XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
:Fifteen:
"When I was little, I thought the moon was actually the sun."
"Science wasn't your thing?"
Brooke swatted the blond's shoulder. "No." She ducked her head, dark layers hiding the face beneath. "I-"
It must be the alcohol. She couldn't believe the stupid stories falling from her lips. Guys didn't care. They didn't see that side of her, and they never would. She'd been about to break one of her own cardinal rules.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Are you getting cold?" His fingers brushed her arm.
"Not really." Knowing the abrupt mood change would confuse Luke. "I should be getting back."
Brooke started struggling to her feet, mouth opening in surprise. Nate's brother had risen and caught her hand.
"Thanks."
She couldn't miss the blond's worried glances, but pushed them to the back of her mind. Luke wouldn't understand even if she cared to explain. Which she didn't.
Lucas finally broke the uncomfortable silence."Thanks for the walk."
Something about that voice. Suspiciously sincere.
"Look, I'm sorry if I said anything-"
If he'd only stop trying to apologize.
"Look. Luke. Lucas. Whatever it is.It's been really nice. But I have to go."
Brooke could almost feel the hurt gaze following her; the blond's steady steps on the wooden stairs, a silent presence at her back.
The stars seemed to shift, ground moving with it. Brooke reached out, catching at the railing for support. An unfamiliar heat burned her cheeks, and she couldn't seem to find her stupid shoes.
Someone slid the cold sandals onto her feet. Right then left. The cheerleader bit her lip, Luke's shape outlined in the semi darkness below. Bent golden head-
"Hey, Brooke-"
Peyton's familiar greeting, accompanied by the sound of sliding doors. The brunette breathed a sigh of relief, unwilling to meet Lucas' eyes. Running toward her friend.
"Peyt. You came!"
X
Luke stared after the retreating figures, expression softening. He wasn't so naive to think it was his behavior that had prompted Brooke's abrupt departure. She'd had too much to drink, sure. Keith usually got off on some ridiculous high, which lasted far less then the dark moodiness that followed. It was something more, maybe everything. Lucas should know-he'd written a veritable idiot's guide to hiding from the world.
One thing the blond was all too aware of-if someone knew your weakness, they held you in the palm of their hand.
This girl wouldn't lose him that easily.
X
"I don't know what your problem is, but I think you should stay away from my friend."
Luke was nursing a cold can of Pepsi. Wild cherry. The sharp fizziness slid down his throat, and he almost choked.
"Excuse me?"
"Peyton Sawyer. We met the other night." Hooking her thumbs into the waistband of her jeans. "I don't know what your story is, and I really don't care. But I'm not going to let you upset Brooke."
Luke lept to his feet, almost startling her.
"I don't know what you think I did, but all we did was talk."
"Please." Looking past him, epitome of boredom.
"You don't like me." It wasn't a question.
"Your'e just another jerk."
"Define jerk."
"Guy. Male. Jock. I suppose you're different from the rest of your sex."
"I didn't say that. But you don't-"
"Lucas Scott?"
He nodded, frown creasing his forehead.
"That's all I needed to know."
X
Luke resettled himself against the railing. Clusters of girls still milled about, sneaking glances through the glass doors. Peyton hadn't bothered to close them, so his semi peaceful retreat was shattered. Snatches of songs floated past, some familiar. The lyrics danced through his brain, music a welcome distraction. Nathan showed no signs of reappearing. The blond cast about for his brother, even questioning a few guys. Peyton reclined against one of the off-white couches, studying him with mocking eyes. If the Scott's were such jack asses, she'd fit right in. The thought brought a smile to his lips.
Amidst the throbbing beat and general confusion, a phone jangled. Luke located it, but no one seemed inclined to pick up.
Peyton's voice, raised above the din.
"Answer it, Scott."
Luke's smile turned sarcastic. He pressed the instrument close, avoiding a tangle of students.
"Hello."
"Lucas? This is Deb. Where's Nate?"
"Um-I can't seem to find him."
"Figures. Look, he's not picking up his cell. I'd like you to tell Nathan he needs to come home. Tonight."
"Okay-"
"Can you do that, Lucas?"
"I'll tell him."
The phone went dead.
"That went well." Where on earth was Nate? He didn't even know how many rooms this place had.
"Going some where?"
Peyton Sawyer. Irritatingly close, almost brushing elbows in the mix.
"Finding Nathan."
"Good luck."
Lucas gave in. "Look, do you know where he is?"
"I might."
"Could you show me?"
"Most of the team isn't around, in case you haven't noticed."
Luke matched her tone. "No, I haven't."
"Probably doing something stupid." She wandered away for the second time, shoving toward a snack spread.
Lucas's jaw tightened. "Whatever."
He really didn't like Peyton Sawyer.
X
"Aw, come on."
"I think he's going to cry."
"Looking for mommy?"
The wind turned cold, scent of water, laden with moisture. Lucas wrapped arms tightly around his chest. The cat calls and jeers were growing louder. He must be on the right track.
Dew moistened grass stuck to his boots. The blond staggered a little on wet clay, searching the deserted roadway. The sounds were off to the east, where the foliage was thickest.
"That'll teach you. Crashing parties."
"I didn't mean any harm, I just wanted-"
Laughter. Strangely familiar. Luke hesitated, chilled by a finger of foreboding.
Clearing a rise, the scene suddenly spread before him.
Tall figures, their only distinguishing features stripes of white about their necks... more white, outlines of "T" and "H". Seven or eight in the jumble. Great. It was apparently some kind of team prank.
Luke tried to keep quiet, but the dead weeds gave him away. Snapping underfoot.
"Who's there? Tim, I told you to stand watch-"
"It's me, Nate."
Lucas' voice sounded strange, even to himself. There was something eerie in this night time meeting.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Your mom called. Deb. She wants you back tonight."
"What's up with that?"
"Nate's mommy called!"
"Shut up."
"Get rid of him, Nathan!"
An arm reached out, in the dark. "No, it's cool. Luke's cool."
The blond took his brother's outstretched fingers; inky blackness shrouded the unfamiliar terrain.
"What's going on?" He spoke in a low voice, for Nate's ears alone.
"Just having some fun. Let's introduce you."
Luke tensed, disliking his brother's tone. The uncanny way it resembled Dan's.
"This, Lucas, is a boy commonly referred to as Mouth. He wanted to have some fun. Hang out with the popular crowd. What he doesn't realize is, we earned that privilege. It isn't easy being popular. Is it, guys?"
Murmurs of assent.
"Let me go, I won't-"
"Won't try it again? No. You haven't learned your lesson yet."
"Let's throw him in the ocean."
Luke had heard that voice before.
Nathan sighed. "Tim?"
"Ya?"
"Be quiet."
Lucas interrupted. "Wait. I don't get this. What are you guys doing?"
"Educating." Nathan found his brother, giving him a warning shove.
"This isn't right." He could barely see their faces, but Luke had the uncanny feeling every eye was upon him. "It's like what, eight to one?"
A couple team mates jostled the new comer. "We can even the odds, if you like."
"Just what I had in mind." The blond ducked instinctively, feeling the air whoosh over head. He'd moved none too soon.
"Hey, cut it out!" Nathan, vainly trying to restore order.
A fist grazed his cheek. Luke squared his shoulders, smiling in the clammy dark. "Bring it on."
He'd have had no chance at all-save the cover of night. And the fact that Tim rushed him first.
Blindly striking out, trying to keep on the outskirts. Not letting them pin him down. Luke grabbed a bulky jacket, pulling it half way up his assailant, effectively trapping the man's arms. Tricks of street fighting picked up out of necessity.
The basket ball players didn't put on much of a show. Mostly because they started hitting each other. No one knew who was who.
What flattened Lucas wasn't even an opponent, but something on the ground. The blond tripped, landing hard on his back. Lucas' breath fled, yellow and crimson flashes coloring the night.
"Where'd he go?"
Some one stepped on his hand.
X
"Looky, looky. Seems our little friend found him."
The shoe dug Luke's fingers into slimy mud.
"What's a hick like you even doing here?"
Small sound-the party crasher, Mouth, scrambled closer. Lucas felt a thin, heaving body press against his side. The movement only fanned his anger. He jerked his arm, futile effort. Water seeping through the thin fabric of his shirt.
"Get off me."
"Lotta venom there. I think you need a lesson."
"Come on, let him up."
"Nathan, friend of yours, whatever. He asked for it."
"Back off, okay? I'm in charge here."
"He was ruining our fun, Nate. What do you care, anyways?"
"Ya, who is this guy?"
Luke imagined his brother's eyes falling over him. Studying the situation. He hoped to heck Nathan could talk the animals off, or things were going to get nasty.