Author's Note: Believe it or not, I've had this written since Sunday. I was going to get it Beta'd, for once, since I never do that. I wanted to see, you know, how I'm doing as a writer. Sometimes I feel like I write unclearly and stuff, and I wanted to see someone else's opinion. Unfortunately, the computer I've been working on probably won't be working for very much longer, so I didn't have time to wait for the Beta's response. Hopefully though, it'll work out next time. Anyway, I'm not too happy about this chapter. It's not really well written in my opinion, but hopefully you'll feel otherwise. Please leave reviews, and thanks.

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Movie Script Ending

Chapter Nine: Crash Course in Polite Conversations

The weather had not changed in weeks. Months, perhaps. Brooke had taken a look outside the window that early December morning, and had begrudgingly decided to accept that there would be no snow that year. And most likely none for the year following, either.

Lucas had dressed quickly, stealing quick glances at his wife, who looked entirely dissatisfied and bored.

"So, I was thinking that if I got off work before dinner, we could go out." He'd said softly.

She hadn't even looked in his general direction. "Sure."

Sighing deeply, Lucas had left. Brooke had continued to stare out the window, before finally making her way downstairs. Sullenly, she'd taken a seat on one of her comfortable living room sofas, leading her to where she was now; the same exact spot.

She assumed it had probably been about an hour or so, but her boredom made her feel as if it had been days. Days, and she had not moved. Giggling softly at the thought, she rolled her eyes, pulling herself up into a sitting position.

Running her fingers slowly through her hair, she sighed. What was there that she could possibly do to entertain herself? Looking around at the living room, she reached blindly for a magazine.

Frowning at the Vogue in her hands, she flipped through it quickly. She tossed it back onto the table, stealing a glance at the empty house once more, before throwing herself down on the couch dramatically.

She couldn't believe she'd become one of those women. The ones that were only entertained when their husbands were around; The ones that felt lost when their lovers had gone off to live their own lives.

She was sitting here in this house - alone - wishing that Lucas would return so she could be at least mildly entertained.

"Maybe I'll just bake a cake for him for when he gets home," She grinned artificially before rolling her eyes.

She heard a shuffling noise. In fear, she looked up towards the sound, remembering the last time she'd heard such a thing.

She jumped in surprise at the sound of a voice, but relaxed when she remembered it's familiarity.

"Brooke?" Nathan appeared then.

She let her hand fall from her heart, and drop to her side carelessly. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were here, until I could have sworn I heard you speak."

"Yeah. I was just, um, muttering to myself."

He chuckled. "Well, of course you were."

Shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans, she couldn't help but allow the corners of her lips to turn up the slightest bit. "I thought I was alone, too."

They stood silently. Awkwardly, if anything. She almost wished that she were alone again.

"So," He bit his lip, "I was just about to go out for breakfast. Want to come?"

With a smile, she nodded her head. "Sure, I'd love to."

"Looks like it stopped raining."

With the slightest of frowns, Brooke turned towards the window.

"Huh. That's funny."

-

Brooke pulled her gray sweater tighter around her thin frame. "Do you think we should bring an umbrella, just in case?"

"Nah." He was hunched over, lacing up his shoes.

"I still can't believe you're forcing me to walk." She made a face.

Nathan grinned, standing up straight. "I love walking."

"Me too, actually. Only, not in heels." Brooke looked down at her feet.

"So, don't wear heels."

"That's not an option." She winked.

Nathan pulled the front door open, allowing her to step ahead of him. She smiled; Sometimes it was hard for her to understand what had possibly possessed Haley. Nathan was a great guy. Much better then Chris, hands down.

"If it rains, I swear to God, you're giving me a piggy-back ride." Brooke warned him, grinning.

"If it rains, I swear to God, I'll throw you over my shoulder and carry you home as if you weigh nothing." His grin matched her, minus the dimples.

"Are you an atheist?" Her eyes narrowed to slits.

He laughed. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, if you're an atheist, you swearing to God means absolutely nothing to me." Brooke crossed her arms over her chest.

"Good point," He nodded, "Except that you already know I'm not an atheist. We used to go to church together when we were like six."

"People can lose faith." She rolled her eyes.

He nodded, not entirely sure of how to reply to her comment. He fought the urge to ask her if she'd lost faith, but decided against it.

"Bottom line, you're carrying me if it rains."

"Somehow, I have a feeling I'm going to be carrying you even if it doesn't rain."

She giggled. "Funny. So do I."

-

"We've been walking for two hours." Brooke complained, mentally apologizing to her feet.

"Brooke, we've been walking for ten minutes."

"Same thing." She scoffed.

"Actually, not even close."

She stuck her tongue out at him, and he shook his head, laughing.

"Real mature, Davis. You should be proud."

"It's Davis-Scott." She retaliated lamely.

He acted as if he'd been struck in the heart by some sort of painful object. A gun maybe. Or a knife. "Oh, good one!" He shouted sarcastically.

She grinned, her fist colliding with his shoulder playfully, "Shut up, Loser."

"And the hits just keep on coming!"

-

As they neared Karen's Café, it did not occur to either of them what lay before them. Somehow, it had slipped Brooke's mind. And even stranger, it had slipped Nathan's.

It was only once they were right outside did Nathan realize. Brooke, of course, still did not, and began to march right in. He hastily grabbed her arm, tugging her backwards.

"We can't go in there."

"Of course we can. It's easy, you just pull the door open-"

"No, Brooke. We really can't."

Still not comprehending, Brooke rolled her eyes, grabbing his wrist and pulling him inside. It was at this point that it suddenly hit her as well.

However, it was now too late. They were already inside. She could only hope it was Haley's day off.

Nathan was already on it; his eyes frantically searching the room.

From behind them, they heard, "Hi, can I get you two a table?"

Slowly and awkwardly, Brooke and Nathan turned towards the familiar voice.

"Hi Haley." Brooke spoke with as much cheer as she could, but found her voice faltering.

"Brooke.. Nathan.." Haley's eyes were nervous and wide. She looked as if she would throw up at any moment.

"Sorry, I forgot you were working today." Nathan managed to stutter out.

"I work every day."

"Right. I knew that."

Haley looked over at Brooke, the slightest flicker of betrayal showing in her eyes.

"I can get you two a table." She offered, shrugging her shoulders slightly.

Nathan opened his mouth, closed it, opened it once more, and then finally allowed it to shut completely.

Brooke saw this as a sign. "You know what? We were actually just going to order some donuts and coffee to go."

Haley nodded. "I'll go get that for you."

Brooke and Nathan waited awkwardly. And when she returned, Nathan paid her quickly, and the two made a rapid getaway. Once outside, they walked towards the local park.

"I'm so sorry." Brooke spoke softly and guiltily.

"Don't be. I forgot too."

"But you tried to warn me-"

He held a hand up. "Brooke, it's fine."

"Okay."

They sat on a park bench, and Nathan took a bite of his donut, looking over at Brooke.

She was biting her lip, eyeing her coffee suspiciously.

"What are you doing?" He chuckled.

Brooke looked over at him.

"What do you think the chances are Haley spit in this?"