We stood there frozen for god knows how long. Everyone there kept moving their eyes from the screen to us until Peyton went and pulled the plug of the TV. Then their eyes stayed on Nathan and me, who were dripping wet.
"We can explain!" Nathan said to our two partners. Lucas' eyes were wide and Haley was already whimpering. As soon as Nathan said that, the two of them started walking out of the house. Nathan grabbed me by the arm and started making me sprint after the two.
"Lucas, Haley, wait!" Nathan yelled after them. I was so ashamed, I had turned mute.
"Nathan! Why didn't you tell me about Brooke ever? Really, I mean, did you just wanna like, not ruin the surprise of me seeing it on tape in front of our entire class?" Haley was livid! "And seriously Brooke! Just hours ago, literally hours ago, you were telling me about how you know Nathan so well and that you're certain that he loves me and cares about me and that I had nothing to worry about! How could you forget to mention that all of those feelings came from experience! The fact that the two of you slept together!?"
"I never meant for it to happen that time Hales, I was just really drunk and Theresa broke up with Nathan, and I felt so lonely, and have I mentioned I was like really, really drunk?" I tried to explain.
"Wait, what do you mean that time? You two have done this more than once? And if you never meant for it to happen, then why did you put it on tape? And Nathan, why did you keep the tape? Do you like, use it? I know I am not able to give you what you want," Haley was crying at this point, "But, I thought that our love was stronger. I- I mean how am I supposed to compete with this, with Brooke of all people! I mean sex is all she is known for!"
"Well, that comment kind of hurt," I said, a tear streaming down my cheek this time. "I am not proud of a lot of things I have done in the past but this happened long before either of us knew the two of you. I am sorry about the way you two found out, but honestly, I don't regret the first time." I looked up at Nathan and he gave me an assuring look. I took a deep breath and let it go. "We lost our virginities to each other."
"He is my brother, Brooke!" Lucas said, finally saying something.
"'I'm sorry my past keeps coming back to haunt us. I have a lot of skeletons in my closet and apparently most of them are naked," I sighed. He gave me a meek smile, and I felt so grateful. Maybe, just maybe I would be able to save my relationship.
"I am really sorry Hales. I didn't even know we made a tape together. I promise you, I have never seen it. I don't have any recollection of even making it. Look, I hooked up with Brooke because she was drunk and I was a bastard. I really wish I hadn't though because I care really really deeply about her to hurt her this way. That entire night is hazy, and that time was just a mistake we both wanted to forget. I hope you can forget it too, Hales! Brooke is more like a little sister to me. I will ruin anyone who tries to hurt her but that's all she is, someone who I care about and consider my baby sister. Besides, I only have eyes for one girl, the most special girl, someone who has more grace than the entire population of Tree Hill combined," Nathan said.
Haley began crying tears of confusion as Nathan walked up to her and wrapped his long arms around her. She put her head on his chest and sniffled as Nathan rubbed her back to calm her down, whispering I'm sorries in her ear.
"I am so sorry Lucas," I said, walking toward him.
"How did I not read about you losing your virginity to my brother in your diary!?" he asked me.
"That's because I never wrote about it. I was a little mortified after my first time if I am being honest. It hurt so much, even though Nathan was all sweet and clueless. I cried the first time he went in. I was so afraid someone would find my diary and read about it and I wouldn't be able to live with that. I guess there are better ways than words for people to find out! God, I can't believe we taped that!" I covered my face with my palms, screaming into them.
"I literally shared you with my brother!" Lucas exclaimed again. I looked at him apologetically. "So who's better?"
I laughed when he said that, he really had forgiven me! "Have I told you how incredible you are, handsome? I-I damn, thank God, you don't hate me right now!" I laughed and cried at the same time, letting out a snort and quickly wiping it away.
"It's okay, Brooke. I know you have a past. Now, it really really sucks that my brother is a part of that past, let alone a huge part of it, but I don't think I have a right to say anything. Besides, everyone has been young and stupid!" I flung myself into his arms and he wrapped me tight.
Haley was still giving Nathan a tough time, but she was reaching understanding.
"Brooke, I am sorry about the comment about you only being famous for sex. That was a really horrible thing for me to say," Haley came up to us and said to me.
"I am really sorry for not telling you before, Hales. It just felt so weird to bring it up. When am I supposed to bring something like that, at a basketball game? R.A.V.E.N.S., P.S., I slept with your boyfriend a long time ago?" I tried to get her to see my side of the tale.
"Uhh, this just puts more pressure on me!" she moaned.
"Haley girl! Take it from me, the girl who is known for being licentious…. I would much rather have what you have out there with Nathan. It is pure love, there is no give and take. It is unconditional and strong. Girls like me can only dream of something like that. I never thought love could ever knock at my door until Lucas came in. So, go live that love story. Nathan used to be a jerk, but you changed him," I said to her reassuringly.
"Hales, I am never going to pressure you into anything. I don't mind waiting till you are ready," Nathan chimed. "I care very deeply about you to screw what we have up."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Forgive me?" I asked her in a child-like voice. She nodded her head and gave me a hug. A couple more tears escaped my eyes.
"Hey guys, just wanted to make sure that nobody was killed," Peyton said walking up to us with Jake by her side. "Don't worry, Jake and I destroyed the tape. Nobody can replay it."
"Oh my god! Thanks, P. Sawyer," I said, giving her a hug. "God, how bad is it inside there?"
"Uhh, you might wanna steer clear from the inside and let it blow over. I'm sorry B, everyone at school is already texting about it. Luckily everyone was too stunned to actually get any footage of it for their Instagram stories," she replied truthfully. I groaned and put my head on the nape of her neck. Her wild blonde curls hid my face as she stroked my brunette tresses. "I can't believe every single person in school saw me naked! Why do I do this to myself, Pey!"
"It's alright. We are all here to support you, B-girl!" Peyton cooed.
"I just want to get out of here. Please can we?" I asked Lucas in a pleading tone.
"Nathan, even I am not ready to go back in," Haley owned up.
"I have the keys to the cafe. We can go there," Lucas said.
"Hales, are you sure you feel comfortable. I can give you your space if you want," I confirmed before agreeing to the idea.
"Yeah, I mean, I really can't be mad. It was before you even knew me," she said. I smiled and gave her a hug before the six of us began walking to our cars.
"You're incredible, Luke!" I said to him, giving him a kiss on the lips once I was sitting in the passenger seat of the car next to him. I took his hand and placed it where my heart was. "You hear that fast-paced beating? It is because of you and only for you. What I'm trying to say is that you- you have my heart, Lucas Scott and you own it completely. I am willing to give you whatever joy I can offer to you."
Lucas looked overwhelmed and then he moved to kiss me in the car. We began making out, completely losing track of time. There were so many emotions involved and it felt like the only way to let them out was by kissing each other. It took us a really long time, but we finally made it to the cafe.
He did his whole chivalry thing of getting the door for me which again made me swoon. It was very windy outside and I felt my dress fly a bit as I walked from the car to the front door. "Oh god!" I yelled as a draft of cold wind hit my bare bottom giving Lucas a view of my butt as he walked a step behind me. I quickly pulled my dress down, keeping my hand there as I quickened my pace. Lucas just laughed, enjoying the spectacle completely.
"You find this really funny, don't cha?" I asked him, laughing.
"Just a little," he chuckled. "I won't deny it. It is quite amusing watching you struggle and the unexpected views are just chefs kiss!"
"You will be the death of me someday!" I shook my head. "Now, since you got me into this fix, help me out. Walk close behind me. I can't enter with one hand on my butt and the other on my front!"
He did as I said as I folded both my hands in a fist in front of me to keep my micro-mini dress from flying from the front.
"How does it take two people thirty minutes to get here!?" Jake laughed once we got there. "You are the one with the keys! We have been freezing our asses out here!"
"Well, we got… lost!" Lucas joked before stepping ahead to unlock the door.
I gave an inaudible whelp, feeling my dress fly, feeling grateful that I was standing behind all of them. I let go of a huge sigh as I felt the stillness and warmth that the cafe had to offer.
"I can make us something if anyone wants food or coffee," Haley offered.
"Let me help you," Lucas offered as the two worked into a rhythm. Lucas put on a kettle to brew while Haley got out bread to make grilled cheeses.
"So where's baby Jenny?" I asked Jake as we got comfortable in a booth.
"With my folks. They want me to get some semblance of a regular teenage life so they look after her on the weekend nights," he answered.
"God, I can't even imagine raising a kid, alone at our age. How do you even do it?" I voiced my thoughts.
"I am not going to lie, it does take a village. Thankfully, I do have a village. Also, I am so grateful for your help babysitting when I take this one out on dates sometimes," he said to me.
"I am happy to take that cutie any time! No offence, but she is going to need somebody to teach her fashion and your plaid of the day shirts and very retro," I laughed.
"I'm glad Lucas didn't blow a fuse, but seriously, you slept with Nathan!" Peyton whisper-yelled at me.
"Uhh, well, we have all done some stupid shit when we are drunk. Guess that was my time to shine!" I said, scrunching up my face.
"Haley, do you remember the mini-golf course that we had set upstairs on the terrace?" Lucas reminisced as he carried plates laden with sandwiches to the table.
"Yeah, I still despise that thunderstorm for ruining it," Haley responded. "Maybe, we can set it up again!"
"Nothing would make me happier!" Lucas smiled. "We have barely hung out lately, haven't we?"
"Well somebody is always busy sucking face with the head cheerleader," she rolled her eyes.
"You and me, the terrace, tomorrow evening," Lucas planned.
"I've to tutor Nathan but I can be here at 6! It feels so good to have my own wheels," she smiled. "Also, just as best friend duty, you don't hate me for dating Nathan, right? I know the two of you have some bad blood even though you won't tell me what it is."
"Yeah, I think I'm okay with it. Brooke turned out to be so different from who I imagined her to be and you literally make Nate a better man," Lucas said sheepishly.
"Yeah, they both turned out to be so different. I can't believe the nerd and the shy jock are a part of their crew!" she acknowledged before finally walking to us with the plates laden with food.
Lucas got into the booth beside me and his hand wrapped around my shoulder. I rested my head on his hand feeling so much at peace in that moment. Turning my head, I looked towards Nathan who was smiling as Haley raved about him doing well on a test. Our eyes met and he beckoned me to go to the corner.
I excused myself saying that I needed to use the restroom and a minute later, Nathan walked up to me.
"I really want to apologise to you, Brooke. I took advantage of you when you were drunk and that was a horrible thing for me to do," he spoke sincerely.
"It's not all your fault Nate, I mean, my memory of that night is hazy at best, but I'm pretty positive you didn't have a gun up to my head," I forgave him.
"You'll always be my pretty little Penny, okay?" He said, engulfing me in a hug. "And I'm so sorry to put you through this."
"You know what absolutely sucks? Tomorrow at school, you will be lauded and called a player while I will get the sneaky stares and be called a slut. There will be catcalls and I have dealt with all of that before. Being a girl absolutely sucks! But, now it also affects Lucas and Haley. And they're just finding their places with us. It's not fair to them how much we are asking for them and well I don't know, I guess when you get drunk and have sеx at a party you do have to deal with it eventually," I ended my tirade with a depressed look, not knowing how to make things better.
"Man, I didn't even think of that. But I'll make things better, Penny. I promise," he kissed my head and we both walked back towards the red booth.
When we got back, Peyton was quizzing Haley on music. "Brooke! Haley is into music!" she yelled as if she had made a deduction like Sherlock Holmes.
I laughed because I knew how big this was for Peyton. Nathan and I only listened to popular pop/rock and she hated not being able to discuss the things that she was most passionate about due to our lack of knowledge in the subject.
The next day at school was exactly as expected. Everyone stopped to stare the moment I walked in, followed by hushed whispers. Lucas held my hand firmly in support walking me to my locker which had the word 'Slut' spray painted on it.
My eyes grew bloodshot as I tried to keep my tears at bay. Lucas was furious as he punched my locker. I didn't say anything, not knowing what I could do to make things right. I just had to let it blow over.
"Come on, we are going to Principal Turner," Lucas said, tugging at my arm that was firmly clasped in his palm.
"No Lucas, creating a scene is just adding fuel to the fire," I said helplessly.
"But Brooke! They defiled your locker! That is a school violation. The person who did this should get expelled!" He yelled loudly, making the people in the hallway stop and stare even more.
"Luke, Luke…. Lucas, look at me! I know this is really hard for you and it must hurt you. I am the one whose entire naked body was on full display, so I know how you feel and more. But, this display is really not helping my cause. I just want to lay low and let it blow over. I am sure Theresa will do something by next weekend and there will be some new gossip fodder to discuss. But please, honestly, even for my safety… don't create a scene," I begged.
"Brooke Davis, please report to the Principal's office," I suddenly heard the announcement.
I rolled my eyes as I let go of Lucas' hand to face the music.
