Lucas finally finished his first class and made his way to his locker for stuff needed in the second period. He couldn't stop thinking about Brooke, so he kept texting Peyton to check up on how she was doing.
It was obvious she wasn't fine, despite what Brooke might say. Upon reaching his locker, he found Peyton and Anna waiting for him. Lucas wondered if they wanted to talk about Brooke, given Peyton's expression and Brooke's absence.
"Hey, you finally made it," Peyton joked when Lucas joined them. "Sorry, got held up talking to Nathan about something, but he left before I could ask about Brooke," Lucas explained, leaning against his locker next to Peyton.
"Hey, is Brooke okay?" Lucas asked as he put his books in his locker and shut it once he got what he needed. "I don't know, she was called into the office before the bell rang," Anna said, sharing a glance with Peyton.
Lucas looked confused and worried at the same time. "Why the office?" he asked, not thinking Brooke did anything wrong so early in the day.
"Who got sent to the office?" Mouth asked as he walked over to Lucas, Peyton, and Anna, curious along with Skills, Junk, and Fergie. "Brooke," Peyton said, causing Mouth to frown. "Why?" he asked, confused.
Peyton shrugged. "We don't know, but I'm sure it's nothing serious. Brooke is usually called to the office, especially when she's late," the blonde said. Lucas nodded, hoping that was the case.
"I can't believe she has to move," Lucas said, not realizing everyone knew about Brooke having to leave this summer. "Wait, what do you mean Brooke is leaving? Leaving Tree Hill?" Mouth asked, looking surprised.
Lucas looked at Mouth with a apologetic look" she's moving away in a week or two, but we just found out at Keith's wedding." The blond explained.
Lucas gave Mouth an apologetic look and said, 'She's moving away in a week or two, but we just found out at Keith's wedding,' the blond explained. Mouth frowned, not happy that the girl he had feelings for was leaving.
'She can't leave, she has friends here, and she's my best friend!' he exclaimed. Lucas nodded. 'I know, none of us wants her to leave,' Lucas agreed.
'What are we going to do? It's not like her parents would let her stay at my house,' Peyton said. Lucas thought for a moment. 'I can always ask my mom if Brooke can stay with her since I am staying with Dan,' he suggested.
The others agreed as they headed to their next classes without realizing their brunette friend was not in the office.
( With Brooke and Dan)
Dan dragged Brooke into this old dusty classroom and she couldn't help but show her fear as she glanced around. 'Mr. Scott what are we doing here?' she asked nervously.
"Well, for starters, we need to have a talk, " he replied as he shut the door behind them. Brooke tried to find a way out and said, 'If you wanted to talk, you didn't have to bring me into this dusty classroom, we have an office for that.'
She jumped when Dan laughed and said, "First of all, you need to tone down that attitude." Dan then put his hands on either side of her face, preventing her from turning away. 'My attitude is just fine, jerk!' Brooke hissed, trying to push his hands away.
Dan removed his hands and pushed her onto one of the old desks chairs. 'Don't talk to me like that, you little slut!' he sneered as he knelt in front of her, smirking.
Brooke winced when she got pushed into the desk chair. She attempted to get up, but Dan's intense gaze made her freeze. "Come on, Miss. Davis, just relax and hear me out. I might have something that could help you stay in Tree Hill," Dan said with a smirk, grabbing the brunette's attention.
"Why should I believe you?" Brooke asked, her hazel eyes narrowing. She had learned not to trust Dan, especially since she had known him since she and Nathan were childhood friends due to their parents' close relationship.
Dan chuckled as he knelt down to be eye level with Brooke, who tried to move back. She frowned when the bell signaled the start of the next class.
She had promised Felix she would walk with him to lunch and wasn't sure what excuse to give for being late. She hoped her boyfriend wouldn't blame Lucas for her breaking her promise.
"Right now, you're in my hands," Dan said as he placed his hand on Brooke's bare leg, making her tense up as he ran it up and down her thigh where her skirt had stopped.
"You shouldn't wear these kinds of clothes, Miss. Davis," Dan teased, sliding his hand under her skirt and brushing against her underwear.
Brooke tried to push his hand away by moving her legs. "Stop!" she squeaked, but Dan just laughed. "Something could happen to a girl like you," he said, dismissing her protests. "But that doesn't matter right now. Let me help you stay in Tree Hill."
"And I never got my dance at the wedding either," Dan remarked, gazing into her teary hazel eyes.
"Who said you were going to get one?!" Brooke gasped as Dan pinched her thigh. "I didn't say you could speak, Miss. Davis."
Brooke had to do something before Dan went too far. 'Please... Mr...Scott... Don't...' she pleaded, hating herself for not being able to keep the fear from her voice. 'I got class.'
Dan chuckled at her begging as he moved his hand from her skirt but never taking his hand off of her leg. 'I'll let you go but think about my offer, Miss. Davis.'
'I'll give you until after practice... you do have cheerleading at least for a while,' he said, and he knew that would push her into agreeing with his help.
Brooke couldn't help but let out a deep breath as Dan took his hand off her thigh and let her stand up, but he didn't completely let her go. He leaned down to her ear.
'You know where to find me if you change your mind, which I'm sure you'll end up agreeing with my offer,' he whispered in her ear.
Brooke pushed him away once she felt his lips on her neck, ignoring the shivers. 'I should be going to class before I get in trouble,' she said, pushing past Dan.
'Just think about it, Miss. Davis. You just became council president, do you really want to give that up?' Dan taunted as he watched Brooke dart out of the room.
She rushed out of the classroom, leaving Dan standing and laughing behind her, tears streaming down her face as his words echoed in her head. She kept running down the hall, pushing past the other students, trying to reach the bathroom, ignoring the yells of the people she pushed past.
( Nathan and Brooke)
Nathan was strolling down the hallway, zoned out, thinking about Haley. He needed to stop dwelling on his wife and move on with his life.
Letting out a sigh, he weaved through the other students on his way to his next class. He was about to give someone a piece of his mind for almost knocking him over, but when he looked up, he saw it was Brooke.
"Brooke?" Nathan asked in disbelief as he watched his friend tumble to the ground after bumping into him so forcefully. "I'm sorry, Nate, I'm sorry," Brooke whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Nathan quickly bent down to help Brooke up, saying, "Don't worry about it, Brooke." He made sure she was steady on her feet before letting go. "Hey, no need to cry, it's not a big deal," he reassured her, noticing the tears in her eyes.
Brooke rubbed her eyes. 'I'm not crying because of running into you,' she said with a raspy voice. 'Really? Then what's with the water works?' Nathan asked, feeling concerned about Brooke.
The brunette hesitated, unsure whether to tell Nathan about what his dad had done or to just lie. 'It's nothing, Nate, just been a tough weekend,' she whispered, maintaining eye contact with her childhood friend.
Nathan raised an eyebrow, knowing when Brooke was lying. 'You know, little Davis, I know you well enough to know when you're lying,' he said, determined to get the truth out of her.
'But you don't have to tell me,' he started to say, but Brooke cut him off. 'I'm leaving,' she choked out. 'What do you mean leaving?' Nathan asked, wanting to confirm what he heard from the brunette.
Brooke nodded and said, 'Can we go somewhere else, then I'll explain everything to you, instead of us standing in the hall.' the brunette whispered while looking into Nathan's blue eyes, 'Of course.' He agreed and walked with Brooke to a bench outside of the school.
Nathan sat down on one side as Brooke settled beside him. 'Now tell me you're joking about leaving,' he said, gazing into Brooke's hazel eyes, 'Because I can't lose anyone else that I care about.' Brooke sighed and looked at her hands in her lap, 'It's not like I want to leave,' she whispered, meeting his eyes.
'My dad got a new job in California, and he wants us to move down there because of it,' she explained. 'He's only giving me a week or two left in Tree Hill,' Brooke added, running her fingers through a strand of hair.
Nathan listened to her, not liking the fact that he had to lose another person he cared about, first Haley leaves with Chris and now Brooke, even if the brunette's reasoning was totally understandable.
"Hey, is that all?" Nathan asked as he looked at Brooke, seeing that something else was bothering her besides moving away. He could tell from her eyes. "No, I'm just not happy about leaving," Brooke replied, wrapping her arms around herself.
Nathan questioned, "Are you sure?" He then took off his hoodie and put it around Brooke's shoulders. She wanted to confide in someone about Dan but wasn't sure if Nathan would believe her about his dad's actions.
"I'm not sure you'll believe me," Brooke whispered nervously. Nathan encouraged her, saying, "Try me, Brooke. Because right now, I'll believe anything."
Brooke took a deep breath and asked, "Do you think your dad is capable of anything?" She scanned around to ensure there were no eavesdroppers, her body tensing when she spotted Dan walking out of the gym doors.
'I'm sure he is, why? Did he do something again?' Nathan asked before spotting his father walking towards them with a menacing glare at Brooke.
'No, at least that I know of! I was asking maybe he, ah, can help me stay in Tree Hill!' Brooke nervously told Nathan as Dan approached.
Nathan looked confused but was going to say something about not wanting Brooke to leave Tree Hill, and he was sure her friends felt the same way. 'Are you asking Nathan that I offered to help you stay here in Tree Hill?' Dan asked, making both teens jump.
'Yes... Mr. Scott!' Brooke said, trying to stay composed and hoping Nathan would help. She nudged Nathan's arm, silently asking for his support.
'Oh, of course, Dad. She was just asking me if you can help us keep her in Tree Hill instead of moving,' Nathan responded.
Dan grinned at Brooke while she started fidgeting under his gaze. 'Is that what you want, Miss. Davis?' he asked.
Brooke nodded and said, 'Yeah, I don't want to leave my friends behind. Plus, I just became council president and I don't want anyone taking my spot as captain of the cheerleading squad.'
Nathan watched Brooke uncomfortably fidgeting and decided he would ask her later if Dan had done anything.
Dan said with a fake smile, 'Then I can make a few calls while you two go to class.' Brooke stood up, nodded, and said, 'Thank you, Mr. Scott!' with a forced smile, trying to hold back her nerves from Dan's intimidating look before he walked away.
Nathan watched his father walking across the street, then turned to Brooke with her head down. "Brooke?!" he started, but she interrupted him, saying, "We should be heading to class." The brunette whispered, her voice breaking, before heading back into school.
"Brooke, what the heck are you keeping from me?!" Nathan wondered, planning to talk to Lucas about it after school, and maybe even Felix since he was Brooke's boyfriend.
Nathan was determined to uncover whatever secret Brooke was hiding, even if he had to recruit help from others, especially if it had something to do with Dan causing Brooke to freeze up and act scared of his father for some reason.