Sometimes pain becomes such a huge part of your life that you expect it to always be there, because you cant remember a time in you life when it wasnt. But then one day you feel something else. Something that feels wrong only because its so unfamiliar and in that moment you realize you're happy.

xxxx

One week. That's how long she's been out of the hospital. Physically, she's recovered well. Emotionally, she still has alot of recovering to do. Yet it's amazing how such a violent tragedy has brought her and Peyton back together.

"Hey…"

The brunette looks up from her magazine and smiles at the blonde as she flops onto the bed. "Hey Peyt…"

"You've recovered well."

"Well that's because I've had Lucas around. He's taken such good care of me." She doesn't even notice the huge dimpled smile that stretches across her face.

"Luke huh? You two seem pretty close."

"Yeah… he's been amazing. Well you know how he is, you fell for that infamous Scott charm once."

"Yes I did," Peyton smiles as she picks at the loose seems on the bed. "Just be careful with him okay? I hurt him pretty bad."

"Why'd you do it?" Brooke asks briskly as she looks into Peyton's eyes seriously.

"I don't know honestly," Peyton admits as she looks at the bed, her eyes locked on the blanket's pattern, which she suddenly finds amusing. "I had a great boyfriend and I thought I wanted something different but now I'm not sure…"

Brooke looks at Peyton confused. "What do you mean you're not sure?"

"I love Jake," Peyton admits as a tear pricks at the corner of her eye. "But I feel like I'm always going to be second best ya know? It's kinda like being the footnote in someone else's love story."

"Someone else's love story? Peyton what the hell are you talking about? You and Jake are like the perfect couple…"

"When Jake and I first started dating it was like there was this passionate fire between us and that the love we had was so strong nothing could rip it apart but then… I don't know, things change, people change," she smiles sadly as she clasps her hands together nervously before proceeding. "We just aren't the same people that we used to be. And sometimes I feel like we were just so caught up in the moment and we honestly loved the idea of loving each other more than we actually loved each other."

"Peyton…"

"He's in love with someone else Brooke," Peyton mutters quietly as she reaches up and wipes a stray tear from her eye. "He might not know it yet but I do. Haven't you ever witnessed a love so strong that everyone else can see it but they can't?"

"Well yeah…" she mutters as she looks at her hands momentarily. "That's how it was with Luke and I. Everyone else could see it but I couldn't. But, I still don't understand who Jake could possibly be in love with."

"When we were kids, who was his best friend?"

"Rachel…" Brooke replies after pondering the question for a moment.

"Exactly," Peyton nods painfully. "He was in love with Rachel. We could all see it but they couldn't. He still loves Rachel, Brooke. I can sense it."

"Peyton that is ridiculous!" Brooke shakes her head as she walks over to the blonde and wraps her in a hug. "Jake isn't in love with anyone else but you. He thought he was in love with Rachel when they were kids. But that's just it. They were kids. He didn't know what love was because he had never experienced it. And Rachel was always the person that he felt most comfortable with. But, he loves you Peyton. You showed what it means to truly fall in love with someone…"

"Brooke… I… I don't know how much longer I can hang onto this relationship. It's not just about Rachel. I feel like we aren't on the same page anymore. I don't expect you to understand it but I just feel like sometimes we are better off as friends…"

"I get it," Brooke nods as a slight smile crosses her face. "It's the same with Julian and I. There was a time when I was crazy about that boy but now I've come to terms with the fact that we were just meant to be really good friends. But, don't break up with Jake because you are scared that he loves Rachel. If you decide to end things with Jake, it should be because you feel like you're better off as friends and not because of someone else."

"I know… I just… I don't know what to do Brooke!" Peyton wails as the tears fall freely like raindrops and slide down her cheeks.

"It's okay," Brooke murmurs quietly as she wraps Peyton in a tight hug. "You do what you need to do Peyton. Do what makes you happy. Even if that means that you have to feel pain temporarily, you need to do what is going to make you happy in the long run."

"You know I missed this Brooke…" Peyton whispers as she wipes at her tear brimmed eyes. "I missed being able to talk to you about anything."

"I missed it too Peyt," the brunette whispers as she smiles slightly. "I'm glad that we are getting it back because I think that we need each other right now more than ever.

He can't help but smile as he clasps her hand in his. It seems to fit perfectly with his. He's knows that he's crossing dangerous territory with Alex Dupre. He knows that she isn't the type of girl he would normally go after. His ex-girlfriend is the exact opposite of Alex; Mia is quiet, sarcastic, reserved, creative. Alex is loud, bubbly, outspoken, unique. But there's something about Alex that he is drawn too. Maybe it's the sun kissed olive skin that glows vibrantly, maybe it's the gorgeous body, maybe it's those hauntingly beautiful dark eyes, maybe it's the luscious brown locks that fall beneath her shoulders, maybe it's the loud, bubbly personality, maybe it's the wild sense of humor she harbors, maybe it's because she's different than he's used to-unfamiliar, maybe it's all of it.

"What are you grinning about?" she smiles as she slowly caresses his cheek, her finger dragging its way across his face, which is turning a deep shade of red, burning at her touch. It's definitely something.

"Nothing," he attempts to smile, his heart beating faster as her dark eyes focus sharply on his amber ones. "Just enjoying being here with you."

She grins up at him as she reaches up and gently brushes her lips against his cheek. "That's so cute. Where have you been my whole life? You know most guys are assholes. But you're different. I like that."

"Alex… I… we need to talk…"

"What is it?" she asks as she snuggles her head closer to his chest. They might not be dating but they sure as hell are acting like it. And he can't keep leading her on because although he feels something strong with Alex he doesn't know what he wants yet.

"I like you a lot," he admits with a small smile. "But I just came out of a relationship and I'm not ready to dive back into another one just yet…"

"It's okay," she grins with an understanding nod. "I totally understand."

"Also, um… as you know… our experience levels are different. And I'm not going to lie, I'm intimidated by you…"

"Chase," she whispers as she gently places her hand on his arm. "I would never force you to compromise what you believe in, ever. When the time is right, I'm sure it will be amazing, but until then I'm content just being the way that we are now. My intentions with you are true and my feelings are real. I really like you, genuinely, and this isn't some game to me. In the past it might have been. But, you're different. And I like you way too much to intentionally hurt you."

"Alex I…"

His phone beeps and he shoots Alex an apologetic look before glancing down at it. It's a text from Mia; one that he debates opening.

Hey, it's me. I know it's been awhile but I think we made a mistake. I miss us.

"Who's that from?" Alex asks impatiently as she leans over his shoulder curiously.

He wants to be honest with her. She's always been honest with him. "It's from Mia. She wants to get back together…"

"Oh I get it…" Alex nods as she lets go of his hand. "It's okay… this is just the fantasy before returning to reality…"

"Alex," he shakes his head as he steps closer to her and intertwines their fingers. "I have really strong feelings for you. But I just got out of a relationship with Mia. And, I'm not going to lie you, I loved her, and breaking up with her was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. I just need to talk to her and make sure that everything between us is really over before I move on and enter another relationship. I need closure."

"I understand," Alex nods as she lets go of his hand and smiles sadly. "And I'll respect whatever choice you make."

He smiles as she turns and heads in the opposite direction. And that's exactly why he feels so strongly about her. He just needs some closure and then he knows that he will be ready to open his heart to the possibility of love again.

The feel of the piano beneath her fingers as they move effortlessly across the keys is sensational. Making music has always been one of her biggest loves in life. She gets lost in the music and lets it take her away; lets her escape from reality.

She can sense a presence behind her and quickly removes her fingers from the keys before turning around.

Standing behind her, smirking like the perpetual idiot he is, is Chris Keller. He shoots her a devilish smile as he walks up behind her.

"You have a real talent Haley James," he grins like a Cheshire cat as he slowly drags his fingers across the piano keys. "It's a shame really; to waste it like you are."

"Chris, what are you doing here?" she groans, her chocolate brown eyes boring into his ocean blue orbs.

"I'm not sure if you've heard yet but Chris Keller is going on tour soon."

"Well that's great!" she smiles at the blonde musician. "Good for you Chris." She's known Chris Keller for a long time; they have a love-hate relationship but they have always bonded over their love for music. And Chris has always been her rock in a lot of ways. When Lucas wasn't around and she had a problem, she vented to the arrogant musician that she had slowly grown fond of over the years.

"I'm looking for a duet girl. You and I make great music together Hales. I think you should come on tour with me."

She looks at him for a second as if contemplating his idea before quickly shaking her head. "Chris, I have a life here. I can't just leave! I have Nathan and Lucas, and my family. I can't just pack up and go on tour. I'm 17 years old! I haven't even graduated from high school yet!"

"Haley this opportunity is a once in a lifetime chance. Do you really want to wake up one day and wonder what if?"

"Chris," she whispers as calmly as she can muster. "The old me might have taken that tour but the new me won't. I have a wonderful boyfriend who I am in love with. I have friends and family here that I care about. I'm sorry but I can't go. It's a great opportunity but it's not for me."

"Do you really love Nathan, Haley?" He asks suddenly, catching the honey blonde off guard completely. She looks at him with empty eyes, disbelief crawling across her face. How dare he have the audacity to ask her that?

"Of course I love Nathan!" she hisses sharply as she glares at him darkly. "How dare you ask me that?"

"You've known him for maybe all of two months Haley. How could you possibly know that you love him?"

"Chris, if this your way of trying to convince me to come on tour with you, you can stop right about now," Haley tells him as calmly as she can muster. "I am not going to ruin the best thing that has happened to me just to follow some pipe dream of mine."

"You can make that dream a reality Hales."

"Forget it Chris."

"I'm just saying, how could you possibly know that you are in love at 17? You've never really been with anyone other than Nathan and even then you haven't been with him very long."

"What is this about Chris?" Haley asks, clearly annoyed. "Obviously it's about more than just me joining you on tour."

"Nathan isn't the guy for you Haley."

"And how do you know that Chris?" Haley asks, her patience with the cocky musician wearing thin. "You aren't me. You don't know anything about Nathan and you sure as hell don't know anything about my relationship with him."

"Because he isn't me."

She looks at him for a second, almost feeling sorry for him. "Chris w-what are you…"

He cuts her off by crashing his lips into hers. It's almost as if she's frozen from shock.

By the time it finally registers in her mind that he's kissing her, it's too late.

"Haley?"

She pulls away from Chris roughly and turns to see Nathan standing in the doorway of the studio, his eyes full of pain and brokenness.

"Nathan!" Her eyes dart to the brunette boy that she loves. "I can explain…"

"You know Hales, I was always worried that I would be the one to hurt you. I never expected you to be the one to hurt me."

He doesn't say another word but bows his head in defeat and swiftly exits the recording studio.

She quickly turns to Chris. "What the hell are you doing?"

"You didn't exactly resist Hales. Doesn't that tell you something?"

"Yeah, it tells me that I was in complete and utter shock that you would do that!" she growls angrily, bitterness tainting her words.

"If you felt anything from that kiss, come on tour with me Hales," he smiles as he grabs her hand and looks deeply into her eyes.

"I didn't feel anything!" she hisses sharply, pulling away from his embrace. "I am in love with Nathan and I'm sorry if you can't accept that but it's the way that it was meant to be."

She shakes her head at him in disbelief, before turning on her heel to chase after Nathan.

The faint sound of crying seeps through the walls of the bedroom across the hall from the bathroom. A half asleep Lucas, rubs his eyes tiredly as he ponders across the hallway on his tip-toes. Keith and Karen had agreed to let Brooke stay with them until she was healed. Of course he had given the beautiful brunette his room and had opted to sleep on the couch.

He quietly pushes the door open, slipping inside the room, and closing it behind himself. "Brooke?"

"Luke?" the brunette beauty whispers as she shifts under the covers and reaches up to wipe the tears from her battered face. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you okay?" he asks, sitting himself on the edge of the bed and gently stroking her face. He can't help but notice her wince at his touch. "Sssh.. It's okay Brooke. I'm not going to hurt you," he whispers as he softly strokes her hair and places a light kiss on her forehead.

"I'm fine. I just had a nightmare about Peyton's psycho stalker," she mutters weakly.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to come get me," he whispers as he brushes his lips across her forehead.

"Stay," she whispers, shifting over and patting the spot next to him. He knows that Karen would object to them sharing a bed but what was he supposed to do?

"Of course," he smiles, sliding in next to her and tightly wrapping his arms around her.

As he looks at the purple bruises and the scratches that adorn her face, he can't help but feel sick to his stomach. Who could possibly do this to Brooke? "You're strong Brooke Davis. You know that?"

"I am," she nods as she closes her eyes tightly before blinking them open. "I've always been that way. I've always had to face things alone so that's why I've had to be so strong."

"You don't have to be so strong all of the time Brooke. Don't be afraid to let your guard down. I'm here now Brooke. You don't have to face anything alone ever again," he smiles as he gently caresses her cheek, careful not to hurt her.

"Most guys wouldn't stick around through all of the games I've played and the stupid shit that I've put you through. I just… I needed to know that you were going to be there for me no matter what happens because my life is possibly more complicated than you can imagine…"

"I'm always going to be here whether you like it or not," he smiles gently before wrapping his arm tightly around her waist and placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "Now go to sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. I believe that I promised you a movie marathon."

"Hey stranger."

The brunette looks up from his spot by the water and smiles as the redhead plops herself beside him.

"How'd you know I'd be here?"

"This is our spot," she smiles as she throws a rock into the water, watching it ripple.

"You remember? Even after all of these years?" he asks, clearly surprised that Rachel would remember all of the little things about their friendship.

"Of course. I remember everything," she tells him with a sad smile. "Why the sad face Jagielski."

"My relationship is falling apart…" he shrugs as he looks at the sand. "And for once I don't know what to do about it."

"If you love Peyton and she loves you, it'll work out. A good friend of mine once told me that people who are meant to be together always find their way in the end."

"Yeah and Peyton once told me that people always leave. I'm not sure which one to believe," he grumbles as he picks up a handful of sand and lets it slip between his fingers.

"If it's meant to be…"

"It'll be," Jake cuts her off, annoyed. "Yeah, I know that Rachel. But, she thinks I'm in love with you!"

"Are you?" the redhead asks without so much as a blink. A part of her is actually hoping that he says yes.

"I don't… I don't know," he admits as he stares out at the ocean hopelessly. "I love Peyton, I really do. But, I feel that we are changing so much, as people and as a couple. I don't know if I feel the same way about her as I used to… And then, there's us. We have a history Rachel. And, I would be lying if I told you that I didn't feel anything around you."

She leans over and captures his lips in a kiss. It's soft, it's sweet, yet its full of passion.

"Rachel…"

"It's okay," she nods at him with a small smile. "Peyton doesn't have to know. I just… I wanted to help you see if you had any feelings for me. If you felt something, you might. If you didn't, you don't."

"Rachel… I… this is complicated."

"Why don't you talk to your girlfriend Jake? You need to tell her what you are feeling. You need to be honest with her."

"Nathan!" Haley yells furiously as she raps on the door. "Open up!"

"Haley, I'm busy," he growls as he flings the door open, a stone cold expression on his face.

"What you saw…"

"I know what I saw Haley. Thanks for reminding me," he mutters darkly. "It's probably a good thing that this happened early in our relationship so that I know…"

"Would you just shut up?" Haley tells him bluntly as she steps forward and intertwines their fingers. "Chris asked me to go on tour with him."

"Hales, you should go," Nathan whispers, even though he really doesn't want her to. "It's a great opportunity."

"I told him that I wouldn't go because I was in love with my boyfriend. He kissed me. I didn't feel an ounce of absolutely anything. Because he wasn't you."

"Haley, I don't want you to pass this opportunity up for love. I don't want you to wake up one day and wonder what your life would be like if you had taken that tour…"

"I have the rest of my life for that stuff. Right now, I want to be here with you. And nothing is going to stop me from being with you."

"Haley…"

"Just shut up and kiss me," she smiles as he leans down and captures her lips in a searing kiss.

"So you're sure that you didn't feel anything?"

"Yes," she grins as she playfully taps his nose. "Haven't you ever kissed someone and felt absolutely nothing?"

"Pretty much every girl except for you," Nathan grins as he slings his arm around her shoulder. "I love you Haley James. And it scares me because I was so hurt when I saw you with Chris. I don't ever want to feel that way again."

"You won't have to," she grins as she intertwines their fingers. "I love you Nathan. And only you."

"We need ice cream!" Brooke grumbles as she stretches out on the bed. "We can't watch a movie without ice cream."

"I'll run to the store and grab some," Lucas offers as he quickly stands and fumbles for his keys.

"Actually I want to go…" Brooke smiles as she grabs her keys from her purse. "I can't hide in here forever. I need to face the world eventually. And besides, you've been doing everything for me this whole week. I hate feeling so dependent on you for everything."

"If you insist… but if anything and I mean anything happens, you call me."

"Of course," she grins as she skips out the door.

As he stretches on her bed, he catches a glimpse of Brooke's diary, which is in her open bedside drawer. He knows that it's wrong to infringe upon some else's privacy but he has a feeling that her diary could be the only thing to help him understand why her life is as fucked up as she claims it is, and help him understand why she is so vulnerable, so un-trusting, especially of men.

He feels so incredibly guilty as he slowly begins to open the diary. However, he doesn't even get to read the first word before the bedroom door flies open.

"Brooke," he quickly slams the diary closed. "What are you doing here?"

"I forgot my wallet… Lucas what the hell are you doing?" she growls angrily, walking over to him and ripping the diary from his hands viciously.

"I was um… just…"

"Reading my diary?" she cuts in fleetingly, her hazel eyes burning with rage. "Lucas, why the hell would you do that? I trusted you!"

"I wasn't… I mean… I didn't… I didn't read anything… I swear," he stutters, scratching the back of his neck nervously, as his face flushes a deep shade of red.

"It doesn't matter if you read anything or not! That diary is private. Why the hell do you think I tell people that I don't keep a diary? Because, I don't want people reading it! The stuff in there is personal!"

"I'm sorry Brooke… I…"

"Why did you do it Lucas?" she asks venomously, her eyes demanding answers from him.

"I just wanted to know you better Brooke."

"Well, if you wanted to know something, you could have just asked me!" she yells back volatilely, the venom seeping from her voice bitterly. "You didn't have to resort to snooping through my personal belongings. If I wanted anyone to see what was in there, I would have just put it on the internet for everyone to see," she snaps sarcastically, as her hands fly to her hips, resting there defensively.

"You wouldn't tell me!" he fights back, standing up so that he towers down on her. "Brooke, you don't let me in. You don't let anyone in!"

"I have my reasons," she shouts angrily. "Which, you would have known, if you'd actually read my diary."

"Brooke, please, just tell me. I want you to let me in."

"I can't trust you. Not after this," she mumbles, motioning towards the diary that she grips tightly in her hand.

"You're hiding behind that stupid façade because you're scared. You're scared of letting your guard down because you don't want to get hurt," he challenges, knowing that he is crossing risky boundaries right now. But, he simply doesn't care. He just wants the brunette to crack open.

"You don't know me!" she fires back automatically, anger rising within her and pumping through her veins.

"Yes I do," he bites back, taking a step towards her, his eyes boring into hers like a flame.

"No you don't!" Bitterness taints her words, seeping from her tongue effortlessly. "Nobody does."

"I do…" He stands his ground firmly. With every word, he can feel the brunette nearing her breaking point. "And it scares you."

"You don't know me," she repeats icily, darkness clouding in the depths of her usually bright hazel eyes. "You think you know me huh? Well I bet that you didn't know my father used to abuse me, or that my mother doesn't want me. I bet you didn't know that I tried to kill myself last year. I bet you didn't know that I was pregnant but I miscarried. I bet you didn't know that I was addicted to cocaine. There's a lot you don't know about me Lucas. So don't you dare go around saying that you do," she chokes out, tears gently sliding down her cheeks.

He looks at her, unsure of what to say, unsure of what to do. Silence consumes them and he's suddenly frozen, paralyzed. Tears stream down her face as black liquid runs down her cheeks with them.

"You think you know me now? Well you're wrong! You are so wrong," she chuckles bitterly, between her choking sobs. "I bet you don't think I'm so fucking perfect anymore."

"Brooke…" he whispers, stepping closer towards the brunette and slipping his arms around her. Her tears soak his t-shirt as she clings to him desperately, her body shaking with every sob.

As she begins to settle down, he pulls away and looks at her with a small smile on his face. "You're right Brooke. I don't know you, not one bit. But I'd like to know you. Let me into your world."

"How can you be so calm about this?" she demands, running a hand through her brunette locks anxiously. "I just poured my heart out to you and completely stripped my soul. Any sane guy would have run when he had the chance. I don't understand you Lucas Scott!"

"I'm not sane," he attempts to joke, cupping Brooke's face with his hand. "And I want to be a part of your world."

"I'm fucked up Lucas, more fucked up than you can possibly imagine! You don't want to be a part of my world, trust me."

"I want to be a part of your world," he repeats firmly, a smile inhabiting his face. "Every part of it, fucked up or not."

"Why?" she questions, staring him hard in the face.

"Because, I can feel this electricity when I am around you," he states cautiously, taking a deep breath before proceeding. "You infuriate me, yet you intrigue me so much. You are such a mystery Brooke Davis, one that I really want to solve. I feel so connected to you and I love being around you. The way that you just poured your heart and soul out to me is so incredibly beautiful to me… just like the rest of you. The more time that I spend around you… the more I fall for you and want to be with you. You deserved to be happy and loved… and I want to be the guy that gives that to you. I love everything about you Brooke."

"Lucas…" she looks at him shakily. She feels that electricity too but she knows that this is risky. And she doesn't want to drag him down into this personal hell that she's created for herself. He doesn't deserve it.

He steps forward, cupping her cheek in his hand, before crashing his lips into hers. A bolt of electricity runs through them so strong that they've never experienced anything like it before. As the kiss heats up, both of them passionately pouring their heart and souls into that one kiss, two souls bind together as one. It's like time has stopped, like neither has known a feeling so strong, so cosmic.

"I'm falling in love with you," he breathes, as he pulls away from the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. "And I know that it scares you like hell but it's just the way that I feel. I know that you're going to try to push me away but I'm not going anywhere."

"If you… if we do this… you have to know what you're getting yourself into Lucas. My world is far different than yours. And it's far more painful and real than you can possibly ever imagine."

"I know what I'm getting myself into. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm going to fix you Brooke Davis. Because, god knows, you deserve it. But, you have to promise to let me in and stop hiding all of the broken parts of you that I need to see."

"I promise," she smiles, bringing her lips up to capture his in a soft and sweet kiss.

AN: Brucas is FINALLY together, after all of the anticipation but that doesn't mean that it's going to be smooth sailing from here. There will definitely be some obstacles for them. Next chapter will include some flashbacks on some of the events that have happened in Brooke's past. Please review and let me know what you think!