Looking For Solid Ground

++++++++OTH+++++++





Brooke frowned as she looked out the window, pulling up the blanket tightly around her. It had started to storm outside, and she was stuck in the apartment all alone. She hated being alone. She curled up on the couch, turning on the television when there was a knock on the door.



She approached the door slowly, the blanket still wrapped around her. A sudden flash of lighting and clap of thunder made her jump. She brought a shaky hand to the door knob, unlocking the door and slowly opening it. What she saw on the other side made her heart ache.



Haley was standing there, soaking wet, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, tears mixing with the rain that was cascading down her face



"Haley?"



"I forgot my key," she explained.



"Baby, come here, come inside," Brooke said, pulling her in. She closed the door behind her and pulled her into a tight hug, wrapping the blanket around the both of them. She didn't even have to ask what happened; she already knew. What she also knew was that the next time she saw Lucas she would be sure to give him a piece of her mind and maybe a piece of her fist as well.



"It's ok," Brooke soothed. "You can cry all you want. You’ve earned that right."



She didn't care that she was getting soaked; she wrapped her arms tighter around Haley as the smaller girl held on for dear life. Brooke sighed, not being able to imagine what she was going through; after all, she still had her best friend.



"He said--he call--" Haley choked out.



"Shh," Brooke replied softly. "Don't worry about that now. You can tell me about it later."



Haley buried her face into Brooke's neck, glad for the warmth.



"Come on," Brooke said, leading her down the hall. "The last thing we need is for you to catch pneumonia."



Brooke brought her into the bathroom and sat her down on a stool. She walked over to the tub, turning on the hot water. She went back to Haley, rubbing a caring hand over her cheek. She wanted nothing more than to take the girl in her arms and kiss her, but she knew that was the last thing Haley needed right now.



Brooke's hands found the hem of Haley's shirt, and Haley lifted her arms slowly, allowing Brooke to take off the shirt. She did the same to her jeans, throwing them in the hamper. She then grabbed a dry towel, and wrapped it around Haley. She went back to the bath to make sure it wasn't too hot, and added some bubbles for good measure.



She walked back to Haley once more, and squatted in front of her.



"Take as long as you need, k? And just yell if you need anything. I'll be in our room."



Haley nodded, closing her eyes as Brooke kissed her forehead, lingering meaningfully.





+++++++OTH++++++





Brooke sat up in bed, waiting for Haley. She had changed into a pair of dry pajamas and was listening to the latest CD Peyton had made for her. Her head turned at the sound of the door to their room opening. A very meek looking Haley walked in wearing a pair of pajama pants and a tank top, her hair now dry.



Brooke pulled back the covers, motioning for Haley to join her. Haley crawled into bed and onto Brooke's lap. She curled into a ball, resting her head in the crook of Brooke's neck as Brooke rocked them back and forth, neither of them saying a word.





++++++OTH++++++





Brooke woke up, finding herself unable to move. Brooke wasn’t exactly sure when, but sometime during the night they had managed to lay down. She didn't even remember falling asleep. Haley was still lying on top of her, her arms wrapped around Brooke's waist and their legs tangled. Haley's warm breath was tickling her neck, and Brooke couldn't help but be amazed at how beautiful the girl was, even with her cheeks still stained from the previous night’s tears.



Haley struggled to stay asleep, burying her head further into Brooke's neck, sending delightful shivers down Brooke’s back when her lips accidentally grazed her collar bone.



"Mmm," she mumbled against Brooke's skin, making the designer take a deep, steadying breath. She didn't want to wake the girl up, but she wasn't sure how long she would last if Haley kept this up. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long as she felt Haley beginning to stir.



Haley's eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at Brooke happily. Brooke faked a smile back, knowing Haley's happiness wouldn't last as soon as she remembered the events of the previous. Fortunately, her eyes were too clouded over to notice. When she spoke, her voice came out hoarse.



"I can't feel my hands," she mumbled.



Brooke laughed slightly, placing an arm around Haley to hold her steady, while she arched her back slightly, allowing her to retrieve her hands from underneath Brooke. Brooke smiled at the blush the crept up to Haley's cheek when she pressed herself against her.



"Thanks," she managed as they settled back down. She smiled up at Brooke, wide-eyed and innocent, but that soon faded as realization washed over her. Her smile fell and her eyes darkened. Brooke pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, rubbing her cheek gently.



"I'm sorry," she said.



"For what? This isn't your fault."



"Well, it kind of is," Brooke pointed out.



"No," Haley said. "This is his fault for being such a close-minded jackass.”



Brooke raised a concerned eyebrow, "What exactly did he say?"



"Nothing."



"Bull."



"Brooke, don't worry about it."



"I can't help it."



"I'm not going to tell you."



"Why not?"



"Because," Haley sighed. "If I tell you, you're going to get upset, and you're going to go into protective mode, and you're going to do something you'll end up regretting."



"Oh, I doubt I'll regret it."



"I don't want to see you upset," Haley replied. "And I don't want to see you doing something that could get you into trouble, or worse, get you hurt."



"Haley, you know I love you and that I'd do anything for you--"



"I know, I know," Haley sighed.



"No," Brooke replied, looking into her eyes. She felt her heart speed up as the faintest smile played on her lips. Her palms became sweaty as she tightened her grip around Haley, her eyes glistening as realization hit her like a ton of bricks.



"Haley," she said slowly. "I love you."



Haley felt her breath catch in her throat as she looked down into those dark brown eyes that were filled with such compassion and honesty that she found herself unable to think. It was now her turn to feel the tears form.



"Haley?"



She bit her lip slightly, "I love you too," she smiled, kissing her softly.





+++++++OTH+++++++





"Hey," Peyton smiled, pulling up along side Brooke's car.



They all stepped out of the cars, graduation gowns on but not zipped, and caps in hand.



"What's up?" the blonde asked.



"You've talked to Lucas, lately?" Brooke asked.



"No, he's supposed to meet me here. Why?"



"Maybe you should," Brooke replied, giving Haley's hand one last reassuring squeeze before letting go.



"Haley?" Peyton asked, causing the tutor to stop in her tracks. She couldn't bring herself to look the blonde in the eyes. "Haley, I'm sorry. Whatever he said, whatever he did, you didn't deserve that, ok?"



She didn't respond, and Peyton pulled her into a reassuring hug, "Ok?"



Haley nodded this time as she pulled away, wiping the tears.



"Come on," Brooke smiled, placing a hand on her back. "We've got us a dress rehearsal to attend."



"You got your speech?" Peyton asked.



"Yep."



"Nervous?"



"I'm about to puke, and it's only the dress rehearsal." Haley replied, causing the other two girls to giggle as the walked into the gymnasium where the graduation ceremony would be held.



"So, how's this thing set up?" Brooke asked, watching the teachers trying to get the students to line up.



"Alphabetical order."



"Um, Haley, wouldn't that put you buy Lucas and Nathan?" Brooke asked concernedly.



She cracked a smile for the first time since they had started to dress for rehearsals, "No. You see, the valedictorian gets her own special seat."



Brooke beamed, "That's my girl."



"Hey, and maybe Lucas and Nathan will get into a fight, and then maybe I won't have to worry about kicking his ass," Brooke added.



Haley froze.



"What? What's wrong?"



"You don't think Lucas would tell Nathan, do you?" she asked fearfully. Brooke's eyes widened, and they both turned to Peyton.



"I'm on it," she nodded, setting out to find Lucas.



"Miss Davis, Miss James, please find your places in line," a teacher said, passing by the two.



Brooke smiled, "Well, you go get in your designated chair Miss Valedictorian.”



"Hey, I'm smart and you love it," Haley smiled back.



"Hell yea," Brooke replied with a wink before finding her respective place in line. Haley walked all the way to the back of the line since she would be sitting in the first chair. She found her place in line, but received an awkward look from the girl in front of her--Edna St. Claire.



"Hey," Haley smiled awkwardly. Edna was salutatorian, and she hated Haley for it.



"Um, Miss James," Principal Turner said, walking up to her. "Can I have a word with you?"



"Yes sir," Haley smiled, leaving her place in line to following him into a back room in the gym. He closed the door behind them.



"Haley," he sighed.



"Yes?"



"I hate to have to do this, but I'm afraid I have no choice."



"Ok?" she said, crossing her arms in front of her protectively.



"Certain alumni have expressed concern about you assuming the roll of valedictorian."



"Wait, what?" she asked.



"They don't feel that you are the best person to be representing the school in that post," he explained.



"I don't understand. I mean, I earned this fair and square. I took the hardest courses and I made the highest grades."



"It's not your scholastic abilities they are questioning."



"I'm sorry, but can you please stop being so cryptic and just come out with it?” Haley asked.



"Some people believe that you aren't the type of role model that we should have representing our school."



"You are talking in circles!" she said, losing her temper. “Sorry.”



"Look, let's face it, having someone who was married, pregnant, and separated before graduation up there representing our school isn't exactly the best thing. Then add in the fact that your husband was involved in a scandal that was all over the press, we just don't think it's such a good idea.”



Haley nodded, "So you don't want me disgracing your school? Is that it?"



"No--"



"It's fine Principal Turner. Don't worry about it. I won't embarrass you in front of all your precious alumni," she replied smugly before walking out and slamming the door. She exited the gym quickly, not wanting anyone to see her or the tears in her eyes. She took little relief in the fact that things couldn't possibly get any worse.





++++++OTH+++++++





Brooke settled into her seat, luckily she was towards the front of the alphabet so she didn't have to wait long for everyone else to be seated. The end of the line came and sat down, but there was no Haley. Brooke looked around, but figured she was probably in the bathroom or something. She sat through all the mind-numbing speeches, and several lectures on the proper way to behave during the ceremony. Finally, the part where Haley was supposed to practice her speech arrived.



Principal Turner stood up and walked to the podium, "And now, the class valedictorian Edna St. Claire will give the farewell address."



Brooke's jaw dropped as she stood up quickly. She carefully maneuvered herself down the row without so much as an apology to those she stepped on. All she knew was that she had to find Haley.



"Miss Davis?" Turner questioned. "Miss Davis!" he called after her as she rushed out the gym, not hearing his calls, and not noticing the half a dozen other people who stood up following her out as well. Brooke hurried into the school, not caring how loud she was being when she slammed the door opened. She could care less if there were still classes going on. She hurried down the hall past their lockers and turned the corner. She looked around quickly to make sure no one was watching before slipping into the janitor's closet.



She turned on the light and found Haley sitting on an overturned bucket. Brooke wasn't sure why, but the fact that Haley wasn't crying scared her more than anything else.



"Haley?" she asked carefully.



"I'm not valedictorian," she sighed.



"I know," Brooke frowned, pulling up a bucket to sit in front of her. "Why? No one deserves it more than you do."



"Yea, well, apparently I would be an embarrassment to this school and its alumni."



"What?" Brooke asked in disbelief. "How is that possible? You are one of the brightest students to ever walk these halls. Not to mention how much you've given back to this school and community. How can anyone say you don't deserve this?"



"Easy. Principal Turner made it pretty clear that I'm a trashy person."



"A what?"



"Yea, apparently my life's events over the past year and a half aren't exactly appropriate valedictorian behavior. Well, sorry if my life inconveniences anyone."



"What?!" Brooke asked growing angry.



"No, baby, please don't," Haley said taking Brooke's hands in her own. She looked up and Brooke found it hard to look her in the eyes. They were full of hopelessness and defeat.



"Haley, listen to me," she said softly but firmly. "You are the most amazing person I have ever met. Ok? Trust me those people will never be half the person you are, and nobody deserves to be valedictorian more than you do. Alright?"



"It doesn't matter anymore. It's too late now."



"Come on," Brooke said, standing up and holding out her hand. Haley took it and stood up as well.



"Where are we going?"



"Back to practice. Principal Turner is probably freaking out right now."



Haley shook her head, "No."



"No?"



"I'm not going."



"Hales? You have to go to practice in order to attend the ceremony," Brooke reminded her.



"I'm not going to the ceremony."



Brooke looked at her, the confusion evident on her face, "Haley, what are you talking about? Of course you want to go to graduation. I love you, but you're a nerd. You've been dreaming about this day since you were little."



"No," Haley corrected her. "I've been dreaming about standing on that stage and giving my speech since I was little."



"But all your family--"



"What family? My mom and dad are all the way across the country. My siblings are all too busy with their own lives. Brooke, you’re my family now.”



Brooke couldn't help but smile at her statement, "You're my family too."



Haley laughed slightly, "Why is everything always so corny with us?"



"I have no idea. You have so made me lose my edge," Brooke laughed, throwing an arm around her waist, guiding her out into the hall.