I Can Be Your Hero, Baby

Chapter Two

Why don't you stay? I'm down on my knees.

I walked into the gym and walked over to the team. I took a seat on the floor next to Eric, I believe was his name.

"Green?" Whitey called.

A kid with red hair answered, "Here."

"Scott?"

"Here," I said in unison with another familiar voice. My stomach flopped. Nathan Scott stood up and walked over to me.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Nathan hissed. I stood up and crossed my arms. No way was he going to start on me the first day.

"What does it look like? I'm on the team!" I snapped. "I mean, you think the Raven's basketball shirt would be your first hint."

Nathan groaned and shook his head. For once, I had gotten under his skin and made him silent. I watched transfixed as he walked over to Whitey.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" he growled.

Whitey laughed, "Lucas is a great basketball player and he is on the team. Does that threaten you?"

Nathan laughed uneasily, "No."

"Alrighty then, let's take a lap!" Whitey announced.

"Stay outta my way!" Nathan said as he shoved me. I smiled. He was unbelievable. I began to run and the one easy mile, turned into five laps. The door opened and a voice made a shiver run down my spine.

I turned and Brooke Davis walked in with the cheer squad. She looked good in her jet black yoga pants. Quickly, I returned my head to the floor and continued to run. She was Nathan's and this wasn't the place to be caught staring. I jogged over to the bleachers to get a drink.

"Hey, good looking," Nathan said as he strutted up to Brooke. They kissed and I felt the contents of my stomach run up my esophagus.

"Lucas!" Brooke yelled. I felt my lips curl up and I looked up at her. Was she calling me over? I walked over to her. Nathan didn't look too happy.

"Hello," I said casually.

"You know him?" Nathan asked as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Yes, we are partners for a project," Brooke informed. "Anyways, I was wondering how we were gonna get this paper done since there is no time during class to find out about each other?"

"What-"

"Well, maybe we could go to the library and try to get as much done if you want to?" I said. I felt odd discussing this with Nathan around.

"No," Nathan said as he stepped towards me.

"Nathan, it is for a project. I really need to start off right this quarter," Brooke explained.

Nathan glared at her, "Change partners!"

"Excuse me?!" Brooke and I said in unison. He was not going to demand us to change partners.

"I don't want you working with him or hanging out with him. Do you understand me?"

"No!" Brooke hissed. He got closer to her.

"Come with me!" he ordered as he grabbed his arm and yanked her outside.

"What the hell?" I muttered. Part of me felt like I should go over there and say something, but it wasn't my place. I wanted to go out there and protect her.

"Scott breaks over!" Whitey yelled at me. I nodded apologetically and began to shoot hoops. I gripped the ball hard and I glanced at the door. How long had it been since they went outside? I tossed the ball through the hoops and returned in line. I glanced at the door and Nathan came in. No Brooke.

I laid down on my soft, silky bed. I was very sore after the practice. Brooke never came back into the gym after her "talk" with Nathan. I hope everything is okay. I had no intention of fighting Nathan, but he better not hurt her.

I walked down the hall to class. I smiled when I spotted the petite brunette that I was so crazy about. I walked over to her.

"Hey, Brooke!" I greeted.

She turned to face me and gasped, "Um-I-Lucas-You-"

I laughed, "Nice to see you too?"

"Please, stay away from me," she begged as she turned on a heel. What?! I caught up with her.

"What! Why?" I asked.

She kept walking, "Lucas, please, leave me alone!"

I grabbed her arm and slowly turned her around. I gasped. Her face had a small red mark, like she had been hit. My blood boiled. If it was Nathan, he was definitely dead.

"What happened to you?" I asked. I demanded an answer. I watched as her hazel eyes focused on the floor. After watching CSI, like a junkie snorts crack, I learned that's a sign she's hiding something or about to lie.

"I was cheering with Bevin and she whacked me in the face," she said softly.

"Brooke, listen, I am here for you, okay? You don't have to lie to me," I assured her as I placed my hand gently on her shoulder.

"What the hell are you trying to say?!" she snapped. Oh, dear!

"Not a thing! I was just simply saying!" I defended myself. I didn't want to make her mad.

"Nathan wouldn't hit me. He loves me too much to do that to me! I am going to change partners with Tim. You are going to be his partner now!" she said as she walked off. Unbelievable. I followed her to class.

"Please, don't change partners," I said softly. I sounded very pathetic. I was begging the girl I was falling for, and she doesn't love me, not to leave me on an assignment. I was going to get grilled about this by the River Court Boys.

"What?" she said as she turned to face me. She folded her arms across her chest. Brooke was so fragile, every time I see her I want to hold her in my arms.

"Please, don't change partners," I repeated.

She stiffened, "Why shouldn't I? I mean, after you accused Nathan for hitting me!"

I groaned, "Brooke, I never accused him of hitting you, you did. I like talking to you. You are nothing like hat everyone says and I think, that if we work together to do this assignment, maybe the whole school will see it to."

"And what exactly will they see?"

"That you have feelings. You're sensitive, insecure-just like everyone, you want people to approve of you and that's why you act the way you do. Brooke, you are such an amazing person, why not show the world the real you?" I said. I wouldn't be surprised if she laughed in my face. If I was watching this on the television, I'd change it to ESPN.

She smiled and gave me a hug. A hug! A real hug! Not one that I had fabricated in my head but one in real life. I smiled.

"Okay, I won't change partners," she said as we walked into class. We took our seats. "But you can't tell Nathan, ok?"

I nodded, "I wouldn't dare."

Somehow, I had a feeling this would end bad but I didn't care. I was going to spend time with the girl that I loved and maybe show her that I could be the one for her.