"There are things we don't want to happen but have to accept; things we don't want to know but have to learn; people we can't live without but have to let go."

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LUCAS' POV

Berkeley, San Francisco

September 17, 2013

9: 00 AM

After waking up, I turned on my coffee maker and started brewing a nice cup of coffee. I started reading the newspaper when suddenly my laptop made a ding-dong sound. I stopped reading, and ran immediately to my study table and opened my laptop. I saw myemptyheart3 dropped me a message. It was a quote saying: You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.

I smiled to myself after reading it and thought, "Maybe I should just forget about Brooke and move on. I bet there's more in store for me than moping here and whining about Brooke. I bet there won't be an "us" anymore. It just hurts me more every time I think of her."

heartbrokenjock3: Hi! I see you're online again. I got your message. Thanks! It made rethink of a lot of things, especially about Cheery.

myemptyheart3: It's good to hear that! I think it's your first step to moving on. So, how's the heart?

heartbrokenjock3: What heart? How do you know about my HCM?

myemptyheart3: HCM? Nobody said anything about that HCM thingy. What the heck is that? I'm sure it sounds familiar but I have no freakin' idea what in the world is that.

heartbrokenjock3: HCM is a genetic disease. I inherited it from my father. It has something to do with the heart. Because of it all my dreams were shattered.

myemptyheart3: Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't know. What do you mean your dreams were shattered?

heartbrokenjock3: I've always wanted to be an NBA professional basketball player. Because of the HCM I cannot play anymore because it gets my heart so worked up, that it can't take the pressure anymore. I had a minor attack in the past that's why I'm taking meds now to regulate my heart condition.

myemptyheart3: Oh poor you! It must be so hard on your part.

heartbrokenjock3: Yeah, tell me about it. With an ass of a father, no wonder I had a heart attack.

myemptyheart3: I'm taking you have an issue with your father.

heartbrokenjock3: Well, he has always been pressuring me to excel in basketball. He believed that I had to continue the legacy he left in his high school, which was also my high school.

myemptyheart3: You're damn right he's an ass. What did you do then?

heartbrokenjock3: I've always found comfort in Cheery. With her cheery attitude, hence the name, she never fails to make me smile. But after graduation and after she broke up with me, I ran away and crashed at my friend's place here in Berkeley. I figured there's no use of living at Tree Hill, my hometown. Everything just reminded me of all the frustrations I had in life- I love, career, school and family.

myemptyheart3: How did you survive at college?

heartbrokenjock3: Only my mother knew of my whereabouts. Every month, she sends me money through my bank account. But by the time I was working, I started supporting myself.

myemptyheart3: Wow! You've been pretty independent at a young age. Well, got any more issues? Knocked up a girl twice and left them at your hometown? LOL!

heartbrokenjock3: Nah! That's all I have and, pretty much, the story of my life. How about you? Got a story? Are you an ex-convict who has his gender changed into a girl? You are a…girl, right? 'Cause if you're not, I'd beat myself to death right now…haha…

myemptyheart3: I'm sooo definitely a girl, much to your dismay. And no, my life's nothing like that. In fact, you probably don't like to know.

heartbrokenjock3: Come on! That's unfair! I told you everything about me. Please! Come on, I'm asking you with my cutest puppy- dog eyes. LOL!

myemptyheart3: Well, here goes nothing! The reason I don't want to tell you is because there's nothing to tell.

heartbrokenjock3: Excuse me? What? I don't get it.

myemptyheart3: I had amnesia. A year ago, I was hit by a car. The doctors told me the driver rushed me to the hospital and paid for all my hospital bills. They said I was in a coma for 9 months. When I woke up, my parents were there. But I still didn't know it was them, not until they introduced themselves to me. I was having my therapy in the hospital for 3 months. I just got out of the hospital last July. Since then, I didn't know how to live and cope up with life every single day. Fortunately, I'm getting better. And I have to say, most of my progress are because of you.

heartbrokenjock3: I'm sorry for bringing that up. Well, I'd take what you said as a compliment, although I don't know if I should. But how have I been of help? We've barely known each other.

myemptyheart3: Just knowing that you were there to listen to my problems was a big help to me. And the pieces of advice you gave me helped me see things positively.

heartbrokenjock3: I'm glad I was able to help you, friend?

myemptyheart3: Yeah! I guess I could use a friend like you.

heartbrokenjock3: Good! Anyways, going back to your story, what was happening the day your were hit? Well that is if you remembered.

myemptyheart3: The accident was the only thing I remember so far. That night I was running along the streets of San Francisco with tears in my eyes. Next thing I knew, a bright light flashed through my eyes and my world became black. Everything lese was a blur. I still have a lot of questions with answers nowhere to be found. I don't know why I was crying. And why in the world was I in San Francisco? But I guess I'll never be able to find the answers I need.

heartbrokenjock3: I can't believe we had the same fate. About a year ago, I was at Fisherman's Wharf. It was September 10 then, our anniversary. Then I saw her. Even from afar, with her back turned against me, I knew it was my Cheery. She turned around and the world seemed to freeze when our eyes locked together. That time, I really wished time would stop.

myemptyheart3: I bet you were so happy then.

heartbrokenjock3: Not exactly! As I made my way to her, she started running away. I tried to look for her everywhere but I couldn't. I never forgave myself for letting her go again.

myemptyheart3: Don't blame yourself. I'm sure you did not wish for it to happen. You know what, when I got out of the hospital, my mother gave me my diary. When I opened it, I found nothing, just some bits and pieces of torn pages. While I was about to keep it in my drawer, a piece of paper fell. I opened it and recognized a guy's handwriting, though I don't know whose. The note said: People who are meant to be together always find their way back to each other in the end. Since then, I believed in it. So don't worry. If you're star- crossed lovers, I'm sure you'll be together again in the future.

heartbrokenjock3: Funny, those were the last words she said to me before she left. You know what, let's just forget it. It doesn't matter anymore. It's not like I'll see her again.

myemptyheart3: Hey! Don't give up on her. That's not the attitude I know. If you love her, you just got to believe that you're meant for each other. Fight for her!

heartbrokenjock3: You speak like it's based from experience. You haven't got your heart broken, do you?

myemptyheart3: It's weird actually. I was not heartbroken or whatsoever. But when I talk to you or when I hear stuff like that, I feel as if I had experienced it, you know.

heartbrokenjock3: It's good to talk to someone who can feel the same way. For you, I think you should not be upset with your condition. It's an accident. I'm sure no one wants it to happen to you. Don't hate your past. You actually have to be thankful for it 'cause it helped you be what you are now. Besides, you have your friends and family to help you all the way, like me.

myemptyheart3: Stop it! You're making me cry. But seriously, thank you. I'm happy to have a friend like you. You seem to have a way with words. You always make me feel better.

heartbrokenjock3: I guess it's all part of the charm. LOL! Hey, listen. I have to go. I have to go to work now. But please log- in at 9PM. I'll be home by then. And I really like to talk to you again. And by the way, I got your poem already but I haven't read it yet. Did you get mine?

myemptyheart3: Ok, I'll be online at 9PM. About your mail, I haven't received it yet.

heartbrokenjock3: That's weird. I mailed it yesterday morning. Oh well, I Oh well, I guess I'd just email it to you.

myemptyheart3: Ok! That's better. I'm excited to read it.

heartbrokenjock3: No need for the excitement. My poem is a crap. LOL!

myemptyheart3: Don't say that. I'm sure yours is way better than mine.

heartbrokenjock3:Really now? Hey, by the way, my name is Lucas, Lucas Scott. We've been chatting for two days already but I feel like we haven't been properly introduced. So if you don't mind, I'd like to know your name. 'Cause I can't call you myemptyheart3 forever. LOL!

myemptyheart3: I'm

(myemptyheart3 has logged out)

Ok. That is weird. She immediately logged out. I wonder what happened to her. Oh well, I have to go to work. I guess I just have to ask her later.

BROOKE'S POV

Oh shoot! A brownout???????? You have got to be kidding me. I guess I just have to wait for the electricity to come back. I just hope it'll be back by 6PM, 'cause I feel like I will miss out a lot if I'm not going to chat with Lucas.

Yeah, Lucas. Lucas Scott. Scott, Lucas. The boy who's closest to my heart right now. The one who has been putting a smile on my face these past few days. The person who makes me forget all of my problems. Yeah, I'll never ever forget that name.

What a blessing to have a friend like him. Yeah, just a friend. Nothing more, nothing less. But I'm happy with that. It's better to be like this than be nothing at all.