Hello everyone!! Thanks for coming back for more. Thanks to all the reviews, everybody knows how much even one review means. This chapter is sure to make you smile.

Whit

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Ch. 20

"Down only one point will team Suck it to Yo'Mama be able to come from behind and steal the win?" Mouth's voice echoed through the river court.

"Dude…" Lucas breathed heavily as he handed the ball to Skills, "…why'd you have to name your team that."

Skills grabbed the ball and dribbled. "I was getting sick of red and blue. It's so plain man."

"Yeah, well the plain blue team is winning." Lucas laughed and stuck his tongue out.

Skills just shook his head. He dribbled down a little bit, then passed the ball to Tim. Tim looked around and laughed at Nathan, who was guarding him. Deciding to show off, Tim dribbled the ball around himself and under his legs. Nathan took the opportunity and swiped the ball away from Tim.

"Ah man…"

"Luke!"

Nathan threw the ball to Lucas who caught it seconds before Skills came running over. Lucas rummaged around Skills and looked around for an open man.

"Fergie!" Lucas yelled and bounced the ball between Skills' legs.

Fergie got the ball and dribbled around a bit; slowing the pace down. He put his hand in the air and pointed over at Lucas.

"Oh shit! Junk, Tim, look out for Luke." Skills yelled.

But Fergie was already in motion. He threw the ball to Lucas, who rounded around and attempted a lay-up towards the hoop. It was off and all the boys knew it. Just as it was about to fall off the rim, Nathan tipped it back in.

"Yes!" Fergie and Lucas yelled as they ran Nathan.

"I guess Suck it to Yo'Mama won't be sucking it to anyone but themselves." Mouth laughed and got up to congratulate the boys.

"Ha, Ha, Ha." Skills mimicked.

Haley, Brooke and Bevin walked up with Mouth to congratulate the boys. Or, in Bevin's case, console.

"That's my man. Saving the team, like always." Haley bragged as she brought Nathan in for a kiss.

Skills watched them and turned to Bevin with a pouty face, "Can yo' man get some suga', even though he didn't win?"

"Of course baby." Bevin giggled.

Lucas laughed and looked for Brooke. She had grabbed the basketball and was practicing free throws. Lucas walked over to her, noticing how focused she was on getting a basket.

"That's pretty good. You've just got to bend your knees; loosen up a little bit."

Brooke turned over to Lucas, "Well, it's easy for you. Not only is it on your blood but you've been doing it your whole life. The only thing that's in my blood is how to drink and be a bad parent."

"Maybe so, but did I ever tell you that you…" Lucas tapped Brooke's nose with his finger, "…are my favorite little drinker."

Brooke just rolled her eyes.

"Just show me what I'm doing wrong." Brooke pouted.

"You're not doing anything wrong. You're just not doing everything right. First, bend your knees and kind of bounce like that; it'll help you get a good balance."

Brooke watched Lucas do it, then copied it herself.

"Perfect. Now, when you let the ball go, don't force it out of your hands. Let it roll off of them."

Brooke nodded and picked the basketball back up. She bounced it a couple of times, positioned herself, and tossed the ball into the basket. It rolled out of her hands and right into the basket.

Brooke jumped up and down, "Yes!"

Lucas clapped and congratulated Brooke. "See, it's in you too pretty girl."

Brooke threw her arms around Lucas' neck as Lucas snaked his arms around Brooke's waist.

"Maybe we should do more of these lessons. That was a lot of fun." Brooke suggested.

"Yeah? I'd love to teach you, I just never thought you'd want to learn."

"Well, now you know something new about me." Brooke smiled.

That smile, Lucas thought. He was glad to see that smile again. The two had been getting along very well lately. With the championship game just a day away and prom less than a month away; things were finally looking up. Not just for them, but for everyone. Karen was a little more than six months pregnant and, if everything went according to plan, the baby would come right after graduation. Haley and Nathan had decided to accept the offer to Duke and attend school there.

"Dollar for your thoughts."

Lucas laughed, "Brooke, I think it's a penny for your thoughts."

"Thanks Lucas, I know that. But who wants a penny, when you could have a dollar. Anyway, you had that "I'm in deep thought" look. Not that you don't always, because God knows you do. But I doubt my interest in learning a lay-up, has anything to do with it."

"A lay-up, huh?"

"Or whatever you call it."

Lucas pushed aside some hairs that had fallen in Brooke's face, "Actually, I was thinking about that."

Brooke looked at him doubtfully, "Really, I was. That and the fact that things are coming together perfectly."

"That they are."

Brooke pulled herself up towards Lucas and locked her lips with his. The kiss deepened as Brooke pulled Lucas closer and grazed her fingers across his neck.

"You really wanna learn a lay-up?" Lucas asked between kisses.

Brooke giggled against his lips, one of the feelings Lucas loved most.

"Mmmm hmmm. Teach me how to do a lay-up baby."

Lucas reluctantly pulled away and went to grab the ball.

"Oh, Peyton!" Bevin screamed and ran toward the blonde haired girl.

Everyone turned to see Peyton approaching the river court and Bevin running towards her. Bevin plopped herself onto Peyton and it took Peyton a moment to reciprocate. They came walking up, Bevin laughing in Peyton's ear. Mouth approached her and they talked for a moment. Then they smacked high fives and walked towards the other teenagers. Brooke latched herself to Lucas as he stepped a little closer to everybody; he turned and gave her a peculiar look.

"Who won?" Peyton asked.

"Well, see, it would have been…" Skills started to speak up but was immediately interrupted.

"Dude you lost. Get over it." Fergie jumped in.

Everyone laughed and Bevin went to console Skills; who in turn got made fun of by Nathan. Soon there was a chaos of different conversations.

"How you doing blondie?" Haley asked Peyton.

"Really good." Peyton beamed. "Actually that's why I'm here."

Peyton stuck two fingers in her mouth and whistled, instantly getting everyone's attention.

"I have some awesome news. After the championship game tomorrow and we kick Dalton high's ass…"

The group immediately broke out into a cheer.

"…exactly! And after that Karen has graciously agreed to let us have Tric as a celebration spot. I have booked this hot, small town band, and we are going to have a karaoke contest. So remember to show."

"Peyton, that's great." Haley exclaimed.

"I know. I'm just so excited we're gonna have some place real to hang out at."

Peyton walked over to Brooke and Lucas. Lucas could feel Brooke tense up and wondered if he should wonder over by the others. But Brooke still had herself latched to him and he knew that even though he desperately wanted to leave, he couldn't.

"Hey guys…" Peyton said looking uncomfortable, "…Brooke I, umm, wanted to make sure you could have D.U.Not.I there tomorrow. You know, just in case someone needs them."

"Of course." Brooke answered proudly.

"Cool. And I'm really excited about our cheer during half-time, it's gonna go over really well."

"Ya think? I guess I'm just so worried about doing something new…"

Brooke released herself from Lucas, or rather Lucas from her, and walked a little closer to Peyton. Lucas thought about walking away but knew that would be a bad idea. So he stood idle as the two girls talked. They seemed to be getting along pretty well and Lucas silently thanked God for cheerleading. Soon enough Lucas was being tugged by Brooke to be closer to the rest of the group.

"…the reason you guys do so well is because of us." Bevin finished as they walked up.

"Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!" Skills roared.

"That is exactly what that girl said the other night…" Skills said pointing to Brooke, "…what is wrong with you girls?"

"In our defense, if it wasn't for our damn good cheerleading skills, the other team wouldn't get distracted and you guys wouldn't be able to swoop in and finish it off." Peyton said.

"Yeah!" Haley agreed excitedly.

The four girls immediately started clapping as the boys reassured each other that they were good basketball players.

"You're gonna be there with us, right man?" Nathan asked Lucas quietly.

Lucas looked over at him, "Of course."

"I gotta go help Karen with some loose ends. But I will see you three…" Peyton pointed to Brooke, Haley and Bevin, "tomorrow at practice, with the rest of the girls. Junk, Fergie, you guys are coming to the game right?"

"Hell yeah." Junk answered.

Peyton laughed, "Cool. See ya guys." Peyton waved and made her way off the river court.

"Wait just a sec Peyt." Lucas yelled as he ran after her.

"How's my mom? If she needs a break or any help I can…" Lucas started rambling.

"I know Luke and so does she. But everything's good. I promise." Peyton reassured him and left the court.

Lucas turned around to see Brooke walking up to him.

"You think they have everything under control?" Brooke asked Lucas.

Lucas nodded.

"So, how 'bout that lay-up?"

Brooke linked her hands with Lucas' and led him back to the court, facing him.

"Ok, but you have much to learn young grasshopper." Lucas grinned.

Brooke laughed, stopped walking and pulled Lucas close. "Well, it is only fair. Considering all that I taught you."

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I hope you enjoyed. I know this chapter was very light and fluffy, but I couldn't help myself. Honestly, I think the drama may be past them. Well…maybe. Anyway, you know what to do. And if you don't, then you must take fanfiction 101, immediately!