Looking For Solid Ground

+++++OTH+++++





Brooke turned over in bed, to find the usual warmth missing.



"Haley," she mumbled.



"Go back to sleep," she heard Haley reply gently.



Brooke sighed, sitting up. She saw Haley standing in front of the mirror, flashlight in hand, speaking to herself. Brooke got out of bed and walked over to her, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Haley's tiny waist, kissing her shoulder that was left bare by her spaghetti strap tank.



"Baby come to bed," she pleaded.



"I just need to go over this some more," Haley said. "You go ahead. I'll be there in a second."



"You know I can't sleep without you."



Haley smiled at her in the mirror, and Brooke held her tighter, bending slightly to rest her head on the shorter girl's shoulder.



"We look good together," Brooke smiled.



"Yea," Haley nodded, leaning back into the embrace. "We do."



"So come to bed."



"I need to work on this. I'm not ready," Haley insisted.



Brooke looked over her shoulder, to the papers she was holding, "Your speech?"



"Yea," she frowned.



Brooke took the papers from her.



"Hey," Haley turned around, trying to grab them back, but Brooke just held them above her head, out of Haley's reach.



"Listen to me," Brooke smiled. "You will do amazing tomorrow. You will give a beautiful speech and will have us all in tears, ok? But that can't happen unless you and I get in that bed and get some sleep because if we don't, we'll never wake up in time to get to the ceremony, alright?"



Haley jumped once more, but to now avail.



"Alright," she sighed.



"Good," Brooke replied, placing the papers back down on the dresser, and taking Haley's hands in her own, leading her to the bed. They climbed in, and Haley instinctively snuggled into Brooke's arms, both falling asleep in a matter of seconds.



++++++++++



Haley took a deep breath as she paced the living room in her cap and gown. Her hands that held her speech were shaking vehemently. Brooke walked into the living room, making Haley pause.



"Relax," Brooke smiled.



Haley's eyes ran over Brooke's cap and gown and up to her glowing face, bringing a tear to her eyes.



"Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?" Haley asked, taking Brooke's hands in her own.



"Yea," Brooke nodded. "About a million times a day."



"Well, I'm gonna say it again. Brooke Davis I am proud of you. I'm proud of the person you've become, and I'm proud of how hard you worked, and I am so proud to call you my girlfriend," she replied, more tears threatening to spill. Brooke wiped them away quickly.



"You can't start crying now because if you cry, then I cry, and if I cry, I have to redo my make-up, then we'll be late--"



She was cut off by one of the most loving kisses she had ever received. Brooke's eyes remained closed long after the kiss had ended as she held on to the blissful feeling that surrounded her at that moment.



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



"B. Davis," Peyton smiled, leaning against her car as the other two drove up.



"P. Sawyer," Brooke hugged her.



"And our little Haley," Peyton said, pulling the tutor into a hug. "Wow. You have certainly grown in the past two years."



"No," Haley shook her head with a smile. "I'm still short."



"You know what I mean," Peyton shoved her playfully. "It seems like yesterday that we were having all those talks about you and sex and everything."



Haley felt a blush rise to her cheeks.



"And you still blush at the mention of it," Peyton laughed. "So, you're ready for your speech."



Haley's face turned a nasty shade of green.



"She still gets stage fright," Brooke explained.



"Stage fright?" Peyton asked. "You've performed in front of thousands of people, Haley. How can you get stage fright."



"Thousands of strangers," she pointed out weakly.



"You'll be fine," Peyton assured her as they walked to the courtyard where they would be lining up.



"So where's the traitor?" Brooke asked, earning a nudge from Haley. "What?" she asked innocently.



"He's coming with Karen," Peyton replied.



"Peyton, I just wanted to say that it's cool that you're dating," Haley said. "I know it's probably awkward right now with Brooke and I, but I'm sure this will all blow over one day as soon as he takes his head out of his ass."



Peyton laughed, "Thanks."



"Speaking of the devil," Brooke frowned, looking over Haley's shoulder.



"We should go," Haley said, not even turning to see him



"Haley!" Karen called out happily. "I thought for sure we would have seen you at the house, but I guess you were busy getting everything ready."



"Oh, yea," she forced a smile. "Sorry about that."



"No, that's fine," Karen smiled. "So, can I steal you for a minute for a few pictures with Lucas?"



Haley turned to Peyton and Brooke who each shrugged in turn, neither knowing a way out of it.



"Come on you two, get close together," Karen demanded, holding up the camera.



They put their arms around each other like they had so many times before while posing for pictures. Haley felt the sudden urge to cry but held back and plastered on a smile for the camera. Luke's arms had always been a safe place for her, but at that moment it was the last place she wanted to be.



"Ok then," Karen smiled, and the two immediately moved apart. "I'm going to go find my seat."



"Mom, you have nearly an hour till it begins," Lucas said, clearly not wanting to be left alone with the three girls.



"I know, but I don't want to get stuck where I can't film Haley. I told her parents I'd tape her speech for them," Karen explained, walking away.



"Um," Haley said, feeling the tension in the group. "I'm going to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."



"You want me to come with you?" Brooke asked.



"No, you stay here," she smiled gently. "Keep Peyton company."



"Alright," Brooke replied, watching the tutor walk away. She suddenly regretted not following her, when she realized that Lucas was still hanging around.



"So," Peyton said, looking for something to ease the tension. "You ready for the party tonight, Brooke?"



"Yea," she said, her eyes immediately lighting up at the word party. "It's our first party as official alumni."





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





"Um, Brooke," Peyton said, checking her watch.



"Yea?"



"Where's Haley?"



"Bathroom."



"Brooke, it's been half an hour. Everybody's starting to line up."



Brooke's face fell, "I'll go find her."



"Need any help?" Lucas offered, opening his mouth for the first time.



"Not from you," Brooke replied, before walking away and into the school.





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





"Did I ever tell you how cute you are when you pace?" Brooke asked, walking into the janitor's closet to find Haley pacing nervously back and forth.



"I can't do this," she replied. "My speech it's all wrong. I'm screwed."



"Hey," Brooke said, walking in front of her, and taking her hands in her own. "You're going to be fine. Just talk from your heart, and you can't go wrong."



"You know how much I hate public speaking," Haley frowned. "I sure as hell can't adlib."



"Why? Why can't you go up there and just say what's on your mind?" Brooke asked, patiently.



"Because all those people looking at me, judging me."



"Since when do you care about people judging you? I mean, even before we were friends, I always admired that about you--the fact that you didn't give a shit about what other people think."



"Well, I do, I mean, I'm a teenager and a girl. I just normally don't let it bother me. But now, with all those eyes on me..." her voice trailed off as she grew pale.



"Hey now," Brooke soothed. "You're going to be fine. Hell, you already are fine, " she teased, pulling her a bit closer.



"Be serious," Haley fussed.



"I am being serious," she replied, her voice low. She let her eyes glide up and down Haley's body that was in a beautifully short white dress that hugged her tightly beneath her gown that was still open. Her eyes made it to Haley's face that was blushing fiercely.



"You are so hot," Brooke said honestly, slipping her arms on the inside of Haley's gown and around her waist. She pulled her closer, leaving a lingering kiss on the side of her neck.



"Brooke, we don't have ti--mmme."



The end of the word was drawn out in a soft moan as Brooke found that sweet spot right below Haley's ear and behind her jawbone.



"We have as long as I need to show you just how hot you are," Brooke replied. "Now come here."



She pulled Haley into a searing kiss, making the girl go weak in the knees. Brooke tightened her grip on her waist as she felt Haley step into her, pushing their bodies together. Brooke's hands slid to the front of Haley's hips as their tongues collided hungrily. Brooke pushed Haley back against one of the tables, her hands sliding down the front of her dress. She bent down slightly, trailing kisses down Haley's neck as she tilted her head back, allowing Brooke better access.



"Oh God," she breathed heavily as Brooke's hands reached the hem of her short dress, pushing it up some. Brooke's hands slid to the back of Haley's thighs, lifting her into her arms, and onto the table, all the while, nipping at Haley's neck. Her head was spinning at the feeling of Haley's skin beneath her fingers. She slid the dress up enough to spread Haley's legs apart, allowing her to step in between them.



Haley placed a hand on the back of Brooke's neck, pulling her up, capturing her lips, moaning when Brooke's lower body made contact with hers, Brooke's hands sliding up her smooth legs. Haley pulled away, her eyes completely glazed over.



"I want you," she groaned.



"I love you," Brooke replied, her hands halting. A gentle smile formed on Haley's face as her hand moved to Brooke's cheek, stroking it softly with her thumb.



"I love you too."



"You ready now?"



"Thank you," Haley replied, realizing what Brooke had just done.



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



"Where have you been?" Peyton asked as Brooke rushed back to where the line of seniors had formed.



Brooke smiled as she saw Haley get into her spot, last in line, "I had to get Haley her confidence back."