Thank you everyone for your comments on the last chapter, I love reading them!! And I'm so happy to hear that you like the story :)
Chapter Twenty-One: Let the good times begin
"Well, well, well" The person said.
Brooke pushed Dean off of her as they both turned to see who had come in the room.
Dan smiled looking between the two of them. "Miss. Davis, what ever will Lucas say… mind you, I hear payback's bitch" Dan grinned before talking to Dean "I think you should leave now"
"Look old man, we were just having some fun man and it's none of your business…" Dean slurred
Dan stepped towards Dean, annoyed by his defiance "This is my house and everything to do with it is my business" Dan spat back glaring at Brooke momentarily.
Brooke swallowed hard, wondering whether that was a dig at Dean or a hint that he knew something.
"Now if you want to graduate this year, I'd leave right now, before I get you arrested for possession of a substance or how about dealing" Dan hissed
"I wasn't doing anything"
"That's not what I saw and I'm sure Miss Davis will back me up on that" Dan smirked.
Brooke just stood there, still in shock about everything that had just happened.
"You can't do that!" Dean protested
"I'm the mayor, I think you'll find I can do just about anything" With that Dan flashed his trademark smile, letting Dean know that he was no match for him.
Brooke looked between Dan and Dean, trying to pick the better of two evils. Dean was definitely on something; anyone in their right mind would know better than to oppose Mr. Dan Scott.
Dean finally did as Dan had said, making a quick exit out of the room. Brooke tensed as the door slammed behind him. The one person she had been really trying to avoid all evening was the person she was going to be forced to talk to.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Have you seen Brooke?" Lucas asked yet another drunken cheerleader. Stopping the bar from serving any of them alcohol obviously was a waste of time.
"Have you seen Brooke?" Lucas tried again
"Yeah, she went upstairs" A girl slurred
"Where upstairs?" Lucas asked
"In that room" The girl pointed up to the first room upstairs "Dean was looking for her earlier…"
Lucas rushed up the stairs, only to see Dean quickly coming out of the room.
"Dean" Lucas shouted as Dean made his way down the stairs in the opposite direction.
"Hey Ma.." Before Dean could finish his sentence Lucas grabbed him by the shirt, pushing him up against the stair rail "Where's Brooke?"
"Whoa, are you trying to kill me man?" Dean shouted, looking down at how high up the stairs they were.
"Where's Brooke?" Lucas repeated, completely ignoring Dean
"I didn't touch her man... I swear" Dean said, his voice shaking.
Lucas paused looking at him. Dean was really breathless, sweaty and clearly having difficultly focusing. "What the fuck did you take?" Lucas asked
"Just let go of me man" Dean barely managed to say.
"I swear if you've…" Lucas began his voice deep with anger
"I didn't touch her man" Dean stuttered "Just let me go!"
Lucas did as he asked, letting go of his shirt and backing away, as Dean ran past him. Lucas continued up the stairs into the room.
"Brooke…Are you okay?" Lucas asked as he entered the room before seeing Dan standing in the corner "Dan?" Lucas looked confused.
"Hello son" Dan smiled
Lucas rolled his eyes at the sound of Dan calling him, his son "What are you doing here?" Lucas asked, evidently annoyed by Dan's presence.
Dan turned to look at Brooke gesturing for her to explain.
Brooke looked up at Dan who was grinning uncontrollably. She wasn't going to let Dan make out that he was some kind of hero for 'rescuing' her from Dean, she knew he'd enjoy that far too much, not to mention the fact that he'd never let anyone forget it. Brooke looked up at Lucas, brushing her hair behind her ear nervously "I'm sorry Luke, I've got to go" Brooke said, getting up and walking out the room.
"Brooke wait…" Lucas tried
"Leave it son" Dan said walking closer to him "She's a trouble-maker; you're better of without her"
"You don't know anything about her…" Lucas snapped angrily at Dan
"I know that she can take care of herself, she doesn't need you trying to protect her… and nor does your mom" Dan remarked calmly
"What does my mom have to do with any of this?" Lucas asked, annoyed at Dan's anything but subtle way of telling him to stop trying to keep his mom away from him.
"All I'm saying Lucas is that things aren't always like they seem. Your mom isn't in any trouble and nor was Brooke. I hate to tell you this but… I caught her and that boy in here together, I told them this wasn't time or place and that having been a young father myself, they should really be careful. He stormed out angry that I'd broken up their private party and then you came in… Brooke obviously felt bad about it and left" Dan said calmly, without even blinking.
"I don't believe you" Lucas said, still annoyed at Dan's involvement in all of this.
Dan smiled sadly "Fine, I better go and make my toast" He said walking past Lucas towards the door. He stopped before leaving the room and turned around to face Lucas once again "I almost forgot" Dan smiled "Give this to Brooke" Dan threw Brooke's red bra at Lucas "I found it on the bed, and I'm sure she'll be wanting that back" He grinned enjoying the apparent hurt in Lucas's eyes.
"Like I said, I'm sorry son" Dan said before leaving the room.
Lucas just stood there. Feelings of hurt, anger and jealousy taking over; he didn't feel like even knew what had just happened or how he was supposed to feel about it. After all, he still had a girlfriend Peyton, and Brooke and he weren't dating so whatever she did was up to her but he couldn't help but feel betrayed. She had gotten so mad at him when he agreed to go to Theresa's party and yet it was okay for her to hook up with Dean. Lucas paused for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts…
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Brooke sat outside on the steps of Dan's house, thinking of how the evening looked set to end. She could here people making there way into the garden for Dan's lavish "It's all about the kids" speech. All Brooke could think about was how much of a mess she'd help cause. The whole thing with Dan had gone from bad to worse. He knew something was up, she could tell but what could she do to stop him, she was too scared to say anything, not after she'd seen how Dan reacted last time when she voiced her opinions. And Lucas… how could she be back in that place again, loving him, wanting to be with him. She was keeping all of these secrets from Lucas when secrets had torn them apart in the first. Brooke knew better than anyone that secrets had a way of coming out, especially in Tree Hill.
Brooke took a deep breath in, taking comfort in the silence.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lucas stepped out onto the balcony, spotting Peyton sitting on the swing. He walked over to her slowly.
"Hey" Lucas said quietly, sitting beside her.
"Hi" Peyton replied, without turning to face him
Lucas took a moment, trying to gather his thoughts.
"So did you find Brooke?" Peyton asked
Lucas paused momentarily, wondering how she knew he'd been found Brooke.
"You went looking for her right?" Peyton asked sadly
Lucas nodded slowly before scoffing "She was with Dean"
Peyton laughed dryly shaking her head "Good old Brooke" she said bitterly.
Lucas didn't laugh; instead he braced himself for what he was about to say "Peyton I'm…"
"You don't have to say it…
"Yes I do" Lucas said turning to face her "I love you Peyton, I do but…"
"But what?" Peyton asked
"But… take last night…" Lucas began
"We had a great time" Peyton protested
"I know we did, and that's because for the first time since we started dating we just hung out, the two of us, not as boyfriend and girlfriend as friends. We had fun hanging out, listening to music." Lucas said trying to explain
"I don't get it…" Peyton began
"I just think that…" Lucas tried again
"No, I mean I don't get how Brooke gets off with another guy and you still want to be with her"
"Peyton this isn't about Brooke" Lucas sighed annoyed by her what she had just said
"It isn't?" Peyton said, completely unconvinced
Lucas ignored her comment, continuing to explain "Brooke broke up with me and you were there. You gave me advice you listened to me go on about how much I wanted her back, you were there when I realised it was over between me and Brooke and I was there for you with Derek... I guess we were both at a point where we needed someone"
"Oh, would you cut the crap, please" Peyton said getting up to face him "This has nothing to do with that it's got to do with Brooke. I gave up a ten year friendship for this Lucas, so the least you can do is be honest with me, can you do that Lucas for once in your life just be completely honest?" Peyton shouted
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Thank you everyone, for coming tonight to show your support" Dan said addressing all members of the party who had now all crowded around the garden patio "What a fine evening it is" Dan smiled gesturing to the starry sky. "I am so pleased to see the parents of Tree Hill again"
"Oh would you cut the crap, please"
Everyone turned towards the direction of the noise, which was obviously coming from the balcony on the other side of the house. Dan cleared his throat, trying to get the attention of the crowd.
"Teenagers, we all remember what it was like" Dan smiled looking over at the adults who all returned his smile, remembering their past antics "Today, like every year is all about the kids"
Nathan and Haley exchanged looks. Who actually bought anything he was saying.
"They are the future and what a bright one it will be, with the talented young people who stand before me. Take my sons Nathan and Lucas…"
"This has nothing to do with that it's got to do with Brooke."
Everyone turned around once again. Most of the adults frowned briefly returning to face Dan whilst all the teenagers looked amongst themselves amused and privileged to be witnessing the biggest news at school tomorrow, first hand.
Dan tried again "My sons, Nathan and Lucas have both been through a lot this year, what with the loss of my brother, their uncle… Keith"
Sadness could be felt throughout the room. "I sometimes wonder how I managed to cope" Dan continued
"For once in your life just be completely honest"
Dan fiddled with his collar nervously. Lucas and his little girlfriend were making things awfully uncomfortable for everyone.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lucas looked up at Peyton, completely taken aback by the sheer volume of her words. "Peyton I…"
"Lucas, please" Peyton said, the anger and frustration still clear in her voice.
Lucas took a deep breath, contemplating whether or not to continue, whether to tell her the truth she so badly needed to know. See, that was the thing with the truth… it hurt and Lucas never set out to hurt Peyton.
"Lucas, I can't do this anymore. I can't keep up this triangle. It's got to stop, someone has to end it and it's got to be you, so just tell me the truth, did you ever love me as more than a friend, are you in love with Brooke… I need to know" Peyton said looking up at Lucas, her eyes pleading for the truth.
Lucas looked into her eyes. God he'd been so stupid, all he ever thought about was the now and what he thought he needed in the moment. If he had just not been so afraid, so selfish then none of them would have been in this mess. He wouldn't have ruined his chances with Brooke; he wouldn't have ruined his friendship with Peyton. "God, I've been so stupid Peyton. I don't even know where to start. Did I ever love you… of course I did. It's just things have… everything's…. When I first joined the Ravens I wanted to be with you so bad but you said nothing could happen and so… I got with Brooke."
Peyton rolled her eyes at that.
"I know it wasn't for the right reasons but it happened and despite the mess I made of it and everything that went on… I wouldn't take it back for the world."
Peyton looked up at Lucas confused by what he was saying.
Lucas noticed before trying to explain "You see, when I look back on it, I realise… that was the only time I think Brooke ever fully trusted me" Lucas laughed sadly "The only time she really trusted me was when I was cheating on her, how messed up is that. And when I wasn't she couldn't trust me"
"Well can you blame her" Peyton mumbled a little too loud
"No your right, back then…I just never gave myself a chance to be happy with Brooke and by the time I realised it, it was too late. I don't know how to explain it…" Lucas paused trying to think of a way to explain what he meant "You know when a friend introduces you to someone new. You don't really know the person, you have all this polite conversation and stuff but all the time you're just waiting for your old friend to come back so you can have fun. Well sometimes when the old friend does come back you realise that you were actually having loads of fun without them but you couldn't see that because you thought you needed them to have fun but you don't… because it turns out that the new person is actually amazing and you don't know how you could have been so stupid as to ruin what you had in the first place, and every time you think of how you hurt her, it breaks your heart because you want to be the person who protects her from ever getting hurt, not the person causing it, and if you could just tell her how much she means to you and how you would wait… forever, just to be with her..." Lucas broke off, realising he had gone off the topic.
He quickly looked up at Peyton who stood there with tears in her eyes. His words bringing her a realisation she had struggled to ignore.
"You really love her, don't you?" She barely managed to say, trying her best not to cry
Lucas nodded, guilty at how his words must have been making her feel "Peyton I'm so sorry, I…"
"No Luke it's not that, seriously I'm not upset because of that. If anything I'm mad at myself more than you"
"I don't get it" Lucas said slightly relieved by her comment
"You're just a guy, you have no clue about things when it comes to girls" Peyton laughed sincerely "Earlier when I said I couldn't do this, that I couldn't keep up the triangle and you had to end it, and I think I was just passing the blame. I don't know what happened with us Luke but ever since I've known you, you've been the one person I can rely on, the person who wouldn't leave… you and Brooke. I've had one of the worst years of my life Luke and I've been so scared of being alone. I think that's why I didn't think twice about believing Psycho Derek because I needed someone to let me know I wasn't going to be alone. You've always been there Luke and I guess part of me just needed the security of knowing you weren't going to leave me like everyone else did… like Jake did"
Lucas looked up at Peyton confused.
"There's something I never told you…"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Haley turned around again, looking up in the direction of where they had heard Peyton and Lucas arguing "Do you think I should go up there?" She asked Nathan
Nathan shook his head "And risk getting caught in the crossfire of world war three, I don't think so" Nathan laughed
"It's not funny Nathan, it sounds really bad"
"Come Hales" Nathan said brushing her hair behind her ear "Peyton and Lucas never fight, they're too alike, I think it's good that they actually disagree for once"
"My sons have still come through of all it as honourable young men, any father would be proud of" Dan said trying to smile, although feeling the obvious irony of his speech. "I'm sure you can all agree that this year has been extremely difficult, what with the death of that boy Jamie Edwards…"
"Jimmy, it's Jimmy" Haley whispered to herself, looking around the crowd expecting to see Mouth annoyed by Dan's careless mistake, but she was unable to find him. "Where's Mouth?" Haley asked Nathan who just shrugged his shoulders. "Good thing he isn't here to see Dan pretend he actually cares about Jimmy" Nathan replied, putting his arms round Haley. Haley looked up at Nathan, God she was thankful that Nathan was nothing like his father. They were married and having a baby and Nathan was here, loving her, going through it all with her. She was so in love with him for that.
"To the last year at Tree Hill High, enjoy it kids" Dan winked raising his glass as everyone did the same. There was short applause as Dan pretended it was too much "Please everyone, let us go back into the house and enjoy what's left of what has been a memorable evening for us all, especially my son. Let's hope he makes it out of there alive" Dan joked as most of the adults laughed along politely.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I went to see Jake the weekend of Nathan and Haley's wedding..." Peyton continued
Lucas shuffled on the spot, uncomfortably as Peyton sat down next to him. "I asked him to marry me"
"Whoa" Lucas said taking a huge breath "Wow, what happened?" Lucas asked trying to make sense of things
"I was confused and Jake thought I was trying to run away from something in Tree Hill"
"What so he said no" Lucas asked
"No he said yes but then no" Peyton shook her head trying to make sense of what she was trying to say "He thought I was trying to run away from something in Tree Hill"
"Something like…?"
"Something like you and my feelings for you but looking back on everything, I'm not sure I was. Part of me wonders whether I proposed to Jake because I didn't want him to leave" Peyton said, turning to Lucas who didn't seem to understand "I had missed Jake so much when he left and I was so happy to see him but part of me kept saying to myself, 'He's just going to have to leave again and you'll be heart-broken' and… then one minute I was asking him to marry me and the next…. I thinking about you and how you'd always been there and how you always would be and in that moment we made sense, you know" Peyton paused, collecting her thoughts before continuing again "We were going to be together before but then everything got in the way and it felt like it was a sign that you were still in my life, that you hadn't left so… I didn't say anything when Jake told me to go back to Tree Hill"
Lucas took a deep breath in, trying to understand everything Peyton had just said.
"I chose the safer option, just like you did" Peyton smiled sadly
"It wasn't the safer option…" Lucas tried
"It was a hell of a lot safer than fighting for Brooke knowing that she might not take you back, just like it was a lot safer not being with Jake knowing that he might have to leave again" Peyton sighed
Lucas didn't reply, knowing that what she was saying was true "I'm always going to be there for you Peyton" Lucas said rubbing her shoulder.
Peyton nodded leaning into Lucas, resting her head on his shoulder "Friends?" she whispered
Lucas smiled, placing his arm around her "Friends"
With that they both sat there for a while, listening to the quite noise of people talking downstairs.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Everyone please help yourself to the wonderful food which will be served up shortly if you'll just make you way into the living room" Dan smiled "Complements to Karen's Café" He said, looking over at Karen before stepping off the patio and leading everyone through into the living room. With a glass of wine in one hand and Karen in the other, he led the group of eager parents and teenagers through the house towards the living room to show off the feast he had prepared.
Dan stood in front of the shut double doors to living room.
"Oh God, he's going to make another speech" Nathan said rolling his eyes "It's not like 'the grand opening of the living room' enough already" Nathan whispered to Haley, who was just amused at how Dan never ceased to annoy her with his more than over the top approach to everything.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say, let the good times begin" Dan smiled, as Nathan and Haley cringed at his cheap pun. Dan raised his glass, gesturing for one of the waiters to open the double doors…
As if in a daze, one by one everyone's faces turned from expressions of joy and eager anticipation to shock and alarm. Dan who was to busy grinning to have turned around; slowly looked across all the shocked faces of his visitors, faces which had been so happy a few seconds. Dan thought twice about turning around, worried that something had gone wrong with the entrées or that the menus had gotten mixed up. He searched briefly for Nathan, who looked just as shocked as everyone else, except that he had a glint of fear in his eyes. Dan knew then that whatever had gone wrong definitely had nothing to do with the food.
Dan took a deep breath, bracing himself for what lay ahead.
YOU KILLED KEITH!
Dan came face to face with the words spelt in dripping red paint. Words that had haunted him ever since Keith "died".
YOU KILLED KEITH!
The room was silent; everyone speechless, motionless. All that could be heard was sound of Dan's glass shattering on the floor.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This chapter was shorter than the last but, it definitely had what most of you have been waiting a long time to see happen… Lucas and Peyton break-up, lol!
As always I love to read what you think of what's happening, what you'd like to see.
P.S- If you think what happened this chapter was bad then wait and see what happens next chapter ;)
Reviews are love!!