Chapter 5
When Nathan finished practice, he showered and headed to the parking lot. One more Friday night at his house, alone… he sighed.
He spotted Brooke heading out…
"Hey Brooke!" he yelled
She turned around and smiled at him "Nathan, that's not the way to address a lady…"
"Well, how else was I supposed to stop you?" he smirked at her. "I'll walk you to your car" he said
"It's in the garage… I'm taking a cab" replied Brooke
"No way! I'm giving you a ride…" offered Nathan
"There's no need, you probably have things to do" started Brooke
"Yeah, going home and staring at the ceiling" said Nathan "nothing that cannot wait for 20 more minutes. Come on, Davis"
"OK, fine, thanks" said Brooke and they both headed to Nathan's car.
They got in and Nathan started to drive… he needed to ask Brooke her address, since he had no idea where she lived. But at the same time, the idea of taking her home and then leave on his own didn't appeal him
"Brooke…" he said "you wanna catch a movie? I mean, it's Friday night and if you don't have any other plans…"
Brooke hesitated. She wanted to go with him, but at the same time it was hard with everything going on… she finally gave in… just one movie
"I'm free" she smiled "A movie sounds great…"
They arrived to the theater. "Love, actually" was playing…
"I love that movie" said Nathan
"Nathan Scott likes romantic comedies?" asked Brooke smiling widely at him
"That's a great movie, Brooke, and you know it" he said
She smiled again and Nathan realized how much he liked her smile. It was so sincere and full.
"So, you wanna see it?" he asked
"Sure" said she
When the movie finished Nathan didn't feel like letting Brooke go just yet, so he invited her to dinner. He took her to this small, quiet place… the environment was great, music playing and small tables with candles.
"Someone would say you're trying to nail me" teased Brooke
"Well, you do deserve the special treatment" he said getting the chair for her to seat
"Thanks, what a gentleman"
"Well, we've come a long way from the whole 'just put some ice on it, Brooke'…" he joked
Brooke's smile faded… the old days…
"Brooke, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean…" Nathan felt like hitting himself. How could he say something like that to Brooke?
"Nathan, it's OK. I was a bitch in High School sometimes. I can't deny it" said Brooke
"You weren't a bitch" stated Nathan firmly and Brooke looked at him estranged. "You just were confused and scared. Like we all were. Some of us had our jerk behavior; you had your bitchy days. Doesn't change the fact that you were also a sweet caring friend…"
"You really believe that?" said Brooke
"Brooke, we can't still carry the guilt of things that happened 10 years ago, when we were a bunch of confused teenagers trying to figure out who we were and what we wanted out of life. I'm sorry if my comment upset you… it wasn't my intention"
Brooke smiled. Nathan sure matured with the years. She never thought that Nathan would be the one that would catch her attention like that… but he was doing it…
"I'm fine, Nathan. You're right… that happened 10 years go. It belongs in the past. Let's eat now" she said softly and Nathan felt a joy in her heart when he heard her voice.
Dinner run smoothly, both of them laughing and smiling at each other. 'I'm smiling to Nathan Scott, talk about irony' thought Brooke but she was having a great time. She knew she shouldn't but she couldn't help herself.
Nathan contemplated Brooke while she was silently sipping her wine. There was the silent drifting away again… what happened to her? But, regardless, Brooke was getting into him by the minute. He couldn't help but feel this vibe everytime he looked at her, everytime she smiled at him…
"Do you wanna dance?" he surprised even himself when he heard that coming out of his mouth
"Yeah, why not?" replied Brooke.
Nathan got up, took Brooke's hand and led her to the dance floor. As he put a hand in her waist, she got her hand on his back and they united their other two hands… Nathan started to lead her slowly, enjoying her closeness. Suddenly, his hand pulled her closer and Brooke rested her head on his chest, sighing…
Nathan felt that sigh inside of him. He put his other hand on Brooke's waist, pulling her closer to him. Brooke got her arms around his neck and they both went on dancing, hugging each other. Nathan's mind was a rollercoaster. He was feeling it again, the one thing he thought he'd never feel again after Haley. He wanted someone. But not just a lust want, but a true feeling of wanting someone… all of that person.
Brooke felt it too. The need to be hugged by him, the need to feel his breathing in her hair… she closed her eyes, feeling the moment, knowing that she couldn't have it…
"Brooke…" Nathan whispered and he pulled away to find her mouth… his lips were about to touch hers when she took a step back. She was in tears….
"I can't…I'm sorry, Nathan, I really am" she said as she turned around and left.
Nathan stood there, contemplating the place, wondering what happened.