Hey everybody! So yeah, this update is pretty darn recent to the other ones posted, but I know how much I hate waiting for a story, so I'm going to be posting as fast as I can... if that's okay with you guys, of course. lol. Thank you soooo much for reviewing! It really made my day. So, here's your return present: chapter three of At The Heart Of It All. Enjoy! (God, i hope, anyway..)

Disclaimer: Sadly, still own nothing. However, if I did own One Tree Hill… let's just say that The Leaver's Dance would've ended very differently. Lol. Thanks for reading guys! It really means a lot to me…

At The Heart Of It All

Chapter Three

They Long To Be Close To You

Knock Knock.

"Huh?" Brooke groaned, squinting as the sunlight beamed into her eyes, blinding her mercilessly.

Knock Knock!

Since when did her room have a door to the outside world? Since she slept over at Lucas's again… Brooke still hadn't recovered from the blow that she'd been dealt on Friday night, and she had spent the weekend licking her wounds in the company of her best friend.

Knock Knock!

"Brooke, will you answer the freaking door?" the shower turned off momentarily as a voice called out from the bathroom. Instantly the shower turned back on. Grumbling, Brooke made her way to the door, smoothing down her hair and adjusting her tank top, trying to tame her disgruntled appearance. It didn't really work, but she didn't really care.

"Hello?" she asked, pulling the door open.

"Hi Brooke," Theresa said.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing. But I think that the tangled bed sheets and your messy hair pretty much give it away. My, you move on fast." Theresa smirked.

"Okay, I am not hooking up with Lucas. But you know, if I was, at least I waited until my relationship was over to do so."

"Right… well, we'll just leave that issue alone. I didn't come here to fight with you."

"Really? Then why did you come at all?"

"I want to apologize."

"You want to---what?"

"Apologize. I shouldn't have hooked up with Felix at that party…"

"What about all the other ones?" Brooke challenged. Her eyebrows were raised and her claws were out, her grogginess a thing of the past.

"Let's not push it. Anyway, I just hope that this won't cause any problems for us on the squad…"

"Oh, it won't," Brooke said confidently.

"Really?" Theresa asked hopefully.

"Really. It definitely won't cause any problems for the squad, because you won't be on it."

"What? You can't do that! You can't kick a girl off just because your boyfriend likes her better!"

"No, I can't. But Mrs. Murphy can. Remember her? She's the coach. Now I advise you to take it up with her, and be very persuasive. I also advise you to leave before I get angry," Brooke said, the last few words coming out in a vehement hiss before she slammed the door in her former friend's face. Brooke plopped down onto the bed, listening to the water run steadily from the shower, wondering what the hell was taking him so long. Not fifteen minutes later, another resounding knock echoed through the room.

"What?" Brooke asked shortly, not caring who was at the door this time.

"Oh! Um… hi Brooke," Bevin began, a look of confusion crossing her face.

"Oh, hey Bevin…what's up?" Brooke began, trying to feign interest.

"Nothing… um, what are you doing here?"

"Nothing… what are you doing here?" Brooke asked suspiciously.

"Oh, I was just in the neighborhood and I…" Bevin started, but faltered under Brooke's gaze. "Okay, I actually wanted to ask Luke if he wanted to come to Tim's party with me tonight."

Brooke's eyebrows shot up, completely thrown by this. "Oh… um…okay."

"Yeah… are you going to the party?"

"Maybe. We'll see how today goes," Brooke said, shrugging noncommittally.

"Where is Luke, anyway?" Bevin inquired, peering over Brooke's shoulder into the room.

"Showering," Brooke answered, closing the door a little behind her. She didn't know why, but Bevin's sudden interest in her best friend was bothering her. A lot.

"Alrighty then… well, just tell him I stopped bye? Okay, see you later… maybe." Bevin said while backing up, off the porch and down the walkway.

"That was weird…" Brooke said aloud.

Finally, after realizing that Lucas had been in the shower for roughly 45 minutes, Brooke barged in.

"Don't make me come in there with you!"

"Little privacy, please?"

"You've been in there forever! There's not going to be anymore hot water!"

"Did Bevin stop by yet?"

"You knew she was coming by?" Brooke asked curiously, forgetting all about water heaters.

"Yeah… she sorta happens to just be in the neighborhood every day around this time. I try to make it a point to not be here."

"Aww! That's so cute! Bevin's got a crush on you!"

"Adorable. Do you think we can have this conversation some other time? You know, when I'm not naked?" Luke asked irritably.

"I don't know… I kinda like you this way," Brooke grinned, and Luke raised an eyebrow at her. "Just kidding!" she added, bouncing out of the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.

Knock Knock!

Brooke sighed exasperated and glanced at the ceiling. "Are you kidding me!" She trudged over to the door, flung it open and was surprised to be greeted by a smiling Peyton Sawyer. The blonde's smile quickly dropped when she realized that it was Brooke who answered the door.

"Peyton… hi," Brooke acknowledged.

"Brooke," Peyton nodded. "Is Lucas here?"

"He's in the shower. Can I take a message?"

"Um… no. Just tell him I stopped by…"

"Could this day please get weirder?" Brooke asked aloud, reclining on Lucas's bed.

"Probably. Why, what's up?" Lucas asked, entering with a towel wrapped around his waist, and another one drying off his damp hair.

"Do you frequently have varsity cheerleaders stop by your bedroom?"

"Humm… you must have started that trend," he grinned.

"Should I be jealous?"

"Nah Cheery… you know you're my number one girl. Well, number two if moms rank first," he said, gathering her into a hug. "By the way, did Peyton stop by yet?"

"Few seconds before you made your grand exit from the bathroom actually. Hiding from her too?"

"Yes actually."

"Oh, it must be so tough for you, to have all these cheerleaders flinging themselves at you," she mocked.

"Don't laugh! I don't want some airhead for a girlfriend. Sure, they're beautiful, but they've got nothing going on up here," he said, gesturing to his head. "I want someone with brains and beauty. Somebody like you, of course," he tossed off, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Shh… don't let that get around. I might lose my reputation."

"And that would be a shame."

so... moment of truth: what did you guys think? review for your next update! lol

xo Sam