Author's Note: It's been forever since I've updated, but it's really not my fault. This computer is like, seconds away from completely shutting down and being eaten up by a giant virus, so uh, yeah. I'm getting my new computer soon. It's beautiful, and I can't wait to start using it. Hehe. Anyway, enough about my computer. Thanks so much for all the reviews, and uh, everyone enjoy the chapter.

Movie Script Ending

Chapter Twelve: We Might As Well Be Strangers

As Brooke opened the door to Karen's Café, she felt a strong sensation telling her to walk away. One foot outside, and one foot in, she bit her lip. Throwing her head back in frustration, she nearly groaned aloud. Why the hell did she have to be such a good person? With a sigh, Brooke closed the door, walking deeper into what seemed like the devil's lair.

Almost instantly, she heard her voice. "Caesar, I told you she wanted ham. She's allergic to roast beef!"

The chubby, Latin man placed his hands on his hips. "I'm sorry, Haley! But your voice is so damn quiet, it's hard to understand what you're saying sometimes."

The light haired brunette sighed, rolling her eyes with a smile. And like a magnet, her eyes somehow managed to find themselves upon Brooke, and her smile dropped. Hesitantly, Brooke waved. Haley simply bit her lip, nodding.

Taking the nod as her opportunity to take control, Brooke slowly took a seat at the counter. "Hey Haley."

Haley kept her eyes down. "Hi Brooke."

"Look, um, I came here to apologize."

"For what?"

"For the other day. Nathan and I both totally spaced, and neither of us had any idea that you were going to be here. I really don't want you to think it was an ambush or anything." She offered, smiling softly.

"It doesn't matter," Haley shrugged, "You didn't have to come here today."

Brooke looked down. "Haley, I know that you don't think that you are, but really, you're one of my closest-"

"Look," Haley frowned, "You and I haven't been friends for a long time, Brooke. You and I both know that."

A hurt expression formed on the darker haired girl's face. "That's not true, Haley."

"You know it is. The only reason you and I really ever talk is because Nathan is Lucas's brother, and because you're married to Lucas. And even then, we don't even talk. I know the details of your public life, not your private."

"I can't believe you. I was under the impression that I was something more to you then just your husband's brother's wife."

"You know, you didn't even tell me what happened," tears threatened to spill from Haley's eyes, leaking sincerity, "I had to hear it from Nathan. And when I tried to talk to you about it, you wouldn't. You talked to Peyton. You called Peyton when it happened, but not me. That was the day I figured out that you and I weren't friends."

"Peyton was there for me. She was there in my room, at the hospital every day. You weren't."

"Yeah. And the sad part is, had you and I actually been friends, you would have known why."

Quietly, Brooke sat before her. More then anything, she wanted to ask why, but she couldn't. Her mouth couldn't form the words. She'd opened her mouth several times, she was sure, but had awkwardly closed it almost immediately.

"I never for one second didn't think you were my friend."

"That doesn't really matter anymore, because now, with everything that's happened, you're obviously on Nathan's side."

"That's not true! I'm not on anyone's side. I mean, yeah, Nathan's staying with us, but he's Lucas's brother! We couldn't just say that he couldn't stay with us!"

Haley nodded. The two were silent for what seemed like forever. Brooke had never found herself stuck in such an awkward silence.

"Well," Haley said suddenly, "I better get back to work."

Brooke found her head bobbing up and down. "Okay. So, I'll see you around.."

A flicker of doubt passed before Haley's eyes. "Yeah. Around."

-

Lucas entered the kitchen, stretching an arm over his head slowly. He looked out the window, smiling at the fact that it had not yet started to rain.

Nathan seemed to be doing the same thing from his spot at the counter, coffee in hands.

The brothers met eyes.

"Jog?"

"You read my mind."

-

The sky was just beginning to get cloudy as Nathan and Lucas had completed two miles. Many words hadn't been exchanged, but they'd always liked it that way. It was a way for them to bond as brothers, oddly enough.

Lucas was first to break the silence. "So, how's the Haley situation going?"

They'd stopped running, and were now sitting atop the sand on Whrysfield beach, panting heavily.

"There's no Haley situation anymore, Luke."

Lucas looked at his brother sympathetically. "I know. I meant like, how's the separation going?"

"It's going." Nathan shrugged.

"Nate, I wish you weren't going through this." He stared at his brother. More than anything, Lucas had hoped for happiness for both his sister-in-law and brother. He hadn't wanted this to happen.

"Me too. I wish things were different."

"Well, maybe they can be," Lucas offered, "I mean, what if you went to the apartment and told her that you wanted to make it work? I mean, Haley's a sucker for romantic gestures."

"That's the thing, Lucas. I don't want to make things work. When I said I wished things were different, I mean like - I wish that she hadn't left to go on tour, or that I hadn't asked her to fucking marry me when we were sixteen. I mean, different." Nathan shook his head sadly, eyeing the fading sun as the clouds began to come in.

"Oh."

Nathan bit his lip. "I hate that I'm not even twenty-five yet, and I'm getting a divorce."

"Nate, you did the best you could. It just wasn't meant to be."

"Yeah, I guess," He paused, grabbing a handful of sand, "So, how's Brooke?"

Lucas's jaw tightened the slightest bit. "I don't know. You've been spending more time with her lately then me."

"I know," Nathan made a face, "Lots of business trips, huh?"

"Things get busy at the end of the year." Lucas shrugged.

"Okay, I know this is kind of a weird question, but uh, what exactly do you do?" He laughed.

Lucas shoved his brother. "I'm a financial planning analysis. Basically I-"

"You know what? Just - forget I asked. It's better this way."

Both grinned. Lucas grabbed a handful of sand, tossing it at his brother's face. Gasping, Nathan did the same, and the two were soon in a playful tussle.

It was a beautiful sight. Watching two brothers with absolutely no hate for each other. It was almost refreshing.

-

Brooke frowned as she poured herself a cup of tea. God, would the rain ever stop? All she wanted was for it to be sunny again. Or even better, snowy.

She sighed, still upset from her meeting with Haley. How could Haley call her a bad friend? Brooke had never once left her friends to go sing-a-long with Chris Keller. Brooke had never left. Period.

Rolling her eyes, Brooke rested her hands on the counter. After a couple moments of contemplation, she lifted the phone from its spot on the receiver. Dialing a familiar number, she breathed a sigh of relief as the person on the other end picked up.

"P. Sawyer."

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Brooke Davis-Scott."

She looked down guiltily, although Peyton could not see her. "Hi."

"I believe it's been, what? Forever since I've last spoken to you, is it?"

"Hardy har-har, okay? I'm sorry."

"Eh, it's a two way street. So, hoe, how've you been?"

Brooke couldn't help but smile. Even through her toughest times, Peyton had always managed to be her ray of light, never faltering. "Peyton, it's only been like, a week since we've last spoken."

"Okay, well, in Brooke-Peyton land, that's like a million years."

"Oh, I've missed you." She giggled.

"Of course you have. What's not to miss? Anyway, how've you been in the past week?" Her last sentence was filled with mock, and Brooke quite enjoyed it.

"Well, I went over to see Haley, and she basically called me a bad friend, and said I was entirely on Nathan's side."

"God, I haven't spoken to Haley in like a month." Peyton said wistfully.

Brooke sighed. "I haven't seen her as much lately, either. But it's not because I'm on Nathan's side, I just.. I-"

"Haven't been yourself? Yeah, trust me, I know."

"I'm sorry, Peyt. If I've been like, a bad friend."

"Don't be. Brooke, you're my best friend, and I love you, and you have been through the toughest time. I know you, and I know when you need your space. Don't be sorry because of that."

Brooke found herself grinning. "God, you are so my P. Sawyer. How've you been?"

"Well, remember that guy I told you about? Adam?"

"Hot Neighbor Guy? Of course."

"I think I like him."

"Well, duh."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Brooke smiled, pulling open the fridge. "Just that I could tell you liked him since you first starting talking about him."

"How could you possibly know? I didn't even know."

"Have you forgotten who I am?"

Peyton shook her head, throwing an arm up. "Of course not. You're Brooke. How silly of me."

"So, what happened between you to make you realize your feelings?"

"Oh, the feelings that I apparently already had? Right. Well, uh, I don't know. I sort of spent the night at his house, and-"

"What?" Brooke shrieked, jumping up, "Tell me everything. Now. From the beginning."

"It's kind of a long story." Peyton whined.

"Oh, wow. Uh, do I care? No. Start."

The blonde rolled her eyes. "There's the Brooke Davis I both know, fear, and love."