Chapter Twenty-Two:
Saturday: The Day Of Brooke's Birthday
Lindsay looked around, the place was beautiful. There were balloons, photo booth, a bar and many grown-up games they could play. She was proud of herself that she did this but with help. She still couldn't believe that she was doing this for Brooke Davis and she was working with Iris. This was getting Lindsay to think if she really wanted to be with Lucas or should she just leave him alone. Iris walked in, wearing the purple dress that Mouth had talked about. It was a short, sweetheart dress that had sparkles on it. She looked around the place, she was shocked at transformation from an empty room to a party room.
"This is nice." Iris told her, looking at the decorations. There were a few tables, clear vases with flowers in them. The lights were low so that it could have a slight mysterious and sexy look.
"Do you think she'll like it?" Lindsay asked with hope that she would. Iris looked around one last time and could imagine Brooke going wild.
"She'll love it. This is just what she needs." Iris sat down at one of the tables. Skills had told Lindsay what happened between them.
"Is she okay?" Lindsay asked, worried for her. Lindsay sat down in front of her, ready to hear the story that she was going to tell.
"She's crushed." Iris shrugged her shoulders, she didn't know how else to explain it. "She just wants this to be a good night. She's been through enough." Iris heard voices outside of the abandoned building. Iris ran to the broken window, poking her head outside. She saw a few people standing outside of the building. They had a few bottles and presents in their hand. She looked up and saw cars coming from down the road.
"Just come on up!" Iris yelled down below. The group looked up at her and nodded. Iris stepped back, turning and looking at Lindsay. She had something on her mind that Iris couldn't figure it out but she could imagine what she was thinking. "Its okay." Iris told her. Iris helped the guests come in and become comfortable. Skills played music and started to get the party going. Nathan and Haley arrived, he was little drunk but he knew when he had to slow down. He has been giving her the silent treatment ever since his father left yesterday.
"Were here for Brooke." Haley reminded him, not wanting any drama at her best friends birthday party. Nathan rolled his eyes and walked into the building, it was a nice but he thought that a professional could do better. He placed his hand on the wall, helping him balance out. He felt like he was going to fall over and not be able to get back up. He let go of the wall, he felt someone wrap their hands around him. He looked down up saw Brooke.
"Woah, Nathan. Already started the party without me?" Brooke asked him, helping him walk into the room. She smiled widely when she saw everyone that she cared about and hoped that it would help her forget about what happened between her and Lucas. She looked around and didn't see Lucas anywhere. "Let's just have fun tonight, okay?" She looked up at him. They walked inside, Haley saw Brooke carrying in Nathan. She excused herself from talking to Millicent and ran over to Nathan and Brooke. "Your husband is a little drunk." Brooke handed Nathan to Haley. Nathan quickly pushed away from Haley.
"Nathan, were here for Brooke." Haley tried to explain.
"You're here for yourself…and Lucas…your always here…for Lucas." Nathan swallowed, trying hard not to throw up. He pushed her aside and walked away. Brooke was confused on what was going on, she hasn't been talking to Haley for a while.
"What's been going on?" Brooke asked her. Haley huffed, looking past Brooke. She could see Peyton walking in but slipping through the crowd.
"I-uh, things have been going on…a lot in a couple of days." Haley wanted to explain to her but it was too much to talk about. "Peyton told me something when she arrived and I just wanted to know if it was true." Haley looked directly into Brooke's eyes. Brooke already knew what the conversation was going to be about, the only person that was the talk of the town. Lucas.
"Peyton told you about the lie." Brooke assumed.
"No, not actually but that's what it came too. Why would you lie to Lucas?" Haley asked her. Brooke looked around, Lucas was still no where in sight. He was never going to speak to her again.
"At first I thought I was trying to protect him but I was only doing it because I wanted him for myself." Brooke cleared her throat, it was hard for her to talk about since Lucas isn't with her anymore or wants to be near her.
"Brooke, you cant do that."
"I know, I know." Brooke confessed. "I just wanted Lucas to love me, love me like he loves Peyton and now I know that can never happen." Brooke whipped the tears from her face.
"It's hard isn't it?" Haley asked her, feeling sorry for Brooke and understanding what she was going through.
"What?" Brooke narrowed her eyebrows.
"Watching someone you love, love someone else." Haley answered. Brooke nodded, looking at the pavement floor.
"Yea. It still is. Now, it's over. I'm so in love with him. I don't want to give up but I have too." Brooke shrugged her shoulders. "I guess you win Haley- and now he's going to find out about everything else." Brooke chuckled, she thought life couldn't get any worse.
"Brooke…" Haley tried to explain.
"I'm so stupid." Brooke turned around and walked off. It took a lot for her to say that. She had so much confidence and told herself that she shouldn't have a prince to make her happy but she felt like she couldn't be happy without Lucas.