Fishbowl Diaries
Chapter 14
Sometime Later
The celebration went on throughout the evening. Main dishes. Turkey. Stuffing. Macaroni and cheese. Sweet potato. Macaroni salad. Various side dishes.
Dessert was all displayed on a seperate table. With it's own beverages and plates. Pies and cookies. Everyone was free to take as much as they wanted.
The conversation was kept light and fun for the most part.
Which is why Lucas allowed himself to relax and enjoy the party a bit. Talking to Haley and Nathan. Mouth and Rachel. Skills and Bevin. It was exactly what he needed.
Downtime to enjoy what this holiday was truly about.
...
Brooke couldn't help but be taken aback by the strong sense of warmth. Strength. And community. That she saw here.
This wasn't anything like she was used too. And she found herself so drawn to it. Craving the support and understanding she had always lacked in the places she was.
She watched with a smile as Lilly and Nixon danced with their friends.
As welcome as everyone had made her feel since got here.
There was this part of her that felt as if she would never fully belong. Living somewhere and putting down roots. Weren't the that was because she was kept on the outside of Lucas's life. And she didn't know what else to say regarding the situation.
He was polite and kind whenever they interacted but you could clearly feel a coldness or lack of being open on his end of things.
Which in term made Brooke more reserved and unsure of what to do.
...
"Just go talk to her already!" Haley insisted. Looking to her best friend. She had been fully informed on certain details that went on between Brooke and Lucas during their last encounter.
Lucas looked up at her. "Talking to her would only end up making this complicated situation worse. I asked for distance and she's respecting that. I just want things to go back to normal." He replied.
"We've seen the way the two of you look at each at each other."
"Whatever happened between the two of you. You can't ignore that. If you did it would be unfair to both of them. And the kids." Nathan added in.
"We'll keep an eye on Lydia and Nixon. You talk to Brooke." Haley said.
...
Peyton hugged Brooke. The two made small talk and just caught up with each other. Since they hadn't spoken in a few days.
When Peyton saw Lucas make his way over to where they were.
She commented on this celebration being the best one he had thrown. And she told Brooke to call her.
...
"Thanks for letting me join you're celebration. If it wasn't for this."
"I would have been ordering take out and watching tv. By myself." Brooke admitted.
"You're welcome. No one should spend the holidays alone. I'm glad you stopped by." He replied.
"Lucas kissed me back. You made it clear that you had feelings for me. Did seeing me with Felix really change how you saw me.?" She questioned.
Lucas took a breath and locked his gaze on her.
"I think you say one thing then do another. I told you from the start. Me. Lydia. And Nixon are a family."
"I don't have the time or energy to play games."
"Yes i care about you. But i have to create boundaries."
"Lydia and Nixon." Lucas began to say.
Brooke stared directly at him. "Lydia and Nixon love me. And i love them."
"I would never play with their hearts. They are safe with me."
"I need you to hear me on that."
"I care about you so much Lucas." Brooke said. With the emotion in her voice thick.
"I can't do this right now." Lucas replied.
Brooke grew frustrated. The two had left the cafe and were instead outside near the parking lot.
"You can't do what be honest with me!"
"Why is that so difficult for you!" Brooke exclaimed.
When he kissed her. It caught her off guard.
She kissed him back. Feeling herself get pushed up against a wall.
He carefully kissed her neck. Biting down on her pulse point.
"Luke!" Brooke called out softly. Her senses wer on overdrive.
Her body hot. Heart racing.
He caressed her hair with his hands.
"I can't do this. I won't go through it again." Lucas said. Letting her go from her grasp as he went back inside.
Brooke was now more confused them ever.
...