So, here is the other chapter. I sat down and finished it for you all. This is probably the longest chapter that will be in the story, it is like 2,400 words. Now, the beginning and ending of this extremely long flashback are labeled. And, my apologies for how long it is. I started writing and just couldn't stop. This would usually be 2 separate chapters, but there wasn't a good part to split it, so I kept it all together. Here you go. REVIEW!
Soon the guest will be revealed and more action will start up. I'm thinking of making the next chapter Brooke/B.L. and then Ch. 6 Lucas/Tree Hill history and catch ups. Slowly, as the story goes on I plan to incorporate both sides in each chapter. So, I don't have a definite date. I have a lot of homework, and I'm trying to cram 8 months of work into two/three months. So, I'm up to my head in work. But, I'll try.
In Tree Hill, Lucas sat at Haley and Nathan's counter, slowly sipping his steaming coffee. He watched as his godson Jamie animatedly chatted up Haley. Or, Tutorgirl as Brooke affectionately called her during high school. Stop it! Stop it! Don't think about her. Lucas sighed. It wasn't even 9 o'clock in the morning yet and already his mind was drifting off to the fun-loving brunette. Usually, that didn't happen until at least 10 in the morning!
Jamie running into the kitchen with a royal blue cape tied around his neck, his arms out like he was flying brought the blue-eyed brooder back to reality. A reality in which didn't include his Cheery. Oh, how he wished to go back in time and change what he had done.
-----Flashback-----
Lucas sat at the bar, staring down the beer in front of him. He though back to the beginning of his day, when he woke up optimistic that it was going to be a good day full of laughter and fun with his best friends and his girlfriend, Peyton Sawyer. Boy, was he wrong in thinking that. The older Scott brother sat, watching as beads of sweat spiraled down the tall, chilled glass containing the amber liquid that he was not yet legal to drink. But, Brooke Davis came through for him. The fake i.d. she insisted that he own had made sure that acquiring the liquor was simple, too simple. It was a Thursday evening, and there sat Lucas Eugene Scott, drowning his sorrows. His day turned terrible when Peyton came over for breakfast.
"Hey, Luke, I'm gonna go wash up real quick." The curly blonde stated, already on the move for the back of the Roe house.
"Okay," Lucas called from the kitchen where he was making pancakes, carefully pouring them onto the hot skillet. His mother had left early to open the café, so he was on his own fro breakfast. His lovely girlfriend stopping by lifted his spirits.
Peyton moved to turn into the bathroom when she noticed Luke's door slightly ajar. She checked to see that he was still busy in the kitchen, and when noting that he was, she stepped fully into the room. A corner of what appeared to be a shoebox was sticking out slightly from under her boyfriend's bed. Curiosity overcame her and she bent down, pulling the bow out from the shadows of the bed and laying it on top of Lucas's plain blue comforter. She gingerly sat down, straining to hear if Luke was still busy making her breakfast. Satisfied that he was, she turned her attention back to the box. She picked up the top layer. Many photos were scattered in the top of the box, that wasn't shocking. No, the shocking part was whom the photos were of. They were all of Brooke. Some had Brooke and Lucas others were of Brooke and various friends, but most were of the preppy brunette all by her lonesome. Peyton gasped out loud. She set the polaroids aside and dug back into the old shoebox. There were her letters to him, that she never had the courage to send, and he even had a swatch of the fabric that was worn to Naley's second wedding. Even though they both had worn the same dresses, Peyton had the feeling that this was not from her dress, but rather from her estranged best friend's ensemble. A few more things laid at the bottom of the box, but P. Sawyer's attention was focused on a picture of Brook and Lucas. The two were looking into each other's eyes, smiling. Brooke's dimples were showing and Lucas's eyes were dancing with laughter. Peyton turned the picture over and written in Luke's scrawl was "Broody and Cheery".
Lucas noted Peyton's long absence. He knew it didn't take her that long in the bathroom. The pancakes were done and he was starving. Abandoning his post in the kitchen, he went off in search of his curly haired girlfriend. Lucas went o to knock on the bathroom door only to discover that the door was wide open. He peeked inside, and no Peyton. A gasp from behind him caused him to turn around quickly. There was his girlfriend, Peyton sitting on his bed, a few tears silently sliding down her cheeks. Lucas noticed the tears quickly and rushed over to Peyton.
"Peyton, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" "What's this?"
Peyton looked up, brushing her tears away. That was when Lucas noticed what was sitting in front of her; his box filled with everything Brooke.Damn it! I though I put that away this morning. "What's this?" Peyton questioned, her eyes glaring a hole into Lucas.
Lucas nervously shifted from one foot to another. "Well, um it's nothing really."
"Nothing? Really? Well, to me it looks like a box full of your EX-girlfriend's stuff, emphasis on EX!" The blonde ranted in anger.
"Peyton, it's not like that, okay?"
"You know what, you have to choose, and until you do, we're over!" She screamed, storming out of the side entrance to Lucas's bedroom.
Luke sat there on his bed, his shoulders sagging and his head in his hands. School hadn't even started yet and he was dreading it. By the time he arrived Haley would probably already know and be waiting to lay into him, yet again. Nathan would probably be on her side. Peyton, he definitely couldn't talk to. Brooke and him were becaoming friends again, but he couldn't go to her about his fight with Peyton especially since it was about her. It was going to be a very long day.
Many horrible hours later, Luke drove up to the bar where he and Brooke went on their first date. He ordered a few drinks and downed them quickly. His life just seemed so messed up lately. Lucas had a very good buzz going, on the edge of being totally wasted. Only then did he notice the brunette over at the side of the bar, being chatted up by two slime balls. It was obvious to any outside eye that the girl was trying to shake the guys off. Lucas thought something seemed familiar about her, but brushed it off to being the alcohol. Curious, he kept watching the girl. One of the guys moved his hand up her thigh and she hit it away, only for the other guy to try it himself. The brunette backed up, falling into the first guy's chest. He held her firmly, not allowing her to escape. The female squirmed, aware that this was not good, even in her drunken state. Luke watched as the men made to move her out the back door into the ally. There were other people in the bar, but either they didn't notice the struggling girl, or they were too drunk to care. Realizing that no one was going to help her, Lucas stood up. He swayed for a second before steadying himself and walking purposefully towards the trio.
A while later, the brunette accompanied him to the bar. His vision blurred from all the drinks, but he admired her adorable dimples. She too was wasted and barely able to make out her hero's facial features, but she didn't care. He was kind and friendly, and a good listener. The rest of the night passed with many laughs and some more drinks.
The next morning, Luke awoke to brunette locks cascading over his shoulder. Lucas, still in a dreaming state, pulled the other body occupying his bed closer, and inhaled deeply. Strawberries and a hint of honey wafted through his nose. Strawberries and honey, just like Brooke. Wait, Brooke! Oh man, what did I do last night? God, my head! Lucas groaned loudly when parts of his wild night filtered back to him. Peyton, a fight, horrible day, a bar, many drinks, a struggling brunette, even more drinks, a lot of laughter, and then a heated kiss, that obviously led to more. His groan woke up the girl. She stirred and snuggled into his chest more. Realizing that she left her wonderful dream, and yet she was still in a warm embrace, Brooke's eyes shot open. Damn, what did I do last night? And, who am I in bed with? Please, Please don't let it be that creepy biker guy who was checking me out all night at the bar. The bar! Oh man, me head! Why is morning so bright? This has to be one of my worst hangovers ever! Brooke slowly looked up, preparing herself for the worst. She was immediately drawn in by a pair of intense blue eyes. She knew those eyes! Damnit, it's Lucas. That's 10 times worse than the biker guy!Lucas took in her features, the sun shining through her auburn hair, creating a glow around her head. Shit, it's Brooke. Man, if Peyton finds- Lucas wasn't able to finish his thought before his side door opened and the curly blonde stepped in.
"Luke, I think I over-" She started, before noticing that Brooke was in bed with her boyfriend, naked. "What the hell! You slut, you just couldn't bear that I was happy and that Lucas wanted to be with me could you?" Peyton directed at Brooke.
"No, I-" Brooke started before being cut off.
"Don't talk to me you whore. You think that after one fight, you can just come in here and steal him from me?"
"No, Peyton, I can-" the brunette tried again, rubbing her temples to get rid of the major headache that was forming, whether it was from her hangover or Peyton's yelling, she was unsure.
Lucas sat there watching his ex-girlfriend since yesterday yell at her former best friend and his drinking buddy from last night. Luke stared at Brooke, even hung-over and while being yelled at, she was beautiful. With his sheet held firmly over the front of her, she looked like a goddess, yeah, the Goddess of the Bed. Lucas chuckled at the thought. Peyton hearing the noise turned to Luke. She saw him staring at Brooke, and felt a stab in her heart.
"Lucas Eugene Scott! How could you? Is this your choice? Is it her?"
Brooke picked her head up from where it had been resting in her hands. What choice? Her who? She was so confused and the yelling was not helping her hangover at all, neither was the sunlight.
"Peyton, look, it's complicated." Luke said, shrugging slightly.
"It always is." And, with that Peyton Sawyer stormed out, slamming Luke's door behind her.
Lucas watched, as she left, not able to see the tears streaming down her cheeks. He turned in time to notice Brooke flinch at the slammed door. Realizing the awkward position the two were in, Lucas started searching for his boxers. He decided to grovel for Peyton's forgiveness later, let her cool off first. The night with Brooke was a mistake and nothing more. Wasn't it? Seeing his underwear on the floor he grabbed the boxers and slipped into them. Thank God his mother was on a trip with Deb and that it was a Saturday, no school. The oldest Scott couldn't bear being faced with Haley's wrath and not with the entire school population watching. Luke just wished that the previous night had never even happened.
Weeks later, Peyton and Haley were still mad at Brooke for "seducing" Lucas. Over time, gradually they became on better terms, but Brooke opted to hang out with Chase and Rachel instead of the two. A few months passed, and soon graduation came and went. Haley had little James Lucas Scott and the summer went by fast. Everyone went their own ways after high school. Lucas, Haley, and Peyton lost contact with Brooke after she left Tree Hill. Brooke never quite forgave Peyton for accusing her of cheating when the two "lovebirds" were broken up and her and Lucas were wasted. And, she never forgave Lucas for allowing the brunt of that evening to fall on her shoulders. Sure, Haley lectured him, but both her and Peyton forgave him quickly, instead taking a liking to hating Brooke. Yeah, the three made up before going off to college, Haley even made Brooke godmother to James, but it wasn't like it was before. And, it never would be as far as Brooke was concerned.
-----End Flashback-----
Why did she never answer our calls? What would have happened if I had stayed broken up with Peyton after that night, instead of letting Brooke take all the blame. I know it was stupid, but I just couldn't lose my best friend and my girlfriend, which is what would have happened had they known I wasn't as drunk as they believed. What would have happened if I hadn't stayed with Peyton during college? Maybe we would have figured out sooner that we weren't made for each other, instead of wasting those years in the arms of the wrong person. And, sadly, those years will probably cost me from being able to ever be with the one I love. I know she doesn't forgive me for all that I put her through, for all the pain I caused her. If only, I had one more day of just being Broody and Cheery.
Lucas sighed, watching Jamie and Haley. He wanted that! He wanted kids and the house with the dog in the back yard. But, none of that would matter if she wasn't there to share it with him. I'll always be the guy for you Brooke Davis, and nothing will ever change that. Would Lucas still think that if he knew what surprise Brooke Davis was hiding up there in New York City?
