Disclaimer- I own nothing.
A/N- Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. Sorry it took so long to update. I will try not to have that long of a wait again, although writer's block might catch me one day. Thanks again.
There is a time jump in this chapter.
It is now December 16. (So about a month and a half jump).
-Brooke-
"You need to just talk to her man," Nathan said as he lay on his back on his bed.
"I try, but every time I go near her she makes an excuse to walk away," Lucas pointed out as he threw of pair of jeans into his bag.
"Lucas how many girls have you slept with?" Nathan asked getting up.
"I…" he began.
"Exactly. You cannot even remember how many. Now, tell me, how many girls have you chased after?"
Lucas was silent and Nathan starred at him, knowing he had made his point.
"One," Lucas said softly, almost embarrassed.
"That is your answer. Don't give up so easily. Just, find a way," Nathan said simply, as if he was genius when it came to relationships.
"Just find a way," Lucas repeated, thoughts forming inside his blonde head.
-OTH-
"So Lucas was telling me…" Haley began as she was walking with Brooke to their lockers.
"Stop there tutor girl. I don't want to know," Brooke said, raising her hand.
"Why are you so hot and cold with him Brooke?" Haley asked, seriously.
"I am not hot and cold," Brooke, replied, her voice unwavering.
"Come on Brooke. He was with you when your Grandfather passed away 2 months ago. He wants to be with you, but all you do is push him further. One day, he just isn't going to be there and it will be too late," Haley said, as they approached their lockers.
"He does not like me Hales."
"Really Brooke? Well, then who else decorated your locker?" Haley asked with a smirk as she bounced away, not having to go to her locker anyways.
Brooke stood in front of her locker with her mouth open. She flipped the lock off of it and swung the door open. It was decorated just like she had done Lucas's, but only for cheerleading.
"Do you like it?" Lucas asked approaching Brooke, leaning against the locker next to hers.
"You didn't have to," Brooke started but Lucas interrupted.
"No, but I wanted to. You decorate mine every game, I felt it was my turn to give back," Lucas replied, a smile permanently fixated on his face.
Brooke bit on her lower lip as she looked into his blue eyes. He never lost her gaze as he penetrated her hazel eyes.
"Thank you, Lucas, it is too sweet," Brooke said softly, almost inaudibly.
Lucas shrugged before he spoke, "You owe me."
"Why? What? How? I decorate yours all the time…" Brooke began, becoming infuriated.
"Slow down. Just sit next to me tonight on the bus. We leave after lunch and it is our first overnight game. I was thinking we could get to know each other," Lucas said, laughing at first, but becoming more serious towards his finish.
"Ok," Brooke said simply.
"Ok," Lucas repeated with a smile and walked away.
-OTH-
"Hey Lucas, I was thinking of snagging Brooke, you know how I can do it?" Nathan asked, joking around with Lucas as he approached him at lunch.
"Shut up man," Lucas said under his breath.
"Dude, you are turning red!" Nathan exclaimed, having a fit.
"Shut up Nathan," Lucas replied.
"You know I am kidding. I am glad, really," Nathan said, and sincerely, he was.
"Thanks bro." Lucas responded back.
"Alright well I am going to go find Haley. Meet me in the locker room before the bus," Nathan said, waving behind him as he walked away, leaving Lucas by himself.
Lucas was walking to the cafeteria when he felt a hand along his arm, pulling him behind the library, which was situated, adjacent to his destination.
"Wha-" Lucas began.
"I'm sorry. I am sorry for being mean and then nice and then being mean. I am sorry for pushing you away when all you were being was nice…" Brooke rambled, her back pressed along the tutor style building, Lucas standing in front of her, a smile growing on his lips.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. You just lost someone close to you. We aren't exactly friends and I was pushing myself onto the situation. If anyone should be sorry, it should be me," Lucas rejoined.
"I'm sorry for this," Brooke said coolly as she reached up, putting her hands on his cheeks, pulling his face towards her.
She could feel his warm, shaky breath along her neck. Her stomach exploded as her eyes sealed shut, crashing her plump lips onto his, capturing him.
She could feel his tongue immediately run along the edge of his mouth. His arms enclosed any area between them, bringing the brunette close to him. Her stomach onto his, her back arched.
Lucas pulled back from the kiss, but only after he felt Brooke's lips leave his own. His eyes flickered open and the first thing he saw was Brooke. She was confident and sexy, most of the time. However, this time, she looked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry you didn't do it earlier," Lucas smiled, resting his arms along the wall, forcing her back against the wall.
"What does this make us?" Brooke asked, shifting uncomfortably onto her left foot.
"What does you want us to be?" Lucas asked, his face inching closer to hers.
"Friends with benefits," Brooke suggested, causing Lucas's face to snap backwards.
"If that is what you want from me, then no," Lucas said adamantly.
"Why, you do it with every other girl," Brooke pointed out.
"I do benefits, not the friends. God, Brooke. Why can't you see that I want you! You, meaning the girl that spends an hour in front of a mirror before class, when you don't even need 5 minutes I want the girl that stands in front of me exposed, rather than the girl barricaded with armor!" Lucas shouted.
"You want the real Brooke Davis?" Brooke asked slowly and softly.
Lucas nodded like she finally understood.
"I don't know who that is," Brooke told him, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Then let's find out, together," Lucas smiled and offered his hand to her.
"What do I do about Chase?" Brooke asked, putting her hand in his.
"There is still a Chase?" Lucas asked, somewhat repulsed, somewhat angered.
"Kind of," Brooke cringed.
"Well looks like the real Brooke Davis is not the brightest bulb," Lucas smiled and Brooke chuckled.
"Not the brightest, but definitely the most sparkly," Brooke smiled up at him, squeezing his hand.
"Do light bulbs even sparkle?" Lucas asked.
"The Brooke Bulb does," Brooke stated, as if it was the most obvious thing.
"Well then I shall have my whole dorm room and house installed with them."
"Great," Brooke chuckled.
"Then, when I turn you on…" Lucas began and Brooke smacked him lightly.
"When does that happen?" she asked rhetorically.
"Kind of like right now," Lucas said smoothly as he trapped her once again against a nearby wall, capturing her lips with his own.
Their lips collided, moving against each other with persistence and grace. Lucas brought his face down to her neck, lightly capturing her warm skin, exploring her.
A moan escaped Brooke's lips, light and airy. She ran her fingers through his hair, pulling him back up to her, thrusting her hips towards his. He chuckled as he grabbed onto her ass, pulling her against him as they tumbled backwards.
"Turned on?" Lucas asked.
He was answered by the look of desire in Brooke's eyes as her breathing subsided.
"Now where is the off button?" he asked, as he began tickling Brooke.
"Stop," she shouted, laughing hysterically as Lucas continued.
"I heard someone say stop…" Chase rushed as he appeared from the corner causing Brooke and Luke to stop dead in their tracks.
"Chase," Brooke smiled, but looked back at Lucas.
"Lucas, she is my girlfriend, can you keep your hands off of you?" Chase asked smugly, wrapping his arm around Brooke's waist.
"About that Chase," Brooke said tightening her neck muscles.
"What baby?" Chase asked.
"I don't want to be a Clean Teen anymore…" Brooke hinted.
"Oh, well, I mean you don't have to be," Chase stuttered, clearly uncomfortable with her decision.
"I feel like our relationship is a butterfly. We had a nice fly, but now, our wings are falling off," Brooke said and Lucas stifled laughter in the distance.
"Are you telling me I am a dying butterfly?" Chase asked appalled, and Lucas could not keep it in anymore as he started laughing as hard as he could, receiving a glare from Brooke.
"No Chase! Just…our relationship," Brooke smiled weakly.
"Are you breaking up with me, for him?" Chase asked angry, pointing at Lucas.
"Chase, please, don't be mad…" Brooke pleaded.
"Why are you doing this? Just because your grandfather wrote that stupid letter?" Chased asked.
"Don't you dare bring him into any of this," Brooke yelled.
"Why, Brooke? I mean the only reason you are even considering that asshole is because your grandpa liked him. Stop trying to love for him. Newsflash, he isn't here anymore," Chase sneered.
"You son of a bitch," Brooke yelled as she slapped him as hard as she could, causing Chase to stumble backwards.
"Fuck you Brooke," Chase exclaimed, holding the side of his face, his nose dripping blood.
Brooke stumbled backwards as she felt his cold hand slap her across her face, sending her back flying. She waited until she hit the cold concrete, but she only felt the strong arms picking her back up, letting go only for a split second.
"Get your ass away from me right now," Lucas warned, punching Chase whom, once he caught his balance, fled.
"Come here Pretty Girl, let me see," Lucas said softly, lifting Brooke's chin up, to get a good look at the damage.
"Will you get expelled, for punching him?" Brooke asked softly as Lucas caressed her cheek.
"Brooke, I would do anything for you," he said sincerely.
"If I let you in. Will you promise to…" Brooke began, her voice shaking.
"Never," Lucas smiled as he pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head in the process.
"Don't say never, just promise," Brooke whispered, still laying flat against Lucas.
"I promise."
-OTH-
My Bumblebee,
This letter is not to thank you for the good times we have shared or remember the times we have laughed and cried. Instead, it is a reminder; a reminder to live life to its fullest. Life is a special gift, and a gift that should not be left wrapped or worse, half-wrapped. You are a special girl, inside and out. You came into my life and from that moment on, I knew I was trapped. Your parents can travel to the end of the world, leaving you behind, but they are the ones missing out on the real world. You, Brooke Davis, are my world. I would travel as far as I had to, to find your shining face. You were never one to stand in a crowd. Instead, you made your voice known. If you could watch from a distance the way you affect the world, you might understand why so many people are drawn to you. You, Brooke Davis, are more than just a pretty face.
For many years, boys have followed you because of your looks. How do I know this? Well, Brooke, the only answer, I can give you, is that I am your grandfather, and I always will be. Other than that, I cannot give away my secrets, but I do know more than you would like me to. Don't worry, I never told your grandmother, although, she probably has caught on. I always wanted you to bring me home a gentleman. A young man that treasures life, just like I did when I was young. Well, Brooke, you did bring home a fine man. Lucas Scott is the kind of man I wish you would spend your life with. Then I come to the knowledge that he is indeed, not even your boyfriend. It is not too late to change that my love. Your grandmother and I were just like the two of you. Then, one day, I turned to her on the train and asked her if she would be my girlfriend, in those words. Years later, my dear, things have only gotten better.
Death is a funny thing. You always expect it, sometimes you wait for it, but the second it threatens you; you are always surprised. I knew I was dying, which makes the process easier, for me at least. I can say my goodbyes and tell everyone about the impact they made on me. I can live out my final days and really treasure it, as if it was my last. However, I do not want to leave you. Do not ever put that thought in your head, especially when you find out I am not on medication. I have been waiting. Honestly, Brooke, sometimes I am simply tired of living. As much as I want to see you grow up and have a family, I wonder, what is after that. I have your grandmother, you, the farm, and my friends, but after that, I have lived. I have no regrets. Brooke, my bumblebee, dying is easier, when you have no regrets.
As I started this letter, life is a gift. Do not waste it, because there are so many that would love another chance. If you do not use every gift you are giving, then you mind as well give those gifts to someone else that can express their gratitude and love for life. I would rather you do nothing than only give half of what you can. You have so much potential, Brooke; more than I have seen in a long time.
If I could give you a few pieces of advice Brooke, this is what they would be: 1. Dress nicely. I have seen far too many children (yes, you are still a child) dressing like adults. Back in my day…well I will not force you to suffer through anymore of those stories. Just know, I will be watching you. 2. Live. 3. Lucas. You are probably reading this letter with a confused look on your face. Honey, I know you better than you wish I did. He is the kind of boy that will make you happy. He is the kind of boy that will allow you to finally unwrap the gift you were given. Also, for selfish reasons, I like him.
This letter is nothing like what I wish it would be. I would love to tell you everything and anything. We have spent many nights in the barn doing that very thing. However, Brooke, I need you to trust me in that, your life is just beginning. I am gone physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I will forever be with you.
Finally, Brooke, be your self. Find the one guy (even if it is not Lucas) that helps you discover the real you.
I love you my Bumblebee,
Your Grandfather.
Brooke wiped the tear from her eyes as she starred out the window of the moving bus.
Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her next to him, the letter falling onto her lap.
He looked into her eyes before he spoke.
"Will you be my girlfriend, Brooke Davis?"
Brooke smiled at the words, knowing what her grandmother must have felt when her grandfather asked her those same words.
A/N- Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed, and I apologize for not updating faster. Also for everyone who reads my other story, I made a note about Sophia Bush appearing on the late night show. She has canceled it due to getting her tonsils out. Just to let everyone know, in case you were planning on watching.
Please review.
Thanks:
Flipflopgal- Thank you for the review. I am so glad you liked the kiss and everything. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the new relationship dynamics. Thanks!
Othfan326- Thank you so much for the review. That is just the beginning, but probably the end for a little awhile. I want to create a bit of stability between the two first and then things might get unleashed…you never know! Thanks again.
Hot Boy Wayne- Thank you for such a sweet review. This chapter was a bit longer, but still not my normal length. At least, I don't think. The chapters will get longer once summer begins. Thanks again.
NYGIRL09- Thank you for the review, I am glad you enjoyed the previous chapter, thanks.
Princesakarlita411- Thank you for the review, I am glad you enjoyed the chapter. I am doing a story Savor the Summer while you Ponder the Past. That story has Lucas and Peyton as siblings. These two stories are pretty different, but if you are interested, check it out. Thanks again.
CheerandBrood323- Cass, thank you for the review! I love the Brucas in the OTH episodes right now…they are pretty darn cute. I also have complete faith that Pucas does nothing to make me gag. I will not give anything away, but if you haven't read anything and saw the preview for the next chapter, have faith! I am writing the story with them as siblings, check my profile for the link. Thanks again.
Forevergh13- Thanks for the review; I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wasn't too thrilled with Lucas when I was writing the chapter, so that might have something to do with him being a jerk. My feelings always get in the way of my writing; I cannot help it. Through the next chapter, in a major way, you will see how Lucas is feeling and all of his concerns. It will be like getting a free pass inside Lucas Scott's thoughts. Luke cares…of course he does! Thanks again for the review.
OTHbrucas4ever- Thank you for the review, I am glad you liked the chapter. I was not (still am not) happy with it, but I am glad you thought otherwise. I guess I would rather it that way, then me love a chapter, you all end up hating. Thanks again!
Chophia-brucaslove- Thank you so much for the review. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know you were tired of them fighting. Well… things are changing.
Bella-Thank you for the review, I am glad to see you enjoyed the last update. I had to have Lucas stop. First, I do want their first time to be meaningful and also, I think it shows he cares and that Brooke is not just another girl to him. Thanks again.
Liz457- Thank you for the review. Sorry it took a while to update. I hope it won't be as long next time.
ChadAndSophie- Thank you so much for the review Jelena. I am glad you liked the last chapter. I am a lot happier with this one, although I, personally, feel that I write better when I am writing drama. Right now, everything is on shaky grounds, without being too dramatic. It's okay about any mistakes, I make them all the time, and half the time I am not even tired. Thanks again!
SmileLikeYooMeanIt- Thank you for the review. I am glad you enjoyed!
Brooke D- Thank you for the review. Obviously you have already taken your test, but I hope you did well on it. I love all of your reviews, so I think it is sweet that you even wrote a review when you had a huge test the next day. Thanks again!
Illeandra- Thank you for the review. I am happy that you enjoyed the pervious chapter and the contents in it. I tried to put myself into that situation. If I had asked my friend to keep a promise that I knew the back of my mind that I couldn't keep, then they broke it. I tried to write from her perspective, but since that has never happened to me, I thought that was kind of difficult. Thanks again.
Brucas2006- Thank you for the review. I don't want to say too much in case you, or anyone else, read this before the chapter, so I just have thanks :).
Brucas333- Thank you for the review. I tried to make this chapter longer, but I still have a lot of homework that needs to get done. Actually, it hasn't been started yet, so I will have to get to that. I have started the sibling story; the link is in my profile. Thanks again.
Brucas Equals Love- Thank you for the review. Brooke and Lucas will have a few chapters off, not really talking about the death or anything. In the next few chapters they will be working on each other and exploring the other person. Then when the right time comes, not sure when, those feelings will resurface and for the last time there will be a dramatic dynamic between those two and a few others. That will be the last major thing, where everything will be settled. Thanks again.
LBHNluver- Thank you for the review. I love farms and horses, so I had to include that. I am glad you enjoyed Grandpa John and his character. He is out of the story physically but other than that, he will still play a role in Brooke's life as well as a few other's, and one unexpected life. Thank you so much for the review, it was flattering.
Othfan22- Thank you for the review. I am sorry I couldn't update last night. I had so much homework; it was unbearable. Sadly, tonight, I have even more, which I have yet to start, and it is almost 9:00 pm. Oh well, I wanted to post and I know the reviews will make it all worth it. Thanks again
-Brooke-