Thank you to everyone who reviewed! So this is the chapter about the party. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own The OC or OTH.

Brooke stopped tentatively outside the front door of Nathan's house and was all prepared to knock when she realized that the pounding music inside would probably drown it out. Turning the knob of the door, and finding out it opened quite easily, she walked in and glanced around. It was a state of complete chaos. The keg was overflowing, Bevin was dancing on Nathan's dining table, wearing only her underwear, the music was on deafeningly loud and there were just people everywhere. The only people there that she knew were Lucas, Nathan, Summer and Peyton, who mysteriously made herself scarce the moment she walked in. Summer rushed over to her. "Hey, Brooke," she slurred, clearly drunk. "Isn't this party the best?"

Brooke gently pushed her away. "Yeah, it's great." She glanced at Lucas, chatting amiably with Nathan, who didn't appear too bothered by what was going on in his house. Lucas didn't look like he specially wanted her there but maybe it was all just an act. She walked purposefully upto the two of them. "Hi, Nathan. Hi, Lucas."

Lucas looked up, surprised. "Hi, Brooke."

"Hi, Brooke," Nathan answered. "Summer's a little tipsy."

"I noticed," Brooke said. "Hey, Luke, got a minute?"

Amazed at how civil Brooke was being, Lucas nodded and followed her outside, where everything was much calmer.

"So," she said. "Summer told me something, but I don't know whether to believe it or not."

"Well, if it came from Summer, I guess we'll never know, huh?"

Brooke sighed, deciding to take a different approach. "Lucas, did you ask Summer to invite me?"

Lucas took a deep breath and than shook his head. "But Brooke, I'm really glad I got this chance to talk to you because I wish I had. I miss you."

"I miss you, too, Luke, but that doesn't change what you did."

"Brooke, I'm sorry. What more do you want me to say? Just give me a chance."

Brooke smiled sadly. "You know, if you had done this a year ago, I would have been really, really mad. In fact," she said, laughing a little. "I think I was. But now…maybe it's the arrival of Summer and her friends, I just feel a whole lot more reasonable. But Lucas, you have to promise me this. No more lies, okay? And no more sneaking around."

Lucas nodded. "I promise." He held his arms out for her and Brooke slid into his embrace. He squeezed her shoulder and pulled her close. He didn't have a good feeling about this.

Marissa got out of her car and walked toward the front door. She nearly missed Lucas and Brooke standing in the garden together.

"Uh, hey," she called, walking over to them.

Brooke smiled. "Hey, Marissa."

They had clearly reconciled, but Marissa couldn't help but notice that Lucas didn't seem as happy about it as Brooke did.

"So I guess the party's in full swing, right?" Marissa gestured toward the house.

"Pretty much," said Lucas. "There's barely enough space to breathe in there. Who did Summer tell everyone to bring again?"

"I think she said a friend," Marissa replied.

"Well, even if all our original guests brought their siblings, parents, grandparents and all their friends, it still doesn't account for everyone in there."

Marissa laughed. "Okay. I'm gonna see for myself."

"I'll join you," Brooke offered and they both begun walking toward the house. As soon as the door slammed behind them, another figure stepped into the garden.

"Lucas?"

"Hey, Seth."

"Hey. Look, sorry about what happened in the afternoon – "

"Yes, I know. You didn't mean to gape at me. Summer already apologized for that."

"No, really. I am sorry. It's just that when I saw you first I thought you, like, worked at the café or something. Your mom's so pretty and young-looking that I didn't think she could have a son our age."

"Yeah, well, she had me in high school. I might add, while she was best friends with your mom."

"It's weird, isn't it, though? The connections we all have with each other. Apparently Peyton and Marissa met just by chance. So did Nathan and I."

"Nathan and I? So what's the story there?" Lucas asked.

"No story," Seth responded. "He's been nice to me. Just like Ryan's been nice to you. Speaking of Ryan, where is he?"

"I'm not sure. He told me he was coming, but you never know. Things between him and Marissa seemed pretty strained."

"I wouldn't read too much into it," Seth said dismissively. "Things between Ryan and Marissa are always pretty strained. I used to care a lot, because I was afraid of our foursome breaking up and me being alone again, but now I don't really care."

"So you're not afraid of being alone anymore?" Lucas asked.

"It's just that…I don't know, this sounds stupid. I barely know you guys."

"C'mon, say it," Lucas urged.

"You four give me hope and when I'm with you all, I don't feel like I'll ever be alone." Seth blushed. "You can laugh now."

"Why?" asked Lucas. "I don't think it's funny. I think it's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me." He smiled at Seth.

Suddenly the door of the house was pulled open and Brooke stuck her head out. "Lucas Scott, get your ass back in here! Oh hi, Seth."

"Hi, Brooke." Lucas turned to Seth and motioned toward the door with his head. "You wanna go in?"

Seth shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

Lucas walked in and was immediately pulled into the guest bedroom by Brooke. Seth watched them go and sighed. There were some things Summer and him just didn't do unless in public. That was one of them. He headed toward Nathan.

"Hey, Nate."

"Seth!" Nathan exclaimed and held out his hand for a high-five. "Dude, you made it!"

"Yeah," said Seth, reaching out and slapping Nathan's outstretched palm. "I had to walk, like, the entire way because I wasn't smart enough to just get a cab or ask someone to bring me like Marissa and Summer."

"You should've just called me!" Nathan said, slapping his shoulder in a friendly way. "I would've picked you up."

"Nah, it's okay," said Seth, waving his hand dismissively. "It's not a big deal. I'm more of a video game kinda guy back home. I don't get much exercise – it's good for me."

"If you're sure," Nathan shrugged. He grabbed Seth's shoulders and steered him toward the keg. "C'mon, let's get drunk."

"I'm not really an alcohol kind of guy," Seth said hesitantly.

"You're not really a lot-of-things kinda guy," Nathan said, grabbing a glass, filling it and downing it. "Didn't I tell you I don't like labels?" Filling another glass, Nathan handed it to Seth. "Drink up.

Sorry that's it's so short! Anyway, thanks for reading. I know the Brucas makeup was not as drawn out as I would have liked it to be, but I can't have too main characters fighting for most of the story. Also, the next chapter's pretty explosive, as compared to the others, so don't give up on me just yet. Will be updating soon. Please review!