Author's notes: So I've been writing one-shots lately and I felt that maybe it was time to start a full story.

Disclaimer: OTH doesn't belong to me, only this slightly better version does :)

Summary: Set in S4, after LP starts dating.

You Picked Me

Chapter 1 – Awkward

"Okay class," began Mr. Smith. "This week you will be working on a Creative Writing Project. Each of you will pair up with a partner, pick a book to read, and put together a project explaining the events in the book."

"Be my partner?" Lucas mouthed, silently to the blonde sitting next to him.

About to accept, Mr. Smith cut her off. "Oh, and I will be picking your partners."

Lucas groaned and shot Peyton an apologetic look.

"Peyton Sawyer, you will be paired with Rachel Gatina."

Almost immediately, Peyton banged her head on her desk. Lucas rubbed his hand on her back in comfort.

"Haley James Scott, your partner will be Bevin Mirskey...Nathan Scott you will have Marvin McFadden."

He continued listing the names of all the students until he got to the last one.

"Brooke Davis, you will be paired with…"

'Not Lucas, not Lucas…' she chanted over and over in her head.

"Lucas Scott." said the teacher finally. There were murmurs heard all around the class. Everyone knew they had once dated, and that he was now dating her best friend...which would make this very awkward.

The bell sounded all throughout the class, signaling lunch time. "Alright, class dismissed!"

"Hey Luke," Haley started. "You gonna be okay?" she asked, glancing in Brooke's direction.

He watched the gorgeous brunette sulk in her seat and complain about something to Rachel, sitting not far from her.

"Yeah." he stated unsurely. "This won't be awkward at all. I'll just talk to her."

Nathan glanced over at a not so pleasant look on Brooke's face. "Good luck."

"Hey, I hear we can switch partners." Peyton tried to come off as nonchalant but Lucas saw through her façade. She was obviously threatened by him and Brooke having to work together.

"I'd happily give Rachel to Brooke."

"Nah, I'll be alright Peyt." he saw the look of desperation that crossed on her face and quickly added, "This won't change anything between us Peyton." He then placed a soft gentle kiss on her lips causing a smile to break out.

He honestly didn't want this to affect his relationship, but at the same time, he was barely upset over working with his ex-girlfriend. This would give them a chance to talk, and if they couldn't be in a relationship together, they could at least be friends.

"You think you've got it bad? I got paired with Bevin!" exclaimed Haley.

Across the room, Brooke Davis sulked in her seat, still refusing to get up.

"I can't believe he paired me with Lucas! Don't teachers listen to gossip?"

"Well at least you don't have to work with the moody bitch over there. I honestly don't know how you two remained friends for so long." Rachel said, flabbergasted that Brooke could have once been close to someone so conniving.

"Yeah well sometimes I wonder that myself."

"Aren't you coming? They're serving pizza today and I know your fat ass will want a slice before they're all gone." Rachel began to rise from where she was sitting, getting ready to walk to the door.

"No." Brooke said in an emotionless tone. "I have to talk to Mr. Smith." she then got up and walked to the front where his desk was.

"If you're here to talk about switching partners, my answer is already no." he said, not looking up from the stack of papers he was grading.

"But Mr. Smith, you don't understand… see, I can't work with Lucas Scott!"

"And why is that, Miss Davis?" he rose from his chair, as if challenging her to give him a close to logical excuse.

But no words escaped her mouth and no thoughts invaded her brain. At least, not any smart ones that would make him switch her partner. She stood there trying to wrack her brain for any coherent explanations.

"Well," he sighed. "If you're done wasting my time, I have to get to the cafeteria. You know they're selling pizza today?" he exclaimed as the heavy set bald man brushed past a couple students.

"Yes, I know." Brooke murmured to his retreating figure. She looked to her left and saw Lucas coming towards, probably in an attempt to strike up an awkward conversation about the project and crack lame jokes to ease the tension. She hurried after Mr. Smith and eventually, squeezed her way through the crowded students in the doorway.

Her goal was to avoid him at all costs until they absolutely had to talk about this project.

"Hey man...you gonna be alright?"

Lucas laughed. "Yeah thanks for worrying about me Nate, but I'm fine." he paused momentarily. "I'm actually sorta happy to be working with Brooke."

Nathan raised his eyebrows suspiciously at him.

"Not in that sort of way." he said knowing exactly what he was thinking. "I just want a chance to be friends with her."

"What if Brooke's not okay with this? You know her and Peyton are still not talking..."

Lucas looked away, feeling guilty. This was the second time he took part in ruining their friendship. A ten year friendship...to be exact.

"I can't believe you, Rachel!" yelled Brooke. The redhead had the nerve to get the last slice of pizza, only to throw it away and trade it for a salad.

"I told your slow ass to hurry up and get down here before they all run out. Too bad you weren't ahead of me." she stuck her tongue out mockingly, and walked over to their usual lunch table.

Brooke closely followed suit.

"I'm not even mad they ran out!" she continued exasperatedly. "What pisses me off is that you actually got a slice of pizza, only to throw it away and get a salad! I mean you could've saved it for me."

"Oh calm down, slut! Maybe Lucas can relieve your stress tonight when you guys meet up for a quickie." she winked and sat

But Brooke was not even the least bit amused by her comment. "Oh shut up Rach, Lucas and I are not going to hook up tonight!"

"Right…"

"We haven't even made plans to work on the project." she stated matter-of-factly.

"Well, looks like you'll be getting right to it?" she nodded behind Brooke which made her turn around…and there he was. Lucas Scott was making his way over to their table.

"I…uh, gotta go." she muttered quickly before getting to her feet to run.

Lucas met up with her in the hallway.

"Hey, hey. Brooke, Slow down!"

She stopped suddenly but didn't turn around. He quickly caught up to her, afraid she might run off again.

"Hey…"

"Hey." she replied, failing at trying to look enthusiastic.

"Why'd you run off back there?" he asked, studying her facial features.

"Places to be…" she trailed off and didn't even bother to explain since they both knew how ridiculous her excuse sounded.

"So, I was wondering if we could talk for a bit…" he trailed off, shyly.

"We are talking."

"Right." he muttered, a little embarrassed. "I just wanted to ask you whose house should we meet at to work on the project?"

As she was about to answer, a voice from behind cut her off. A voice she knew all too well.

"Well I hope it'll be yours." stated the blonde, looking directly at Lucas. "That way it'll give me a chance to keep an eye on the two of you." she cooed, walking over to Lucas and put her arms around his neck to bring him in for a kiss.

"Peyton, not now…" he muttered, turning his head away in what looked like disgust.

"I thought you didn't mind PDA?" she tried again, but failed once he took her arms off him.

Brooke watched the scene in front of her, unable to stand there and take it any longer. She still couldn't believe that the girl standing in front of her used to be her best friend. She didn't miss the look of mischief cross Peyton's face when she first walked over to Lucas and draped her arms around his neck. And Brooke could've sworn she saw Peyton smirk in her direction.

"You know what? Peyton's right." she stated looking away from the pair. "We can't do it at Rachel's because she hates you…both of you actually. So your house is probably the best."

She bent down to pick up her backpack she had set on the floor. "See you tonight." she mumbles before walking away.

"What time?" she heard Lucas call after her, but she didn't bother looking back. She couldn't stand to be around them any longer before she would've burst into tears. Walking faster than she had intended to, she heard the beginning of an argument start to form.

Like it?

This is just the beginning, I know but I already wrote a couple chapters and I'm beginning to really like this one!

Hope you do too, please review...hey, that ryhmed!