Chapter 14- Worlds Apart

He's soft to the touch
But frayed at the end he breaks

"Okay, now everything for the band has been ordered, so all you'll have to do is set it all up in their dressing room. I gave the band's manager your cell number in case anything comes up. The liquor delivery will come tomorrow around noon. The beer delivery is usually later, around 3 or 4. You have to be there to sign for both. Now the DJ booth…"

"Lucas, I've been Assistant Manager of TRIC for four years. I was the DJ before that. I have it all under control, really, go, have fun. Don't worry about anything." Mouth guided Lucas towards the door to the club.

"If you need anything just call my cell."

"Thanks for that, but I won't. Now go before I call Junk in here to escort you out." Mouth patted Lucas on the back, "Really, it's going to be fine. It's about time you took a little break."

Lucas nodded and smiled feebly. He looked around one more time then headed out the door.

He had to admit, it did feel as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He hadn't taken more than a night off since he started running TRIC. Now though, Brooke Davis was back in his life and while he knew that going to see her for a week wouldn't exactly be a vacation, it would be a nice break from his life. Not to mention, he was excited to see what her life was like now.

Getting into his car he felt his cell phone vibrating in his pocket. He smiled as he looked at the caller ID.

"Brooke, hey."

"Lucas, when are you getting here?" Brooke exclaimed in a whiny voice.

"I'm just leaving TRIC now. I had some last minute stuff to go over with Mouth. I should be there in about an hour."

"Aw, Mouth. How is he? I haven't seen him forever." Brooke smiled, remembering Lucas' dorky little friend, he was always so cute.

"He's good. He's my assistant manager. Right after high school he started out as the DJ but then he started to get more involved with the running of things so I offered him the assistant manager position. He does a great job. I'm a little nervous though, this is the first time I've been gone for more than a night."

"He'll be fine. Don't worry about it. I'll let you go now though, drive safe. I'll see you later."

"Yep, see you later."

Lucas smiled as he flipped his phone shut. Brooke had come barreling back into his life and he couldn't be happier about it.

After the night she showed up at his house they spent the rest of the week together, right up until she had to return to Raleigh. Classes weren't going to start for a few weeks, but Brooke had been working in a small boutique for the last few years and she hadn't been able to take off more than a week.

After some begging that had been both unnecessary and unbelievably adorable, Lucas agreed to come to Raleigh and spend a week with Brooke. Lucas hoped that this week would give them some clarity.

They didn't really establish anything while she was back in Tree Hill, except for the fact that they were going to give it a shot. As far as what they were though, that was still in limbo. Lucas wasn't sure if they were dating, in a relationship, or even just hanging out. He hoped to get some answers on everything this week.

It had been difficult, the last few weeks. They'd spent countless hours on the phone, attempting to fill one another in on the years they'd been apart, but the phone only went so far. Lucas missed having Brooke in his arms. It took him years to get her back there, and letting go was so difficult.

Brooke had one year left before she'd have her MBA. Lucas knew that after all the time they'd spent apart one more year really was nothing, but truth be told, he didn't want to spend it away from her. He hadn't told her, but the real reason for his visit was to see if Raleigh was somewhere he could see himself living. He figured while Brooke as at class he could go around and look for jobs, see if anything appealed to him.

If all else failed Lucas could always continue running TRIC and just making frequent visits to Raleigh to see Brooke. Admittedly, he didn't really like that idea. He didn't want to miss one more day with her if it could be avoided.

Lucas' eyes widened as he pulled up to the gate in front of her apartment complex. He spoke into the box, stating he was Brooke Davis' visitor and then drove through the gate once it opened before him. The buildings were large and beautiful. The grounds were immaculate. It made his shabby little complex seem like the city dump. He couldn't imagine how much the rents cost around here.

He watched the signs as he drove through, taking note of the pool, tennis courts, and fitness facilities. Finally he pulled up in front of her building. Grabbing his bags, he headed towards her door.

Reaching out he knocked. He heard a small thud from inside, which he assumed was Brooke hopping off whatever furniture she'd been sitting on, and then footsteps racing towards the door. He heard her fiddle with the chain and then pull the door open.

Without a word she catapulted herself into Lucas' arms. He dropped his bag to catch her and held her tight. He pulled back a little in order to lower his lips to hers.

"Hey now, no making out in the hallway. People live here ya know!"

Lucas turned and saw a petite brunette making her way towards them.

"Lucas, this is my roommate Emma. Emma, this is Lucas."

Emma crossed her arms over her chest, "So you're the famous Lucas Roe. It's funny, you're different than I imagined."

"Oh really, why's that?"

"Well Brooke here makes you out to be some kind of Gsreek god, but really, you're a little on the scrawny side."

Lucas frowned.

"Kidding." Emma laughed as she extended her hand. "Nice to meet you Lucas."

Lucas took her hand and shook it, "You too Emma."

"Come on in, I'll show you around." Brooke practically squealed with excitement.

Lucas followed the girls in and looked around. The inside was just as he'd imagined it, huge and immaculately furnished. By the looks of it Lucas thought it safe to assume that Emma's parents were as well off as Brooke's.

"Okay, so here's the living room. There's the kitchen," Brooke turned and pointed. "And down this way are the bedrooms."

Brooke started down the long hallway. Reaching out she pushed open a door, "This is Emma's room."

Continuing down the hallway she pushed open the next door, "And here's the bathroom. Right across is the den." Brooke gestured to the small room across the hall.

"And, here's the piece de resistance, my room."

Brooke opened the door and walked over towards her bed, taking a seat on it, watching as Lucas looked around.

Pink. Lucas wasn't the least bit surprised, it was all pink. The bedspread, the curtains, the pillows, even the laptop that was sitting open on her bed. It was definitely Brooke's room.

Lucas walked through the room, looking at the pictures that covered the walls and surfaces throughout her room. He looked at the life that he'd missed these past few years.

He enjoyed seeing how Brooke transformed through the years. As she got older he took note of the makeup on her face diminishing while her skirts subsequently got longer. It was as though he could actually see Brooke growing more comfortable in her own skin as the pictures progressed.

As he looked at each picture his smile faded little by little.

"Broody, why so broody?"

"I'm just realizing how much of your life I missed out on. I mean look at this, all these people I've never met. All these places I've never seen. A lot's happened these past few years."

Brooke stood up off the bed and walked over to Lucas.

"But you're here now and that's what matters. Everything else, we can't go back and change it so why let it bother us?"

Lucas nodded slowly, "You're right. We can't change it."

"I don't know about you Luke, but I'm starving. Should we go and get some dinner?"

"Oh really? I was kind of hoping you'd cook for me." Lucas teased.

"Yeah, that'll be the day. Come on, we'll go to my favorite restaurant." Brooke grabbed Lucas' hand and led him back through the apartment.

"We're going to go and get some dinner Em. You want anything?" Brooke called to Emma who was rummaging through the refrigerator.

"Thank god!" Emma slammed the refrigerator door shut and spun around, "We have absolutely nothing to eat. Where are you going to go?"

"Ling Ling."

"Oooh, sounds good. Get me my usual."

Brooke nodded and grabbed Lucas' hand, pulling him out the door.

"I'll drive." Brooke pointed towards a small, silver, BMW convertible.

"That's your car? What happened to the beatle?"

Brooke laughed, "The beatle is so last year. My parents bought this for me when I graduated college. Nice present huh?"

"Yeah." Lucas choked out as his eyes went from the BMW to his old beat up Jeep. "Nice present."

The ride to the restaurant was quick and filled with Brooke's constant comments about the city she'd been living in for years. She pointed out her favorite hot spots and different places she'd grown to love over the years. Lucas smiled as he imagined her walking these streets.

They drove past Meredith College and Lucas could instantly see why Brooke loved it. It was relatively small but covered with flowers. There were large open fields in front of every building and there were students scattered everywhere. It just seemed like the perfect place for Brooke.

Brooke pulled into the parking lot in front of the restaurant and stepped out, straightened her shirt, and held out her hand.

"Come on boyfriend."

"So I'm boyfriend now?"

"If that's okay with you."

Lucas smiled and nodded, "Yeah, that's okay with me."

They walked into the restaurant hand in hand. By the way Brooke was greeted it was obvious that she was a regular.

After ordering Lucas leaned back in the booth.

"Okay Broody, what's on your mind?"

"What do you mean?"

"You have on your broody face. So spill."

"It's nothing really. I'm just thinking. About you, about us, about our lives. I just wonder how we're going to make all this work. I mean I'm in Tree Hill and you're here. We have our separate lives. How will it work?"

"Yeah, it's complicated, but not impossible. Why don't we just enjoy this week and then we'll talk. Maybe we'll get some answers as the week goes on. For now though, just enjoy your dinner."

Brooke smiled up at the waiter as he placed their plates in front of them. Brooke grabbed her chopsticks and dug in.

After they were done eating Brooke began to reach for the check. Lucas stopped her and grabbed it up. He took one look and nearly choked on his fried rice. $65.97. He couldn't believe it. Three meals, almost $70.00. What kind of place was this?

He pulled out his wallet and frowned. He definitely didn't have enough cash to cover this. Shrugging it off he reached for his credit card, wondering how he was going to afford this week.

Brooke caught his look of shock and grabbed the bill out of his hand.

"It's on me Lucas, I picked the place."

"No Brooke, I've got it."

"Really Lucas, I got it. I haven't even put a dent in my allowance yet. Let me pay."

"I said I've got it." Lucas spoke with a finality that shocked Brooke so much she released her hold on the bill.

Leaning back in her chair she said nothing. She couldn't believe he'd reacted like that. Brooke knew the restaurant was a little pricey, but she hadn't expected him to react that way. She'd planned on paying all along.

"You pay on the way out." Brooke spoke softly.

Lucas stood and headed towards the exit, Brooke followed, making sure to grab the take out for Emma.

After paying Lucas headed towards Brooke's car quickly and silently.

The ride back to Brooke's apartment was silent. Lucas was deep in thought and Brooke said nothing for fear of Lucas snapping at her again.

Just as she was about to turn into her complex, Brooke changed her mind and kept driving.

"What are you doing Brooke?"

"We're taking a little detour. I want to show you someplace."

They continued down the road a little ways and then made some turns. Lucas noted how the neighborhoods changed from immaculate mansions to small, unkempt houses. A few minutes later Brooke pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car and got out.

Lucas got out as well and looked curiously at the old beat up basketball court Brooke was walking towards.

"What's this Brooke?"

"It's Raleigh's version of the River Court. I found this place when I got lost this one time sophomore year. It reminded me so much of you. Whenever life got to be too much and I just needed some time to myself I'd come here and think. There are these kids that play here and I would just sit and watch for hours. It would always take me back to that time in my life. That time I spent with you was without a doubt the best time of my life. Coming here reminded me of how it felt."

"It's funny, you have to leave your world to be reminded of mine."

"What do you mean?"

"You have to drive miles from where you live, from where your school and apartment are to be reminded of me. You have your world and I have mine, and let's face it Brooke, I just don't belong in yours."

"Lucas?"

"You live in this gorgeous apartment. A month of your rent probably costs like 6 months worth of my rent. You drive a car that wasn't even created in the same millennium as my car. You eat at restaurants where the meals cost more than my grocery bill for two weeks. I just don't belong in this world."

"Lucas…come on…"

"No Brooke. I want to be alone right now. You head back to your place, I'll meet you there."

Brooke shook her head, "No Lucas, you don't know the way."

"I'll figure it out." He yelled over his shoulder as he walked away from her.

Brooke walked back to her car, shaking her head. She couldn't believe that after all these years she was still standing in the same spot, watching him walk away from her.