Disclaimer: it's in the first chapter

Paring: Brucas

Rating: PG

Summary: Brooke is sick, and no one knows...

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Let it Blaze

LUCAS' POV

The Bell goes for lunch, and I collect up my books from Maths. After smashing them carelessly into my back pack, I casually stroll out the door.

Looking very much like the star basketball player that I am.

The only problem that is what you look like on the outside, and what you're feeling on the inside, are two completely different things.

I walk into the cafeteria, expecting to see Haley sitting in our usual spot.

But she's not there. I know that she's not sick today because we had the same English class first period.

I let my eyes scan the rest of the crowded and noisy room, before they come to a stop on the one person I never wanted to ask for help.

Nathan Scott.

But If I want to actually sit with someone this lunch, it's pretty much my only option.

So, here I go. I just let my feet do the walking, because if too much of my mind gets involved, ill be out of here in a mere blink.

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I reach him where he is standing with a few of his buddies.

I clear my throat, and they all turn their thick heads to look at me.

"What's wrong with you?" he asks me in a tone that isn't exactly neighbourly.

"Where's Haley?"

"No idea."

"Are you sure? Because last time I checked you two were firmly attached at the hip"

"Well I don't know where she is at the moment, so deal with it Scott!"

He turns his back after his last comment, and with his two friends at his side, he stalks off towards the opposite side of the room.

Oh well, so much for that idea.

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I decide that I'll just go and sit outside for now. Who knows where Haley's got to?

I reach the front doors, and I'm just about to walk through them, when I hear two female voices just outside.

I'm just about to turn around and g out another exit, when I hear them start to talk again. And I recognise both of the voices.

Two people I thought I'd never see having an actual conversation that wasn't a one sided one about either Hemmingway or Foundation.

And hat I do next is really rather rude now that I think about It, but I couldn't help myself. I mean, when your ex girlfriend and your best friend have a talk, there's about a 99 chance that you're in it.

So, I walk back quietly to the door, and crouch behind the huge doors, and I press my ear to the door.

""Oh, sorry" I hear Brooke say, "what was the question again?"

"Why were you crying before?"

"Oh, that, I was just...." "I was just sick of it all"

"And it all is....?"

"Everything... I mean, I'm just so sick of having to always put on a mask. I have to be "cheerful" all-the-time" she said putting emphasis on the last words.

I took my ear away momentarily and stared randomly off into the hall.

Brooke was really feeling that? I mean, I know that she's not what she seems, but I never really knew that it had sunk to this level.

I quickly shook myself out of my daze, and put my ear back up to the door to hear the rest of their conversation:

".... And I mean, its just like at the moment it's even worse than it was last year.

Because last year I had ten guys, a million so-called friends, and one best friends. And that just seemed to make living a lie so much more easier. And now well, I have no guy, no real friends, and Peyton's completely out of the story, so I'm really just getting closer and closer to hell by the minute" I hear her say. She sounds kind of like she's gasping for air a bit.

"Well Brooke, I can't really understand what you're going through, but I just have to tell you that you have me, and you just need to know, that Luke regrets every thing he did with Peyton"

Yeah! I knew Haley was by best friend for a reason. At lest she knows the truth. Brooke still probably wouldn't see it if it smashed into her wearing a telly tubby suit.

I decided then that I had better leave. I do have to admit that I wanted to hear what brookes reply would be, but I knew that the bell was going to ring real soon, and If I didn't take off fast, Brooke would have one more thing to her "why I hate Lucas" list.

So I stood up quietly, and after gently picking up my school bag, I step quietly back down the hall in the direction of my next class; History.

Brooke had the same class. And if I'm lucky, then she might just look at me.

I think that it's now that I truly realise how much I miss her. I mean, what guy's highlight of his day is when his ex glances at him? Yeah, that would be me.

I wonder how long it will take Brooke before she realises that I love her. That kissing Peyton was the worst thing I'd ever done. But I know how deep I've hurt her. And Can something that big, really ever be forgiven for?

Call me good

Call me bad

Call me anything you want to baby

But I know that you're sad

And I know I'll make you happy

With the one thing that you never had

Baby, I'm your man (don't you know that?)

Baby, I'm your man

You bet!

If you're gonna do it, do it right - right?

Do it with me

So good...

You're divine

Wanna take you, wanna make you

But they tell me it's a crime!

Everybody knows where the good people go

But where we're going baby

Ain't no such word as no!

Baby, I'm your man (don't you know who I am?)

Baby, I'm your man

You bet!

If you're gonna do it, do it right - right?

Do it with me

Come on baby, (ooh, take me home

Please don't leave me here, to do it on my own...)

First class information

I'll be your sexual inspiration

And with some stimulation

We can do it right...

So why waste time

With the other guys?

When you can have mine

I ain't askin' for no sacrifice

Baby your friends do not need to know!

I've got a real nice place to go

Listen,

I don't need you to care

I don't need you to understand

All I want is for you to be there

And when I'm turned on

If you want me-

I'm your man!

If you're gonna do it, do it right - right?

Do it with me

Now listen

If you're gonna do it - you know what I say?

If you're gonna do it don't throw it away

Don't throw it baby

Because

I'll be your boy, I'll be your man

I'll be the one who understands

I'll be your first, I'll be your last

I'll be the only one you ask

I'll be your friend, I'll be your toy

I'll be the one who brings you joy

I'll be your hope, I'll be your pearl

I'll take you halfway 'round the world!

I'll make you rich - I'll make you poor

Just don't use the door

AN: Hello. I'm sorry that that chapter was shorter than the others, and that the song lyrics at the end took up so much space.

I'd just like to say to everyone: please do read the lyrics, not just scan over them, because the songs that I put In are there for a reason. They kind of just tell more about what the different characters are feeling.

Anyway... That song is called "I'm your man" and it's by Wham.

Thank you to all the people who are reviewing! Your reviews really make my day! ï