiance, who I am to marry in a week.
But instead I'm thinking about Lucas Scott.
There's that expression: Out of sight, out of mind. That doesn't apply to me, because even though I haven't set my eyes on Lucas in three months, he's still all I think about, and after three months and a fiance, I still love him. But is it worth getting out of my stable relationship? Is it worth risking my heart, again? I don't have the answers to any of those questions, which is probably why I'm sitting here typing on my computer journal on my laptop, when I should be going over the guest list.
"Brooke? You have the wedding planners on line one," Millicent, her personal assistant, said from the foot of her office. Brooke ripped her eyes away from her laptop, staring up at Millicent in surprise. At this rate there was no way she had the right mind to speak with the planner.
"Um, Millcent, can you just tell them that I'm a little busy right now and to call me back in a few hours," Brooke said, rubbing her temples.
"Sure," she answered, confused.
"Thanks," Brooke mumbled, leaning her head back in her chair. She had hired the most well known party planners in New York City, and they seemed more than willing to help her, but for a price. Her and Brian were paying them thousands of dollars to make sure that this was the best wedding that NYC has ever seen. They had been calling her non-stop for a good two months. It had become even more apparent when they booked
But this was expected from a huge wedding, especially the wedding of Brooke Davis and Brian Grant. This was what they had asked for. Originally she didn't want a big wedding, but one spill to her mom was enough to make her invite the whole town on her own accord. It was annoying, but Brooke didn't care as much as she should. After all, Brooke Davis loved weddings.
They all stared at her questioningly as she made her way out of the offices in New York. Yes, New York. Brooke had been in NY for two days and was already skipping out on work. But when you're the founder of a multi-million dollar clothing company, you're kind of entitled to do whatever the hell you want.
She missed New York, but it just didn't feel the same being back. Of course, Brooke had been ecstatic to go back to Tree Hill to help Haley with the baby. But it didn't make it easier to leave the city of dreams for the redneck hick town of Tree Hill, North Carolina. Now, being back in the city, it was the complete opposite. All of a sudden she wasn't too keen on the hotdog vendors on every street and the ridiculous traffic. It all just wasn't right to her anymore. So how was she supposed to live her married life back in New York?
It seemed like all the answers pointed to Tree Hill. Literally. Haley, Nathan, and Peyton were there, living their lives. And if there was one thing she didn't like it was being left out. With Jamie now, it seemed ever more crucial for Brooke to make her mark in the little boy's life. She did promise Haley she would kick ass at being a god mother. And that she would never say the words 'kick ass' in front of Jamie.
Brian was at once again, another meeting in Los Angeles discussing the opening of a hotel in downtown Hollywood. It was supposed to be the last one before the wedding, or so he said. That meant that Brooke would come back to her empty apartment once again. Well, not exactly empty.
"Please tell me you moved since I left," Brooke said, opening the front door, revealing Rachel, still in her pajamas, drinking coffee and eating doughnuts, watching Jerry Springer. It wasn't planned having Rachel in New York with her. After a couple of days since Jamie's birth, she had to leave for more business, and that had been the last time since they had seen each other. It was only when they ran into each other in the Manolo Blahniks at Bergdorf's that Rachel began rooming with Brooke. For how long, she didn't know.
"Of course Brooke. I had to go to the bathroom after drinking three cups of coffee," she said, now watching Days of Our Lives.
"How could you miss that?" she asked sarcastically, throwing her purse on the couch.
"Why are you home so early anyway? You were at the office for what? Two hours?"
Brooke shrugged, "I don't know. My mind just wasn't in it today, I couldn't get anything done."
"Having pre-wedding jitters?" she asked, stuffing another chocolate doughnut today.
"I guess," she said, staring aimmlessly at the television screen. Rachel observed her friend. Brooke had been doing this a lot lately. She would zone off for several minutes at a time, and Rachel had a feeling Brooke would've stayed in that state if she hadn't snapped her fingers in her face when it got to freaky to stand. Rachel didn't mention it, but
"So I have to leave tomorrow afternoon for a photoshoot in Milan," Rachel said, changing the subject.
"Really? That sounds a lot fun than hanging around New York," Brooke said. With Rachel leaving, her apartment would seem all the more boring.
"Well when are you flying back to Tree Hill?"
"At the end of the week. And to think it's only Monday."
Rachel jumped from the couch and turned to face her, "I just had the sweetest idea!"
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Wow, that's a first."
"Shut the fuck up for a second. How about you fly to Milan with me tomorrow?" she suggested.
"Rachel, I can't just pick up and leave. I have to work..."
"Oh that's bullshit, if you really had to be at work, you would be instead of sitting here and talking to me right now."
"But Milan?"
"Why not? It's the perfect time of year, I mean, other than a little bit of rain. But it'll be real fun, like a last hurrah before you get married. And then we can fly in two days before the wedding, that gives you enough time to make sure everything's in order," Rachel explained.
Brooke sighed, "I guess I could make a few calls."
"Yes!" Rachel exclaimed. "It's going to be so much fun! The shopping there is to die for, plus we can have lunch with all the major designers that are going to be there. And don't even get me started on the fine ass men."
"Rachel, in case you forgot, I'm getting married," Brooke said, holding up her hand, revealing the huge rock on her finger.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."
"Nathan, in case you forgot, Brooke's getting married."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." It had been three months since the birth of Jamie Scott, and three months since Lucas skipped town, and from the looks of it, it seemed that nothing had changed all that much. The town talked about his brother's leave like they talked about sports. But Brooke's wedding to Brian Grant was a complete different story. Caterering trucks had started driving in two weeks ago, already there and prepared for the big shin dig. Nathan couldn't say he was that excited for it. He even gone so far as to suggest and they all go on a picnic on Saturday. It didn't exactly work, but it was worth a try.
Haley scoffed, "If you say so Nathan. I know you don't like it, but you're going to that wedding."
"Okay, let's say I do plan on going to Brooke's wedding. What if Lucas mysteriously turns up, and he's feel so down in the dumps. I can't just skip out on my brother."
"Nathan, I know that you wouldn't skip out on Lucas. But let's face it, he's not coming back anytime soon."
"How do you know that though? I mean, he can pretty much come back any time that he wants to."
"But he doesn't want to. He said so the last time he called to check in."
"Well he didn't exactly seem that happy to be all the way in Italy either." This had been their usual routine since Lucas had left and Brooke's wedding was on the horizon. Haley and Nathan argued about stupid stuff all the time, but the situation with Brooke and Lucas was one thing that they just couldn't agree with. It wasn't putting their marriage in jeopardy or anything serious, but it certainly caused a lot of unanswered questions.
"Maybe not, but it's a whole lot better than sticking around here with Brooke and Brian's wedding happening at the end of the week."
Nathan shook his head, "Something's got to give, Hales. Brooke's making a mistake, and the sooner Lucas comes back, the sooner she'll realize it." Before Haley could say anything, the house phone rang, causing her to run into the kitchen to retreive it. Speaking of...
"Hey Luke," Haley said, leaning against the counter.
"Actually, it's me, Karen."
"Karen? Oh my god, how are you?" It had been awhile since Haley had talked to Karen. There was the occasional phone call along with birthday and Christmas cards, but Haley had yet to talk to Karen since Lucas had shown up in Italy.
"I'm doing good Haley, so is Lily. How about you? How's Nathan and the baby?"
"We're all doing good over here. No offense Karen, but what's the reason for your call?"
"Lucas," she sighed.
"Of course," Haley sighed.
"I don't know how else to put this other than the boy needs to get back there."
"Back to Tree Hill?"
"Yes. Haley he needs to settle this thing with Brooke, or else I'm afraid we'll lose him forever."
"It's not exactly that simple," she chuckled.
"Oh I know it's not. But I don't want Lucas to miss out on the love of his life. Brooke is getting married this Saturday, right?"
"Yeah, it's Saturday at 12:30 at St. Mary's garden."
"Alright. Well he said something about calling you guys later on tonight, and I'll try to convince him to go back home."
"Why now are we deciding to use force?"
"It's crunch time, and you know better than anyone that this is their last chance. If Brooke marries Brian on Saturday, all is lost."
"I know what you mean," Haley said. "Okay, well I'll be waiting for Lucas' call. Thanks for calling Karen."
"No problem, I'll be in touch."
"Bye," Haley said before hanging up. "This isn't going to be easy," she mumbled to herself.
"Who was that?" Nathan asked, walking into the kitchen.
"It was Karen, she wants Lucas to get his ass back to Tree Hill by Saturday."
"Finally! Someone that shares my thoughts!" Nathan exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.
Haley rolled her eyes, "It wasn't like I wasn't. I just know when there's nothing I can do anymore. But it seems like we better get to convincing, huh?"
"Sure seems like it. When is Lucas supposed to call?"
"Tonight. Which gives us the rest of the day to see what we can do to make Lucas come back."
"It won't be that hard," Nathan began. "But I think we should do something a little bit more drastic than begging."
"Like what?"
"Don't say no right away Hales, I mean, what I'm thinking is going to take a lot of acting talent. I mean, we're talking serious lying right now.
"What is going on in that mind of yours Nathan Scott?"
The rest of the day had been spent going over the latest contracts and booking the next fashion shows. After all, Brooke wanted a long honeymoon, and the fact that she didn't want to travel to Milan with a briefcase full of work. That just wasn't her style, and she didn't think Rachel would allow her get any work done.
Rachel had showered and was dressed doing some last minute shopping in New York, which left the apartment empty. Sometimes Brooke liked being alone, leaving her enough space to think and just mull over things that she didn't have chance to with people around her all the time.
The wedding had thrown her into a whirl wind of hectic and chaos. It sometimes caused her to forget that she was even getting married in the first place. There were so many things that she had to pick and choose from. When would it all end? When she was walking down the aisle?
Picking up her phone, she dialed the number of her best friend. Brooke knew that no matter what she was feeling at the moment, Haley would always be able to make the whole situation a little bit better, only if it was for a couple of minutes.
"Hey Tigger."
"Hey Tutorgirl. How are things in Tree Hill?"
"They're good. There's a ton of catering trucks already in town getting ready for the big wedding."
"Yeah, they did say they would be there soon," Brooke said, rubbing her temples.
"What's wrong, Brooke?"
"I don't know, I guess I'm just nervous about the wedding, but everything just seems to be happening so fast, that I don't even have time to process it all."
"Yeah, I get what you're saying. Maybe you should take a few days off of work to get your head together and just relax until the big day."
"That's the plan. Rachel's going to be in Milan for a photo shoot and I opted to go--"
"Milan?!" Haley shrieked.
Brooke knitted her eyebrows, "Yeah, Milan..."
"Like, Milan, Italy?"
Brooke chuckled, "Yeah Hales, what other Milan is there. What's the big deal, anyway?"
"Nothing. Wow, Milan, that's a long way away, Brooke."
"Yeah, I know, but I think it's what I need. Plus, it'll be fun to hang out with Rachel. Who knows the next time she's going to be around like this."
"You're right about that. Okay, when do you leave?"
"Tomorow, then I'll be back in Tree Hill the day before the rehearsal dinner."
"Good, we can't have you skipping out on that. Call me when you get to Milan," Haley said quickly.
"Alright. Love ya, Tutorwife," and she hung up. She briskly stacked up all the folders that contained her work and left them on the coffee table to never be looked upon until she set foot back into the apartment, which wouldn't be for a couple of weeks. Now, it was packing time.
MEANWHILE...
"Shit shit shit shit shit," Haley mumbled under her breath. "SHIT!" she exclaimed, running a hand through her hair, a million thoughts going through her head at once.
"Haley come on! I thought I was the one with a potty mouth, but damn," Nathan said. "Now what is it that's got you cussing like a drunken sailor?"
She turned to her husband, "Nathan, Brooke's flying to Italy tomorrow."
His face dropped, "Shit."
Shopping in New York was definitely something that Rachel loved about New York City. All the shops and clothes to be bought and tried on, it was enough to make her want to move in altogether and never look back. But modeling was a tough job, whicih included traveling all around the world.
It was safe to say that Rachel was excited as hell that Brooke was going to be in Milan with her. It would be so much fun. In high school, Rachel and Brooke had a hard time getting along, mostly because they were just like each other. But times had changed, and so had their outlooks on each other. But it didn't mean that they didn't get into it every once in awhile.
She was just exiting Barney's with three shopping bags in hand when she felt the particular vibration pattern in her jeans pocket. Fishing it out with one hand, she checked the caller ID, and almost dropped everything she was holding at the sight of Peyton across the screen. It wasn't a secret that the two girls didn't really get along, but lately they had managed to be civil towards one another and even share a laugh or two.
"Hey Peyton, what's up?" she asked, hoisting her purse over her shoulder and making her way down the street.
"Rachel, are you fucking retarded?" an enraged voice said over the other line.
"Hello to you too," Rachel mumbled. "Peyton what the fuck are you talking about?"
"You're bringing Brooke to Milan tomorrow, that's what I'm fucking talking about."
"Okay, yeah I am taking her to Milan with me. What's the big deal?"
"The big deal, Rachel, is that you're taking Brooke to Italy. Italy?! Do you have any idea what that means?"
She almost dropped her bags for the second time when a thought burst through her mind. "Oh shit, Peyton I am so sorry I completely forgot."
"I'm glad that you admit that. Rachel you're going to have to tell Brooke that she can't go to Milan with you."
"Are you fucking kidding me? I can't just tell her that she can't go anymore. That won't make sense, and you know better than anybody that Brooke's not going to buy that."
"Yeah, I think you're right. But Brooke cannot see Lucas, Rachel."
"Okay, it's fine, I just won't let her wander into Florence or something like that," Rachel said.
"You better hope so. Brooke's been obsessed with going to Florence ever since we were in high school."
"I'll take care of it Peyton. Don't worry."
"I'll try not to, but I swear Rachel if Brooke has a nervous breakdown days before her wedding, I'm beating the shit out of you."
"That really makes me feel better, Peyton," Rachel said sarcastically, entering the lobby to the apartment.
"It should. Lucas and Brooke cannot run into each other in Italy."