Chapter Two

"The Practice"

The next few days were a blur for Brooke. She and the squad had been working with Carson and Heather on all the new cheers. They quickly learned Carson was an experienced cheerleader. Heather was good too, but Carson was great.

It was finally Friday, and Brooke and Peyton had agreed to help Carson after school. She wanted to go over some of the cheers. She wanted to get them right.

Lucas and some of the guys were practicing in the gym when Brooke and Peyton walked in. Brooke scrunched her nose when she smelled the sweat coming from the guys. Peyton grinned.

Brooke complained, "I hate the smell of sweat!"

"I think its sexy." She waved to Jake, who was playing one on one with Tim.

"Whatever," Brooke said, checking her watch. "She's late," she announced, referring to Carson.

"No, we are early. I thought you said you were going to give her a chance."

Brooke nodded. "I know, I am. Or at least I am trying. But she keeps looking at Lucas like she wants him. I have to show her he is mine."

"She knows he is yours. She isn't blind. She is looking at Nathan the same way."

"Well let her take Nathan."

"You are so paranoid!"

Brooke was about to respond when Carson walked up. "Hey!"

Brooke turned around. "Hi."

Peyton smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's get started!"

For the next half hour, they worked on cheers. Brooke critiqued every move Carson made.

Across the court, Lucas was talking with Nathan. Nathan was staring at Carson. "Man she has a great ass."

Lucas laughed. "Yeah I guess."

"Don't let Brooke hear you say that."

"Seriously. Why don't you ask her out?"

"I guess I could ask her to Tim's party tonight."

"Go for it."

Brooke said, "Okay lets call it a day. I have to go get ready. Peyton what time are you getting there tonight?" She was talking about the party that night at Tim's house.

"Probably at nine. Jake and I are going." Carson felt out of place, and Peyton could tell. "Carson you should come, its just a lot of people hanging out."

"And a lot of drinking," Brooke giggled.

"Um sure, I guess."

Peyton asked, "Need a ride?"

"No, I will get there. Just need time and place."

While the two girls went over the information for the party, Brooke sauntered over to her boyfriend.

"Hi."

"Hi. How's the cheer thing going?"

Brooke shrugged. "Okay I guess."

"Cool. What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"Eightish."

"Sounds good. I gotta go take a shower. Catch you later," he said, kissing her lips before running off.

Brooke was left to talk to Nathan. She wasn't Nathan's biggest fan, mainly because of how cruel he used to be to Peyton and Lucas.

Nathan grinned. "Talk about awkward."

"Yeah, we really don't have to do this."

"Good." Nathan walked off towards Tim, and Brooke turned around to see Carson talking to Lucas, with her hand touching his arm; both were laughing.

Brooke's skin boiled. The site of her with Lucas made her want to scream. She walked up to them and draped her arm around Lucas.

"Can we help you?"

"Luke and I were talking about Algebra," Carson smiled sweetly.

"Right. Well, bye bye then," she said, waving to her.

"Luke I will catch you later."

Lucas said good bye and prepared himself for what Brooke was going to say.

"Lucas! What the hell was that?" She demanded, taking her hands off him and placing them on her hips. "When did you two get so buddy buddy that she calls you 'Luke'?"

"Brooke, we were just talking. Calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down!"

"I don't understand what your problem with her is."

Brooke softened. She looked across the court to see Carson doing the same thing to Nathan as she was to Brooke, although Nathan and Carson were in much closer quarters. Peyton walked up and both girls started laughing at something Nathan had said. "She is just like me."

Lucas started to understand. "And you are afraid she is going to take your place."

"No. No. That's crazy," she protested.

Lucas smiled. "Peyton is your best friend, I am your boyfriend, and you are afraid you are going to lose that." He took her by the shoulders. "I can't speak for Peyton, but I can assure you I am not going anywhere."

Brooke said, "Promise?"

"Promise. Now can I go take a shower?"

Brooke laughed. "Please. You wreak."

"Thanks honey," he said sarcastically before kissing her forehead and then heading for the locker rooms.

Peyton walked up to her. "Guess what?"

"What? Good news I hope."

"Well, its depends."

"On what?"

"Just let me talk! Nathan and Carson are going to the party tonight together."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I figured Nathan could show her how to have a good time."

"Or just how to get a girl into bed," Brooke teased.

Peyton laughed. "True. Listen, I have to go. I told Jake I would watch Jenny for like an hour."

"You guys are like a little family."

"We are not."

"You sure you aren't dating?"

"Positive. Good bye."

"See you," Brooke waved her friend goodbye. She turned around and Carson was standing in front of her. "Yes?"

"What's your problem with me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Ever since I got here you have been snobby and down right mean towards me."

Brooke sighed. She knew she hadn't been fair. "I'm sorry. Really, I am. I am a little protective, that's all."

Carson was confused. "Protective of what?"

Brooke said, "Lucas, Peyton, my squad."

"Well, Peyton and I are just friends, and I am only a member of the squad. As for Lucas, well..."

Brooke's temper flared. "'Well'? What does that mean?"

"All I'm saying is you can't control him forever. He makes his own decisions. Do you guys even love each other?"

Brooke couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Uh, yeah! We have been together for awhile now, and don't think for a second you are going to come between us," she threatened.

"Woah, don't make accusations! I didn't say anything about that. All I meant was Lucas is very hot, he is a high school guy, meaning he isn't going to stay tied down forever. And if anything was to break you guys up, I would step in and make sure he was alright."

"Like hell you would."

Lucas walked up behind them, fresh out of the shower. "Brooke what are you talking about?"

Brooke glared at Carson before looking at Lucas. "Nothing. Something. Whatever," she said, blowing past him. She stalked out the gym doors, and Lucas was hot on her heels.

"Babe what's going on?"

Brooke screamed, "I hate her!"

Lucas took a step back. For such a small woman, she had a huge set of lungs. "Can I ask why?"

"No! Yes! I mean..." She fell into his arms, tired after the heated conversation. "I need to get home."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes. I'll see you at eight."

Brooke said good bye and got in her car and drove off. As Lucas watched her go, he felt someone approach him from behind.

"She's a piece of work," Carson said.

Lucas was wary of the New Yorker who always seemed to upset his girlfriend. "Just complicated."

Carson walked closer to Lucas, and their faces were just a few inches away from each other. "She's complicated, but I'm simple. If you ever need me, you know where to find me." She put her hand on his face, moving her mouth towards his.

Peyton watched from behind the building. After Carson got closer to Lucas, Lucas put his hands on her shoulders. Peyton's eyes got big, and she went quietly to her car.

Lucas stepped away from Carson, extremely uncomfortable. "I love Brooke. She is my life right now, and I would do anything for her. I don't need anyone else, I happen to love her crazy, complicated, irrational self."

He turned and walked away. Carson thought to herself, 'I want you Lucas. Brooke doesn't deserve you, you deserve better then a slut like her.'

Lucas walked towards his car when he heard a voice from behind. "Maybe Brooke was right."

He knew that voice anywhere. The voice of Peyton Sawyer. "Not now, please."

"Are you cheating on Brooke?"

Lucas thought she was crazy. "Hell no! Carson came onto me. I set her straight."

"Do you think she got the message?"

"Who knows? Anyways, she and Nathan have a date tonight. She must not care about me too much."

Lucas got in his truck and drove away, leaving Peyton to contemplate all that had happened.

Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews! You have no idea how much they mean to me!