SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS
Long Live BRUCAS: Yeah, I could really see it happening with her heart. Yep. Read on and see.
Dianehermans: Thank you.
DISCLAIMER
Oh…my…gosh! Sophia blew me away last Tuesday! Mark really utilized her talents this week. I also want to apologize for the long hiatus. I've been prepping for finals, and I'm not quite sure how to wrap this up, since I want to try to make this as long as the first fic. One Tree Hill belongs to Mark Schwahn and the CW. I only own the plot.
"I'm-I'm sorry. That was rude," Rachel apologized, sitting up so that she was more comfortable. Why are they here? I thought they hated me, she thought to herself.
"We heard about your accident. We wanted to make sure you were okay," Brooke answered.
"But I was so rotten to you guys. Why do you even care?" Rachel wondered.
"Well, I don't know. You're the new girl, you wanted to make friends, you went about it the wrong way…" Brooke answered, her voice trailing off. Mouth fidgeted, unsure of what to say.
"Okay, okay, okay. I get it," Rachel stated. I was an idiot. There's no need to rub it in, she thought.
"Sorry," Brooke apologized. That didn't come out right at all, she realized.
"No, I'm the one who needs to apologize. Especially to Lucas. I mean, you made it perfectly clear that you weren't interested in me, and like an idiot, I kept going after you," Rachel replied. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have done it, and I shouldn't have called you gay," she continued. Lucas smiled softly.
"Thank you," he said. Nice to know that she realizes what she said and did was wrong, he thought. Then, they fell into an uncomfortable silence.
"So, when do you think they'll release you?" Brooke asked finally. Rachel shrugged.
"I'm not sure," she answered. "But I can't wait. I hate hospitals," she continued.
"I don't blame you," Lucas said. Goodness knows I've had my fill of these places thanks to Jack, he thought to himself.
"Yeah, hospitals aren't exactly known for their ragers," Mouth quipped and the others laughed as Rachel smiled softly.
"Listen, do you think we could start over? Clean slate?" she asked. Mouth, Brooke and Lucas looked at each other and Rachel bit her bottom lip nervously. Had she totally blown things? Had she been too presumptuous? After all, they probably still hated her. Mouth cleared his throat, trying to think of something to say. Despite his earlier claim, he was still attracted to her. However, Lucas and Brooke were his friends, and they always came first. Brooke looked at Lucas, trying to discern any sign of discomfort from her boyfriend. However, he just looked thoughtful. Lucas fought internally. Could he start over with Rachel? Forgiving misconceptions and bad attitudes was one thing, but actually keeping someone like that in his life was another story. Then again, it wasn't like she had really hurt him. So she had accused him of liking guys. There had been worse things that he had been called.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Lucas finally said. Rachel let out a relieved laugh. She hadn't completely messed up. She still had a chance to make friends. Oh, thank goodness, she thought to herself. Just then, the nurse came in.
"Okay, everybody. Miss Gatina needs her rest," the woman announced. Rachel groaned. It was too soon.
"Hey, you rest up, and we'll visit you again later," Brooke promised.
"Really?" Rachel questioned, her face lighting up.
"Really," Lucas, Brooke, and Mouth promised.
"Thanks. I'd really like that," Rachel said. Then, they all said their goodbyes, and the three teens walked out.
"You're a good guy, Lucas," Mouth told him.
"It's no big deal," Lucas said.
"It's a very big deal, Boyfriend. We all know you have a hard time trusting," Brooke reminded, cupping a cheek with her hand. "You have such a good heart, but it's been hurt so you guard it very closely. It's good that you've started to open it." Lucas leaned into the touch. How had he gotten so lucky? I still can't believe that she sees me. How can she see me so well? Lucas wondered. They reached Lucas' car and they all got in. Lucas dropped Mouth at home first.
"Marvin McFadden, where have you been?" was the first thing Mouth heard when he walked through the door.
"Oh, shoot. I forgot to call you, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did." With a sheepish expression, the boy explained what he, Lucas, and Brooke had done.
"Well, I suppose we can let you off. After all, it's not often that you're remiss." Lucas continued on his way.
"Is your dad expecting you?"
"Sadly, because I would love to hang out with you more, yes. However, it is Lasagna Night, so it's not a total loss." Lucas laughed. He knew how much Brooke loved her dad's lasagna.
"All right. I'll drop you off." With that, Lucas headed towards Brooke's house. Brooke leaned back as the two sat in comfortable silence. Brooke's mind wandered to the changes in her boyfriend that had occurred this past year. After the trial, he had started calling the Scotts "Mom" and "Dad", he was coming out of his shell, and most importantly, he was speaking up when he didn't want to do something. Sure it had caused the occasional fight with his parents, but for the most part, they were just grateful that he was becoming comfortable enough with them to say something. But he still feels things so deeply. It takes a lot for him to trust. I'm glad he decided he could trust Rachel. And I'm really glad she apologized. I know he was hurt by her comment, she thought. Lucas looked at her.
"What's going on in that head of yours, Pretty Girl?" he wondered.
"Just thinking," she answered. "You know, I'm really proud of you. I know it hasn't been easy stating your opinion," she continued.
"Well, being allowed to is still taking some getting used to. I mean, for so long, it was whatever Jack and Brenda said, went. No arguments, no back-talking," he recalled, his eyes clouding. He still sometimes had nightmares, but lucky, they were becoming fewer and farther in-between. Brooke reached over and squeezed his hand, resulting in a grateful smile from her boyfriend. Presently, they reached her house.
"See you, Cheery."
"Bye, Broody." Lucas laughed and waved as she went inside.
"Brooke, is everything okay? You're late," Chris stated.
"Oh, my gosh! I never called you!" Brooke realized, putting a hand over her mouth. "I'm so sorry, Daddy! We were visiting the new girl in the hospital. She was in a car accident," she continued.
"It's all right. I understand. Just don't make it a habit," her father stated.
"I won't. Thank you, Daddy," Brooke said.
"Come on, Brookie, let's get us some dinner," the man said, and the two went to their kitchen. Lucas waited until Brooke had made it inside and then drove off. When he finally got home, he saw his parents waiting for him by the driveway. Oh, man! I completely forgot to call them! he realized as he turned off the engine. Were they mad? Warily, he got out of the car. They don't…look mad, but I had some foster dads that never gave any warning before they attacked, he recalled. Those foster homes had been before Jack and Brenda.
"Where've you been?" Dan asked. Remember, be cool, Danny. You don't want to scare him. Though, I would like to know where he was, he thought.
"We were visiting that new girl, Rachel at the hospital," Lucas answered.
"Oh, yes. Keith told me that John Jagielski had stayed with her last night," Dan recalled.
"I'm sorry I didn't call you. I'll accept whatever punishment you decide to give me," Lucas told the. Dan and Deb shared a look, having a silent conversation with their eyes before turning back to their son.
"We're not going to punish you, Lucas. It was an honest mistake," Dan finally told him. Lucas let out a breath that he hadn't even known he was holding.
"But please…don't scare us like that again," Deb requested.
"I'll try not to, Mom," Lucas responded. The two pulled him into a hug, and then they went back inside.
