Disclaimer- I own nothing
A/N- Thank you for all of the reviews. I am not happy with this chapter. I actually had it written and then a storm came and knocked the power out, and the chapter wasn't saved. Ugh ): Please check out my one-shot, Love is Letting Go.
Thanks for the reviews!!
The rain fell, heavy and hard, wiping away any imperfections along the car window. The windshield wipers worked fast, clearing a field of vision, even if it only lasted momentarily. Peyton Sawyer could feel her tires screech along the wet road, her car slipping beneath her. She could feel herself slipping away.
Brooke wanted more than anything to be apart of the storm that loomed over Tree Hill. She wanted the strength that a storm held at its center. She sat alone in her family room, sitting along the window seat, curled up in a blanket on the cold Saturday afternoon. The lights had gone out long ago, her parents were hidden under the palm trees, somewhere, and once again, and Brooke Davis was left in the dark. If there was one thing Brooke hated, it was being the dark. Why? Because when one is in the dark, one can't find a way out, and if one can, it is done blindly. She sighed as her head rested along the protruding wall. It was times like these were she truly felt alone.
"Hey, you up for a game of basketball?" Nathan asked Lucas who was reading, with a pencil in hand, occasionally jotting down notes in the margin.
"It's raining," Lucas noted, not taking his eyes off the page he was on.
"Dude, who cares," Nathan laughed, grabbing a basketball positioned between Lucas's basketball trophies on his dresser.
"How 'bout we go out?" Lucas offered, knowing Nathan was not going to give up and that reading had turned into a lost cause.
"Sounds good, I'll call Brooke," Nathan smiled.
"Wha- Why?" Lucas asked, being caught off guard.
"Because she is probably bored, just like us. Plus, I kinda want to hang out with her," Nathan mumbled.
"Yeah, um, why don't you two hang out? I'll stay here," Lucas offered.
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I can read," Lucas nodded at his book and heard Nathan thank him as he walked out his bedroom door.
It started out as a question to play basketball and somehow Lucas got Nathan a 'date' with Brooke. Well, it wasn't really a date, but still, they were hanging out.
It had been a full week since school had started, and he had two classes with Brooke, and one class with both Nathan and Brooke. He had observed, and known to be true, that Brooke was the most popular girl in the school, bar none. She controlled any room, manipulated teachers, and was extremely friendly with the guys. However, she didn't notice Lucas, or seemingly didn't. Besides that conversation about Brooke's car in the parking lot the first day of school, they really hadn't spoken. She seemed interested in Nathan and so Lucas tried to ignore the feelings he got when she accidentally brushed arms with him, or smiled in his direction. He was going to sit and read and not focus on whatever his brother and the girl that was always on his mind were doing.
-One Tree Hill-
Somehow, Luke had ended up at a small café located in the middle of his house and school. He had walked, and that was a bad decision since he was sopping wet by the time he entered the quaint building, the bell ringing above him.
"Hey, can I get you something?" Lucas looked up at the brunette standing with a pad in her hand, and a pen in the other. Her hair was swooped into a messy ponytail and small wisps hung in her face.
"Just a hot chocolate," Lucas replied with a smile.
"Coming right up."
Lucas returned his eyes from the girl to his book. He loved to read simply because it gave him insight into someone else's life. Even if it was a fictional character, for a few pages at a time, he could enter the thoughts and feelings of someone besides himself. Lost in the words of a story, his attention was snapped back to reality as the mug was sent flying all over the pages and onto his lap.
"I am so sorry," the girl gushed, grabbing napkins every which way to mop up the mess.
"It's fine," Lucas smiled, helping her.
"No. Ugh, I am such a klutz."
"Hey, hey," Lucas chuckled, lightly grabbing her arm, causing the girl to look up and smile gratefully at him.
"Hey, your…"
"Nathan's brother, yeah I know," Lucas scoffed.
"I was going to say in my History class, but," the girl chuckled, "I'm Haley James," she smiled, offering her hand.
"Lucas Scott," he replied, taking her hand.
"So, what are you doing here on such a beautiful day," Haley joked looking out the window for a moment.
"Reading, or I was, until some girl ruined my book," Lucas chuckled holding up his book, now sopping with hot chocolate.
"Oh, I can buy you a new one," Haley offered, giving him an apologetic smile.
"Don't worry about it, I was only joking. Besides, I have read it about 5 times. I guess it wasn't meant to be read 6," Lucas smiled, making Haley feel more comfortable.
"Ah, a fellow bookworm."
"Guilty," he agreed.
"So, how are you liking Tree Hill?" Haley asked, interested.
"Um, its good. Small. Honestly, I'm not sure. I was adamant in moving, but I guess now that I am here I have to take what I am given," Lucas pondered.
"That's a good outlook. Much deeper than most of the kids are age could ever come up with," Haley joked, causing Lucas to smile genuinely.
"Don't tell me you're not a cheerleader!" Lucas chuckled feigning shock.
"Oh no. I would never hang out with those sluts, and worst of all Brooke Davis," Haley sneered.
"Brooke?" Lucas asked.
"Oh don't tell me she has gotten to you too? Literally every guy is at her feet, dying to just talk to her."
"Oh um no," Lucas lied. "She is actually out with my brother right now, I think," Lucas replied, not wanting to give Haley the wrong idea. Although, he did like Brooke, even though he didn't really know her.
"Yeah well, Nathan is the kinda guy Brooke is into. Jock, good looking, not into relationships, you know. No offense, though," Haley ended with, hoping not to upset the blonde boy in front of her.
"None taken. I have lived with him all my life; I know how he can be. It is nice to meet someone who is not all over him," Lucas replied glad to have met Haley.
"Yeah, don't worry. I am not into that. Well, listen, I have to get back to work, I wasn't really supposed to just be sitting and talking. But, hey, maybe we can hang out soon," Haley smiled, getting up from her seat.
"Yeah," Lucas said back to her, "It was nice talking to you."
"Likewise," Haley smiled, giving him a small wave as she turned her back and walked behind the counter.
Lucas sat there for a few more minutes until he got up, waved bye to Haley, and left back into the rain.
-One Tree Hill-
"Hey I was…" Nathan began as Brooke opened the door.
"Standing outside my door for the last 20 minutes? Yeah, I saw you. Come in," Brooke chuckled, opening her door a little wider, letting Nathan in.
"So, this is your house," Nathan said, putting his hands in his pockets, looking at the magnitude of the house. It looked big from the outside, and it was only bigger once over the threshold.
"Yeah," Brooke smiled, placing her hands on her hips and looking around the house. 'Just not a home,' she thought to herself.
"Why is this slightly awkward," Nathan chuckled, causing Brooke to laugh along with him.
"Well if it wasn't then, it is now," Brooke laughed as she playfully slapped Nathan on the arm.
"I was just thinking we could hang out; get to know each other," Nathan said and Brooke nodded.
"But first we need to get you out of those wet clothes. Although I kinda like the wet shirt style," Brooke winked as she walked away to grab some napkins leaving Nathan with a goofy smile on his face, which, he of course, wiped away before moving any further.
"Thanks." Nathan took the towels from Brooke and dried his hair off, still dripping from the rain.
"Your welcome," Brooke smiled. "So, you obviously came over here more than to just get to know me. Right?" Brooke asked suspiciously. She was used to guys coming over all of the time just to see if Brooke would give them the time of day.
"No, I really just wanted to get to know you. With you being captain of the cheerleaders, and me being the captain of basketball…" Nathan began.
"Wait, you snagged the captain spot. But, I thought the season hadn't started yet!" Brooke said surprised. Although she wasn't that surprised, she had seen him play; he was good.
"Well, I haven't exactly been given the spot, but I know I will be," Nathan replied, flashing her a smile.
"Well captain, I say we get to know each other." Brooke smiled seductively as she grabbed hands with Nathan and gently pulled him over to the couch where she pushed him down.
"I didn't come over here for this," Nathan mentioned as Brooke straddled him.
"What's your favorite color?" Brooke asked as she placed her hands on the edge of her shirt.
"Blue," Nathan said, although he wasn't sure why that had to do with anything.
"What about now?" Brooke whispered into his ear as she pulled her shirt over her head revealing a well-toned stomach and a red bra.
"Red, definitely red," Nathan smiled as she captured his lips with her own, as he tugged at her jeans bringing her closer to him.
Brooke put her hands under his shirt, still damp, as she caressed his abs, feeling every one of them along his smooth torso.
"I think we should stop," Nathan said, surprising both himself and Brooke. He had never said that before, he could be sure of that.
"And why do you suggest that captain?" Brooke asked, as Nathan handed her, her shirt.
"Because…I like you," Nathan mumbled.
"What?" Brooke asked, unable to hear what he had uttered.
"I like you Brooke," Nathan said again only this time louder, much louder.
"Well don't yell at me," Brooke chuckled. "And you don't like me," she confirmed.
"What do you mean?"
"Nathan, honey, we have known each other a week. Just because you want to get in my pants does not constitute liking me," Brooke said as if it as obvious.
"I don't want to just be in your pants. Although…" Nathan hinted trying to lighten the mood, but Brooke took it as that he wanted to continue what they had stopped. So, she stepped closer, putting her lips along his ear.
"Brooke," Nathan said, pushing her away from her.
"I don't understand," Brooke scoffed.
"Neither do I. I mean we have known each other like a week, not even," Nathan began.
"Listen, Nathan. You are a great guy, but you have to understand, I don't do 'us' or 'we', ok, I do 'me' and I'" Brooke told him, uncomfortable as to why this became so serious so soon.
"Neither do I, Brooke. That is why I am so confused," Nathan, admitted. "Maybe we should just forget everything, I don't know why I even said anything."
"This is awkward," Brooke laughed.
"Well if it wasn't then, it is now," Nathan chuckled, repeating the words from earlier.
"You know, I never would have taken you for the sentimental, 'these are my feelings' kind, Scott," Brooke joked.
"It is the affect you have on me, Davis," Nathan laughed. "Seriously though, I don't know where that came from. I guess I have been hanging out with Luke way too much."
"Luke?" Brooke asked, intrigued, but hoping she didn't seem it.
"Yeah, you know, my brother. We have English with him," Nathan said, trying to get her to remember. Sure she had to know who he was.
"Oh, right, him," Brooke chuckled awkwardly. Of course she knew who he was, but she forced herself to forget about the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about a book, or the way he made cute faces when he was reading. Lucas Scott was the only guy she knew she could never have. Lucas Scott would want more than a girl whose parents didn't even care about her. Lucas Scott was too good for her, and that was the first time she had ever thought that about any guy. She didn't stand a chance with him. However, Nathan was here and hot, and undeniably interested.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Nathan asked, noticing the look on her face was of thought and confusion.
"Our date," Brooke replied, surprising Nathan.
"Our date?" Nathan asked, this time, it was he that was intrigued.
"The one you are taking me on, tomorrow," Brooke smiled.
"I will pick you up at 7," Nathan smiled, unbelievably happy.
"Now, where are we going?" Brooke asked with a smile.
"You, leave that up to me Davis."
"Ok," Brooke pouted.
"Well, I will head out, now that the rain has stopped. But, I will see you tomorrow, at 7, for our date," Nathan smiled, bouncing his fists against each other as he smiled, almost hitting the door on the way out. He had a date with the Brooke Davis.
As the door closed, Brooke waited until she could no longer see his figure through the horizantel windows, only then did she slide down the wall, landing on her butt. The reason she had asked Nathan out, or at least put those words in his mouth, was because she was thinking about how she could not even touch his brother. Brooke Davis was not known for being vulnerable or insecure, but one brush of arms with Lucas Scott, and she became both of those things. She didn't want to be either of those things. Yes, she did kinda like Nathan, but she also kinda liked chicken. She would eat it, but it wasn't her favorite. Nathan, it was the normal guy she went for, but was normal really working for her? I mean, after all, she went home almost every night either with a one-night stand, or alone.
-One Tree Hill-
Peyton felt her knees hit the ground as she placed a flower on the grave for her mother, her adopted mother. She knew if her mom was with her, or could see her, she would laugh and tell her to get her knees off the wet grass and move on, have fun. But, having fun was always hard for Peyton. Even when she was little, playing hide and seek, could not suffice, jumping rope was insipid, and playing chalk was the most boring thing possible.
Peyton had never told anyone how she felt, it was too hard, and nobody would listen anyways. She could talk to Brooke, her best friend, but Brooke would laugh it off. She loved Brooke, but sometimes she wondered the depth to her. After all, what is the depth of someone who has one-night stand, after one-night stand? Sometimes she wondered if she really knew Brooke. Sometimes she wondered if people really knew other people. Do others really know the thoughts of a friend, the feelings of a family member, and the love of a child; or, do they think they know. Can you really know someone; their secrets? After all, isn't it the secrets that really make the person who they are?
She got off of her knees, brushed the dirt off of her jeans and went back to her car. She looked in the distance as she saw another figure. As she strained to see further she realized it was a boy, a blonde; she realized it was Lucas Scott, the new kid. 'Why is he here, at the cemetery? Didn't he just move here?" Peyton wondered as the car turned over, and she raced into the fog that was beginning to settle in. After this storm, there was no rainbow…or none she could see.
A/n- Hey thanks for reading, although I know this chapter is not up to my standards as a writer. Lately I have been having a hard time getting my ideas down on paper, which hopefully will come back to me. I wrote a one-shot, and I will probably write a few more, to better my writing abilities. I am sorry this chapter wasn't very good, and probably kind of confusing, but hopefully everything should be cleared up soon.
Up Next- Nathan&Brooke go on a date, and if turns out differently than expected. Lucas&Haley get to know each other better. Peyton leaves Tree Hill, permanently or momentarily…you will have to read (:
Thanks for reading, please review. I swear everything will get better.
Last Chapters Reviews:
Brucas Equals Love- Thank you for the review. I hope this will be a great story, but I am beginning to doubt it, right now. But, I have some ideas for the next chapter, so I hope they turn out great! Thank you so much for the review (:
BL4ever- Melissa, thank you so much for the review. Over the upcoming chapters, including the next one, there will be a lot of Brucas. Right now the relationship with Brooke, will be with Nathan, but that will change eventually…I just can't tell you when. I already have it planned how the Lucas&Nathan&Brooke triangle will all work out. Hopefully, it won't be what anyone expects (: Thanks again!
Othfan326- Thank you for the review. I already messaged you about everything else, but I still have my thanks! I love your reviews because they are great. It will be a little bit until we get to the Brucas relationship. First each character will go through a little bit of finding themselves, or at least a few of the characters will. The next chapter will explain a lot of the past and how some people got where they are, especially Peyton and Brooke. Hopefully you will enjoy. And thanks; it is great to be back!
Erika x3- Erika, thank you for the review. This only the beginning of the Laley friendship, and there will be some Rathan. I actually normally don't write Laley, simply because I have a really hard time writing Haley, so hopefully I did ok, and will do ok in the future. Thanks again!
Jess-Loves forever- Jess, thank you for the review. You have the story, so far, down to a crisp. Haha, I love hearing how people interpret the story, and you got everything out of the story that I wanted people to get out of! I hope you enjoy what is more to come! Your review was nice to read (:
AmbroCoo- Thank you for the review. Don't worry…there will be no Leyton. Well, they will be friends, simply because I think they do make nice friends…but no more. I could never write them, unless I was breaking them up or something. Most of those couples will appear throughout the story, once everything gets settled, right now is still character description and the beginning of the storyline. I will do my best to keep Brooke happy (:
Flipflopgal- Jem, thank you for the review! They are always great to read coming from you! I am glad you understand why I didn't start back up with the other stories. I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks!
CheerandBrooke323- Cass, thank you for the review. It is nice to be back and writing!
Toeee- Thank you for the review. The updates will come as frequently as I can get them out (:
Liskaatjeuh- Thank you for the review. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. I hope to update before Friday!
Liz- Thank you for the review. Both of those couples will come into the story at one time or another. I hope you enjoy what I have planned. Thanks again.
Bella- Thank you for the review. It is probably still a bit confusing at this point, but it will be next chapter where everything becomes clear, or at least a lot clearer. Thanks again!
-Lilly