I think this chapter pretty much makes up for everything I have done and will do. I hope everyone enjoys it, because I had a blast writing it. Hopefully, I'll update again tomorrow. Late, late tonight if we're really lucky, but I doubt it.

Only The Good Die Young

Chapter Nineteen: My Salvation Lies In Your Love

School was going by in a heart beat, and already, after much planning, it was time for Senior Prom.

Guys were sweating with anticipation as they thought of which girl they would ask, while girls shopped around, in hopes to find the hottest dress out there.

There was a day left until prom now, and Brooke had already turned down twelve invitations, her most ever. Haley was of course, going with Nathan, as he had to sweetly asked her, by covering her bedroom with roses, and spelling out in candles, 'I love you. Will you go to prom with me?'. Lucas was flying solo as well, with no desire to ask anybody. And finally, Peyton and Jake were going together as well.

Brooke had been working endlessly on the prom itself, she and Haley had barely had time to go dress shopping, but when they had, they'd been extremely pleased with the results.

Haley had been worried at Brooke, who seemed to be so stressed, hoping everything would go perfectly for the seniors. After all, this was their last prom together.

Everyone was going crazy, at this point, except for Haley and Nathan who were sitting together at lunch, eating.

"I can't wait to see your dress." Nathan grinned, and Haley shook her head, laughing.

"You'll like it, trust me."

"I will?" Nathan kissed Haley's neck, smiling softly, "Describe it to me."

"No, no, no. You have to be surprised."

"I hate surprises." Nathan whined, and Haley smirked, running her hand up and down his arm.

"Trust me, you'll like this one."

"Theresa! You can't just put that table right there by the speakers! It'll kill everyone's hearing!"

"I'm sorry, Brooke," The other brunette frowned, "But if you were the one doing this, you'd understand how hard it is."

"Maybe so. But I'm not that one that's doing it, so that's kind of irrelevant, isn't it?" Brooke retorted, causing Peyton, who was walking up behind her, to laugh.

"Nice, Brooke. Think you're riding everyone hard enough?"

"Okay, I'm just going to ignore the sexual reference, considering I'm not getting any, but no. This has to be perfect. It's senior prom, Goldilocks, the most important event of anybody's high school life."

"It's not that important." Peyton was testing Brooke, just to see how far the petite brunette would go.

"Not important? P. Sawyer, I never want to hear you say anything like that again! I mean, graduation is not that important! But Prom?"

Peyton bit her lip to keep from laughing. "I'm sorry, Brooke. Don't get so mad."

"I'm not mad! I'm just- scared. If this sucks, I could lose my position as social chair. And I love being social chair. It just makes my days more fun, and stuff."

"Aw, Brookie, it's okay. When have you ever planned something that sucked?" Peyton slung her arm around Brooke's shoulders.

"I- never. I've never planned anything that's anything that sucked." A small smile suddenly lit up Brooke's face.

"Exactly. So don't be so tough. Just do what you do best," Peyton gave Brooke a shove, "And plan."

"Hey Brother." Lucas said to Nathan has he walked into their kitchen for a drink.

"Hey." Nathan replied, distracted as he played with his new PSP, a gift from his father, in return for playing basketball well.

"So, I was thinking maybe we could go for a- Nate?" The younger Scott brother was completely distracted, and Lucas raised an eyebrow, sitting himself beside Nathan, and watching him play.

"I'm going to kill you, you Ninja Mother Fucker." Nathan murmured as he played, and Lucas chuckled.

"No need for foul language, Natie." He joked, but the joke went unnoticed.

Lucas's eyes finally adjusted towards the game, and pretty soon, him and Nathan were extremely into it, both randomly yelling out obscenities, and egging each other on.

When Nathan had finally used his entire battery up, he finally focused his full attention on Lucas.

"So, what's up?" He asked his older brother, only to receive a shrug from the striking blonde.

"Nothing."

"Okay. Who are you taking to prom?"

"No one."

"Did you ask Brooke?"

"Why would I do that? We're not even together." Lucas made a face, and Nathan nodded.

"I bet you anything she still loves you. She's just confused. Maybe if you could be there for her as a friend-"

"Nate," Lucas interrupted, "Don't be my shrink. Be my brother, and respect my decisions."

Nathan shrugged. "Okay, man. Whatever you want."

The next night came sooner then expected, and Brooke found herself wishing it'd just be over with already.

Her, Peyton, and Haley were all getting ready at the Davis house, while Brooke and Haley's mom snapped pictures incessantly.

At almost eight-thirty, the large, long, white, SUV, stretch limousine pulled up in front of their house. Inside sat the entire rest of the gang. Nathan, dressed in a normal tux, Jake, in a navy blue tux, and Lucas, who was also in a normal tux, just a looser, larger, one. Also in there, were a few other kids from school; Tim, Theresa, Bevin, etcetera. It was pretty full.

The three boys that had gotten the main attention of the three girls stared in awe.

Peyton looked beautiful, as she always did. In one of her mother's dresses, she looked- amazing. It was white, and went only slightly above her knee. It was covered in little white stones, and was thick tank-top strapped. Her hair was curled, so that it went just a little below her shoulders, and she wore only mascara and silver-glittery makeup, along with lip gloss.

Brooke also looked stunning. Her hair was wavy and down, and her makeup was simple; eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss, and teal eye shadow/liner. Her dress went down mid-thigh, but layered briefly above there, and was a soft green. It fit her curves perfectly, and she also wore, with it, many necklaces around her neck. For shoes, she wore simple green pumps.

Haley however, had Nathan's jaw to the ground. Her dress was purple, and was velvet-esque, going down just above her knee. It had a little dark purple silk fabric, here and there, and also fit her curves perfectly. Her hair was lightly curled, and she wore only eyeliner and mascara, with lipgloss, and of course, cover up, for underneath her eyes. Her shoes were black, and 'open'.

"Wow." Nathan murmured, his eyes on Haley.

She grinned. "You like?"

He patted the seat beside him. "I love."

Brooke smiled as her sister and her boyfriend conversed, taking an awkward seat next to Lucas, who smiled softly towards her. She returned the favor.

Peyton sat beside Jake, and he grinned, leaning close towards her ear, and whispering, "I am so lucky to be here with you tonight."

That instantly made her feel- beyond happy. She smiled, grabbing his hand.

"Alright, people, let's do this thing!" It sounded like something Brooke would say, but she couldn't help but not care, because her happiness outshone everything else.

The doors to the large Country Club were opened, and the group of kids stepped through. Everyone's eyes seemed to widen, except for Brooke, who was looking around anxiously.

The place was set up with blue, silver, and red balloons, with the large blue bird standing on the fake 'grass'. The tables were all intended to show a 'spring' feeling, and were picnic tables, either painted blue, silver, or red. There was a stage set up, with a banner sporting the words, 'Spring Fling, Prom 2005'. There were so many intricate details, just leaving the group in complete awe.

"Do you like it?" Brooke asked, ringing her wrists nervously.

"Like it? Brooke, it's amazing!" Haley squealed, her arms wrapping around her twin sister. Brooke treasured the moment, hugging her sister tightly as well. A yearbook member walked by, snapping a picture of the two.

Lucas smiled. "Good job, Brooke. This is amazing."

"Seriously Dude, I don't know what you were so worried about." Peyton grinned, hugging Jake's chest. He nodded in agreement.

Nathan sighed, pulling Haley away from Brooke, and wrapping his own strong arms around her. "Yeah. It'll be the best last prom ever."

"The best last prom ever." Haley winced at the 'last', as she agreed. This would most likely be her last dance- ever.

"Oh, come on!" Brooke shouted excitedly, "Let's go take some pictures!"

The girl scurried off as fast her expensive heels would take her, and Haley chuckled, grabbing Nathan's hand, and pulling him along. "Right behind you, Sister."

It had been an awkward dance for Brooke. Fun, but awkward. She'd taken many pictures, and received many complements. She'd danced with many hot football players, and a couple basketball players, too. But no Lucas. He'd kept to himself the entire prom so far, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, as he stood by the punch bowl. Brooke couldn't help but feel guilty.

Slowly, she walked towards him, smiling sheepishly. "How are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean- uh, how do you like prom?" She stuttered.

A smile formed on his face. "It's great."

"You don't seem to be having a great time." He shrugged. "There's no one to have a good time with."

"Of course there is! I mean-"

"It's okay, Brooke. You don't have to feel guilty." He smiled quickly, knowingly.

"I don't feel- I- I- yeah." She sighed, pouring herself some soda, and looking back towards the front of the room, where Death Cab For Cutie performed. How she'd gotten them there, Brooke had no idea. She'd just dialed a couple phone numbers, and had begged and pleaded, and they'd agreed to come.

It was one of her favorite bands, and Brooke found herself swaying to the music gently, enjoying it completely. In another world.

And then suddenly, the music stopped. Brooke froze, looking up towards the stage. Her principle, Principle Turner, now stood up there, a large smile on his face.

"Welcome Tree Hill High, to this amazing dance, planned by none other, then Brooke Davis," He paused as many cheers, and 'Yeah, Brooke!'s could be heard, "And now, it is with my greatest pleasure, I will announce to you, your Prom King and Queen for 2005."

Brooke sucked in her breath.

Opening an envelope, Principle Turner smiled. "No surprise here. Everyone, please welcome your Prom King, Lucas Scott!"

Cheers arose from all over. Nathan yelled proudly, and Haley clapped loudly. Brooke was frozen in place, wanting to kiss him so badly, because he looked so cute, as he went up, looking embarrassed and shy, with his hands still in his pockets. The crown was lowered onto his head, and he smiled out towards the crowd.

"And now, the moment you have all been waiting for," Principle Turner waved his hands in the air, "Your Prom Queen. Brooke Davis!"

People cheered even louder. Nathan once more, yelled proudly, as did Haley, jumping up excitedly.

Lucas watched, entranced as Brooke walked up, slowly, her hair bouncing up and down, and her smile never leaving her pretty face.

As the crown was lowered onto her head, Brooke smiled even deeper, looking down at Haley, and inwardly squealing excitedly with her cheering sister.

"Now, please clear the dance floor, for the King and Queen, so they may do their dance. You may join in after." Principle Turner grinned, and walked away.
Once more, Death Cab began playing, and Brooke and Lucas, nervously, walked down towards the center of the dance floor. Hesitantly, Brooke placed her hands on his shoulders, and he wrapped his arms around the small of her back.

They started to dance along with the music, staring up into each other's eyes. From afar, Haley and Peyton watched, cooing. Nathan and Jake grinned, slapping hands. The two girls shot them a questioning glance, and Nathan shrugged.

"We got some of the basketball and football team to vote for Lucas, instead of themselves with Brooke."

Haley laughed. "You're so evil. But yet, so sweet."

Nathan grinned, and leaned down to place a kiss on her lips. Haley smiled, grabbing his hand, and pulling him out towards the dance floor. Other couples proceeded to do the same.

Brooke and Lucas could not keep their eyes off of each other. He smiled softly, bringing his hand to her head, to play with her crown quickly. She laughed, looking down briefly, then back up to his eyes.

Slowly, Lucas lowered himself down, closer and closer towards her face. Brooke did the same, and finally, their lips met in a long, slow kiss. They pulled each other together closely, kissing hard, until finally, they pulled apart, and Brooke smiled shyly, resting her head on his shoulder.

Nathan and Haley danced closely, holding each other tightly, and kissing in between.

"This was fun." Haley nodded happily, and Nathan chuckled, playing with a strand of her hair.

"I'm going to miss this."

Tears formed in Haley's eyes, and she smiled nonchalantly. "Miss what?"

He stuttered, and instantly she knew what he meant. But that didn't stop him from trying to play it off easily. "High school. You know, just- everything about high school."

She gave him a look of understanding, as to show that she knew what he really meant. And she leaned her head on his shoulder, holding him so close.

"I'm going to miss this, too."

Back in the limousine, Lucas and Brooke managed to avoid each other, if only briefly, but still laughed and talked along with the rest of the group. Haley and Nathan kissed for a while, while everyone else talked, until they too involved themselves in the conversation.

For the people who would find themselves at the hotel in Tree Hill for the night, with their loved one (This included Peyton and Jake), the night was no where near over, but the others would return home for the night. As a couple of friends stepped out, including Nathan to say good-bye to Peyton and Jake, Brooke and Haley grinned, holding onto each other tightly.

"Amazing Prom, Brooke." Haley kissed her sister's cheek, and Brooke smiled, nodding her head.

"Good Prom everyone! See you on Monday for finals!" Brooke yelled, and then giggled.

Nathan pressed his face against the glass, trying to see in. "Shut up, whoever said that!"

All in all, it had been a special night.