Big thanks to my dearest Kels for helping me clear up some details about applying to college in the USA. It's different to ol' England.
Chapter Twenty-Two: Even All The Sad Songs Ain't So Sad
"You had sex in a stranger's hot tub?" Nathan repeated for the umpteenth time.
"Yes," Lucas laughed as she tossed the basketball at the basket. It went in easily.
"It seems to have improved your game," Nathan noted, "Or is that just happiness?"
"A bit of both, little brother. A bit of both," Lucas replied.
"Damn," Nathan said, still in disbelief, "Maybe I should try doing that." He seemed to go off into his own little fantasy world.
"Hey," Lucas said, "Stop fantasizing about Brooke in a hot tub."
"Who says I wasn't fantasizing about Haley in a hot tub?" Nathan quizzed.
"Man, I have to tell you. I'm crazy in love with that girl. I feel like doing a Tom Cruise on Oprah and screaming at the top of my lungs."
"You watch Oprah?" Nathan asked. Lucas shrugged his comment off.
"Seriously, she makes me want to do all these crazy things. I just want to be with her all the time."
"Boy, it's going to be tough when you go off to college in a few months," Nathan said, but he noticed Lucas' sudden sullen expression.
"We haven't actually talked about that yet," Lucas said bouncing the ball on the ground, "I don't even know what college I'm going to yet. I hadn't even thought about it." He shook his head as he realized he hadn't been paying much attention to his future.
"Well, it's going to be soon," Nathan reminded him, "If you don't talk about it now…"
"Geez, now I wish I was your age. Half the time I forget I'm eighteen and the rest of you are all sixteen." Lucas dropped the ball and sat down on the ground.
"Hey, come on. You don't know what'll happen. Maybe you'll go to a college close to home and there are always weekend visits. Plus, it'll be easier for you and Brooke to spend time together, and Haley and me to visit without Dad knowing. I didn't mean to bum you out." Nathan apologized.
"Don't worry about it. Let's forget it and talk about something else," Lucas got up off the ground and Nathan passed the ball to him.
"Dude," Nathan said suddenly, "You watch Oprah?"
"Broody!" Brooke called as she entered his room. "Guess what time it's almost!"
"Uh…" Lucas thought for a moment. He was sure it wasn't her birthday or any type of anniversary.
Or was it?
Lucas gulped, "Uh… happy anniversary!" he said with a grin and giving her a kiss. "I didn't forget," he promised.
"What are you doing?" she asked, "What anniversary? We've only been dating for twelve days."
"I knew that. I was just testing you," Lucas said a little embarrassed. She shook her head and sighed.
"Anyway," she said, "Like I was saying. It is almost Christmas. And it's my first Christmas here, which means it's going to be extra special!" Brooke enthused.
"You've been here that long already?" Lucas asked, "Wow, I didn't realize."
"Yup, and since I'm not quite up on the Scott traditions, you're going to have to educate me." Brooke sat down on his bed with a notepad and pen. He laughed.
"Brooke, we don't really have traditions," he said as he sat down next to her, "Well, Nate and I used to go ice skating with our parents, but it's safe to say we don't do that any more. We are allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, but the rest have to wait until after we've had showers and had breakfast. My dad likes to have us all looking our best for our photo opportunities," Lucas explained.
"Really? What a buzz-kill," Brooke pouted, "I don't have to do that, do I?"
"You do if you want to be alive to ring in the New Year," Lucas told her. "What traditions are you bringing over?"
Brooke sighed, "Well, my parents used to go to an exotic location to spend Christmas. I used to go with them but the last few years I spent it alone in New York."
"That's kind of sad."
"Are you kidding me?" Brooke said facing him, "My parents left me with their credit cards. Plus, I had no silly rules like yours on Christmas Day. I opened my presents when I wanted to. But that's not really going to happen this year since my parents traded in the Bahamas for jail and a rehab."
"At least you get to spent Christmas with me," Lucas said grinning. "Are we exchanging presents?"
Brooke hit him on the head, "Do you even have to ask? Of course we are! I've already got yours," she said cryptically, "And before you ask, I am not accepting 'sex coupons' from you. I want a real present. One with a lot of thought and meaning behind it. Also, a very hefty price tag," Brooke said.
"Don't worry," Lucas said, "I've already got it planned. Kind of."
"Good," she said, "Now, what do I buy Nathan and Tutor Wife? How about a toaster?"
"Why a toaster?" Lucas asked.
"Because I kind of broke theirs last week when I went over," she cringed and Lucas laughed.
"Okay, a toaster for Nathan and Hales." Lucas said. "Hey, I have an idea."
"What?" Brooke asked as she wrote down 'toaster' next to Nathan and Haley's name.
"Why don't we buy presents… as a couple?" Brooke cocked her head to the side as she contemplated it.
"You mean… making it more public than it already is?" Brooke questioned. Lucas nodded.
"Yeah, I mean we more or less hang around with the same people. Obviously we won't do the same for Mom and Dad but for everyone else, it might be nice." Lucas said. Brooke smiled.
"Okay," she said, "We'll buy presents as a couple. Does this mean we're going Christmas shopping together?" she asked. Lucas groaned.
"Can't we shop online?" Brooke shook her head.
"Come on, Broody. Let's get our butts to the mall."
Four hours of shopping later, and they'd finally bought all that they needed to buy.
"I can't believe we bought stuff for all the cheerleaders."
"Hey, I'm the captain. I need to reward them, especially since I got a trophy out of it," Brooke said linking arms with him.
"Yeah, but do they really need a present from me?"
"Well we bought the whole basketball team presents."
"And they're totally going to kick my ass for that," Lucas said, "They don't need personalized caps, believe me!"
"Too late now, Broody. It's non-refundable. Plus, I'm sure they'll love them really."
"If you say so," Lucas said. "So, to recap we bought Peyton some rare vinyls, Nathan and Haley got a toaster and a blender – since you broke that too, the basketball and cheerleading teams are sorted. We got Mom a pair of Jimmy Choos, and my Dad some brandy. Is that it?"
Brooke nodded, "Yup. I think we're done."
"What about your parents?" Lucas asked, "Don't you want to buy them something?"
"Oh sure, I was thinking of baking a file into a cake to send to my dad. And I'm sure my mom would appreciate the brandy." Brooke tried to joke.
"Brooke…"
"Leave it, Lucas. I don't want to send them anything. I know that I probably should but honestly, I haven't really given them that much thought since I moved here. I don't know why I should when in previous years; they didn't give a crap about me!"
Lucas sighed, realizing that it was probably no use, "Okay. Let's just put these in the car and go home, okay? I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Brooke said before plastering a smile on her face. "Come on, let's go check out what's playing at the Megaplex," she said.
Lucas checked to see if the coast was clear. Brooke had gone to have a shower ten minutes before and Lucas knew he had a few minutes to do what he had to.
Logging onto his computer, he quickly went online and surfed around for a little while before hitting onto his desired site.
He dialed the number on the screen and keeping his voice low, placed his order.
"Hi," he said, "Do you deliver anywhere?"
"Yes, sir, as long as it is in the States."
"Okay, well in that case, can I order two? One to be delivered to Mrs. Elizabeth Davis at Goldsmith's Rehab Clinic and the other to Mr. Mitch Davis at the county prison, both in New York City." Lucas said.
"Of course, sir. Would you like to add a message?"
"Yeah, Just put 'Merry Christmas' on them and tell them it's from Brooke Davis."
"Brooke Davis?"
"Yeah, I'm ordering on behalf of her."
Lucas cast his eyes to the bathroom door, making sure it was still shut. He could hear the faint sound of the shower.
"Okay, your order has been placed. They will be delivered in two weeks. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, that's fine. Thank you."
Once the payment had been sorted out, Lucas hung up the phone, barely before Brooke came out of the shower.
"Hey, gorgeous," she greeted, "Who were you talking to?"
"Oh, no-one," Lucas said. She grinned.
"Don't lie. You were totally sorting out my Christmas present weren't you?" she asked.
"You got me," Lucas lied, hating to do so.
"Thought so," Brooke said, "I'm going to get changed before dinner. See you in a bit," she said giving him a kiss and practically bouncing out of the door.
Lucas sighed, wondering whether he'd done the right thing. He didn't want to go behind her back like this but he didn't want her making mistakes so early on in her life.
He just hoped she'd understand.
To Be Continued…