AN: First of all i want to thank Ali for leaving me the awesome review. It was really appreciated and i know how annoying it is to review sometimes but it really gives me insight on whether the story is liked or not. So reviews are really helpful also in case the readers feel like something needs to be changed or whatnot...anyway, hope you like the next chapter

Days Later

Brooke spun in her office chair for what seemed like the hundredth time in the past hour. She overlooked the many cover designs in her lap trying to figure out what would look classy so it doesn't divert eyes away from it with scary close-ups of celebrity faces yet not too boring to the point of brushing it off without looking twice. She wanted a cover that would intrigue the reader for the right reasons, not like playboy would attract the pervs – no that wasn't her aim. She wanted something unique. Something that stands out. Something that connects to the readers.

"Brooke, you're driving me crazy here…we haven't even discussed the content yet and you're already spending a whole day on the cover" Rachel complained from her position on the floor. She was in her casual work clothes. Jeans and a cropped top. If there was something different about Rachel it was definitely her sense of style, or in other words…lack of. She liked to call it "the no guys – no reason" approach which basically revolved around the idea that if she was at a place with no potential of meeting hot guys then she didn't need the effort. Comfort was a priority when it came to Rachel.

Brooke on the other hand needn't an approach. Effortlessly, whatever style she took on just seemed to work for her – guys or no guys. It drove others crazy, especially the opposite sex, as to how one woman can beautify an outfit with her own body and class rather the opposite being done. The answer was simple and only very few people knew it – her personality. She was assertive but sweet, cocky when needed but above it all she was charmingly attractive.

She had a certain spark about her that made her presence known among those who surrounded her, a spark that seemed to shine through a very tough exterior. She herself didn't know such fact about herself. It wasn't until she met a certain blue-eyed brooding male who had entered a place that no one before him had ever dared to enter – her soul. He saw those characters when no one else would and brought them out to the world. Since then, she vowed to never let them in again because to her, she was most beautiful in his eyes and she wanted to forever stay that way, even when those eyes were no longer around to give her that feeling.

"Alright then. Maybe I can show Mr. Calhoun the top 5 and he can have the final say" Brooke suggested finally giving in to Rachel's pleas

"Sarah" she called on one of the outside assistants and before she could repeat the name for a second time, a young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties walked in the office in her mini skirt and a business blouse that seemed to cling to her curves.

Rachel raised an eyebrow turning her head to Brooke and Brooke tried to suppress a laugh knowing exactly what was going through her friend's head "is Mr. Calhoun in his office?" she asked the skinny blonde standing at the edge of her door
"Yes, but I don't advise you to go anywhere near his office right now. He's in a total pissy mood making phone calls and what not…heard it's to do with the banking/finances department" the blonde bit her lip before excusing herself out of the room

"oh, well…always keep at least 50 meters distance with your boss when they've got a stick up their $$ – that's my motto" she muttered under her breath making her voice only audible to Rachel as she watched the outside of her office through the slightly open door.
"Brooke. That's every person's motto" Rachel stated matter-of-factly as always making another of her attempts to sarcasm and smart comments

"anyway" she pepped in a more cheery tone walking over to Brooke's desk and sitting at the edge "how are things with your infamous b-ball player of a fiancé?" if anyone knew Rachel before she met Brooke they would definitely testify that Brooke had rubbed off her witty charm and sometimes flirtatious attitude on her. Nonetheless, it was still a known fact that no one can ever perfect such charm like Brooke did. She was the original, as you would call it

"He's amazing thank you very much" she answered in the same manner now playing with a pencil in her hands twirling it around her fingers "you know that day I was supposed to cook him dinner. I go home and he had already cooked me such a romantic meal with candle lights and roses" She whispered as she closed her eyes for a few seconds, a broad smile on her face. Adam definitely had the abilities to make her happy- he was a charming gentleman and that was one of the reasons she was with him

"and how exactly do you feel about the fact that your man can cook dinner better than you?" Rachel teased "I would say whatever I lack in the kitchen area…I make up for in others" she gave her friend a wink before they both erupted in laughter, Rachel playfully shoving her away

"anyway, I gotta go now. I got some errands to run and I gotta take this downstairs to the copy room" Brooke gathered the many scattered papers on her desk pushing them all in one folder. "I'll see you at the game tonight?"
"Yea…come pick me up at 6" Rachel nodded suppressing her laughter

"haha" Brooke mocked her "very funny. I'll meet you at the gate around 6:30. Oh and thanks so much for coming with me. You know how it is. Adam wants me there for the game and it would be pretty boring sitting there for 3 hours alone. Sorry I have to drag you" she bit her lip with an apologetic look as she slipped her arms into her jacket

"Are you kidding me?' Rachel almost squealed "watching hot guys bounce a ball around in their sweaty muscular bodies – I'm so there" she gave Brooke the head roll making her laugh even more
"alright….I'll see you later" and with that Brooke disappeared out of her office leaving Rachel behind to tend to the messy room

"hmm.. Good luck Baby" Brooke spoke against Adam's lips as they stood in the hallway to the locker rooms. She had her arms wrapped around his waist and his around hers not letting each other go
"Don't worry, we wont need it. These guys are a piece of cake" Adam smugly replied with a broad grin and Rachel couldn't help but interfere

"aren't those the one who whopped your asses like last season?" she said with a grin obviously proud. She and Adam were always at each other's throats not in a bad way. She was the typical girlfriend's best friend and Brooke didn't mind their silly arguments about basketball despite the fact that Rachel knew nothing about the game except for the concept of hot guys and an orange ball going through a hoop.
"Rachel, I cant help but ask" Adam spoke in a mockingly pleasant tone "Why are you here?"
"because you wouldn't have it any other way" she stuck her tongue out at him and the three of them laughed.

Brooke wrapped her arms more around his waist burring her head in his shoulder "come on, you wouldn't have a game without your two favorite cheerleaders now would you" she teased him
"I'll look out for you guys in the crowd" he winked planting one last kiss on her lips before letting her slip out of his arms and watching her walk in the other direction with Rachel. She was perfect – he thought.
Even in her low rise jeans and a smile basketball jersey that held his number. The top of her head now covered with a NY cap, still allowed her chocolate brown her to fall to her shoulders creating its unique waves at the ends.

Brooke and Rachel pushed through the crowd trying to get to their seats in the middle of the bleachers stand. She held onto Rachel's wrist to make sure they wouldn't lose each other. Basketball games were always like that and as far as she was informed, this was one of the biggest games of the season. They finally found their designated seats and Brooke couldn't help but look around at the different scenes before her. They reminded her so much of her high school years. Except now she was sitting among the audience rather than down there with the rest of the cheerleaders and the players. Her lip twitched into a smile as she spotted the basketball players warming-up.

Her eyes diverted to another scene where a cheerleader stood by one of them holding onto his arms and helping him stretch. It was like dejavu, except she was that cheerleader and the player was a certain blue-eyed blonde – one of the best basketball players witnessed in Tree Hill high. She gave out a short sigh after her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar name

"Where is Adam?" Rachel scanned the court and upon hearing his name Brooke felt a sudden guilt. This was his night and she was going to concentrate on him and only him. And that's how its going to be …………..for the rest of her life. A thought that excited her and scared her at the same time. How can she feel that way? Two total opposite emotions separated by only one thin line. She felt herself being dragged from one side to the other – there was no end to her confusion and no treatment to what she felt in her heart. All she could do was pray that time will mend everything on its own and she can finally find the life she wanted.

"Argh, why does it take so long for Basketball games to start…" Rachel grumbled now munching on hr pretzel that she had acquired from the outside stand. Brooke only smiled at her friend's impatience
"It's so weird sitting here. Im not used to it" she suddenly blurted out and turned to Rachel "I feel like grabbing my pompoms and cheer uniform and going down there"

Rachel snorted following it with a cough as she choked on her pretzel "yea im sure the audience will enjoy that, you in your tiny little cheerleading outfit shaking your butt around and doing flips….and failing miserably"
Brooke gasped in a fake shock "are you implying I still can't do it?"
"no" Rachel shook her head with a mischievous smile "I'm right out saying it. "
"I SO can"
"prove me wrong." She shrugged sticking her tongue out at Brooke
"not here….." Brooke nudged her
"oh, too chicken. ……thought so" Rachel pressed in her obnoxious manner nonchalantly sipping on her Pepsi "what? If you can do then show us…"

"I actually second that" a sudden interruption stopped both them as they looked at the stranger sitting in front of them who had just invited himself into their conversation. Neither of them said a word and Brooke just raised her eyebrow at him. Rachel on the other hand was admiring the view.

"By the way, I'm Braden" he extended his hand to both of them and Rachel took it willingly flashing him a flirtatious smile. Brooke didn't even need to say anything, the two were already in their own world chatting away. Looks like Rachel found what she came here for.

It was the fourth quarter and there were still 5 more minutes left in the game. Of course in basketball terms that mean at least another half an hour. The teams were tied and the crowd was now cheering more than ever before. Brooke found herself engrossed in the game shouting every now and then to cheer her fiance's team. All of a sudden she into the game for the first time in so many years. It was an exciting part of her past and today she was able to connect to it more than she had ever done before. Adam had the ball in his hands bouncing it as he dashed towards the opponents' basket.

Everyone was on their feet anticipating the shot that would give their team the lead. It took a few seconds and it finally happened. The ball went flying in the air leaving Adam's hands and landing in the hoop. The cheers were now beyond the ordinary volume. People screaming and clapping – everyone in total excitement.

"YEA ADAM" She screamed so loud but it was only audible to those who surrounded her. That's how loud everyone was cheering. A bright smile made its way to her feature and she took off her cap to readjust it on her head when suddenly she froze in her place. Her smile slowly fading and her heart racing to the point of no return.

Everyone had already sat back down, but her knees were in a lock and she stared in front of her across the court to a figure that seemed to complement her state. His blue eyes almost reflecting the court lights as he slowly pulled his cap off. An intoxicating sense washing over her whole body making it numb to any other feeling coming from any other way. Their eyes locked in a different realm separating them from all the crowd and perhaps the whole world. It was a mystery how after all those years, those pair of blue eyes were still able to make her feel that way – whole. Whole in the sense that all feelings she had ever imagined, lost, wished for, were finally making their way back to her. They both stood their, their time capsule had stopped and all that was still going was the racing of their hearts that, despite being separated by a distance, were still mirror images of each other.

Yes, i know...a cliffhanger lol

Next: Find out whocaptured Brooke's attention