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Name cards were scattered across the huge table in the middle of the banquet room, Lucas took his place. He was surrounded by teenagers but very close to the powerful adults also at the table. Haley was opposite him with Nathan by her right and Brooke to her left. Brooke's date, Chase was next to her. Peyton was seated next to Lucas but there was a blank card and an empty seat to his left.
Lucas sent a questioningly look to Nathan, everyone in the house was seated. Who did this chair belong to?
Nathan cocked his head to the opposite end, where Dan sat, head of the table, next to another empty seat.
"Two guests haven't arrived yet. Dan says they're a special surprise."
Whitey excused himself from his seat and walked over to Lucas. Grabbing him by the shoulders Whitey hissed in his ear. "Last chance, practice on Monday, 6am or you're off the team for good!"
Lucas smiled. "Thanks Whitey. I'll be there at 5.59!"
"You better had be."
--Brooke--
Lucas looked pleased as Whitey quickly came and spoke to him before retreating back to his seat.
Nathan was quick to ask him about it.
"I've got one more chance."
"Don't mess it up! We need you on our team." Nathan grinned.
"I could be like your own personal cheerleader if you start playing at our games." Peyton offered, a seductive tone edging into her voice. Lucas's eyes locked onto mine and I couldn't find the power in me to look away. I shouldn't want to hit my ex-best friend but at that moment I could have torn her face off, I didn't want her or any other girl near Lucas. Especially not her, not after our fight. We'd fallen out about a month ago; she'd started a rumour about Nathan and me, knowing he was happy with Haley, just to cause trouble, I realised then just how spiteful Peyton was. I ended my friendship with her immediately. Haley had taken the position of best friend in my life.
Lucas didn't even look at her, giving an uninterested "yeah, maybe."
Chase wrapped his arm around my shoulders which brought me out of my reflective thoughts of Lucas. I saw the tendons in the blonde boy's throat contract and he reached for his water, gulping it down. I turned to the boy on my right and pressed my lips gently across his cheek. I wanted Lucas to feel as tortured as I did. I lied, I told him I didn't want to be with him because he hurt me so damn badly but I didn't want him to move on, I want him to hurt like I am. I want him to fight for me like he said he would. I want him to prove that he loves me!
--
Dan received a phone call informing him the two "special" guests would be a bit late so declared that everyone should go dance as dinner would be postponed.
Peyton grabbed Lucas's hand and pulled him onto the dance floor before he could argue.
--Lucas--
Brooke was wrapped in the arms of that wanker Chase. I'd never met the boy and after this I'd never care to again.
Brooke said she didn't want to be with me, I'd hurt her too badly. That was a hard pill to swallow, but watching her spin around the dance floor, smiling and laughing because of him, I couldn't, I wouldn't ruin that for her by trying to get her back. She made it brutally clear we were over, for good.
I didn't know who these special guests were but by the way Dan kept talking about them, I was increasingly under the impression they were royalty or Madonna or something.
--Haley--
Watching Brooke and Lucas constantly stealing glimpses of each other was frustrating to say the least but Nathan kept me from shouting out and demanding they be together since they so obviously loved each other.
"Give them time. They have to mend their hearts before they can give them to each other again."
"When did you get so deep?"
"Since I met you. You inspire me, you make me understand what love is about Hales."
I kissed him, filled with love and passion.
As I pulled back I saw Lucas eyeing Nathan and I nervously and then shooting Dan a sharp look. The eldest Scott merely smirked.
I sent Lucas a questioning glance but he just shook his head as Peyton drew him closer.
Brooke's face - as Peyton laid a kiss on Lucas's neck - was thunderous. I couldn't help but feel sympathetic for Chase and Peyton, they were simple distractions.
--Peyton--
I wanted Lucas. I wanted him more than any more I'd ever come across. Since the first night I saw him outside the Scott house. His bad boy past only enhanced his appeal.
As my lips connected with his throat he sighed a simple "Peyton", I thought it was from pleasure so I did it again but this time when he spoke it was obviously apologetic. I was being rejected.
"This isn't a good idea."
I exhaled grumpily.
"Why?"
"We shouldn't happen. It would make things worse."
"What things?"
He was staring at Brooke, I'm not sure he even noticed he was doing it but I did.
Brooke was the girl he hooked up with during the summer, the girl who's father made them break up. This was making more sense in every second. Brooke's father was always protective and considering Lucas's past he would do everything in his power to keep them apart.
"It doesn't matter."
He shook his head as he glanced down at me.
I wanted Lucas. I always got what I wanted. Brooke had already had him, she could have had him again but she didn't want him. Lucas was game. And I was going to win him, I always won. This wouldn't be any different.
I put my plan into action.
"You missed a lot while you were gone."
He smiled down at me, seemingly pleased I had changed the topic.
"Have I?"
"Yeah, Tim managed to find a college girl that was so desperate to lose her cherry she slept with him."
He laughed throatily, his head tossing back, exposing his delicious throat that soon my lips would cover.
"Skills found himself a girlfriend."
I paused.
"And well, you can see Brooke is with Chase."
Lucas tightened at this, the muscles in his arms, under my hands, tightened deliciously and his eyes shot from the couple to my eyes. He looked at my imploringly, I was happy to provide more details, I was an expert at coming up with lies on the spot.
"We were talking a few days ago and she couldn't stop talking about him, about how happy he made her. She said she had been with someone over the summer and she thought she loved him but after being with Chase, it was obvious to her that she never loved him."
He looked down at me shocked, our dancing stopped.
"She's really happy."
I smiled softly as I reached up to cup his cheek.
"Why don't you let me make you really happy?" I asked softly as I brought myself closer to him.
He looked undecided, his eyes flicking from me to Brooke.
Chase bent down to kiss her and Lucas seemed to instantly make a decision. I raised myself on my tip toes and kissed him.
I barely noticed Brooke glaring at me as we pulled away.
I'm so sorry about the ridiculously long wait for this chapter. I've written the next few so don't worry. It won't take so long again!
Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW!!
Amy
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