AUTHORS NOTE - PLEASE READ

Ok, so I'm gonna post chapter 10 right now. But, I just wanna give you a quick note before I do. In one scene there is a flashback within a flashback. If you get what I mean? lol. Ok, well the original flashback is in italics (as always) and the flashback within that flashback, I have just stated with the word flashback in italics...
Ok, so I've just read this back and its sounds really confusing but I'm sure you'll understand when reading the chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Sophia x

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CHAPTER TEN - When Darkness Takes You

Its hard to wake up knowing the darkness that awaits you. It sometimes makes it impossible to wake up at all. But, when you wake up to that tiny bit of light, that tiny bit of hope, expecting darkness. That's when you know things are getting that little bit better. That little bit easier.

I thought I'd got the worst day of my life out of the way. I was actually starting to see a slight window of opportunity to dig myself out of the hole I'd let myself fall into. But, when Andy called me up that morning and told me to meet him at a café on the river walk, I knew things were about to get a whole lot worse before they could possibly get any better. I walked down the decking towards the long row of café's and restaurants, the sea breeze swirling around me. The sea breeze giving me some clarity. I spotted Andy sitting at an outdoor table, I made my way towards him and seated myself opposite him.

Without saying a word, Andy handed me a brown envelope "Everything you need to know is in there…" he told me unwillingly "He's staying in some motel a few hundred miles away…" he informed me quietly "But, if you want to get to him before the police do…if you really have too-" he said the latter through gritted teeth "Then you'll have to be quick, the police are going down there later today"

I surveyed the envelope and looked back up towards Andy "Why are you doing this for me, Andy?" I asked, knowing that others had done everything they could to stop me from putting myself in any danger. Why was he any different?

"Because you need a chance to do the right thing…to do the right thing for yourself" he replied "And, I believe this is your chance"

I paused for a second, whilst I thought about his words "But, how are you so sure I'll do the right thing?" I questioned once more, not even sure if I was going to be strong enough to do the right thing myself

Andy finished up his coffee and grabbed his jacket before standing up "You'll do the right thing coz you've got Brooke watching over you. And, that's how I know your in safe hands…" he began to walk past me but stopped and rested his hand on my shoulder "Good luck, Lucas" he said, before walking away and back down the river walk I'd just appeared from. Was Andy right? Was this my chance to prove myself? Was this my chance to make Brooke proud? Or was it my chance to get revenge? Was it my chance to put things right?

We'd gotten our ten year Tree Hill High reunion invites through that morning. And, after a lot of un-enthusiasm, on my part, I'd actually agreed to go shopping with Brooke. She'd made a pretty convincing argument, telling me I needed to be there to tell her what looked 'cute'.

I glanced down at my watch to find that I'd been waiting for her to finish trying dresses on for the last half an hour. Though, it seemed a lot longer "What are you doing in there?" I moaned through the curtain that separated me and her

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she joked back mischievously, whilst I rolled my eyes and smiled "Hey, Luke?" she said, after a lot of rustling and groaning "Will you go ask the assistant if she has a thong to match this-" she stopped mid sentence as she squirmed around behind the curtain "To match this bra…" she handed me the bra she'd just taken off with a smile

"Your kidding right?" I replied with a frown, but knew that she wasn't by the un-phased expression on her face "Why cant you do it?" I argued

"Errm, in case you haven't noticed I'm braless…" she pulled the curtain around her tightly "And, unless you want me to walk through there with my boobs out-" she stopped talking on seeing my hopeful expression before nudging me in the stomach playfully and shoving the bra into my hands

"Have you at least decided on the dress yet?" I questioned, trying to change the subject from women's underwear

"Oh, yeah" she answered like it was obvious

"Well, do I get to see it?" I leant against the side of the changing room cubicle that she was in as I spoke

She sighed with exhaustion and snatched the bra back out of my hands "Hang on" she replied before closing the curtain

"I know I say this a lot, but remind me never to come shopping with-" I stopped mid-sentence as the curtain flew back open to reveal Brooke dressed in a long stunning emerald green dress. I couldn't stop my jaw from dropping to the floor. I couldn't take my eyes off of her "You look…" I searched for words as my eyes didn't leave her body "I mean, that dress…" I still stuttered "That body…" what I wanted to say just couldn't seem to leave my lips

"Well, I hope the end of these sentences are good?" she smiled before walking out of the changing room and facing the mirror "Will you do me up?" she asked, lifting her hair in the air to reveal a hidden zip. I moved in close to her. Her scent sending whirls of excitement through my body, before doing up the back of her dress and standing behind her as we both looked into the mirror. Her admiring the dress. Me admiring her "This is the one" she said, excitedly

"It sure is" I replied, my eyes still fixated on her. She was the one. The only one.

She then clapped her hands together, joyfully before hugging me "Thanks for coming with me, honey…and thanks for lending me the money to buy it, I promise ill pay you back when I get paid" she informed me

"Yeah, well, I haven't seen the price tag yet" I joked with a smile

"You don't wanna" she replied bluntly. She then turned and shot me a small, cute smile before kicking up her heel and closing the changing room curtain behind her.

I hadn't told anyone where I was going. Or that I was even going anywhere. I'd just got in my car and drove. With only one destination; Harry Grey's Motel. And only one goal; to find Dan.

My thoughts should have been on the road ahead. Literally. Figuratively. But, all I could seem to think about was what I was going to when I got to Dan. How I was going to react when coming face to face with him. I didn't know if I'd have the strength to walk away from him. Or even the strength to make him pay for his crime. But, one thing I did know was that I needed to know why. That, I would have the strength to find. It'd rained everyday since Brooke had died. It'd been the worst weather in years. And, today was no different. The huge rain drops thudded down onto the windsheild of the car. Not a ray of sunshine in sight. Not the colours of the rainbow appearing every time the rain would die down. Darkness once again surrounded me. In more ways than one. I turned on the radio to hear Breathe Me by Sia. I sighed to myself. Knowing what the song meant to me. The memories it held.

I smiled at her as she sat in the passengers seat. Her eyes shining in the sunlight as she looked down at the purchase she'd just made. Or rather, the purchase I'd just made. And, then there it was. Blazing out of the car stereo. Breathe Me by Sia. I glanced quickly towards her, wondering whether she remembered. And, as I saw her body flinch and her eyes wonder, I knew that she did. Knowing that she probably wouldn't want to be reminded of what memories the song held I went to turn it over but before I could she placed her hand over mine and shook her head in my direction
"Leave it" she whispered "It's about time we talked about this" she continued confidently but I could still sense the awkwardness "It has been ten years"

(flashback)

I watched as she sat alone on the beach. The midnight sky surrounding her. And, the subtle moonlight highlighting her soft skin. I'd been stupid. I'd been unbelievably stupid. Unforgivably stupid. I'd always been one to realise what I'd had only when it was gone. And, now was no different. I forgot about the rowdiness coming from my friends. And, the random people that congratulated me on graduating as I stood on the veranda of Dan's beach house. All I could focus on was her. And, her earlier confession that she was leaving for New York in a couple of days to pursue her fashion career. On hearing those words everything had changed. I'd broken up with Peyton a few days ago. Not because Brooke was leaving. But, because I wasn't in love with her. Not like I was with Brooke. I realised that now. Only when it was too late. Or was it?

"Hi…" I whispered, sitting down beside her

"Hey Luke" she tried to seem cheerful but I knew she'd been crying. I knew she was upset.

"Your freezing…" I looked worried as she shivered and I ran my hand over her skin to try and warm her up "Here.." I said, putting my jacket over her shoulders

"Thanks" she smiled, before looking back out into the ocean

For a long while there was silence. It wasn't awkward. Or unpleasant. It was just what it was. Nothing more. Nothing less "So, we haven't spoken much lately…" she said "What's new with you?"

Just as quick as she'd finished her sentence I had started mine "Me and Peyton broke up" I replied, and immediately saw the shock upon her face. And, just as I was about to declare my love for her. Again. Breathe Me by Sia came blasting from the beach house "Were done. And, for the first time in my life I'm seeing things clearly…" I turned my body to face her "Its always been you, Brooke" my eyes didn't leave hers. Not for a second. My words had never been more true. My love had never been so pure. I was confused before. But, not anymore. Brooke was the one for me. And, even if I couldn't have her. I still didn't want anyone else. And never would "I know you have no reason to believe me, and I know I'm asking for way too much…" I took her hand into mine "But, if you give me your heart one last time, if you give me all of you just once more…" I swallowed hard as fear took over me "I promise you'll get just as much, and more in return"

She shook her head slowly and took her hand from out of mine "What about Peyton?" she asked, with just as much confusion as she'd had the other two times I'd given this speech

"I thought that I could love her like I loved you, Brooke. I thought I could forget my feelings for you by being with her. I thought I could get over you, like you got over me…I thought wrong" my words became more and more passionate, as I sensed the fear, and shock oozing from her body

"I'm not over you, Lucas" she replied, given me some hope, some belief "I never was, and probably never will be" she looked down at the sand before looking back up into my eyes "I ended things between us coz I needed to find out if you and Peyton were meant to be, I needed to be sure once and for all" she informed, getting increasingly upset. And, just as I saw her lips near mine, just as I felt my dreams coming true, my love being returned, she backed away and stood up "God, I prayed every night for you to come back to me…" she ran her fingers through her long brunette hair "So many times I imagined you'd say these words to me" I stood up too so that we were once again face to face. I caught her glancing back towards the beach house, and turned to see what she was looking at. There was Peyton. Standing on the varanda. Too far away to hear mine and Brooke's words. But, near enough to know what was going on between the two of us "I imagined this moment so many times before…" she took a deep breath "But, not once…not once did I imagine" she stuttered as she choked out a few tears "Not once did I imagine it ending like this"

"Like what, Brooke?" I asked with a worried tone. I couldn't lose her. Not again.

"I cant do it again. I cant get sucked into a world where its either you or her, but not both" she seemed regretful as bit by bit she broke my heart "I want to be with you so much, Lucas Scott" she put her hands on my chest forcefully "But, I need to be with Peyton. I need her. She needs me. That's more important right now" she then kissed me on the cheek before turning her back to me and slowly walking out of my life

"I'll wait forever if I have too" I shouted after her, but all she could was send me a reassuring look like maybe one day we would be able to be together. Like maybe one day all our dreams would be realised.

(end flashback)

I looked over at her. Knowing that we hadn't spoke of that day, of that moment since it had happened, and thats what made it that little bit harder to speak of it now "Are you still willing to do that?" she asked, without any eye contact

"To do what?" I replied with some confusion

She exhaled loudly like whatever she was about to say scared her "To wait forever?" I felt her eyes scan my expression from the passengers seat. Did Brooke actually know that I'd loved her all this time? Was this her way of telling me she felt the same way?

My eyes narrowed as I thought hard about her words, and how much I was willing to give away "For you…yeah" I replied as my expression softened

"I think forever's lasted long enough…" she nodded cautiously like there was still some awkwardness in her words. Like it was still hard for her to say "So, whenever you decide to say those words you said to me back then on that beach…" she told me under her breath just loud enough for me to hear over the song that had brought back these memories "I promise you'll get the answer you want" her eyes connected with mine for a split second before we both turned back to the road. Me thinking of a more perfect time to declare my feelings to her. And, her wondering when that time would be.

I saw the bend in the wall in front of me. I processed the image in my head. I sent the warning to by body. But, still my foot didn't hit the break. Still my hands didn't turn the sterring wheel. And, before I knew it all I could see was black. All I could see was darkness.

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I hope you guys understood that lol. Its hard to know how complicated things are when you've actually written them yourself. lol. Thanks you guys for the last comments. And, please tell me what you think to this chapter.

Soph x