The Story We Wrote

Disclaimer: They're not mine to own..

A/N: I'm a Brucas & Naley fan…

Summary: Two people from two completely different worlds fall in love when they weren't looking for it..She's a mom of two with a sordid past, and he's the rich perfect child who was given everything… He's the mayor of Tree Hill, and she comes into his life like a tornado he doesn't pass…

Chapter One

Moving… Again

(Character One Pov)

Smile. You can do it. Just smile.

I stood there trying to flatten my dress for what seemed like the 18th hundredth time. I hated this feeling of having to be fake around these people. We only knew people for a year or two because we never stayed in a city long enough to even remember the names of those surrounding us. I watched as my mom shook hands with the people congratulating her.

"One more of those dress flattening, I know you're excited to be here," someone whispered next to me.

I looked up at my older brother and rolled my eyes. "It's annoying that she drags us to these things," I responded.

"Well, we're here to support her," he responded.

"But she knows we hate these things," I muttered.

He nudged me, "Cheer up lil sis," he said. "It'll be over soon."

My mom is Penelope Baker. It has always been me, her, and Zack since I could remember. Our dad is there, but he travels all the time for work. My mom has gone through 6 marriages, and numerous relationships since our parents divorced. But every time a relationship ended, so did our living situation. I don't think I've lived in the same place for more than two years since I was six.

"Shalina," she said. I looked up and she was calling me over. I nodded and sighed. My mom is a gorgeous green-eyed, 5'4" brunette with the ability to see through people. She reads people like no other and always got us out of sticky situations.

"Mom's calling us over," Liam said pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Okay okay," I responded, and we walked over to her. Just fake a smile I thought as we joined her and the circle she was in. 'Just smile'.

(End of Character One Pov)

….

(One week later)

(Brooke's Pov)

I closed up the last of the boxes and looked around the near-empty living room. A memory slowly crept into my head as I scanned the room.

**Memory**

He grabbed her forcely by her wrist, "Do not walk away from me," he said through clenched teeth.

She winced as he flung her against the wall, but she willed herself not to cry. "Let go of me," she said staring into his cold dark eyes. She could smell the alcohol in his breathe as he came close to her.

"I gave you all of this," he said, "And you want out," he said so lowly that chills ran up and down her spine.

"Let her go," she heard the familiar voice. She quickly looked up to see her son at the door way with her daughter.

"Zack, Shali," she said and next this she knew pain jolted her stomach, and she hunched over. Her eyes widened as she realized he punched her.

"Mom!" she heard the kids scream as another blow came to her.

"Zack! No!" she screamed as she saw Zack yank him off her, and pushed him into the wall."

She couldn't breathe as she held her stomach. She struggled to stay awake as she felt herself get lifted.

**End of memory**

"I closed up the truck Mom," my son said bringing me back to reality. I quickly wiped the tear in my eye.

I looked up smiling, "Great. Thanks, Zack," I said.

He sighed, "How many more moves Mom?" he asked.

"I know this is hard for you guys," I said. "But Tree Hill is going to be great."

He leaned up against the counter as my daughter came in with her stuff and leaned against the wall.

"But I want to settle down too," I said assuring them that it's what I want. I have been running from my past for so long, that a part of me wanted to keep running. But I owe it to my kids to give them a future. I owe that to them. "Tree Hill is where we're going to do it."

"What is so great about Tree Hill?" Shalina asked.

"What makes it great is that we'll all be there together. Me, you, and your brother," I said.

Shalina and Zack exchanged a look and looked over at me.

"Your right Mom," Shalina

"So, let's get this stuff in the truck and head out," I said trying to lift their spirits. They gathered the last of our belongings, and I gathered what was left. "Zeus," I called out. Our 6-month German Shepard appeared from the hall. "Let's go, boy," I said petting him. I looked around the 3-bedroom house one more time, and we walked out for the last time.

(End of Brooke's Pov)

…..

(Shalina's Pov)

I woke up to a jolt. I looked down to see Zeus with his head on my lap and sprawled out on the seat. I stretched a bit careful not to let him roll-off, and looked up to the front. My mom was sitting up, and eating chips while Liam was driving.

"Are we there yet?" I asked.

He checked the map on the phone and nodded. "Thirty minutes," Liam responded. "You, okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. Zeus is sleeping with no issues," I said rubbing my hand absently and stared out the window.

"You're going to love it here Shali," my mom said from the passenger seat.

I sighed, "You say it everywhere we move Mom, and it's all still the same."

She looked back at me, "I am trying Shals" she said sternly obviously hurt.

I looked at her, "I know Mom," I said softly, looking at the six-month German shepherd puppy on my lap.

My mom always meant well, and I know she raised Liam and me the best she can as a single mom, but this moving around was getting a little too ridiculous.

**End of Shalina's POV**

….

**Brooke's POV**

I sat up straighter as Shalina pulled up in front of a white country-style house. It was white with a white picket fence around the green grass that looked like it was freshly cut, and it looked perfect.

"Wow Mom, you sure know how to pick it," Liam said.

I tilted my head, and smiled a bit, "Thanks son," I said as we got out of the car. "Home sweet home," I murmured to myself as my daughter and son admired the house.

"Pretty nice mom," Shalina said as I joined them.

"Yeah, once we get settled, we can go grab something to eat," I said. I saw Shalina and Liam exchange a look. "Wellll," I said. "Lets get to it."

The two nodded and headed to the car to grab some stuff out. I smiled to myself, this time things would be different. IT had to be. We moved from a big city to something small and quaint. I headed to the car, and grabbed my purse, and some bags. I watched as Zeus follow the kids in the house. I walked up the porch steps, and walked into the house. "Pick your rooms," I told Liam and Shalina. "I think there's a room down here."

"Dibs," Zack said carrying a box of stuff past me, and zoomed down the hall past the kitchen to the room that was downstairs.

"Its alright, at least if someone breaks in, I won't be the first room they see," Shalina retorted. "Right Zeus?" she asked.

Zeus barked, and jumped onto the couch, and circled and laid down in his normal spot. I smiled, getting this German shepherd was the best decision we made. I remember Shalina begging to go to the Animal Foundation, and we saw him and everything else was history.

"Zeus is sleeping down here with me," Liam said.

"Aww, a 16-year-old boy too scared to be alone," Shalina teased.

Zack glared at her.

"Alright alright," I said putting the box that was labeled kitchen on the counter. "Go put your stuff down in your room," I told Shalina. "Let us finish unloading the car and grab something to eat. I'm starving," I said.

"Me too," Zack agreed.

"Then get to it," I said.

The two of them nodded and continued unloading the car.

(End of Brooke's POV)

…

(Shalina's POV)

We walked the small-town shops. Their shops were on the main road while driving into Tree Hill. It was miles from the main entrance, but it was nice. Tree Hill isn't a town you'd see right off the freeway. It was 30 miles in after you take the exit. But it was nothing like we were used to. Yet if this is where mom said we were settling, then I was willing to take her word for it.

"Yes," Zack said as we walked past shops.

"What is?" I asked zoning back to reality.

"Food," he said in a matter of fact tone.

"Oh great, I'm starving," I said. We walked up to the door, it read 'Karen's Café'.

"This look nice," mom said as we walked in. It was a diner style place with a round counter with barstools, and a few tables and bar seats.

"Hi," a cute 5'2" dirty blonde girl said coming out from the back. "Welcome," she said. "I'm Haley, and you guys can sit wherever you want," she said smiling. "And I'll be right there to help you."

My mom smiled back, "Thank you," she said, and lead us down to the back of the diner at a table.

This place is nice, "Zack said."

"Yeah, it's quaint," my mom said.

Haley came back with menus for us. "Your new here aren't you?" she asked.

"Yeah we are," I responded.

"Where are you guys from?" Haley asked.

"Here and there," my mom responded in her fake nice tone with her fake big city smile. My mom had lived all over the place, but one thing for sure, you could not take the New York City out of her.

"Everything here looks good," Zack said trying to change the subject.

"It is," Haley said with a smile. "Everything here is made from scratch, the same way the original owner had it plus with a twist of Hales in it," she said.

"Is there anything you recommend?" I asked.

"Well, since it's dinner I would recommend the," she said reaching over, and turning the menu for me. "The half-fried chicken with mashed potatoes, green beans. It comes with a side salad and a bottomless fountain drink. And the pies here are top-notch if I say so myself," she said proudly.

Just as she finished there was a chime from the bell that hung at the front door, we looked over and saw a tall blonde guy walk in.

(End of Shalina's POV)

….

(Brooke's POV)

I couldn't stop staring. This guy literally caught my eye as he walked in. He was followed by a taller brunette who was equally good looking.

"Luke. Nate." Haley said interrupting my thoughts. "Hey I'll be right there," she said as I watched them smile at her, and they headed to the bar.

"Do you have a vegan burger?" Shalina asked.

"Yes we do," Haley said.

"Since when were you Vegan?" Zack asked.

"Zack, don't pick on your sister," I said.

"I'm just saying."

"I'm just in the mood for vegan," Shalina said shrugging. "Can I have fries, and a strawberry milkshake?"

"Of course," Haley said jotting it down.

"I'll take the Karen's special, cheeseburger, with fries and bottomless Coke," Zack said.

"I'll take the half-fried chicken with mash potatoes and the side salad," I said.

"And your drink?" Haley asked.

"Diet coke," I said closing the menu and we handed it to her.

"Okay it'll be up in a bit," she said, and headed to the back of the kitchen.

I looked over at the guys and watched as the guy that caught my eye laugh with the other guy with him.

"Mom," I heard her say.

I looked at my daughter, "Yeah?" I asked.

"I was thinking maybe we can check out the bball court after?" Zack asked.

"Yeah sure why not?" I asked.

"Cool," he said.

I took a sip from my water cup. There was a log that keeps me running. We spent years running. But I hope for my kids sakes, this is the last run that I do. The last one we do.