Figured I would make this chapter a bit longer, anyway I hope you enjoy
"Haley sent me, Nathan wasn't feeling too good and she had her hands full with James" Lucas explained, she was stunning, he didn't think it was possible for her to be more beautiful that she was when he last saw her but now he knew it was definitely possible. Her hair framed her face so beautifully, her hair was in loose curls and hung to just below her shoulders. She was the picture of perfection, for someone who had just stepped off a plane she looked amazing. On the outside she didn't seem to have changed, sure her hairstyle had changed but other than she seemed to be the same Brooke, she was wearing a pair of skinny jeans highlighting her petite frame, and was wearing a suede jacket, she still had great taste when it came to fashion, that was evident.
"I could have got a cab" Brooke said as she stood a matter of feet away from him, she looked him up and down taking every single little detail, his hair was short, she could tell he had shaved it recently, she always liked it short, she had told him before but he was insistent that he wanted to grow it a bit more. She examined his clothes, working in the fashion industry it was more of habit, she just did it instinctively, he looked good, not as good as he looked when they were dating but he was still looking pretty fine, it seemed he wasn't hopeless after all when it came to fashion.
"It's not a problem really, here let me take that" he said as he reached for her suitcase, Brooke held it out to him and felt him lightly brush her hand as she passed it to him. She quickly removed her hand, it felt so weird and yet so good to feel him, to touch him, but that was the past and she wasn't willing to let it get to her, she had moved on and he probably had too.
"Thanks" she said quietly as she looked back into his eyes
"You look good" he stated although not shifting his gaze, his eyes still firmly on her
"Thanks so do you" quickly looking at the floor, she glanced at her hand and saw she was shaking, it was only a little so wasn't really noticeable but she could still feel it, all the nerves bottled up where starting to come into play, when his eyes had been on her she couldn't help but feel vulnerable, it was like when he looked into her eyes, he saw right through her, he saw past the confident façade she put on and he saw the real her. She had been on the end of looks from him very similar to the one he had just given her and she couldn't help but feel scared, maybe she should have stayed in New York after all, maybe it was still too soon, maybe they could never be just friends, maybe it was just too hard.
"Brooke" Brooke spun around to see who had called her name
"Lucas" his eyes were now firmly on the woman standing in front of them
"Peyton what are you doing here?" Brooke said stunned to see her former best-friend standing a matter of feet in front of her
"My flight was delayed so I just got in" Peyton replied uneasily trying to make sense of the scene in front of her
"You look amazing, I love what you have done with your hair" Brooke said noticing that the formerly curled hair was now straight, she had put on some weight but she was still skinny, she had always been that way, she could eat and eat and it seemed like that girl would never put on the weight, she had tried to understand it but it just seemed to be one of those things.
"Thanks" Peyton said shifting uneasily
"Do you want a lift, I'm giving Brooke one so….." Lucas chirped in rather unsure of what he was meant to do, two ex girlfriends this close to one another was not a situation he wanted to be in or that he was prepared for, certainly not this soon anyway, and from the looks of things Peyton didn't want to be in this situation anymore than he did.
"No it's ok my dad is waiting for me" Peyton replied coldly
"We should catch up some time" Brooke said optimistically, surprised at how Peyton was being, she didn't know what she had expected but she had thought that her former best friend would have been pleased to see her but it was seriously hard to tell, she had expected a hug or something, but maybe that was too much, 4 years was a long time after all, maybe their friendship couldn't just pick up where they left off
"Yeah I'll call ya" Peyton said rather dismissively as she headed off through the crowds
"That was weird" Brooke said as she watched her disappear into the crowds of people
"Yeah I know, I mean what are the chances of seeing her here"Lucas said not really believing their luck
"No I mean did you not think she was acting weird?" Brooke asked, surely he picked up on the weird vibe Peyton was giving off, it wasn't just her Peyton seemed to have blown off, did that mean that Lucas and Peyton weren't together? It wasn't the type of question she could just ask, she had been home 5 minutes and hadn't seen these people in 4 years, she couldn't just turn around and ask something like that, it wasn't her place, not anymore anyway.
"No not really" Lucas shrugged, although the truth was he had picked up on it too and the thing was that he had a pretty good idea of what was wrong with her but it seemed like Brooke had no idea, maybe she hadn't read his book after all. He prayed to God that she hadn't, but then on some level maybe it would just be easier if she had, then she would know the truth and they might be able to get somewhere.
"She seemed so cold like she couldn't wait to get away" Brooke said sadly, her and Peyton had been friends through the whole of high school if she excluded the few arguments they had had over a certain boy, who was now standing right in front of her. Maybe she was to blame for the distance that now seemed to be between them now but she had hoped to see some glimmer of hope in Peyton that they could get back to how they once were one day but they Peyton she had seen a few minutes ago was the not the same one as she had seen when she left her in LA, she seemed darker somehow, she seemed cold and bitter but most of all she couldn't help but think she looked hurt and the worst thing was that she didn't even know why, they used to share everything, and now it was like they were strangers.
"Yeah, have you two had a fight or something?" Lucas asked wanted to deflect the attention away from himself, he didn't want Brooke to start questioning him about Peyton and why she was acting so strangely, Brooke seemed to have no idea and for now that's how he wanted it to stay.
"No I haven't spoken to her in over 3 years, and anyway that wouldn't explain why she was so cold to you" Brooke replied not being able to shake this strange feeling she had, none of it made sense, it was one thing for Peyton to act weird with her but with Lucas was a whole different issue, they had been so happy together, they seemed to really love each other, how could she be so cold to someone who she loved?
"I guess not" Lucas said quietly wishing they could talk about something else, anything would be better than this, he hated lying to Brooke but what could he do, turn around and day the reason why Peyton was so cold and angry was because he technically broke up with her in a book and declared his feelings for another girl, and not just any girl, her best friend
"Why don't we get going rather than standing around here speculating" He suggested, he was feeling guilty enough as it was and the guilt seemed to be getting worse and worse and was slowly eating away at him, he couldn't take it back now, it was too late
Flashback
"Mom I'm sorry but I have to go" Lucas said as he walked into the kitchen, Haley had called wanting him to pick Brooke up, he wasn't sure if his sister in law was lying and playing matchmaker of if she was genuine and Nathan really was sick.
"But what about Lily? I thought you were meant to be spending time with her" Karen said rather disappointed, although she had been angry with her son she knew how much Lily loved him and missed him, her face would light up at the mere mention of his name. She didn't understand what had been going on and that was probably for the best, she was so pure and innocent and she was determined to have it stay that way for as long as it could.
"Yeah I know and I'm sorry but I really have to go" Lucas said hoping that she would understand, he looked at his mother's face for some sort of indication of what she was thinking and feeling but she wasn't giving anything away, she was just staring at him, she didn't seem angry, but she definitely was not happy, that's one thine he knew for sure. Over the years he had got used to certain looks his mother gave him but this one he really did not know, it was if she was close to giving up on him, he knew he had disappointed her and he was sorry for that but he couldn't go back and change the past.
"Are you going to at least tell me why" It was one thing to let her down, but she knew how disappointed Lily would be and she hated seeing her upset, she couldn't help but frown when she saw how hurt he was looking, she hadn't meant to upset him but he needed to hear some home truths and as his mother it was something she had to do, no one else was going to.
"I have to pick up Brooke from the airport, Hales just asked me"
"Wait…Brooke is coming back today?" Karen asked rather shocked, she could see the fear in he son and she wished she could take that fear away but this was just something he was going to have to handle by himself. She knew how much he cared for Brooke, he had made his feelings quite clear in his book when it came to her but now coming face to face with her, she couldn't even begin to imagine what he was thinking.
"Yeah like in an hour" Lucas answered shortly, in a way he just wanted to leave and go now, he had no idea what to do with himself, he wished he had more time to prepare but in all honestly nothing would have been able to prepare him for what he was doing in an hour's time. He stared at the ceiling avoiding his mothers eyes
"Have you thought about what you are going to say to her" Karen asked sympathetically, she didn't understand some of Lucas's decisions, she didn't agree with some of them but he was still her son and she just wanted him to be happy, that's all she could ever ask for
"Mom I only just found out she was coming back a few minutes ago ok, I am finding it rather hard to process myself" he said looking back at her, he wasn't upset, he was scared, he was confused he was lost. This would all have been so much easier if he didn't know she was coming back, if only Haley had never rung him, then he could have just carried on blissfully unaware. He lent his head against the doorway as she waited for his mother to answer
"Yeah I'm sorry, well you should go" Karen said standing up to face him, she didn't want to be responsible for him being late, she knew how much this meant to him and how nervous he was, she certainly didn't need to add to his worries
"What about Lily?" he asked a look of confusion now appearing on his face, he was surprised at how supportive his mom was now being, one minute she is yelling at him telling him how disappointed she is in him an now she is just letting him go, it was hard to know what to make of it all
"Don't worry about that she'll be fine, now go, you'll be fine" Karen reassured him resting her hand on his shoulder knowing how important Brooke was to him, she couldn't stand in his way, he had to follow his heart
End of Flashback
"So how is life then?" Lucas asked as he looked over at Brooke who was staring out of the window
"It's good….its really good" Brooke said turning to face him, she wasn't sure what to say to him, they hadn't seen each other in 4 years, there was so much he didn't know about her and vice versa, what was she meant to say to him
"I am so proud of you I told you you were going to change the world" Lucas smiled proudly, he always knew she was going to go far in life, she had this get up and go attitude, once she set her mind to something there was no stopping her, she was so driven and was talented, it was no wonder that she had been successful
"Yeah I wouldn't go that far but yeah things are pretty good, and what about you Mr hot shot writer?" Brooke laughed, she didn't really want to talk about her so much, she wasn't the only one who had had her fair share of success
"I guess I have done pretty well for myself, so I take it you have read it then?" Lucas asked knowing that this was the moment of truth, she certainly didn't seem to have read it, surely she would have said something by now, she wouldn't just leave him hanging like this would she? Actually thinking about it he knew she probably would, he would never understand the mind of Brooke Davis, that was probably one of things that attracted him the most about her, there was this air of mystery about her, she was unpredictable and knew just how to put a smile on his face, she didn't even have to try half of the time, it just happened. She was amazing, that was the only way he could describe her and he couldn't believe he had let her go, not once, but twice.
"Actually no" Brooke said sheepishly looking away from him hoping that he would not be mad
"You haven't" He said rather surprised and relieved but he didn't want to let on how relieved he was. A small smile crept on his face
"I meant to but I just haven't got round to getting it yet" Brooke said turning back to face him and was rather surprised to see him smiling. She loved the way he smiled, she had forgotten what it looked like until now, but now she saw it she couldn't help but think back to when they were together and the times she had seen him smile and laugh, she wished she could have taken a picture every time he smiled, just thinking back she found herself begin to smile. She knew it was in the past, but it was so hard to just stop thinking, she couldn't stop her mind from going back to the past, the memories were always going to be there, it was something she couldn't erase and most importantly to was something she didn't want to erase, although they weren't together for long there had been so many good times, so many moments that she would forever treasure and keep in her hear. She had given him her heart and it wasn't something you could just take back.
"You probably won't like it, its really not worth reading " Lucas said coolly, the last thing he wanted was for her to go and buy it, how would he be able to face her then
"Hey it's by you, of course I want to read it" Brooke said patting his leg but then quickly withdrawing her hand upon realising how awkward she was making him feel, as soon as she had touch his thigh she had felt him tense up, she hadn't meant to make him feel uncomfortable, she was just being friendly, that was all it was.
"I can't wait to see Haley and Nathan and little James" Brooke said quickly changing the subject noticing how he didn't seem to be able to look at her
"Ah"
"What?
"Well um….like I said, Nathan isn't too well and Haley kind of asked me if you could stay with me" Lucas said not really believing the situation he was now in, he hated that he had no control over his feelings but he couldn't help who he loved, when she had touched him he couldn't help but tense up, having her touch him but knowing that he couldn't have her was unbearable
"Look it's ok I'll just check in to a hotel or something, I don't want you to go to any bother because of me and its probably for the best anyway considering…." Brooke began, she had already witnessed how uncomfortable he was, she didn't want to make him feel out of place in his home.
"Brooke we're friends right and it isn't any bother, plus it means we get to hang out and I can hear about how amazing your life is" Lucas quickly interrupted, he knew it wasn't going to be easy having her stay with him, but he had had 4 years without her and now she was here he just couldn't turn her away.
"It's not that amazing" Brooke muttered but still loud enough for Lucas to hear, he didn't know what to make of it, should he ask what she meant or just drop it?
"So did Haley tell you I have my own place now?" He asked choosing the latter option, his eyes firmly on the road ahead. He knew Haley had been on touch with Brooke but that was all he knew, he had seen the presents she had sent to James but Haley never spoke about her, well not in front of him anyway. All he knew about Brooke was what he had read in the papers and magazines, it hardly seemed real, they used to be so close and now it seemed so weird, how did they manage to fall apart like this
"No she didn't, we didn't really talk about you" Brooke said quickly but instantly regretting it upon seeing the hurt expression on his face
"Oh" Lucas said as he bit his lip unsure of what else to say
She noticed the smile on his face was now gone and replaced with a look of sadness, how could she tell him that the reason why she hadn't spoken or asked about him was because it hurt too much, she couldn't let her heart go there, not again.
"So what's this new place of yours like then?" Brooke asked wanting to put a smile back on his face
"You're just about to see" Lucas said as he parked the car
"Here I'll carry out" Brooke said signalling for him to hand over her suitcase as she closed the trunk
"Yeah I don't think you'll be seeing that when you see the stairs you have to climb" Lucas said
"OK yeah you can carry it" Brooke said quickly, she was wearing her favourite pair of Jimmy Choo's and she was definitely not about to risk falling down the stairs because she had to carry her suitcase
"I thought you would say that" Lucas joked, maybe she hadn't changed that much after all, deep down the same Brooke that he knew was still there, even if he had only seen a glimpse of the person she used to be he couldn't help but smile, maybe he still knew her pretty well after all
"God did you not think to get an apartment with a lift" Brooke said as she began to climb the first flight of stairs
Lucas couldn't help but laugh, he had forgotten little things like this that she would say and do, she was like a breath of fresh air and it was just what he needed, he had lost himself over the years and had ended up on a path he didn't want to be on, maybe she could be the one to set him back on the right track, maybe all this time all he he needed was one thing, her.
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