We Trusted You
Chapter 12
"I'm trying to figure it out.."it" being everything"
Waking up. A smile came to her face. Looking around this basement. She couldn't help but be overcome with memories. Sleepovers, birthday parties, she spent a majority of her childhood in this house. Which she was sure it also having to do with the fact that it was only a few houses down from her own home. She remembered when they used to send messages to each other literally throwing them from one window to the other.
Laughing until their stomachs hurt and summertime being endless with them spending almost every second together. Her parents welcomed Richard with open arms. And his parents did the same. She remembers at the funeral hearing the moments they shared and it made it feel better in a way.
Her parents had instilled in her the importance of family and friends. She was truly to rebuild in that aspect of things. Re-involving herself in activities she enjoyed. Most of her friends from before had given up on her. Thankfully Richard had been by her side and she was so grateful for that.
Turning over as she felt a pillow hit her back. Looking up at Richard. He had green eyes and black hair. He was mixed a black mother and white father. Who had met in college over some protest they had joined and ended up getting dinner afterwards and falling in love. Married once they finished up with school then moved to Tree Hill. Had Richard and have been living happily for many years now.
He was a big, strong, guy. 6'5. And if you didn't know him. You would instantly be intimidated by his size and the way his presence just captivates a room. But for me and the people who knew and loved him. His was kind, gentle, and full of insight. He had ambition. A way with words that just drew you to him. But he was so modest about it. He wrote poetry. He never made his work public though. In his room by his book case. Was stacks of notebooks full of his poems. Girls loved him. He had a tendency to attract almost anyone. He made you feel comfortable and safe when you were with him.
"You know you can just go upstairs G." "My parents are off at work by now." "Even if they weren't you know they love you and know about our tradition." Richard said. Looking up at me.
"I do know that." "I was feeling very nostalgic and wanted to soak it in for a few more minutes." Gwen looked around once more than looked back at Richard.
"Okay I'm going to get ready and change then I can by us breakfast before school." Gwen said. Getting up. Pushing her sleeping bag to the side.
"We can split the bill then ride over to school." Richard said. Looking back at her.
"If you insist thank you for last night." "And for every day before that." Gwen said. Looking him in his eyes.
"It's been a crazy ride and I've loved being your partner in crime." Richard said. Looking back at her.
Gwen got and went upstairs headed for the bathroom where she took a quick shower and changed into the clothes she bought with her.
One of her favorite ponchos. And her dark washed jeans. With her green sandals.
Taking her hair out of the ponytail tail it was in. Brushing the long straight strains of brown hair. Putting on a light shade of a pink lipstick and applying eyeliner to her eyes. Which really brought out the blue in the them.
Looking at herself in the mirror. Taking a closer look at her body. She was her mother's height. And got her body type from her. Accept she was curvier and loved that. Her eyes were all her dad's blue and full of brightness. She had her mom's love of school and learning as well. Fully immersing herself the subjects she loved. Being starting a tutoring service at her school. Which had really grown since freshman year. She sang and wrote her own songs. And played basketball as well. She was protective over the people she loved and cared about. When she was upset about something you knew it because hiding her feelings wasn't what she did. She felt everything with intensity.
Feeling satisfied with the outfit she had put together. She walked out of the bathroom. And went down the stairs to find Richard waiting for her.
"I'm all set to go." "And here is your Jacket back." "I really needed that last night it gets cold down there." "You were very sweet to lend it to me." Gwen said. Putting it on his lap.
"You keep it." "It's practically calling your closet home by now." Rich said to her. Handing it back.
"So, glad you said that." "It's so comfortable and it feels like the biggest hug." Gwen said smiling. Putting it on.
"That smile on your face alone makes my day." "Let's get to Karen's before they take our table." Richard said. As he went out the front door. Gwen following behind him.
…
Lucas looked back at her bedroom door. Hearing footsteps going back and forth. Her feet hitting the ground with anger. As the fight between her and Julian continued.
"I don't understand what your problem is." "I've told you from the beginning this arrangement wasn't made by me." "I told you all the details and yet here you are making me feel guilty for keeping a promise to the friends that I loved." Brooke sighed with tiredness.
This fight had been going on since she woke. Which was at 8am to a variety of texts from Julian saying very upsetting and rude things because she had not answered his call last night. Resulting in him flying all the out here from where he was to argue with her. The two of them going back and forth.
"Why do you act like this.?" "I've been loyal and faithful to you since we started dating and yet this ridiculous level of insecurity keeps rising and you keep taking it out on me and I can't figure it out." Brooke said. Looking up at him.
"I saw the pictures Brooke online they were everywhere." "Of you and him at the beach." Julian said. Glaring back at her.
"Julian I explained what was going on there we were waiting for Gwen to come back there and once she did and left we talked all night." "Considering where the two of us started that is a huge deal." "Being able to have a connection with him of any kind." "I didn't know there was people there taking pictures." "If I did I would have left because as I told him I have a boyfriend." Brooke said.
"Please as if calling someone your boyfriend ever stopped you before." "I know what I've heard it doesn't take much for you to take your clothes off when it comes to men." "Owen, Chris Keller, and all those other people." "Your so riddled with issues you'll let any man in your bed." "I doubt you talked all night." "That smile he had on in those pictures was from far more than just the sunset." He said back to her.
Shocked and hurt. Brooke smacked him face. Pushing him away from her as he grabbed her wrist tightly.
"Get the off of me Julian! And get out of here! We are over!" Brooke yelled at him. Getting out of his grasp.
Lucas opened the door slowly.
"What is going in here.?" He asked. Looking to Brooke then Julian.
"Nothing that concerns you." "This is our relationship." Julian said. Turning back to Brooke.
"It's alright Lucas." "Julian was just leaving." Brooke said to him.
Julian leaned over as if he was going to kiss Brooke. Whispering in her ear.
"This isn't over." "Not until I say it is." He said to her. His voice cold and distant. As he left the room. Then the house all together. Taking off in his car.
Lucas waited until he heard the car. Race down the street. Before he went over to Brooke. Putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Brooke, are you sure you're okay.?" "We are friends you can talk to me." Lucas said. Looking up at her.
Brooke looked back at him. Her eyes burning with unshed tears.
As she spoke. "I should know by now to stay out of his way when he gets like this." "It'll blow over." "I'm done we are over." Brooke said. Looking back at him
"I'm sorry." Lucas said.
"I'm not." "I have an offer of my own." You be honest with me." "And I'll be honest with you." Brooke said to him.
"Deal." Lucas said to her.
"We did share a moment the other night." "I felt happy, free, and I liked spending time with you." Brooke admitted.
"I feel the same way." "When we were dancing, it felt like more than that." "Like we were finally able to just be ourselves." "I'm hopeful we can have another night like that."
Lucas said to her.
"Who knows." "Now tell me about where you got those scars from." Brooke said.
Lucas walked over closing the door of the bedroom.
Then sat down next to Brooke.
Who looked up at him. With a look of concern.
Taking a breath. As he started to speak.
"These scars are the few last pieces of proof I have." "Aside from my own memories." "This day effected my life forever."
"My mom and dad were like gas to a flame." "Explosive things got violent and it was always like that time after time for years." "Until he left us for good."
"My mom never really dated after that." "Not until I was in high school." "She started dating this really decent guy. Named Vincent." "My thought he was the person she's been waiting for and for me I liked seeing my mom so happy and he treated me like a son." "It was the greatest time in our life." Lucas paused as took a breath.
Feeling Brooke's hand got on his.
"My dad found out about my mom and Vince and got enraged." "My mom and I were out shopping together for a birthday present for him." "It wasn't until we got back home that we saw firetrucks and people standing around in a big crowd by our home. "My mom raced out the car and I was by her side. As she ran over to the emergency people and they told her that the house had caught on fire and it wasn't simply that." "They said they found a container of gasoline at the scene." "Meaning someone had set our house on fire on purpose."
"I didn't have to hear anymore." "I knew exactly who did it." "But that wasn't my main concern." "Vincent had been home waiting for us so we could have family dinner." "The fire fighters and officers tried to keep me back." "I wasn't going to listen." "I broke away from them and went into the house." "It was boiling and the flames were everywhere."
"I called out to him over and over." "Hearing nothing but the crackling off the fire." "I went searching in the hallway and found him." "In their room." "He was all dressed up." "I tried to get him to breath and wake up." "But he wouldn't." "He was dead I knew it." "In his hand there was a small box." "He was planning to propose to my mom." "We were going to be a family." "It stolen from us." "I tried pulling him out of the room." "But the smoke was getting to thick." "And the room was becoming engulfed." "I wouldn't give up." "And I burned my wrists." "Having to get out of there." "As the walls started to collapse." "Getting out of there just in time." "Before it all fell apart."
"My mom was devastated and I was so hurt and angry." "I didn't care about anything anymore." "I dropped at of high school at 16 I moved to LA." "And lost myself in girls and all the other aspects of Hollywood." "It was Nathan and Haley both who intervened." "If it wasn't for them." "I would've been dead a long time ago."
"When Haley told, me she was pregnant." "That gave me the motivation to turn over my life for good." "I was going to have someone looking up to me."
"And wanted to be someone they could be proud of." "And I became that person." "I've been sober for 10 years." "My writing reflects everything I've gone through and it has made me stronger and able to appreciate life and everyone who matters to me." Lucas said.
Looking up at her.
"That was some story." "Thank you for sharing it with me." Brooke said.
He realized she was still holding his hand. And decided to not ask about it.
Minutes later she rested her head on his shoulder.
…
Author's Note: The reason behind Lucas's problems and Nathan's estranged relationship with his parents. Review!
