Yes, I am painfully aware that I still have another story to update and finish. However I haven't had inspiration to continue what I wrote for the next chapter. Instead, I had inspiration to write this story. I hope that in this story you'll find numerous strong relationships: mother-daughter/son, friendship, siblings and of course, a romantic relationship.

Disclaimer: Don't own a thing.

No Doubling Back

Chapter One: To Hold Your Hands

"Can I help you?" she heard Karen say to a customer from a distance the moment she stepped in the café. Leaving the violent wind of the Spring season behind, she entered relishing in the warmth of the place. She took one last look outside, it was sure to rain later on in the day from the looks of the dark clouds so early in the morning. Taking a seat in the far left beside a window, she waited for Karen to notice her.

Everyday on her way to school, Brooke Davis would make a quick stop at the café for her daily does of coffee or hot cocoa and when she had time, she'd stop by after school, too. In doing so, she got to know the lovely Karen Scott. Initially, she did not let herself open up to her, let alone anymore. She never allowed their conversation to go beyond 'how are you,' but Karen was persistent and so she gave in. Since then she became a mother she's never had.

"Hmm," Karen's voice broke her thoughts, "you're early today."

She smiles, loving that Karen knew what time she normally came here. "I couldn't sleep." And somehow through her smile, her eyes and her straight face, Karen saw something was wrong as she sat down across from Brooke.

"Hey, what's wrong, hun?" she asks reaching her hand out to the fragile girl.

By this gesture--even for a mere second, she knew things would be fine. "It's nothing, just a bad start to a week." she shrugged, trying to end the conversation. But Karen knew better than that, she had a knowing look on her face, one that also said, 'this conversation is not over, but I'm letting you off the hook this time.' She returned that gesture with a warm smile.

Karen left to get Brooke's cup of coffee, but when she came back Brooke wasn't exactly pleased. "Ugh, what did you put in that coffee?" she said after getting a whiff of it and tasting it.

"Nothing," Karen said, "oh I used a new coffee maker."

Brooke laughed, "Did you clean it first?"

"Yes," Karen defended, "fine, how 'bout a nice cup of hot cocoa?"

"Sounds perfect."

. . . . .

Lucas walked to school, not feeling up to riding his beaten down truck that took more than 5 minutes to get started. He walked up to his mom's café, but didn't bother stopping by because he may be late. But as he passes by though he saw Brooke Davis, the Queen Bee, the head cheerleader. Her raven hair falling beneath her shoulders, her hand wrapped around the cup of coffee or cocoa her eyes intently on his mother. Her smile reached her ears and he doesn't know if he's ever seen her smile that big, let alone towards his mother.

He never paid much attention to the beautiful brunette, he always looked past her when she walked with the cheer squad and instead focused his eye on Peyton. During most of his three years in high school, he's had his eye on Peyton and only this past year had she noticed him.

Some could say they were going out, but even he was confused. There would be days that she'd be all over him and days where she'd play hard to get. He could never keep up with her, but he always tried, as desperate as it may sound, he always tried. They've had make-out sessions, but never anything more than that. She wouldn't even let him hold her hands in public, there were even days she'd ignore him. Although despite that, he stood by her, hoping one day she'd realize that he can be the one for her.

He snapped out of his trance and focused on the streets in front of him, he quickened his pace not wanting to be late. Of course, he thought, Of course Brooke Davis didn't care if she was late for school or not. He walked passed his mother's café and continued his way to school, not giving Brooke and his mother's conversation another thought.

. . . . .

Lucas sat on his desk his English lit. book opened to the right page, reading about the new unit when the door opened and in came Brooke Davis, her bag on one shoulder her books securely in her arms and her hair, a mess. From the way her hair was tangled and her clothes were wrinkled, it was apparent that scurried her way over to the class.

"Miss Davis," Mr. Carson spoke sternly, "how nice of you to grace us with your presence," he looked at the wall clock at the far end of the room, "15 minutes after the bell rang."

She smiled apologetically and made her way to her seat behind him, "Sorry sir, I lost track of time."

The teacher let her tardiness pass this time as he turned to face the board. Lucas felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Brooke frantically flipping her book, trying the find the right page.

"Did I miss anything?" she said in a whisper.

"No, just turn to pg. 84," he turned again to face the board, like you care, he thought.

Finally, after two classes, lunch began. He walked to his locker and dumped all his books in it, taking out the remaining books for his other subjects. He stood by there for a while until Haley finally came. Since day one of high school, they waited for each other before starting lunch. They've been inseparable since kindergarten and when they started high school, it was "the two of them against the world," they always said. Haley James was naturally beautiful, she didn't need the make-up and the hairspray to make her stunning. However beautiful she was, he never felt that way towards her, she was a sister he never had and vice-versa.

"A little late, but I can be forgiving," he joked.

"You're so kind," she put her hand on her heart.

"Wanna hear something weird?" he asked when he saw Brooke Davis pass by.

"Always."

"Brooke Davis was in the café this morning," he paused as the took their seat in their usually benches,"and she looked like she was having a normal conversation with my mom."

"That's not weird, she's there every morning and sometimes even after school. Your mom loves her."

"Why?" he scoffs. He sees her from a distance, one hand playing with her hair, her laugh seemed contagious. Unlike most days, she did not seem to be flirting with a guy, today just having fun with her friends.

"Maybe your mom saw more than a high school slut/cheerleader," she said with a knowing look. "Maybe if you weren't so judgemental you'd see that, too."

"What are you talking about, I don't judge her," he took a bite of his sandwich, avoiding Haley's glare.

"Oh really, you don't think she just spends Friday nights in a party and the next morning ending up with a guy she barely knew?"

He avoided answering the question, "If you're such a saint, why don't you talk to her?"

"I talk to her," she defended, "when I'm working in the café, I say, 'Can I help you?'"

He laughs, "That doesn't count."

. . . . .

"Hey Brooke," Karen greeted when Brooke entered once more that day, "were you late this morning?" she asked concern.

"15 minutes late, but I don't think I missed anything," she took her seat.

"Sorry, I lost track of time."

"It's fine, I've gone later," she told her, but Karen glared at her, "which is not good and it will never happen again," she added quickly.

"That's what I like to hear," for the second time today, she joined Brooke in her seat. "Now, tell me what's wrong?" Karen said recalling their conversation earlier in the day.

"I…," Brooke stuttered, "uh…nothing."

"Brooke," Karen called gently, "you can tell me. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

"No," she said, "you'll be awfully disappointed in me," she spoke ashamed. She hid her face behind her hair, letting her head fall in shame.

"I got pregnant at 16, what could be worse than that?" Karen offers lightly trying to get the girl to speak up. She saw the girl, fragile, broken, alone and suddenly she became serious. "Brooke Davis, you couldn't disappoint me, not ever. You are one of the strongest girls I know.. To go through everything you do at home and to burry it all when you get to school so that your friends wouldn't know. You are so selfless, you are an amazing person."

Brooke, in her seat, shifted uncomfortably, she turned her head as if to make sure no one was listening. Karen's little speech made her even more ashamed of herself because this shouldn't happen to strong and brave people, let alone an amazing person. However, she let out a breath, "Then I guess being pregnant at 17 isn't that bad," she whispered referring to what Karen said moments ago.

"Ohh, Brooke," Karen empathized, reaching her hand out to grasp Brooke's.

She felt Karen's hand grip hers tightly, but lovingly; she only wished her own mother would react the same way. A tear slid down her cheek, she tasted it's saltiness as it outlined where her lips parted.

"I'm going to help you."

This was shorter than I normally write, but that was all that was fitting for one chapter.

Please comment on it if you read it and liked it. I love reviews, really, really, love them. The more reviews, the faster I post up the next chapter for this. I love you for reading this already!