A/N: hey all ya'll I am sooooo sorry that it has taken me this long to get a new chapter up, but school and my new job as an RA got in the way. If I had it my way I would just sit in my room and write for ya'll but sadly I don't get to do that. But here it is. And to all of you who keep asking....YES Brooke is going to lose the glasses!
Chapter 4
Brooke fidgeted in her seat at the dinner table pushing her food around her plate and glancing at the clock periodically. If she left in the next 20 minutes she would get to the game early and be able to watch the team warm up – not that she was interested or anything.
A: Brooke? Sweetie why aren't you eating?
B: I'm just not that hungry mom. It was a long day.
Brooke's mother Audrey exchanged a look with Brooke's father. They silently exchanged thoughts of whether or not to push their daughter into revealing what was wrong.
A: Well, Brooke when you are done studying tonight do you want to watch Keeping the Faith? We can make popcorn and fantasize about being Jewish.
B: Actually, Mom I think I'm going to go to the basketball game tonight.
Brooke looked up from her food and caught the shocked expressions on both of her parents' faces.
Mitch: A basketball game Brooke? You've never been interested in sports before.
B: I know daddy – I just... I thought it might be fun. You know for a change.
Brooke looked down at her plate and continued to push food around. She didn't want to meet her parent's eyes frightened that they would be disappointed in her.
M: Well if you are going to go to the game my guess is you need to leave soon.
Brooke's head snapped up in disbelief. Her parents were smiling at each other and at Brooke.
A: Are you going to hang out with anyone after the game? Or are you coming straight home.
Brooke snorted derisively.
B: I think I'm just going to come home.
With that Brooke pushed her chair back and placed her plate in the sink.
A: Well, in that case take your cell phone and call if you're going to be out past curfew.
Brooke nodded and walked out the door with car keys in hand before she turned around and walked back in.
B: Mom? What is my curfew?
Both Brooke and her mom laughed realizing that they had never set down a proper time for Brooke to be home, she never went out!
It took about 15 minutes for Brooke and her mom to agree that Brooke should be home around midnight. And with that Brooke hopped into her car and was off.
At the Gym
Lucas Sawyer was warming up with the rest of his team but his mind was anywhere but on the lay-ups and free throws he was shooting. Lucas' gaze kept shifting to the crowd looking for Brooke's face, he was pretty confident that their encounter had piqued her curiosity.
Lucas smirked widely when he saw Brooke enter the gym. She seemed to be trying to figure out where to sit and eventually settled on the back of the bleachers. Lucas caught her eye and waved. She looked surprised but waved back.
N: Luke!
Nathan came jogging over and shook him out of his staring contest with Brooke.
L: What's up?
N: I thought I'd warn you that Keith and my Dad's here.
L: Shit! My mom and dad are coming to the game.
N: I know! Meet me at river court at midnight?
L: Yeah.
Brooke didn't think that she'd enjoy the game but as it went on she found herself cheering and clapping along with the cheerleaders and the other spectators. Of course the giddy feeling in her stomach might have had something to do with the glances Luke kept throwing her way.
The game finally ended at 10 pm, another Raven's victory due to Lucas and Nathan's powerful chemistry on the court. Their fluidity and the combination of Nathan's charge to intimidate and Lucas' ability to weave through the opposition only to combine to their pass without actually seeing each other move, made their duo all the more powerful.
Brooke had only heard about Nathan and Lucas' teamwork through snippets of conversation in classes. Actually seeing it drove it home. They were remarkable. Brooke started walking towards the exit of the gym when she heard someone shouting her name.
L: Brooke!
Brooke spun around as Lucas came bounding up to her. He must have taken the fastest shower known to man. His hair was still damp and tousled as though he had only grazed it with a towel.
B: umm hey!
L: Hey! What'd you think of the game?
B: It was good – 1st one I have ever seen, but it was really good.
L: You've never come see me play?
Brooke laughed
B: Well, I told you that I have never really been into sports.
Lucas leaned forward and gently stroked Brooke's hair pulling it free from the clip that held it off her face.
L: What are you into then?
Brooke just shook her head in order to clear her mind.
B: I've got to go.
Brooke quickly turned on her heel and ran from the gym. It was one thing for Lucas to invite her to a basketball game, it was quite another for him to play with her hair!
H: Lucas!
L: What do you want Haley?
Haley threw her pom poms at Lucas.
H: I want to know why Brooke ran out of here like a skittish cat! Haley placed her hands on her hips and leveled Luke with one of her death glares.
L: Damned if I know! Lucas shrugged. I was just talking to her.
H: Bull shit Lucas! I heard about what you did in the hallway this afternoon!
L: What helping her pick up her books because they fell?
H: No, I'm talking about how you pushed her against the locker and rammed your tongue down her throat!
L: What? (Lucas' jaw dropped and he shook his head in disbelief) That NEVER happened! Who told you that?
H: Who hasn't told me would be a better question! It's all OVER school! So tell me right now are you just messing with her?
L: Haley! No, I just helped her pick up her books! And she seems like a nice girl so I want to get to know her better.
H: Look, Lucas, I love you but you have got to be careful, gossip spreads in this town like wildfire. You could ruin her reputation in a second.
L: Hales – she doesn't have a reputation to ruin. And I thought you had a little more faith in me then that.
Lucas stormed out of the gym and into the parking lot. He couldn't believe that Haley was lecturing him about his behavior with Brooke! Besides when the hell did Haley take a vested interest in someone she didn't even know? Lucas was going to head home but then he figured he might as well just head over to River court to meet Nathan – there was too much going on in his head to even think about heading home.
Brooke drove around in circles till she found her self at the River court. Brooke found herself inspired as she looked out at the open court. The entire Lucas situation had thrown her for a loop. She wasn't used to getting attention from the opposite sex except for the one's she tutored. Lucas Sawyer was just causing her more stress then anyone ever should.
Whenever Brooke got stressed out she'd go to her basement and practice en Pointe. But if she went home now and started practicing ballet her mom would know there was something wrong and wouldn't stop until she got an answer.
Brooke parked her car and whipped off her sweatshirt leaving her clad in a camisole and black stretchy pants. She didn't have her toe shoes with her so she wasn't got be able to full out practice but she would at least get to warm up a little bit.
One, two, three; one, two, three. Brooke counted off in her head before rising to her toes in 3rd position. Demi plie, grand plie. After 15 sets of plies Brooke shook out her legs and began pada burr eying down the court occasionally pausing to do a double pirouette.
Lucas walked up to the court and saw what had to have been one of the biggest shocks of his life. There was a beautiful girl dancing up and down the court. On closer inspection he realized that it was Brooke. He wasn't sure what was going on but he felt compelled to watch her. Suddenly she stopped and sat down on the court leaning back on her hands.
After finishing her warm – up Brooke leaned back looking up at the sky allowing herself a break to breather a little bit. Suddenly a voice startled her out of her reverie.
L: You were amazing! (Lucas clapped his hands)
B: umm, Thanks – what are you doing here?
L: Oh I wasn't ready to head home yet. I didn't know you danced at all.
B: I have been taking lesions since I was four and a half. I was really uncoordinated so my mom thought dance lessons would help me be more graceful.
L: Wow, well you are definitely amazing.
B: Yah, well I've been doing it for awhile so I guess I don't suck.
By this time Lucas was sitting on the floor and facing her.
B: What are you doing here? I mean isn't there a huge blow out in the Sawyer home whenever you bring back another victory?
L: (Lucas chuckled) Not Tonight – my family has too much baggage to put aside just to celebrate me.
B: What do you mean?
L: Oh you know – just family stuff. When your 1 of a set of the prodigal twins of Tree Hill people expect a lot of you.
B: Oh, I guess that gives you a lot of pressure.
L: Well more than most I suppose.
Brooke and Lucas fell back into a comfortable silence just enjoying the night air.
L: Brooke?
B: yes?
L: Why'd you run out of the gym earlier tonight? I mean what was wrong?
Brooke didn't respond for a few seconds trying to formulate her thoughts.
B: Why are paying so much attention to me?
L: Is it so hard to believe that I want to get to know you?
B: Well to be perfectly honest, we have known each other since the 3rd grade and you have never wanted to get to know me. So why the sudden interest? Did Peyton put you up to this, because you can tell her I am in no way shape or form interested in Jake.
L: Whoa, Brooke where is this coming from?
B: If Peyton asked you to distract me from Jake just let her know that I'm not interested in him. And then you don't have to hangout with me.
L: Brooke, I'm not trying to distract you from Jake, and I don't really give a shit about what Peyton thinks. I'm hanging out with you because our mom's were best friends in high school. It seems uncanny that I don't know my mom's best friend's daughter's favorite color.
B: You want to know my favorite color?
L: Well, among other things. I just want to get to know you.
B: I see.
L: Look haven't you ever been curious about me?
B: Well, yes I suppose but-
L: But nothing, this is a great opportunity to get to know each other. Look why don't you come to a party with me at Nathan's tomorrow night.
B: I have dance class.
L: So come afterwards. I'll give you directions
B: I don't know Luke.
L: Come on, look I promise if you feel uncomfortable we can leave.
B: All right, fine.
L: You won't regret it.
Brooke just shook her head but a hint of a smile graced her lips.
N: Luke!
Brooke and Luke both turned around and saw Nathan charging up to the court.
L: Hey Nate! You are early!
N: No, I'm not...its midnight.
B: Its midnight?!
Brooke jumped up and grabbed her sweatshirt.
B: I have to go!
L: You're not going to turn into a pumpkin are you?
B: No! I'm going to break curfew if I don't leave now!
Brooke jumped from her spot and ran to her car leaving Nathan and Lucas in the dust.
L: See you at the party Brooke!
Brooke just waved in response and sped home.
N: Brooke? As in Brooke Davis?
L: Yep.
Lucas smirked as he stood up and grabbed the basketball Nathan had in his hand.
N: You invited Brooke Davis to my party?
Lucas started shooting free throws and tossed the ball back to Nathan.
L: Yep.
N: What the hell for?
L: I'm getting to know her.
N: Again...what the hell for. I mean Peyton hates her, Haley doesn't like her... you barely KNOW her. She barely knows anyone!
L: But who does she know Nate?
N: umm...you?
Lucas stepped back and shot a perfect 3 point shot.
L: And that my friend will make all the difference.
N: What the hell are you talking about?
L: Don't worry – you'll see.
N: What the hell are you talking about?
L: Don't worry – you'll see.
N: Whatever man.
Brooke pulled her car into the driveway and threw it into park at exactly 12:05. She ran into the house and saw her mom sitting on the couch eating popcorn and pressing play on the DVD player.
A: Hey honey, I just started Keeping the Faith, want to watch?
B: Mom! I broke curfew! Aren't you mad?
A: Sweetie, you're a minute or two late, that's not a big deal! Now sit down and talk to me.
B: okay...
A: Well who won?
B: Oh, the Ravens.
A: Was it a good game?
B: Yeah it really was.
A: Well I'm glad you had fun dear.
Brooke settled back against the couch and leaned into her mom's side stealing a few popcorn kernels. Somehow her mom's presence comforted her about everything that had been going on in her life recently. She may be highly confused about Lucas' intentions but she was going to see it through till the end.
A/N:
Well? What did everyone think? I hope ya'll liked it. But next chapter will have the party and some serious Luke and Brooke bonding. Anyways read and review!!!!!
