Strings - Chapter Three: The Things We Want

Lights pulsed, the ground vibrated with bass, glasses chinked. The club was loud and full of life. Brooke swayed her hips to the song currently being mixed. She found that she quite enjoyed this atmosphere. It was social, people were friendly, and she was rather tipsy. It was nice, really. She felt relaxed...strangely void of inhibitions.

So this was what it was to be intoxicated. Inebriated. Drunk.

She surveyed her surroundings, not for the first time that night. There were bright colors, and people were a little more blurry than when she'd entered...Still, she could think... albeit disjointedly, so, really, she wasn't all that wasted, was she?

Of course she wasn't. Over in the corner, she could see a girl being propped up by two of her girlfriends. And in another, was a drunken couple overindulging on PDA.

She wasn't that drunk.

A hand landed on her behind and she closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling only momentarily, before thwacking the offending limb soundly. No, she wasn't that drunk at all.

She spun around to see Nathan nursing his hand, a small pout forming on his lips. She gave him a grin.

"Now now," She slurred, patting him on the cheek. "We had a deal..." She furrowed her brow. "I think..." She cocked her head to the side. "Did we?"

He wrapped his arms around her waist, "I was only dancing," he told her. She giggled.

"You keep telling yourself that, Mister." she felt herself burning up, "I think I need a drink."

"Sure. I'll get you one," Nathan offered.

"Of water!" she added quickly.

He nodded and made his way to the bartender, "Can I have a shot of vodka, please?" he asked. The drink was quickly served up and he snaked through the crowds to find Brooke sitting at a table; her head in her hands.

"Here you go," he said.

"Is that water?" she questioned. He nodded.

"Of course."

She downed the glass, and moved to stand, before swaying on her feet. Suddenly, she didn't feel so good...

"Nathan..." She began, sounding somewhat meek.

"I've got you," he said as he slid her arm over his shoulder, "I'll take you home."

She batted her lashes at him, having seen Haley do so a number of times. "Yours?" She sounded rather keen.

Nathan gulped and shook his head, "No, yours."

He knew that since his bedroom was dangerously close to Haley's, there was a bigger chance of her seeing them - and knowing her, putting a stop to it.

Plus, Nathan didn't have girls sleeping over. He slept over their's. It was less messy to have him leave, rather than them.

"Oh..." She sounded dejected now. Then her eyes brightened, and she gripped onto his shirt, the material fisted up in her palms. "You'll stay with me?"

The plea in her voice made him ache with need, and he was surprised to find that it was an emotional ache as well as physical.

He nodded, "Sure."

As they found their way back to the school, and into her bedroom, Nathan placed her gently on the bed; watching as she curled up slightly and her eyes closed instantly.

"Brooke..." he whispered, checking if she was awake or not.

"Hmmm?" she said somewhat groggily, indicating that she was obviously half-asleep.

He reached out tentatively to brush her hair from her face. "Brooke... I..." He felt his breath hitch. She was lying there beside him, looking as innocent as – well – innocence personified. So pretty, so very pretty. And vulnerable, too. God, he could take her right there. She'd be willing enough. But somehow... it felt wrong. A hollow victory.

"Hmmm?" She asked again, her eyes fluttering open.

He felt some part of him snap inside. How could he even contemplate destroying her? Leaning forward, he pressed his lips chastely to her forehead. "Goodnight, Brooke." As he spoke, the words tore him up inside. What was he doing? This was his chance! High Flyers was so damn close.

"Night..." She murmured, before dozing off again.

No, it would still happen, but not like this. She'd be conscious when she gave herself to him. Conscious, willing and his.

Nathan rose from the bed and turned around before he changed his mind.

"Nathan..." the words were almost too quiet for him to here.

"Yeah?" he asked, closing his eyes and wishing he'd just left.

"You're staying, right?" she asked.

He swallowed, and turned back to face her. "Of course, babe. Just..." He grabbed a pillow and threw it to the ground. "...doing what's right."

He knew that, on some level, she'd acknowledge his actions as those of a gentleman. It was a pity that he would spend the night thinking of all the lewd things he'd do to her. It was sad that, as she slept on, he'd work himself to completion with those thoughts in mind.

He was no gentleman.

He was a predator.

And soon, very soon, she'd be just another victim on his list.

But tonight he would pretend that he was good, if only to watch her sleep. If only to imagine an existence where they were compatible. Where things were less complicated.

Nathan stayed awake for a little while, eventually succumbing to the night and falling asleep on the hard, cold floor.

------

Brooke awoke slowly, her head throbbing and memories of the night before hazy and uncomphrensable. Her throat hurt and she had a foul taste in her mouth.

As she sat herself up, she noticed she was still in the clothes from the previous night, and she suddenly panicked about how she got there.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her head protesting at the sudden movement. But then her pain was forgotten as she noticed the crumpled heap on the floor that was Nathan. "Oh, boy..." She muttered.

She shook him awake and the young man opened his eyes.

"Hi," she said apologetically, "How are you?"

"I'm fi..." he began as he shuffled on the floor. The aches and pains of spending the night on a hard floor caught up with him, "...pretty uncomfortable actually."

She blushed, remembering glimpses of the previous night. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to stay."

"It's not a problem," Nathan insisted. "Anything for you."

She blushed, "It's late," she told him, "We'd better get ready before breakfast."

Nathan nodded; she wanted him out of the room before anybody saw and misunderstood.

"Sure. I need a shower anyway," he told her as he unraveled himself from the blanket he'd found to drape over him last night.

She averted her eyes as he made his way to the door, despite the fact that he was fully clothed. "I'll see you in a few, then." He added.

"Thank you," she told him as he made his way to the door, "For staying and... being a gentleman."

He nodded in her direction and left, allowing her to her own devices.

She heaved a sigh of relief and dropped onto the bed, before grinning like a mad-woman. He'd been such a gentleman. Nothing like the rumors had painted him and so sweet. She gathered up the blankets he'd slept in and brought them to her face, breathing in his scent.

------

Nathan walked towards his bedroom, a mix of tiredness and aches overcoming his body.

"Well, well, well," Haley stood outside his doorway in her uniform, "Look what the cat dragged in."

"Oh, get bent, will you?" Was his only retort, before slamming the door in her face.

She, naturally, let herself right back in. "Temper, temper." She cooed. "You missed out on a fuck, didn't you?" She was positively glowing.

Nathan scowled at her as he undid his shirt and pulled off his shoes.

"Shut up, Haley." he warned.

She did no such thing, "Let me guess… you got soft? You're getting that tingling sensation in the pit of your stomach every time you think of her?" she poked a finger down her throat, "Gag me."

"If only..." Nathan muttered.

"So I guess this means I win," Haley exclaimed.

He spun around, his eyes flashing with barely concealed rage. "I've got days left! You win nothing!" He hesitated. "Except, perhaps, a swift kick in the ass!"

She tutted, "Come on, Natey. If you haven't got into her pants by now, you never will. You may as well accept it."

"I'm working on it," he told her, "I want to take my time. Get her to trust me before I do it."

Her smile widened, "Why, I never knew you were such a sadist. You're going to break her heart into itty bitty pieces. We haven't done that for a while."

He hated himself as a wicked grin crept onto his lips. "Only for you, Haley. Only for you."

"So... you're taking a shower?" she queried, letting her eyes glance down his naked chest.

"Without you, yes."

She gave him a pout, "Come on..." she said sweetly, "You really don't want to do that now, do you? Who else can reach into all those... nooks?" she whispered in his ear as she straddled his lap.

"Besides, I bet you're still..." she wiggled about deliberately, "A little needy after last night. Poor rabbit, I can make it all better for you..."

Nathan sighed as he took her by the shoulders and pushed her off his lap.

"Don't worry," he replied using the same sweet tone she was using, "I think I can manage all by myself. After all - I'm a big boy now."

She frowned. "But doesn't it feel so much better when I do it?"

He bit back a laugh. "No. Now get out."

She groaned in frustration and stormed out of his room, allowing Nathan a chance to be alone and gather his thoughts.

He stripped and entered the shower, willing himself to not think back on the previous night. He refused to entertain the notion that he cared any more for Brooke than a friend. He also refused to acknowledge the fact that his actions last night had been almost ethical.

It was all part of his master plan, he told himself, and there were no emotions involved.

But then the image of her, asleep and innocent, flew into his mind, unbidden. It threw him off completely. She was so sweet... so pure... so nice... It didn't seem right to use her.

He hit the shower wall in frustration.

The lines had started to blur.

"What are you doing to me?" He mumbled, closing his eyes and leaning against the cool tiles.

-----

Lucas checked his breath and ran a hand through his hair, preparing himself to knock on his ex's door. It wasn't as though he was uneasy with the situation, rather that he was still reeling from being brushed off so easily the evening before. Taking a fortifying breath he knocked rapidly on the door and waited.

Brooke opened the door and looked at the blonde in front of her.

"Hey," she smiled at him, though her head was still throbbing even after her long shower.

He flashed her an easy smile in return. "Hey."

She looked at him, expectantly. After all, he had knocked on her door.

"I was wondering if you wanted to join me for breakfast." He eventually said, rubbing the back of his neck, "You know; if you had no other plans."

"Breakfast sounds good," she agreed a sudden grumble vibrating in her stomach indicating her hunger, "Just let me brush my hair." she motioned to the wet mass of locks that fell from her head and over her shoulders, a few stray drops falling onto the floor.

"Oh," Lucas looked at her up and down, "I hadn't noticed." he grinned. She shook her head.

"Still the charmer, huh?"

"Always."

She rolled her eyes, and invited him in. He dropped, unceremoniously, onto her bed, and allowed his gaze to traverse the room. It eventually landed on a lump of blankets and pillows on the floor.

Someone had stayed the night.

He frowned.

"Had company?" He asked, his tone as light as he could manage.

Brooke braced herself for the lecture, "Yeah, actually. Nathan spent the night... on the floor."

'Yeah,' Lucas thought bitterly. 'Probably kept his paws all to himself while you slept, too.'

"I see." He waited a beat. "Does he, erm, do that often?"

"No," Brooke replied, "I was... a little tipsy last night and so he looked after me. Perfect gentleman."

The situation was looking worse and worse, from Lucas' point of view. "Uh huh."

He mustn't have sounded too convinced, by the look she was giving him. He summoned yet another light-hearted smile.

"C'mon, Brooke. Look at it from where I'm sitting. He sees a gorgeous girl and decides to get her a little drunk and then plays the good boy routine to score points."

"I know how he comes across, Lucas, but you don't see him the way I do. He's kind and sweet and I trust him. I know you're jealous-"

"Jealous?" His laugh sounded forced, even to his own ears. "I was stupid to let you go, Brooke, I know but I'm looking out for you here. As a friend, nothing more than that."

"Well you could be a friend and support me rather than tell me what to do!" Brooke told him.

"I'm not telling you what to do," he replied, holding his hands up in surrender. "I'm just worried for you. You're a sweet, caring, loving girl and I don't want to see you hurt."

"Too late for that..." Brooke mumbled under her breath. Lucas pretended not to hear it. "Anyway, I really want you to give Nathan a chance. He is a good guy. We're going out tonight."

"You're going out again?" Lucas questioned, "The Brooke Davis I know never goes out on a schoo-"

"-Maybe you don't know me anymore." She snapped, her hands on her hips. "Maybe you never knew me." She hesitated, then quietly added, "Not really, anyway."

"What has gotten into you?" Lucas asked; her behavior was new to him. 'Or who has gotten into you?' he thought to himself.

"What has gotten into me?" She echoed. "What has gotten into you? What do you think? You can just turn up on my doorstep, out of the blue, after everything we've been through, and just start ordering me around? Did you think I would leap back into your arms after everything that's happened, simply because you surprised me?"

"No..." Lucas began.

"You're my best friend here, Lucas, and right now you're not acting like one."

Weighing up the pros and cons of continuing the argument or letting her win, he sighed in resignation. She would win this time, if only so he could remain in her good books long enough to get rid of this Nathan guy.

"You're right." He said, trying his hardest to sound apologetic. "I'm sorry." Puppy-eyes on, he cocked his head to the side and smiled. "Forgive me?"

Brooke let out a deep sigh and nodded, "Of course. I'm just... I really like Nathan and I want people to see what I see in him. I'm sorry for snapping at you like that."

He grinned, and wrapped her in a hug. "It's fine. I'll try not to be so overprotective next time."

Brooke grinned up at him, "So... are we going to breakfast or not because right now I could eat you."

He laughed and shook his head, linking their arms together. "C'mon," he said, tugging her out of her room and into the hall. "I'm starved too."

------

"Come in," Haley invited the person on the other side of her bedroom door to enter.

Lucas entered, making himself at home on her bed. "I have bad news for you."

"Not what I usually like to hear," Haley mused as she turned to face him, her arms still clamped firmly across her chest, "but go on."

"Well," he began, "I turned up bright and early this morning to see if my lovely ex wanted to do breakfast, and it was kinda obvious that someone had spent the night..."

Haley's eyes widened, "Nathan won the bet?" she cried, her dreams of going to music school in Italy quickly fading, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

As she advanced on him, looking completely murderous, Lucas held up his hands in surrender. "Whoa, hold on. He stayed, but Brooke assures me that he spent the entire night on the floor."

"The floor?" Haley repeated stopping just inches away from him. She sighed and smirked, "So you're still in the game?" she asked. Lucas nodded.

"She's talking about how trustworthy he is... about how he's such a great friend. And she gets all dreamy when she does it! For my years of trying, I got nothing but I think he's in with a chance to pop her cherry..." He scowled. "Bastard."

Haley snapped her fingers to get his attention back, "Focus, Lucas. How serious are they?"

"Close to doing the dirty." He replied, meeting her gaze. "They're serious. Or, at the very least, she's serious about him."

Haley sighed and tapped her cheek with her index finger as she thought. "Well, it's your job to make sure that doesn't happen. Otherwise you can kiss goodbye to High Flyers and I'll be spending the summer stuck here."

Oh no, Lucas thought, there was no way in hell that he would let High Flyers go. His jaw clenched. "Don't you worry," he smirked as he pushed himself from her bed. "I'll make sure that doesn't happen."

Haley smiled, "Good. Now," she moved towards her desk and wrote down an address, "This is the name of the restaurant my brother usually takes whatever floozy he's got this week."

Lucas' eyes narrowed at the term 'floozy' used to describe Brooke. Still, this was his ticket to High Flyers and he wasn't going to blow his chances over a simple title. He accepted the paper with a nod.

As he walked across to the door to leave, Haley called out his name. "Lucas?" he turned, "Don't come back here again until I get results."

He nodded and grinned, "Yes ma'am." Then he was gone.

To Be Continued...