(Untitled)

[rockstarkeller]

He had heard about the shooting. It was the only thing on television when he finally turned it on that morning. At first he couldn't really figure out that it was Tree Hill High they were talking about, but the moment he did, he was stumbling out of bed, pulling on clothes and heading towards the school. By the time he got there, his eyes were

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[heart_bdavis]

Brooke was surprised to see Chris there, in the hospital. For some strange reason his voice made her calm. She looked into Chris' eyes. She just wanted to get away, from Lucas, from Peyton, from the whole situation.

He looked into her eyes. For a second she saw something in him, something human, a kind look of care. Maybe he wasn't that bad. Maybe. He unfolded his arms and was about to say something but he didn't as she fell into his arms. She held him tight as if he were her only means of survival. He closed his arms around her, holding her just as tight.

She looked up at him with her big brown eyes. "Can you take me home? I just want to go home."

[rockstarkeller]

His arms wrapped tightly around her as she fell against him. His eyes stayed on Peyton for a minute, wondering how something like this could happen. He dropped his head against her shoulder, letting his eyes closed. Silently, he breathed in a deep breath of relief. Brooke was alright. He had been so worried about her when he heard about the shooting, so worried that she had been the one that got shot.

He lifted his head and looked down at her when she asked to go home. He managed a nod before he let his arms slid down her back and took one of her hands. "Sure, doll. Let's get you out of here."

He managed to look at Lucas, who was looking at them with a mixture of glare, confusion, and maybe even hurt. He looked back to Brooke, murmuring softly about nothing, to keep her mind off of things. "Chez Brooke it is." He held his car door open for her.

[heart_bdavis]

She got in the car and took a deep breath. Chris started the car and they were soon their way. She looked in the rear view mirror as the drove away from the hospital, making it look smaller and smaller. Chris noticed Brooke was distant and hurting. He said something to make her laugh. She laughed for a second. She looked at him, he was different now. He wasn't the jerk formerly known as Chris Keller. He was caring, this was a side of Chris Keller that Brooke hadn't seen before

[rockstarkeller]

"Hey!" He looked at her, shocked, when she changed the radio song half-way through. "I was in a rhythm!" But he said it with a smile. He didn't mind, he could sing along to anything. When she screamed, he nearly jumped and had to right the car after he swerved it. His hand grabbed hers and kept it off the dial, letting the static fill the car. He kissed the back of her hand gently before letting go and letting her turn off the radio.

"I think you're supposed to be okay with them."

He could tell what was between Lucas and Peyton. He had always seen it. And when Brooke wanted to go home, he knew it was more than just being upset that her best friend had been shot. He reached over and took her hand again, squeezing it lightly.

[heart_bdavis]

She turned to face Chris. Okay with them? Okay with her best friend and ex-boyfriend once again messing around and not telling her? She was about to start yelling at him when she realized he was right. She didn't want to be with Lucas anymore. She didn't love him. So what if Peyton did? The part where Peyton and Lucas were together, she could deal with that. The part where peyton didn't tell her, that was what killed her inside. They were best friends, they were supposed to tell each other everything.

She had to face this sometime, but not until she was ready to talk this out with Peyton.

They made it to Brooke's apartment. Neither one moved nor got out of the car. Chris opened his mouth to say something but once again, she stopped him. "I don't want to be alone."

[rockstarkeller]

He had turned off the engine, but he didn't make a move to get out of the car. He didn't want to invite himself in. Not today when all the bad stuff seemed to be happening. Despite what everyone might think about him, Chris Keller had a heart. Sometimes, he just didn't like to show it. Okay, most of the time. But today wasn't one of those most times. He stared out of the windshield of the car. He was going to tell her that if she needed anything, he'd be around, but she stopped him. "I don't want to be alone," she said. He turned and stared at her for a long moment before he managed a nod and smiled slightly before he climbed out of the car, when she did. He waited for her to walk around to meet him before wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her to his side as they walked up the steps to the apartment.

"Any good horror flicks on the tv tonight? I hear chicks dig watching horror flicks with hot guys." He smiled, but softly. He was trying to make her feel better.

[heart_bdavis]

She smiled at that comment. "Well, we can look in the tv guide," He smiled and then she replied, "And then, when we find a scary movie, I'll call some hot guys so they can come over and hang out with us." She tilted her head to the side and scrunched her nose while smiling.

[rockstarkeller]

He half-laughed, half-choked when she made the joke. His free hand moved to his heart, holding it as he threw his head back and laughed. "That's harsh, Brooke. Very harsh." He grinned as he held open the door for her and let her move in. "Funny, though. But harsh none the less."

[heart_bdavis]

Brooke smiled at Chris. He made sad puppy eyes and pretended to be hurt. She laughed, she really liked this side of Chris. She grabbed his hand, dragging him into the apartment and closed the door behind them.