The meza, jedwali had been silent. Ever since the arrival of Haley and Nathan, things had simply gotten worse. To call it awkward would be an understatement. Brooke had managed to keep her eyes down on to her plate for the entire lunch, so far. Not that it really mattered. No one was really paying attention to anything except their food.

Deb had simply received complements on her cooking, and then the meza, jedwali had fallen silent. Everyone had been holding their breath, wondering who the first degrading maoni would be made towards.

“Nate, could wewe pass the mashed potatoes?” Lucas asked his brother quietly. Everyone around the meza, jedwali silently thanked him for being the one to break the silence.

“Sure. Here wewe go.” Nathan handed him the bowl, and then looked around the table. His eyes landed on his sister in law. The poor girl looked as if she were about to explode. Frankly, he didn’t blame her.

Dan looked over at Lucas, a smile crossing over his features. The man was everything he’d ever hoped for in a son. He was good looking, responsible, rich, and still talented at basketball.

Then his eyes landed on Nathan, the son he’d raised for sixteen years. A frown grew on his face. How ungrateful Nathan had always been never ceased to amaze him. And what he’d become was just a disgrace to the family. Married at sixteen, and now a man of absolutely nothing. The boy still lived in a cramped one bedroom apartment, for God’s sake!

“So,” Dan smirked, “How’s it been going, Nathan?”

“It’s been fine, Dad.”

“Still an ‘architect’?” Dan used air nukuu around the word ‘architect’, causing everyone at the meza, jedwali to roll their eyes. He’d always managed to find a way to degrade his son.

“Yeah. And apparently you’re still an asshole.” Haley quietly scolded her husband, but it was to no avail.

Dan simply laughed. “This coming from the man that lives off his wife’s paycheck.”

“Oh, wewe are so out of line.” Deb spoke through gritted teeth.

Lucas, always the peacemaker, attempted to stop the family. “Come on, Guys. Not now.”

“Honestly Nathan, is there no way wewe can possibly be like your brother?” Dan gestured towards Lucas.

“Dan!” Deb’s fists tightened.

“That’s funny, Dad. Up until a few years ago, all wewe ever told me was that wewe were happy I wasn’t like him..” Nathan chuckled.

“Look, this was obviously a mistake. Maybe we should just go..” Haley stood, but Deb held out a hand to stop her.

“Nonsense. I invited wewe two to this lunch because I wanted wewe here. Don’t let Dan’s childish behavior push wewe away.”

“Deb,” Dan laughed, “I’d hardly call it childish. I’m just saying-”

“I know what you’re saying, Dan.”

Lucas sighed. “Deb..”

“It’s not your place, Lucas.” The blonde woman replied, her eyes never leaving her husband’s.

“Don’t say that to him. Lucas is just as much a part of this family as Nathan..”

The arguing continued once zaidi between the two parties. Lucas and Haley attempted to make peace, and interject a few times, but it was for no reason. The meza, jedwali was soon full of insults and anger being thrust around.

Tears filled Brooke’s eyes, and she scolded herself mentally. “I need to use the restroom.” She excused herself.

Lucas sighed, but let her go. She wasn’t heard kwa anyone else, really, because the meza, jedwali was so loud compared to her quiet voice.

Nathan watched after her. She’d been through so much. Over the years, and especially now. And from the looks of it, she was breaking. Brooke Davis-Scott was no longer the happy-go-lucky girl she’d been in high school.

“Uh, I have to go to the bathroom.” He stood, following in her general direction.

He found her in one of the many bathrooms of the house. The door was slightly ajar, and she sat with her back against the bath tub, her legs stretched out in front of her.

He smiled softly, and took a kiti, kiti cha beside her.

“Are wewe okay?” He asked carefully, after a few moments.

“I’m fine. Thanks.” She smiled - but it was fake. He wondered if all her smiles had been fake, over the years.

“Sorry about everything in there. That’s the last thing wewe deserve.”

“It’s okay.” She shrugged.

Nathan looked over her profile. Her face had a really pretty shape. She had a perfect nose, and her lips were located at exactly the right place beneath it.

“You don’t have to lie to me, Brooke.”

She bit her lip. “Why does everyone always think I’m lying when I say I’m okay? Nathan, if I alisema I was fine, I meant it!”

“Alright, I’m sorry. I just get worried about wewe sometimes, Brooke.”

“I’m sure.”

“Come on, don’t be like that,” She almost smiled, turning to look him in the eyes, “You know you’ve always been my friend. Since like, the fifth grade. I care about you, whether au not wewe believe me.”

“Thanks.” A genuine smile crossed over her lips. It was tiny; barely enough to onyesha the large dimples in her cheeks.

“I know that everything’s been tough for wewe lately. But I want wewe to know I’m here. I’m not just your husband’s brother, wewe know.” He nudged her, and she giggled.

“Thanks, Nate.”

He draped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer to him so that he could place a kiss on her forehead.

“I miss the old you, Brooke Davis.” He whispered against her hair.

“Me too.” A solitary tear ran down her cheek.

The two stood up, and Brooke nodded thankfully, before leaving. He watched after her and sighed, taking a kiti, kiti cha on the edge of the bath tub.

Now, to deal with his own problems..

-

“Thanks for lunch, Deb.” Brooke hugged her mother-in-law awkwardly.

“Thank wewe for coming, Brooke. I’m so sorry things turned out the way they did.”

“Don’t sweat it.” She grabbed Lucas’s hand, pulling him towards the door.

“Lucas,” Deb stopped him, “Um, today, I didn’t mean-”

“I know,” Lucas smiled warmly, reaching out to give her a hug, “Take care of yourself, okay?”

Deb nodded, squeezing his shoulder. “You have a great heart, Lucas. And wewe too, Brooke. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s wewe two.”

“Thanks, Deb.”

The two left quickly, and as they drove off, Lucas turned towards Brooke.

“That wasn’t as bad as it could have been, was it?”

“No. Not quite that bad.” Brooke said, remembering her conversation with Nathan.