Alex had always wondered who the person in the photo on Brooke's desk was! She never dared ask always felt as if it would be prying. But as Payton dropped her off they walked through to Brookes office to drop off the parcels that had been delivered.
"Peyton who's that" Alex asked pointing to the picture on the desk
"That's sam!" Peyton said as if Alex should know who that is.
"Who?" Alex asked again.
"Brooke fostered her for a bit but she moved back with her birth mother" Peyton explained
"Aw cool just wondered," Alex said as she walked to her room closing the door and climbing into her wardrobe it had been twenty minutes when Peyton walked through to Alex's room to say bye.
"Alex" Peyton said loudly when she couldn't see the girl.
"In here," Alex said embarrassed as she climbed out the wardrobe.
"Why were you in there?" Peyton laughed.
"I lost something" Alex laughed.
"Mmmhhhmmmm," Peyton said opening the closet to find the walls were covered in drawings. She didn't say anything understanding the girl was embarrassed when Peyton left Alex was home alone for a bit for the first time in a week and she still had two more weeks of this.
When Brooke got home with dinner the two sat down for dinner and had the usual chat about what had gone on in their day. Alex finally got the courage to ask Brooke about sam.
"Who is the girl in the picture on your desk?" She asked knowing the answer.
"Sam, my foster daughter I was about to adopt her but she decided to move in with her birth mom and they moved to Nashville," Brooke explained with a smile.
"Why do you ask?" Brooke finished.
"I was just wondering," Alex said playing with her food. She just wanted to go to her bed. She just wanted to sleep. The sadness overtook her and Alex didn't understand why.
After a few moments of silence Alex excused herself and went to her bedroom it was still early but she didn't want to face Brooke and couldn't go out.
"Brooke?" Alex said softly the way she did when she was nervous. "I have some work to do! Do you mind if Aaron came around for an hour or so?" Alex asked.
"Yeah but no boys in your room but yous can sit through here!" Brooke said
Alex nodded leaving not really wanting to be in the same room as Brooke much longer. After a few minutes, Aaron was here and they had set up with their guitars in the living room they talked about sam in a hushed tone so that Brooke would not hear. Aaron not hiding his anger for the situation. They heard Brooke pottering about in the office up the stairs and then Haley walked through the door with a couple boxes of parcels and Aaron stood up quickly to help her.
"Hey you two, whats this?" Haley said as the pair placed the boxes on the kitchen table referring to the guitars and recording equipment.
"We thought we'd get some songs down" Aaron answered.
"Can I hear some" Haley asked
"Sure" Aaron answered as Alex rolled her eyes.
"I want to hold you in my arms 'til you say "turn me loose"
I want to do little things to you 'til you say "it ain't no use"
I want to wake you every morning with a good morning kiss
I want to kiss you to sleep the same way 'cause I, I know you like this
I want to do everything for you
'Cause that's all that a man can do
When he loves a woman like I love you
And I love ya, (love ya) I love ya (love ya), I love ya (love ya)
uh I love you...
I want to say sweet things to you 'til you say I've said enough
I want to stand right by your side when the goin' gets tough
I want to mend your broken heart til you say the hurt is gone
I want to stay with you always so that you won't be alone
I want to do everything for you
'Cause that's all that a man can do
When he loves a woman like I love you
And I love ya, (love ya) I love ya (love ya), I love ya (love ya)
uh I love you...
I want to work for you every day 'til you say "come home and rest"
I want to buy you prettiest things so you can look your best
I want to take you everywhere so the world can see what I got
I want to treat you with tender love 'til you say I've got to stop
I want to do everything for you
Cause that's all that a man can do
When he loves a woman like I love you
And I love ya, (love ya) I love ya (love ya), I love ya (love ya)...
Love ya, love ya, love ya, love ya...
uh I love you…" They finished looking away from each other with grins on their faces they had to admit they were proud of that song.
"That was really good is that for your channel?" Haley asked.
"Maybe," they both said at the same time. And they noticed Brooke was standing at the top of the stairs and Brooke couldn't help but notice the disappointment on Alex's face.
"Hows that essay coming?" Haley asked the two sixteen-year-olds who sat there like a 30-year-old married couple.
"I was actually going to ask if you could help me with it?" Alex lied, she didn't need help she was always really good with English "could I stay at yours tonight and work on it?" Alex asked.
"Sure if that's okay with Brooke?" They both looked to Brooke who was now at the bottom of the stairs who just nodded. As Alex got up to wave Aaron away who laughed at her as he rode away on his motorcycle.
Brooke and Haley talked for a while as Alex sat in her room texting Jamie making plans for the next day. She was called through by Haley Alex strolled through with her school bag and overnight bag in hand.
"I was thinking I would pick you up and we could spend the day together?" Brooke said as they were about to leave.
"I was going to spend the day with Jamie and logan if that's okay?" Alex said coldly not looking in Brooke's eyes and Brooke looked defeated but this look didn't register with Alex.
"Yeah maybe another day" Brook said to Alex's back as she walked away!
"You okay?" Haley asked as they got in the car.
"Yeah fine." Alex said with a smile.
"You don't really need help with your essay do you?" Haley said with I'm a mom I know you're lying look.
"No, just needed a break," Alex said.
Haley nodded with a smile.
It was about nine when Haley and Alex got to the Scott's house and Nathan Clay and Quinn were watching the basketball game and Nathan pulled Alex into him and tried to explain the game for the billionth time. As she nodded along trying her best to look like she was listening.
It was around 6:30 when Alex heard Lydia waddle into her room and she realized she hadn't slept yet. It wasn't long before the little girl was sitting on top of Alex with tired eyes. Alex picked Lydia up on her hip and walked down the stairs it wasn't till around sevenish that Jamie and Haley came down the to meet them. The day was spent like any other Sunday homework and then logan came out round and the day Was spent outside in and out of the pool with Nathan.
After a while, they had changed for dinner and the boys and Nathan were practicing drills in the back and Haley and Alex were making dinner!
"Do you want me to drop you off tonight around 9?" Haley asked
"Can I stay here and go to school with you tomorrow?" Alex asked not looking in Haley's eyes.
"If that's okay with Brooke fine with us?" Haley's smiled Alex nodded setting the table then texting Brooke to let her know. As Brooke sat alone in her too empty house read the text and tried to convince herself that nothing was wrong.
"What are you up to tomorrow?" Nathan asked Alex as they were sat eating dinner.
"Nothing… I'm still grounded!" Alex said rolling her eyes.
"Are you going to go home or stay here tomorrow?" Nathan asked.
"Not sure, I like staying here," Alex said.
"I was thinking me and Jamie would pick you up from school and go pick paint for your room?" Nathan said
"Brooke already painted my room," Alex said confused.
"Your room here I mean?" Nathan said
"Yes sounds good," Alex said trying to hide her excitement.
After dinner, Alex and Jamie were sent to Jamie's room to tidy up the fort that they had made. They sat there in the mess for a while as Jamie tried to convince Alex that raven blue was a great colour for her room.
"Did you know Sam?" Alex asked
"Yeah" Jamie answered innocently
"Brooke really loves her doesn't she?" Alex asked with her back to him.
"Yeah she's her girl," Jamie said oblivious to what was going on.
After a while, they headed downstairs Jamie already ready for bed this was his attempt to get to stay up later.
It was around four when Alex found her way down to the kitchen and got a fright when she saw Haley sitting in the dark.
"Alex?" Haley asked surprised as Alex reached for a glass of water trying to be quiet.
"Hey!" Alex said in a hushed tone "why are you up?" Alex asked.
"I'm trying to get some work done before the kids get up!" She said "Why are you up? I thought you teenagers liked your sleep"
"Couldn't sleep?" Alex said honestly.
"What's up?" Haley asked concerned
"Nothing, I will let you get back to your work." Alex said.
"Alex? You sure," Haley asked as Alex walked away, she received a small nod in return.
Two hours later a very tired Alex was in the car with Haley who kept glancing over at the girl that obviously hadn't slept. They both walked to Haley's class, Alex not in the mood to talk to her friends.
"Alex when was the last time you slept?" Haley asked with a worried sigh.
"Last night" Alex lied
"Alex!" Haley said angrily now.
"Friday night," Alex said so tired but not sleepy, fed up!
"Oh Honey, why?" Haley asked
"I don't know I can't?" Alex answered
"When was the last time you spoke to your therapist?" Haley asked
"I'm grounded remember?" Alex said rolling her eyes.
"Brooke would let you out for an appointment," Haley said in an obvious tone
"I don't want to tell her!" Alex said
"Whats going on with you two did you have a fight?" Haley pried
"No!" Alex said truthfully
"Make an appointment and I will take you our secret how about that?" Haley said softly seeing the defeated look on the young girl's face obvious she had had enough. Alex nodded as Haley walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her Alex was so weak she just placed her head on Haley's shoulder.
The next few days were spent at the Scotts house Alex had popped into Brooke's house to pick up clothes but Brooke had been at work other than that there was no interest in Brooke now that Alex had "her room" at Nathan's there was no need for Alex to ask to stay. Brooke had called and texted her asking her if they were okay she was so confused to why Alex seemed to be avoiding her. A worried Brooke sat at the opposite end of Haley's desk.
"It's been over a week since she has talked to me what did I do?" Brooke said putting her head in her hands.
"Have you tried talking to her?" Haley asked
"I've called she doesn't pick up I text her she doesn't answer!" Brooke said sadly
"Why don't you come round for dinner tonight?" Haley suggested wanting to make things better for Brooke.
"She doesn't want to see me! I don't want to force her!" Brooke said at a lost for what to do!
"I will invite Mia, Payton and Luke too then she won't feel forced and maybe open up!" Haley explained.
It was around 5 when Peyton and Lucas arrived and a little later Mia and Brooke arrived too. Aaron Jamie and Alex were watching tv as they all walked through from the kitchen Haley giving Jamie the we have guests tv off look. The chit chat was the usual group chat that went on Alex and Brooke didn't talk to each other at all. Brooke was fed up, she wanted answers why was she so mad? What did she do?
"Alex a word?" Brooke said as the group was grilling mia about songs. Alex couldn't find an excuse and then Brooke had her arm under hers. "Whats going on?" Brooke asked.
"Nothing!" Alex said
"Don't! You haven't talked to me in almost a week? Did I do something wrong?" Brooke asked desperately.
"what? I just wanted to spend some time with Nathan?" Alex lied she did like the time she spent with Nathan and Jamie but she also wanted to spend time away from Brooke.
"And that means that you have to ignore me?" Brooke asked confused "I miss you, and I understand…" Brooke started
"You understand what do you understand Brooke! I guarantee you don't understand anything!" Alex said in a raised voice the anger obvious.
"The help me understand?" Brooke said.
Alex's frustration rose quickly
"It doesn't matter," Alex said walking out with an urge to cry.
They reached the group and the group were still discussing Mias writer's block.
"I can't get your song out of my head!" Haley said to Alex as she joined Aaron they both rolled their eyes. "What?" Haley asked confused.
"Either can we!" Alex said frustrated.
"it's just terrible!" Aaron said.
"Maybe we can help," Payton said
"Please I need inspiration" Mia pleaded she really just wanted the conversation to shift.
Alex pulled out her phone that was hooked to the Bluetooth speakers played a beat then pulled out their guitars and played the song for the group.
"I like it," Brooke said
"It's bad! We sound like an old married couple" Alex rolled her eyes.
"Yous are like an old married couple" Haley joked
"We need to lose the country vibes!" Aaron said.
Receiving a nod from Alex.
"I like your country music," Brooke said trying to involve herself
"Thank you," Aaron said when Alex tried to pretend she didn't hear her!
The group had dinner and it went like any other group dinner, except the awkwardness was obvious. Throughout dinner, Alex felt her usual anxiety that seemed to follow her it wasn't until everyone was almost finished that the panic kicked in. Alex stood quietly as everyone else was in a deep discussion about the Basketball game that was coming up. It almost went unnoticed as Aaron was being grilled by luke on the teams positioned. Alex made her way to the bed room whispering to herself that she was not dying. Payton walked through to Alex's room after noticing her disappearance she walked in on a Crying Alex not being able to breathe.
"What? What happened?" Payton asked worried "I'm getting Brooke," she said quickly running for Brooke
"What's wrong?" Luke asked as Payton returned to the table.
"Brooke Alex needs you!" Payton said ignoring lukes question.
Brooke made her way up the stairs expecting an argument but when Brooke caught sight of Alex she just scooped her up in her arms they way she would a baby like she had before then got behind her and rocked her Haley made her way upstairs soon after with a bottle of water but didn't say anything she wanted to help she loved Alex and wanted to but knew there was little she could do. It was around twenty minutes later that Brooke came down the group were still sitting around the table and Aaron made his way up to Alex's room.
Everyone left full and tired Aaron and Alex lay on Alex's bed trying to figure out what-what to do. It didn't take long for Nathan to realise that Aaron had found his way up the stairs and Jamie was sent to investigate.
Alex spent the next day in a haze cramps making it almost unbearable to make it through. She sat in English and did nothing just trying not to throw up she had to leave but she didn't really know how to normally she would have left earlier but her choices were Brooke or Nathan and she didn't want to be a burden on Nathan's day but didn't want to be with Brooke. When she hadn't done anything the entire class Haley was pissed and asked her to stay behind Alex just gave her a weak nod, that only annoyed Haley more.
"Alex!" Haley said when Alex didn't move from her seat to Haley's desk
Alex walked down bag on her shoulder
"I don't understand why you think it is okay to sit through an entire class without doing anything is not okay I put work into lesson plans and exercises and you just totally disrespected me!" Haley said angrily.
Alex didn't reply didn't look up from the floor.
"Just go!" Haley said angrily
Alex didn't move but she felt her legs give in from under her and she remembered she had forgotten to eat.
"Alex!" Haley said worried as she ran to her side and brushed her hair from her face.
"I'm sorry," Alex said as she came to and sat up.
"Are you okay? What's wrong!" Haley asked.
"Yeah, I just forgot to eat!" Alex said as a worried Aaron walked through the door laughing when he saw Alex on the floor.
"You alright?" Aaron said helping Alex up.
"I think you should take her to the nurse!" Haley said.
Aaron nodded taking Alex's bag from her. Alex was still lightheaded when the reached the nurses room and Aaron picked her up and placed her on the bed as the Nurse called Brooke Alex was too ill to fight the decision lay still it was only around 5 minutes before a worried Brooke was at Alex's side.
"You okay?" Brooke asked as they reached her car "you fainted!"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." Alex said softly
"You fainted!" Brooke repeated
"Cramps," Alex said honestly.
"Aww I'm sorry," Brooke said putting her hand on Alex's belly as if it would soothe it.
"I'm sorry!" Alex said.
"Why?" Brooke asked.
"For being mad at you!" Alex said.
"Why were you mad?" Brooke asked
"Sam!" Alex answered.
"What? Why?" Brooke asked but Alex didn't answer she sat still looking out the window pale white. They got back to Brookes and Alex went straight to her bed and slept for around two hours and a half before emerging from her room and jumping into the shower she made her way to the living room where Brooke was sitting staring into space.
"How are you feeling?" Brooke said turning to Alex.
"Better!" Alex said sitting beside Brooke.
"Why were you mad about sam?" Brooke asked not being able to wait anymore.
"Because! You were with her and not me!" Alex said truthfully.
"What?" Brooke asked in a sympathetic tone.
"When my stepdad would beat on me and my mom would watch I would scream for my mom but I wasn't screaming for her and she knew it I was screaming for you but you were with someone else's daughter," Alex said through her tears.
"Alex! It wasn't like that!" Brooke said sobbing.
"I know!" Alex said reaching for Brooke and they just sat on the couch motionless after the crying stopped.
"I'm sorry Alex I'm so sorry!" Brooke said "I didn't know" she finished
"It's not your fault I should have stopped it!" Alex replied
"It's not your fault!" Brooke said looking into Alex's eyes to make sure she heard
"I'm sorry Brooke, I realise how lucky I am to have the life I have had," Alex said "I'm just not used to this people loving me thing"
"Alex, can I ask how bad was it?" Brooke said guilt ridden
"Not bad" Alex lied
"Alex?" Brooke said through a tear that fell down her cheek
"A few broken bones a couple stitches here and there," Alex said also guilt-ridden.
"I'm so sorry," they both said simultaneously. Time passed as they sat on the sofa both not speaking happily in each other's arms when a very worried Nathan burst through the door.
"You okay?" He says desperately at Alex's side.
"Yes," she says through a smile
"You sure? Haley said you fainted!" He said feeling her forehead
"'Yes I'm fine," she said
"You should eat something have you ate something?" He asked.
"No, I just fell asleep I feel better now!" Alex answered confused
"Fell asleep you might have hit your head I think we should take you to the er, get in the car?" Nathan said
"Nate I'm fine!" Alex argued
"Nate she just had a dizzy spell she's going to be fine" Brooke chimed in.
"Okay, do you want me to stay," Nathan asked worriedly
"No I will be fine just need my mom for a bit," Alex said making Brookes heart hurt.
"Okay, Haley is going to call when school finishes," Nathan says standing to leave.
"How are you feeling?" Brooke asked seeing the sweat on the girl's forehead
"Not good" Alex replied
"Yeah Nathan is right we should get you to eat something," Brooke said heading to the kitchen as mAlex went to the loo.
Alex played with her food aimlessly taking small bites but it was better than nothing.
"How often does this happen?" Brooke asked worriedly
"Monthly" Alex replied as if it was normal.
"Alex, have you been to your ob about this?" Brooke asked her worriedness increasing
"Yeah, she put me on the pill a while back but It made me crazy so I'd rather suffer through, to be honest!" Alex said truthfully
"Okay, we should maybe talk to her again," Brooke said making a mental note Alex nodded "So you're not on birth control?" Brooke asked.
"No?" Alex answered with a shake of her head.
"You know condoms aren't fully effective," Brooke said.
"Yeah of course" Alex nodded
"There has to be another way?" Brooke said
"I'm sure there is! I will talk to my doctor" Alex said wanting the conversation to stop.
"How come you haven't talked to me about this?" It had been three months since Alex had moved in with Brooke.
"I've never really had to tell anyone before it's not that big of a deal it's only my period!" Alex said still playing with her food.
"If it is painful enough you pass out then it's a big deal," Brooke said. Haley walked through the door as the two sat in the kitchen where Alex was eating.
"Hey?" Haley said with sympathy as she reached Alex rubbing her back, taking a seat beside the girl. "How are you feeling?"
"Better" Alex nodded embarrassed. "I'm sorry about class today won't happen again." She finished.
"Don't be I'm just glad you're feeling better" Haley said with a smile. "What was the matter?" Haley asked worriedly.
"Cramps!" Alex said not looking up from her food.
"Were they that sore?" Haley asked worried and Alex just nodded. Alex had never really had a mom that cared and suddenly she had two.