~He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare.And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere~
"So how was school?" Richard questioned his daughter as they sat at dinner.
"It was alright," Brooke gave a slight nod as she placed her fork in her mouth.
"Make any friends dear?" Tori, her mother asked as she delicately brought her glass for a sip. Brooke swearing every move her mother made was one of poise and elegance. She was gorgeous, breath taking with long dark hair that looked as silk and flawless skin. Her eyes a dark brown, which always got comments on about being mysterious, unlike Brooke's that to her were just a boring hazel. Brooke swearing the only real similarity they shared were high cheek bones and some crater sized dimples that would appear with every move they made.
"I…I made a few," she commented not really sure what the people at school were considered. Lucas was nice to her, Quinn was nice to her, and even that Rachel girl at lunch was nice to her but she wasn't sure if they were friends. They had lunch together, that was just about it. "I have gym with Clay," she told them.
"That nice. I'm sure you will have fun," Richard gave a slight nod, his green eyes lifting up slightly on the corners before dropping. Her father was an attractive man, he was in his fifties and time in front of the computer and late nights up showed on his face. He held a few lines and wrinkles around his sea green eyes and two lines on his cheeks from years of laughing. He had a perfect smile. He wasn't as in shape as he was years ago but he was well fit for a man his age. He used to run every day and now he just did it on occasion to clear his head. He was a sweet man, worked many hours but he was gentle and loving and Brooke prayed a man would love her like he loved her mother.
They use to have a perfect relationship. Now it was slightly strained but they still shared so much love. One glance across the room at each other and everyone around could see it.
"I'll make sure to call Ann and invite them all over for dinner," Tori made a point to do that and with a nod from the table, the rest of the dinner was just filled with the occasional throat clearing of her father and the light scratching of forks and knives on the expensive china.
"Mom!" Lucas walked into his house, shutting the front door. "I'm home," he dropped his bag by the front door and walked towards the kitchen. "And something smells awesome," he dropped down on the stool.
"Chocolate cake," her eyes lit up as she wiped the icing along the dark surface. "How was dinner with Quinn's family?"
"Awesome as always. Lydia said you should have come," he dipped his finger in the bowl mix and took a lick. "She made enough for us all."
"I know, I will call her tomorrow. I'm hoping all this overtime at work will pay off and get the promotion," she smiled really thinking it was going to happen.
"I bet it will work out. You've been working so hard lately Jones would be stupid not to take notice," he commented knowing his mother had been working so hard lately. She was trying to get the big promotion before he went off to college because they really needed it. They weren't struggling, they lived in a comfortable way of life. However after his brother went to college last year things got a little tougher, money got tighter yet things were still alright.
"Well let's hope so," Karen slid the cake in front of him and grabbed some plates. "How was school?"
"It was school," he shrugged, climbing from his stool to grab some ice cream from the freezer. "Coach has some scouts coming out never game," he told her, scooping two big scoops of ice cream on the hot cake watching it start to melt.
"Honey that's awesome," she beamed knowing he was nervous but excited. "They would be stupid not to take you."
"Next time I talk to them I'll make sure I tell them my mommy said that," he teased and she swatted her spoon at him. "But I'm excited. I could get a great scholarship from some schools. I mean Nate's scholarship paid for a lot."
"It did," she nodded taking a small bite. "But I want you to still keep your grades up. Your brother didn't do that and look how it hurt him," she pointed out and he nodded.
"I know mom. I'm not going to start slacking off."
"You better not," she teased a little and he laughed. "Now eat up," she pushed his plate closer to him. "You have some chores to do before bed," she winked and he groaned leaning back in his chair.
"I hate chores," he grumbled and she laughed.
"Then don't leave you stuff all over my house and make it a mess," she shook her head, taking a final bite of her cake and dropping it in the sink. "Don't forget your gym clothes by the back door!" she called from the stairs and he groaned.
"I hate laundry," he mumbled finishing up his food.
Brooke was feeling better about today. It was the start of a new week and she felt it was going to be…alright. Her weekend went by fast but it was alright with her. Being at home always felt so suffocating. Like everyone was walking around on eggshells and the mood was constantly tense and everyone was forced for conversation. A conversation that after a while Brooke stopped trying to make.
She heard her mother crying this morning from her bathroom that joined to the room beside her but she just ignored it. She wasn't sure what to say to her anymore and soon found her mother really didn't want her saying anything. She preferred they all just ignore it, pretend nothing had change, nothing bad had happened and everyone was…happy.
"Brooke," a body appeared beside her and she jumped slightly.
"You have to stop doing that Clay," she placed her hand to her chest. "You sneak up on me too much. Makes me nervous."
"I'm sorry," he apologized not wanting to upset her. "How was your weekend?" he leaned against the lockers beside her and she shrugged.
"It was alright," she opened her locker and looked for her books inside.
"Your locker is a little bare," he commented glancing inside. "Most girls I know have those things loaded with pictures and mirrors. Some even have white boards to leave themselves little notes," he shrugged and she looked at the empty door.
"I don't…I don't have any pictures. I mean…nothing really," she mumbled knowing most of her pictures were put away in boxes from the move.
"Well that is why I got you this," he pulled out a photo from his back pocket. "I found it the other day in my mom's room. It's from that vacation we took last summer," he held it out for her and a small smile played on her face looking at it.
Her sitting on the back of Clay as Alex was on Greg's with a smile plastered on everyone's face. A perfect tan kissing each of their skins and they looked happy, at the time everyone was happy.
"That was a fun time," she slowly took it from him and looked down at it. "I can have this?" she looked up at him and he nodded. "Ok," she smiled grabbing some tape from her little pouch that was sitting in the locker and putting it up. "There," she smiled at the new decoration. "Now I have something that isn't so bare."
"Good," he pulled the locker open a bit to look at it. "Now, you ready for class or you have things to do?"
"I'm ready but aren't you free this period? I thought you didn't have a first?"
"I don't," he shrugged. "But I wanted to work out this morning so came early."
"Clay," she frowned looking down. "I'm fine. I don't need you babysitting me."
"I'm not babysitting you, Brooke. I really needed to work out so I came in early. You just happened to be here when I walked by," he shrugged like it was no big deal.
"If you say so," she rolled her eyes shutting her locker not at all believing it. Everyone felt they had to look after her, like she was going to lose it or break and she wasn't. She was fine; she really wished people would believe it.
"So are you liking the new school?"
"Yeah, it's bigger than my last but I like it," she admitted. "There is this one girl though who always glares at me. I don't know what I did to her but I don't think she likes me."
"Who?" his brow scrunched thinking someone not liking Brooke had to be just completely wrong. Brooke was seriously nice to everyone. She didn't talk about people behind their backs, never even glared at a person because she was so timid. He doesn't think anyone has ever not liked Brooke; it was hard not to like her.
"Well…" Brooke walked into first, Clay right behind her as she found her seat from the week before. "Her name is Abby," she whispered through the empty room. "She sits over there and I think I took her seat. But if I did I will give it back."
"No," Clay shook his head. "Abby is a bitch trust me. You could tell her she looked nice and she would find a way to turn what you said into an insult. That girl hates anyone not in her circle," he explained, not even sure how Quinn was friends with her. The two were such opposites that it had to be impossible. He honestly wasn't sure how Tony was related to the girl and he thought the guy was a jackass. Least you saw the guy smile and he was nice to most people, Abby seriously just hated everyone.
"I just feel bad," she glanced down running her finger over her notebook. "I mean I was going to sit somewhere else but Lucas told me to sit here."
"Lucas?" fire blazed through his dark eyes looking at her. "Lucas is talking to you?"
"Yeah," she smiled a little, brushing her hair back. "He is really nice. I couldn't find you at lunch yesterday so he let me sit with him and this girl named Rachel. She is really nice, a little…honest but nice," she said knowing the girl stated things to people Brooke knew she would never have the guts too.
"Brooke…" Clay breathed in deep to calm himself. "Don't talk to Lucas," he said and she looked at him confused. "He isn't a good guy."
"But he's…he was nice to me."
"I'm sure he was," he let out a dry laugh standing up. "But he isn't a nice guy. He is the furthest from a nice guy. So don't be around him alright?"
"Oh…umm…ok," she chewed on her lower lip.
"Good, but I need to head out. You text me if you need me alright?" he said and she just slowly nodded. "Later," he gave a wave, spinning on his feet and out of the room.
"Oh bye," she barely got out before he disappeared from the room. Looking over to see a couple girls sitting close to her, must have come in while she was talking to Clay.
"Hey," one of the girl's with red hair smiled, leaning on her hand.
"Oh…hello," she gave an awkward wave not ever good at meeting new people.
"I'm Stevie," she explained and Brooke nodded, not wanting to tell her that name was weird. She never met a Stevie before. "And this is Cassandra but we all call her Cassie," she pointed to the blonde beside her and again Brooke nodded.
"I'm Brooke," she pointed at herself and the nodded as if they already knew that.
"So…" Cassie leaned on her desk and popped her gum. "You know Clay Davis?" she all but squealed mentioning him.
"Yes, Clay is my cousin," she explained.
"That is so awesome!" Stevie jumped up a little. "He is so hot."
"Oh yes…" Brooke looked down hating someone was just talking to her because of her family. It was like that at her old school. People talked to her because she was Greg Davis's cousin, or she was Alexandra Davis's sister, no one talked to her because she was Brooke Davis. "He is attractive."
"Honey attractive doesn't begin to describe it," Cassie flipped her hand at her. "You are so lucky to know him. And I saw Lucas talking to you last week! You know both of the most popular guys in school. Everyone is talking about it."
"Everyone is talking about me?" she squeaked not liking that.
"Uh duh," Stevie flipped her red hair back. "You are Clay's cousin and Lucas Scott is showing interest in you. Those two are like sworn enemies and you have them both."
"I don't…I mean I don't have anyone. I just…" she stuttered, suddenly becoming very anxious and wanting to get out of there. She didn't want people talking about her, she just wanted to get by with the year and be done. She wanted to be left alone. "Look I don't know what people are saying-" she went to defend herself but the blasting of the bell and people filling in cut her off, the two girls quickly ignoring her making her frown.
"Brooke…" Lucas gave a bright smile as he dropped down in his chair behind her. "How was your weekend?"
"Fine," Brooke cut it short, spinning in her chair to face the front. Wanting to understand why Clay told her to ignore Lucas but she really didn't want people see them talking anymore.
"What you do?" he leaned in his chair, the scent of vanilla and strawberries engulfing his senses.
"Nothing," she mumbled, cutting her eyes over at the two girls giggling and whispering as they looked at her.
"You alright?" he questioned, her being a little more quiet than normal.
"I'm fine…" she chewed her lip. "I'm just trying to pay attention," she whispered nodding to the front of the room.
"Oh…" he looked up at Mrs. Days starting to write something on the whiteboard. "I'm sorry," he apologized, slumping back in his chair. Trying to figure out why Brooke ignores him the rest of class.
"Quinn…" Clay moved into the office to find the girl sitting on the counter waiting for fourth to be over.
"Hey," she lit up turning to face him. "What are you doing here?" she tossed a nervous glance around making sure no one saw them. Thanking people were in class and not around to be nosy.
"What is Lucas doing?" he growled and her brows creased confused.
"I…I don't know what you are talking about Clay. What did he do?" she asked confused, racking her brain of a time when he had done something that would annoy Clay.
"He needs to leave Brooke alone," he ordered and the fire blazing in him scared her a bit. He never scared her before but he was scaring her now.
"Ok, ok," she slid of the counter looking around. "Come on. Let's go outside and talk," she tugged his hand towards the entrance of the building and walked out. Rounding the brick wall to a little secluded area. "What did he do to Brooke?"
"There should be no reason for him to be talking to her unless he is trying to screw with me. She isn't the girl he would go after so he needs to back off."
"Clay I don't…I don't think Lucas is really bothering Brooke. I mean…yeah ok they talked a little yesterday but it was because I was talking to her and he was looking for me."
"He sits by her in class and asked her to sit with him Quinn. Why the hell would he do that?"
"I don't know Clay. I mentioned her sitting with me at lunch and maybe…maybe he thought she and I were friends and he was just helping her because she was new."
"Why do you always defend him?!" Clay snapped throwing his hands up. "He went nuts when he found out I was seeing you again. He is the reason we broke up and he is the one who made you feel like you were two feet tall and you still defend him! You don't think he would be doing something to get to me? He hates me Quinn!"
"I know…I know he does," she shook her head not wanting to fight with him. She knew they didn't get along, she knew all the things Lucas said to her when he found out the first time she was seeing Clay. She knew all of that but she really didn't think he was some heartless person Clay swore he was.
"You know what she has been through Quinn," he pointed at her and she glanced down shaking her head.
"Clay…"
"And if he is screwing with her I swear to god I will kill him," he threatened and her head snapped up. "She has nothing to do with any of this."
"I know Clay," she took his hands trying to calm him. "Let me talk to him. Let me…let me see what he says because maybe he is talking to her because I was talking to her. You asked me to talk to her Clay! I am doing what you asked me to do!"
"I know I asked you, but I didn't ask him."
"What do you want me to do Clay?" she tossed her hands up upset. "I am doing what you wanted but it still doesn't make you happy. He is my friend and she is my friend, or starting to be and they will see each other if I'm around him."
"Then leave him," he shrugged thinking it was that easy. "Solves every problem we have here if you just leave him."
"He is my best friend," she repeated for about the millionth time. "I have known him since I was born. Our families are best friends. Why don't my feelings matter?"
"They do matter," he dropped his hand and sliding his hands to her waist.
"It feels like they don't," she let out a dry laugh. "I feel like I'm in this huge tug-a-war where you pull me this way and he pulls me that. You talk about him to me, he talks about you to me and all I ever hear is that the two people I love most hate each other! Then I get blamed for him talking to someone? You get mad at me that I don't know what the hell he is doing? What do you want me to do?!"
"Quinn…"
"Why can't you just trust that maybe, just maybe I am right? Maybe this isn't some conspiracy theory against you and he was just talking to someone?"
"Because I don't trust him."
"Then trust me," she begged. "Trust I wouldn't let him hurt her and I will watch her. That I promise to take care of her and if, if I hear something is going on with him and her I will tell you. I promise I will tell you."
"Ok," he caved, deflating his anger. "I…I trust you. I just…if he has a problem with me, which we all know he does, I want him dealing it with me. I want Brooke to be left alone."
"Ok," she nodded. "I will figure out what is going on. But I will watch her ok? I swear she won't move around Lucas without me there," she promised but truly wanting to believe her friend wouldn't do that. That he wouldn't drag some sweet, innocent girl into some big war zone that the guys were in. "I promise," she slipped her arms around him, kissing the side of his neck as she hugged him tight. "I wouldn't let something happen that would hurt you. I promise."
"I know," Clay shook his head holding her tight. "You matter Quinn. Your feelings matter and I hate you are hurting," he frowned, squeezing her tight. "I hate the position you are in and that I put you here but damn it, I don't want to let you go," he told her truly hating the place she was put in.
"I don't want you too," she pulled her head up to look at him. "Things are complicated Clay but I don't…I don't want you leaving me. When I left you…it was a mistake," she looked down frowning. "Such a huge mistake…"
"It's ok," he nodded leaning his head down to give her a sweet kiss. "I love you," he whispered and she let out a long sigh leaning up and adding more pressure to their kiss. So glad to hear him say that to her again.
"I love you too," she placed her hands on his cheeks pulling him to kiss her harder. "So much…" his hand ran up and knotted through her hair as they stumbled back and her back hit the wall behind her. "Clay…" she gasped yanking her mouth away for a breath as he started leading a trail down her neck. "Class is about to be out," she reminded him, rolling her head back when he stepped forward pushing his body against hers.
"I know," he nipped her neck making her groan.
"Stop that…" she shoved him back, trying to catch her breath. "I hate you can do that…" she grumbled smoothing out her shirt as he chuckled.
"You love I can do that," he smirked brushing her hair back from where he tangled it.
"No I don't," she pouted. "I hate you getting me all flustered. It's not nice."
"I'm always nice," he took a step forward and she shoved him back making him laugh.
"Don't touch me," she ordered and he bit his tongue to stop from smirking. "You stay away from me Clay Davis!" she dove around his grip and towards the front door.
"That will last long!" he yelled as she yanked open the front door.
"Yeah up until about seven tonight," she smirked leaning back to look at him.
"Seven?" he corked a brow and she nodded.
"Yeah, I'll make you dinner," she winked moving into the building before pausing. "Clay…"
"Hmm?" he lifted both brows showing her she had his attention.
"I love you," she leaned against the door looking at him. "And I'll see what's going on with Brooke," she promised and he nodded with a smile. "See you tonight," she gave a smile before ducking into the building.
"Tonight," he agreed breathing in deep and running his hand through his hair. Hating to admit he really didn't agree with her at all. He wanted to, he wanted to trust her but Lucas thought about himself always. He wasn't going to be nice to Brooke without a motive. A motive he had to figure out.
"Hey Brooke," Lucas dropped down beside the girl at lunch. "You doing alright today?"
"I'm fine," she looked down moving her food around on her tray.
"You seem quiet today…"
"I am quiet," she told him looking over at him. "Plus you've only known me three days. How would you know how I am?" her tone rose just a bit and his eyes widened a little taken back be he comment.
"I guess that's true," he shifted in his seat a bit, the Davis side of her popping up just a bit. "But from what I can tell you are normally pretty quiet. Today you were extra quiet and a little…upset maybe?" he thought and she shook her head quickly.
"I'm not upset. I just…It was a long weekend," she told him and he slowly nodded. "Plus…"
"Plus what?" he pushed to know but she just quickly shook her head. "No, it's ok, tell me. Plus what?"
"Plus I don't like talking to you," she told him and her eyes widened at how that sounded as soon as it came out. "I mean…wait that came out wrong."
"No it's cool," he let out a chuckle leaning back. "I understand. Sorry I bothered you," he pushed himself back and rose walking away from her and out of the lunchroom.
"No wait!" she jumped up from her seat hating she upset someone. Especially someone like Lucas, she feels you don't upset him, you don't piss him off because the school will find out and your life will be a living hell. "Lucas!" she pushed open the school doors leading into the court yard. "Wait a second," she reached up grabbing his arm and yanking him around. "I'm sorry I said that. It came out wrong…"
"It came out wrong?" he looked down at her, his arms crossing over his chest and the gaze he burned into her making her shiver.
"I…yes…it came out wrong," she repeated nervously. "I just moved here…" she told him like he wasn't aware. "And these girls in class were talking about me for talking to you."
"Was it Abby?" he questioned knowing Abby just hated everyone.
"No…no it wasn't. It was these other girls but I don't want people talking about me."
"How does me talking to you get people to talk about you?" he questioned, kinda enjoying how she fidget under his gaze. He took pride in knowing he made her nervous, made things easier for him.
"I don't know…People are just staring and talking about me because of you and I don't like it," she explained and he slowly nodded looking away and thinking.
"So…people talk about you," he stated and she slowly nodded. "So because people talk about you it's somehow my fault? I can't speak to you because other people that I don't even know talk about you?"
"I…well I just don't want to be talked about…" she fiddled with her fingers really just wanting to be left alone.
"It's high school Brooke. Everyone talks about everyone," he pointed out and she just let out a long sigh, dropping her shoulders. "Least if you are talking to me, people won't screw with you."
"What do you mean?" she looked up at him and she looked so innocent for a moment he felt a ping in his chest.
"Look Brooke people here look up to me," he told her honestly hating it. He loved being popular because it made things easy for him but at the same time he wished he was just a person in passing. It got annoying everyone watching you're every move, commenting on everything you did and somehow knowing everything in your life. He didn't sneeze without it being talked about. "So if you are hanging with me yes people take notice but at the same time if you are hanging with me people won't bother you."
"But they will talk about me…"
"But they won't bother you," he repeated and she looked down pushing her hair back. "I was just trying to be nice Brooke. I'm not going to force you to talk to me but I was just trying to make you feel welcome."
"I know," she nodded knowing he really had been nice to her. Even though Clay said he wasn't a good guy she found it hard to believe with how nice he had been to her.
"But I'm leaving here," he took a step back from her and her head snapped up. "I'm hungry and not going to eat this shit they call food," he joked a bit and she let out a small laugh. "So I'll see you later or something."
"O-ok," she nodded and he gave a tight lipped smile before spinning on his feet and walking away from her. "Lucas!" she called right before his feet hit the pavement on the parking lot.
"Yeah?" he turned a little to look at her.
"Do you…do you want some company?" she chewed her lip wondering if she shouldn't have asked that. She really didn't hang out with guys that often, they honestly made her nervous but for some reason she really didn't want to go back into the lunch room and she really wanted to make sure her and Lucas were ok. "I mean or not…I just…well I don't know…"
"Sure," he smiled a little at her stuttering, it being actually kinda cute. "You can come if you want," he waved his hand for her to follow and she kept her head on the ground as she walked over to him. "But…" he turned in front of her making her stop before she slammed into him. "You have to look up," he took his finger and lifted her chin up. "The scenery is way better out in front of you then the ground."
"Ok," she sucked her bottom lip in her mouth, glancing down before looking back up at him. His light smile really making her wonder what the heck Clay was talking about. Maybe they didn't get along but he was really sweet to her.
"Yeah," he watched her lip as she bit it, it so smooth and plump looking. "But umm…" he cleared his throat and looked away, ignoring that weird thought he had and nodding to his car. "Come on," he started heading towards the car.
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