Hello everyone...
First of all: Thanks to all of you who posted reviews and contacted me! I'm glad you seem to like this fic as much as I like writing it :)
So here comes chapter 7! I will upload chapter 8 later, so there is a huge update coming your way :)
It's a huge update because I won't be able to post anything new for the next too weekes (going to Ireland - can't wait)
But I'll be back, for sure with some great new ideas!
- Elisa
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Luke spent a long moment in the driveway
Luke spent a long moment in the driveway. He looked in the direction where she had left a while ago. He was still praying for her to come back, to run back to him, to be here with him. But she wasn't and she wasn't going to. He closed his eyes, and ran his fingers trough his hair.
Then he made his way back to Nathan and Haley's house. He opened the door, and went back in. He hadn't noticed Haley, standing at the upper window from Jamie's bedroom, gazing out and looking worried.
"Hey, have you seen Brooke?" asked Peyton, as he stepped in the backyard. She was still sitting next to Skillz at the table, across Nathan, who was looking at him with raised eyebrows. Lucas hid his hands in his pockets.
"Yeah, she left."
"She left? She left with the car? Without saying anything?" Peyton looked worried.
Lucas just looked at her, unable to answer her question at this moment.
"I can give you a ride home if you want" offered Skillz, as he got up.
"Thanks, I'd like that." She accepted and got up as well. Skillz walked over to Nathan and said goodbye.
"Luke, are you coming too?"
"No, I think I'm gonna walk."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
"Okay then" Skillz turned and left. Peyton glanced one last time at Lucas she left as well. He didn't return her look, he kept looking in the other direction, and seemed miles away. He sighed.
"What happened?" Nathan asked him as soon as the others were gone.
Lucas simply shook his head. "I don't really know. I'm afraid I made things just worse." He took his jacket. "I'm gonna take off as well. Say goodnight to Haley for me, okay?"
Nathan nodded. "Sure." He watched his brother leave trough their backyard and then he was gone. Nathan shook his head, mumbling "what a night" to himself as he started to clean up the table.
In that moment Haley stepped outside, meeting her husband.
"Hey you…" Haley walked over to him, and Nathan put his arms around her.
"Is Jamie in bed?" He asked her.
"Yeah…" She answered. She returned his hug, leaning even closer against his chest.
"Is everything okay?" Nathan rubbed her back softly.
Haley just nodded, and remained silent.
While Haley and Nathan were sharing some time alone, Lucas was walking home through the streets of Tree Hill. He couldn't get the image of Brooke's reaction after their kiss out of his head. He remembered to have opened his eyes and noticed something in her eyes. There was this sparkle. And it was almost like she was about to smile. And for once she wasn't running, she wasn't hiding, she had let down her guards for the slightest moment. And in that moment he had seen the real Brooke for the very first time in a long time. Not the tough woman she had become in the last couple of years, but the pretty girl from his past. His pretty girl.
As soon as Peyton got home she called for Brooke. She ran upstairs and knocked on her door. "Brooke?" she called again, but didn't receive an answer. She tried to open the door, but found it locked. "Brooke, hey, it's me. Open up!" She knocked on the door again.
Finally she heard the door unlocking. She opened the door, stepped into her room, and just saw Brooke laying back down on her bed again. Her room was dark, only the light of the full moon was shining through her blinds.
"What happened? You could've said something before just leaving without me!" Peyton stood in the middle of Brooke's room, trying to find out what had happened.
"I'm sorry" Brooke finally said, her voice sounded weak and tired.
"Well what happened? Are you okay?" Peyton stepped closer to Brooke's bed.
"Yeah - I'm just... I'm just having this terrible migraine headache." Truth was, she wasn't even lying. She felt like her head was going to explode. There was so much going on in her head, she couldn't stop her thoughts from racing, she couldn't stop the images from rushing trough her mind.
"Oh, okay…" Peyton sat down on her bed. "Hey, you didn't happen to talk to Lucas, right? I mean you guys were all weird during diner, and then he disappeared just after you took off – I mean, did he maybe say anything about me?"
Brooke felt terrible to hear her asking her that, terrible for hearing the naïve and innocent tone in her voice. But most of all she felt terrible about not being able to be completely honest with her best friend. She turned her body towards the window, away from Peyton.
"No, he didn't. Sorry…" At least that wasn't a lie.
"Not one single word?" Peyton asked, obviously seeking for some more details.
Brooke shook her head. "Peyton, I'd really like to get some rest. Do you mind leaving me alone?"
"No, no of course not." She got up, and left Brooke's room again.
After Brooke heard the door closing, she tuned around and ran her fingers trough her hair.
She saw his face again. His eyes, how they were staring into hers. How his fingers were caressing softly her cheek. She closed her eyes and reliving that kiss again. How she returned his passionate kiss, and let herself drown in his sweet embrace. She felt tears forming in her eyes.
How on earth could this be happening again?
"It must be a curse."
Lucas turned around in surprise, and found Haley, standing behind him meeting his eyes. He had come early in the morning to the rivercourt, to play some basketball and do some thinking, and some healing.
"Excuse me?" he asked her.
"It must be a curse." She repeated. "I'm always the one who's catching you, kissing a girl who you shouldn't."
He frowned, not answering. She walked over to him.
"I saw you Luke. When I brought Jamie to bed yesterday, I saw the two of you in my driveway, arguing and kissing." She stopped as she stood in front of him.
"Listen Hales…" he tried to explain but was cut off by her. "What do you think you're doing, Luke?"
He looked at her, and suddenly forgot what he was about to say. Every explanation he had prepared somehow vanished.
"You can't keep doing this."
"Doing what?" he snapped at her.
"Going around and kissing girls without really thinking about the consequences. We're not kids anymore Luke. I mean, is this about Peyton? Or Lindsay?"
"This isn't about Lindsay or Peyton."
"You're sure about that? Or are you just hiding and scared to facing your true feelings?"
"No, that's not it. You still don't get it, do you?"
"Well then explain it to me!" She folded her arms while Lucas turned around and tried a shot. He missed it.
"Have you once thought about Brooke?" Haley asked him. His expression immediately got stern. "Because while you were all in love with Peyton towards the end of our senior year - I've been spending a lot of time with Brooke. I've been the one she's been talking to." She stopped, looked down and shook her head for a moment. He turned, and faced her again. She looked up to him.
"She was crushed Luke" her voice had softened. "So please, just try to use your head for once!"
With that said she turned and walked of the rivercourt. Lucas turned, and looked angry. He tried another shot, but missed again.
"Hello? Anybody home?" Haley got home shortly after she had left the rivercourt. Nathan came out of the kitchen. "Hey there." He placed a kiss on her lips. "You've been up early. Where have you been all morning?"
"At the rivercourt. Trying to talk some sense into Lucas" she answered, and let herself fall on the couch.
"Is he okay?" Nathan asked.
Haley shrugged. "I'm not sure." Nathan sat down next to her. Haley looked at him, and then she said: "You knew about it all along didn't you?"
"I just noticed that's all. And yes, I've talked with Lucas about it. But I already told you that in the club, remember?"
"Yeah, now that you're mentioning it, I do", Haley admitted. "Aw, this is all so screwed up. I was hoping that everything would go back to normal. That this drama would be over, and everybody could be friends with everybody and we could all hang out as a group – like we used to. But I'm afraid that things are going to get really ugly."
"Why would you think that?"
"I saw them yesterday. Kissing", Haley told her husband.
"What? Are you serious?" Nathan raised his eyebrows. Haley nodded.
"Well, maybe this isn't that bad. You need to stop worrying so much. And besides, what if they truly found each other for good this time?"
Haley didn't answer, just let this sink in.
It had been the third time. The third time Lucas had tried to call Brooke. But just like the other two times she didn't answer. He was sitting in his room, in front of his laptop, trying to do some writing but he couldn't type one single word. All he could think about was her. He looked at his cell, considering calling her a fourth time. He just needed to talk to her.
"Just stay away from me" - her words were resounded again in his mind. The way she had said it. Her voice was on the edge of cracking up and she was clearly fighting back her tears. He didn't want this. He just wanted to be honest with her. He couldn't pretend anymore.
He grabbed his phone and dialled her number again. He couldn't stay away. He simply couldn't.
"Hey Haley" Peyton greeted her friend who had knocked on the door of Brooke's house.
"Hi Peyton. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Do you want to come in?" Peyton stepped back and let Haley enter.
"What can I do for you?"
"Actually I'm here to see Brooke. Is she home?"
"Yeah she is, but I'm afraid she's not doing so well, I think she might be down with the flu."
"Oh. I didn't mean to disturb, but I'm going to check on her anyway, okay?"
"Yeah, sure go ahead. I was going to the record label anyways." She grabbed her jacket and the girls said goodbye. Haley made her way up to Brooke's room and knocked on her bedroom's door.
"Brooke? It's me, Haley."
"Come in" Brooke's voice resounded from inside the room. Haley opened the door and stepped in. Brooke was laying in her bed, under the covers. Her eyes looked puffy.
"Hi sweetie. Peyton told me you're not feeling good?" She walked over to her bed, sitting down next to her.
"No, not really. Probably the flu. I'm sure it will pass soon." Her voice sounded even more raspy than usual. Suddenly Brooke's phone rang. Brooke grabbed it and looked for a second on the display. Then she turned it off.
Haley watched her. "Flu called Lucas?" she said in a soft voice.
Brooke's expression froze. "What did he tell you?"
Haley grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "He didn't have to, I saw the two of you yesterday in the driveway."
Brooked nodded. Taking this in. "Peyton can't ever know Haley."
"You're worried about Peyton right now? Are you serious? The next thing you're telling me that the kiss didn't mean anything to you." Haley looked at her with raised eyebrows. Brooke smiled bitterly.
"I know what I saw Brooke, that was definitely something."
Brooke looked at her with big eyes, still not responding.
"I'm not here to judge Brooke. I'm just here to make sure that you're okay."
Brooke nodded, blinking her tears away. "You know what? Actually I'm not." She looked down, and tears were streaming down her cheek. "But we're not going to do this, okay? I won't even start with telling you how he has been in my head again. I won't tell you how confused I am right now, and how I can't get that kiss out of my head, how feeling his skin and warmth make me yearn for his presence…" Brooke's voice cracked up under her tears. Haley squeezed her hand even tighter. "We are not going to this okay?" Brooke repeated.
Haley was moved to tears as she saw her friend struggling like that. She leaned over and pulled her into a hug, offering her some comfort.
Peyton had spent the whole day in her office, working. As she was closing the door of her record label she spotted Skillz at the bar, having a drink. She walked over to him. "Hey there. Is this seat taken?"
Skillz shook his head. "Please, I'd be happy to have some company."
Peyton smiled, sat down and ordered a drink.
"So how was your day Sawyer?"
"Okay I guess. I might have found a really cool band."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, I really love their stuff. We'll see. What are you doing here anyway?"
"Enjoying a drink and the club. We used to hang here a lot, remember, in high school?"
Peyton nodded in silent.
"Those were the days, huh?" he added, taking a sip from his drink. "So how are you doing? Still struggling with the whole Lucas issue?"
He turned and faced her. The bar tender served Peyton her drink. She thanked him and then faced Skillz as well. "It will take a while, but it's getting better by the day." She took a sip from her drink. "My head already knows that it is over. It's just my heart that needs some time to heal." She paused and listened to the song that was playing in the background. "Besides it's not all bad, you know? I mean, I have this amazing opportunity here, I'm living my dream. Music has always been such a big part of my life. It was the one thing that I never lost over the years. And I feel very blessed to give something back, to the world, and to the music itself – so that this music could be heard, and that everyone could dream along with me. And I get to do this everyday. That's something nobody can take from me."
"I'll drink to that!" Skillz raised his glass to Peyton. She smiled and raised her glass as well. "Cheers!"
Lucas sat in his coaching office in high school. Practice was over, and he had been sitting over his notes for some time now, but he couldn't really focus on his players. He checked his phone again. No new message. No word from her. He buried his face behind his hands and sighed. Then he got up, took his jacket, turned off the light and went home.
Brooke was still in bed. She didn't get up all day, she didn't feel good enough to go to work and face everyone. She stayed in bed instead, under the cover, hiding from the real world and tried her best to sort out her feelings. She kept telling herself that she had to stop, stop thinking about him, stop letting him confuse her, stop kissing him. But every time she went back to last night, all her good intentions vanished – her head was completely blanked out, all she could feel was her heart racing. She could feel it race in that moment, as she was looking out of the window, watching the rain pour down, thinking about the last time she had listen to the rain like that. She turned her body to the side. And as she closed her eyes, still listening to the rain, he was right there, resting beside her.
"Knock knock!" Lucas looked up in surprise to find Haley standing in his bedroom door. He put down the book he was reading in his chair and faced her again. She had a remorseful expression on her face. She walked up to his bed, and sat down.
"I'm sorry I was so harsh to you this morning. You didn't need a lecture – you needed a friend. I'm sorry Luke."
"It's okay Hales" He got up and walked over to her.
"Sometimes I do need a lecture you know…" He grinned at her and sat down next to her. "You know, I get why you reacted this way. I can't really explain it either. None of it. I can't even start to try to put into words how I'm feeling right now. I can't tell you what has happened or why I'm feeling this way again about her. Have I just been lying myself about the way I'm feeling about her all those years? And why is this all coming back to me now? Why now, why not sooner? And is this yearning I have inside of me for real? Real enough risk hurting her again? Those are question I've asked myself a million times, Hales."
"Well have you tried talking to her about it?" she suggested, but already knew the answer to her question, as the image of Brooke from this afternoon came back into her mind.
"She won't pick up the phone. She doesn't want to see me."
"That is kind of understandable Luke. Imagine how confusing that must be for her…"
"I know, I know Hales. But you think I'm not confused?" He got up and walked over to the window. "I just wish she would talk to me."
There was a beat of silence.
"I'm sorry I have been so busy, and that I didn't notice what was going on with you" Haley said.
"Don't be. I know you had a lot going on these last weeks. Besides, you're here now. And it feels good to talk about it." He sat down again next to her and put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his chest.
"You asked me this morning if I ever think about her, about what I've put her through…"
Haley nodded.
"Truth is I think about her all the time Hales. All the time…" he admitted almost in a whisper.
She broke apart from his embrace, facing him again. "So then what it is between the two of you?"
Lucas looked straightly into her eyes, and Haley simply returned his look. Then he finally said:
"It might be everything."
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TBC
