I woke up with a splitting headache. I adjusted my eyes to the bright sunlight cascading in my bedroom. Damn! Was I hit by a truck or something? Oh, yah! I was hit by a truck; a truck named Jacob. I slammed my forehead with my palm as yesterday's events came flashing in my head- take note that was an unforced reaction. I shook my head in disbelief at what's happening to me right now. I pushed the thoughts out of my head. I'm not going to let this ruin my day. I'm not going to think of it as much as possible.

Uggghhh! That "Jacob" guy is so infuriating! Who does he think he is, anyway? Why was Brooke so excited to see him? Should I believe Victoria?

Wait a minute. I thought I am going to think about this as little as possible? With as much determination I can muster, I pulled myself out of the bed, nursing my terrible headache, and went to answer the door. I opened it and was greeted by the last person I want to see today. Great! So much for not thinking about it!

Closed off from love
I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you're frozen

"Hi, Lucas!" Brooke greeted oh- so cheerily, as she entered the house uninvited.

"Did I call you to come over here or something? And please do me a favor, speak softly." I said as I creased my forehead, trying to think if I asked Brooke to come over.

"Grouchy, much? Aren't you graced with my presence?"

"Not really." I muttered very softly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Brooke, I have a terrible headache and I'm suffering from the worst hangover. And you came here at a very bad timing. What exactly do you want?"

"Rough night, huh?" She peeked the bedroom and saw some beer cans lying around.

"Brooke, thank you for stating the obvious. But FYI, you're not helping. And you still haven't answered my question."

"Fine, Oscar the Grouch. I was just here to ask why you left so suddenly yesterday. You were looking very broody when you left, Broody."

"What are you talking about? I'm always broody." I said, acting innocent.

"Sure you were. But did I mention that you looked angry, too?"

"OK. This was a bad idea. What is this really about, Broke? If you wanna say something, say it. I'm not really in the mood for a mind game right now."

"OK. I'm gonna be real blunt about it, ok? Can you handle it?"

"It couldn't be worse than a hangover, right? Bring it on."

"Is this about Jacob?"

The mere mention of his name sent a lot of needles poking my head. Damn it! That guy really is trouble!

"Ouch, Brooke! My head hurts! When you told me you're going to be blunt, I was not expecting you to be this blunt. Couldn't you be more subtle for a man who is suffering from a hangover? Damn it! My head!"

"I'm sorry! That was the only way I could put it. So? Did Jacob's presence cause your sudden disappearance?"

"Can you explain how is he involved in this?"

"Number one, we were in really good terms that morning- well, that was until I saw Jacob. Number two, you are acting really grouchy today as I'm asking you."

"Well, that's because, in case you haven't noticed and I haven't told you yet, I have the worst hangover right now."

"And for reason number one?"

"Is it such a crime that I left so suddenly?"

"Fine. If you don't want to answer my questions, I'll answer my questions myself. You can't seem to wrap your hung-over head around the fact that you may be threatened by Jacob's presence. Maybe that's why you left immediately, while looking so broody and angry."

"ME?! Intimidated by him?! Now where did come from?!" I said defensively.

"Since you're acting so defensive while I'm talking to you right now; plus the fact that you don't want to answer any questions about him."

"OK. Let's put it this way. I'm going to bring the ball back to your court. Why would I be intimidated of him? Who is he to you?" I said, challenging her. Let's see how she's going to get out of this one.

"Well, Jacob is my…he's my…well, technically, he's my…" she said, feeling quite uneasy.

"Well? Jacob is your what?" I bit my tongue on the inside as I waited for her answer.

"Jacob is my…f-f-friend." I breathed out a sigh of relief. But could she really be saying the truth?

Closed off from love
I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you're frozen

"Thank God." I said out loud.

"For what?"

"Oh…ummm…well…you see, ummm…my headache's gone! Amazing, right? The wonders that your voice could do to my headache!" I said, relieved that she bought it.

"Uh- huh. Whatever. I'm really sorry if I kinda left you in the middle yesterday. It's just that, I was really glad to see him, and I missed him so much. You do understand that, right?"

"Me? Oh. Of course. Of course. Why wouldn't I? After all, he's a friend, right?"

"Right." She said uneasily. Suddenly her phone went ringing. She put it on a loud speaker.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Davis?"

"Yes? What's wrong this time, Jess?"

"Nothing, actually. There's a Jacob here that wants to talk to you."

"Put him in."

"HI, Brooke."

"Hi, Jacob."

"I was wondering what time you'd get in the office."

"I'm on my way. Why?"

"I was thinking of taking you out for lunch."

"Lunch?"

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

She looked at me, as if asking my approval. Does it matter that much?

"Go." I mouthed at her. Wait! No! NO! Don't say that! Take it back! Damn it, Luke! You just made your life living hell!

Before I can find myself taking the word back, she's already saying yes.

"Sure. Pick me up at around 1? Oh, wait. You're already there in the office, right?"

"I'll be back by 1. I have to run an errand, anyway. I'll come back."

"Ok. See you."

"Uh, Brooke, just a word of advice. You might want to get in here as soon as possible 'cause Victoria's already biting everyone's heads off looking for you. I might be next."

"Are you kidding? She loves you."

"Not anymore, I think."

"I'm on my way. I'll be there in a flash."

"See you."

She shut her phone off and smiled at me apologetically.

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

"I'm sorry you have to hear that."

"It's fine."

"And thanks for being cool about this whole 'Jacob thingy.' You're sure you're not awkward with it?"

"Me? Awkward with it? What are you talking about? It's fine." Liar!

"Ok, good. So to make up for what I did, how would you like to go to a bar with me tonight?"

"Our-first-date-go-to-the-bar-with-me kind?"

"Nope. It's more like let's-go-to-the-bar-as-friends type."

"Damn it! I liked the first one better!"

"You're kidding, right?"

"Just kidding, Cheery. So, just the two of us?"

"Positive."

"No intruders?"

"I'll try to do so."

"Then I'm in."

"Yah?"

"Yah. I'm free, anyways."

"So, meet me at One bar. 8-ish?"

"I'll be there."

"You better not run out on me again, Broody."

"Not dreaming of it, Cheery. You'll be stuck with me for a while."

"I'll hold your word that. I, on the other hand, will not be holding you for some more. I should probably go to the office now, before my employees are dead."

"Ok. See you later, Pretty Girl."

"See ya, Scott!"

Ok. So this morning was eventful. I had the worst headache in the whole history of my life. Then Brooke was in here. Then Jacob called and I heard his unconventional way of inviting Brooke to lunch. Then my ears flared because Brooke agreed, due to my stupid act. It gives me the creeps just by thinking about it! And no Brooke has left. Burt not before inviting me to the bad with her tonight! It's going to be just me and here. No intruders- meaning no Jacob. It made me smile just by thinking about it. Ok, fine. I'm not just happy. I'm beyond ecstatic right now! It's like our first date all over again! Well, minus the tattoo, pool, and making out in the back parts. We don't know about that yet, it might happen again. Woah, Scott! You're getting ahead of yourself! All I know is that this night will be fun. And the fact that she initiated it means she wants to hang out.

Trying hard not to hear
But they talk so loud
Their piercing sounds fill my ears
Try to fill me with doubt
Yet I know that the goal
Is to keep me from falling

I looked at my watch as I entered the bar. 8: 07 PM. Damn it! I'm late! I stopped by the bartender, and looked around the crowd. I was taken aback when I saw Brooke- her cheery, dimpled face coming out of the ladies' room. As always, my breath was taken away, and my heart is beating as if it's going to pop out. I would never ever get over that feeling, wouldn't I?

"Hey, Luke." She said as we hugged.

"I missed this. I missed you."

"You missed me? We just saw each other this morning."

"Well, you're not that hard to miss."

"Really, huh? Then I feel the same way. Believe it or not, I am looking forward to this ever since this morning. Good thing time flies fast."

"So what do you want to do?"

"I don't know. Dance, maybe."

"Then lead the way, Cheery."

We haven't even stepped an inch when someone came in front of us. It was Jacob. What the hell is he doing here?

But nothing's greater
Than the rush that comes with your embrace
And in this world of loneliness
I see your face
Yet everyone around me
Thinks that I'm going crazy, maybe, maybe

"Brooke?"

"Jacob? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same. Who is he?'

"Right. Jacob, meet Lucas. Lucas, this is Jacob."

"Hey, you're the guy with Brooke in the office yesterday, right?"

"Yes. That's me." I was starting to get annoyed. Did Brooke invite him here? I lowered my head to whisper to Brooke.

"I thought no intruders."

She looked nervously at me.

"Jacob, can I talk to you for a sec? Be right back, Lucas."

Then, off they went. I sighed and turned my head to the bartender.

"One scotch, on the rocks."

And it's draining all of me
Oh they find it hard to believe
I'll be wearing these scars
For everyone to see

This is gonna be a long night.

We rounded at a corner near the exit as I talked to Jacob.

"Jacob, what are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here? Especially with that schmuck?"

"Ok. Number one, I asked you first, so you answer first. Number two, that guy that I am with right now has a name. It's Lucas and he is not a schmuck. Wait a minute, are you drunk? You smell like gin."

"I drank a couple of shots. No big deal. The big deal right now is why you're out with him."

"Why are you mad? You're not usually like this."

"I can be mad whenever I want. Now answer my question."

"He's a friend, ok? He's an old friend- just like what we are. Don't go overprotective on me, Jacob. You're not my boyfriend."

"Brooke, I've been courting you for the past months. Can't you still yes?"

"Jacob, we'll talk about this some other time- when you're sober. And if you will excuse me, I have to get back to Lucas. Unlike some of us, we are here to have a good time." I said as I began to walk away. But Jacob's strong hands caught me and put me against the wall. His eyes were dark and aggressive, like it wasn't him at all.

I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

"It's either you say yes now, or I'll make matters worse."

"Jacob, let go of me."

"I need an answer, Brooke."

When I didn't say anything, Jacob grabbed my face and kissed my forcefully. I didn't respond and I pushed him away as hard as I could to let me go, but they were just too strong. Then my instinct to slap him entered my head- and it worked. He snapped out of his thoughts and touched the cheek I have just slapped. I pushed him away from me and brushed back the tears that have formed in my eyes.

"Don't you ever dare to touch me, or talk to me again!" I said angrily as I pointed a finger at him.

The first person that I thought of was Lucas. I looked around the crowd and noticed that he was gone. I pulled my phone out and called him. After a few rings, he answered.

"Lucas, where--"

"So much for being friends, huh?" He said, and then hung up.

Did he see the kiss? Worry washed over me, and realized that I am in deep trouble with Lucas.

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love

AN: Sorry for not updating sooner! Please, please forgive me! Anyways, please review this one!

Sophia-Chad- loving the drama, huh? LOL! Thanks for the review!

BRUCAS EQUALS LOVE- We aren't sure yet who is Jacob. But you will find out very soon! Thanks for the review!

IamCaroline- Shockers, shockers, shockers! LOL! That is what this fic is all about! LOL! Lucas is definitely sure of what he wants right now, but does Brooke know what she wants? We'll see. Thanks for the review!

hoeoverbros- Thanks for calling my story 'amazing!' Thanks! Thanks for putting me in your alerts!

bella- We're not sure who's telling the truth. Victoria or Brooke? But you'll know very soon. Does Lucas have some competition? Thanks for the review!

onetreefan- I love your ideas! Seriously! I might use some of them, credits will go to you, of course. Thanks for the wonderful ideas and review!

brookenlucas4eva03- I will definitely keep you posted as long as you keep on reviewing. Deal? LOL! Thanks for the review!

Song: Bleeding Love by Leone Lewis

--cheery