Chapter Seven

Musical Partners

"So you flew out of the house in a hurry yesterday."said Lucas as he fell in step with Brooke.

She looked at him and rolled her eyes."What are you doing Lucas?"

He shrugged."Nothing, just trying to have a conversation with a friend."

"Then I suggest you go find a friend because I'm not it."

"That's a bit harsh Brooke."

"That's who I am Lucas. I'm a bitch, always have been, always will be. Now if you'll excuse me."she said as she tried to walk away.

"You don't fool me. You're not that person. You might pretend to be, but deep down inside you're not."

Brooke stopped short and turned to him."I'm not sure what's going on in your head, but you do not know me."she looked around before continuing."We may have made out one time, but that doesn't suddenly make you an expert on my life."

"I didn't say it did, but I have seen how Nathan treats you and it isn't right. You are the way you are because you have to be. You don't want to seem weak because then maybe Nathan might take advantage of that weakness, more so than he already has."

"You don't know anything about me or my relationship with Nathan. How dare you come at me with all your bullshit theories. If you've seen Nathan angry it's because of you. You being here is hard on him."

"Do you ever get tired of making excuses for him? I was there remember. I heard him kick you out the other day."

"Shut up Lucas. Nathan was upset because he saw us together the way we were."

"So what? You thought I was him. He should have believed you."

"He does."

"Yeah, maybe now."

"Look, just drop it Lucas. For someone who says he wants me as a friend you sure are pissing me off."

"Why are you getting pissed off? Am I hitting a nerve?"

Brooke rolled her eyes and began walking away."Just stay away from me."

Lucas let out a sigh. This wasn't going like he hoped."Brooke wait."he was surprised when she actually listened and stopped. He walked over to her."I'm sorry. I might have over stepped. It's just that I like you Brooke. I don't want to see anyone hurt you."

"You don't even know me Lucas. We spent one night together, drunk. You can't like me."

"Well I do, and I'm not talking about wanting to be with you. You're easy to be around. I don't know very many people here so I'd really like to get to know you better."

"I can't see that happening Lucas. I'm sorry."

"Why? Because of Nathan? Do you let him pick all of your friends?"

"He doesn't pick my friends, but after what we did and you being his brother, it can't work. He can't stand you."

"I can't stand him either. He's a dick."

"He can be, but you have to look at things from his side. You are the kid his father had while cheating on his mother, you move into his home, you move in on his team, he thinks you're trying to move in on me. He seems to think you're trying to take everything from him."

"Why does everything have to belong to him? Why can't I finally be allowed to get to know my father? I had nothing to do with Dan cheating on Deb. I didn't ask to be born. I didn't ask to be sent here either. And why can't I just play the game that I love? Why does it have to be about me trying to take it away from him? And you, I'm not trying to move in on you. If I was, I'd tell him about that night we met."he saw her look around nervously."I won't. I told you I wouldn't."

"Thank you. I understand your side too Lucas and I get it. I just know Nathan won't."

"I really don't care what he thinks. I'm not out to steal his life. If it was up to me I'd still be in New York. I love basketball and I'm not going to give that up so that Nathan will be happy. I just want to play."

Brooke smiled at him."Then you do that. Don't give up the one the thing that makes you happy here. Nathan will get over it."

Lucas nodded."Thank you for understanding Brooke. It means a lot."

"No problem. I'll see you around Lucas."she gave him one last smile before walking off.

Lucas watched her walk away. There was something about her that pulled him in. He wasn't sure what it was, but he really wanted wanted to find out. He hated that she was with Nathan. Every time he talked to her he saw that she was too good for him. He knew he told Brooke he wasn't going to go after her, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to follow through with that.

"Hey Boyfriend."said Brooke as she took her usual seat in front of him."You're here early."she said with a smile.

"No, you're late. What took you so long? I looked for you."

"Oh, I was in the restroom. I needed a quick touch up."she added a lip smack for emphasis. She hated having to lie to him, but there was no way she could tell him the truth. He would be furious with her.

"Well you look good. You always look good."

Brooke smiled at him."Thank you."said Brooke as she leaned forward to kiss him.

"Just great."said Nathan into the kiss.

Brooke pulled away to see what he was talking about. She watched Lucas walk by without looking in their direction. He took a seat across the room. She turned back to Nathan."Don't do anything. Just leave him alone."

"Don't worry. I wasn't planning on doing anything to your new boyfriend."he said shaking his head.

Brooke rolled her eyes."Don't start Nathan. Don't turn this into an argument."

"I'm not the one coming to the aid of the bastard."

"Do you always have to do this? We were fine a second ago."

"Yeah, until you felt the need to protect Lucas."

"I just know how you can be."

"Yeah, and I know how you can be, slutty."

Brooke shook her head and scoffed."You're unbelievable. Don't talk to me."she turned around faced forward. She knew she shouldn't be surprised at the way he was acting, but it still hurt.

Nathan looked across the room and saw Lucas looking straight at him shaking his head. He didn't want Lucas to know that he and Brooke were arguing. He turned back to Brooke and placed his hands on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze."I'm sorry okay."he waited for her to turn around and tell him it was okay, but she didn't."Babe, did you hear me? I said I was sorry. Don't be mad at me. I know I'm an asshole sometimes."

She turned to face him."No, you're an asshole all the time. Sorry isn't going to do it this time. Leave me alone."she shoved his remaining hand off of her and turned back to face forward.

Lucas watched as Nathan tried to get Brooke to forgive him for whatever he had done and was happy to see that Brooke wasn't having any of it. It was good that she was sticking up for herself. He just hoped that she'd keep it up.

The teacher made his way into the classroom and began his lesson."So the other day we spoke about the english project we were going to start. It will go toward thirty percent of your grade for this six weeks. This is a major project and everyone should take it seriously, especially those of you with extra curricular activities. If you fail this project you just might not be eligible to participate. I really hope you take that into consideration before blowing this off.

Everyone groaned and the teacher continued."I was going to wait until next week to start this, but I decided we should just jump right in. We will be doing part of this project during class, but a big part will have to be done at home as homework. I am giving you a lot of responsibility. Today we will be assigning you partners. You will have to work together."he grabbed his class roster and scanned it deciding on who to put together."Okay, first off we have Nathan Scott. I would like you to work with our new student Lucas. You could show him how we do things."he once again looked at the paper in front of him.

"Actually Mr. Miller that isn't a good idea. We are having some personal issues and I don't think I should work with him."said Nathan.

"Well I'm sorry Mr. Scott, but you'll have to put your personal issues aside."

"I'm not sure I can do that and after your big speech on how important this is and how we need to really put our all into this project. I don't think it would be fair for you to put me at a disadvantage working with someone I don't get along with. I really want to do well and I don't see that happening if Lucas is my partner."

Mr. Miller looked at him. He had a point. He didn't want Nathan to think he had won, but then again he really wanted his students to do well with this project."Very well Mr. Scott. I will put you with Jeff Taylor then. I expect you to take this seriously."

"I will."he said a little disappointed not having been paired with Brooke, but at least he got out of working with Lucas.

"Well then moving on. Lucas I will now pair you up with Brooke Davis. She is our class president. I don't see her having a problem working with our newest student. Am I right Ms. Davis?"

Brooke turned to Lucas who was looking at her with a questioning look then to Nathan who looked pissed. This was probably the last thing he expected to happen when he got out of working with him. She turned back to the teacher knowing that Nathan was going to be upset."Not at all."she gave a tight smile as she felt Nathan's eyes burning a hole in her back.

"Very well then. Thank you Ms. Davis. Lets move on. He went on the pair up the rest of the class before splitting everyone up with their partners.

Brooke went over to Lucas without even looking at Nathan. There really was no use. She knew what she'd see and she was still mad at him over his earlier comment about her being slutty. She sat down and Lucas immediately started to talk.

"Thanks for not embarrassing me."

"What?"she asked confused.

"By refusing to work with me as well. I thought you would for Nathan."

"I wouldn't do that. I mean I wouldn't choose you as a partner, but I wouldn't turn you down either."

"Thanks. So Nathan has got to be pissed right now, huh?"

Brooke looked over to him and saw Nathan quickly turn away from them."Yeah, but he did this to himself."

"True. So I might be over stepping, but I saw you two arguing earlier. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine Lucas and you were right, you are over stepping."

"Sorry. So we're cool right?"

"We're fine Lucas. Lets just get started."

"Are you sure everything is okay?"

"Everything is fine. Now can we please get started?"

"Because you know that you can talk to me, about anything."he added.

"Actually Lucas I can't talk to you about anything. I don't know you and I don't feel comfortable doing it so just drop it."

"Okay. Then lets get started. We have to analyze the poem A Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. Have you read it before?"

Brooke shook her head.

"Okay then, I'll read it to you."he said as he pulled out his book.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

"What do you think?"he asked.

Brooke looked at him, listening intently."I think you have a pretty sexy voice."she said without thinking.

Lucas let out a laugh."Thanks, but I was talking about the poem. What do you think it means?"

Brooke shook her head."Right, sorry. Um... I'm not sure. What do you think it means?"

"I have a theory, but I don't want to share it with you just yet. I want us to look it up thoroughly. I don't want you to be bias. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, it does. You seem really smart."

Lucas let out another laugh."I haven't even said anything yet."

Brooke smiled."I know, but I just feel it about you. I think I lucked out on getting you as my partner. I want to hear this theory of yours though."

"And I'll tell you after I get you to understand what the poem is about."

"That might take a while."

"I have all the time in the world."

"Good, because it just might take that long."she laughed.

"So lets get back to my sexy voice."he said with a smile which caused Brooke to laugh louder.

Nathan looked across the room at his brother and girlfriend. They were laughing together. He knew deep down inside that it was innocent, but he couldn't help the feeling of jealousy that surfaced when ever he saw them together. He didn't know what Brooke saw in him or how she could stand being around him.

"Are you still mad at me?"asked Nathan as he came behind Brooke and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Yes."she said as she walked away from him and into the gym for practice.

"Brooke, come on. Don't be like this. I said I was sorry."

"Yeah, for calling me a slut."she said as she turned to him."You can't talk to me like that. It's not okay. I have feelings you know."

"I know and I'm sorry. I really am. I will never talk to you like that again."

"Sure you won't."she rolled her eyes."The next time I do something that you don't like you'll go right back to being that asshole I can't stand."

"I won't. I promise."

"I don't believe you Nathan."

"What is it gonna take Brooke? I love you."

"You can't fix everything by saying you love me Nathan."

"I know, but that doesn't change the fact that I do."he let out a sigh."I'm not good at these things Brooke. You know that."

"Then don't Nathan. I'm not asking you for anything other than to leave me alone."she started to walk toward her squad.

"What do you want from me Brooke?"

"Are you not listening? I don't want anything from you."

"Do you want me to admit that I'm jealous of him? Is that what you want? I am. Everyone seems to love him, my dad, my friends, my coach, my girlfriend. It's too much for me to deal with. I get weird whenever he's around. I'm sorry, but it happens. I know I take it out on you and I shouldn't. I know you would never cheat on me with my brother. You're too good for that. I'm the bastard in this relationship, not you. What I said earlier was stupid. I know that. I'm really sorry. Please just don't be mad at me anymore."

Brooke looked at him. He seemed sincere. She didn't want to forgive him. She wanted to stay mad at him, but he brought up her never cheating on him with Lucas and it got to her. It made her feel guilty. She hated that things turned out the way they had with Lucas being a Scott. She knew she shouldn't feel guilty because he too had been with someone else. He was the one that always messed around when they would take a break. She was always forgiving him. She had to. She loved him and she would mess around as well. As dysfunctional as they were they still loved each other.

"I'm not mad, I'm just hurt. I hate when you call me names Nathan. Do you think it feels good to be called a bitch or a slut by the guy you love more than anything?"she wiped at a few tears. This was the last thing she wanted. She didn't want to fall apart at school in front of everybody, but this needed to be said. She and Nathan needed to have this conversation.

Nathan reached out and wiped at her tears."Don't cry. I hate when you cry, you know that."he pulled her by the arm out of the gym.

Lucas watched as his brother seemed to have just made Brooke cry. He wanted to go over and see what was going on. He then saw Nathan pull her out of the gym and she seemed upset. He wanted more than anything to make sure Brooke was okay, but knew it would only make things worse. So he stayed where he was.

Once Nathan got Brooke away from everyone he pulled her to him."I'm sorry. I know it must hurt. I don't even know why I say those things. I don't believe them. I just get so upset and I want you to hurt the way I'm hurting. It's not right and I know that. I'm gonna stop. I promise."

"Nathan you need to mean it because if this continues I don't think I can take anymore. We'll be over. Done. I'm no saint when it comes to this relationship and neither are you, but we need to put everything past us and start over."

Nathan nodded."Okay, lets do that."

"Okay."

"Are we okay now? I hate when you're really mad at me."

Brooke rolled her eyes."Yeah, we're fine."she laughed when Nathan let out an exaggerated sigh and pulled her to him. She let him kiss her for a second before pulling away."We need to talk about Lucas for a second."

"No we don't."

"Yes we do. I'm going to have to be spending a lot of time with him since we're partners. I don't want you to be upset about it."

"I won't.'

Brooke let out a laugh."You are so lying. Seriously though don't."

"Okay, but you are going to have to meet at our house so I can keep an eye on you two."

"Do you hear yourself? I don't need you to keep an eye on me. Either you trust me or you don't."

"I do. I just don't trust him. I see the way he looks at you Brooke. He wants you."

"You're crazy."

"I'm not. Trust me. I know what I'm talking about."

"If you say so."she wiped the remaining tears from her face."Can we go back in there now?"

"No, not quite."he leaned in and gave her a slow kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him fully before letting her go."Now we can go in.'

Brooke smiled and wrapped her arms around him and dragged him into the gym. She gave him a quick kiss before walking off to her squad.

Nathan turned to go warm up and saw Lucas watching him. He made his way to him."I see you saw that we made up. It must suck for you. You need to get over your sick fantasy of being me. It's never gonna happen."

"Do you honestly think I want to be like you?"

"No, I think you want to be me."

Lucas shook his head."I know you have a huge ego and all be that is crazy. I would never want to be like you. You're a jerk who thinks too highly of himself, but doesn't extend that to his girlfriend. You treat her like crap and you know it."

"You really need to stop concerning yourself with my relationship. Brooke and I are fine and we're gonna stay that way.'

"I doubt that, but for Brooke's sake I hope it's true."he said as he walked off. Nathan in his face was the last thing he needed.