Author's note: Sorry this update took so long. I'm in the process of applying to law school and it's much more stressful than I thought possible. I promise to work on the next chapter this weekend, hopefully I can get it up early next week.

Chapter 9- Wouldn't That Be Perfect?

And do I try to change him
So hard not to blame him

Brooke smiled as she watched Lucas running up and down the court. It used to be that her favorite Saturday morning activity was sleeping in and then shopping, but now the only place she wanted to be was at the River Court watching Lucas play basketball.

Try as she might, Brooke could not find words to describe just how talented Lucas was on the court. The usual adjectives of good or even excellent didn't do him justice. It was more like a work of art. The way he moved, it was so powerful, yet somehow also graceful. He shot with the precision of a skilled marksman. What Brooke enjoyed most though was how he seemed free when he played. It seemed as though he didn't have a care in the world. It was beautiful really.

Brooke and Lucas had been dating for a few months now. Lucas made Brooke feel like no one else ever had before. When she was with him she felt complete. He had this uncanny ability to look in her eyes and know exactly what she was thinking. Even stranger, she could do the same to him.

They were still keeping their relationship under wraps while at school. Lucas had adjusted to the fact and rarely got upset anymore. Brooke had kept her promise and was making baby steps.

Brooke spent a lot of time with Lucas and his friends. That meant a lot to Lucas, it showed him that Brooke didn't feel as though she was too good for him or his friends. His friends loved her and it was beginning to seem as though that admiration was mutual.

Brooke had also introduced Lucas to Peyton and Haley. They thought he was great, and they constantly tried to convince Brooke to just get over her issues and let the whole world know about the most amazing boy she was seeing. She still wasn't ready yet.

"Hey Pretty Girl, are you with me?"

Lucas waved his hand in front of Brooke's face, trying to pull her back to reality from the dream world she had zoned out to.

Brooke blushed a little bit, "Yeah, I'm here. Sorry, my mind was just wandering a little bit."

"No problem, we have been playing for a while. It was great of you to stick around this whole time."

"There's no where else I'd rather be Lucas."

Brooke leaned forward and planted a light kiss on Lucas' lips.

"How about lunch? We can swing by my mom's café, I know she'd love to see you."

Brooke nodded, "Sounds great, I'm starving."

Lucas helped Brooke up from her seat and the two walked hand in hand to her car.

The ride to the café was filled with chit chat, just catching up one another on the events of the past few days.

When they arrived and walked into the café Lucas' mother's face lit right up.

"Well if it isn't my two favorite teenagers. What can I get for you guys today?"

Brooke and Lucas each placed their orders and then headed over to one of the tables to sit down and talk while they waited for their food.

"So I was thinking while I was watching you play today."

Lucas looked at Brooke curiously, he wasn't sure where she was going with this, but he was fairly certain that he wasn't going to like it.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. And I was wondering, how come you don't play for the Ravens? They could really use you. I mean admit it Lucas, you're amazing."

Lucas shook his head and the carefree expression he'd been wearing turned into something else. Something Brooke didn't quite recognize.

"Wouldn't that be just perfect? Me playing for the Ravens, you being a Ravens cheerleader. Then everything would be just perfect. We'd be another one of those couples, the basketball player and the cheerleader."

"I didn't mean that. I was just wondering why you didn't play for them. That's all."

Lucas smirked, "Yeah right, I'm sure that's all. You want to know what I think you're thinking? I think you're thinking that if I played for the Ravens it would be the answer to this issue of you being embarrassed to be with me. We both know that I'd be good, one of the best on the team. That would lead to me becoming popular and then it would be okay for us to date. Right?"

Brooke just sat there, mouth agape. She couldn't believe him.

"That's not what I'm thinking. Not even close. I was simply asking you a question, why you flew of the handle, I have no idea."

"Well then, I guess you don't know me at all. If you did, you wouldn't have ever asked."

With that Lucas stood and walked out of the café, leaving Brooke sitting there stunned. She couldn't believe he'd gone off on her like that, where did it come from? All she wanted to know was why he didn't play for the Ravens. That's all.

Karen walked over with a tray of food. The look of concern on her face made it obvious that she had seen Lucas' little tantrum.

"Is everything okay Brooke?"

Brooke shook her head slowly, "To be honest, no, everything isn't okay, but I don't really know why."

Karen put the tray down on the table and sat down across from Brooke. "Honey I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"

Brooke nodded. She knew that if anyone would understand it would be Karen. "I asked him why he didn't play for the Ravens and he lost it."

"Lucas is sensitive about that issue. Give him a little time to cool off. I'm sure he'll come talk to you about it. Basketball is just one of those things that gets him all riled up. Be patient with him okay Brooke?"

Brooke nodded.

"Good, now that that's settled someone's got to eat all this food."

Karen looked over towards the counter and called out to one of the waitresses, "I'm taking a break Beth." Karen turned back to Brooke, "Would you like to have lunch with me Brooke?"

"I would love that."

Brooke smiled. She could talk to Lucas later, now she'd eat.