Chapter 21

"Sugar, We're Going Down Swinging"

Nathan stepped off the bus and was thrilled to see his family waiting for him. Deb approached him first and pulled him into a hug. "Welcome home, son," she said with a smile on her face.

"I'm glad to be back," Nathan responded.

"Did you impress the scouts?" Dan asked as he stepped forward.

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Can we not do this now?"

"Your future depends on how well you did at camp?"

"Dan, he just got home…can we do this later?" Deb asked.

Haley could see the situation heating up between Dan and Deb so she decided to try and cool it down. She wrapped her arms around Nathan and planted a kiss on his lips. "I missed you so much," she said.

"I'm back and I'm never going to leave you again," Nathan replied. He then looked over at Lucas who was holding Brooke's hand. He looked different from the last time he had seen him. He looked tired, worn, and he had dark circles under his eyes. It was probably from all those nights of heavy partying that Haley told him about. "Hi Brooke," he said.

"Hey stranger," she said as she hugged her friend.

"So are you going to hug your little brother or what?" Nathan asked Lucas.

"Welcome back," Lucas said as he hugged his brother.

Nathan had decided that he was going to stay at the beach house for a while. He wanted to keep an eye on Lucas and possibly keep Dan off of his back. He just wanted to get the old Lucas back. He sat on his bed with his arms wrapped around Haley. Haley could sense that something was bothering him. "What's on your mind?" she asked.

"Lucas…I just can't believe how different he looks."

"It all started when he moved here with your father. He went out partying and getting drunk every night. Brooke's gotten him to tone it down, but it's taken its toll on him."

Nathan nodded his head in understanding. "I know what you mean."

"Brooke's the best thing that's happened to him in awhile. They get along great together, and she brings out the best in him."

"I'm glad he has her."

Lucas had just finished getting ready for Tim's party as he exited the bathroom. He entered his bedroom and was surprised to find Nathan sitting on his bed. "I thought you were with Haley," he said.

"I was," Nathan responded, "But she went home to get ready for the party." He watched as Lucas sat down next to him on the bed. "How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm doing fine," Lucas responded with a confused look on his face.

"Has Dan been treating you okay?"

"We pretty much keep our distance…it's better that way."

"You know you can tell me if something's bothering you."

Lucas nodded his head. "Everything's fine…I'm okay."

Nathan was going to say something more, but never got the chance when he heard a car pull up in the driveway. Before he knew it Lucas was out the door. He followed Lucas down the stairs, and they met Brooke and Haley at the front door.

Lucas turned to Nathan. "Are we ready?"

"Yeah let's go."

The party was in full swing a few houses down when Lucas, Brooke, Nathan, and Haley arrived. Nathan wanted to keep an eye on Lucas, but lost him in the crowd when he was ambushed by some of the guys from the team. When he finally got a break from the guys he found Haley sitting on the couch with Jake and Peyton. He didn't want to talk to either one of them after what they did to Lucas, so he motioned for Haley to come over to him.

"How could you possibly be talking to those two?" Nathan asked.

Haley shrugged her shoulders. "They sat down next to me. What was I supposed to do…ignore them?"

"That's what I would have done, but you're too nice, Hales."

"So I've been told."

"Have you seen Lucas?"

Haley nodded her head and pointed towards the deck. "They went outside to get some fresh air."

"Was Lucas drinking?"

"No, Brooke made sure of it." Haley wrapped her arms around him. "Don't worry…he's going to be okay."

Brooke and Lucas sat wrapped up in each other's arms as they sat on the beach and watched the stars. Lucas felt so right being wrapped in her arms. He didn't want to be anywhere else. "What are you thinking about?" Brooke asked as they gazed at the North Star.

Lucas turned so that he was looking into her brown eyes. "You…and how beautiful you are. I love you, Brooke." Lucas couldn't believe he said it. But it felt so right, and he meant it.

Brooke was caught off guard when she heard him say those words, but she felt the same way. "I love you too, Lucas…more than anything."

Lucas pulled her closer to him and they shared a long kiss. He felt like he was floating on air, and nothing could bring them down.

Nathan and Haley were dancing close together when they saw Benny and one of his friends enter the house. Haley was stunned to see them there. She only knew them as the stoners who hung out underneath the bleachers. "What are they doing here?" she asked as she pointed in their direction.

Nathan was also shocked to see them. None of his friends ever hung out with them. He noticed that Benny was looking for something, or someone, as he approached Tim. "He doesn't look to happy," Nathan noted.

"What do you think he wants with Tim?"

"I don't know, but it can't be good."

They watched as he shoved past Tim and continued looking around. Before they knew it he went out the back door. They decided to go ask Tim what he wanted.

"What did he want?" Nathan asked.

Tim shrugged his shoulders. "He was looking for Lucas."

Lucas and Brooke were still cuddled together on the beach when Benny found them. "Aw…how cute," Benny said in a sarcastic tone as he hovered over the happy couple."

Lucas quickly rose to his feet. "What do you want?" he drawled.

Benny turned back to his friend. "And here I thought we were becoming friends."

"You really need to leave; this is a private party," Lucas said.

"But you're forgetting our business…I'm here to collect my money, Scott."

By now Brooke had risen to her feet and stood behind Lucas with a confused look on her face. "What's going on?" she asked.

"I see you haven't told your little girlfriend any of this."

"Shut up, Benny," Lucas warned. "Get out of here."

Benny turned to his friend again. "It was only a week ago that he was begging me not to beat the crap out of him." Then he looked at Lucas again. "I want my money!" he demanded.

Lucas decided to play dumb. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I don't have time for your games, Scott. Where the hell is my money?"

Lucas stepped closer to Benny and whispered, "I don't have your money."

Before he had a chance to react Benny's friend grabbed his arms from behind, and Benny's fist met with his gut. He felt Benny's fist connect with his body a few times, but he concentrated on Brooke. He could hear her screaming as tears slid down her cheeks. The pain was unbearable and he tried to fight back, but it was two against one.

"Get the hell off of him!" Nathan demanded as he and the rest of the basketball team came to Lucas' aid.

Benny realized that the odds were against him so he let go of Lucas. He put his hands up in defeat and slowly walked away. When he was gone Nathan crouched down next to Lucas, who was already being attended to by Brooke and Haley. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Lucas coughed a few times before replying, "I'm fine."

"What was he talking about, Lucas?" Brooke asked.

"What are you talking about?" Nathan asked with a confused look on his face.

"He said you owed him money…what was he talking about?" Brooke asked.

Nathan was starting to put the pieces together. "Is this true?" he asked. "Are you using drugs?"

Lucas didn't like being interrogated by Nathan, Brooke, or anyone. "I don't have to take this," he said as he rose to his feet and stormed off, leaving everyone shocked.

This chapter is tilted after the song "Sugar, We're Going Down" by Fall Out Boy