San Francisco, California

San Francisco General Hospital

October 13, 2013; 10: 12 AM

BROOKE'S POV

From the minute I woke up, I just lied on my bed and watch sleep. I was thinking of everything we've been through- together and apart- the Bermuda triangle we had with Peyton that sent us to hell, all the fights we've had because of my stupid insecurities, the time I chose to leave Tree Hill though it killed me to do so, and this accident- the accident that brought us together and made us think that it took us forever to realize that we were so stupid to convince ourselves that we have moved on although we know that we can't. One thing did not change though, Lucas is still the guy I fell in love with 7 years ago.

It's good to know that Keith is watching over us. It's also good that he appeared to me. He cleared some things out to me about Lucas. I'm still wondering though if it really happened and if he was saying the truth. I know sometime today that Lucas will want to talk about some "things." I'm just anxious 'cause I haven't really thought of that yet. I don't know if I'm ready to give my heart to him. I'm afraid the same thing will happen, like before.

"And I thought I'm supposed to be the broody one," Lucas said with his eyes closed.

"I was not," I said defensively.

"I may not see you but I can feel your gaze at me. And how long have you been staring at me?"

"Long enough to hear you talk in your sleep."

"Was I? What did I say?"

"That you love me," I said with my dimples showing.

"I must be having a good dream then."

"Nah...I'm just joking."

"Rats! So…what were you brooding about, Cheery? That sounds so ironic."

"Nothing…just stuff."

"About?"

"Listen, I just really need to get this out of my system. I'm thinking about "us."

"Oh…"

"I know! Shocking, right?"

"I'm not pushing anything right now, but do you want to talk about it?"

"Believe it or not, I do. We just have to face the music or it'll just keep on eating us up inside."

"I know."

"Lucas, what happened to us?"

"I don't know. We were young then, we made the wrong decisions."

"Like what?"

"Choosing Peyton over you."

"You have a point. So you're saying that when got together in senior year was a mistake?"

"NO…except that. That's actually the best thing that happened to me that year. But I just screwed it up."

"You know what, Keith told me everything about that. I understand, Luke. It's all in the past anyways."

"Wait a minute, Keith?"

"Weird, isn't it? He appeared to me in like a dream and he showed me some things about you. He made me realize that I still love you."

"He showed up in mine too. I'm sorry Brooke. I didn't know you were hurting at that time. It thought it's what you-"

"Lucas, like I said, it's all in the past."

"Thank you Brooke."

"I'm guessing you have a lot of questions right now."

"Actually, I do. I don't even know where to start. Umm…I just want to know, why did you leave Brooke? After graduation."

"A lot has happened to Tree Hill. Most of them were bad memories that I slowly lost myself. I felt that I needed to get out of there to find myself, find the girl that I used to be. Moving out actually helped a lot. I learned to love myself and to take care of myself."

"It's not because of me?"

"I have to admit, you were the biggest factor of that decision. I couldn't stand seeing you with somebody else Luke, more so with my best friend. It breaks my heart every time, and you had no idea."

"I was about to go back to you at that time. Peyton and I broke up way before graduation. I realized my heart is with you Brooke."

"It's a good thing you didn't go after me."

"Huh? What?"

"If you went after me, I still wouldn't accept you. It's too much for me to handle. You can't keep on going after me and Peyton. You have to decide Luke. You're breaking two hearts. We can't always be your 'rebound' girls."

"I chose you a long time ago. That's why I chased after you at the Fisherman's Wharf."

"That was a different story Lucas. After I did a lot of soul- searching, I knew my heart is with you, no matter how hard I convince myself it's not."

"Then why did you run away?"

"I was afraid Lucas. I wasn't ready to face you. You caught me off- guard. I was afraid to feel that "feeling" again, 'cause it left a pretty deep scar on my heart the last time."

"It's not going to happen again, if you let me. I know you've given me a lot of chances but give me my last. If I screw up, then I'm done, for good. For now, just…just please let me love you."

"I love you Lucas. I'm in love with you."

"It's nice to hear you say that, Pretty Girl."

"But I can't."

"Can't what?"

"I can't let you in again. I'm not yet ready Lucas."

"Why not?"

"I'm afraid of how you make me feel. You really broke my heart into fine pieces the last time. I have no guarantee that you'll not break it again. Things just keep on screwing up. There are a lot of things and people in the way. You know what…maybe…maybe it's not meant to be."

I can't believe I just said that.

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AN: Thanks you so much for reading! Please drop by a review! Thanks in advance!

Please check out my other BRUCAS fic: Risks We Know We Have to Take

Check out OTHBrucas22 fics. She's also an awesome writer! They are beautiful and they're also BRUCAS! This is surely a treat to all Brucas fans.

--One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

--Come With Me

--Anyway With or Without You

So, don't forget to check out my other fic and OTHBrucas22's fics. Please review each chapter of my and her stories. Thanks a lot guys!

--cheery