Love: The Hard Way

A Lucas and Brooke Fanfiction

AUTHORS NOTE:

To my reviewers so far, a heartfelt thank you for your amazing support. I am both surprised and extremely grateful for the praise that the story has received at such an early stage. Your reviews are what keep me motivated to continue writing and to push my boundaries as a writer so thank you once again to:

Brookebynature, pOoLbEeRtAtToOs, photobooth romance, catcat51092, Em, Brucas, photobooth romance, brucas fanatic, brucas-brathan3623, Brucas03, BrucasForeva, justlikebrooke, strawberrigashes

Now just too quickly address a few points raised. I mentioned I think in chapter two someone called "Eli", that was a mistake on my behalf, Eli is actually one of the main characters in the Once and Again Fan Fic that I have been writing for the past 3 years (Yes, it's incredibly long). So if I accidentally slip up it's just because his a character I'm extremely familiar with.

As for the length of the chapters. I do agree that my chapters are usually fairly short. On Average they are usually around 1200 words. It's something I'll definitely work on, however it's a length which allows me to update fairly often so it's up to you on whether you want longer chapters less frequently, or shorter chapters more frequently. Let me know )

"So what's going on between you and Brooke?" Nathan asked as he and Lucas watched yet another ball swish through the hoops of the Rivercourt.

"Man, why does everyone keep asking that" Lucas shot back as he intercepted the ball.

"I dunno, maybe because your suddenly one of the most talked about guys at Tree Hill High, apart from me of course" Nathan tried to keep a straight face but broke out into a laugh. "Chill Luke, people are just curious that's all. I mean its been like 2 weeks and rumors are going around like wild fire, yet no one really knows anything solid"

"Honestly" Luke shrugged passing the ball back to Nate, "We've hooked up a few times, but other than that she doesn't seem interested"

"Yeah well that's Brooke Davis for you" Nathan tossed the ball through the hoop again. "Look just be careful Luke. I've gotten caught up in Brooke's games myself and I know it isn't always a fun position to be in" Nathan was referring to the brief time that he and Brooke had fooled around for in the previous year. Nathan had been dating Peyton at the time, or at least he was until Peyton caught them having sex in Nathan's car.

To say things got messy after that was an understatement. Nathan came out of the situation with a reputation that was reasonably unscathed, blaming Brooke for everything and with her reputation; well people didn't find it hard to believe. Truth is they were both as bad as each other and has been sneaking around for about two months behind Peyton's back. At first Peyton wanted nothing to do with either of them, but despite barely talking to Nathan since it happened, with them her and Brooke became friends again, although Peyton had remained wary every since.

"Yeah well that was slightly different" Lucas remarked before launching into a perfect three point throw.

"How so?" Nathan shrugged, "Okay obviously you don't have a girlfriend but the girl is bad news Luke."

"Your right Nate, I don't have a girlfriend, and I'm not having sex with Brooke. Look," Lucas shrugged holding the ball for a moment, "I know you're just looking out for me, and I appreciate it, but things are fine seriously".

"Okay" Nate nodded which a defeated expression, "But as for the no sex thing, I give you a week"

Lucas jogged down the deserted hallway towards his Calculus class. He'd overslept for some reason that morning and the warning bell had rang just as he'd hit the front steps to the school. He mentally slapped himself for not setting his alarm, but then again he didn't usually need it.

This thing with Brooke, or whatever he could call he, he didn't really know how to define it and 'thing' seemed the most accurate, had keep him up most of the night. Nathan's words of warning played on his mind but he shrugged them off. He figured he deserved to have some fun for once in his life.

Things had changed so damn quickly once he became a Raven, all of a sudden everyone knew him, and everyone knew every little thing that was going on in his life. Not that he wasn't flattered, who wouldn't be? He was on the top of invites lists throughout the school, or better yet, no longer even required an invitation; it was just assumed he would be there. He was still getting great marks, despite having less time to focus on school, he knew his teachers were cutting him some slack and although he felt slightly guilty he figured he may as well take advantage of it for awhile until things settled down.

And then there was the girls, the constant stream of far from legal girls throwing themselves at him, and honestly just embarrassing both him and themselves. He knew he was probably crazy to not be interested but the only girl on his mind was Brooke Davis. There was just something in the way that she held herself. She probably had the worst reputation of any girl at the school, yet she held herself with a poise that was almost unheard of for a girl of 17. She was gorgeous, and dressed to show of her stunningly perfect looks, yet she wasn't a slut.

Lucas knew she only just barely got by at school, which confused him, because the Brooke Davis he'd gotten to know seemed highly intelligent, but then again, she just didn't seem interested in school.

Luke stopped suddenly as an arm reached out and grabbed a hold of him from a classroom that he was passing. Brooke Davis stood in front of him, a smile lighting up her face.

"Morning Brooke" Luke nodded towards her then made a move to leave, he really was late to his class.

"In a rush are we?" She pouted, her eyes flashing with disappointment.

"Yeah sorta, I'm late for Calc" Luke shook his head, "Sorry, I have to get going, I'll see you later okay"

Brooke shrugged, "I forgot you were a nerd. Do I at least get a kiss goodbye?" she teased taking a step closer to him.

Lucas sighed, leaning over and pecking her quickly on the lips. What he would have given to follow her into that classroom, but he couldn't and he wouldn't.

"I was thinking something a little more like this" Brooke whispered in his ear as she pulled away. Catching his lips with hers she kissed him deeply, waiting merely moments before urging his mouth open letting her tongue slide across his. Luke kissed her back with equal force for a few minutes before pulling away.

"Gotta go" Lucas offered with an apologetic smile, then headed off towards his calculus classroom not allowing himself a backwards glance.

"So he blew you off" Peyton, who was sitting across from Brooke struggled to keep herself from laughing.

"No, he's just like overly obsessive about school" Brooke rolled her eyes.

"No, he totally blew you off Brooke, admit it" Peyton couldn't hold in the laughter anymore. Brooke was sitting across from her looking so confused, and the cause, she'd been blown off by a guy for what must have been the first time in her life.

"Okay okay, I admit it" Brooke glared at her, "But I don't get why, I mean… He's never stopped me before"

"Yeah but that's been kinda different. After a basketball game, in the movies, all places where hooking up is typical, if not expected. Think about it, he was on his way to class, the last thing he would have expected was for you grab him and involve him in an impromptu make out session in the hallway, or some classroom… that's the kind of thing a couple would do"

Brookes glare turned into a death stare "We are not a couple" she snapped.

"No, you're not, but maybe it's about time you defined this thing or whatever you want to call it, set out some ground rules, might be easier that way, or at best, save someone from getting hurt".