Twisted

Learning to Cope

Lucas

I saw something today. I didn't like it. I can't really define what it is other than by saying I just felt that something was up. It's probably nothing.

But it could be everything.

Aw Jeez Luke, get a hang of yourself. I'm probably just being paranoid; I always am where my little brother is concerned. But I'm just so…sure that I walked in on something today. Something between my little brother, and my girlfriend.

I walked in on some kind of argument between them. That doesn't sound so bad, I mean they make no secret of the fact that they dislike each other. But it's what they were arguing over that bugs me. Her face was flushed with embarrassment and he looked troubled, somehow hopeful. That makes no sense, right? I mean, I'm just reading too far into this aren't I? Oh God, I hope I'm reading too far into this.

"Hey sweetie, Dinner's ready," Deb sticks her head round the door. So it's official, I need a lock.

"I'll be right down," I tell her, as she closes the door after her. I fall onto my bed and feel my head hit something smooth and glossy. I pick it up and inspect it – Haley's magazine. 'HOW TO ENTICE YOUR MAN!' The headline screams. I chuckle lightly and throw it onto my desk. Pulling off my grey sweatshirt I throw on a plain cotton T-shirt and head downstairs.

Nathan and my Dad are already sat down, and Deb is bringing a dish to the table. When I enter she smiles broadly and nods in the direction of the chair opposite Nathan. I reluctantly take it.

"Its Lemon Chicken and Mediterranean vegetables," she tells me. I inwardly groan. Ever sine Deb started running the restaurant as a favour to my Mom, she's been trying out all of these new recipes when we were perfectly happy with Beef Stew or whatever.

"Thanks," I say. Deb smiles and looks to her husband and son for some kind of confirmation. She ain't going to get it.

"So Nathan, Lucas, how was school?" she asks, serving us from the dish.

"Good," I say

"Crap," Nathan says. Deb smiles a little.

"Whitey still an ass?" Dad asks.

"No," I say

"Yes," Nathan says.

A silence ensues around the table, until dad deems himself worthy to break it.

"Its going to be a tough season, you know that?"

Nathan rolls his eyes but doesn't say anything, none of us ever do.

"I want you to focus 100 on that do you hear me? I know schoolwork is important, but, well, you don't need me to tell you what comes first right?"

"Schoolwork, absolutely," Deb says, literally risking her life. Especially when Dan throws an angry look at her.

"Just get us into the premierships okay. That's all I'm asking. Improve your game, and you'll be fine. Now, me, did I ever tell you that my average score per game was…"

"I'm finished," Nathan informs us suddenly, getting up from his seat and throwing his knife and fork down.

"Honey, you've hardly touched your…" Deb tries, but Nathan's made up his mind, he wants to get away from this table, this conversation, this Dad.. If only it were that simple for me.

"I didn't like it, it was horrible," he mutters, slamming the door on the way out. We're all left in silence as we finish our meal.


"Hi Mrs. James, is Haley ready yet?" I ask the pretty middle-aged woman opposite me. She's Haley's Mom and really nice. She didn't like me at first, but I'm slowly winning her round.

"Oh you know girls Lucas. She'll be down in about five minutes. Come on in," she gestures to the lounge; I go in and sit down nervously. Haley's little sister Jessica is their, watching some cartoons before school.

"Lucas!" she squeals as I run in, I pick her up and give her a small swing, knowing that this is the only reason she likes me, no personality involved. She's the dead ringer of Haley, only five-years-old and they already have the same nose, mouth, eyes, and of course, the same auburn hair, only Jessica's is wavy and down to her waist. Haley usually insists on straightening hers.

I sit down on the couch and watch Scooby do his stuff. Hilarious.

"Luke! My Mom never told me you were here yet," a voice comes from the door. I turn and smile, admiring that which is Haley.

"Um, yeah. Are you ready?" I ask, looking at my watch and deducting that we have five minutes to get to school.

"Yeah, yeah. Just give me five minutes".


Not surprisingly, we arrive at school late and have no time to kiss or anything before running to our separate homerooms. Bummer, major.

When I arrive, everyone is sat down ready and the teacher is looking at me crossly. I smile nervously and take the only seat available, next to Brooke Davis.

"Hey Luke," she greets me, smiling that well-known broad smile of hers and tossing her dark hair over her shoulders.

"Hey," I greet back. I watch as the teacher angrily re-marks her register, knowing that she'll give me a late mark.

"She's such an old hag," Brooke spits out suddenly. I turn and stare in confusion.

"Who?"

"Mrs Kracowski. Luke, if I ever turn out like that, promise me you'll shoot me".

I smile at the turn this unusual conversation has taken and mock a solemn expression. "I would be doing the society a service," I promise, raising my hand up to show scouts honour.

Brooke lets out a long hearty laugh and I like the sound of it. Brooke is a pretty cool girl. When all of the other cheer leaders were saying typical cheerleader things like, "eew" and "ick" around me, Brook made an effort to be nice. I like that.

"Mr. Scott. If you insist on being late then fine, but please do not disturb my homeroom with your girlfriend there!"

AN: Please review! Oh yeah, just so you know, Luke is clueless that Brooke likes him, he's a typical male, even when everyone else in the school knows. Next chapter will be complete NALEY!