Do you ever wonder if we make the moments in our lives, or if the moments in our lives make us?
A deep breath escapes cherry red lips as a figure stands in front of a beautiful white mansion, anger and rage coursing through her blood. Rachel is supposed to be her best friend, the person that she confided in when needed. She was supposed to be Brooke's go-to person. Right now even just thinking about the red head and how she'd betrayed her was enough to make the brunette's blood boil. How could Rachel possibly do this to her?
She doesn't even knock, she just marches up the steps and throws the front door open angrily, stepping inside the foyer.
"RACHEL!"
She hears shuffling and the sound of feet clambering down the stairs. The red head appears at the bottom of the stairs, a smile implanted firmly on her face. "Yeah… I'll call you back in a sec Quinn. Brooke's here…"
She hangs the phone up and smiles at Brooke. "Well hello best friend."
"A little too cordial don't you think?" Brooke hisses, bitterness tainting her words. "I mean considering the circumstances."
"Brooke, what are you talking about?" Confusion flickers across the redhead's face.
"My mother came home early from vacation yesterday. She might have happened to mention that a certain supposed best friend of mine told her she was concerned that I had a drug problem."
"Brooke…"
"She found my stash Rachel, I hope you're happy." The words come coldly and bitterly from the brunette beauty's mouth.
"What stash?" The redhead raises an eyebrow. "Oh my god, I was right. You are doing drugs again!" she gasps, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Yeah and now Victoria knows. Congratulations Rachel. When my life is ruined, you can take the blame."
"Brooke… I was just trying to help," Rachel whispers calmly, although her heart is breaking inside for her best friend.
"Well you need to stop trying to help!" Brooke snaps furiously, her eyes clouding with darkness. "It's not your job to meddle into my fucking business."
"I'm sorry for caring Brooke," Rachel rolls her eyes sarcastically. "You know maybe if you'd stop doing drugs for like five seconds, you'd wake up and realize that people are just trying to help you. But no, you just keep on pushing them away like you always do!"
"What I choose to do with my life is my business Rachel, not yours."
"I thought as your best friend, your life was my business," Rachel states dryly, her hands planted firmly on her hips. "Wake up Brooke, your problem doesn't just affect you. It affects the people around you too!"
"Whatever Rachel, I'm not dealing with this, just mind your own fucking business," Brooke runs a hand through her brunette locks in frustration before turning on her heel.
"Yeah, that's right Brooke run away like you always do. If you don't deal with this, I'm afraid I'm going to end up burying my best friend soon."
Brooke ignores Rachel's comment and slams the front door, jogging down the steps towards her car. How the fuck had this become so complicated?
He isn't sure if he's doing the right thing, considering the brunette has spent the day ignoring him. After last night, he thinks he may have ruined what was starting to form between them- whatever that even is, he doesn't know.
"Coming!" Her voice calls from inside as he rocks his legs back and forth nervously.
She throws the front door open, looking just as beautiful as ever. Her smile drops when she sees him. "Lucas…"
"Hey Brooke… Look, I was kinda hoping we could talk?" He scratches the back of his neck nervously as he gazes into her hazel eyes, which are brimmed with sadness.
"Actually, I'm really busy right now. My parents are home…" she rambles, inspecting her fingernails closely, as if they are suddenly very interesting. "Maybe later…"
She's about to close the door when Lucas stops her. "Please Brooke? Can we just take a little walk?"
"Fine," she huffs, grabbing her coat and slipping her shoes on. She really doesn't want to face what happened last night between them just yet but she knows that she can't keep dancing around the topic forever. "So you ready for the big game tonight?"
"I'm nervous as hell, not gonna lie," he chuckles nervously as he shakes his head. He's worried about the game tonight because it'll be his first game ever as a Raven.
"You'll do great," she encourages him with a smile. "You always do."
"I hope so," he nods, turning and focusing his eyes on her. "But, Brooke that's not why I asked you to take a walk with me."
"I know," she looks down at the sidewalk and frowns. "What was that the other night Lucas?"
"Honestly, I don't know," he admits, shrugging his shoulders. "I was hoping you could tell me the same thing."
"I like you a lot Lucas, I really do. If you're looking for someone to hook up with you've come to the wrong place. Normally, I wouldn't object," she looks him up and down, appreciating his good looks. "But, I like having you around as a friend and I don't want to ruin that."
He nods slowly, not exactly the answer he is looking for. "Brooke, I would never try hooking up with you. I believe that you deserve better than just a guy that wants to have sex with you."
"Well then why did you try to kiss me?" she questions after taking a deep breath and exhaling.
"Because, I really like you," he admits, sucking in a breath. "It was just an impulsive decision. Don't worry, it won't happen again. I value our friendship way too much."
"Good, so we're on the same page right?"
"Brooke do you think you could ever like consider a committed relationship some day?"
His question takes her by surprise and she stops walking to turn to him. "You mean with you?"
He gulps and nods slowly, his face suddenly flushing with red. She places a hand on his shoulder and looks into his eyes seriously. "Lucas, you are a wonderful guy and any girl would be lucky to have you. But, I am not that girl."
"And how do you know that Brooke?" he counters, stepping closer towards her. "I know you're afraid of getting hurt but I'm not like the other guys Brooke, you know that."
"I know you're not like them Lucas. Believe me, that's why I won't commit myself to you," she admits quietly. "You mean more to me than that. And, I know that I could hurt you Lucas. My past is not something that I'm proud of and I could really hurt you with it. I'm protecting you Lucas from this life that I live. It's not the kind of life you want to get involved in. That's why I like hanging with you, it's nice to just get away from all the glamour and popularity and let the covers fall away."
"I probably just ruined that," he mutters embarrassedly. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," she shakes her head, placing a comforting hand on top of his. "I like you too, I really do. Just considering the circumstances… It's not a good idea."
She knows what she's doing. She's running because she's afraid. She's afraid of falling for him and she's afraid of breaking his heart.
"I get it," he nods, dismissing her with his hand. "So, we're good as friends, right?"
"Absolutely," she nods, shining him her perfect dimpled smile. "I have to get going. I have some things to deal with at home. But, I'll see you tonight at the game, friend."
"Of course… I'll see you tonight. Make sure to cheer for me," he winks as she shakes her head at him.
"That's my job," she grins, skipping away, leaving a smile on Lucas's face. Despite the fact that he'd been shut down by the most popular girl in school, he is actually feeling pretty good. Brooke hadn't outright said that she wasn't attracted to him so that was a good sign. If he could just push past those walls and get her to open about this horrible past of hers, he figures he might stand a real chance with her.
"Brooke!"
The brunette turns on her heel to see who is calling her name. She's shocked to see Nathan Scott jogging towards her, covered in sweat. She wasn't expecting to run into any of her friends in this part of town. They usually stayed confined to their own world on the other side of the railroad tracks that divided Tree Hill's elite from the rest.
"Nate," she smiles as he catches up to her and slows down. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing?" he frowns. "This is part of my jogging route. But, considering you don't jog, why are you here?"
"I was jogging too…" she tells him quickly. "I was just taking a little break."
"Right…" his eyes drift towards her feet as he lets out a chuckle, "In heels?"
"It's the new trend," she tells him as if it's obvious. "Everyone does it."
"I know why you're here Brooke," he tells her seriously, his eyes turning dark. "And I don't like it."
"What do you mean?" Nathan couldn't possibly know, could he?"
"I saw you and Lucas talking. You guys looked awfully close. Look, Brooke, if you're hooking up with him you need to stop."
"Why?" she asks, planting her hands firmly on her hips.
"Because ,he's Lucas!"
"What does that have to do with anything?" She questions, raising an eyebrow at the brunette Scott brother. "I don't see why it's a problem."
"First of all, he comes from a different social circle than us. I mean could you imagine what people would say if they knew you and Lucas Scott were hooking up? And secondly, he's my bastard of a half-brother and he's trying to steal my squad."
"He's not trying to steal your squad, Nathan. And who cares if we come from different social circles? That shouldn't matter, should it?"
"No offense Brooke but you've always been superficial and you normally wouldn't look twice at a guy like Lucas. What's going on?"
"Chill out Nathan," Brooke chuckles as a smile crosses her face. "We're not hooking up. He's just tutoring me. I was failing English and in order to keep my spot on the squad, I had to get help from him."
"So, that's all, he's just tutoring you? Because, you guys looked pretty close when I saw you earlier…"
"Yes Nathan. It's just tutoring. Nothing more," she states firmly without missing a beat.
"Good," he nods, shooting her a smile. "Well, I've gotta bounce, catch ya later Davis," he waves as he speeds up and runs ahead.
Brooke just shakes her head. What the hell has she gotten herself into this time?
Lucas gulps nervously as he stands in the change room, staring at the jersey in his hands. He can't help but feel like he doesn't really belong here.
"You better stay out of the way tonight."
Blue eyes shift towards an identical pair of eyes. Nathan leans casually against the locker beside Lucas's.
"How about I play my game and you play yours?" the blonde brother challenges with the raise of an eyebrow.
"From what I've seen your game sucks so that shouldn't be a problem," he chuckles, slipping his jersey over his head. "This is my team and I call the shots. Stay out of my way and don't mess this up for me."
"I'm not threatened by you Nathan."
"Well you should be," the brunette brother hisses as he begins lacing his sneakers up. "And as for Brooke, you better stay away from her too."
"What do you mean?" Lucas questions as he turns to Nathan, confusion crawling across his face. He didn't even think that Nathan knew about that.
"I saw you two talking earlier today. She told me that you're just tutoring her but I see the way you look at her and how close you guys were. Back off man," Nathan warns, an icy glare forming in the depths of his bright blue eyes, "or you won't like the outcome."
"Jealous much?" Lucas asks in an attempt to get under Nathan's skin. He knows he shouldn't be sinking to Nathan's level but he is starting to grow really aggravated by his conceited demeanour.
"Brooke's my friend and I care about her. She doesn't need an ass hat like you in her life."
"No, she's already got enough of those."
The words sting although Nathan won't admit it. Lucas instantly regrets sinking down to his half-brother's level but it's just so hard when he's such an ass. "Do you honestly think that Brooke would even think twice about a guy like you?"
Lucas just shakes his head and turns his attention towards his sneakers which he begins lacing up. He's not even worth it he reminds himself.
"Don't choke," Nathan sneers whilst shooting Lucas an arrogant smirk before joining the rest of the guys on the team in conversation.
The Ravens almost lost their season opener to a team that didn't have a very good reputation and Lucas knew that most of it was his fault. Somehow, Nathan's comments had gotten to him and he'd choked, missing the majority of his shots. And the arrogant look that Nathan was sending him right now confirmed how badly he'd screwed up.
"Good game superstar."
A smile creeps across his face as he turns to find a very sexy Brooke Davis wearing her cheerleading uniform.
"I think you're about the first person to tell me that I played good, well aside from my mom but she doesn't count," Lucas chuckles as he takes a chug of his water bottle. "It was a pretty shitty first impression."
"I've seen you shoot a basketball. You're good. It just takes some time to get used to playing at a higher level," she assures him, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "Are you coming to the after party?"
"I wasn't going to…"
"You should come. It'll be fun," Brooke smiles as her phone goes off. "Shit, it's Alex and she's my ride. I'll see you at the party, maybe?"
He nods as she exits the gym. He really isn't too sure about this party but maybe it would be good for him to get out.
Music pounds from the walls of the Dupre mansion as Lucas pulls his truck into a parking spot along the street.
"I can't believe you dragged me to this thing," Haley huffs as she throws her seatbelt off and pushes the passenger door open. "I mean seriously? If I didn't love you so much, I would be at home doing homework."
"And you wonder why people think you're a nerd?" Lucas teases, receiving a playful glare from Haley. "But seriously Hales, just relax and have some fun."
Lucas and Haley push through the crowd of people and into the house. People are scattered throughout the house, dancing and clutching drinks.
He spots Brooke from across the room. She's dancing, grinding her hips to the music and she looks extremely wasted already. Guys are all over her as usual and she soaks up every minute of the attention.
"I have to use the bathroom," Haley mutters, excusing herself as she spots Nathan coming in their direction.
"Good game," he snickers, cracking the tab on his beer and taking a long sip. "You sure choked. If anything I should be thanking you because it just made me look better."
"Whatever Nathan."
"See what I mean," Nathan cocks his head towards Brooke who is jamming her tongue down some guy's throat. "She's so far out of your league man."
"I told you, there's nothing going on between us."
"Only because she won't allow it," Nathan chuckles, finishing off his beer and throwing the can to the side. "You better just walk away from it all while you have the chance."
Brooke is completely wasted and loving every minute of it. She loves being the centre of attention, the life of the party, she lives for it.
She spots Lucas talking to Haley, Quinn's sister and catches his eye. She wants to walk over and talk to him so badly but she knows that it wouldn't be a very good idea.
"Why do you keep staring at my sister?"
Brooke turns and spots Quinn standing behind her with a drink in her hand. "It's kinda creepy."
"Oh uh… I was… uh,"
Quinn raises an eyebrow at her as she takes a sip of her drink. "You were what?"
"I wasn't staring at Haley. I… I was staring at Lucas," she admits quietly. Of all her friends Quinn is probably the most understanding of things like this because she knows what it's like to not be popular. She went through middle school as friends of Haley and Lucas's.
"Why Lucas?" Confusion twists across the brunette's face.
"He's been tutoring me… I haven't told anyone yet other than Nathan because he saw us together. But, he kinda promised to make me keep it a secret."
Quinn nods, clearly surprised.
"What's he like? I mean, you used to be friends with him. What do you think of him?" Brooke asks hesitantly.
"He's a good guy. Honestly, he's a really great guy."
"He's hot," Brooke giggles as she takes a sip of her drink, finishing the contents in the cup.
"Brooke," Quinn warns as she narrows her eyes at the brunette beauty. "If you mess with him could really break his heart. He's a wonderful guy and he doesn't deserve that."
"I know," Brooke frowns. "That's what I'm afraid of."
"BROOKE!"
Clay calls her name from across the room and motions at the two shot glasses in his hand with a wicked grin spread across his face.
"I'll catch ya later Quinn," Brooke grins as she stumbles towards Clay for a much needed shot.
"Clay, where did you go?" the brunette mumbles as she stumbles through the empty hallways, looking for her best friend. They'd just done a line in the bathroom and he'd disappeared. "Clay!"
"Brooke…"
"Clay!" she smiles happily as she whips her body around. "Oh, you're not Clay," Her smile falls when she sees Felix Taggaro instead of Clay.
"Wanna get a room?" he suggests with a kinked eyebrow. "I mean we had so much fun last time…"
"Sorry but I'm a hit and quit it type of girl," she tells him, annoyed as she tries to push past him in search of Clay.
"You sure?" He moves dangerously close to her, "how about a drink instead?"
"If it'll get you to move the hell out of my way sure," she shrugs, grabbing the cup from him and chugging its' contents. "Now move."
"Not so fast," Felix blocks her with his body. "I know you want me. I can see it, the way you play eye sex with me in class."
"Well then you must be blind," she growls, eyes forming a glare. "You're disgusting."
"So you're telling me that you didn't have fun last time?"
"I'm not saying I didn't have fun," she shakes her head and frowns. "I'm just saying that I don't particularly like you and I don't want to sleep with you."
"Really?" he challenges, raising an eyebrow.
"Really…" she reciprocates back as she feels herself starting to get really light-headed. "Shit, I don't feel too well… I think I'm gonna…" Before she could finish her sentence she slowly starts sinking against the wall.
"Where the hell is Brooke?" Clay demands as he looks at Alex with concern growing in his eyes. "We were just in the bathroom doing a line," he whispers lowly so that nobody can hear. "She was right behind me but she didn't follow me."
"I don't know, she's probably just having fun," Alex shrugs, waving him off with her hand.
"Yeah, you're right," Clay nods as a song he loves comes on and he starts to dance but he can't help but feel like something isn't right.
Overhearing their conversation Lucas suddenly grows worried and decides to look for the brunette.
"Brooke!" he calls, walking up and down the hallways. After knocking on the bathroom door and getting no response he begins to grow really worried. "Brooke!" He begins opening all of the bedroom doors to see if she had passed out.
"Brooke!"
He hears a muffled noise coming from behind one of the doors and knocks on it forcefully. "Brooke!"
"Fuck off asshole, we're busy."
Without any hesitation, Lucas kicks the door down with his foot. Brooke is lying naked on the bed with a naked Felix hovering over top of her. "What the fuck are you doing?" he yells, rushing to the door.
"CLAY EVANS, GET YOUR ASS UP HERE RIGHT NOW! IT'S BROOKE!" Lucas hollers, knowing that Clay would be up there in an instance to help protect his best friend.
"Get the fuck off of her," Lucas screams as he rushes towards Felix and pulls him off of Brooke.
"What the fuck are you doing, we are kind of busy," Felix retorts as he motions towards the bed. "You just rudely interrupted us."
"Brooke, did you want to sleep with him?"
Weakly, the brunette shakes her head. "He… he… d-drugged m-me," she mutters almost inaudibly as her eyes barely open.
"You sick bastard," Lucas shakes his head as he growls at Felix ominously.
"What the fuck is going on in here?" Clay's voice demands as the blonde basketball player stands in the doorway with Nathan and Julian behind him.
"This sick fuck tried to rape her," Lucas tells them simply, his eyes full of disgust and rage.
"Oh, I'm going to fucking kill you," Clay screams as he lunges at Felix and punches him square in the jaw. The next few events are a blur as Clay, Nathan, and Julian all lunge at Felix and simultaneously punch him.
"Shhh. It's okay," Lucas whispers as he grabs Brooke's clothes and begins helping her into them. "I'm gonna take you home, okay?"
"Guy, I haven't drunk anything tonight. I'll take Brooke home and watch her. Just take care of him," he points at Felix as he receives three nods in response.
"Hey Lucas?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks," Clay offers a weak smile. "For finding Brooke, I mean. God only knows what would have happened if you hadn't walked in."
"Anything for her," he nods as he picks Brooke up and escorts her out of the room.
After dropping Haley off at her house, Lucas drove to Brooke's house and carried the brunette up the stairs, tucking her into bed.
"Lucas… I don't feel so good," Brooke mumbles as she runs a hand over her forehead.
"I know you don't pretty girl. Just sleep it off. I'm not going anywhere," he promises, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead before lightly kissing it.
"Pretty girl?" she questions with the raise of an eyebrow. "I like it. Now, we just need a nicname for you."
"Luke is fine," he grins as he pulls the cover up over Brooke's chin.
"How about Broody?"
"Broody?"
"Yeah, you know since you always Brood," she justifies with a grin. "It's cute."
"Okay… okay, Broody it is," he chuckles. "Now, it's time for bed. We'll talk in the morning."
"Okay…" she nods her head like a little child as she clutches her blanket closer to her chin. "Lucas… I don't deserve to have a friend like you," she whispers before drifting off into sleep.
"Yes you do. You just don't see the things in you that I do," he whispers as he heads to the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee.
A faint knock on the door startles him as he slowly makes his way over to answer it.
"Rachel?" he blinks with confusion when he sees the redhead standing on the other side of the door. "What are you doing here?"
"Is she okay?"
"She's gonna be fine. She's just resting right now," Lucas nods as he ushers the redhead inside. "I'm going to stay the night with her."
"Why are you being so kind to someone that you don't even know?" Rachel asks as she sits herself down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee.
"Brooke hasn't told you that I'm tutoring her yet?"
The redhead shakes her head. "No, she hasn't mentioned that. So, you guys already know each other?"
"Yeah," he nods, taking a sip of coffee before setting the pristine white mug on the oak surface. "She's a really great person."
"She is," Rachel nods as she swirls her coffee around in the cup. "But, she hates me right now."
"Why?"
"I kind of told her mother about some things that I was concerned about and she wasn't very happy with the outcome."
"Oh, you mean the drugs?"
"Yeah," Rachel eyes him skeptically. "How do you know about that?"
"I'm good at reading people. I just kind of suspected."
"I'm really worried about her," Rachel admits as she feels as tear prick at the corner of her eye. "I know what it's like to be in her position and it's not a fun place to be. But, I just really wish she could pick up the pieces and start living her life again."
"She won't accept help will she?"
"She's too stubborn, too guarded. She has a heart of gold but she won't let anyone in."
"Sounds like the two of you have a lot in common," Lucas smiles as he stands and places his mug in the sink. "You're a good friend Rachel."
"I don't really know you but you're taking such good care of Brooke," Rachel nods as she steps towards the door. "She's lucky to have you."
"She's lucky to have you too Rachel," Lucas smiles as the redhead steps out the door.
"I just wanted to make sure she was okay. Please let me know how she is in the morning?"
"Of course…"
"Thanks again," Rachel smiles appreciatively as she turns and heads down the steps towards her car.
After Rachel is gone, Lucas heads back up the stairs. Brooke is sound asleep but she looks so broken, so lost even in her slumber. And his heart aches at the sight of such a beautifully broken girl exploding with so much life and talent that he fears may all go down the drain one day.
He smiles before taking a seat in the chair at her desk and grabbing a blanket.
"Don't be silly," Brooke mumbles as she slowly attempts to crack an eye. "You're watching over me, the least you can do is sleep in the bed."
"Okay…" Lucas gulps as he slowly makes his way over to Brooke's bed and slips in beside her. Ever since he was 12 years old, he's imagined this day. Only, he didn't exactly imagine it happening like this.
"You saved me," she whispers as she turns and snuggles into his side. "I can't thank you enough for that."
"I'd do anything for you Brooke," he smiles, gently soothing her hair with his hand as he wraps his arms around her.
"I know," she whispers as she leans up and presses her lips against his. He's shocked at first but gladly reciprocates the action. The kiss is short and sweet, simple, yet full of emotion and electricity. Neither of them can deny the jolt of electricity that runs through them.
Lucas can't help but touch his tingling lips with his finger. The sensation of kissing Brooke Davis was even more amazing than he had imagined. But, he knows that she isn't thinking clearly right now.
AN: Cliffhanger! I wasn't going to have Brucas kiss initially but after teasing you guys last chapter, I figured it should happen. Thank you guys so much for all the reviews. I'm so glad that I'm getting such a positive response to this story, it's just amazing! Has anyone seen Sophia Bush's new show? It's a sitcom called partners, if you're a Sophia fan and you haven't seen it you should check it out, it's freaking hilarious. Anyways, you know the drill. Review!
