Haley wiped up the last of the tables, and looked around the now empty cafe. It was the middle of summer and as always she was working at Karen's Cafe. During the day it tended to be pretty empty, the odd customer wandering in, and then come 1 o'c lock the place was packed.

"Earth to Haley!" Haley jumped a little as Karen's sing- song voice filtered over to her. "Anywhere nice?"

"Just thinking." Haley mumbled, tossing her cloth over her shoulder and walking back into the kitchen.

"It's going to be dead in here for the next few hours. Why don't you go hang out with Lucas and Nathan?" Karen suggested. Haley was like a daughter to her and she loved having her in the cafe but sometimes that girl was her own worst enemy. She was young she needed to enjoy it. Instead she'd spent most of her summer in the cafe working, under the pretence she was saving for college.

"Nah, all they do is play basketball!" Haley smiled.

"You sure, because I'm pretty sure I can man the fort." Karen motioned to the empty cafe. "You should go have fun!"

"The guys are all playing basketball!" Haley whined. It was all they seemed to do. Sometimes she found herself wishing Nathan and Lucas didn't get along quiet as well. She didn't want them to hate each other, just a little less basketball. She cursed herself for sounding like such a girl.

"What about the girls?"

"What girls?"

"Oh"

"Yeah, oh!" Haley laughed. It wasn't that she wasn't popular. Her husband was the star of the Ravens basketball team, and her best friend was one of the kindest guys on the planet. She had great friends. They were all men though, great guys but since her friend Faith had left a few years back: she'd been severely lacking girl time.

"Why don't me and you do inventory then?"

"Sound better than watching basketball...just." Karen through an arm around Haley, who frowned as she laughed. "Please tell me they grow out of it."

"They're Scott's"

"That doesn't help." They both laughed as they walked into the back, and started work. Only about 10 minutes had passed then they heard the door chime. Haley was first to respond, and walked out to the counter.

"What can I get you?"

"I'm Brooke Davis."

"No sure if we do those." Haley joked as the girl before her furrowed her brow. "It was a joke. I'm Haley."

"I'm Brooke."

"I know."

"I was wondering if I could talk to the owner. I'm looking for a job." She smiled, shifting on her feat as if she could never sit still. Haley turned to see Karen walking out.

"Karen Roe." She extended her hand.

"Brooke Davis." They shook hands.

"So you want a job?"

"Yeah, I know it's the middle of the summer and your probably all set but I really need this. I've literally been everywhere today looking, and everwhere's full, and I just moved here, wasted most of money on a ridiculous deposit. I'm a really hard worker, I'm good with people, and I-"

"You need to take a breath." Haley muttered, and it was enough to stop Brooke.

"Sorry I tend to waffle on when I'm nervous." Karen smiled at the bubbly brunette, the cogs in her brain turning quickly. Haley needed a female friend...

"Have you worked in a cafe or restaurant before."

"No." The girl winced, havng herd these kinds of questions all day.

"Where have you worked?"

"Nowhere but I promise I'll be like the best employee....Ever!" Karen and Haley looked at each other, letting this new girl squirm.

"I guess we could give you a trial." The watched as a huge smile swept across Brooke's face, revealing her dimples. She clapped her hands n delight.

"Oh my god, thank yo so much! I won't let you down. Thank you so much!" Haley looked back to Karen, as Brooke continued to thank them, until sh eventually wiped her eyes. "Thank you so much!"

"It's okay. Just be here tomorrow at 9 o'clock." Karen said, "Oh and flat shoes."

Brooke nodded and breezed out the cafe feeling about 9 feet tall. She smiled to herself before getting in the car, where Peyton was waiting. As soon as she sat down she felt Peyton's strong gaze on her. She turned so she was facing the blond, who looked at her expectantly.

"I got a job!" Brooke squealed and the two girls embraced. They'd driven around most of the town in search of work, and finally been rewarded at the small cafe. They'd arrived a week ago, and it had only taken one night in the local motel for Brooke to put down a deposit on an apartment. It was small but it was their own. They pulled apart and looked at the other sheepishly both before looking around to see if anyone had seen them. "So what do you want for diner? I was thinking Chinese."

Peyton nodded, and they pulled out of their parking spot. On the drive home they stopped and bought some food. Tree Hill was comforting, it was quiet and small, like a little oasis that they could both disappear into. At least they hoped they could.

"Peyt, will you take this upstairs. While I get the rest of the stuff?" Peyton looked at the back seat, and groaned, knowing full well Brooke was leaving her with the heaviest items.

That is so not fair.

"All's fair in love and war P Sawyer!" Brooke grinned before jumping out of the car just in time to avoid the blonde's swipe. Brooke looked back at in at her through the window. "Come on, move those chicken legs."

Without giving the slightest warning Peyton jumped out of the car, and soon had Brooke leaned up against the car, in an attempt to tickle the life out of her.

Eventually they brought all the stuff upstairs, laughing at the other. They heated up the now cold Chinese, and Peyton showed Brooke the idea's she had for decorating. She was willing to give Brooke the purple living room but only if the bedroom got to be red. Brooke would let her have her way eventually, she needed Peyton to settle here and be comfortable. If a red bedroom would do that, then red it would be. But for now it was fun to wind her up.

"We just won't let people see the bedroom." She'd giggled as Peyton glared back at her, before throwing a prawn cracker in Brooke's direction. "Calm down Goldilocks."

When they finally went to bed in the early morning, Brooke turned to look at Peyton, whose wide eyes stared back through the darkness. Peyton slipped her hand underneath her head, resting on it, and looked straight at Brooke, who smiled reassuringly, and lifted the covers slightly. Peyton didn't need anymore encouragement and scooted closer.

"We' re going to be happy here Peyton." She pulled the younger girl into her arms, and waited until she heard Peyton fall into a deep slumber. She pressed a kiss to the top of Peyton's head. "I promise."