Chapter Thirty Seven: Everybody Walks Away

Brooke shuffled in her seat, cursing under her breath as to why she didn't think to bring a bottle of water with her. Fortunately she'd opted to wear a sleeveless shirt and short skirt so she could just about bear the heat.

She glanced at her side where Haley was fanning herself with a piece of paper, "How long are we supposed to wait?" she asked. Brooke shrugged.

"No idea."

"I wish they'd hurry it up. I'm boiling to death-" Haley's voice was cut out as sweeping, booming music suddenly started up – courtesy of the school band.

Everybody turned in their seats to face the line of students that walked down the aisle between the rows of audience and dispersed into their assigned seats.

"Get the camera!" Karen instructed Brooke as she caught sight of her son slowly making his way down. Brooke aimed the camera at the identical-looking students all dressed in maroon gowns and caps, trying to find Lucas.

"Which one is he?" Brooke complained when she couldn't find him.

"The one in the gown!" Nathan joked, only to be met with a look from Brooke.

"There he is!" Haley pointed out to the slightly taller man standing awkwardly in his gown. Brooke smiled at the tantrum he'd thrown when he'd seen the gown.

"Maroon? I thought our school colors were blue and white." Lucas complained as he looked at his graduating attire.

"Yeah, well, there was a mix-up – Chapel Hill High got ours." Mouth explained as he handed out more boxes. "Since graduation is tomorrow, Principal Turner decided there was no point in swapping them now."

"Dude, this rocks!" Tim Smith grinned as he collected his.

"You are aware these aren't our school colors, right?" Lucas asked the teenager. Tim just shrugged.

"I look good in maroon. It goes with my complexion," he replied. Lucas and Mouth exchanged a look and looked back at their gowns.

"Geez, are those your gowns?" Brooke commented as she, Peyton, Jake, Haley and Nathan joined the senior boys. Lucas nodded. "You do know that our school colors a-"

"-blue, yes we know. There was a mix-up," Lucas interrupted. "I can't wear this!" he complained once again.

"Aw, why? Don't you have matching shoes?" Brooke teased.

"It's not right… why do we get stuck with the screwed-up order? What else are they going to change; 'The Imperial March' instead of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'?"

"Why are you so worked up over this?" Haley frowned at Lucas. "I think it's fantastic," she took the gown out and admired it against her own body – the bottom of the gown just falling past her feet.

"Yeah, I mean no-one else in Tree Hill High history has ever worn a maroon cap and gown. Your class is one of a kind!" Peyton said as she hugged Jake.

"I agree with her." Jake said. "It does look pretty good. And you're only going to be wearing them for a couple of hours."

"But forever immortalized in the yearbooks and our memories." Brooke smirked.

"You're not helping…" Lucas said glancing at her, but he smiled to let her know he wasn't really mad.

"Anyway," Brooke said as she tried on the cap, "Maroon could totally be your color."

He gave his support group a slight nod when he saw them and forced a smile for Brooke's camera. As the music died down and the last of the students took their seats, everybody turned their attention on the principal.

"Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests… and students; today we mark a significant milestone in the three hundred young people you see sitting here in front of you today. They are no longer children needing guidance – but adults going forward to make a difference in the world. Their education at Tree Hill High is but a stepping stone, and now it is time to bid these exceptional students goodbye and watch them proudly as they move onto bigger and better things…"

The voice of the principal slowly drowned out as Brooke's gaze wandered to Lucas, who seemed to be sharing a joke with Tim. He seemed excited and content, and though Brooke was honestly happy for him – she couldn't help but wish he wasn't leaving.

As the valedictorian began her speech, the parents and students became more thoughtful about the future – those who were going out on their own for the first time, and those who would be left behind.

Brooke fell in the latter category and she wasn't exactly sure how to feel about that. Sure, she had Peyton, Jake, Haley and Nathan; but was going to feel strange being the only teenager in the Scott house.

And an unwelcome one at that.

At least Lucas was an ally against Dan- not that Karen wasn't- but she quite enjoyed their playful banter and complaining about his crummy music. And sometimes he would drive her to school and back if she was feeling too lazy to drive herself.

Plus, Nathan would now be without a brother.

"You okay?" Haley nudged Brooke, "You seem to be in your 'Brooke World' again."

Brooke forced a smile, "I'm fine. Honestly. It's just… that's going to be us next year," she pointed out. "Only in blue gowns."

"It's okay to admit you're going to miss him," Haley continued, not falling for Brooke's excuse.

"I'm not going to miss him…" Brooke began, "I mean, for the last few months, I've hated him. And he has… stupid hair," she said, as she ripped up her programme.

Haley chuckled, "Brooke, you know as well as I do you forgav-"

"I haven't forgiven him!" Brooke cut in. "You can't forgive something like that."

"Okay, fine – but you hate him a lot less. I mean you're both smiling, and talking, and laughing, and it might not be such a bad idea to tell him how you feel…"

"He's leaving, Haley," Brooke said, turning to her, "And there are no feelings between us except… friendship." Haley seemed less than convinced.

"You know he didn't go to prom," she reminded Brooke. "He told Nathan that there was no point because there was nobody he wanted to take." Brooke remained silent as Haley continued. "He leaves in the middle of August; that's not even three months – and I won't allow either of you to spend the whole summer pining over each other and not saying what you want to say because you're too scared-"

"Haley," Brooke warned, her eyes never leaving the stage, "Please leave it."

"Okay," Haley said no more.

As the names of the students were called one by one, they patiently waited for Lucas to be called up.

"Josh Savage… Lucas Scott…" The four who had come to support him – Karen, Nathan, Haley and Brooke – clapped and whooped loudly as he collected his diploma and adjusted his cap. He grinned broadly as Karen took pictures and proudly watched her son. Brooke caught his eye and gave him a warm smile, to which his nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

As he moved off, the next name was called – "Tim Smith…" Tim whooped and cheered for himself, attempting to do the 'Tim Dance' on the middle of the stage.

They cringed as they watched Tim make a usual spectacle of himself. Brooke turned to Haley and asked; "How the hell did Tim manage to graduate?"

"Well," Haley answered, "His step-mother paid me to privately tutor him in English and Math… and History," she revealed.

"So what's he doing now?" Haley grinned.

"You really won't believe it," she warned.

"Okay, now you have to tell me," Brooke demanded.

Haley glanced at Tim who was being dragged off stage by Lucas. "He's going to be pre-med." Brooke's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Are you kidding me?"

Haley shook her head, "Nope. He may not be the brightest when it comes to… common sense, and he may be an over-sexed teenage boy – but he kicks ass in the science subjects."

"You think you know someone…"

-----

Lucas smiled for the camera, one hand holding up his diploma and the other slung around Tim's shoulder. As the flash went off, Tim's father and step-mother grinned at the two.

"Thank you," Tim's step-mother said before approaching Lucas, "Tim tells me you're headed to Duke after the summer."

Lucas nodded in reply. Less than a week after Lucas had set his mind on Duke, word spread about his HCM. It had been both sad and shocking for the residents of Tree Hill to know that their Golden Boy could no longer play basketball – but Lucas had kept an upbeat and positive spin on it – especially since he knew what he wanted to do now.

"It's a very good school. Their department of English is excellent," Tim's step-mother told him. "I went there."

Lucas was surprised to hear this. He'd viewed the young blonde as nothing more than an airheaded trophy wife for Mr. Smith.

"I didn't know that," Lucas replied.

"Steph… ask him," Tim urged his step-mother. Stephanie Smith nodded her head.

"Ask me what?" Lucas questioned.

"Every year, we take a trip around the US and Europe. This year, we're going to see some great literature places… Keats' home and all that. After Tim told us what you were studying, we thought you might like to join us."

"Wait, you mean-"

"It'd only be for two months at the most. Tim would love the company," Tim nodded.

"You're interested in stuff like this?" Lucas asked Tim, who shrugged.

"No… but the Italian girls are hot."

Steph rolled her eyes and faced Lucas, "What do you say?" she asked.

"I'd have to ask my Mom…" Lucas looked behind him to see his friends and family approaching. He waved them over.

Karen was the first to reach her son, hugging him tightly. "I am so proud of you."

"Yeah, congratulations." Haley said as she hugged him afterwards. "You too, Tim."

"I couldn't have done it without my hot tutor," Tim grinned but it faded after he saw the look Nathan gave him.

"Congratulations to you both," Brooke said, briefly hugging the two of them.

"Thanks, Brooke," Lucas replied.

"Brooke? As in Brooke Davis?" Steph asked.

"Uh… that's me!" Brooke said. Tim's parents looked at one another and beamed. Steph pulled her into a hug.

"So you're our son's new girlfriend," Mr. Smith grinned, "He's been going on and on about-"

The whole gang looked over at Tim.

"I think you've-" Brooke began.

"Uh… Dad, Steph. How about we go over here!" Tim quickly ushered his parents away from the group.

"Pre-med, huh? God help us all…" Brooke commented with a sigh.

"What were you talking about?" Karen asked motioning to where Tim and his parents now were.

"Oh, um, they're spending the summer around Europe and visiting certain states," he explained.

"That sounds interesting."

"Yeah I know – they asked me to join them."

There was silence.

"It's only for a couple of months. I'll have plenty of time to pack for Duke and say my… goodbyes." He explained.

"Well, do you want to go?" Karen asked. Lucas shrugged.

"It'd be nice. How often do you get a chance to see where Keats' died? Or where Mark Twain wrote-"

"I think you should go," Brooke piped up. Everyone stared at her, "It's a good opportunity and this summer is supposed to be about getting what you want, right? Not letting anybody hold you back or control you." Lucas nodded, "So you should go. Have fun… learn… save the female population from Tim." She laughed a little forcefully.

"I agree," Nathan backed her up. "It sounds like something you'd enjoy and love - and I think you should get away from Tree Hill for a while."

"I guess…" Lucas sighed.

"So, is it settled?" Karen asked. Lucas took a deep breath and gave a nod, and Karen left to discuss the details with Tim's parents.

Lucas looked at his three friends and gave them a forced smile. Tim ran up to Lucas, patting him on the back excitedly, "Alright! Me and Lucas Scott tearing it up in Europe! This trip is going to rock! My dad always makes his videotapes on these trips – and he and Steph are doing some really freak-"

"Ew, Tim, you can stop right there!" Brooke held up a hand and made a face.

"Come on," Tim tugged Lucas' gown, "Let's get off these stupid gowns and head up to mine. I swiped my dad's liquor key, and invited all these really hot sophomore and juniors. We've got to celebrate!"

"Not right now," Lucas told him, trying to give him a hint. Unfortunately, the young man didn't get it.

"Yes right now. Otherwise we won't have a chance to celebrate if you're busy packing."

"Huh?" Lucas squinted.

"You know, for Europe. We leave tomorrow. Didn't I tell you that?"

"That soon?"

"If we want to fit in all those boring places, and all those hot girls – then we need to leave as soon as possible." Tim explained.

Lucas glanced at the group, all of whom seemed as shocked as he was.

"Then I guess I'd better go home and pack," Lucas said, scratching his head. He turned to Brooke, "Uh… do you need a lift home?" he asked, somewhat hopefully.

She shook her head, "Nah, Haley and I were going to go shopping."

"We were?" Haley asked. Brooke nudged her to play along. "Oh yeah, we were."

"Oh, okay. Then I guess I'll be going then." Lucas seemed more than a little disappointed.

"Hey, um, I'll come with. You know you can't pack to save your life." Nathan offered, much to Lucas' relief. They said their quick goodbyes to the girls before making their way to Lucas' car.

Once they'd gone, Haley looked at Brooke and sighed.

"What?" Brooke retorted. Haley shrugged.

"I'm not saying a word," she promised.

-----

"So are you ever going to talk to Brooke?" Nathan asked as he helped Lucas take down his suitcase from his closet. Lucas frowned.

"Talk to Brooke about what?" he asked.

"About your situation." Nathan sat himself down on a nearby chair, while Lucas began pulling suitable clothes out of the closet.

"We don't have a situation." Lucas replied. Nathan rolled his eyes.

"You aren't visiting a little place called 'Denial' this summer, are you?" Lucas shot him a look, "Come on, Lucas. You and Brooke have been doing the same old dance for months – and now you're going globe-trotting with Tim for the summer."

"So?" Lucas urged his brother to get to the point.

"So," Nathan said throwing a small sponge basketball at the hoop fixed to Lucas' door, "Aren't you even going to talk to her about where you stand?"

"There isn't anything to talk about. We're friends. That's all." Lucas insisted.

"Of course you are. I mean, there's no real reason why the two of you have been acting so weird lately."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Ever since you announced you were going to Duke, both of you have become so much quieter. You got worked up over the color of those stupid gowns-"

"They were maroon!" Lucas reminded him, getting ever so slightly annoyed about it.

"Whatever. You didn't go to prom."

"Because it's a stupid tradition. I don't need to go to another dance with the same people I've seen for the last four years. Besides, I mostly hang around with you and your group." Lucas said suddenly realizing that he'd spent most of his senior year hanging around juniors.

"And let's not forget who is also in my group. Give you a clue – starts with B, ends in E and has 'rook' in the middle."

"You're crazy," Lucas told him pointedly as he began stuffing the clothes into the suitcase.

"Maybe. But what happens when you come back from your trip and she's dating someone else? Or you found someone else? Do you think either of you can take that? Last time she dated somebody, you collapsed at the Rivercourt."

"That was completely different – and nothing to do with whatshisface." Lucas made a vague hand motion to show Nathan he was completely cool about it.

"Okay… but you will talk to her before you leave right? Even if it's just to say goodbye."

"I'm coming back in two months. I'll still have two or three odd weeks before I have to actually move. I think we can hold off the goodbyes for a couple of months." Lucas said with a grin.

"I wouldn't risk it." Nathan commented.

"Well, you're not me." Lucas' good mood seemed to vanish. "I have to pack right now, so if you're done with your oh-so-wise advice; I could really use some quiet."

Nathan held up his hands in surrender, "Fine, I'm leaving. Enjoy your summer and call me when you get back." His knocked fists with Lucas and left the house.

-----

"Do you have your passport?" Karen asked as she inspected Lucas' suitcase. Unsatisfied with the finished product, she began unpacking it again.

"Yes, and Mom, that's the eighth time you're unpacking and repacking. Will you leave it alone?"

"I'm just making sure you have everything," she replied with a groan as she pulled out a pair of tatty jeans. "Do you really want these?"

"They're expensive!"

"They look old."

"That's the style."

"Yeah, for a homeless guy," Brooke snorted. "Sorry," she apologized when Lucas gave her an exasperated look.

"Make sure you take this," Karen suggested as she held up a large, fleecy sweatshirt Lucas hadn't even worn yet. "It might get cold."

"In Europe in the summer? I don't think so," Lucas tossed it aside.

"Well, I've heard it's always raining in England," Brooke said, earning another glare, "What? It's true. They get, like, sunshine four days out of the year or something."

"I'll take my chances, thanks." Lucas replied.

"There!" Karen announced proudly as she finished packing the suitcase up. "I think we're done."

"Are you sure?" Lucas asked, "Because in between the eight pairs of jeans, five pairs of shorts, nineteen t-shirts, seven sweatshirts, two hoodies, twenty pairs of underwear and four pairs of shoes; I think you may have forgotten something!" Lucas replied dryly.

"Oh! Sunscreen!" Karen said as she began looking through the suitcase again to make she she'd packed it. "Here it is!" she announced pulling it out from the bottom.

"Mom, you know they do have sunscreen in Europe."

"Except maybe England!" Brooke piped up.

"That's it," Lucas said as Karen finished packing the suitcase – again, "If I forgot anything else; I'll pick it up somewhere. Don't worry."

"Okay," Karen conceded. "I'll go pack you something for the plane," she said as she ran into the kitchen.

"Tim will be here in five minutes!" Lucas argued but his mother was already in the kitchen and preparing sandwiches.

Brooke shifted awkwardly as she and Lucas were left alone. He smiled at her as he lifted his suitcase off the bed.

"So…" she said, "Sounds like you're going to have a great time."

He nodded, "Yeah. But then there's Tim so…" she giggled.

"Yeah. Make sure you look after him."

"I will." Lucas replied with a nod.

"Lucas! They're here!" Karen's voice came from the kitchen as she heard the sound of a car pulling up.

"I guess I'd better go," Lucas told Brooke.

"Want any help with your bags?" she asked. He stared down at the huge suitcase in between them. "On seconds thoughts, you're the strong one…"

He smiled, "I'll see you in a couple of months," he told her.

She nodded, "Have a good summer. And I will be expecting presents from every place you visit – just so you know."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Lucas said. He heard the car honk at him. "Anyway…"

"Yeah. Have fun!" she said. He pressed his lips to her forehead and gave her a small kiss, lingering ever so slightly to pick up the faint scent of her hair.

"You too," he replied as he left his room with his suitcase in tow.

Brooke stayed behind in his room for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and joining Karen on the porch.

Lucas was putting his big suitcase in the trunk while Tim waved frantically at Brooke. Brooke returned the wave. As Lucas sat in the car, he gave them a quick salute before it drove off into the distance.

Karen sighed, pushing back a couple of stray strands of Brooke's hair and putting an arm around her waist. "So I guess it's just you and me this summer, huh?"

Brooke nodded, "I guess it is."

To Be Continued…