Blind Leading The Blind
Author's note: First of all…I'm so proud of myself for finally keeping my promise and updating on time. How cool is this? And you even get the long awaited BL interaction
This chapter was pretty hard to write because I'm not sure if I did any justice to our beloved couple…Hope you like it and enjoy the chapter. I won't update for some time because college is starting soon + I'm going on vacation…
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill. Sadly the TV-series is belonging to Mark Schwahn.The song in this chapter is Come Back by Pearl Jam…fantastic tune.
Chapter 7: Come Back
Tree Hill, September 2011
It is quite early in the morning when Brooke exits the airport through the main entrance. Equipped with her big black Chanel sunglasses and dressed in a knee length cream colored silk skirt with a pearly white blouse she perfectly blends in with the surrounding crowd.
The businessmen in their expensive and fancy suits are all busy making important phone calls or reading the latest headlines in the newspapers. Everybody kind of rushes in and out of the building in a hurry without even looking around themselves.
Brooke is pleased when she enters a cab and sits down in the backseat. For the first time in the past 24 hours she has time to catch a breath and relax. Everything got really hectic and messy yesterday when she decided to fly out to Tree Hill for Whitey's funeral. She spent the whole afternoon with her couturier to instruct him on the dresses she wants to be tailored in her absence. Then every once in a while Milli interrupted their meeting to discuss the schedule for the upcoming couple of days. After she left the office Brooke met up for dinner with Rachel to give her a last briefing on the progress of the collection.
The redhead was curious to discover that her best friend was going on vacation and as Brooke revealed to her that the place would be Tree Hill Rachel was speechless.
For the past years Brooke never talked about their life in Tree Hill or the time in highschool.
It seemed to her that the brunette locked away all of the memories from the past except for the day she came back from L.A. and saw a certain Lucas Scott at a movie premiere.
Since then Brooke went on with her life as usually and carried on chasing her dream and launching her own label. It is like somehow the two of them came to this silent agreement never to talk or mention anything related to Tree Hill ever again. Sure Rachel knew that she kept in touch with Haley but that didn't bother her because Jamie was her godson.
However Brooke wanting to go on a vacation and spending time in Tree Hill really surprised Rachel. She was sad to hear about Whitey passing away and was fully aware of the hurt in Brooke's eyes. Whitey was something like a substitute father for Brooke and besides Karen the only adult she looked up to. But yet something was definitely wrong with her friend. Brooke refused to let Rachel come with her to Tree Hill and brushed off any of her attempts to discuss this subject.
"Miss? Where do you want me to drive you to?" the kind voice of the cab driver interrupted Brooke's trail of thoughts.
Slowly she takes off her sunglasses and smiles politely.
"To the Doubletree Hotel in Tree Hill please."
"If I keep holding out
Will the light shine through?
Under
this broken roof
It's only rain that I feel
I've been wishin'
out the days
Oh oh oh
Come back"
He takes another look at his watch and can't believe that he is going to be late. The funeral is scheduled for 2pm and he hasn't even put on his suit yet. He is still standing in front of the bathroom mirror trying to shave without cutting himself.
"Damn it!" he exclaims with a raging voice as the blade slices into his skin right under his chin. Slowly the red liquid tickles down his neck leaving a stain on his white wife beater.
Rabidly he throws the shaver into the sink and grabs a towel to wipe away the mess he made.
As he runs his hands nervously through his wet hair he raises his eyes and stares at his reflection in the mirror.
The last two days Lucas never even thought about the event that brought him back to Tree Hill. Walking around the town and catching up with the people from the neighborhood somehow gave him the impression that nothing ever changed at all these years. Everybody still talked about the Ravens win of the State Championship back then and their high expectations for the upcoming playoffs. Yet as he walked by the school last night, normally a game night, the gymnasium was dark, empty and closed off. The game against Oak Lake was pushed back for a week due to Whitey's death and therefore the place wasn't filled with the usual laughter, tension and shouts of the fans. Lucas sat there this night on a bench next to the entrance and recalled all of the memories from the past.
Somehow it all started with Keith and Whitey.
If Keith never told Whitey about his nephew's astonishing basketball skills he would have never got the chance to join the team. With this little push towards his dream Lucas got to know a world he never imagined to be a part of. Playing basketball in front of the whole town and the school every Friday night did not just satisfy his passion and fuel the love for the game. It in fact shaped him up to be the man he is today. Every single one of Whitey's speeches taught him valuable qualities and lessons for life. The old man always knew how to bring out the best in him and give him advice on the things that mattered.
Without his persistence Lucas would have never got to know his brother properly and develop a bond that goes way beyond rivalry or friendship.
Nate got to be a part of his life and even his family, something that Lucas never considered possible.
…and apart from a certain cheerleader he met after his first game played for the Ravens Whitey gave him the strength to survive the darkest moment of his life.
After Keith's death no one could really relate to the sorrow and anger capturing his soul and mind. There wasn't a song or line in a book that could mend the hole in his heart and make the pain go away. Everything got meaningless and irrelevant.
Yet some simple words Whitey told him one night pulled him to safety.
"You want some answers. But what is the right answer? Because there is no answer! There is just life. Just life."
Lucas buttons up his white shirt and plugs it into his pants. He looks at the wall clock and can't quite shake off the haunting thoughts from last night.
Now Whitey is dead too and he feels like he lost Keith all over again.
It is the same pain, the same heartache and the same numb feeling in his guts.
But this time he knows that no one is going to be there for him.
His mom is still in Europe for more than 2 weeks, he doesn't know where Brooke is living and Nathan made it perfectly clear that his presence is not wanted anymore in Tree Hill.
Yet somehow he can understand his brother's reaction to his absence and sudden reappearance.
The years they spend in college both of them worked really hard to stay in touch and meet up every couple of weeks despite Lucas's school work or Nate's numerous road trips with the team. Every single one of their encounters was always a chance for them to catch a breath and enjoy some quality time together. It didn't matter if it was just him and Nate babysitting little Jamie or having a one on one game at a local court. The little time they had together was special and a welcome escape from the trouble and pressure of their everyday lives.
But the moment Lucas moved to Los Angeles to live with Peyton everything changed.
At the beginning he needed some time to accommodate to his new living arrangements and surroundings. However one phone call a day gradually turned to one call a week and then a month. Ultimately he stopped calling Nate after he visited him in the hospital. The sight of his brother tied to a wheelchair broke his heart and left him feeling helpless.
Nathan's dream of going pro shattered the very moment his first book got published.
As Lucas fails to put on his tie once again he harshly throws it on the ground. Then he lights up another cigarette and takes a deep drag. His gaze fixed on his watch he lets out a noisy sigh and wrinkles his nose. Quickly he picks up his jacket that is lying on the bed and swings it over his shoulder.
"I have been planning out
All that I'd say to you
Since
you slipped away
Know that I still remain true
I've been
wishin' out the days
Please say that if you hadn't have gone now
I
wouldn't have lost you another way
From wherever you are
Oh oh
oh oh
Come back"
With the first step through the gate of the cemetery Lucas's throat gets dry and his tongue sticky. The all so familiar feeling of numbness washes over him and sends chills down his spine. He squints and scratches the back of his head mechanically. Slowly he walks towards the mourners his hands buried deep in his pockets. His palms are all sweaty as he gets closer to the funeral service. The minister has already started with his speech and reflects on Whitey's accomplishments and significance for the community.
Lucas doesn't want to attract any attention and decides to stay behind leaning on to an old oak tree. The sunshine soaks the mourners into a delicate light and with the surrounding flower arrangements creates an atmosphere of peace and eternal tranquility.
From the teachers to the students and former players of the team everybody is gathered around the grave to pay homage to the old man.
Nathan, Haley and Jamie are all standing in the front row next to the minister hands intertwined and eyes transfixed on the grave. Oddly there is also another brunette woman standing besides Jamie her left arm swung around his shoulders. She has hair arranged in shoulder long curls with a black headband. Instantly a familiar weird feeling gets a hold of him again and makes his body grow stiff. He squints for a split second and sees the woman pick up a white rose and place it carefully on the mahogany coffin. She pauses for a short moment and lowers her head. Then she quickly turns around and proceeds to walk into his direction. He can't believe what his eyes are seeing. He actually has to close them for a second to withstand the cold shiver rushing through his body.
She is here and just a couple of feet away from him. He wants to say something or give her any kind of motion to express to her that he acknowledged her presence but he simply can't. Only the ability to look at her with his piercing blue eyes remains intact. As she looks into his eyes with a somewhat sad and confused yet comforting expression a long lost warmth occupies his heart and soul. His body releases its previous state of tension and a small half-smile creeps over his face. Without taking her eyes off of him the brunette woman gets close to him and stops over by his side. He does not dare to look at her and instead holds his breath. Gently she rests her hand on his shoulder so that he can feel her hot breath against his bare neck. He closes his eyes and sucks in her sweet and endearing scent.
She smells like lavender, honey and cinnamon.
The moment he opens his eyes again she is gone. Nathan, Haley and Jamie are all approaching him still with their hands intertwined. As Jamie sees his uncle standing next to the oak tree he launches himself into his arms and embraces him in a tight hug. He hugs the little boy back and rests his head for a moment on his shoulder.
"Uncle Luke are you coming with us to the school for Whitey's party?" the boy asks with a cheerful voice.
Luke smiles and nods his head in agreement.
Jamie grins and points out to the woman waiting next to their car.
"Even Auntie Brooke is here." he explains.
Luke stares at Nathan who just passes by without even looking at his brother.
He furrows his brows and lowers his head as Haley approaches him and embraces him silently in a tight hug.
She gives him a small peck on the cheek and then walks to her waiting husband and son.
Lucas lets out a soft sigh and slowly shakes his head.
As he hears the sound of the starting car engine Lucas walks up to Whitey's grave and sits down in front of it.
"If I don't fall apart
Will my memory stay clear?
So
you had to go
And I had to remain here
But the strangest thing
to date
So far away and yet you feel so close
I'm not going to
question it any other way
It must be an open door for you
To
come back"
The sun has already set as he pulls over into the school's parking lot and enters the gymnasium where the reception is already in full swing. The basketball court is staffed with large tables and multiple chairs. The decoration with one bouquet of white roses on each table and several tea lights is simple but nevertheless classy. In the background on a little stage the school band plays some serene and slow tunes.
Almost all people from the funeral service came over to the gymnasium for the dinner in Whitey's honor and are now chatting quietly.
On the right side next to the bleachers Haley and Nathan are sitting at a table having dinner.
Lucas scans the crowd in search of a familiar brunette as he spots her holding Jamie by his hands dancing to the music. The way she sways her hips to the melody of the song while holding the little boy tight in her grip mesmerizes him. It is the first time that he sees Brooke with Jamie but the sight doesn't seem to be odd or strange at all. In fact it looks so natural that he imagines what a great mother she will be. Somehow it reminds him so much of the way his own mother acts when Lilly is around.
As the song comes to an end Jamie walks back to his mother and sits down in her lap leaving Brooke behind alone on the dancefloor.
Lucas approaches her and clears his throat. Brooke flinches and turns around looking at him with a puzzled expression on her face.
"I bet the little boy is a better dancer than me, right?" he says the tension evident in his voice.
Brooke offers him a small smile and motions over to the bleachers. Both of them walk over there silently and take a seat.
"So you are back in Tree Hill?" Lucas tries to start the conversation stuttering a bit.
"Yeah…kind of…sort of for the weekend" Brooke replies staring at the ground avoiding the urge to look into Lucas's eyes.
Lucas every other second steals a quick glance at Brooke but averts his gaze every time she even barely moves.
"Well I'm only here for the weekend too. Got so much work to do for my new book" Lucas answers with a quiet voice…
However on the inside he cringes because of the stupidity of his words. What would he have to do all day besides getting drunk and watching reruns of classic basketball games on ESPN?
"I totally understand what you mean. I'm cramped with work launching my own fashion label." Brooke responds raising her head a little bit to sneak a peek at Lucas.
He genuinely smiles and looks at her with an amused expression on his face.
"So that Clothes Over Bros thing worked out for you, huh?" he asks a bit insecure.
She feels his look on her face and quickly lowers her head again.
"Well I practically had to be a slave for Victoria's Secret the past years but now everything seems to add up finally." she mumbles the pride evident in her voice.
His eyes brighten up and his pulse frantically increases. The moment she looks away his eyes automatically take a quick glance at her.
"Remember how I told you at the party after graduation that you would conquer the world. Seems to me that I was quite right with my prediction" he says his voice cracking a bit.
Brooke coughs abruptly and swallows hard. Then she silently nods her head in agreement.
"Look at Jamie. Isn't he the cutest kid in the world?" she quickly changes the subject.
Jamie is still sitting in Haley's lap but now asleep resting his head on her shoulder.
"I love the little guy so much. It's sad that I haven't seen him the last two years and missed out on so much important events in his life. When I look at him and at Nathan and Haley life makes sense. It is just the way it should be." Lucas rambles staring at Jamie with a huge smile on his face.
Brooke raises her head and looks straight at Lucas. As he talks about Jamie she can't lose sight of his eyes full of love and joy.
As Lucas notices that Brooke hasn't said anything in a while he quickly leans over to her and suddenly their eyes lock.
He absent mindedly holds his breath and loses track of time. Her hazel eyes with the green highlights are so bright and suave that he is at a loss of words.
"Anyway…where is Peyton? Is she still in L.A.?"Brooke snaps out of it and averts her gaze again.
Lucas frowns, his eyes still transfixed on her and answers trying not to hide the frustration in his voice.
"I don't know where she is. We broke up some time ago"
Brooke lets out a soft sigh and starts to play with the ring on her finger.
"Brooke. I think we should really talk. I made a…" Lucas tries to carry on the conversation but gets cut off.
All of a sudden Brooke gently plants her index finger on his lips to silence him.
"Don't. Please…just don't Luke!" she whispers softly with a raspy voice.
Lucas shivers and melts away feeling her touch on his skin. He wants to object and say something but simply can't.
Brooke steals one last glance at his face and then walks away.
"And the days they linger on, yeah
Every night I'm waiting
for
The real possibility that I may need to end my pain
Sometimes
you're there and you're talking back to me
Come the morning I
could swear you're next to me
And it's ok"
Author's note:
Chelsea – No problem. Although I really missed your review. I'm glad that you are liking the direction of this story because it isn't really fast paced and lacks some contrived drama like on the show…I like to take things slow
B.P. Davis – Now you got BL…and I hope you enjoyed it
Whitney – If you are a spoiled fan of the show and have seen Nathan's look in the season 5 promo a beard is something you should approve of …he looked like a hobo in the promo so a little beard can't hurt that much. But I love Nathan…he has to kick Luke in the ass from time to time…and Peyton will definitely show up later on…
Othfan326 – Thank you for your compliments…I like your stories too..started reading some of them…
Chey – You haven't updated because you had no electricity…crazy girl…where are you living at??
Lynn – Last but never the least…I know that you have been too busy working on your fics to review but it doesn't matter because I love your new chapters very much…so good work. I'm updating again just three days after my last update..so not much time to review anyway…Love you so much hun…