Chapter 11: Aftermath

The next day the school was abuzz with talks of Brooke and Lucas' engagement. In fact it seemed to be the only thing people were talking about the only problem was neither Brooke nor Lucas had arrived yet. Which meant Haley, Peyton and Nathan fielding question when they had many of the same ones themselves. Lucas had played the game of his life the night before since he had been cleared to play and all Brooke could do was stare at her hand. When they finally arrived hand in hand of course Haley and Peyton had to keep people from going at them from all different directions just so they could get there questions in first.

"So how about an explanation" Peyton said directing her questions towards Lucas.

"It just felt right" was all he said. "Coach said he wanted to see Nathan and I before classes started so we need to run" he kissed Brooke "Love you cheery"

"Love you broody" she replied as they left. "So you two, shocked much?"

"Hell no we knew when he asked again you would say yes" Haley replied.

"And how did you know that" she asked.

"Because of what happened last time Brooke we knew how bad it killed you to say no" Peyton said.

"So you're saying I just said yes to hold onto him?" she asked.

"No, no we're not we're saying that if you hadn't been so worried Lucas would leave you later you would've said yes last time" Haley said.

"Well yeah I still am a little though" she said.

"Brooke if you had any doubt before your bar incident it should've gone out the window then" Peyton responded.

"I know you're both right, I've just always felt Lucas deserves better than me" she said.

"Brooke Lucas couldn't get any better" Haley said hugging her. "Now let's get to class" They all walked to class Brooke felt a little better but of course she would never be able to shake the feeling she wasn't good enough for Lucas.

Lucas and Nathan walked into the coach's office not really knowing what to expect. Whitey always had a way to surprise yet scare the hell out of someone all out once.

"You wanted to see us coach" Lucas said as he and Nathan sat down.

"Yes I did boys as you know we have one more game left if we get this one we're champions" he replied.

"Yeah coach we know and we're going to get it for you" Nathan said with Lucas agreeing.

"Thanks boys but I called you in here for two reasons actually, one whether we win it or not I want you to know I'm proud of both you and second I'm making you both co-captains" he said.

"Wow coach I don't know what to say" Nathan replied.

"You don't have to say anything Nathan just get us our championship" he said laughing.

"You got it coach" they said leaving his office.

"Wow this is cool" Nathan said as they made there way to class.

"Yeah it is, I just hope we can deliver on that promise" Lucas replied.

"I have no doubt we will" Nathan replied. "We better get to our classes so we will be able to play this weekend"

"Lucky you man you have your class with Haley and Brooke" Lucas said.

"Lucky with Haley maybe" Nathan laughed.

"Hey!" Lucas remarked.

"Kidding bro see you later" he said as they both made there way to there classes.

Later on that day Lucas was walking down the hall thinking, or brooding as Brooke called it. He couldn't wait to see her in his next class he missed her more than he thought could've been possible. Apparently she felt the same way because at that moment he felt her arms wrap around him.

"Hey cheery I was just thinking about you" he said.

"Oh yeah, what about me?" she asked.

"About how much I love you and how I can't wait until I marry you" he replied.

She smiled "I can't wait either Luke, how was your day" she asked.

"It was ok I just missed you like crazy" he smiled as he replied.

"I missed you too broody" she said kissing him. "So what are we doing tonight" she asked. Lucas noticed her playing with her ring as she asked.

"Like it do ya?" he asked looking down at her hand.

"Luke you could give me a ring from a cracker jack box and I would love it the same because it was from you" she replied kissing him.

"Brooke that was the most beautiful thing you've ever said" he responded kissing her again. As they kissed they were joined by Haley and Nathan.

"Do you guys ever go more than two seconds with being all over each other?" Haley said laughing.

"For your information tutorgirl I haven't seen him since this morning so ha" Brooke replied Lucas and Nathan just shook there heads. The two couples made there way to the only class they all shared when they walked in everyone seemed to be focused on Brooke's left hand. She noticed this and made sure everyone could see. Brooke thought the topic of her engagement to Lucas would wear off but it didn't if anything it intensified with each second.

"Hey Brooke are you ever going to stop showing that thing off?" Haley asked.

"Of course not tutorgirl you know me well enough to know that" Brooke replied. Lucas just laughed and led her to her desk next to his. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful except for the stares Brooke was getting from everyone. She didn't seem to mind though she had never been happier now that she had Lucas and was never going to lose him, little did she know how close she was going to come to just that.

As time passed Lucas was becoming increasingly frustrated, he loved Brooke with all his heart but he was struggling with thinking he wasn't good enough that there was more out there for her. Brooke was oblivious to this and there was no way Lucas was going to share these feelings with her. He had made a decision, he had to get away give himself a chance to know if this was the right thing. He went to his desk pulling out some paper careful not to wake her since she was asleep on his bed and began writing the most painful letter he had ever written.

Dear Brooke,

I know when you read this I will be gone. I need you to understand that I'm not leaving because of you or us. I just need some time to clear my head and make sure this is the decision I should be making. I love you more than anything which is what makes this necessary. I need you to do one thing if anything for me, please take care of my mother and don't worry I will be back I just have to do this. I will write you daily to let you know how I'm doing remember I love you more than my own existence and I promise you I will return.

Love, Lucas

Lucas finished the letter placed it on the nightstand by the bed, leaning down he kissed her forehead turning he walked to the door.

"I love you cheery" he said as he walked out.