Hey everybody! Thanks for continuing on with the story! It really means a lot to me that you're bothering to read it at all, especially when there are so many great stories on this site. Anyway, here's your next chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing… big shock there, right guys?

At The Heart Of It All

Chapter Two

… Of Dream and Drama

Brooke Davis was used to people staring at her. She usually thrived on the attention. But today, it seemed that everyone was staring at her—in a bad way. Finally, thankfully, Bevin approached her. Brooke wasn't usually too happy to see Bevin (the girl was just so dumb!) but today was an exception. If anybody was going to give her an answer, it would be Bevin.

"Hey Brooke, I'm really sorry… I heard what happened," Bevin said sympathetically, expecting her message to be received with a hug…she certainly wasn't expecting the confused expression on the cheer captain's face. It prompted her to continue on.

"You know… about what happened with Felix and Theresa…how they've been hooking up?" Bevin said slowly and quietly, as if she were speaking to a daft person.

"They… they… they… WHAT?" Brooke yelled. Yelling seemed to be the only thing that made sense. It was like the world had stopped spinning. Everyone in the hallway was looking at her, watching her, gauging her reaction. Poor Brookie… always the last to know. "Where is Felix?" she asked with a calm that was even more frightening than her scream.

"Uhh… he's not in school today."

"Do you think he'll be at Zach's party tonight?" Brooke asked thoughtfully.

"Of course. But will you? You don't usually run in that crowd," Bevin noted.

"I think tonight I'll have to make a special exception. See you there. But Bevin?"

"Yeah?" the ditzy girl asked, turning to face the brunette.

"Don't mention this to anyone. I want my appearance to be a… a… surprise. Thanks."

"Oh, don't mention it. See you later Brooke!"

The music was blasting so loudly that you could hear it three blocks over, and the house seemed to pulsate along with the beat… much like the dancers inside. Carefully stepping around the mass of grinding people, Brooke made her way towards the kitchen virtually undetected, an astounding feat for her. However, she kind of wished that she didn't make it, because for the second time that day, her world stopped spinning. It discontinued its orbit, and came to a screeching halt around the island in the kitchen where Theresa was perched, Brooke's boyfriend between her legs; them making out like there was no tomorrow. They were completely oblivious to everything around them…

"WHAT THE HELL!... BROOKE?... Oh my God, Brooke, this isn't what it looks like…" Felix sputtered. The initial exclamation came after the petit brunette dumped a large cup of very cold water on him. She figured she was doing him a big favor, because she figured that there would be a cold shower in his near future if looks weren't deceiving…

"No?" she whispered. "Because it looks a lot like you're cheating on me."

"Well… I guess that part is what it looks like," he said pompously, playing to the audience that was now gathered around them. Once again, all eyes on Brooke… sympathetic, curious… pitied…

"How long?" she asked with enough ice in her voice to freeze over Bermuda.

"Few months," he shrugged. "Guess we all know that guys don't like her for her brain, now don't we?"

People all around the room chuckled. It seemed like there were thousands of them, their cruel laughter echoing in Brooke's head until it drowned out rational thought. Brooke wanted nothing more than break down in tears and run from the party, but then how would she ever show her face in public again? No, she was Brooke Davis, and no one got the best of her. Brooke took two brisk steps forward, stretched out her hand and then a different noise filled the room, silencing the laughter. SMACK! It surprised even Brooke, who was shocked that she could hit so hard with her hand shaking… that her aim was so accurate with tears blurring her vision…

"OH MY GOD!" Brooke awoke with a scream that came out as a hoarse whisper. Her eyes flew open, trying to adjust to her setting and figure out where the hell she was. She could feel a muscular arm draped protectively over her waist, and was almost afraid to look over her shoulder and find out who she had spent the night with. However, that fear completely evaporated once she took in the scent of the warm body behind her. It was so distinctly her best friend that she was shocked she hadn't realized it was Lucas the second she became conscience.

Wiping away the tears that she hadn't realized had fallen, Brooke propped herself up on her elbow and tried to shake away the remnants of the memory disguised as a dream. She couldn't believe the events of last night had actually taken place… never had she been so mortified, heartbroken and shocked at once. Damn Felix…

Brooke had always loved sleeping next to Lucas. He always found ways to hold her as close as possible, and make her feel completely protected. Plus, try as she might to deny it, he was so much hotter than whoever her boyfriend at the moment was. She especially loved to watch him sleep, and she knew that that was pretty creepy as far as best-friend-quirks go, but she couldn't help it. He looked so peaceful and content, as opposed to his normal "brooding" face. Absently, she began tracing the contours of his muscles through his shirt.

"Huhjamafa," he groaned, eyes opening slightly, causing her to giggle lightly. "Brooke, what are you doing?"

"Waking you up, Broody!"

"Isn't this a little early to be cheery, Cheery? It's… 4:30! Brooke!"

"Come on best friend! I don't want to sleep! I want to have a sleep over!" she laughed, as he groaned and propped himself up on the pillows, joining her.

"Brooke…now, you know that I care for you very deeply… but I need to sleep or I may have to hurt you… so sleep time it is!" Lucas said, grabbing Brooke around the waist and pulling her back down to the bed with him. "Good night Cheery!" he said, squeezing her tightly to him as she struggled to get up. Relaxing against him, she realized that sleeping with him wouldn't be so bad.

Reviews are beloved ! xo Sam