Chapter Seventeen
"Carson's Talk"
Tuesday morning rolled around and things were starting to look better for Brooke. She and Lucas could be civil and polite around each other, and Jenny had gone home yesterday morning. Jake had missed school yesterday to be with Jenny.
Brooke and Peyton were at their lockers. Brooke asked, "Did you see Jenny yesterday?"
She shook her head. "I figured I'd give them some space. I think I'd done enough damage."
"You didn't cause Jenny to get sick."
"Brooke if I had paid attention I would have noticed how warm she was getting," Peyton persisted.
Jake walked up. "Morning."
Peyton whipped around. "How's Jenny doing?"
He smiled. "Really good. Her fever is gone and my mom is watching her today."
Peyton sighed with relief. "I'm so glad she is better."
Brooke smiled, "Me too. I was so worried."
"I never got to thank you Brooke, for being there Sunday."
"Hey I love that little girl. Where else would I be?"
Lucas walked up, anxious to know about Jenny. "How is she?"
"Really good, thanks man. Thanks for taking them Sunday."
"You're welcome. I'm glad she is doing okay."
He walked across the hall to his locker.
Brooke said to Jake, "Is there some way to convince this woman it wasn't her fault?"
He smiled. "I tried. It won't work. Peyton, how about after school you come over and see for yourself how she is doing?"
She nodded. "Okay." Brooke closed her locker and left to give them some time alone. "I really am sorry Jake."
"Babe stop saying that. It wasn't your fault." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. "Okay?"
Peyton leaned on him. "I'm happy she's okay."
Across the hall, Lucas was searching through his locker for something when Brooke walked over.
"Hey," she said softly. "Looking for something?"
"Yeah my English book." He reached in the back, and finally pulled it out. "What's up?"
Brooke was a little nervous talking to him. "Listen, my party is Friday night. You should come. Its no big deal, but I'm just letting you know."
He said, "Yeah I'll try to be there."
"Okay." She was about to say something else but instead, "See you later." She turned and went towards her first period class.
Lucas almost called after her but something held him back.
At lunch that day, their table was very full. They were all talking about Brooke's party when Carson walked up.
"I heard there's a party coming up and it was open invitation."
Brooke almost slapped her for the eightieth time but said instead, "Yeah it is. My party. Come if you want," she shrugged.
Teresa kicked her from under the table. She did not want Carson there.
Carson smiled. "Luke are you going?"
He hated being put on the spot like that. "Uh I don't know. Probably."
"Cool. Let me know sometime this week." She turned and went to sit with the other cheerleaders.
"'Let me know sometime this week,'" Teresa mimicked her. "God her voice even pisses me off."
Nathan grinned. "Tell me about it."
Haley shrugged. "Maybe she won't go to the party."
"Pray," Brooke said. They all laughed, hoping she wouldn't show up. Lucas didn't say anything. He was the only one that could stand Carson. Sometimes she even got on his nerves.
That afternoon, he and Nathan were playing one on one in the gym. They did this frequently.
Nathan asked, "So what's the deal with you and Carson?"
"What do you mean?"
Nathan grabbed the ball and they went and sat on the bleachers. "Are you with her?"
"No, we're just friends."
"Dude, you do not look like you are just friends."
"How?"
"She is all over you, all the time!"
"Examples?"
"In the halls, today at lunch. Its ridiculous."
"Whatever. There's nothing going on between us."
Nathan shrugged. "Whatever you say."
Lucas decided to change the subject. "How are you and Hales doing?"
Nathan smile at the thought of his girlfriend. "Good, really good. We're taking things slow, doing things her way for awhile."
"As opposed to your way?"
"Yeah."
Lucas stood up. "Come on lets play."
In the locker room, Brooke was packing her Athletic bag when she heard the door open and someone in heels walked up behind her.
"We need to talk."
Brooke turned and saw Carson staring at her. "About?"
"Your ex."
"Which one?"
"Lucas Scott."
"So talk. Not much to say."
"I heard you were with him Sunday night."
"Yeah so?"
"So what's the deal?"
"The deal is none of your business."
"So you aren't back together?"
"Um no."
"So you wouldn't mind if I made a move on him?"
"When have you not made a move on him Carson?"
The girl giggled devilishly. "So true. So you really don't mind?"
"Its been like two weeks. Give the guy a break." Brooke snapped.
"Are you trying to start things up with him again?"
"What if I was?"
"I would tell you to stay the hell away from him. He will be mine by the time Friday night rolls around. Don't touch him, got it?"
"Ooh I'm scared."
Carson stood directly in front of her. "You should be you little bitch. The only decent thing in this town in Lucas."
"You know why you want him?"
"Why?"
"Because he is the one guy who doesn't want you!" Carson looked at her. "That's right, he couldn't care less about you! You are just the 'new girl' and he really doesn't care what the hell happens to you. And you just won't have that. You want him all to yourself, but he wants to be single."
"You know it all don't you?"
"You don't want to know what I know," Brooke said.
"I'm not kidding. I will hurt you if you try to go near him."
Brooke stood up straight. "Is that a threat?"
"Damn right it's a threat. I get what I want. And I want Lucas. So stay out of my way."
"No problem," Brooke yelled, grabbing her stuff and stalking out of the room. She ran right into Lucas. She jumped; he startled her. "Sorry."
"My fault. Are you okay?"
"Oh yeah, great. Just a bitch is bothering me but what else is new?" She snapped before leaving the building.
Lucas wasn't sure who she was talking about but Carson walked out of the locker room and it all began to make sense. He wasn't sure what Carson had said to Brooke, but she obviously upset her. And Carson was looking pretty damn smug.
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, sorry it took so long to update again. enjoy and please review!