Sorry I haven't updated this in a while, I hadn't forgotten it! I was working on 'The Ski Trip' (If you haven't read it, do it now…well, right after you've read and reviewed this chapter of course!)
As always thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I hope you enjoy the update, also, celebrate for my first story into double figures of chapters!
"Morning gorgeous," Lucas was greeted at his locker by a grinning Brooke.
He smiled back, it had been under twelve hours since he'd last seen her but it felt like way longer. "Morning," he replied, kissing her softly, and wrapping an arm round her waist. Brooke broke it off, giggling, "Maybe we could go back to my house and have a little repeat of yesterday?" she suggested, raising one eyebrow very slightly.
Lucas chuckled, and kissed her again, deepening it and feeling her hands run up his arms.
"Miss Davis, Mr Scott, get to class," their Biology teacher shot them a disapproving look as he passed them. They stopped kissing, and Brooke rolled her eyes, "Okay, so maybe we can't skip school, but can you come over later?"
"Definitely," Lucas said, giving her one last kiss before they head of to their first class.
Haley, Peyton and Brooke sat eating their lunch together. The guys were at an extra basketball practice so their group was rather depleted. Haley was eyeing Brooke, a slightly amused expression on her face.
"That's it," she said finally, "That's the fourth time you've smiled for no reason in ten minutes. What's going on?"
Brooke just grinned, "I'm happy that's all."
Peyton raised her eyebrows, "So I guess that means you and Lucas are doing it again," she said.
Brooke looked a little taken aback, "How do you know?"
"Oh please, you've been acting goofy all morning. So I'm right? You are?"
Brooke nodded, still smiling.
"And?" Haley asked.
"And what?"
"Was it… you know, okay?"
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Do you really want to here about the details of your childhood friend's sex life?"
"Good point," Haley gave a short nod, "But, I mean, you hadn't made too big of a deal of it, you weren't…disappointed or anything, right?" Haley knew how important it had been to Brooke.
Brooke shook her head, "Nope, it was perfect. It was really amaz…"
"Okay, that's all we need to know," Peyton interrupted quickly, and Brooke laughed.
Lucas was sitting working in the library when Brooke approached him. She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands sliding down his chest.
"Hey baby," she whispered in his ear, "What're you doing?"
"Trig homework," he laughed, "Wanna do it with me?"
"Sure," she shrugged and sat down next to him.
"Are you sure? I was kidding!"
"Yeah, I'm totally bored and I'd rather be with you than anyone else!"
He grinned.
"But I suck at any kind of math so actually I'm just gonna sleep here while you do it," she laid her head in her arms on the desk, and he smiled at her and shook his head, before returning to his homework.
The week passed pretty quickly, Brooke became more and more exasperated by all the basketball and cheerleading practices they had to have. She never had enough time to spend with Lucas. But then she remembered how much fun it was seeing how much she could distract him before Whitey got seriously pissed off and threatened to chuck her out. She was getting pretty good at communicating across the gym with Lucas, and then looking clueless and innocent when Whitey turned around to see what everyone was staring at!
That Friday there was to be the usual party after the game. Theresa's parents were away and so of course as soon as they walked out the door she had rang up Brooke to say she had the perfect venue.
The game itself was pretty boring, the team they were playing were rubbish, and the Ravens won 72-4. Even Brooke started to feel a little sorry for the opposition, and toned down the cheers so it wouldn't seem like they were gloating too much.
Afterwards the guys went into the locker room and the girls waited outside till they finally came out, and then they split up into their different cars, to go and get changed before the party.
"Well done gorgeous," Brooke said, giving Lucas a quick kiss on the lips when he came out.
Lucas rolled his eyes, "It wasn't exactly a fight to the death," he laughed.
"Well you still played well," Brooke said.
"Thank you baby."
Peyton mimed sticking her finger down her throat, "If you guys get any sickeningly sweeter, you're gonna turn into Nathan and Hales!"
"Hey!" Haley said, "I resent that."
Peyton gave her a derisive look, "Oh come on, you're like the Waltons or whatever."
"Well maybe Jake would like a few compliments, did you ever think of that Pey?" Brooke said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Jake said, "I'm going to start getting jealous if those guys are always being told how great they played!" Peyton rolled her eyes at him and he laughed and pulled her into a kiss.
"You gotta learn how to please your man P. Sawyer," Brooke joked, as she and Lucas headed off to his car.
They arrived at the party when it was already in full swing, Brooke always being one to make an entrance. Haley rushed up to her immediately, "Jesus Brooke, you took your time! If your bringing clothes for someone, don't leave them hanging!" Brooke had agreed to lend Haley a top of hers that Haley had tried on once and totally loved.
"Chill Tutor wife, you look totally hot anyway, and I've got it right here."
"That's what I said," Nathan came up behind Haley, "But apparently she's gonna feel 'totally mundane' until she's wearing that top!" he and Lucas laughed, and the girls went to the bathroom so Hales could get changed.
They came out again, Haley feeling much better, and got some drinks, before finding the others.
"Where are they," Haley asked, as they wandered round the rooms. Then they spied a blonde head, "Oh there's Luke." Brooke looked over, and saw Lucas, who was talking to Anna. She frowned slightly, and Haley looked at her, "It'll be totally harmless Brooke," she said soothingly.
"Yeah I know," Brooke brushed it off, and approached him.
"Hey," Lucas said as she came up, and he wrapped an arm round her waist.
"Hey," said Anna, a little shyly, but Brooke smiled at her, albeit a little tightly, which set her slightly at her ease.
"Well I'm…gonna say hi to Peyton," she said, and left them.
Lucas looked at Brooke, but she didn't say anything about. "We were just talking," he said, wanting her to not be in any doubt.
"I know," Brooke said, and hesitated slightly, "It's nice that you guys are okay."
Lucas smiled at her, knowing how hard it was for her to not resent Anna. He kissed her head, and Brooke smiled a little.
Felix watched Brooke and Lucas talking to Haley. Really Haley and Brooke were doing most of the talking, and Lucas was standing behind Brooke with his arms wrapped round her, and his head resting against hers. Her fingers trailed lazily along his wrists.
Haley and Brooke were chatting animatedly about something, and then Nathan came up with some drinks and joined in. Felix felt his stomach clench as he saw Lucas whisper something in Brooke's ear, and she giggled, reaching a hand behind her and wrapping it round his neck. As the others talked Lucas continued to just stand with her, looking utterly content, occasionally dropping a kiss on her head.
Felix remembered when he and Brooke had been together, Brooke had always been restless in his arms, she would only stay still for a few minutes, then she would break away and find something else to do, sometimes taking him with her, but nevertheless never happy to just be with him.
With Lucas she looked as if she could stay in his arms forever, and would not complain once. And Felix hated it.
"Jealous, much?" his sister had approached him, and had worked out what he was looking at.
Felix looked away, and didn't answer.
"Just get over her, Felix. There's hundreds of other girls out there, and, although I hate to admit it, probably quite a few who wouldn't turn down a date with you."
Felix gave her a sideways look, "Maybe you're right."
"I am," Anna said forcefully, "And who knows, maybe you'll even end up being friends. Me and Lucas get on okay, because there are no feelings there anymore. Once you get over pining for her, it'll all be okay."
Brooke came out of the kitchen with a glass of coke, and looked around for Lucas. As part of her new resolution to drink less, she was now onto soft drinks after a couple of glasses of a delicious pink concoction Theresa had made. She couldn't see him anywhere but then caught sight of him in the corner talking to…Anna. Again.
She frowned slightly. She knew she was over reacting, but she couldn't help it. Suddenly, she didn't feel like being with him and so went outside without him seeing her and sat on the back steps of the porch.
A few minutes later Lucas came out and sat down next to her.
"Hey," he said, "Someone said you came out here, you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine," she said, "I just wanted a little air."
He wrapped an arm round her, "You sure?"
She nodded. He watched her; he was certain she was keeping something from him and he didn't like it. She did not relax into his arms like she usually. He had an idea of what might be bugging her but he wasn't sure how to bring it up. He was sure she would become defensive if he started making presumptions.
"If there's anything you want to talk about…" he hesitated, "You can talk to me okay?"
She turned to look and him, and nodded. Then she smiled, slightly sadly, and nodded again, this time leaning her head against his neck as she did so. He held her tightly, and they sat there for a few minutes, looking up at the stars. Brooke forgot about her earlier discontent and felt calm, the cool night air soothing her. She snuggled a little closer to Lucas and he smiled.
He looked down at her, and lifted her chin with one finger; he looked into her eyes for a second, which were slightly wide with expectation. "I love you Brooke," he whispered.
She was stunned into silence for a second, and then kissed him, cupping his cheek with her hand. As they broke apart she looked up at him. "I love you too," she said, smiling.
At that moment Haley burst out of the living room, accompanied by the noise of the party, "Hey guys! We've been looking for you, you gotta come dance! Oh! sorry," she said, as she noticed them looking a little preoccupied, "Did I interrupt something?"
Brooke looked over her shoulder and smiled at her, "We'll be right in," she said.
They spent the next hour or so hanging out with the others. Brooke felt the ecstatic happiness she had been feeling for most of the week return, as she joked around with all her friends, never leaving Lucas' arms.
They danced a little too. Brooke loved dancing, and she especially loved dancing with Lucas. She ground against him; her arms wrapped tightly round his neck, their bodies pressed together. Lucas saw a little of the old Brooke appear, the sexy, fun-loving side of her that she hadn't lost. He wondered how many guys were watching her right then thinking they'd kill to be in his place.
They eventually left the party a little after midnight. Lucas had promised he wouldn't be home too late and Brooke was a little drained from the day's events. Lucas drove her home and walked her up to her door.
He took her hands and pulled her towards him, "Goodnight," he said, kissing her on the lips.
"Goodnight," she replied, "I love you."
He smiled, "I love you too," he kissed her once more, and then she went inside. Lucas went back to his car, feeling blissfully happy.
"Hey Broody," Brooke entered Karen's Café and sat down at the counter that Lucas was standing behind talking to his Mom.
"Hey," he leaned over and gave her a kiss.
"Hi Brooke," Karen smiled at her, and Brooke greeted her too.
"Do you want anything?"
Brooke hesitated, "Um, no, it's okay, I left my purse at home." Brooke didn't want to admit that she had almost run through the small allowance her parents had given her for the last month to buy some more food.
"Don't worry, I think I can afford to treat my son's girlfriend! What would you like?"
"Are you sure?" Brooke asked, "A hot chocolate would be great thanks."
"Coming right up!"
Lucas leaned on the counter opposite Brooke while his Mom set to work on the hot chocolate.
"How are you for money right now?" he asked, he still found it a little odd that Brooke was no longer rich.
Brooke bit her lip, "Not great."
"Do you want to borrow some, I mean, do you have for enough for groceries and stuff?"
"I'm not gonna borrow money off you Lucas!" Brooke laughed, although the offer was tempting, "I'll be fine, I just need to find a job."
Lucas raised his eyebrows, an idea coming to him.
"Here you go," Karen placed a tall, steaming mug in front of Brooke.
"Thank you so much Karen," Brooke grinned, "This is exactly what I'm in the mood for!"
"Hey mom," Lucas said, "Weren't you just saying the other day that you need another waitress?"
Karen looked over at him, "Um, yeah, why?"
Lucas looked to Brooke. "You need a waitress?" she asked.
"Yeah," said Karen, "One left for college recently and I've been looking for a replacement. Haley's been going nuts!"
"Do you think…could I maybe try out?"
"Of course," Karen smiled, "That would be great! Come to Haley's next shift with her and she can show you the ropes."
"Oh my god, thank you!"
"Glad I could help," Karen said, before turning to a new customer who had just come in.
"I can't believe Hales didn't mention she needed help here!" Brooke said, "Thank you Broody, you're the best!"
Lucas grinned, "Well I think the others sort of forget sometimes that you're not as well off as you always were. If it weren't for the absence of your old bed I think I would sometimes too!"
Brooke laughed, "Yeah I miss that bed…the new one's so small"
"Too small!" Lucas said, "I think that should be the first things on your list to buy with all the new money you're going to be earning."
"I think food should be first," Brooke said, "And I think you should pay for half the bed seeing as you use it almost as much as me!"
"Hey, who got you the job!"
Brooke shrugged, "I guess you're right."
"As soon as you get you're first pay check I'll take you bed shopping," Lucas grinned.
"Broody, do you have any idea how much beds cost?"
"No, do you?"
"No…but it's a lot!"
"Well whatever, we can go anyway, and pick one out even if you can't buy it. Maybe test a couple out…"
"Ew! Luke!"
He chuckled, "I was kidding, but speaking of that, I think we should make sure you really need a new bed first, which means we're going to have to test out your current one again…"
"Now that is an idea," She smiled, and grabbed his hand as they left the café.
Hope you enjoyed it, if so, REVIEW! The next chapter will be up soon, but it's pretty short, because it's sort of specific. Early warning: it's about to geta little angsty!
