Author's Note: Wow, so uh, this chapter is a little longer then expected. I realize a lot of frequent reviews didn't really review the last chapter, but I hope that changes for this one. To be completely honest, I did struggle through this one. I don't know why. It just - it was tough. So, I hope you like it anyway, and that it's obvious toughness does not shine through. Uh, so guess what? It's my fourteenth birthday in two days! So, anyone that wants to wish me a good birthday? Just review instead, hehe. Don't worry, I'm semi-joking. Thanks so much, and enjoy.
Movie Script Ending
Chapter Thirteen: Vicious Traditions
A sigh escaped Brooke's lips as she eyed the calendar. Only a few weeks left in the year 2012, she mused. God. All in all, it had been a horrible year. Everything that had happened had been truly devastating for everyone. She hoped that 2013 would be a better year. She needed 2013 to be a better year.
She walked towards the refrigerator, pulling it open. Almost instantly, she grimaced. They definitely needed to go grocery shopping. There were a couple take-out boxes, beer, soda, and many different types of dressings and sauces in the fridge. Not much else.
She stood straight, grabbing her keys off the counter. Pulling her hair into a loose ponytail, Brooke's eyes fell to the ground as she walked. Of course, this wasn't a very smart move, as it caused her to walk straight into Nathan.
"Oh!" She exclaimed in shock, as she stumbled backwards. "My God. Sorry, Nate."
Nathan shrugged, steadying her. "It's okay. Where are you going?"
Brooke looked down at the keys in her hand. "Um, I'm going to the supermarket. We have like, nothing in the fridge."
"Oh. Can I come with? I'm kind of bored, and since I don't have anything else to do, this seems like it'd be fun."
She made a face. "Nathan, have you ever been grocery shopping?"
"No," He smiled sheepishly. "But uh, I saw it once. In a movie."
Brooke couldn't help but laugh. "Fine. But you should realize that this means you'll have to do all the heavy lifting."
"Anything to get out of the house. I mean, not that I don't like this house. It's just that - and - I mean, sometimes you get bored, and then, well.." He trailed off unsurely.
"It's okay, Nate," Brooke giggled, "God, don't give yourself a heart attack."
"I just don't want you and Luke to think that I don't appreciate you letting me crash here for a while, because I really do. You guys have been awesome."
Brooke pulled her brother-in-law in for a hug. "We know, Nathan. Don't worry. See, if you were like, an asshole or something, then we'd have to throw you out on your ass. But you're actually pretty loveable."
He grinned, kissing the top of her head. "Thanks, Brooke."
"Now, let's go grocery shopping." She said with fake enthusiasm.
They began to walk towards the door.
"I don't understand why you're not more excited about this."
"Trust me, Honey. In a couple hours, you will."
-
Nathan pulled the car into the local Vons parking lot, smiling faintly as he saw a family exiting a mini-van. The mother and father grinned at each other as they watched their young kids jump out excitedly. Sometimes, he wished he and Haley could have been that way. He figured that maybe they could have lasted longer if they'd had children. But even then, had things still ended up the way they had, it would have just made things more complicated.
"Nathan!" He snapped his head quickly to his right, where Brooke sat.
"Uh-huh?"
"Um, you just missed that spot right over there. I've been pointing to it for like, the last five minutes, but you seem to be in la-la land over there."
"What spot?"
Brooke made a face. "Well, you missed it, so it isn't there anymore. Nathan, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," He shrugged. "Just spaced out. My bad."
He found another space, and carefully parked the car. He'd had his fair share of car accidents over the years, and didn't need to add another to the list; especially when he wasn't driving his own car.
Brooke frowned as she surveyed their space. Nathan nudged her playfully. "What?"
"The other spot was better." She said simply, unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out of the car.
"Don't be a baby," He grinned. "This spot's fine and you know it."
She found herself chuckling. "So, are you ready for our big shopping adventure?"
"Yeah, actually. And I still happen to believe that this will be fun."
"Right."
"C'mon, Brooke!" He draped an arm loosely around her. "The fact that you're shopping with me should automatically make this trip fun."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever. You're so in to yourself."
"Shut up." Nathan frowned.
"You know it's true." She found herself grinning.
He pondered for a moment, until the corners of his mouth finally lifted up into a smirk. "Yeah, you're right."
-
"Mm, this looks good!" Brooke yanked a zone meal off of one of the frozen meal racks, dropping it into the cart.
Nathan stared in disgust, and then looked down at the ten large frozen pizzas he held in his arms. "That's," He paused. "Disgusting."
She made a face at him as he dropped the contents of his arm into their cart. "Nathan, do you seriously need ten pizzas?"
"They're for Luke, too!"
"Fine, but when you gain sixty pounds, and I'm still in perfect shape-"
"Who's full of themselves now?" He challenged, slapping her shoulder playfully.
"Okay, that doesn't make me full of myself. I work hard to maintain my figure. I'm not Peyton."
Nathan stared at her, confused. "Peyton eats like a bird."
"Whatever! She's still thin.."
His look didn't budge. "Because she eats like a bird."
"You'll never understand me." Brooke threw her arms up in the air, walking away.
"And thank God for that."
-
As they walked through the 'health products' aisle, Brooke stopped the cart abruptly, causing Nathan to walk into her.
"Second time today, Davis. What's wrong with you?"
She gestured towards what she was looking at, and Nathan's jaw dropped.
"No," He shook his head violently. "Not here! Not when I'm here!"
"Nathan, I ran out, okay? I need them now."
He gagged as he looked over at the endless racks of tampons. "Fine! Then just pick one!"
Brooke scowled. "I like a certain brand. Also, the scented once are nice, because-"
"Ew! Ew, ew, ew! Stop talking. Now."
"Nathan," Brooke snapped, her eyes narrowing to slits, "It's a natural part of life!"
"I don't care! It's a natural part of women's lives, which means you don't tell me about it! I'm not a woman!"
He'd said the last part a little too loud, and both realized it instantly, looking around to see if they had an audience. Of course, the one guy standing by the condom section had to be looking towards them, eyes wide and jaw hanging to the ground. He stared as if they were insane for a few moments, before walking away sans his supplies.
He sighed. "Sorry. I know you can't control your.. dot dot."
"I'm sorry," She giggled, "My dot dot?"
"You know.. your end of the sentence?"
"My period."
"That's it."
"Did you forget the word or something?"
"No, I just hate it."
She raised her eyebrows, thoroughly amused. "You hate the word period?"
"Pretty much, yeah." He shrugged.
"In all situations?"
"I don't know. It just makes me uncomfortable."
She mocked pity. "Aw, Natey! I'm sowwy. Does the word period make you uncomfortable?"
"Shut up." He crossed his arms tightly over his chest.
Brooke giggled, slapping her brother-in-law in the arm as she grabbed her boxes off the shelf, tossing them easily into the cart.
-
"Oh my God. Food samples!" Brooke exclaimed, grabbing Nathan's hand, and dragging him towards the table filled with various cheese and deserts.
He grinned, grabbing a toothpick that stuck to a ball of some unfamiliar cheese with an odd French name that would be impossible to pronounce. Brooke did the same. Both made faces of disgust.
"Gross!" Nathan gagged.
"Cross that off our list." Brooke shuddered.
They reached for a different kind, and this time, both smiled in delight.
"Mm, yummy." She spoke through a mouthful of cheese.
"Grab like, six packages of those!" He gestured towards the wrapped pieces of cheese beside her.
She giggled as they both grabbed for different cheeses this time. Nathan's face went sour, and Brooke's face lit up. They exchanged cheeses, and both marveled at how both of them had enjoyed the one the other hadn't.
They continued to eat what they could find on the table, and after a few minutes, they realized that all that was left on the table were a few crumbs. The salesperson stared at them in utter shock, rolling her eyes and heading to the back for more food.
Brooke and Nathan exploded in laughter.
-
"Let's get US weekly, Vogue, and definitely In Touch."
"Okay. I think we should also get this one with Rachel McAdams on the cover, though." Nathan grabbed it off the shelf, cradling it in his arms.
They stood at the check-out line, after having concluded their shopping adventure, and were now contemplating which magazines they should get.
"Cosmopolitan is good too, so okay. They have really interesting sex tips in there." Brooke winked at Nathan, and his eyes widened as he looked down at the magazine in his hands.
The check-out woman ran everything through, and with a smile, pointed towards the little screen beside her. "There's your total."
Brooke returned her smile, digging through her purse for a credit card. Nathan stopped her. "No, uh, let me."
"Nathan," She looked at the large number displayed across the screen. "You don't have to spend your money. I know you're low on cash, and-"
"Really, Brooke. It's the least I can do." He grinned charmingly at the check-out woman, handing her his card.
"You know, Nate, you're really something." Brooke kissed his cheek, pulling him in for a hug.
He smiled down at her, but inside, his mind was calculating up all the bills he'd have to pay sooner or later, and he mentally grimaced.
-
"You know," Brooke said as they neared her and Lucas's house, "I really had fun with you today."
"Me too." Nathan smiled at her.
"No, I mean, like, I hate grocery shopping. But with you, it's actually kind of fun."
"Aw," He grinned boyishly, "Thanks, Brooke."
He was truly happy. Today, he'd seen more of the old Brooke than he'd seen ever in the past few months. It was like she was really returning to normal. She'd smiled so much today, and he'd been genuinely surprised. He couldn't have been more proud of her progress.
"In fact, I think we should always go food shopping together."
"You do, do you?"
"Yes."
Nathan shrugged as the house came into view. "So I guess that this makes us shopping buddies."
"I guess so." She squeezed his arm affectionately.
He frowned. Brooke eyed him suspiciously. "What's wrong, buddy?"
"Nothing, it's just - who's car is that?" He pointed towards the car in the driveway, and Brooke squinted, shrugging.
"I don't know. Look, it's a rental, though." The license plate proudly stated, 'Rented from Tree Hill Rent-a-car!'
"Huh," He managed to squeeze in beside the silver SUV, and both attempted to look through the tinted windows. "I guess someone's visiting you."
Suddenly, Brooke gasped, clutching Nathan's arm with her own. "Oh my God!"
"What?"
"How's my hair?" She flipped open the mirror in front of her, hastily pulling her hair out of a pony-tail, and then desperately trying to flatten the crease that formed because of it.
"Uh, it's fine. Brooke, who's here?"
"My outfit's nice, right? Stylish but casual, right?"
"Uh, I guess. Brooke-"
"I didn't overdo my makeup, right?" She tried to calm herself, taking deep breaths.
"No. Brooke! Who's here?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the sound of someone else's voice.
"Brooklyn! Is that you?" Nathan's jaw dropped as he heard the unmistakable voice of Elizabeth Davis. Heels clicking towards the car proved him to be correct, and he held his breath as he rolled down his window, terrified for his life.
"Mother!" Brooke quickly recovered, a smile lighting up her features, "Hi. I can't believe you're here."
"Well, darling, are you going to let us in? It's extremely rude to keep your guests waiting outside in the cold while you sit in your car talking."
Brooke nodded. "Uh, sorry. We'll be out in a second. We've just been grocery shopping, so-"
"Okay. I'll go wait with your father." Elizabeth walked away, and Nathan stared after her.
Once she was out of sight, he turned to Brooke, panic lacing his voice. "What the fuck are your parents doing here?"
"I don't know," Brooke rolled her eyes. "But honestly, it's rude to keep them waiting? Is she kidding? It's rude to show up at someone's house unannounced."
"Now come on. We both know that your mother always bends the rules for herself." He shook his head, unbuckling his seatbelt.
"Brooklyn! We're not getting any warmer out here!"
"God, I am so not ready for this."
-
"Brooklyn, you're looking lovely." Robert Davis kissed his daughter's cheek, and she smiled up at her favored parent.
"Yes, but you do seem to have put on a little weight." Elizabeth put a hand to her cheek, as if she were pondering.
Brooke frowned. "Well, I guess that's a good thing since I lost about twenty pounds after what happened."
Taken aback, Elizabeth bit her lip. "I didn't mean.." She trailed off. Her gaze went towards Nathan.
"Nathan! It's a pleasure to see you. I didn't even recognize that it was you in the car beside Brooklyn."
"Uh, yeah." He tried to smile, but failed miserably.
"How have you been?"
"I'm getting divorced." He shrugged.
Robert laughed. "Well, of course you are, son. You got married when you were just a child!"
Elizabeth chuckled along with him, but Brooke and Nathan stood still, lips not even twitching the slightest bit.
"Uh, how long are you two staying?"
"We just came for the night to see you, Sweetheart." Her father ran a hand through Brooke's creased hair.
"Gee, thanks."
"We'll be staying for dinner, and then we're driving on to your father's business meeting in Charlotte." Elizabeth looked distastefully around the house.
"Of course." Brooke nodded.
Robert opened his mouth to speak just as the door opened. Lucas stepped in, briefcase in one hand and water bottle in the other.
"Brooke, I'm ho-me.." He trailed off, eyes landing on his parents-in-law.
"Lucas!" Elizabeth exclaimed, standing to wrap Lucas up in a hug. He stiffly accepted, obviously terrified.
"What are you guys doing here?" He tried to fake happiness, but could not. His smile was plastered on, and his eyes showed fear.
"They're here for dinner, Sweetie." Brooke walked to her husband, wrapping her arms around him, hoping he'd somehow be able to protect her from them.
"You came all the way from California just to have dinner?" He asked doubtfully.
"Well, no," Robert admitted. "I have a business meeting, and Tree Hill was on the way."
"Yeah, because-"
Lucas cut her off, knowing her words would be bitter. "That's nice of you. Brooke and I haven't seen you in years."
"I know. We really wanted to visit after what happened-" Elizabeth began.
"-but things with work just got very busy." Robert finished for his wife.
"Of course. It's fine. We got by." Brooke challenged, holding on to Lucas tighter - more for support now.
"Right. Well, are we going to be going out for dinner or staying in?"
Lucas and Brooke exchanged looks.
"We'll order in."
-
Lucas ripped off his tie in desperate search for another one. "I can't believe your parents are here."
"Me either! How can they just show up out of nowhere like this? You should have seen the dig they made at Nathan about his marriage with Haley!" Brooke tossed four dresses onto their bed, biting her lip as she decided which one to wear.
"Poor guy. I can't believe he has to stay for dinner. They just assumed he has no life!" Lucas pulled on a pair of charcoal colored pants.
"I just hate that they're here. As if life isn't stressful enough. And it's not like they can just be normal parents, either!"
"Sweetie, Dan Scott's my father."
"God, I know," She paused, picking two dresses off their bed, "Purple or emerald?"
"Uh, purple." He slid into a blue button up shirt, and watched as she slipped off her outfit, gliding easily into the spaghetti strapped, purple dress.
Brooke sat on their bed, taking a deep breath.
"Baby, you okay?" Lucas took a seat beside her.
"I just hate that they're here. They've always made my life so difficult, you know? And just when I thought I was free, they're back. Probably here to start some more drama."
"It's going to be okay. Don't worry. I know it's hard, but just - don't let them get to you."
"Easier said than done, Luke." She smiled weakly.
"I promise I'll try my hardest to help you through it."
She leaned into him, smiling. Looking up into his eyes, she shrugged. "One last kiss before we face the worst punishment anyone could ever receive?"
"Of course." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him down for a kiss. Their lips met briefly, and he pulled away, resting their foreheads together.
"We'll get through this."
-
"Brooklyn, there isn't enough parmesan in this salad." Elizabeth stated as she looked down at her arugula salad.
"Well, I didn't make it, mother."
"I realize that, but you couldn't have prepped it up a little before serving it?"
"Nope."
"So, Lucas, how's business?" Robert nodded towards his son-in-law.
"It's pretty good." Lucas shrugged.
"And Nathan?"
Nathan, who hadn't said much at all throughout dinner, shrugged. "Uh, not too good, actually."
"Still an architect?"
"Yes." He braced himself for an insult.
"Don't worry, son. Architecture is a tough business, but I'm sure you'll get there." The older man took a sip of his wine, and the three people there under thirty found themselves exchanging glances.
"Wow. Uh, thank you, sir."
Robert smiled warmly. For a moment, the table was at peace. It seemed Elizabeth didn't enjoy this, for she looked to be plotting out her next insult in her head.
"So, Nathan, why are you and Haley splitting up?"
The younger Scott brother shifted uncomfortably. "Um, things just - didn't work out, I guess."
"Did she cheat on you again?"
"Mother!" Brooke snapped.
"What? I'm just asking the boy an innocent question."
Nathan shook his head. "No. Um, I'd actually prefer if we didn't talk about this, if that's okay."
"Sure, Sweetheart."
Brooke rolled her eyes, and Lucas caught her gaze. She smiled warmly, but looked down. She was seconds away from exploding.
Elizabeth looked down at her salad. "This salad's a little dry, Brooklyn."
"Put some dressing on it." She spoke through clenched teeth.
"Oh, it's fine." Elizabeth shrugged distastefully.
Lucas squeezed his wife's hand. "So, how have you two been?"
"Oh, you know," Robert shrugged, "California's great. I must say, I do love Los Angeles. The traffic's horrible, but I love living there. We just added an indoor pool to the house-"
"An outdoor one's not enough?" Brooke raised her eyebrows.
"Well, for events that are hosted at our house, it's sometimes too cold to be outside, so we have our nice room inside instead."
"You need a pool at your event?"
"Well, they compliment a party nicely, Sweetheart." Robert shrugged uncomfortably. He could tell his daughter was less than pleased, but he couldn't understand why.
"You know," He said softly, "I think this house could do with some re-doing. I was looking it over, and frankly, it just isn't as nice as some of the other houses on this street."
"How would you know? You haven't been inside the other houses."
"I just know, darling." He smiled in a condescending manner.
"Honestly, Brooklyn, the lack of parmesan in this is-"
"Fine, you know what?" Brooke stood, going around the table, and grabbing her mother's plate, "I'll get you your parmesan cheese, since you seem to be incapable."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, following her daughter to the kitchen.
"Darling, that was extremely rude. I think you should apologize to-"
"Mom, shut the fuck up! I don't care if I'm being rude to you! This is my house, and I'll be as rude as I please!" She'd grabbed the cheese grater, and was hurriedly running a chunk of parmesan up and down it.
"Brooklyn, why are you acting like this? You know, I told you that marrying that Scott boy was-"
"God, I don't understand why you're this way! My entire life, all I've ever tried to do is be good enough for you, but nothing is ever good enough for you! Why do you always insult everything I do? Why can't you just support my decisions? Why are you such a bitch one hundred percent of the time?"
She was now ferociously grating the cheese, no longer paying much attention. "I just - I don't get it! Mom, what did I ever do that you feel the need to treat me this way?"
"I'm just trying to help you, Brooklyn." She barely managed to say. She'd never been more shocked in her life. Brooke had never spoken to her in such a manner.
"By the way, I hate it when you call me Brooklyn! It's the worst first name ever, and I can't believe you even named me that!"
Elizabeth's face went stern. "Whether or not you like it does not matter. I like it."
"Do you really? Or was it just another way to prove that you're so much more than me? By giving me a stupid name. Huh? You know, all I ever wanted was to make you proud. And you just barge in here after years of not seeing me, and you insult everything! Including poor Nathan, who's an innocent victim in all this, and doesn't need to be reminded of his failed marriage - time and time again!"
"Brooklyn," Elizabeth's eyes widened, "Your hand."
Brooke looked down at her fingers. Her thumb, index, and middle finger were all bleeding profusely. She'd cut them while grating, and had not realized it. Her fingers suddenly felt as if they were throbbing, and she bit back tears, taking the grated cheese, and dumping it into her mother's salad.
"There you go!" She cheerfully held out her arm. Her mother did not budge. "Take it! Take it!" She began to cry, tossing the plate deep into the sink. It shattered. Elizabeth jumped, and watched her daughter in surprise.
"Why didn't you come visit me after I lost my baby?" Brooke sobbed. "Why didn't you care?"
"I couldn't come. Your father.." Elizabeth trailed off.
"I've never been so hurt in my life! All I wanted was for you and daddy to be there! And he couldn't take a couple days off work? You couldn't leave your stupid clubs for a week?"
"Brooklyn, please. It wasn't that simple."
"Simple?" Brooke wiped at her tears, advancing slowly towards Elizabeth. "A man raped me! He threw me down a flight of stairs, and I lost my baby! He pushed me up against a wall and I begged him to stop, and he didn't care the slightest bit! And neither did you!"
Tears ran slowly down Elizabeth's face. She shook her head. "I have to go."
She walked out of the kitchen, leaving Brooke behind to herself. She sobbed, holding her cut hand close to her chest, and using the other to cup over her mouth. She sunk to the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Elizabeth rushed out of the kitchen. "Bobby, can you please get our coats? I'd like to leave. Now."
Lucas and Nathan both stood, wishing quiet good-byes as they walked towards the kitchen. Lucas quickly rushed towards his wife's side, wrapping her in his arms.
Nathan stood behind, looking back and forth from the direction Robert and Elizabeth had went, to where Brooke now sat. He remembered how happy she'd been earlier on, and now - now, she was the exact opposite.
She'd taken twelve steps forward, and now twenty back.
Sighing, he awkwardly shoved his hands into his pockets.
How had the day managed to go from so good to so bad?