Chapter Twenty: The Itch That You Scratch

"What the hell is Joanna Parks wearing?" Peyton asked as she saw the girl's attire. Haley followed her gaze and frowned.

"Not much by the looks of it," she said, "And since when did Ugg boots come back in fashion?"

"Says she who wears ugly hats," Peyton joked. Haley hit the blonde.

"Hey! I used to wear them – and they were cool," Haley defended in mock-offence. "Anyway, you wear those stupid t-shirts with names of bands nobody has ever heard of," Haley replied. Peyton's jaw dropped.

"Haley," Peyton pointed to her t-shirt, "You totally love Dashboard Confessional because I leant you the CD three months ago and you still haven't returned it," Peyton grinned.

Haley rolled her eyes and they fell on Brooke who was contently resting her head on the table with a small smile playing on her lips. Haley nudged Peyton who also looked at their friend that was blissfully ignoring their conversation.

"So, I was thinking we could check out that lingerie store… how about it, Peyton? Just us heading there after school. Maybe pick up some cute wedgies and shop until we drop? An afternoon out at the spa maybe?" Haley suggested, keeping an eye on Brooke to catch her reaction.

The brunette didn't seem to notice.

"Don't you think Brooke is letting herself go a little? She's looking pudgier than usual," Peyton tried.

"Oh totally. She's also got split ends and has really been neglecting her exfoliation," Haley continued.

"Hey!" came an indignant reply, "I can hear you, you know!" Brooke said lifting her head off of the table.

"Sorry, you just seemed out of it," Haley told her. "Is everything okay? You look a little-"

"Happy," Peyton finished, "What's up, dude?"

Brooke tried to hide her smile, "I'm not allowed to be happy now?"

"No, no… it's just you have a… glow," Haley said, "A happy, shiny glow."

"I know that glow," Peyton said, "It's the 'I'm in love with a hot, hot guy and I'm insanely happy' glow."

"I do not have a glow," Brooke insisted but her wide grin proved otherwise.

"Brooke Penelope Davis, we are your best friends and we demand to know who has got you grinning like an idiot," Peyton told her. "Spill it."

"I can't," Brooke told them, "It's a secret."

Both Haley and Peyton gasped in disbelief.

"Does that mean he's ugly?" Peyton asked.

"No!"

"Married?" Haley asked, "It's not Nathan, is it?" she said in mock-concern.

"It's not Nathan."

"Oh, it's Mouth!" Peyton guessed.

"No, if she's that embarrassed, it must be Tim!" Haley added.

Brooke rolled her eyes, "It's not Mouth, it's not Dim – and I am not embarrassed about him. It's just a secret. We're not ready to tell anyone yet," Brooke said.

"So, how long have you been dating this mystery guy?" Peyton asked.

"Three days. He took me out on this fabulous date Monday night – not one of those dinner-and-a-movie dates either – he took me to pl-" Brooke stopped in mid-sentence after realizing that she could give it away easily if she finished it, "He took me out and uh, it was really good. Really good," Brooke said with a smile.

"Wow, sounds like a keeper. So when do we get to meet this mystery guy of yours?" Haley questioned.

"Oh, uh, I don't know," Brooke said as she searched her mind for an excuse, "Anyway, I promised Bevin I'd help her with her History since she was sick yesterday. No going to the spa without me," she told her friends as she scooped up her books and made her way to the library.

"Who do you think it is?" Haley asked Peyton when Brooke entered the main building block. Peyton shrugged.

"No idea, dude, but I really want to know because I haven't ever seen her this happy," Peyton replied.

"Speaking of happy," Haley brightened up as she saw Nathan and Tim making their way towards them. She waved at them and the two boys joined Peyton and Haley. "Hello, hubby," Haley greeted giving her husband a kiss.

"Okay, guys we know you're married, you don't have to be all cutesy all the time," Peyton complained.

"You're only complaining because Jake's visiting his cousins in Savannah with Jenny. He'll be back in two days," Haley said wrapping her arms around Nathan.

Peyton nodded. Jake had left on Friday for a short visit to Savannah and she had been missing both Jake and Jenny, especially since this was the longest they'd spent apart since they'd begun dating.

"Where's Brooke?" Tim asked.

"Since when did you care about Brooke?" Peyton asked. Nathan grinned.

"Tim has a crush," he said. Tim shot his friend a glare as the two girls started oohing and ahhhing .

"Well, we have bad news for you, Tim. Brooke's got herself a guy," Haley said raising her eyebrows.

"Really? Who?" Nathan asked.

"That depends," Peyton turned to Tim, "What were you doing on Monday night?" she asked.

"I was watching my Dad's stack of porn," Tim answered honestly without thinking about it.

"Ew, gross!" Haley said burying her head in her husband's shoulder.

"Too much information, Tim," Nathan said. Tim shrugged.

"So who is it?" Tim asked. Peyton and Haley shook their heads.

"She won't say, but she's got like a spring in her step and glowing so he obviously makes her happy," Peyton said.

"It must be something in the air. Lucas is less broody these days," Nathan commented.

The two girls exchanged glances at one another and gasped. Nathan and Tim frowned.

"What?" Nathan asked, "What did I say?"

"Lucas and Brooke are seeing each other," Peyton said.

"What? No!" Nathan shook his head. "How'd you come up with that theory?"

"Uh, because all the signs are there. Brooke is happy, Lucas is happy. They're obviously doing something happy," Peyton put two and two together.

Nathan still wasn't convinced.

"No, no. There's nothing going on. They agreed to be friends during the Classic and there was all that weird awkwardness going on after they slept together. There is no way that they're dating. Plus, everyone knows that Lucas doesn't date anyone," Nathan pointed out.

"True, but I think Peyton might be right on this one. I mean, you've seen the sparks flying all over the place. Lucas has always carried a torch for her. Even if he didn't admit it at the time, I'd say he's always had a thing for her." Haley said.

"You girls are crazy," Nathan said shaking his head, "Anyway, you'd better pipe down because he's headed our way."

All eyes turned to Lucas who came over to their table.

"Hey guys," he said, "What's going on?"

"They think that you-" Tim was silenced by Peyton's hand covering his mouth.

"Nothing much. What's going on with you?" she quickly asked. Lucas couldn't contain his smile.

"Nothing, just admiring the day. It's really beautiful out, isn't it?" he asked missing the looks the rest of his friends were giving him.

"Where were you Monday night?" Peyton questioned. Lucas' eyes darted back and forth as he looked for a plausible excuse.

"Uh… I was at the Rivercourt. Why?" he asked.

"Oh, no reason," she said with a smile.

"Okay. Anyway, I've got to go help Mouth with his History since he was ill yesterday. Speak to you soon," he said waving them off and going to the main block.

Peyton and Haley looked at each other, and once Lucas was out of earshot, burst into laughter.

"What?" Tim asked the two.

"Brooke is helping Bevin with her History because she was sick."

"So?" Nathan said before it hit him, "Ohhh," he said as he suddenly grinned, "It makes sense now."

"What?" Tim asked.

"Totally!" Peyton said as she laughed, "God, they must think we're stupid."

"Or they might have not realized they used the same excuse," Haley suggested.

"What?" Tim questioned again.

"We are going to have so much fun with this. How long do you think-"

"Three days. She said it herself," Peyton replied.

"What?" Tim's voice became more urgent as he tried to get answers.

"So what should we do? Tell them or just pretend we don't know until they tell us?" Haley asked.

"I don't know. It could be fun to just mess with them a little," Peyton said.

"But that's mean," Haley interjected.

"Guys!" Tim yelled, cutting their plans short, "Can somebody tell me what the hell is going on?" he questioned.

The three looked at each other and burst into more laughter.

Brooke drummed her fingers on the desk in the empty classroom she'd agreed to meet Lucas in.

Checking her watch, she cursed him as he was running late as usual.

When the door opened, she jumped up hoping it was Lucas and not some random teacher. Thankfully, it was her blonde haired, blue eyed housemate.

"There you are, do you have any ide-" she began but was cut off by a hard kiss from him.

"I've wanted to do that all day," he grinned once they came up for air. She put her arms around his neck.

"So have I," she replied, "Although you kept me waiting long enough."

"Sorry, babe, but I got caught up with Nathan and everyone," Lucas explained.

"What did they want?" she asked.

"They were wondering where I was Monday night." Brooke pushed him away slightly and gave him a look.

"You didn't tell them did you?"

"Of course not. They're completely clueless," he reassured, pulling her close and giving his new girlfriend a lingering hug.

"Lucas?" she said halfway through the hug.

"Yeah," he whispered.

"Are you smelling my hair?" she frowned as she noticed a deep inhaling of breath as he buried his face in her hair. She heard him gulp and lift his head up.

"Uh… no?" he told her running a hand through his own. She shook her head and gave him a kiss as the bell signifying the end of lunch rang throughout the building.

He moaned as she tried to break apart.

"Lucas," she giggled as he held onto her as tightly as he could.

"No," he whined slightly as she tried to wriggle away, "I haven't been with you long enough."

"I'm going to be late for English."

"You don't need English," he said.

"Lucas, someone could catch us," she said.

"Let them. I don't want to let you go."

"You can see me in a few hours," Brooke reminded him.

"But that will be at dinner, and Mom and Dad are at home, and that means I have to pretend I hate you," Lucas said, "When really, all I want to do is reach over the gigantic table and kiss you."

Brooke scoffed, "Yeah, and I'd love to see what Dan and Karen say about that," she laughed.

The second warning bell rang and Lucas reluctantly let her go, giving her a parting kiss.

"I'll see you at home?" she said as she grabbed her bag from a nearby desk. He nodded and watched her leave, waiting a full five minutes before also leaving the classroom.

Lucas slowly and quietly opened the door that led to Brooke's bedroom. Walking as softly as he could, he skillfully dodged the various pieces of clothing and magazines strewn across the floor.

As much as he loved Brooke, she wasn't the tidiest person on the planet.

He could roughly make out her sleeping figure in the early morning light and took a moment to watch her in adoration before climbing in beside her.

She shifted as the extra weight disturbed her from her slumber. She rolled around, whacking Lucas on the nose as she did.

"Ow!" he muttered, waking her up.

"Lucas?" she whispered, "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Looking at beautiful girlfriend before I have to go on my 6am run," he told her, "I didn't know I'd get a broken nose in the process."

"Sorry," Brooke apologized, "You just scared me, that's all. No damage I hope."

"Nah," Lucas replied, "Just a little bruise."

"I'd kiss it better but I have morning breath and-" Brooke began but was cut of by a kiss from Lucas, "You know, you really have to warn me before you do that. I'm starting to think that you don't like me talking."

Lucas smiled, "I just love kissing you," he said.

"Can't argue with that," Brooke said leaning in for another kiss. However, she didn't know that Lucas was teetering on the edge of her bed. As she leant closer, he leant back slightly – rolling directly off the bed and making a loud thump as he hit the floor.

"Lucas!" Brooke whispered harshly, "Are you okay?" she peered over the edge of the bed where Lucas was groaning in pain and rubbing his head.

"Ow!" he moaned as Brooke began to help him up – that was until Brooke heard her name being called from the hallway. Lucas scrambled towards the bathroom as fast as he could and Brooke settled back into her bed.

A disheveled looking Dan and Karen entered her room.

"Are you okay?" they asked Brooke. She nodded. "We heard a noise and thought someone was trying to break in," Karen said.

"Oh, no. I hit a button on the remote control and accidentally turned the TV on. I'm fine," Brooke lied.

"Oh, okay," Karen said breathing a sigh or relief. "Well, Dan and I have to get up anyway."

Dan wasn't as convinced as he made his way to the bathroom door.

'Please don't let Lucas be in there.' Brooke silently begged.

Fortunately for her, Lucas came out of his bedroom door and peered in.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"We heard a noise but it ended up being the TV," Karen told him, "Are you going for your run?"

Lucas nodded, "Yup. I was just heading out now," he said with a smile.

Dan looked between Brooke and Lucas and just nodded.

"Well, you'd better get a move on, son. You have to fit in a good five or so miles before school," Dan said.

"Come on, Dan. Let's leave Brooke alone. I'm sure she doesn't need all of us crowding her bedroom," Karen said, ushering her husband out.

Once the two adults had gone, Lucas gave Brooke a wink before shutting her bedroom door.

Brooke collapsed back on the bed, savoring the last few minutes before she had to get ready for school by dreaming of Lucas Scott.

To Be Continued…

Yup, another fluffy chapter. I re-watched the finale and it depressed me.

And a big shout-out to the L/P Haters from FanForum. I'm sure you got the little joke in there! -sniffs hair and squints-