It had been a milestone in Brooke Davis' life. She, for the very first time, had gone grocery shopping for herself by herself. It had seemed like a fun little adventure at first but like most things in Tree Hill, it turned out to be harder than it appeared. She had managed to pick up a few things and on her rare night off, decided to heat up a TV dinner.

She wasn't very experienced with the microwave either. Singing to herself, she didn't bother to read the directions. Why? It wasn't neuro surgery. But she didn't see the warning telling her to remove the flammable wrapper before heating. And Brooke had no idea how long it would take to warm low carb lasagna so she put it on HIGH for 25 minutes. Then she headed downstairs...

Lucas lay on the bed with his earphones in. He was reading a comic book and half watching some cop show on TV. He thought he smelled something funny but he ignored it. Minutes later, there was no ignoring it. It was full fledged smoke. Hopping off the bed, Lucas opened the door and a thick, white, suffocating cloud filled the room. He coughed and tried to feel his way in the kichen.

"Damn", he muttered.

He couldn't see where the fire was coming from. He heard footsteps emerging from the basement, then the door opened.

"Oh my God", came the scream followed by a cough.

"Brooke?"

"What's going on?"

"Stay where you are. Something's on fire!"

Brooke put her hands on her hips.

"Is it my microwave dinner?"

Lucas ran over to the microwave and opened it. Sure enough, that was the culprit. He ran into the living room and grabbed the fire extinguisher, letting the foam do its magic. In seconds, it was over. When things had settled down and visibility was back, Lucas peered in.

"Tell me you didn't leave this foil cover crap on it."

Brooke shrugged.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? Are you stupid or something? You can't put that in a microwave."

"Okay! I feel bad enough as it is. I almost burned down Deb's kitchen and there goes my delicious low carb dinner. It's not like I did it on purpose. Besides, how was I to know?"

Lucas fished the container out of the garbage.

"Let's see, these little words on the back that are instructions."

"Oh."

Lucas shook his head.

"And nice work putting food on, then going downstairs."

"Why are you being so mean? I only went down for a minute."

"Yeah and that's almost how long it took to burn the damned house down!"

Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Don't be so dramatic. It was just a little smoke. You're the one that ran out like you were auditioning for Ladder 49."

Lucas scoffed as he laughed.

"Well, somebody had to be the hero. I'm surprised you didn't call 911. You seem to be so good at that."

Brooke made a face.

"Ha, ha. You are just so funny."

"What's your deal anyway? Are you one of those spoiled Beverly Hills broads?"

Brooke's eyes widened.

"No! I…I'm from the Midwest."

Lucas nodded.

"Really? What part?"

She was taken off guard.

"Huh?"

"I asked which state."

"Look, you're really nosy."

"Sorry. Forgive me for asking a simple question."

Brooke looked around nervous.

"What makes you think I'm from Beverly Hills?" she asked.

"I don't know. I just said it. You reminded me of one of those girls from Clueless."

Brooke's mouth hit the floor as she put her hand up.

"Oh that's nice. Way to stereotype."

"Most stereotypes are true…that's why they are called stereotypes."

"Whatever. You don't know anything about me."

Lucas shrugged.

"I do know you have that hideous thing downstairs you call a coat. Damn. What had to die to make that?"

"None of your business and why were you in my personal space?"

"For your information, I had to get to the fuse box down there and I saw that thing hanging up. Is it real?"

Brooke was mortified at the question.

"Well, duh. Like I'd be seen in faux fur. It's Chinchilla, thank you very much."

"So some poor animal had to die for that?" Lucas asked as he made himself a sandwich.

"I don't know. I guess."

Lucas shook his head.

"Figures."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Just you're an asshole if you wear fur."

Brooke was in a state of shock.

"What did you just call me?"

"I wasn't calling you alone as asshole. I said anybody who wears fur."

"What…"

"Even someone as seemingly superficial as you has to admit that. I mean, come on. Killing an animal just for its fur so you can prance around in some ridiculous overpriced coat? Get real."

Broke folded her arms in defiance.

"Oh yeah?"

"And you're just the next spokesperson for PETA. How is the turkey? Yummy?"

Lucas grinned before taking a big bite.

"As a matter of fact it is."

"Hypocrite."

"Don't even make a comparison. It's not the same thing."

"Whatever. Look, it's been really fascinating arguing with and watching you gallantly save the day but I am really hungry and since you super soaked my only dinner, any suggestions on what I should do now?"

"May I suggest something that does not require heat?"

She folded her arms.

"Like?"

He pointed to the fruit bowl.

"There you go. There's a nice apple for you. Yum. You should be able to eat that without causing too much damage."

"I'll need something else", she pouted. "I can't just have an apple."

"There is loaf bread in the cabinets and plenty of cheese and lettuce and tomatoes and mayo and lunch meat in the fridge. Knock yourself out with a ham, turkey or salami sandwich."

"A sandwich?"

"Yeah. The turkey is really good, unless you'd rather wear it."

"Fine", she sighed, finally stalking over to the refrigerator, uncomfortable that Lucas was still staring at her. "Do you mind?"

"What?"

"Are you gonna stand there and watch me all night?"

"I was just making sure everything was kosher with the knife but if you've got it under control…"

"Do you have to be such a jerk?"

"I thought I was being charming."

Brooke scowled.

"Not hardly."

"Look, Deb gets off in a few hours. If I go back to bed, can I trust there will be a roof and four walls standing when she gets here?"

"Yes. Just quit bothering me. Show's over. Everything is under control."

Both muttered under their breath as Lucas retreated and slammed the door and Brooke tried to make herself a sandwich. So far, Tree Hill hadn't been so bad and Deb had been a lifesaver. In fact, everything was fine, except for her rude and annoying upstairs neighbor. Brooke shook her head. What an ass! She just hoped the living arrangement would be temporary.