It was the end of the school day and practices were cancelled, Brooke was headed towards her car when she saw Lucas ahead of her. She stopped in her tracks, hesitating to call out to him. They hadn't spoken since the night of his confession. He had called her a couple of times, but she had avoided calling him back. She knew what she was doing was wrong, but she wasn't sure what to say to him. Just when she was about to turn and go in the other direction, he turned to look over his shoulder and caught sight of her. She watched as he stopped in midstride and fully turned to face her. Well, too late for an easy escape she thought as she squared her shoulders and walked toward him. An easy smile fixed on her face.

"Hey Luke!" She said as she came to a stop in front of him.

"Brooke," Lucas looked down at her and could see the nervousness on her face. "Awkward huh?"

"Us? Awkward? Never!" She joked and was glad it got a chuckle out of him because the tension was killing her. "Listen Luke," she placed a hand on his arm and watched as his gaze followed her movement "I'm sorry I haven't returned your calls, it's just been a weird situation, and I just needed some time to think things over." She let her hands fall off his arm as she shifted her backpack on her shoulder.

"Okay, I can understand that. Look, I've had a chance to think things over too. I know I put you in an uncomfortable position when I told you how I felt, but I had to. I had to see if there was a chance, and if there isn't, than I can at least say I gave it a shot. I know you're with Felix now, I get that, but you can't tell me there isn't something there between us." Lucas averted his gaze so that he was looking anywhere but directly at her.

Brooke raised her hand up so that she could turn his face back toward hers. "I'm not going to lie to you Lucas and deny that there is something there. I'm just not sure it's something I want to pursue at this point in time. You're right, I do have a boyfriend, and it would be unfair of me to break up with him just because there's a chance for us. I can't and won't do that, he deserves a chance too. We had ours, and look how that ended up." Brooke tore her gaze away from his, she couldn't stand to see the hurt that entered into them at hearing her words. "I love you Lucas, I always have and probably always will. I'm just not ready to let you in my heart again. Not now anyway. I'm sorry, I hope you can understand." With that, she leaned up and kissed him softly on his cheek before turning to leave.

Lucas watched her as she walked away from him. The girl that had haunted so many of his nights! The girl who held his heart captive in her hands! He watched as she took one last look at him over her shoulders before pushing her way through the school doors. "I understand Brooke, but I'm not giving up on us. I lost you once, and I'll be damned if I let myself lose you again." He vowed into the empty hallway as he too started to make his way outside.

"Peyton!" Brooke called out as she entered her friend's house. "Hey, Goldilocks, where you at?" She made her way towards the bedroom and found her friend seated at her computer sketch book in hand and headphones on. Brooke rolled her eyes as she walked up to her and tapped on her headphones. "Hello? Knock knock, anybody home in there?" She asked as she pulled the contraption off.

"Oh, hey Brooke, when'd you get here?" Peyton put down her sketch book and turned to look at her friend.

"Oh, I've been here for about five minutes and just so you know, while you were in here, oblivious to the outside world, I saw some guys walking away with some of your things." Brooke went to take a seat on Peyton's bed.

"What? Why didn't you stop them?" Peyton quickly jumped out of her chair and ran to the door only to stop abruptly when she heard Brooke laughing. "You're such a btch, you know that?"

"I know, but you love me for that. Anyway, I came to rescue you from your ultra boring life, so come on, let's go." Brooke quickly got off the bed and made her way toward where Peyton was standing. "Well, what are you waiting for? I said let's go." She said clapping her hand twice. "Chop chop!"

"One, my life is not boring, thank you very much, and two, where are we going? Aren't you supposed to be with your boyfriend or something?" Peyton walked back into her room and picked up her sketch book again, making no move to leave the house.

"Peyton, Peyton, Peyton, have I taught you nothing? Boyfriend does what I say, not the other way around. And besides, I wanted to hang out with my best friend." She grabbed Peyton by the arm and started dragging her off her chair, all the while pouting and pleading with her eyes. "You wouldn't dare say no to me would you?"

"The pouts not going to work on me Davis, that only work on the poor saps that come into contact with you." Peyton said chuckling to herself when the pouting immediately disappeared. "Alright, where are we going?" She grabbed her jacket and purse and walked out hand in hand with her friend.

"Well, Ms. Sunshine, first we're going to pick up Tutor-wife and rescue her from her husband, and than the three of us are having a girl's day, Brooke Davis style." She said perkily. Peyton never understood how Brooke could be so happy all the time. Sometimes she wondered how the two of them were such good friends. They were as different as night and day. But than she remembered when her mom had died, Brooke was there for her everyday. Making sure she was never alone. That was Brooke for you, she was devoted to the people she cared for. With that thought in mind, she hugged Brooke just a little tighter and smiled when her friend arched an eyebrow her way.

They arrived at Nathan and Haley's place in Brooke's car and made their way to the front door. Before either one could knock, Haley came storming out of the house and slammed the door behind her.

"Um, hi?" Both girls said simultaneously, unsure of what was going on.

"Oh, hey guys, what's up?" Haley asked distractedly as she rummaged through her purse looking for something.

"Well, we could ask you the same thing. Everything alright Hales?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Well, for one, you seem a little distracted, and two, you just stormed out of your house like a madman, so we're just a little curious as to why. Everything okay in Newlywed world?" Brooke asked.

"Fine! Everything's fine. Urggh..." Haley finally threw her hands in the air in frustration and covered her face as her shoulders started to shake in uncontrollable sobs "Nathan's mom is such a btch. I can't stand that woman." She said in between breaths. "It's like, every time I think I've made some progress with her, I'm proven wrong again. She still blames me for ruining her son's life."

Peyton and Brooke looked at each other uncomfortably. Neither one knowing what to do! Brooke finally reached out a hand and started to rub Haley's back, in an attempt to calm the crying girl down. "Shh, it's okay Hales. You know it's not true, his mom's just pissed off and who could blame her, look who's she got for a husband. She'll come around."

Peyton stuffed her hand in her pocket and shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah Hales, don't let that she-devil get to you. Forget about her."

Haley finally stopped crying and wiped away the remaining tears in her eyes. "Yeah, I guess you guys are right. I shouldn't let her get to me. She's not worth it. Thanks guys!" She reached up and squeezed both their hands in gratitude and smiled a thanks when Peyton handed her a tissue. After she had pulled herself together she offered both girls a watery smile. "So, what are you guys doing here? You never answered my question."

"Well, now seems a good a time as any. We came here to abduct you from your husband, and it looks like the timings perfect. We're having a girl's day, Davis style." This got a laugh out of Haley. The last time they had an outing Brooke Davis style, it was for Haley's bachelorette party, and they had ended up doing dirty dishes at the end of the night.

"Um, should I be scared at that suggestion, or should I save myself the trouble and bring along my scrubbing gloves?"

"Hey, it's not my fault my stupid parents went and got broke. Anyway, don't worry, what we're doing won't require money." This got a lifting of eyebrows from both Haley and Peyton as they looked at her.

"An outing with Brooke Davis that doesn't require spending tons of money? This, I gotta see." Peyton joked as all three girls made their way to Brooke's car.

"Survival of the fittest Babe. Just because I'm poor now, doesn't mean I still can't have fun." Brooke offered as they got into her car. "And besides, who says you gotta have money to have fun?"

"Um, you?" Peyton shot back as she took her seat in the front passenger seat.

"Ha ha P. Sawyer. Well, let's get the party started girlies, hang on tight cause it's gonna be a bumpy ride."

"That's so corny Brooke!" Haley laughed from the backseat as Brooke shot her a devious look from the rear view mirror.

As they started to drive off, Peyton said "Hey, maybe we should make this a foursome and ask Anna to come along. She doesn't know anybody here, and I'm sure she'll have fun tagging along."

Brooke felt her heart stop for a second. She didn't hate Anna, but she wasn't completely fond of her either. Although she was her boyfriend's sister, the girl just rubbed her the wrong way. And she wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of bringing along Lucas' ex-girlfriend out with them. She wasn't sure what Lucas had said to her when they broke up, but if her name had been mentioned at all, it would just be way too awkward. Before she could protest to the idea, Haley had already second the motion.

"Yeah, let's ask Anna to come. The more the merrier, right Tigger?" Brooke swore softly under her breath. This is gonna be cozy she thought as she took the turn to Felix's house.

"Sure Hales, the more the merrier." This brought a smile to both Peyton's and Haley's face, and all Brooke could do was force one on hers.

A/N: Hey guys, thanks for all the great reviews. I'm getting mixed ideas about what to do between Lucas, Brooke and Felix, so I'm just going to stick to my original plan and end it with a Brucas. But not before Lucas suffers a little. So to all you die hard Brucas fans, you won't be sorry! Just a few more chapters and your wishes will come true. And besides, since the WB seems to adamant about putting them together, the least I can do is make it happen in my story.

A/N 2: This chapter was an attempt to lighten up the story a little bit. I wanted to have a little more interaction between the girls. And Anna's only being brought into it to add on that edge. The next chapter will be a fun chapter. Fun for the girls, fun for Brooke Felix, and bonding between the Scott brothers. So stay tuned. As always, I look forward to hearing your suggestions on making this story better. So keep the reviews coming. Thanks! Hope you enjoy this chapter, if not, sorry! I'll do better with the next one!