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The soft acoustic hum of Dashboard Confessional dances in the air of Lucas Scott's bedroom. The stereo system blares incoherently as the closet door swings open, and the tall blonde boy emerges, an assortment of ties of different styles and colors in his hand.
The pressed, white shirt is slung over his hand; he's wearing his slacks now as his bare feet thump on his carpet as he decides which of the lucky dozen will be sported tonight at this festive event.
Except that right now, with ten minutes before he has to pick Brooke Davis up and meet everyone at Karen's Café, Homecoming is little more than a stressful evening of worry.
He's showered, effectively perfumed and deodorized, and ready to go. Lucas regrets, however, not making his mother select his ensemble for the magical evening. He almost thinks about calling Brooke up and asking for her expert advice but decides against that.
Lucas is a big boy – he can surely select a tie for himself.
He gulps as he holds each up in front of the white shirt, all the while his toes digging into the soft floor beneath his soles.
"I guess I'm going to have to help you out again – ties are just definitely not your thing, Luke."
He glances up at his door quickly as a sweet aroma wafts inside.
His jaw drops as his eyes fall upon Haley James – looking quite like a woman he has never seen before.
Haley's heart-shaped face is decked out completely in makeup, her pouty lips fully plump, her almond eyes dark with paint. Her dress is strapless, a tangerine color. Her hair is done in a sort of twist, with wayward locks falling to frame her high cheekbones.
"I know – I look like a Goth princess," she shrugs, moving about almost awkwardly atop her matching orange pumps. "Remind me next time to never wear heels this high," she continues absently.
"Hales... You look absolutely—amazing," Lucas manages to stutter.
"You think so? Or are you just obligated to say that, you know – you having the best friend's duty and all." She picks up a scarlet-tinted tie and begins knotting it around his shirt, slowly and laboriously with the large manicured fingernails she wears – also orange.
"Damn solar nails... There we go." She steps away to admire her masterpiece as Lucas puts on the shirt.
"Aw, Luke. You look too hot. Brooke'll love it!"
"I hope so," Lucas smiles softly, rosy cheeks appearing.
"So - anyways, the door was unlocked and I thought I'd stop by before we all leave to go to, you know, your mom's."
"Haley – you're nervous," Lucas says gently, swinging the jacket around his shoulders.
"Oh please," his best friend replies, poking his abs with her sharp nail. "And you're getting soft."
"Seriously Hales, I can tell. You can barely stand still."
Haley stops and takes a deep breath. "Luke, I'm scared shitless," she wheezes rushing towards him. Lucas embraces her in a deep bear hug.
"Haley, you look absolutely freaking amazing. Nathan isn't blind, so he'll see that."
"How'd you know I was nervous about him?"
"I'm not blind either."
"Thanks, Luke." They let each other go and Haley pats his shoulder. "Well, you'd better go get your girl – you're gonna be late."
Lucas glances at the clock on his nightstand.
"Shit!"
Haley laughs as Lucas charges out of the room, remembering to grab Brooke's corsage but forgetting his loafers and socks. Haley holds up both in her hands as Lucas reenters the room and takes both. He plants a quick kiss on her powdered cheek, and then smacks her behind.
"Let yourself out. I'll see you in a few!"
She nods, grinning, as he makes his second exit. She watches him leave, marveling at just how much of a man he's become because of Brooke Davis.
**********
She takes one quick last look in her wall-sized mirror then sprays Coco Chanel upon her neck when she hears his truck pull up in her driveway.
Turning, she slips her feet into the ultra thin-heeled stilettos, and rises nearly five inches in the air. She's a wiz at moving in them, though, having trained herself immaculately. Her mother, being the ex-beauty pageant queen that she was, always said that a woman that couldn't move in heels wasn't a woman at all.
Besides, Brooke likes the way her legs look when she wears them.
Brooke feels completely naked in the dress – it's a two-piece, but cut shorter than she expected so it feels very snug on her breasts and cut very low along her stomach. She loves the color though, a deep scarlet. On her navel she sports her bellybutton ring – silver with a real ruby stone. A matching ruby dangles around her neck, with two more hanging from her ears.
Rushing down the stairs, she hears the bell ring. She has got to get there before her parents do.
Unfortunately, she hears her mother's excited squeal as the door opens and she lets poor, unsuspecting Lucas into the Lion's Den.
"You must be LUCAS!" she howls, practically pulling him inside excitedly. "BRUCE! Lucas is here!" she continues to scream, jarring Brooke's head.
"Damn it, Marjorie. I'm coming."
Her parents – being engaged in the eternal absence they almost always are caught up in – are meeting Lucas for the first time. Brooke feels sorry for him, but she'll be to his rescue as soon as she retrieves his boutonnière from the refrigerator.
As her hand clasps the metal, she hears her father in the other room, beginning his interrogation. Like he really cares how Lucas treats his daughter... Where was this perfect father when all the other boys defiled his "little girl"?
Enough for regrets, she reminds herself as she carries the plastic in her hand. The clip-clop of her heels on the hardwood marks her presence as she enters the entrance hall, the crystal chandelier dangling above and glowing in majestic glory.
"Hey there, boyfriend," she grins, taking the fuchsia-colored orchid out of its container.
"Kodak moment!" her mother squeals gleefully, hefting the digital camera in front of her and unleashing a barrage of flashes from the machine.
"Damn it, Mom," Brooke snarls, covering her eyes.
"Oh Brooke, just shut up and look pretty. Don't ruin this for me."
For me? Brooke almost unleashes on her mother right there, her face tightening up as she manages to flash a very-fake, overly-flamboyant smile across her features. Lucas obviously notices and places a reaffirming hand in the small of her back.
She pins the orchid in his suit jacket, and he wraps the matching orchid corsage around her wrist; his eyes are wide, almost in awe of her ethereal beauty.
She exuded sex and passion before. Now – he surmises – she still wields that same sex appeal, but she looks like a goddess, or a movie star. Like Audrey Hepburn. She resembles a porcelain doll.
When they're finished, Bruce hands Brooke a wad of cash that she accepts gratefully, tossing it into her matching crimson handbag. She slides her hand into the nook of Lucas' arm as he escorts her outside. She waves back to the parents she never knew as they close the door behind her.
**********
He opens the car door for her, politely. When she's sitting in the seat, he jumps in on top of her and presses the button on the side that reclines the seat. They topple backwards as he kisses her fiercely, inhaling her perfumed scent.
"Brooke – I want you so badly right now..." he wheezes through his kisses.
She roughly pushes him off of her, chuckling. "Save it for the afterparty, Casanova! If you mess up my hair, I'll castrate you, no matter how pretty you may be." She fingers his tie, centering it, as he leans back – into the dashboard.
"You look so beautiful."
"Aw – you're sweet. But I must agree with you; I do look pretty damn fine tonight."
Lucas grins from ear to ear – "Ever the modest one. Let's go. They're probably all waiting for us."
"Drive on, boyfriend. But, since you're so – excited, and pretty friggin' hot tonight – I'll give you a little taste of what's to come." She leans forward, taking his head in her hands, and plants a soft kiss on his forehead. "Drive on, baby."
**********
Lucas parks the truck in front of his mom's café and jumps out, running to the passenger side. He opens it for Brooke and takes her hand, preparing to help her out.
"Dang – how can you walk in those?" Lucas inquires, indicating towards her shoes.
"It comes with skill, darling." She pauses, extending one leg in front of his face. "What, you don't think they're sexy?"
"Oh, I think they are very, very sexy," he snickers – almost naughtily. He runs a finger along her smooth, silky leg, as she jumps out of the car, planting her stiletto-ed feet on the concrete.
"That's good," she whispers into his ear, hiking up her skirt to step up onto the curb. "Let's go, boyfriend."
He takes her hand and they proceed to the shop. They're greeted by laughter and the sound of soft rock on the storewide speakers. The scent of great, home-cooked food fills their noses as Lucas leads Brooke inside.
"Luke! You're late!" Karen rushes behind the counter, Deb Scott in tow. She stops as she catches sight of Brooke, Deb right behind her. "Oh my goodness; Brooke – you look absolutely breathtaking."
Brooke blushes – "Thanks," she laughs demurely. "I just have a really good hairdresser." Karen and Deb engage Brooke in conversation.
"Go ahead and sit down for a bit, Lucas," Deb says kindly. "We're still waiting on Tim and Theresa."
Brooke indicates Lucas to go on into the café while she continues talking to the mothers.
"Hey stranger."
Lucas turns around to see Peyton leaning on the counter, a Dr. Pepper in hand.
"Peyton, you look – wow!"
Indeed, she does look beautiful – a far cry from her Converse sneakers and vintage tee-shirts. Her yellow gown is simple, yet elegant – her hair is left down and curled intricately. She has on long gloves that come to her elbows, and some kind of heavy perfume.
She looks like every image of perfection.
Yet – he'll never feel for this girl the way he once did.
"Thanks, Lucas." She smiles, downing the rest of the cola. "You look really, really good yourself. And Brooke looks absolutely amazing." She nods off into the distance towards her friend, who waves back.
"Peyton... Why do things still seem so weird between us? I mean – it's still been like three months and I just feel-"
"-Awkward? Me too."
They pause, Lucas' eyes darting about back and forth. "I'm sorry about everything, Peyton."
She stops him, right as Brooke begins to approach. "Everything is going right for you right now. Don't be sorry. Be happy."
Lucas manages a quick smile as her words sink in, and he feels Brooke's hand grasp his arm.
Haley and Nathan approach – Nathan extends his hand to Lucas again and Lucas takes it, shaking it warmly. "Nate," he nods, smiling. Haley smiles as well – comforted by the acceptance between her best friend and boyfriend.
Jake is in the back of the room, near the table, pacing back and forth. He talks into his cell phone heatedly, finally hanging up in a huff.
"Jenny's sick," he says to Peyton, his date.
Peyton's blue eyes flash in sadness, but she catches herself. "You should go home to her."
"No – I asked you to this dance and I'm taking you. My mom said she'll watch Jenny anyways."
"Are you sure, Jake? I mean – having a kid is kind of a monumental obligation."
"Seriously – it'll be fine. Let's go."
They all sit at the table, eating the steak Karen's prepared for them. She and Deb tend to the other patrons while the assembly begins discussion. Roughly ten minutes later, a disheveled Theresa and a shabby-looking Tim burst into the doors of the private den area. The others can only imagine what act the two could have just finished engaging in.
Theresa looks pretty enough and Tim sharp, but Lucas never felt especially close to either one of them. Nathan, however, is another story, as he leans across the table and slaps his friend's hand. Brooke hugs Theresa then sits back down next to Lucas and Peyton.
She digs into her salad as she smiles at her friend. "I love your hair, Peyton. It looks really good."
"Thanks," Peyton replies, cocking her head. She rummages through her own salad, picking at the croutons. "So, how are you and Lucas?"
Brooke never understood their story – what existed between Lucas and Peyton. Sure, she knew that there was a spark, some kind of initial attraction, but she trusted Lucas – still trusts Lucas. Enough to know that he would never act on something that, hopefully, was nonexistent.
Maybe it had been the desire to possess what his brother had. To possess what he himself never did possess.
For forever this subject, Lucas, had been taboo between the two best friends. Brooke and Lucas' romance was passionate, and despite what many others' initial impressions had been, epic. But there would always be that doubt in the back of Brooke's mind, that insecurity, that fear that something still was there between Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott.
"We're really good." In an attempt to moderate how much Lucas was discussed, Brooke had greatly decreased discussion about what happened between her and the love of her life. That was what Theresa was for.
"I've got to admit, Brooke. I never expected you and Lucas to stay together this long. I guess you've proved a lot of people wrong," Haley chimes in from across the table.
"I guess we have," Brooke says softly. "I love your dress by the way, Tutor-Girl."
Haley rolls her eyes playfully at the nickname that has seemed to stick. "Thanks," she chants back. "You look very...provocative yourself."
"Touché," laughs Brooke. "Ever the little firecracker."
For once, they all seem like friends – none of this web, this confusion.
**********
He escorts her onto the dance floor, the auditorium decorated exquisitely. The theme of Homecoming this year is "A Red Carpet Affair", so Student Council, which Peyton and Brooke are both members of, has been busy displaying movie posters all about the walls with a giant red carpet spanning the entrance hallway of Tree Hill High School.
She melts into him as Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" explodes out of the speakers with all of the gusto the diva can muster. To Luke it's almost nuantic – all of her vocal gymnastics annoy him and the meaning of the song to him is effectively ruined.
"Could they possibly play any sappier music?" Luke asks. Brooke shooshes him as she leans up to kiss him softly on his lips.
"I will always love you, Lucas Scott."
And then, with her words, the song seems alive – like a spoken letter from her heart to his. He draws her close to him as they kiss again, moving to the motion next to Nathan and Haley – also engaging in a gentle, sweet make- out session on the dance floor.
Brooke rests her head on his shoulder, his strong arms guiding her against the music, the gentle rhapsody rocking her like a boat upon the deep, crystalline waves. The cadence flows through her, seeming to rush through her blood. Her hands grasp his shoulders as she closes her eyes. She feels his fingers entwine in a tendril of her almond-colored tresses. He smells her hair, kissing the top of her head.
Brooke waves to Peyton across the floor as her best friend holds tight to Jake.
Later – the tempo picks up as a 50 Cent song is played. Exuberantly, they all dance together – a mass of bodies grinding against each other playfully. Peyton and Brooke dance together, laughing joyously.
Truly hoes before bros.
**********
When the dance is over, Brooke finds herself lying in Lucas arms on the pier at Nathan's beach house.
Jake left hours before, right after the dance – having to take care of his daughter.
Nathan and Haley are inside watching a movie.
She leans back into his body, his bare feet dangling into the water. They've changed out of their tuxes and dresses, their loafers and pumps. Lucas has on a simple wifebeater, and Brooke sports a small tanktop.
The salty breeze reminds Brooke of their first escapade, initially the first time they ever made love.
"The stars are out tonight," Lucas whispers softly in her ear.
"Yea," Brooke states. "There's Andromeda."
"I always loved Cancer."
"The crab?" Brooke laughs, turning around to face her boyfriend. "You can pick from centaurs, giant sea monsters, and kick-ass gods and you pick seafood? How boring are you!"
"Hey, the crab is cool... Don't diss the crab," Lucas smirks.
"Whatever. Loser." Brooke stands, pulling Lucas to his feet before her. "You know what is really cool?"
"What?"
"The water." Brooke grabs his wrist and throws him behind her. She hears a splash and then he resurfaces, throwing his hair back behind him.
"Holy shit! It's freezing!"
Brooke can't stand, laughter overcoming her. She collapses onto the planking of the pier, cackling. She feels a wet hand grasp her ankle, and soon she's pulled in too.
She comes up next to him, a mouthful of saltwater, and spits it out in his face.
"Haha!" Brooke giggles, as he spits back at her. Her mascara runs down her cheeks, but she doesn't care. She grabs the top of his head, trying to dunk him beneath the dark waves. She's unsuccessful.
The sound of splashing is heard inside the room where Peyton stares out at the silhouette of two of her closest friends frolicking in the moonlight. The illumination from the sky casts a silvery glow upon the tear falling down her cheek.
"P-Peyton. Ugh." Without another word, Tim Smith vomits all over the floor, an empty beer can in his hand with six more on the kitchen table.
"Gross, Tim!"
"Sorry, baby. Hey – Theresa's gone. And Jake is gone. So – whaddaya say we take this upstairs..." Jake sneers, trying to grab Peyton by the shoulders, but eventually using her as his balance as he prepares to heave again.
"I do not think so, buddy." Peyton steps lightly over the puke on the floor, picking up the trashcan for Tim to regurgitate in. "I'm guessing you need to go home before you cause more of mess." Peyton looks into the dark living room, looking for Nathan. He's curled up with Haley, both asleep while watching Lord of the Rings.
"Well he's obviously out of the picture," Peyton says to herself. And Brooke was outside, with Lucas. "Ok, come on. I'm taking you home." Peyton picks up her keys off of the table after cleaning up the spew. She leads Tim out, his arm swung over her shoulder, Brooke and Lucas' laughter still reverberating throughout the night.
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Next on 'She's Electric' : The tragedy that shakes up Tree Hill. Stay tuned.
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The soft acoustic hum of Dashboard Confessional dances in the air of Lucas Scott's bedroom. The stereo system blares incoherently as the closet door swings open, and the tall blonde boy emerges, an assortment of ties of different styles and colors in his hand.
The pressed, white shirt is slung over his hand; he's wearing his slacks now as his bare feet thump on his carpet as he decides which of the lucky dozen will be sported tonight at this festive event.
Except that right now, with ten minutes before he has to pick Brooke Davis up and meet everyone at Karen's Café, Homecoming is little more than a stressful evening of worry.
He's showered, effectively perfumed and deodorized, and ready to go. Lucas regrets, however, not making his mother select his ensemble for the magical evening. He almost thinks about calling Brooke up and asking for her expert advice but decides against that.
Lucas is a big boy – he can surely select a tie for himself.
He gulps as he holds each up in front of the white shirt, all the while his toes digging into the soft floor beneath his soles.
"I guess I'm going to have to help you out again – ties are just definitely not your thing, Luke."
He glances up at his door quickly as a sweet aroma wafts inside.
His jaw drops as his eyes fall upon Haley James – looking quite like a woman he has never seen before.
Haley's heart-shaped face is decked out completely in makeup, her pouty lips fully plump, her almond eyes dark with paint. Her dress is strapless, a tangerine color. Her hair is done in a sort of twist, with wayward locks falling to frame her high cheekbones.
"I know – I look like a Goth princess," she shrugs, moving about almost awkwardly atop her matching orange pumps. "Remind me next time to never wear heels this high," she continues absently.
"Hales... You look absolutely—amazing," Lucas manages to stutter.
"You think so? Or are you just obligated to say that, you know – you having the best friend's duty and all." She picks up a scarlet-tinted tie and begins knotting it around his shirt, slowly and laboriously with the large manicured fingernails she wears – also orange.
"Damn solar nails... There we go." She steps away to admire her masterpiece as Lucas puts on the shirt.
"Aw, Luke. You look too hot. Brooke'll love it!"
"I hope so," Lucas smiles softly, rosy cheeks appearing.
"So - anyways, the door was unlocked and I thought I'd stop by before we all leave to go to, you know, your mom's."
"Haley – you're nervous," Lucas says gently, swinging the jacket around his shoulders.
"Oh please," his best friend replies, poking his abs with her sharp nail. "And you're getting soft."
"Seriously Hales, I can tell. You can barely stand still."
Haley stops and takes a deep breath. "Luke, I'm scared shitless," she wheezes rushing towards him. Lucas embraces her in a deep bear hug.
"Haley, you look absolutely freaking amazing. Nathan isn't blind, so he'll see that."
"How'd you know I was nervous about him?"
"I'm not blind either."
"Thanks, Luke." They let each other go and Haley pats his shoulder. "Well, you'd better go get your girl – you're gonna be late."
Lucas glances at the clock on his nightstand.
"Shit!"
Haley laughs as Lucas charges out of the room, remembering to grab Brooke's corsage but forgetting his loafers and socks. Haley holds up both in her hands as Lucas reenters the room and takes both. He plants a quick kiss on her powdered cheek, and then smacks her behind.
"Let yourself out. I'll see you in a few!"
She nods, grinning, as he makes his second exit. She watches him leave, marveling at just how much of a man he's become because of Brooke Davis.
**********
She takes one quick last look in her wall-sized mirror then sprays Coco Chanel upon her neck when she hears his truck pull up in her driveway.
Turning, she slips her feet into the ultra thin-heeled stilettos, and rises nearly five inches in the air. She's a wiz at moving in them, though, having trained herself immaculately. Her mother, being the ex-beauty pageant queen that she was, always said that a woman that couldn't move in heels wasn't a woman at all.
Besides, Brooke likes the way her legs look when she wears them.
Brooke feels completely naked in the dress – it's a two-piece, but cut shorter than she expected so it feels very snug on her breasts and cut very low along her stomach. She loves the color though, a deep scarlet. On her navel she sports her bellybutton ring – silver with a real ruby stone. A matching ruby dangles around her neck, with two more hanging from her ears.
Rushing down the stairs, she hears the bell ring. She has got to get there before her parents do.
Unfortunately, she hears her mother's excited squeal as the door opens and she lets poor, unsuspecting Lucas into the Lion's Den.
"You must be LUCAS!" she howls, practically pulling him inside excitedly. "BRUCE! Lucas is here!" she continues to scream, jarring Brooke's head.
"Damn it, Marjorie. I'm coming."
Her parents – being engaged in the eternal absence they almost always are caught up in – are meeting Lucas for the first time. Brooke feels sorry for him, but she'll be to his rescue as soon as she retrieves his boutonnière from the refrigerator.
As her hand clasps the metal, she hears her father in the other room, beginning his interrogation. Like he really cares how Lucas treats his daughter... Where was this perfect father when all the other boys defiled his "little girl"?
Enough for regrets, she reminds herself as she carries the plastic in her hand. The clip-clop of her heels on the hardwood marks her presence as she enters the entrance hall, the crystal chandelier dangling above and glowing in majestic glory.
"Hey there, boyfriend," she grins, taking the fuchsia-colored orchid out of its container.
"Kodak moment!" her mother squeals gleefully, hefting the digital camera in front of her and unleashing a barrage of flashes from the machine.
"Damn it, Mom," Brooke snarls, covering her eyes.
"Oh Brooke, just shut up and look pretty. Don't ruin this for me."
For me? Brooke almost unleashes on her mother right there, her face tightening up as she manages to flash a very-fake, overly-flamboyant smile across her features. Lucas obviously notices and places a reaffirming hand in the small of her back.
She pins the orchid in his suit jacket, and he wraps the matching orchid corsage around her wrist; his eyes are wide, almost in awe of her ethereal beauty.
She exuded sex and passion before. Now – he surmises – she still wields that same sex appeal, but she looks like a goddess, or a movie star. Like Audrey Hepburn. She resembles a porcelain doll.
When they're finished, Bruce hands Brooke a wad of cash that she accepts gratefully, tossing it into her matching crimson handbag. She slides her hand into the nook of Lucas' arm as he escorts her outside. She waves back to the parents she never knew as they close the door behind her.
**********
He opens the car door for her, politely. When she's sitting in the seat, he jumps in on top of her and presses the button on the side that reclines the seat. They topple backwards as he kisses her fiercely, inhaling her perfumed scent.
"Brooke – I want you so badly right now..." he wheezes through his kisses.
She roughly pushes him off of her, chuckling. "Save it for the afterparty, Casanova! If you mess up my hair, I'll castrate you, no matter how pretty you may be." She fingers his tie, centering it, as he leans back – into the dashboard.
"You look so beautiful."
"Aw – you're sweet. But I must agree with you; I do look pretty damn fine tonight."
Lucas grins from ear to ear – "Ever the modest one. Let's go. They're probably all waiting for us."
"Drive on, boyfriend. But, since you're so – excited, and pretty friggin' hot tonight – I'll give you a little taste of what's to come." She leans forward, taking his head in her hands, and plants a soft kiss on his forehead. "Drive on, baby."
**********
Lucas parks the truck in front of his mom's café and jumps out, running to the passenger side. He opens it for Brooke and takes her hand, preparing to help her out.
"Dang – how can you walk in those?" Lucas inquires, indicating towards her shoes.
"It comes with skill, darling." She pauses, extending one leg in front of his face. "What, you don't think they're sexy?"
"Oh, I think they are very, very sexy," he snickers – almost naughtily. He runs a finger along her smooth, silky leg, as she jumps out of the car, planting her stiletto-ed feet on the concrete.
"That's good," she whispers into his ear, hiking up her skirt to step up onto the curb. "Let's go, boyfriend."
He takes her hand and they proceed to the shop. They're greeted by laughter and the sound of soft rock on the storewide speakers. The scent of great, home-cooked food fills their noses as Lucas leads Brooke inside.
"Luke! You're late!" Karen rushes behind the counter, Deb Scott in tow. She stops as she catches sight of Brooke, Deb right behind her. "Oh my goodness; Brooke – you look absolutely breathtaking."
Brooke blushes – "Thanks," she laughs demurely. "I just have a really good hairdresser." Karen and Deb engage Brooke in conversation.
"Go ahead and sit down for a bit, Lucas," Deb says kindly. "We're still waiting on Tim and Theresa."
Brooke indicates Lucas to go on into the café while she continues talking to the mothers.
"Hey stranger."
Lucas turns around to see Peyton leaning on the counter, a Dr. Pepper in hand.
"Peyton, you look – wow!"
Indeed, she does look beautiful – a far cry from her Converse sneakers and vintage tee-shirts. Her yellow gown is simple, yet elegant – her hair is left down and curled intricately. She has on long gloves that come to her elbows, and some kind of heavy perfume.
She looks like every image of perfection.
Yet – he'll never feel for this girl the way he once did.
"Thanks, Lucas." She smiles, downing the rest of the cola. "You look really, really good yourself. And Brooke looks absolutely amazing." She nods off into the distance towards her friend, who waves back.
"Peyton... Why do things still seem so weird between us? I mean – it's still been like three months and I just feel-"
"-Awkward? Me too."
They pause, Lucas' eyes darting about back and forth. "I'm sorry about everything, Peyton."
She stops him, right as Brooke begins to approach. "Everything is going right for you right now. Don't be sorry. Be happy."
Lucas manages a quick smile as her words sink in, and he feels Brooke's hand grasp his arm.
Haley and Nathan approach – Nathan extends his hand to Lucas again and Lucas takes it, shaking it warmly. "Nate," he nods, smiling. Haley smiles as well – comforted by the acceptance between her best friend and boyfriend.
Jake is in the back of the room, near the table, pacing back and forth. He talks into his cell phone heatedly, finally hanging up in a huff.
"Jenny's sick," he says to Peyton, his date.
Peyton's blue eyes flash in sadness, but she catches herself. "You should go home to her."
"No – I asked you to this dance and I'm taking you. My mom said she'll watch Jenny anyways."
"Are you sure, Jake? I mean – having a kid is kind of a monumental obligation."
"Seriously – it'll be fine. Let's go."
They all sit at the table, eating the steak Karen's prepared for them. She and Deb tend to the other patrons while the assembly begins discussion. Roughly ten minutes later, a disheveled Theresa and a shabby-looking Tim burst into the doors of the private den area. The others can only imagine what act the two could have just finished engaging in.
Theresa looks pretty enough and Tim sharp, but Lucas never felt especially close to either one of them. Nathan, however, is another story, as he leans across the table and slaps his friend's hand. Brooke hugs Theresa then sits back down next to Lucas and Peyton.
She digs into her salad as she smiles at her friend. "I love your hair, Peyton. It looks really good."
"Thanks," Peyton replies, cocking her head. She rummages through her own salad, picking at the croutons. "So, how are you and Lucas?"
Brooke never understood their story – what existed between Lucas and Peyton. Sure, she knew that there was a spark, some kind of initial attraction, but she trusted Lucas – still trusts Lucas. Enough to know that he would never act on something that, hopefully, was nonexistent.
Maybe it had been the desire to possess what his brother had. To possess what he himself never did possess.
For forever this subject, Lucas, had been taboo between the two best friends. Brooke and Lucas' romance was passionate, and despite what many others' initial impressions had been, epic. But there would always be that doubt in the back of Brooke's mind, that insecurity, that fear that something still was there between Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott.
"We're really good." In an attempt to moderate how much Lucas was discussed, Brooke had greatly decreased discussion about what happened between her and the love of her life. That was what Theresa was for.
"I've got to admit, Brooke. I never expected you and Lucas to stay together this long. I guess you've proved a lot of people wrong," Haley chimes in from across the table.
"I guess we have," Brooke says softly. "I love your dress by the way, Tutor-Girl."
Haley rolls her eyes playfully at the nickname that has seemed to stick. "Thanks," she chants back. "You look very...provocative yourself."
"Touché," laughs Brooke. "Ever the little firecracker."
For once, they all seem like friends – none of this web, this confusion.
**********
He escorts her onto the dance floor, the auditorium decorated exquisitely. The theme of Homecoming this year is "A Red Carpet Affair", so Student Council, which Peyton and Brooke are both members of, has been busy displaying movie posters all about the walls with a giant red carpet spanning the entrance hallway of Tree Hill High School.
She melts into him as Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" explodes out of the speakers with all of the gusto the diva can muster. To Luke it's almost nuantic – all of her vocal gymnastics annoy him and the meaning of the song to him is effectively ruined.
"Could they possibly play any sappier music?" Luke asks. Brooke shooshes him as she leans up to kiss him softly on his lips.
"I will always love you, Lucas Scott."
And then, with her words, the song seems alive – like a spoken letter from her heart to his. He draws her close to him as they kiss again, moving to the motion next to Nathan and Haley – also engaging in a gentle, sweet make- out session on the dance floor.
Brooke rests her head on his shoulder, his strong arms guiding her against the music, the gentle rhapsody rocking her like a boat upon the deep, crystalline waves. The cadence flows through her, seeming to rush through her blood. Her hands grasp his shoulders as she closes her eyes. She feels his fingers entwine in a tendril of her almond-colored tresses. He smells her hair, kissing the top of her head.
Brooke waves to Peyton across the floor as her best friend holds tight to Jake.
Later – the tempo picks up as a 50 Cent song is played. Exuberantly, they all dance together – a mass of bodies grinding against each other playfully. Peyton and Brooke dance together, laughing joyously.
Truly hoes before bros.
**********
When the dance is over, Brooke finds herself lying in Lucas arms on the pier at Nathan's beach house.
Jake left hours before, right after the dance – having to take care of his daughter.
Nathan and Haley are inside watching a movie.
She leans back into his body, his bare feet dangling into the water. They've changed out of their tuxes and dresses, their loafers and pumps. Lucas has on a simple wifebeater, and Brooke sports a small tanktop.
The salty breeze reminds Brooke of their first escapade, initially the first time they ever made love.
"The stars are out tonight," Lucas whispers softly in her ear.
"Yea," Brooke states. "There's Andromeda."
"I always loved Cancer."
"The crab?" Brooke laughs, turning around to face her boyfriend. "You can pick from centaurs, giant sea monsters, and kick-ass gods and you pick seafood? How boring are you!"
"Hey, the crab is cool... Don't diss the crab," Lucas smirks.
"Whatever. Loser." Brooke stands, pulling Lucas to his feet before her. "You know what is really cool?"
"What?"
"The water." Brooke grabs his wrist and throws him behind her. She hears a splash and then he resurfaces, throwing his hair back behind him.
"Holy shit! It's freezing!"
Brooke can't stand, laughter overcoming her. She collapses onto the planking of the pier, cackling. She feels a wet hand grasp her ankle, and soon she's pulled in too.
She comes up next to him, a mouthful of saltwater, and spits it out in his face.
"Haha!" Brooke giggles, as he spits back at her. Her mascara runs down her cheeks, but she doesn't care. She grabs the top of his head, trying to dunk him beneath the dark waves. She's unsuccessful.
The sound of splashing is heard inside the room where Peyton stares out at the silhouette of two of her closest friends frolicking in the moonlight. The illumination from the sky casts a silvery glow upon the tear falling down her cheek.
"P-Peyton. Ugh." Without another word, Tim Smith vomits all over the floor, an empty beer can in his hand with six more on the kitchen table.
"Gross, Tim!"
"Sorry, baby. Hey – Theresa's gone. And Jake is gone. So – whaddaya say we take this upstairs..." Jake sneers, trying to grab Peyton by the shoulders, but eventually using her as his balance as he prepares to heave again.
"I do not think so, buddy." Peyton steps lightly over the puke on the floor, picking up the trashcan for Tim to regurgitate in. "I'm guessing you need to go home before you cause more of mess." Peyton looks into the dark living room, looking for Nathan. He's curled up with Haley, both asleep while watching Lord of the Rings.
"Well he's obviously out of the picture," Peyton says to herself. And Brooke was outside, with Lucas. "Ok, come on. I'm taking you home." Peyton picks up her keys off of the table after cleaning up the spew. She leads Tim out, his arm swung over her shoulder, Brooke and Lucas' laughter still reverberating throughout the night.
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Next on 'She's Electric' : The tragedy that shakes up Tree Hill. Stay tuned.