CHAPTER 8

"The Truth"

"Guys im moving back to Tree Hill… Permanently" Lucas said as he stuffed his Hands into his pockets, but before he could push them in fully, Haley ran from the side of the room and jumped into his arms.

"Oh My God Luke! Yes! Im so Happy!Oh you betta not pull any of that im moving away crap on me again or I'll kill you" Lucas laughed

"I promise" Nathan pulled Haley off of Luke

"Yah it's great to have you back man"

Everyone was thrilled to have Luke back, but night quickly made its appearance and Haley Nathan and Peyton left. Leaving Brooke and Lucas alone yet again.

LUCAS POV

They had all left now for 45 minutes. Right after they left the room I went downstairs to get some coffee when I came back she had already fallen asleep. I desperately wish she would wake up so I can see her hazel eyes. I just want to hold her and never let her go. But my opportunity was taken away when I choose to betray her. I walk to the corner of the room to the large window. I stare into the sky and look at the crystals gleaming in the twilight. The lights from the large buildings brightened the night. I looked straight down at the few people who occupied the streets. They looked like small ants scurrying around trying to find there way back home. They looked vulnerable and helpless.

As if on cue I could here the nylon sheets rubbing together. I turned around quickly, to find her beautiful hazel eyes staring at me.

"Hey gorgeous" I whispered as if she was still sleeping.

"Hey you" she whispered back to me.

"How you feeling?"

"Considering if I move too much to the left my shoulder kills, and if I move too much to the right my neck kills, id say not much better from when I went to sleep." Her ability for humor amazes me.

"Don't worry you'll be better in no time…I promise"

"Yah cause your promises are reliable" Her words feel like a knife being jabbed in my heart. She noticed me tense up at her words and quickly began to amend what she had said

"Im sorry…I didn't mean to…It just sort of came out." She looked at her hands, something I new she always did when she became nervous.

"No its okay" I stood away from the bed afraid to get any closer. "I deserved that"

"Luke what are we doing?" she looked at me with pleading eyes.

"What do u mean?"

"You know what I mean….. (Paused) this! Us...do you think this is the best out past"

"Brooke I told you…I care about you so much and I never stopped caring about you! I made a mistake! A mistake witch I wish I could take back with all my life. But reality is I can't. But ill do what ever it takes to make you realize that were perfect for each other."

"Why…" she had tears in her eyes. I couldn't bear it. I slowly inched closer to her until I was now seated in the chair beside her.

'Why what?"

"Why do you have to do this to me!" she said a bit louder then before.

"You can't do this! You can't make me fall for you, break my heart and then expect me to let you back in! That's not fair Lucas!"

"I know it's not fair-"I couldn't finish my sentence because he had just walked in the room.

"Mark!" she yelled. Mark O'Brian! What the hell is he doing here?

"What are you doing here!" she asked him obviously confused as I was.

"Oh God Brooke your aright! I came as soon as I heard." He ran quickly to the other side of the room, and knelt by her bedside. He kissed the top of her had lightly. I watched carefully. I could feel my fists tightening and my jaw clenching at the sight of any other guy kissing her, holding her, or even touching her. I caught a glimpse of Brooke's eyes but I turned the other way not wanting to see Mark holding her.

"Uh Luke" she whispered towards me.

"Yah" I said, coming out to barely a whisper, I did not take my eyes off the window determined not to meet her eyes.

"Do you think you can give me and Mark a few minutes" Her words were equally hushed, but nothing else was said.

With a few quick strides Luke was out of the small recovery room.

He rubbed his temples, he was tired, annoyed and still in shock. He found the nearest empty chair and slowly lowered his body until it was rested on the seat. He tilted his head back allowing it to rest on the painted walls. His mind was crowded with different thoughts. Mostly of all what had happened in the last 24 hours. He shut his eyes deciding to rest them. However it didn't take to long for his eyes to open again. There were too many things occupying his thoughts, which were not only making emotionally but physically drained out as well.

"What if she doesn't want anything to do with me? What if she thinks that Mark Will treat her better than me…what if her and mark start "dating, dating" O God!" it was all to much for him to think about this moment, He felt a sickening feeling in his stomach which was slowly rising in his throat creating a large lump. He needed to get some fresh air. He quickly stood up and headed for the exit

"How you feeling?" Mark whispered as he held her hand

"Better… I guess"

"Im sorry I didn't come earlier I just found out and hour ago. So I came here as fast as I could"

"You didn't have to com-"

"Of course I did. I needed to make sure you were alright." Brooke Smiled at him, trying to keep focus on the sincere man in front of her. But her mind kept drifting to the tall blonde who was sitting right outside her door.

"Look Mark" She started but was interrupted by him.

"Brooke.. Why was Lucas here? If you don't mind me asking"

"Uhh… No (she hesitated) Well uhhh he's moving back to Tree Hill"

"Oh" Mark stated, however he still had a confused expression.

"So he just decided to come and tell you he's staying?" Mark was now on the other side of the room.

"Well Peyton called him last night after the accident, and he drove down here right away. When I woke up he was here. And then the doctors said that they couldn't release me unless they knew I was being taken care of, and since my parents are never to be found Lucas told the doctor he would take care of me until I recovered-" Brooke rushed through everything in one breath.

"Wait is Lucas going to be taking care of you…Oh he just told the doctors that so he could get you out of this hell whole!" Brooke could tell that he had understood what she meant but was making excuses, hoping she didn't mean it.

"Well that's what I thought at first… but apparently he was serious." Brooke was now twirling and intertwining her fingers as she bit her bottom lip something she was a custom to doing when she felt that she was in an uncomfortable situation.

"So what…he's going to be taking care of you? "

She nodded

"In your house?"

She nodded again

"Alone?"

"Well maybe not alone-"

"But most of the time alone"

"I guess… Hey I'm not to thrilled about being taken care of by my cheating, lying Ex-Boyfriend!" she knew deep…deep down she was lying to herself but at the moment that's all anyone needed to know.

"Okay then I will help you too!" Brookes head shot up immediately.

"Uhh Mark As much as I really appreciate your offer…Ummm I don't think that…no wait I know that that is about the worst idea!"

"No it's not your uncomfortable with Lucas, and as far as I'm concerned you need to be comfortable and at rest!"

"Mark…" she breathed in.

"You're a really nice guy… and I had a lot of fun the other night. But me and Lucas have to sort through some things, were trying to work things out, and I don't think your presence would be the best thing"

Right when she finished speaking she wished she had kept her thoughts to herself, she could see the hurt in his eyes but she needed to be honest with him. She hated when people lied, and she was determined not to start anytime soon.

"Oh ok…I understand" He slowly walked toward her bed kissed her forehead and looked in her eyes.

"You can call me any time" he smiled genuinely at her and without another word he turned around and headed towards the door.