All Those Years Ago
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Mark Schwahn and the CW. I own none of them. No copyright infringement intended.
Author's note: This is my first ever fanfic, so reviews are always welcome, and loved! Thanks to those of you who have! I hope the story is starting to take off now. I'm major BLHN fan, love them together!
I Bruise Easily
…My skin is like a map, of where my heart has been
And I can't hide the marks, but it's not a negative thing…
Brooke woke up for school with a pounding headache. Though, with the weekend she had just lived through, a headache was a welcomed change. In fact, if it hadn't been for Lucas finding her the other night, she may not have even been waking up at all that morning.
Yes, Lucas Scott was Brooke's hero, even if he didn't want to admit that he deserved the honor. He rescued her, and now, she would have to find some way to thank him for that.
Just then Nathan's car pulled into her drive way. She rushed out of the house, grabbing a toaster strudel, and her book bag, on the way out. Nathan had been relentlessly over protective of her since Friday night's event, and as much as she loved that he cared, it was getting hard to bear his constant eyes on her. He would get over it eventually though, like he usually did. That was what she had hoped, anyways.
"Hey, hot shot!" Brooke said to him as she plopped herself down into the passenger side.
"What's up, how are you feeling?" He asked, concern still radiating from his face.
"Nate, how many times do I have to tell you, I'm fine, really…"
"Okay, I promise that was the last time, But seriously, I could have lost you. That makes a guy think twice about letting you out of his sight, so gimme a break, B!"
"I get it, I'd be the same way if it had been you. But Lucas was there. He saved me, you didn't lose me, end of story."
Nathan hated the fact that it was Lucas that had saved her that night, and not him. It wasn't so much that he wished to be the one to save her, well he did, but if it had to be anyone else, why Lucas? Now, he was this hero…her knight in shining armor, and what was he, her best friend…squat. He had to remind himself that he was lucky that someone, even if it was Lucas, had been there. Otherwise, he would be alone right now.
"Hey Nate, so what's the deal with Haley? Do you like her? I sorta sensed a vibe between you two…"
"Ugh…nothing really, she's great…I mean beautiful and smart, she stands up for what she believes in, kind, generous, everything you could want…but she's loyal to Lucas."
"So, make her un-loyal…if that is what you truly want."
"It's, well, it's complicated…there are histories there that even I don't wanna get into."
"Okay, is Nathan Scott scared to ask Haley James out? Am I going to have to make this happen?"
"Brooke you wouldn't dare…"
"You know I would…but I won't, your secret is safe with me!"
By then they had reached the school parking lot. Nathan parked the car and they both went their separate ways.
….
Classes today were boring to say the least. All Brooke could think about were her hypothetical plans to "thank" Lucas. She had already weaseled his schedule out of the school secretary, and found out that he had P.E. that period, which just happened to be the last hour of the day.
Perfect, she thought. I'll just slip on into the boy's locker room and surprise him while he is showering…just one problem, how can I make sure no one else is in there? I can't involve Nate, he'll be furious…
With ten minutes to go in the hour, Brooke excused herself from her own classroom, and made her way towards the gym. She had decided to test her luck by peeking in but she couldn't see anything. Just then, a scrawny little freshman walked by her. He was about to let out a shriek of enjoyment when Brooke cupped her hand over his mouth, whispering…
"How would you like to help me do something? I'll make it up to you," She winked.
The boy was clearly smitten with Brooke, but after all that was to be expected.
"Umm…sure, what can I do?"
"Well, you know who Lucas Scott is?" He nodded. "Is he taking a shower?" He nodded again. "Okay, this is what you're gonna do…you're going to go back in, round up everyone besides Lucas, take his towel when it's all clear, and then come back out here and give it to me, okay? Are we clear?" He nodded one last time and headed back into the locker room.
Five minutes and several guys later, the boy came out holding the towel. Victory!
"Ohh," she shrieked, "You're the best!"
She gave him a light kiss on the cheek to thank the boy, and then darted into the locker room.
…So I let down my guard, drop my defenses, down by my clothes
I'm learning to fall, with no safety net, to cushion the blow…
Brooke didn't have much time to get herself indecent before she heard Lucas's familiar voice.
"Is anyone out there, who took my towel? Come on guys it's really not as funny the second time."
Brooke took that as an opportunity to make her grand entrance. She walked as graceful as she possibly could, wearing only a small towel, towards him. When his eyes fixated onto her standing in front of him, Lucas froze. Then he realized he was the one completely naked and covered himself up with his hands.
"Don't be shy," she said, "do you want my towel? It's the least I can do to thank you."
She slowly started to unravel her towel, waiting for his response.
"Wait, no don't do that…it's okay I'll get another one."
His eyes were now completely shut, he was squinting them together forcing him not to look at Brooke. Embarrassed by Lucas's lack of interest, she started to panic.
…I bruise easily, can't scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily…
"Is there something wrong, a reason you don't want to look at me?"
"No, I'm sure you look perfect, fantastic in fact, but this sorta thing just isn't me, call me old fashioned, I guess."
Brooke, devastated, ran out of the room, throwing the towel in Lucas's direction.
"Here," she cried, and quickly picked up her scattered belongings, while slipping into her dress.
What a disaster, she thought, as she walked toward the tutor center that afternoon.
Maybe he was right…had I gone about that all wrong? I mean, "naked Brooke" never failed me in the past, but Lucas…he is different. I guess, I was trying to thank him in a way that was me, and not him…darn nice guys, I'm back to the drawing table. Maybe Tutor girl, will have some tricks up her sleeve…
….
The day was just another ordinary day for Haley; nothing special. She and Lucas had driven to school together, and now she was sitting in her last period class, Calculus, daydreaming about… Nathan Scott. Well that last part, that was something new.
I am absolutely nuts having these impure visions of Nathan and I, she thought. Last Friday was surely a fluke; he couldn't possibly be interested in me. No, he is a playboy, always looking for a new lady to entertain him, and I am far from entertaining in the sexuality department. But, there is just something about him…I dunno, he wasn't nearly as bad as Lucas made him seem, actually…he was quite the opposite, he was charming, and sensitive, and hot damn, he was well…undeniably sexy.
Then the bell rang, releasing her from her own thoughts. She couldn't believe the school day was over already. It had seemed to her like it went by in a flash, but that was probably because she hadn't been very focused on her studies. Haley then scurried to her locker. She knew that she only had a half hour before she was supposed to be in the tutor center to meet with Brooke.
To her surprise there was something sticking out of her locker. It looked like a note, maybe, but Lucas would have found her some how, and Brooke, well Haley was fairly certain that Brooke was too oblivious to know where her locker was. Actually, other than Lucas, most everyone was pretty unaware of her existence, and that of her lockers.
She did have to admit though, that Brooke was proving to be a stronger ally than she had ever expected. In fact, when she had gone over to check on her this weekend, Brooke was more pleasant than ever. She was so beyond grateful to Haley for taking care of her, it was almost insane. She had forced Haley to take a whole box of clothes, in which she had deemed, "would look better on Haley", as thanks.
All I did was clean out and re-bandage the cuts on her back, she thought. I guess they were pretty gross though, she must have fought back hard, while she was pinned down no less, to get the cuts and bruises she had. And apparently as macho as Nathan is, blood makes him pass out? Must be a Scott thing, Lucas gets the same way…
She forced herself to open the door… slowly; she moved so that nothing would fall out, grabbing the small folded up pieced of paper. It read: Haley…meet me at the pier off 2nd street at 5' o clock, the picnic table…I'll be waiting, N. Scott.
If it hadn't been for that little N., Haley would not have been freaking out the way she was, since for as long as she could remember, she'd been meeting Lucas at that very spot. Why would Nathan choose to meet there of all places, it was so confined, no body ever went by there. That is why Lucas and Haley loved it. Nathan couldn't possibly know that, unless…
Oh that's why, she thought, stupid stupid me, opening up my big mouth, I told him that! No one goes there, yep…ugh…it's the perfect way to test out this little joke of a crush he has. And if Lucas happens to walk by, well then, all that much better for Nathan and his arrogant ass! I swear if he is using me to get to Lucas, I will rip him a new one! I mean every part of me says run…he's a monstrous ass… but I can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, the Nathan Scott I saw Friday, the one who was genuinely caring and charming, maybe that is a man worth fighting for…
Haley decided that she would take Nathan up on his offer for one reason, and one reason alone, to put his extremely handsome ass back in place, once and for all! She was positive nobody else was gonna do it, so it was up to her. She prayed she would have the balls to do it, because every time she was around him, her clear perspective just got more and more fuzzy.
Just then Haley realized she had been standing by her locker for nearly thirty minutes. She threw all the books she needed into her bag, and literally ran through the halls, so she wouldn't be late. By the time she reached the center, Brooke was already in the back, at their usual seat. Haley waved to Brooke and quickly shuffled over to her side.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry…time got away from me!" Haley breathed.
Brooke was laughing hysterically at Haley. It was looking to her like Haley was a tad discombobulated. She might actually be able to distract her today, and Brooke needed that help, she needed Haley's insights into the mysterious Lucas Scott! Brooke was still a little bit shook up from the shower incident, and utterly mortified to express her inner most thoughts to Haley, but she felt like she could trust her, and the bottom line was… without her, she had absolutely no idea what made that boy tick.
"Okay Tutor girl, I love ya, and I know you are all…I'm math, nothing else matters, I mean business…but I need your help, so you're just gonna have to take a little vacation from being math today…and be well, be Haley, my friend…"
Haley was startled; she wasn't quite sure how anything she would have to say, as advice would matter. After all, girl problems were not really her forte, compliments of having had a male best friend all these years.
"Alright, here I am, Haley James, I'm listening, what's the major problem?"
"Well, you are going to die laughing, I just know it…but, I-- I made the biggest fool out of myself with Lucas, just now…I tried to thank him, you know in my own special way…and he like totally dissed me."
"That doesn't sound like the Lucas Scott I know, what did you do to thank him, did you give him like a card, balloons, or candy or something? He's not so much into the girly…"
"Umm well, that's the thing, I sort of went with naked Brooke?"
"What? What is naked Brooke? Well other than the obvious…"
"I'm not really one to deviate from the obvious, if you know what I mean…and I knew you would make fun of me!"
She said the last part while throwing a pencil at her, but by that point they were both laughing uncontrollably, so hard that the other students in the center were shushing them.
"You were laughing too, I couldn't help it...naked Brooke? What were you thinking?" Haley teased.
"I was thinking, as a matter of fact, that Lucas was a man, and men like naked female bodies, especially "naked Brooke", it's never failed me before, so I snuck into the guy's locker room, stole his towel to put on myself, and then I offered it back to him, with the added bonus of me being well, naked…"
"You've actually done this before? My god, I've gotta give you points for creativity, in fact I can almost guarantee he's never had a thank you like that before…but I'm going to go ahead and assume that this escapade did not end well?"
"He shut his eyes like I was an awful disgusting beast he couldn't bear to look at! Who does he think he is? How many men pass up a chance like that? Really…"
"Well, I don't have a clue about most guys, I think you, my friend, are more inclined in that department, but Lucas Scott… he's a self proclaimed gentleman; prose, manners, the whole nine yards. That's just how he is, annoying for the most part, in my opinion, but also endearing. He wasn't trying to offend you, he was respecting you…"
"So, what is he looking for?"
"Luke's old school, always has been…if you really want to thank him, do it from your heart, it doesn't have to be fancy…but please by all means, do it with your clothes on!"
…I've found your fingerprints on a glass of wine
Do you know you're leaving them all over this heart of mine too…
The two girls sat in silence for a minute, as Brooke took in Haley's advice. She had no idea how this "from the heart" business worked, but she was damned and determined to find out.
"Hey, I gotta run, I'm supposed to be meeting someone, can you let yourself out?" Haley asked.
"Oh yea, no problem, but don't think you are getting away so easy…who's the guy?"
"What guy? I said I was meeting someone, not a guy…see if I meant I was meeting a guy, I would have said some guy, but notice I said someone…so…"
"Woah, slow down there killa, you're definitely seeing a guy by the sounds of that defensive response…just tell me, is it Lucas? It's not Nathan is it?"
"Fine…I'm meeting Nathan, but…"
"I knew it, I knew it…there was a vibe, I knew it!"
Brooke was now twirling around the desk, pointing and singing, "I knew it."
"What do you mean a vibe, are you nuts? He's just using me to get to Lucas…I'm about ready to go give him a piece of my mind, actually." Haley interrupted.
"Okay, tutor girl…now listen to me, I may have struck out with Lucas, who is by the way, the most incorrigible SOB around, but I know a thing or two about "normal" guys, of whom Nathan is…and he likes you."
"And you are judging this by?"
"I don't have to judge anything, I know him like the back of my hand! Like I said before, he's an ass most of the time, a typical guy…and as a rule, Nathan Scott does not pursue anyone, he doesn't need to, girls flock to him…but you are different my dear, you are the exception. So I don't care if what he wrote to you was on a piece of toilet paper, with some shit still stuck on it, if he took the time to invite you, personally…he likes you!"
Haley just stood silently, starring back at Brooke. She didn't want to let on that she was pleased with this new information, but she had to admit, it sounded pretty wonderful to be considered an exception.
"So go on…go make his day, I sure as hell won't when he has to pick me up later!" Brooke reassured her.
"You are something else, you know that…not what I expected, but I'm glad I've gotten to know the real you…I like this Brooke Davis."
"Ha, yea…I'm just full of surprises!"
"And if you decide to keep your clothes on more often, you'll have even more!" Haley teased her, as she walked out the door, heading for the pier.
"Not fair!" Brooke called out to Haley, and then she was alone.
….
Haley had now made it within a hundred feet of the picnic table she was supposed to meet Nathan at. She was early as usual, so she took the extra time to clear her head. She remembered what Brooke had just revealed to her about Nathan, and she wanted to believe that Nathan was interested in her for the right reasons, but a little voice in the back of her mind was holding her back.
…But if I never take this leap of faith I'll never know
So I'm learning to fall with no safety net to cushion the blow…
There he was walking up to her. Haley glanced at her watch to see what time it was. She was ready for this, fully prepared. She wasn't going to take any of his crap. She wanted honesty, the real Nathan Scott.
"You're late." She informed him.
"Yea, sorry, I came straight from practice." He replied breathlessly, as if he had been running.
"Listen, before this goes any further, I want to make something perfectly clear, Nathan. I came here because I told you I wanted to get to you know, and I meant that…but if for even one second you try and pull that I'm Nathan Scott. Mr. Big Shot. Scoring my touchdowns…well you can work that on someone else because I don't care about that…"
"I don't even play football?"
"Whatever, that's not the point. It's just I'm already taking a huge chance on you because my instincts are screaming that you're full of shit, and if Lucas knew about this…just please don't waste my time, that's all I'm saying, okay?"
Nathan just nodded his head at Haley, resuming his poor attempt at opening up a Cracker Jack box that he had brought with him. When he had finally gotten the box open, he lifted it up in the air with his right hand victoriously. Haley just rolled her eyes.
"Dinner of champions!" He said jokingly, gesturing to the box.
"Riiiight…very nice."
He then stuck his hand inside the box, coming out with only a neon-beaded bracelet. He grabs Haley's left arm, and places it around her wrist, gingerly.
"Don't say I never gave you anything!" He said, smiling devilishly in her direction.
"Oh thank you, I will be forever, indebted to you." She said back to him, in her most sarcastic voice possible.
He is just so damn charming sometimes it makes me sick, she thought. Where does he come up with this stuff?
"So," she interrupted the silence, "how is basketball going? I hear the team, aka you, are being rather hard on Lucas!"
"Just stupid hazing stuff, you know bonding, making him feel more part of the team…we all went through it."
"Yea, somehow I highly doubt that the "hazing" you received was as malicious."
"Ugh, I don't really know what that means, but sure…"
"Why don't you try to go a little easier on him for a change, for me?"
"I'll see what I can do…"
It was now almost 6 o' clock. Haley remembered what Brooke had said earlier about Nathan having to pick her up.
"Don't you have to pick up Brooke or something?"
"Oh shit, yea I almost forgot…thanks. Well, are you gonna be alright to get home?"
"Yes, I do it all the time!" She reminded him coyly.
"Okay …I'll catch you later then?"
"Sure, see ya."
As Nathan left, Haley sat contemplating and analyzing their conversation.
He seemed interested, right? I'm not just making that up… and I put myself out there, for the most part, I mean I didn't try "naked Haley", but I think I was effective. I said what I needed to say…that's what's important. Oh, and I mustn't forget, he gave me this lovely bracelet, how kind…not!
She then looked up from playing with the bracelet, to find Lucas standing over her shoulder.
"Here," he said tossing an empty can of spray paint at her, "you can give that back to your new friend, he left it at the river court."
Lucas started to walk away.
"Wait, Luke…I don't know what you're talking about?"
"Really? So we're into lying to each other now? I saw him here with you…"
"Yea I got that much…but what's with the can?"
"He didn't tell you that the team trashed the rivercourt? No, I guess it was just a message to me…along with the one that says I'm stealing your best friend right under your nose…nice touch, I've gotta hand it to him, but I never thought that you, of all people, would actually let that happen!"
"It's not like that, you've gotta trust me. I was only trying to help, I figured if I just talked to him, I could ask him to leave you alone…"
"Well, next time you ask him for any favors on my behalf, give him that can as a gift first. Tell him, either way he's gonna need it to paint over my scoring title in the gym, cause I'm taking his."
"Luke, don't be so dramatic. You sound just as bad as he does…do you think maybe- I mean, just maybe- he's had a change of heart?
"Hmm. Not exactly, that requires a heart."
Lucas walked off, leaving Haley once again alone at the pier.
Why does this all have to be so complicated, she thought, slumping into the bench, closing her eyes, and dreaming it all away.
…
By lunchtime on Wednesday, Brooke was near wits end, trying to find some way to make it up to Lucas. If Brooke Davis knew how to do one thing better than anyone else, it was getting a man's attention. That wasn't the case with her Broody and it drove her nuts! She'd tried her usual tricks, all of them, and nothing had worked! She even pulled out "naked Brooke", her trademark. Broody, he really messed with her head, and she didn't understand, why.
Am I invisible to him? I know I don't stink so what the fuck? She thought.
"Why is he not on his hands and knees begging me to sleep with him?"
That last part sorta slipped out, and immediately Nathan turned in her direction.
"Oops," She shrieked slightly embarrassed.
"Brooke, who could you possibly be after that doesn't want to get you in bed, Principal Turner?" he asked, chuckling to himself.
"Actually, your dad! He's a DILF ya know, dad I'd like to…" she shouted only to be cut off mid sentence.
"Disgusting Brooke, really, fucking sick, my dad, really…only you, B, only you," he retorted, shaking his head and laughing in disbelief.
Slapping his ass she replied, "I'm kidding hot shot, you're the only Scott I've got eyes for."
Amused with herself and the irony of her last statement she walked off, stopping only a few feet later to look back and flash her famous B. Davis dimpled smile, reminding everyone in the cafeteria just who owned that school. Nathan just rolled his eyes. He knew exactly what she was doing.
As Brooke made it out of the cafeteria, something occurred to her. She needed something that was special, and unique to her, but not, well skanky, was the adjective Haley had used to describe her last attempt. She had already consulted with almost any able bodied male she could get her hands on, but for some reason she felt, none of those guys held the key to Lucas. But, she did know someone who might…an unlikely source of advice, Peyton.
Brooke ditched her last period class and headed towards the park bench, where she often sat to talk to Peyton. Even though she was dead, and obviously did not speak literally to her, Brooke always felt like she gained something from Peyton when she sat in that spot.
So, Brooke sat peacefully, waiting for the spark of genius to hit her. And then it came to her. She remembered the music that was playing in Lucas's car the night he took her home.
A mix tape? She thought. Maybe? I'd have to borrow some music from Peyton's laptop, she always listened to that emo crap, I mean he wouldn't be impressed with my Britney Spears mix…Ooo…this could be it, thanks P. Sawyer!
Brooke darted back to campus. She didn't want to be late to her session with Haley.
….
Back in the tutor center Haley was busy sulking to herself. She didn't even notice when Brooke walked up to her.
"What's wrong?" Brooke asked, taking her seat next to Haley.
"I had a huge fight with Lucas, he's avoiding me now."
"What was it about?"
"Nathan…"
"Oh, so you did go to meet him, then?"
"Yes, and it was a disaster, well not really the actual time with Nathan so much, more the aftermath when I got scolded like a school girl by my best friend for hanging out with his arch enemy…"
"Um yea, that sounds horrible, I'm sorry…I thought those two were over their petty differences?"
"Well, think again…apparently the team, led by Nathan, vandalized the rivercourt."
"The rivercourt? What's that?"
"It's this court in our neighborhood that Lucas and all the guys back there have been playing on for years…it's like Lucas's second home. I feel awful, I really thought Nathan was done playing these games!"
"I haven't heard anything about this, it sounds terrible…poor Lucas. Poor Nathan, after I get through with him, he's really gonna wish he didn't have a part in this!
"That's another thing, Nathan was with me when it all happened, but Lucas is right, it's his team, they would only do it if Nathan told them to…so he used me as an alibi, against my best friend! I couldn't even tell Lucas how long he was there because I was so ashamed, I'm the worst friend ever…"
"Well here's the thing, I've made a whole lot of mistakes in my time, for which I am not very proud of…but because of it I've had plenty of practice making things right. So I have an idea that I think might help solve both of our issues…so why don't you meet me out by Karen's Café in say an hour? I'm assuming we're canceling this session too, by the way…there are more important matters at hand…"
"Okay…I'm going with you on this one, don't let me down!"
"Never…"
Brooke walked out of the center and headed straight for the gym. She was going to rip Nathan a new asshole for this one! If he thought she was pissed about the video, well he had a whole new form of punishment coming his way. When she got to the gym, there was no pause; she just burst right into their practice.
"Nathan Royal Scott!" She shouted, as the team erupted in wails of laughter.
"Nate, your old lady seems pissed as a motha!" Joked Tim.
Nathan went over to speak with Brooke in private, he had a feeling this chat was not going to be a pleasant one.
"What's goin on? Why you so riled up?"
"Don't you play with me," she said shoving the can of spray paint in his chest. "Was this your idea?"
"It got out of hand, B…all they were supposed to do was write some cuss words on a few things."
"Well, a few cuss words turned into a fuckload of vandalism, and guess what, you are looking like the prime suspect!"
"I can't be held accountable for what the team does when I'm not around," He said to her innocently.
"Oh yes you can, that's exactly what your role is, this is your team, you are the captain…now, you fix it!"
"And how do you suppose I manage doing that, while I'm stuck in practice?"
"For starters, give me your keys…and secondly, give me the card, this one is on your ass Scott!" She instructed him.
Nathan shot into the locker room, and returned with the items she requested.
"What are you gonna do Brooke?"
"You'll see…your job is to get Lucas to the rivercourt after practice…and stall him if at all possible, we'll need all the time we can get."
Brooke walked out of the gym, and Nathan sighed to himself. He would definitely have his work cut out for him trying to gain Lucas's trust.
…
By the time both of the girls had met back up by the Café, it was just after 4 o clock. Brooke pulled up to where Haley was standing, picked her up, asked for directions to the rivercourt, and sped off. Brooke had already called up some construction guys, that she had charmed back when her parents were adding on an extra balcony to their massive master suite, on the way over. She figured, there was no other way to get it all done in time. Luckily, the men agreed to help with the restoration for only a small cost, which Brooke was happy to oblige, compliments of Nate.
Haley was nervous as they drove; having no clue what Brooke had planned. So, she just continued to pick away at her nails. She finally caved in, and asked.
"So what's the plan? Lucas said it's really bad, I doubt we can be much help."
"Well, it's your lucky day, sweetheart, because I've already called some big burly men to help us…we'll have this place back up and running in no time…well hopefully at least by six. That's when I told Nathan to bring Lucas by."
"This should be interesting…"
"Yea, I figure we can scram before that happens, you know let those two bigheads work it out…by the way, I talked to Nate, I guess some of the guys took it too far, but he said he would handle it…I told him he better!"
The girls laughed as they walked up to the court. It was a disaster area, but Brooke's guys had beaten them there, and were already making improvements.
"So, what can we do to help?" Brooke asked.
"Ah Brooke Davis, nice to see you again, and your little friend too…what's her name?" The creepy, snake eyed one said back.
"Frank pipe down, these girls are not even legal, and still way out of your league! Sorry about that ladies, why don't you just stick to picking up the trash…there are plastic gloves and bags over there…and if you get done with that, then we'll have you try to wash some of the paint off, but I think we've got it covered for the most part," Said the older gentleman.
An hour and a half later, Haley had become increasingly optimistic. From the looks of the guys putting away their stuff, the job was just about done. Brooke thanked the men for their hard work as they left, and gave them the money she had promised. Haley was busy admiring their accomplishment.
"Brooke, this place looks fantastic…it might even look nicer than before the team trashed it!"
"Yea, it does look nice…and I can tell why they love this place, it's peaceful. But, we'd better get going before the boys get here!"
They high-fived each other and drove back to Karen's Café, where Haley had to work that night. After a short moment, Haley thanked Brooke one last time, gave her a hug, and waved goodbye as Brooke drove off.
…
Haley would have been lying if she said she wasn't anxious to hear from Lucas. She was, extremely. She had hoped that after tonight, everyone could put the past behind and move on. She knew it wasn't that simple, but a girl has gotta dream once in a while.
…Anyone who, can touch you, can hurt you, or heal you
Anyone who can reach you, can love you, or leave you…
Just as she was scrubbing the counters to close up, Lucas walked in.
"Hey, I was beginning to think I might never see you again. You were avoiding me, right?" Haley asked him, sadly.
"I guess, a little. I was just so pissed about the court, and then I saw you with Nathan…and it just seemed to me like I was losing you to him."
"Luke that would never happen, I was just trying to help. You just jumped down my throat, without any warning, and we've always been able to talk about stuff, you know. I just had this crazy idea that if... you could see things from Nathan's side...and he saw them from yours well, sometimes you're just a real pain in the butt…but I love ya!"
"Yeah. At least we can still be honest with each other."
"Yeah. I guess we've always got that…"
"So, if something, anything were going on with you... whatever it might be, important or weird, or confusing... I mean, you could still tell me about it, and be honest with me, right?
"Yeah, of course."
Lucas then pulled out the bracelet Nathan had given her, and placed it on the counter, sending a quick "I caught ya" smirk in her direction.
"I think you may have left this at the rivercourt? Nathan seemed to believe it belonged to you?"
"You set me up! So he gave me a silly bracelet from a Cracker Jack box, it's nothing…I didn't think I had to tell you that, or that it would even matter to you…"
"You don't, and it doesn't…but it's definitely not nothing, judging by your maniac response."
He smiled and laughed lightly, but Haley still threw the wet rag that she was using to clean the counter with at Lucas, igniting a playful war between the two.
"Don't you start with me, missy!" He warned, as he made his way over to her side and squeezed the water on to her head.
"Oh you are so gonna get it, Scott!"
"I'll take note of that…and by the way, how did you manage to get the court fixed up like that?"
"Well, I had a little help, actually a lot of help, from Brooke. It was all her idea, her manwork…I just supplied the knowledge."
"Really, that's interesting…I wouldn't have pegged her for the hammer and nails type of girl." He pondered the thought. "Kinda a nice surprise…"
"Well let's just say that was her PG version of a thank you, and yes I'll admit the girl is full of surprises…"
"You heard about that?" He asked, laughing.
"Oh yea…you are one of many fine young men who have been officially thanked by "naked Brooke," you're the only guy, though, I think, who's forced her into early retirement!"
"Ha…I think I like the sounds of that…and what would this retired "naked Brooke" be called?"
"I dunno, here's something I've been working on for a while now, what about just Brooke?"
"Very funny…you should try stand up some time."
He said dryly, walking out of the café, turning back only to say these last words…
"And Hales, just so you know, the golden boy and I made a truce tonight…so just incase that silly bracelet, which is really tacky and unromantic by the way, is something… you don't have to hide it anymore…"
….
By Saturday morning, Brooke had finally pieced together the mix tape she was going to give to Lucas. She had taken Peyton's top 15 songs off one of her "non-breakup" playlists, and created a kick ass mix. Brooke was pretty impressed with herself for making the mix, and even more with some of the songs she put on it.
All emo crap is not crap, she thought. Some of it is actually pretty good. But making these mix tape thingies is hard! I don't know how Peyton would do this all the time, day in and day out, without going nuts!
Brooke then turned her focus back to her delivery strategy. After seeing the rivercourt for the first time last Wednesday, she had fallen in love with the place. So she figured that it being Saturday and all, Lucas would more than likely be there with his boys playing hoops. Actually, Haley had accidentally slipped that little bit of information to her, without even knowing it, and Brooke was prepared to take full advantage.
…I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There's a mark you leave, like a love heart, carved on a tree…
Since their game today would have been all but impossible if Brooke hadn't stepped in to fix the court, and save the day, she felt as though she should at least be allowed to stop by unannounced. So she packed up her things, mix tape included, quickly handcrafting a note to go along with it, which simply read: Thanks, Brooke.
When she had reached the park, and saw Lucas out on the court, a part of Brooke became insanely nervous, actually all parts. Her whole body had begun shaking head to toe, like it never had before. She had never felt like this in response to a boy, it freaked her out. Brooke managed to gain control of her ever-building emotions, as she drove closer to the court. She decided, riding all the way up to them in her car would be the best tactic. It would give her a little extra, and much needed, security blanket, and it would also get their attention quite nicely.
…So be gentle…
Lucas and the guys noticed the familiar light blue Volkswagen bug, as it rolled up, but they continued to shoot around.
"Don't look at me dawg, I know she ain't here to see me," Said Skills, Lucas's wingman, on the court.
Lucas just smiled in Brooke's direction, mouthing "Thank You."
Brooke meanwhile had taken a seat next to another of Lucas's buddies, who was sitting on the sidelines.
"Hi, I'm Brooke…why aren't you out there with all them?" She asked, cheerily.
"Oh, Hey…the name's Mouth, and I don't play, I do the commentary, and you know announcer type stuff," He replied.
"Yea, that's where I know you from, you announce at the games, I've seen you a couple of times, you're good I hear."
"Thanks," He said with a shy smile.
"Hey so do you have a girlfriend? You're pretty cute, and I'm a fabulous match maker."
"Uh, me no."
"Okay, well…I've gotta run, but Mouth, will you do me a favor and make sure that Lucas gets this," She said, handing him the mix tape.
"Sure thing."
"Thanks!" She said, as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "It was nice meeting you; I'll be on the look out for a lady for ya!"
Brooke then slowly back-peddled to her car, waving goodbye to Lucas and the guys.
"See ya!"
…
"You see," Brooke explained… "Katherine Anne Porter once said; 'There seems to be a kind of order in the universe… But human life is almost pure chaos. Everyone takes his stance, asserts his own right and feelings, mistaking the motives of others, and his own.'
So my question is…when it's all said and done, how do we pick apart the chaos, and find truth and happiness in our lives, or the choices that we make?"
"Well," Haley continued… "It is in the crossroads…the very moments that define the rest of our days. However, when faced with the unknown, most of us prefer to turn around and go back. But, once in a while, we push onto something better; something found just beyond the pain of going at it alone…just beyond the bravery and courage it takes to let someone in, or give them a second chance. Sometimes you have to go beyond the quiet resilience of a dream, to truly discover who you are, or uncover who you can be. But, that person you want to be does exist; somewhere on the other side of hard work, faith and belief. And, it's there, beyond the heartache and fear of what lies ahead, that our greatest truth and happiness is found…"
****The lyrics I used for this chapter came from I Bruise Easily, by Natasha Bedingfield****