As the game started, everyone got quiet, waiting to see which team would get the ball first. But it was only a matter of time before the noise lever had risen again and the Ravens were up by 20 points. By the time half time came, the score was 50 to 32. The two teams retreated to the locker rooms and the cheerleaders took center stage to start their half time routines. It wasn't long until the cheerleaders returned to the sidelines and the teams came back out to thunderous cheers. The game continued and the Ravens quickly jumped their lead to 62 to 36.
The Ravens already had the game won as it came to a close. There was five seconds lift in the game as Lucas shot his fade-away for 3 points as the buzzer sounded. The game was over and the Ravens had won 93 to 50. The gym blasted with noise as the rest of the team and cheerleaders ran out onto the court surrounding Lucas. The people in the stands soon joined the celebration.
After a couple of minutes of celebration, Lucas got the game ball and Nathan raised the trophy in the air. They had won state and now had an undefeated season. After taking some pictures, the guys went into the locker rooms to take showers as Brooke, Peyton, and Haley changed into some regular clothes. When the six of them returned, Karen had them all lined up for a couple more pictures. One with Haley and Lucas, one with Lucas and Nathan, one with just the girls and one with just the guys. The last one had each couple facing each other. Haley's back was to Lucas' and Brooke's back was to Peyton's with Nathan and Jake on the ends. When they were finally free of Karen and her camera, Lucas hugged his mom. "Have fun tonight. And be careful." Karen told her son then looked at the others. "That goes for all of you." They all smiled at Karen then turned to leave.
Once they got outside, Nathan filled everyone in on what the plans were for the night. There was a bonfire party on the beach, then the six of them would stay at his parents beach house for the night. Everyone agreed to the plans and headed for the beach, Haley riding with Nathan, Jake riding with Peyton, and Lucas driving Brooke's car.
On the way to the beach, Haley looked through Nathan's CD's. "We seriously need to get some of my CD's in here. I don't listen to any of your music." She looked over at Nathan and watched as a smile spread across his face.
"I'll make sure we do that soon," was all he said before parking at the beach.
Haley took a deep breath then got out of the car. "Why can't we just go straight to the beach house and hang out…just the six of us?" She asked. She had never really been the party girl type. The only party she could ever remember going to was earlier this year with Lucas, and that didn't turn out well.
Nathan looked over at Haley then put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer towards him. Haley laid her head down on his chest as the two leaned up against the car waiting for the others. "Because, Hales, we just won state and we need to celebrate. It's gonna be okay." He kissed her on the top of her head and squeezed her shoulders lightly.
"Famous last words."
Peyton and Jake went by his parents house to check on Jenny. After they made sure his parents were okay with him staying out tonight, they kissed Jenny and left. On there way to the beach, they talk about Jenny.
"Maybe we should just stay for a little while." Jake hated leaving Jenny for so long.
"Don't worry, Jake. Your parents are more than capable to watch Jenny for the night, And didn't even your parents tell you that you deserved a night out to celebrate?" Peyton reassured him.
Jake sighed. "Yeah. Your right." He reached over and took Peyton's hand into his own. "I'm really lucky to have you."
Peyton laughed. "Okay Romeo…we're here." She parked beside Nathan and got out. The two walked over by Nathan and Haley to wait for Lucas and Brooke.
Lucas drove Brooke to her house so she could pick up some extra clothes. She was the only person that either didn't know about the plans or didn't keep extra clothes in her car. The two walked into her room. Brook went straight to her closet to grab some clothes and an overnight bag. Lucas sat down on the edge of her bed and watched her pack. Lucas laughed as she finished putting her make up in along with her other toiletries.
"You do realize that we're only staying the one night…right?" He watched as she zipped up her bag.
"yes I do." She pulled the bag onto her shoulder. "Let's go"
Lucas took the bag off her shoulder and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck with a smile as he reach up with his arms around her waist. She leaned down until their lips met in a soft yet passionate kiss. Lucas laid back, pulling Brooke on top of him. He started showering her neck with kisses. As Brooke started to laugh he leaned back and looked into her eyes. "I love you, Brooke Davis." He said sweetly…and he meant it. She smiled lightly, kissed him once more before standing up, pulling him up with her.
"We need to go…the others are probably waiting on us." She waited as Lucas reluctantly picked up her bag and walked out to the car. Brooke ran her hands through her hair then followed him outside. Lucas shut the trunk and walked over to the driver's side, getting in and starting the car.
"Let's go boyfriend." Brooke said and Lucas pulled out of the driveway.
The car rise was quiet the whole way. Brooke stared out the window thinking. It wasn't that she didn't love Lucas. She actually knew that she was falling in love with him, but he caught her off guard just now and she was still in shock. She never thought that he loved her the way that she loved him. And she was scared to say it back. She didn't want to get her heart broken.
Lucas pulled up on the other side of Nathan. He was just as confused as Brooke was. He knew how he felt…and he thought he knew how she felt…but apparently, he was wrong.
"What took you guys so long? We've been here for nearly 15 minutes." Haley said as Lucas got out of the car, slowly followed by Brooke.
"Sorry, it was my fault." Brooke said quietly. Peyton looked over at her best friend.
Nathan and Haley started walking down to the bonfire, arms around each other. Peyton walked over to Brooke, intertwining their arms. Lucas and Jake got the hint and took off after Nathan and Haley. The two girls watched their boyfriends walk ahead then they too started walking towards the water.
"Okay, we just won state…we have great guys and friends, and we have a fun night planned out for us. So why do you look like someone just died?" Peyton asked.
Brooke took a deep breath. "Lucas told me he loved me." She said not looking at Peyton.
"That's great. Isn't it?" She asked confused. She knew how Brooke felt about Lucas.
"No…I mean yeah. I don't know." Brooke said exasperated. "You know I love him." Peyton nodded. "I mean, I'm falling in love with him." Brooke let a tear fall from her eyes before she quickly wiped it away.
"So then what's the problem?"
"The problem is…what id it's not the same as what I'm feeling?" Peyton put her arm around Brooke's shoulders and hugged her lightly.
"I know he wouldn't tell you if he didn't mean it. You just need to talk to him. Because if you don't, he's not going to know that you love him at all." Peyton said as they walked up to the bonfire feeling the warmth from the flames.
"I know." Brooke said. She looked up to see Lucas and Jake walking to them.
"Wanna dance?" Jake asked, holding out his hand to Peyton.
Brooke smiled and leaned over to hug Peyton. "Thanks… I love you, P. Sawyer." She whispered in the blonde's curls.
"You too." Peyton said before turning and taking Jake's open hand. The couple walked over to where everyone else was dancing. They wrapped their arms around each other as they started dancing to a slow song.
"Is everything okay? Lucas kind of told me what happened."
Peyton smiled at Jake. "Yeah, it's okay. She's just afraid of getting hurt. This is her first real relationship, because she's always figured that if she didn't let anyone get close enough, it wouldn't hurt when they left her. But after a while, I think she realized that it wasn't worth being and feeling alone." Peyton explained.
"And that's when she met Lucas." Jake said and Peyton nodded. "So do you think the same way?" He asked curious.
Peyton looked out at the water. "Sometimes." she said in barely a whisper, but Jake heard her. He placed his finger under her chin and turned her face towards him. Peyton looked into his eyes as he spoke.
"Your safe, Peyton. You should know that I wouldn't do that…especially with Jenny. If I bring you into my life…my daughter's life…then I plan for you to be there for a long time." He watched as a smile spread across her face. He pulled her closer and leaned over, their lips crashing together in a deep kiss.