Lucas was laying down on the cool, wet pavement of the River Court's basketball court, the ear buds of his iPod in his ears. The sound of Nickelback's "Far Away" was supposed to help him push the thoughts of Brooke from his mind. Instead, it just brought back that image of her trying to hold back the pain as she walked out of the store.

Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go

He ripped the ear phones from his ears, scowling up at the darkened sky. Why did things have to turn out this way? He wanted to be with her desperately, and he wasn't even sure why he hadn't fought for her that night. He could hear her words echoing in his mind, those same ones that he had been repeating to himself over and over again…

Just then, a shadow came across him. He leaned his head back, seeing the upside down image of his younger brother. Nathan gave him a slight nod, watching as Lucas sat back up. The blonde stood up, brushing himself off even though it did no good; his clothes were soaked through.

"What are you doing out here?" Nathan asked, feeling the rain pelt against his head. Lucas shrugged a bit as he walked over to the near-by picnic table, sitting down on it. He put his elbows on his knees and put his face into his hands.

"I screwed up, Nate. Bad," he said with a heavy sigh. The raven-haired boy shook his head as he walked over, sitting beside his brother. He pulled his hood over his head, even though he knew it wouldn't do much good.

"What'd you do this time? Knock someone up?" he asked, half-joking. Lucas let out a low groan, not finding the humor in it. "Sorry," Nathan said.

The blonde leaned back on his hands now, looking out over the River Court. "I didn't fight for her," he said softly, shaking his head. "I said I would, but I didn't. I just let her go."

Nathan nodded a bit, knowing the feeling all too well. After a moment of silence he looked over at Lucas. "It's not too late. You can still fight for her," he said softly.

----

Brooke was sitting in Karen's Café, staring blankly into her cup of hot chocolate. Had she just been imagining the look in Lucas's eyes when he spotted her? Or was that loving look he had real? And if it was real, was it meant for her?

She shook her head, taking in a deep breath as she tried to push the thoughts away. She practically fell out of her chair as the sound of another seat being pulled back on the tile. Haley sat down at the table, letting out an exhausted breath.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked, indicating the still-full cup of hot chocolate, which was probably room temperature by now. Brooke let out an exhausted breath as well, though she wasn't the one working.

"It's nothing," she said softly, seeing the skeptical look Haley gave her. She shook her head, looking down at her drink again. "I saw him at the mall," Brooke whispered, "with Peyton."

Haley reached over, placing a hand caringly on top of Brooke's. The brunette closed her eyes, trying to fight back the tears she could feel coming. "They are friends, Brooke," Haley said softly. She could feel the girl's hand tense beneath her own.

"I know that, Tutor Wife," she said bitterly, her eyes opening again to glare at the girl. Haley almost jumped back at the emotions swimming in her friends eyes. "I just wish they didn't have to friends in front of my face," she stated.

Haley pulled her hand away, letting her eyes drop to the table for a moment. She could practically feel Brooke's pain and anger radiating from the girl's body. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, looking back up at her friend.

The brunette let out a sigh as she shook her head. "I should be sorry," she muttered, "It's not your fault Peyton's a back-stabbing bitch." Brooke gathered her things, slipping a few dollars to Haley. "I'll see you at the party tonight," she said before turning around and heading out the door.

Haley sat there; dumbfounded by the shift of moods she just caught from Brooke. She watched the girl walk away, knowing she had to do something to get her and Lucas back together. The only question now was what.