Chapter 7- Whenever You Call

He's magic and myth

He's strong as what I really need

Brooke anxiously looked around the party. For some reason it felt as though all eyes were on her. Typically, that wouldn't bother Brooke, but this was the first party she had gone to without Nathan right by her side.

Heading towards the kitchen, Brooke figured a drink would help her relax. Spotting the keg, Brooke walked over, relieved to see Ethan from the basketball team filling a cup.

"Hey Ethan."

"Brooke, hey, want some?" He asked, pointing towards the keg.

Brooke nodded, "Thanks."

"Good party huh?"

"Yeah, it seems so." Ethan held a cup out for Brooke, "Thanks."

Brooke followed Ethan out of the kitchen into the living room where they sat on the couch and began talking. A few drinks later, Ethan asked Brooke if she wanted to step outside for some air. Brooke nodded and followed him out to the deck.

Brooke looked out at the ocean before them, "It's gorgeous out here, isn't it."

"Yeah, it is." As Ethan spoke he began to lean in towards Brooke.

It took Brooke a second to realize what he was doing, but as soon as she did she pulled away.

"Ethan, what are you doing?"

"Oh come on Brooke, you know you want me. You've been flirting with me all night."

Brooke's eyes widened in disbelief, "No, I haven't. We've been talking, as friends, nothing more."

Ethan looked angrily at Brooke, "All you girls are alike. You're all such teases." Ethan began walking towards Brooke as he spoke, until she was pinned between him and wall.

"Stop, you're kind of freaking me out."

"Freaking you out? Really? All I'm doing is going after what you were offering up."

Brooke tried to dart away from him, but he put his arms up on either side of her, trapping her even more. She wasn't sure what to do, but knew she had to act quickly. He was starting to move in to kiss her again.

She mustered up all her courage and brought her knee up hard into his balls, causing him to recoil in pain, "You bitch!"

Brooke started to run away, but Ethan reached out and grabbed the heel of Brooke's shoe. She fell to the ground and Ethan crawled over so he was on top of her. Pulling up her dress he began to inch his hand up her thigh. She kicked at him furiously, screaming, hoping someone would hear her. The music inside was so loud though, no matter how loud she screamed she went unnoticed. Ethan put his hand over her mouth, hoping to quiet her down. Brooke bit down on his hand as hard as she possibly could. Ethan screamed, pulling his hand away. As he pulled away Brooke nailed him with her stiletto clad foot tight in his stomach. He curled up in pain and Brooke got up, running down the steps frantically onto the beach.

Brooke kept running until she was sure he wasn't behind her. Then she collapsed on the sand in tears. She couldn't believe what had just happened. All she wanted to do was go home. She wanted to be safe in her own bed.

Pulling out her cell phone she dialed Haley's number, but Brooke went right into voicemail. Brooke hung up and dialed Peyton's number. The phone rang and rang until Peyton's voicemail picked up. Frustrated Brooke hung up, wondering who else she could call.

Taking a deep breath she realized she knew who to call. Brooke knew there was one person who would come for her. Slowly, she dialed the phone number, holding her breath as it rang.

"Hello."

"Lucas." Her voice wavered as she spoke.

"Brooke, what's wrong?"

"I was at this party, and this guy, he…." Brooke began crying as she tried to recount the earlier events.

"Brooke calm down, it's okay. Where are you? I'll come get you."

"I'm on the beach, a little ways down from Tim Smith's house."

Lucas tried to think, Tim, he knew where Tim lived. Lucas had delivered food there before, "Okay, I know where that is. I'll be there as soon as I can. Just sit tight Brooke, I'll be right there."

Lucas hung up and Brooke sat there, hugging her knees to her chest, trying to calm herself. He'd be there soon. All she had to do was sit tight.

Ten minutes later Lucas pulled up to Tim's house, he wove his way through the party searching for the door to the back. Finally he found it and he ran down the steps onto the beach. He looked from side to side, unsure as to what way she went. When he looked to the left he thought he spotted her. As he got closer he saw that she was rocking back and forth, no doubt trying to calm herself down.

"Brooke, are you okay?"

Brooke shook her head, tears streaming down her face, "No."

Lucas sat down beside her, pulling her into his arms. "Shhh, it'll be okay. I'm here Brooke, no one will hurt you."

Lucas just held her, telling her it would be okay. Finally, her crying slowed and she looked up towards Lucas.

"Thanks for coming."

"Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"It all happened to fast, I was talking to him and then we went outside for air. He tried to kiss me and I kneed him in the balls, I tried to get away but he grabbed the heel of my shoe. I fell to the ground and then he was on top of me. I bit him and kicked him in the stomach. Then I ran away."

Lucas' eyes widened in shock as she recounted the earlier events, "Who, who did this to you?"

Brooke looked at Lucas. She could see the rage in his eyes. She knew that if she told him he would run back to Tim's looking for Ethan. Brooke knew a fight would ensue. She didn't want that, all she wanted was to go home.

"That doesn't matter. All that matters is that I want to go home. Please take me home Lucas."

"Brooke, I'd really like to know who did this to you."

"Please Lucas, just take me home."

Lucas thought about it for a minute, he felt as though he should find out who did this. It felt like he should defend Brooke's honor, but it was clear that that wasn't what was important right now. He knew all he should do was take her home.

"Okay."

Lucas stood and extended his arm to pull Brooke up. She slowly rose until she was by his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close to him. Slowly, they made their way to the car.

On the car ride to Brooke's, Lucas kept trying to come up with something to say, something that would take Brooke's mind off of the earlier events. But every time he looked over towards her all he could think about was how scared she looked. His heart broke for her and he could think of nothing else besides making sure she was safe.

When they pulled up to Brooke's house, Lucas got out and walked over to the passenger side. He opened the door for Brooke and helped her out. Once again he wrapped his arm around her and guided her towards the front door.

Lucas didn't ask if he could come in, he knew that she wanted him to. He guided Brooke up the stairs to her bedroom where she immediately crawled into her bed, underneath the covers.

Lucas walked over to the bed and pulled the blankets up so they came to Brooke's chin. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, "Sleep tight pretty girl."

He turned to leave but Brooke stopped him, "Stay with me Lucas."

"Are you sure?"

Brooke nodded, "Hold me Lucas. Make me feel safe."

Lucas walked over towards the bed and lay down on top of the covers. Brooke edged her way over towards him, allowing him to wrap his arms around her.

"Now I can sleep." Brook said quietly as she shut her eyes.

Lucas held her tight, hoping that he would be enough to ward of the bad dreams he feared Brooke would have. He hoped that being in his arms would make everything in her world all right, even if just for the night.