AN - Own nothing and no one, wish I did though!

Follow me, I'll follow you

Brooke stormed out of the bathroom, her dress still showing the word 'HO' when she stopped and looked down at herself. Ho's over bro's - right Peyton? She thought with a smile. Peyton always had to get the last word in when they were fighting; they had just never fought this badly before.

Mouth walked over to her not really knowing what to say, but she beat him to it anyway.

"Listen, I'm going to take off. But thanks for tonight anyhow Mouth." Turning and heading for the doors, Brooke knew it was time to fix things one way or the other with a certain blonde. Ten years was too long to give up over a boy, and if Peyton hadn't completely turned her back on her yet then Brooke could still hope.

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Okay already! Peyton marched towards her front door where someone was banging continuously. She knew it wasn't her boyfriend as he wasn't due for another ten minutes and she still had to finish getting ready.

"What the hell!" she demanded throwing open the door, shocked at seeing the brunette standing in front of her. Brooke?

"Nice dress." Brooke commented as she walked past the stunned blonde and into the house knowing she had to take the lead. "And you'll notice that I'm ignoring the fact that someone wrote the word 'whore' on my dress, and completely ruined my big night." Even as she said it, Brooke failed to hide the amusement from her voice. Luckily she still had her back to Peyton, it was a small blessing but she'd take what she could at this stage.

"About that…" Peyton began, having closed the door and followed Brooke into the living room. Not the best idea ever, but I'm sure it gave some people a laugh tonight.

Brooke shook her head at the blonde, this wasn't why she was here. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure I deserved it after everything lately." Waving the blondes apology away.

Peyton grinned at that and rocked on her toes. She wasn't sure why Brooke was here but they weren't shouting or throwing things at each other, yet, so she was willing to let the brunette take her time and not push things.

Brooke looked at Peyton for a moment before sighing and deciding to get on with things. She didn't really have anything left to lose anyway. "We need to talk." She said quietly.

Peyton noticed how serious Brooke was and it worried her slightly. "About?"

"Us."

Peyton frowned confusion showing in her voice. "Us? Brooke were you not here this morning? There is no us, we aren't even friends anymore, don't you get that?"

"Ten years Peyton, we've known each other for ten years. Does that mean nothing to you now?"

"Brooke I've been trying to get you to give me another chance, to fix things. But you always threw it back in my face. We haven't spoken in months Brooke, months!"

"I…" Brooke started but she didn't know the right words to use, she was so afraid that this would be her only chance to make things right.

After a few more minutes of silence Peyton threw her hands up. Her patience running short, Lucas was due soon. "You know what? I don't have the time for this Brooke! It's always this way with you, we talk when you've got things to say but you just blank me when I try."

Peyton started for the door expecting Brooke to follow her. "Can you please just go?" she pleaded in a voice tight with emotion. She couldn't handle this right now, she looked back at the brunette with tears in her eyes.

Brooke hadn't moved but she was breathing heavily afraid that her time had ran out. If she walked out that door the way things were right now it really would be over between them, and that was the last thing she wanted. So taking a deep breath she stared straight into the green eyes of her friend.

"I… I'm in love with you." She finally choked out.

Dropping her hand from the door handle Peyton tried to understand what Brooke had just said, shocked and more than a little stunned she could only stare at the person a few feet from her.

Brooke dropped her eyes to the floor knowing Peyton hadn't ever expected such a declaration. But she couldn't take it back now, it was out there and it was the truth, finally she could just say everything that need to be said. What happened afterwards would be for Peyton to decide.

"Huh… you what? You're in love with me?? Brooke I really don't understand." Peyton replied taking a few steps towards Brooke.

Right so not the best way to start, I can be such an idiot sometimes! Looking up Brooke noticed how close they were standing now and it helped somehow, knowing she hadn't run for the hills.

"You've been my best friend forever, how could I not love you P.S. You've been the only person in my life who's always been there for me, no matter what." Brooke reached up to wipe a tear from running down her face. "Remember when we were eleven and David Jenkins made a joke about my chest? You slugged him so hard he lost a tooth."

They both chuckled slightly at the memory and Peyton rubbed her right hand. Damn that had hurt. "Well he deserved it."

Brooke nodded, they both did that. They defended each other from everyone else, they were best friends and no one was going to hurt either one of them.

"Best friends forever." Brooke whispered almost too quietly for Peyton to hear, but she did. "It was always you, whenever I needed someone it was always you I ran to. Your house, your arms. You could always make me feel better, you'd hold me and wipe the tears away. Even if you couldn't fix the problem, you'd tell me it would be okay, that things would get better. I guess I just took that for granted, that no matter what you'd always just be there for me. That you'd always protect me."

"Brooke…"

"Why wouldn't I fall in love with you? You've been the best person in my life Peyton, don't you know that?"

"But you were with Lucas." Peyton replied confused again. That is what this has always been about right? That I fell for her boyfriend.

Brooke groaned. "Damn it Peyton! Yes he's part of it but it started before him."

"What? Brooke what are you talking about?" Peyton was beyond confused now.

"We've been drifting apart for a long time Peyton, Lucas just happened to be there." Brooke ran her hand over her face and through her hair. Why was this so hard? "God Peyton how could you not know how I feel about you?"

Peyton didn't like Brookes tone, how was this all her fault. "Well excuse me but when have you ever mentioned you liked girls, miss-sleeps-with-any-guy-that-looks-her-way!"

"Not girls, just you." Brooke replied quietly. The second comment hurt and she had to turn away from the blonde. It was true though, but why care who you slept with when it would never be the one person you actually wanted it to be.

Peyton wished she could take what she said back because unlike most people Peyton knew just how much comments about how many guys Brooke had been with hurt her.

Brooke felt her face flush in shame and tears fall down her cheeks. Guess that's what she really thinks about me. Brooke touched the front of her dress. Whore. That just about sums me up, right?

"And on that note, I think it's time for me to leave." Brooke said with a watery smile. Ten year, I've loved you in one way or another for over half my life. But I don't think you'll every love me back the same way.

"I've missed you, Brooke. I've missed having you in my life-"

Before Peyton could continue the doorbell rang.

Glancing at the clock Brooke smiled at Peyton. "Your dates here." Broody always was the punctual type.

Peyton looked from Brooke to the door and then back to the brunette unsure of what to do. She was beginning to panic but she didn't know why.

Brooke walked the distance between them not taking her eyes off the green ones in front of her. Standing inches apart she reached up and placed her hand on the blondes face, smiling when Peyton closed her eyes and relaxed a little before taking her hand away.

"I got this for you." Brooke said, quietly so Lucas couldn't hear her, raising the forgotten item in her other hand. "I think most of the guys got lilies, and I wasn't sure if Lucas knew you're allergic."

Peyton looked at the plastic box Brooke handed to her. There was a beautiful corsage inside made from small white and pink roses. Looking back at Brooke she didn't know what to say.

Brooke leaned in and placed a small kiss on Peyton's lips. "You look amazing P.S. Have fun tonight." And with that Brooke turned and headed towards the back door.

Peyton remained watching her friend leave even as the doorbell rang again. Only when Brooke had disappeared from her view did she turn and face the door. It took another moment before she could move, so unsure was she about just what was going on right now.

Placing the corsage Brooke had given her on the table beside door she looked at her reflection in the mirror, wiping her face and fixing her hair before she opened the door smiling when Lucas appeared.

"Hey, good-looking. Thought I was going to have to knock the door down next" Lucas said with a laugh as he leaned in for a kiss.

"For you madam." He said holding his hand out to her.

Peyton couldn't help but smile, it was a white corsage made of lilies. Brooke always was one step ahead of everyone else. "Umm, I'm allergy." Peyton watched Lucas' face drop.

"Sorry, I didn't know that."

No, not many people do, just the ones that know me best. "That's okay I've got one here I can wear instead." And with that Peyton swapped the one in her hand with the one Brooke had given her and quickly placed in on her wrist. It really was beautiful and matched her dress very well, Brooke must have found out what her dress looked like somehow. That's my Brooke. She thought with a grin.

"Shall we go?" Lucas asked reaching for her hand.

With a final look in the direction she had last seen Brooke Peyton closed the door and followed Lucas to his car.

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Brooke smiled as Peyton closed the door behind her, knowing the blonde was gone with Lucas made her feel better, even as tears escaped from her eyes.

"Well seeing as you've ruined my prom night, I guess I'll just have to have my fun with you instead." Came the voice at her ear that made her blood run cold.

Between the knife pressed at her neck and the hand wandering her body, Brooke knew she should be terrified.

Instead she knew that although her silence meant there would be no one to save her, it insured Peyton would be safe. It was her last thought as a hand closed around her neck and darkness claimed her.