Chapter 4
Girl's hotel Room.

10 minutes later Haley, Lucas, Peyton and Jake walked into the room. To see Nathan sitting on the bed holding her hand. Just sitting there looking at Brooke.
H-"Nathan everything OK?" He turned to them. But didn't move from the bed. Or let go of her hand.
N-"It is now. But I have a feeling things are going to be tough for Brooke. She's got alot of issues. Every person in her life has either walked out on her or left her."
P-"Nathan did she say how long she's been cutting herself?"
N-"She said for a couple weeks now."
P-"That is how long Lucas and I have been together."
N-"With you and Lucas seeing each other. Was the last straw. She wants to fall in love and get married and have kids. But is convinced no one cares about her. Or who wants her. She will never have that. I've never been so scared of losing someone as I am of losing her. I'm not going to stand by and let her do this to herself."

Nathan let go of Brooke's hand and got off the bed. When Brooke felt Nathan move and let go of her hand. She started to toss and turn again. And started whimpering. Nathan saw this and sat back down on the bed. And took her hand. Brushed some of her hair back. And whispered in her ear.
N-"It's OK Brooke I'm right here. Just sleep it's OK honey."

All of them looked at Nathan. Haley seemed scared that she is losing him to Brooke. And she didn't like it.
H-"Nathan why are you playing babysitter to Brooke. She's a grown person."
N-"Haley I'm not playing babysitter. Just someone who is worried about his friend. If you have forgotten she was trying to kill herself tonight. And she would have succeeded if I didn't show up. I don't know about you guys. But I know my life wouldn't be complete without her. She is kind, nice, passionate. Has a wonderful heart. You just have to know her. She thinks negative things about her. She wants other people to be happy. Not caring about her own happiness. She wants Peyton and Lucas to be happy. And me and you Haley. She has got to be the most unselfish person I know. Haley she is the reason we are together. And I thank her for that. But I'm also thankful I know her. And you all should be too." Nathan looked back down at Brooke. Running is fingers over the slash marks on her arms.
N-"But I will tell you this. Anybody hurts her again will be dealing with me. She will not do this to herself again."
L-"How can you be so sure she won't do it again. You can't watch her 24 hours a day man."
N-"I know that Lucas. But she is going to know she has someone who she can count on."

Karen and Peyton's dad came back into the room. To see is everything was OK.
K-"Nathan is she OK?"
N-"Far from being OK Karen."
Larry-"What has been going on with her?"
N-"She's been cutting herself to ease some of the pain she is in Mr. Sawyer."
K-"Nathan please be honest with me. How long has Brooke been doing that to herself."
N-"Karen it's been going on for a couple weeks now."
K-"It's because of Lucas and Peyton she is doing this to herself?"
N-"That is part of it Karen. If you've known Brooke as long as I have. You would know she hasn't had the best childhood. Her parents ignore her probably don't even know they have a daughter. And everybody she thought she could trust has hurt her."
K-"You care about her alot don't you." Nathan looked down at Brooke and smiled.
N-"Yeah I do Karen she's been in my life since I was 4. She is apart of me. She has got to be one of my closest friends next to Tim. Brooke and I are like Lucas and Haley. Best friends. Yeah me both know we haven't been close lately. But we know if either one of us were in trouble. Or needed anything we could come to each other. God she use to be happy full of such joy. I remember her telling me the day she met Peyton. That she had two best friends. And all she would ever need is us. And she would be happy. I also remember Peyton and I didn't like each other that much. I don't know why."

P-"One reason was because you were mean. And another was. Whenever I would call her she was with you. And when you weren't with her or us. All she would talk about is you Nathan this Nathan that. Nathan is so funny. Sometimes I wanted to strangle her. Always seemed she was measuring th guys she dated to you. I just never realized how your friendship was between you."

N-"Peyton I felt the same way you did. All she ever talked about was you. When were were together. She thought she hit the jackpot when someone like you wanted to be friends with her. Because of how different you two grew up. And if you also have forgotten. Peyton she was the one who put us together. See up until last year Peyton and I were always arguing. Use to drive her nuts. See everyone Peyton and I were trying to push the others buttons. Peyton remember how we happened?"
P-"Yeah she locked us in a closet. She said should wouldn't let us out until we stopped fighting. I was so mad at her. She was happy when we started dating."
N-"Yeah she was. Even though we were happy and she wasn't. But she was happy for us.

K-"Guys it's late and everybody has a big day tomorrow. So I think we should call it a night."
H-"Yeah I'm beat." Everyone moved but Nathan.
K-"Nathan she will be OK. She's just sleeping."
N-"OK" Nathan let go of her hand and walked towards the door.

Brooke could tell Nathan wasn't anywhere close. She got that picture in her head again. Nathan laying on the ground motionless. So she screamed and thrashing.
B-"Nathan no wake up. Please wake up you can't leave me." Tossing and turning in her sleep. After he turned around. He saw Lucas trying to wake her up."
L-"Brooke it's OK no one is going to hurt you." But she knew it wasn't Nathan. Nathan walked back over to the bed.
N-"Brooke you are OK. Just open your eyes nothing can hurt you. Come on sweetie open those brown eyes of yours."

Brooke opened her eyes.
B-"Nathan you are alive." She sat up and hugged him.
N-"Brooke you were just dreaming again. I'm fine"
B-"Why am I having these dreams for?"
N-"I don't know. But it's time for bed. We have a big day tomorrow. And need some rest."
B-"Nathan I'm sorry. You go back to your room and get some sleep. I will be fine."
N-"You sure?"
B-"Positive."
N-"No I will just wait until you are asleep."
B-"No go I will be fine. And kiss your girlfriend. She loves you. Don't ignore her because of me. And I have a feeling she isn't liking you being this close to me. And I can't blame her."

Then she turned to Lucas and Peyton.
B-"Peyton, Lucas you both hurt me. But if you two make each other happy. Then don't let anything stand in your way of your happiness." Then she turned to Karen.

B-"Karen despite the way Lucas and I ended. You raised a good son. A honest, kind, caring person. I know we didn't get that much of a chance to know each other. But you are one amazing person. You have treated me like almost a daughter. More than my own mother."She turned to Peyton's dad.
B-"And papa Peyton. You have always treated me like a daughter. And I've always thought of you as a father I never had."

B-"Peyton you've always been my best friend threw everything. We went threw alot together. First crush, first heartache, first kiss, first everything. I could always come to you for everything. And you have never let me down." She turned to Lucas.

B-"Lucas what can I say. You were what I always wanted in a guy. Nice, kind, sweet, sensitive. And like Peyton you also brought out a side in me. I've only let 2 other people besides you see. And try and make peace with Nathan. You two might not see it. But you both have the same qualities. But I do see it. You both have the same smile and shape of the eyes. Lucas deep down Nathan is a good person. You just have to know him to know that. But you are also a good person Lucas. You and Peyton belong together. I see that now."

B-"Jake I know we haven't been all that close. And I've known you just as long as I have known Nathan and Peyton. But to say I was surprised to see you with a baby. I was completely shocked. Before you always were secretive and didn't really hand out with us. Don't take this the wrong way but I thought you were gay."
J-"It's OK Brooke."
B-"No it's not OK. When I get hurt I take it out on other people. I admire you. The way you are with Jenny. A devoting dad. I wish I had a dad like you. And being a single parent. While holding down a job and school. And along with playing basketball. Don't know how you do it. But that is what I admire about you. Lost of people thinks it would be me being knocked up. Which I'm not."

B-"Haley I know we haven't been friends. Or even close. But I admire you also. You are everything I want to be. Smart, funny, kind. And I'm none of those things. And the way you have changed Nathan's life. He is getting good grades. Alot nicer to people. Haley he does have a soft spot inside him. And you brought that out in him. I set you up with him because I knew you could reach that hole he has in his life. But could I ask you to do me a big favor for me?"
H-"If I can yes."
B-"Take care of him for me. He is going to need you."
N-"Brooke I'm confused."

Nathan sat there confused why she way saying all of this stuff for. He knew she meant all of it. But it's sounds like she is dying or something. And saying her last goodbyes. Nathan had a sickening thing in the pit of his stomach. And he didn't like it. So he finally spoke up.
N-"Brooke why are you saying all of this for? You sound like someone who is going to die. But you are not dying."
B-"Nathan look at me please." He looked at her.

B-"And you Nathan I've known you since I was 4. You were my first real friend. We were so much alike and we still are. You have always been there for me. Even after all these years we can still say we are best friends. Yes we may have grown apart. But we both know what the other was thinking. We didn't have to say it. Even when you were young I always found you hot. Never said it to you. And still think you are hot. You were my first everything. First real friend, first crush, first real boyfriend, and first kiss. We were 12 when we had our first kiss."

N-"Yeah I remember it was at Peyton's birthday party. Playing spin the bottle. You were my first everything too. Including kiss. But you are started to scare me with all of this talk. And I don't scare easily. And I don't like it. So please get it over with and tell us." Brooke reached over to take his hand.

B-"Everyone I know this must be confusing. Why I am saying this. And it's because Nathan." Looking him in the eye and looking at no one else.
B-"Is because I am dying. The marks on my arms aren't from cutting. I just said that because I didn't want you to know. They are from IV's."

Everyone was in shock and didn't believe it. Most of all Nathan.
B-"I didn't want anyone to know. All I wanted to do was compete in the competition. And finally beat Claire at something. But that is not going to happen. And after that I was going to leave town and not come back. I didn't want anyone to feel pity for me. Or even care if I was gone. I was going to write you when the time was right."
K-"Brooke that is no reason not to say anything. What do you have?"
B-"Leukemia doctor says will be a couple weeks or months. Unless we found a bone marrow donor. Which we haven't found. I can feel myself getting weaker and weaker. I started chemo but that isn't help. So unless I get a match for bone marrow. I am going to die. Parent and family have been tested. But so gar not a one is a match. So please don't worry about me. Just go on with your lives and be happy."

Everyone was in tears. Now they knew what Nathan was talking about. They saw an unselfish person. Thinking about them. When she was sick and could be dying. Brooke looked at Nathan who was mostly quite. Brooke brought a hand to his face and turned his face so he was looking at her. He was on the verge of tears.
N-"No absolutely not. You are not going to die. Don't give up hope."
B-"I haven't but I'm being realistic about it The odds of finding a match now are real low."
N-"Why didn't you tell me?"
B-"Because I wanted you to remember like I was. And not someone who is sick."

N-"I do hope you know that you are not going threw this alone."
B-"Nathan that's why i didn't tell you."
N-"Well to bad. I'm going to be there for you."
B-"Well I don't want you to. You have your own life."
N-"Brooke Annabelle Davis well that is to bad. I'm going to help you threw this. And I don't care if you don't like it. To damn bad." He got off the bed leaned down to kiss her cheek And left.
B-"Nathan come back here. I swear he can be so stubborn sometimes. When he wants his own way. And if you says my middle name one more time. Well he's been warned."

K-"Well I think it's time for bed everyone. Enough drama for one night. Let's get to bed."
H-"Is Nathan going to be alright?"
B-"He will be he has you." Then she laid back down and went to sleep exhausted. The other two were dealing with alot of stuff. Both realizing they could lose Brooke. If she doesn't get the proper medical treatment she needs.

Meanwhile Lucas walked back to his room. Trying to sort out what he just learned. How can a girl like Brooke get sick like this. The things Brooke said to him tonight. Is what he wanted to hear for a long time. But he felt even lower then ever about himself. He put her threw alot of pain. But she forgave him. And that is was OK to be with Peyton. He walked into the room to see Nathan staring out the window. Just like him Nathan was also dealing with the news.

N-"I'm scared man."
L-"Oh what?"
N-"Losing her. I know everything she said was the truth. Lucas what would you do if it were Haley in Brooke's place?"
L-"I would do everything in my power to help her. She's my best friend."
N-"Well I would do the same for Brooke. The thought of losing her scares me to death. Would you know if something was wrong with Haley?"
L-"Like what?"
N-"Do you ever get a feeling that something is not right in the pit of your stomach. But you can't explain it. But you know it's not right?"
L-"Yeah I did once when Haley's appendix ruptured. I didn't know it at the time."
N-"Well that is what I felt about Brooke. Earlier when I found her in the pool. Never been so afraid. Now I might lose her for good. Well I'm not going to let that happen."

L-"Can't believe she didn't tell anyone."
N-"One thing you have to know about Brooke is. If she doesn't want you to know something. She won't tell."
L-"I'm starting to see that."
N-"She's stubborn too."
L-"Funny she just said the same thing about you."
N-"I don't even want to think what life would be like without her."
L-"Dull."
N-"That is for sure. Well I'm going to help her. Weather she likes it or not. First thing when we get back I'm being tested."
L-"Yeah we all should. Maybe even a blood drive at school."
N-"That is a start."
L-"But we better get to bed. You have a game tomorrow."

Nathan got back in bed. When there was a knock on the door. Lucas answered it. It was Brooke.
L-"Brooke are you OK? Why are you crying?"
B-"Bad dream. Is Nathan still up?"
N-"Yeah I'm still up. You OK?"
B-"No I'm scared."
N-"Come here." Brooke walked over to Nathan's bed and laid down next to him.
N-"What are you sacred about?"
B-"Losing you."
N-"Brooke I'm right here. You haven't lost me. And you never will."
B-"Will you remember me when I am gone?"
N-"And where are you going?"
B-"Nathan I'm dying remember."
N-"And I am telling you. You aren't going anywhere. You are going to grow to be a very old woman."
B-"No Nathan I'm not. And you have to face it. I'm dying and I'm not angry about it."
N-"Brooke quit talking like that. God you are so stubborn sometimes."
B-"Look who is talking." They both laughed.

A few minutes of silents and Brooke was sleeping. Nathan was talking to her. With her head on his chest.
L-"Nate."
N-"Yeah?"
L-"She's sleeping. Maybe you should bring her back to her room."
N-"No she can stay here. I'll sleep on the floor."

Lucas laid down on his bed. Nathan was trying to get out of Brooke's hold. But she wouldn't let him go. Nathan didn't think it would be a problem to share the bed. So he turned off the light. Pulled the covers up and over them. He wrapped his arms around her. Brooke sighed with her head resting on Nathan's chest. Nathan kissed the top of her head. And both were fast asleep and content.

End of chapter 4

Cheerleading competition/basketball game
Haley isn't liking the Nathan/Brooke friendship.
Haley says something to Brooke and lies to Nathan about it