She watches in awe at just how quickly he moves down the court, and just how staunchly he maintains control over the basketball despite the plethora of opposition blocking his path. He seems to only be focused on two things: the ball and the goal.
Lucas moves like a cat, agile and fast, with a subtle sense of cunning. Unlike Nathan, who runs about the court with the strength of a bear, Lucas is more calculating and introspective in his game. He takes time to think, to feel, to ruminate. Before he shoots he plays the scene in his head, and always has a backup plan. To someone like Nathan, who relies on brawn and brute force to get things done, Lucas' game might seem foolish, slow, too defensive… But, in truth, Lucas is just as effective as his brother.
Brooke raises her pompoms and yells at the top of her lungs, turning to the stands. She has a wild side too, obviously; it's probably the side most people are accustomed to seeing, and said facet to her personality is out in full force at the games. Few of the cheerleaders standing next to her can match her enthusiasm as she performs a toe-touch, a hurkey, and all other manners of acrobatic feats to rev up the crowd. If there ever was a candidate to show that cheerleading is a sport, it's Brooke Davis.
Peyton Sawyer stands next to her, yet Brooke knows all of her heart and gusto is a façade. In truth, Brooke doesn't really understand why her friend cheerleads in the first place; it just seems like a big waste of Peyton's time. It's paradoxes like these that separate the two girls; like polar opposites, their companionship is an unlikely one. Peyton has cynicism and introverted ness where Brooke has wit, lightheartedness, and passion. Yet they both stare at Lucas with a gaze tainted in just a little bit more than what they say their stares contain – or at least Peyton does. Brooke feels like she's been totally up-front concerning her feelings for the other Scott brother or, as Nathan always preferred, he who shall not be named.
Brooke knows that despite what Peyton says, she will always have a place in her heart for Lucas and to be honest, Brooke is scared. No boy has ever made her feel. Brooke is still confused as to what prompted her to keep from making love to Lucas that night in her car at the lake. The fact that she didn't take the top off of the cookie jar then, when she had so many times before in the past without so much as batting an eye, is enough to befuddle even the most well-versed rocket scientist, not to mention Brooke herself.
But Brooke can't ignore her unease, especially now that things are taking off with Lucas. She's afraid that Peyton will come to Lucas and share her feelings, shedding light on the chemistry that Brooke knows exists between the pair. And she's afraid Lucas will reciprocate. Brooke has always gotten what she wanted with the opposite sex, and has never had to work for it. Hell, she's so used to having boys eating from the palm of her hand like deer to a salt lick that having to work to earn Lucas' affection is almost as far-fetched as her acing the English Literature test she took today.
A roar erupts from the crowd as Nathan Scott scores a perfect three-point shot. Brooke can see Haley in the crowd, cheering with a surprising energy and zest she didn't know Tutor Girl possessed. But whatever, if Tutor Girl's with Nathan now then Brooke's garnered back those double karma points, and only further evidenced the fact that she's brilliant; how Brooke managed to undo the debacle she created between Naley she'll never know but it certainly hadn't been a job for the faint of heart.
Lucas is running right by her now as the time-out whistle is called. He winks at her and nods with a smile on his face. Brooke's happy to see him happy. She knows the hardships he's faced, simply by being born. She likes the way his blue eyes twinkle. It seems like that is a gesture that Lucas doesn't often emulate. She stares at him as he walks away, watching him as he gives Jake Jagielski a clap on the back. And, hell, Lucas sure is pretty to look at, even when he's all sweaty-like.
But when Brooke turns back again, Peyton is staring right at her, suspicion evident on the blonde girl's face
"What was that wink about?" Peyton inquires as she guides her car out of the school parking lot. Some local punk group is blaring out of her speakers and for once Brooke doesn't mind the cacophony. She'd rather avoid this topic and listen to her friend's strange taste in music.
"That's a good question," Brooke smiles, the cool night breeze blowing strands of her hair away from her face. "I guess we just kind of talked when you were, you know, comatose."
"Ok." Peyton responds softly thus precipitating an awkward silence that lingers in the air like a distasteful odor. She's grasping the wheel in a death grip and her speedometer is rising quickly. Brooke hates how Peyton loses control when she's deep in thought, especially when she's driving.
"Peyton!" Brooke yells as the car ascends the fifty mile per hour mark. "Easy there, Tonto!"
Peyton eases off the accelerator, slowly regaining her composure.
"You back from your lunar orbit, space cadet?" Brooke asks slyly as her friend turns down another road.
"There's just a lot of stuff on my mind right now." She pauses. "I mean, I don't even understand this anymore."
"Understand what, Peyton?" Brooke inquires, praying her friend doesn't say Lucas.
But, because God hates her: "Understand Lucas! Or myself... I mean, why am I so afraid? Why did I totally freak out the other day at the Scotts when I had my chance?" She pauses, licking her dry lips. "I mean, he's what I wanted – right?"
Brooke's heart breaks and a part of her wants to tell Peyton right there that she's been with him. "Because you're a pansy. Now, get us to Nathan's. We're two very sexy ladies that need to do some damage," Brooke quips with that token smile on her face.
Peyton nods, a half-grin spreading across her cheek. "Whatever you say. But, I'm definitely not drinking tonight."
Brooke forces a chuckle as she stares out the side of the car, a solitary tear falling down her cheek.
Lucas is sitting on the couch, watching the game they just won on Lucas' plasma TV. He can't believe he's here after all of the shit he's put up with at his half-brother's past parties. He told himself his attendance is to support Haley, to make sure nothing happens, because, let's face it, Lucas hardly approves of their union. And although the "Haley's protection" excuse isn't totally fake, that's only half of the reason he's here. Lucas is also hoping to catch a glimpse of her again.
She walks in with Peyton, out of her uniform and wearing a very sexy ensemble. In fact, both Peyton and Brooke look stunning, which just tends to complicate things for Lucas. Brooke smiles at him, and he smiles back. Then Peyton looks towards him; he can sense her disposition as she nods towards a more secluded room. She wants to talk.
He nods and follows her in the back. Brooke sighs heavily as he passes her and places a soft hand on his shoulder.
Peyton says she's worried about them, that it feels strange whenever they talk. She wants to make sure he's ok, and even go so far as to thank him again for helping her. He's been so good these past couple of weeks and his support was just what she needed. She was so lucky to have him and Brooke there for her. The last thing she wants is for things to be complicated. Lucas has too much heart to tell Peyton Sawyer that things will pretty much always be complicated from here on out.
Now that he's dodged the bullet though, he's enjoying his survival. Lucas dips his feet into Nathan's pool and sits there, staring at the ripples on the surface of the water. It's late now, almost half-past midnight. Most everyone has gone home, and he's the only one by the pool. The floodlights illuminate the well-furnished backyard, casting a soft glow throughout the vicinity. It's soothing just to listen to the croaking of the frogs somewhere off in the grass and watch the stars high up in the dark sky.
He hears the door close softly and turns. Brooke slowly makes her way towards him, like a lioness to a wounded zebra; he's not completely surprised by the fact that she's got booze in her hand, and Lucas is certainly enjoying the dazzling red bikini number she's sporting; he can hardly keep himself from groveling at her beautifully-toned body.
She sits beside him, following his example by gently sliding her legs into the blue liquid too. She takes a sip from the cup and places it on the side of the pool. The silence seems to last for a long time as Lucas concentrates on his big toe.
"Brooke." He speaks quietly, her name sounding so sweet upon his lips. "Is this for real?" Her face turns to him, her brow creased in confusion, that playful half-smirk present. As if to clarify, he continues. "I mean, am I just another one of your lays? Because that's not what I wanna be."
"Oh, this question…" She nods, as if in understanding, almost like she's been expecting the question, and stares back at the water. "Contrary to popular belief, gorgeous, sex and alcohol are not my only hobbies." She has a soft smile on her lips as she turns to him again, staring into his deep blue eyes. The light from the bushes enhances them, making them seem more powerful and intense, unwavering.
She bites her lip and speaks softly. Brooke isn't good at talking like this, all serious-like, but he makes it easier than normal. She finds that putting words to her feelings isn't completely difficult when she's talking to him. "You're the only guy I've ever wanted anything from."
"Anything besides sex, you mean?" Lucas grins, jokingly.
She playfully punches his shoulder, and then his arms are wrapped around her. He leans his head in, his nose touching hers. She can feel his breath upon her face as his hand strokes her cheek softly. "You're all I've ever really wanted, Lucas… From the first moment I saw you. I realized that the other night." She pauses, taking a drink. "With Peyton."
"Oh yes. Peyton." Lucas looks away, hoping to sidestep the obvious elephant in the backyard.
"Unfortunately though, I don't wanna talk about her right now," Brooke responds with authority as she sets her drink down, getting on to business. Her lips are upon his in an instant, and she wraps her arms around his shoulders, pulling him in close. And then they're submerged in water, dancing under the surface of Nathan's pool, sending soft waves gliding about in their movement. She breathes for him, as he does for her.
When they come up for air, her legs are wrapped around him and he's up against the wall of the pool. His eyes are blazing with desire, like burning ice. His hands comb through her wet hair and her scent is of roses. It's the best damn aroma he's ever smelt.
Their bodies grind against each other like a dance, their kisses no longer soft, but furious, fueled on by a burning passion and unquenchable ecstasy. All is dark except for the gentle gleam from the floodlight out amongst the flower beds but their vision is obscured by a fiery crimson.
"I need you, Lucas," Brooke whispers softly in his ear, her voice heavy with desire.
"Brooke…" He doesn't get the chance to tell her just how much he wants to stay in this moment forever, because the door quickly bursts open and they are covered in light from Nathan's house. Peyton Sawyer stands in the doorway.
"Lucas?" She is shocked, and both Brooke and he can see it from her expression. "I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry." She turns to walk into the house, her golden curls whipping about her head as she turns.
"Peyton!" Lucas calls desperately, begging her not to leave like this. He lets go of Brooke reluctantly, and, as she predicted, her heart breaks in two. He stands when he gets out of the pool and turns to Brooke. She's holding against the edge of the pool where he was only moments before, too stunned to say anything. She feels stupid, embarrassed, and more like a slut than she's ever felt before. Somehow this pain hurts more than any gunshot, any stab, and any other physical wound. She wants to crawl away and cry for eternity, or at least until she doesn't have the energy to cry anymore. But she doesn't.
Rising from the pool, she walks past Lucas and grabs a towel. She breaks into a run as she screams after Peyton.
And all Lucas can do is watch.