Unfinished Symphony

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Mark Schwahn, J.J. Abrams, and the CW, I own none of them. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's note: I hope you like what I have so far. The updates won't be as frequent as I like but I have another story that I am focusing on right now. Reviews are welcomed and loved! If I get more readers I will be more motivated to get this story rolling! BTW...Peyton gets him to USC, but it's Brooke who makes him stay.

Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put A Spell On You)

…I've been watching your world from afar,

I've been trying to be where you are

And I've been secretly falling apart, unseen.

To me, you're strange and you're beautiful…

Lucas and Felicity had finally made it through registration, and were now rummaging through his belongings, quickly sorting through his new dorm room. His roommate had already moved his stuff in and assumed one side of the room. From the looks of it, whoever it was had been staying there for a while, maybe even the past couple of weeks. The trash was full, and there were several gallons of water in the closet. Lucas gathered from the jerseys lying out and the storm shelter allotment of stored water that his roommate was probably an athlete, a basketball player to be more precise. He felt like that might be comforting, considering he had recently given up basketball, because of his heart condition.

He then grabbed a stack of papers, of sketches, from his bag and started fishing through them. Felicity looked on from the twin-sized bed she had just finished making up with his flannel bedding. The two of them had just finished discussing how they had each come to attending the University of Southern California (USC). By some strange twist of fate, they had both ended up making last minute changes, which got them there. Similarly, both Felicity and Lucas's life altering decisions had been prompted by a chance encounter; a defining moment, at the end of High School, with their respective long-time crushes Ben Covington and Peyton Sawyer.

For Felicity it had all boiled down to what Ben wrote in her yearbook, and how that made her feel. That single paragraph he wrote to her motivated and gave her enough courage to ditch medical school; thus following him out here to Los Angeles. It was a terrifying, yet exhilarating feeling that she had right now. The unknown can be quite scary if you have to go at it alone, but luckily she had found a confidant in Lucas. Felicity had finished by then, and only summarized for him with her closing remarks.

"So, basically I've given up everything my parents ever planned for me, everything I ever expected...all for a boy I don't even know." She explained, while methodically playing with her hair.

She continued robotically, pulling one of her many kinky curls till it was straight, and then releasing it, to spring back, to its original spiral. That was what Felicity did, something she had been doing since she was a little girl, when she got nervous. It drove her crazy that she could let her emotions get the best of her, like that.

"You think that's bad?" Lucas said back to her, joining in on the apparent pity party. "Check this out… You wanna know what Peyton wrote to me in my yearbook? Peyton Sawyer. Yep, you know how hard I worked to get my yearbook in front of her? And then she signs her damn name. I was crushed."

The two laughed hysterically, at their pitiful portrayals, and Lucas then moved to join her on the bed. He began showing her the drawings he had held in his hand moments early. Felicity examined them with a careful, and attentive eye.

"They're unique. Beautiful even, in a strange way, but so dark," she commented. "Did you draw these?" She finally asked, after thumbing through all of them.

"No, Peyton did, these sketches are sort of like your yearbook, since well…obviously the whole yearbook signing strategy didn't work so well for me."

"I don't get it, how do you have these if they are hers? Did she make this for you?"

"No, she didn't. I was standing right there, when she had thrown them out. It was the day she left to come to California, I think. Anyways, I tried to stop her. But, she told me that her art didn't matter, because it didn't change the fact that people always leave…"

"That's awful, she's really good. I mean, I've always dreamt of being an artist, I paint, but I don't have half the talent she does."

"Yea well, I know she's good, in fact she's great, but she doesn't believe it." He said solemnly, and pausing. "I took her artwork, and you know how you talk about Ben, and just knowing?"

"Just feeling," She corrected. "We can't really know anything."

"Right, well…there's just always been this thing with her, this unspoken connection. I mean, I've never really had a real conversation with her, but I'd always felt like if we had that chance…well, that it'd be different somehow, and that's why I came here. It was her art…because it does matter, it's what got me here… and I just felt like I had to make a move, you know…take a chance, and tell her that…"

"Yea, I totally get it."

The two sighed, and lay back on the bed looking up at the ceiling. They patiently assessed their current situations for another few minutes, in peace. Felicity couldn't believe her luck, finding this amazing guy that totally got her. He felt the same. Then after a while Felicity left and headed towards the residence hall across the courtyard, where she knew her dorm room and roommate would be waiting. Before she had left Luke's, they agreed to meet back up in a couple hours to get their student I.D.'s made.

…

She was a little bit stressed walking up the stairs to her room. Knowing that the amount of unpacking she would have to do was substantial caused her to linger a while longer in the stairwell. When Felicity eventually had arrived at her room, the door was already propped open. She was anxious to meet her new roommate, but slowly entered the room hoping not to make a scene. If there had to be one thing she hated most in life, it would have to be making a scene. That she was certain of. It made her nervous just imagining it, all that attention, of having all eyes on her. It was a pure nightmare, in her opinion.

Once inside, Felicity took one look around her new room, and declared it to be homey. Just right, she thought. The room was actually rather small, much smaller than the bedroom that she had occupied all by herself back in her parent's house, but it was quaint nonetheless. To her, it seemed, everything here was a new adventure.

For starters, she would have to share a living space with another person; something that she had never had to do before. Then, there was the whole issue regarding the bathing situation, or lack there of. Her idea of a bathing situation did not entail multiple stalls, where people would shower all at once, and she was not feeling confident about having to be so uninhibited. She often had to remind herself that this was all part of the college experience, which was what she claimed to have wanted.

She then noticed her roommate standing on a tiny ladder in the corner. She was a petite brunette, close to Felicity in height. She was thin, but not stick thin or flat chested like Felicity was. No, my roommate has perfectly proportioned curves.

Felicity paused then for a minute, watching the persistent brunette continue her failed attempts at expanding the allotted closet space. This is actually quite remarkable she might really pull this off, and double the space, the curly blonde thought to herself, as she tried to decipher what it was that the girl had in her hands. She was using some kind of contraption, which Felicity had never seen before.

"Hey," Felicity called out, trying to grab the girl's attention away from what she was doing.

It didn't take much. In fact, after only one try her roommate had immediately turned around, facing Felicity for the first time, giving her a large, and welcoming bright smile. The curvy brunette quickly bounced over to where she was standing. At that particular moment all Felicity could think about was how gorgeous her roommate was.

This is so unfair, she thought. My roommate is one of them! No, worse, she looks like a Victoria Secret model, only a miniature version with porcelain skin like a doll! Great, just great! This is just wonderful, now I'll have this example of perfection to wake up to every morning…

"Hi, I'm so glad you finally made it, I'm Brooke Davis," the girl declared, holding out her hand to shake, then taking it back and going in for a hug. "Oh, what the hell right? Were gonna be living together, might as well get acquainted.

Brooke laughed along with Felicity, though now she could swear that Brooke was studying her, and it started to make her extra nervous.

"Felicity Porter," She said, trying to shake of the nerves. "So where are you from?"

"Here, born and raised…live and die in LA right?" Brooke joked, and Felicity just stared back at her, confused. "You know the song?"

"Um, no not really, sorry"

"Wow, love your shoes…very trendy, urban vibe!" Brooke exclaimed jumping subjects. "You're from out east, aren't you, hmm probably northeast…am I right?"

Brooke had taken a step back from Felicity, and now stood, arms crossed, holding her index finger to her lips, moving her head side to side, in thought. Felicity remained still, but there was no hiding that she was stunned by the girl's accuracy.

"Yea, Connecticut. How'd you know that?"

"It's just this thing I do. Clothes can tell you a lot about a person you know…"

"So, what do mine tell you? Besides where I'm from and all, I mean."

"Well, let me see," she said twirling Felicity in a circle. "Okay, uh you're wearing ripped jeans, and a loose button down which tells me you're sort of reserved, maybe sensitive, and relaxed, but… that nice watch you're wearing, that tells me you've probably, well your family most likely has money, you're more than likely responsible, and I'm gonna go out on a limb here, but I'm guessing that you my dear might be trying to rebel a little, perhaps asserting your independence? I've got it… Daddy's A+ over achieving little girl moves away to walk the unbeaten path?"

Brooke paused slightly to see Felicity's reaction, to her assumptions. She hoped that the girl was not offended. "So, how'd I do?" She finally asked, after a whole minute of silence had past.

"That was uh, amazing…" Felicity gasped. "I'm speechless, and that rarely happens to me, but you were dead on. I was sorta supposed to follow in my dad's footsteps, you know and be in med school right now, but I had this last minute change of heart…and well, here I am! I guess this might all be a colossal mistake, as my dad would say, but on the other hand it may...maybe it'll save my life or something."

"Wow, I knew I was good, but not that good. I'm getting better at this! I guess I should welcome you to California, and lovely LA, you won't miss a thing being my roommate, perky brunette shrieked. "I've got some pretty decent connections, so you've got nothing to worry about."

Brooke then gave her once last smile and then returned to tending the closet on her side. Felicity shot her a polite smile, and thank you, before focusing on the task at hand. She wanted to tell Brooke not to worry about including her in everything, that really she worried more that she would be imposing and out of place, but she couldn't spoil her new friends excitement, just yet. A couple hours later, after setting up her side the best she could, Felicity excused herself to go meet up with Lucas at the University Center, as planned.

…

Lucas had already been sitting and waiting for Felicity outside the steps of the University Center almost an hour. Granted he had gotten there early to relax, and read in the sun, but now he began to wonder if she was really going to show. He imagined that with all the bustle of moving in, she may have forgotten. He continued to wait, until the sound of a bird chirping near by pulled him out of his book. There she was, half running towards him, awkward as can be, yet graceful at the same time.

"Hey, sorry," she said breathlessly. "I got caught up talking to my new roommate."

"No problem." He assured her.

The two then walked up the steps, and made their way into the large auditorium like complex. When they made it inside, they were met with another huge crowd of freshmen students, all standing in yet, another line. It seemed as though that was what USC was all about; beautiful weather, and long lines to keep you from enjoy it. Finding spots at the end, Luke and Felicity relaxed and resumed conversation.

"So how do you like your new roommate?" He asked her. "Mine is still missing in action."

"Huh, that is weird." She thought out loud. "Mine, she seems nice enough, really cheery, she seems super friendly, and well, she's very pretty, too pretty, actually…it's not even fair. She has this ridiculous perfectly clear, almost satin like, skin. Oh and she's into clothes."

"Really, well most girls are. But, you're not too shabby yourself, so don't sell yourself short." He complimented her, placing his hand on her head and patting it.

"Are you sure my hair isn't a disaster? Please be honest, because I mean, I'm gonna have to live with this I.D. for the next four years, and that is like an eternity in picture time."

Just then, Felicity heard someone calling at her, and the two turned to meet the voice.

"Hey," said a shocked Ben. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi!" She replied, trying not to look obvious. "I'm, uh…I'm going to school here. I completely forgot you were going here."

"This is so crazy," Ben exclaimed, pointing to Felicity, and kissing the girl standing next to him. "I know this girl from high school, can you believe that? He explained to his girlfriend, then turning his attention back toward Felicity. "Anyways, this is Peyton, and this is, uh…this is, uh…"

"Felicity," chimed in Lucas.

"Felicity, yea." Ben said, looking now in Lucas's direction. "Is this your boyfriend?"

"Uh, no…we're just…friends." She replied, embarrassed.

"It's Lucas, Lucas Scott," he said, holding out his hand, and looking in Peyton's direction.

Was she going to pretend I didn't exist, like she didn't even recognize me? He thought.

"No way, man. I think you're my roommate. My name's Ben Covington. Small world, huh?"

"Yea, you don't even know." Lucas replied, nearly rolling his eyes at the situation that was unfolding.

"Wow, all right, so, I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other, then."

"Uh huh," Lucas and Felicity said in unison.

"Okay, see ya around."

…You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see,

You turn every head but you don't see me…

With that Ben grabbed his flaxen haired girlfriend's waist, and began leading her away. Peyton took one last confused look at Lucas, over her shoulder, and returned her attention to Ben as they laughed and disappeared into the courtyard. Lucas and Felicity had then reached the front of the line. Felicity was too concerned with the fact that Ben had forgotten her name to pay much attention to how the picture would turn out anymore. After having their photographs taken, and I.D.'s processed the two walked outside.

"That… that wasn't the Peyton, was it?" Felicity finally regained enough composure to ask, pausing to add, "she acted like she didn't even know you…I mean I guess I shouldn't talk Ben didn't even remember my name."

"Yep, that's her…and Ben, huh…for a roommate? Wow…well, don't I feel like an ass now." Lucas joked. "I'm actually starting to wonder if Ashton is around the corner somewhere, and we are just getting punked, or something…"

"I know, this is so unbelievable, my Ben and your Peyton together, like dating? How ironic."

"And miserable…" He added.

"Yea, that too." She agreed.

By then they had reached the fountain that separated their two residence halls. They took a seat on the edge.

"So, there's this party that my roommate was talking about going to…it's supposed to be fun. Would you want to meet us there?" Felicity asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Umm, sure. Yea, you know what, that sounds like a great idea…it'll help get our minds off the thing."

"Oh yea, the thing. Exactly. Well I'll text you then when I find out where its gonna be?"

"Sounds good," he said standing up, and walking away. "See ya later!"

….

Back in her room Felicity had been pacing around incoherently, while she talked to her parents on the phone. They had interrupted her getting ready for the party, and she was not entirely ready to have the conversation her father was hinting at. Just then Brooke stormed through the door, startling Felicity. She attempted to cover herself up with the phone, but realizing how silly that must have looked to Brooke, she quickly placed the phone back up to her ear and resumed what she had been saying.

"Ok, well, Dad -- all right. I'm sorry, but this isn't about whether Uncle Harvey feels I'm making a big mistake or not. What I should be doing with my life is my decision." She said, pausing for his response. "You know what? I have to go. I-I'm going to get off the phone, all right? Ok – you can hang up now, please. Thanks. Good-bye. Good-Night!"

Brooke was now starring at her with beady intrusive eyes.

"What was that all about, Princess?" Brooke asked, emphasizing the princess.

"Just my dad, being my dad. Apparently my decision to come here is now the family's main topic of conversation…"

"So why did you, come here I mean?"

"I can't believe I'm telling another person this." She sighed. "I guess you could kinda say I came here for a guy, just that the guy and I aren't really dating, or even friends, actually now that I think about it, I have never spoken more than 50 words in total to him, but…oh my gosh this is gonna sound crazy, it is crazy…"

"Spit it out!" Brooke shrieked.

"Okay, I followed this guy I had well sorta immoderate feelings for in high school, because of something he wrote in my yearbook."

Felicity then handed her the yearbook, opened to the page where Ben had left his mark. Brooke then read what Ben had wrote, popping her head up as so as she had finished.

"You came across the nation for this?" She cried, holding up and pointing to the message. "For some guy you had immoderate feelings for, what ever that means…"

"Well, okay maybe intense feelings, but it was a lot more than that."

"Umm, okay, well does this guy know that you're stalking him? I mean didn't he freak out when he found out?"

"That's the thing he doesn't really know all that yet."

"Oh, boy…this is going to get interesting."

The two girls then ended their conversation, in order to get ready for the night's party.

….

As Felicity and Brooke entered the party all the eyes in the room re-focused onto them. Felicity felt as though she might pass out from pure nerves. This was exactly what she feared. Being next to Brooke, she was sure to be noticed. It made her cringe. She cased the room for Lucas, yet in the process all she found was Ben and Peyton standing in a secluded corner. Her eyes immediately zoned in on them. She could clearly see that the two were playfully flirting. They were holding cups of beer in one hand and each other with the other. The image caused Felicity to whellup.

Brooke had by then taken full notice of the change in her roommate's demeanor. It was natural for the cheery brunette to look out for people, and jump into rescue mode. This was not an uncommon occurrence for her. She had picked up a lot of pieces from various friends in her time, and most of the times the situations were a lot more dramatic. So she was thankful for her new friends strength. In fact, for the most part, Felicity was rather composed, but Brooke could still tell with out a doubt, that something was bothering her roommate. It only took one look from a trained eye, like Brooke had, to deduct the reason, and source, from where she was looking, in Ben's direction.

"Are you okay? That's not yearbook boy over there your staring at, is it?" Brooke asked curiously, pointing in Ben's direction.

"What, uh no, well yea…that's him but I wasn't starring, and stop pointing!"

"Well he is defiantly fine, so I wouldn't blame ya if you were, but who's the broad?"

"Some girl he's dating…"

As they spoke, Ben had exited the room, leaving Peyton all alone. Both of the girls noticed, but Brooke was the only one to see it as a shining opportunity. She then grabbed Felicity's arm and dragged her closer to Peyton. Felicity desperately tried to resist.

"Come on!" Brooke insisted. "It's time to do some recon…don't you wanna know where she stands in the relationship?"

Before Felicity had a chance to answer, just as they were within speaking distance apart, Peyton took notice to Felicity, and waved.

"Hey, your Ben's friend right?" Peyton asked, as Brooke let out a quite laugh under her breath, at the girl's assumption. "How is everything going?"

"It's okay I guess but, being in Los Angeles, you know, it's a lot different from my hometown, and trying to get my course schedule all figured out. It's just a little overwhelming, I guess."

"God! It is nice to hear somebody else say that. And who's your sidekick?"

"It's Brooke…" The brunette sneered at Peyton's dismissal.

"It's difficult, right? Just figuring out the system." Felicity added, ignoring the mini-quarrel that had just gone down.

Brooke slowly walked off on her own, leaving just the two blondes to chat.

"You know, the only two classes that I wanted were filled, even by the time I got here, and I was here early for an internship." Peyton told her.

"Oh my gosh, me too. Well, I didn't get here early, but the filled classes I mean. What classes did you try to get into?"

"They were just some art classes, I don't know the names. But, figures…I didn't really need to take them anyway."

"That's funny, I tried to get into an art classes as well, but I'm sure the ones you were looking into were much more advanced"

"Why would you say that?"

"Oh well, I sorta…no reason." Felicity stammered, realizing that she had almost revealed too much.

The two girls stood chatting away about art, and other random topics for the next couple minutes. They were getting along quite well. Felicity was glad she had found someone, a girl, she could relate to so quickly. She wasn't glad it happened to be Ben's current flame though. That made it difficult.

Lucas then walked into the party, scanning the room for his friend. When he found her standing next to Peyton he nearly fainted. He had come to the party to get away from the topic of Peyton, but it just sort of followed him.

"Hey," He said to the both of them.

"Lucas, I thought you said you planned to stay in Tree Hill?" Peyton asked confused.

"Oh, so she does know who I am," he replied, rolling his eyes. "Earlier I thought you might not have had amnesia or something…"

"Don't mock me, I barely know you, and I wasn't trying to ignore you, I was just shocked to see you that's all, you caught me off guard."

With that Ben had returned, causing a nervous energy to form between the foursome.

"So, what's everyone talking about?" He butted in.

"Nothing…" The other three said in unison.

Ben then went back to hugging on Peyton, nudging and kissing her neck. Lucas was furious with the display. He could barely hold back his anger, but he for sure would not subject himself to this torture. He was beginning to question if his decision in coming to USC was wise.

On the other hand Felicity was mesmerized watching Ben, and how he acted with this girl. She began to wonder if maybe they could just be friends. After all, it was rather insane to actually think that Ben and her had a future. Plus, she did like Peyton, enough.

"I need a beer…" Lucas proclaimed in defeat, stalking off.

"I'll go with you!" Felicity shouted, following him out of the room.

….

Several drinks later, and a whole lot drunker, Lucas meandered through the crowd. He found a spot on one of the couches and sat down. Next to him sat a stunningly attractive young woman. She wore a short jean skirt, and a simple tank top. She was simply beautiful to Lucas, but still mysterious.

"Hey they hottie!" She said looking in his direction.

Her smooth yet raspy voice seemed to make her all the more appealing to him. It suited her very well. He was only drunk, though, he hadn't lost his mind. So he was confused and shy to the girl's come-ons.

This girl couldn't have been calling me hottie, could she? He thought, as she continued to look him dead in the eye.

"Who me?" He finally asked, pointing to himself. "Sorry, were you just talking to me then?"

"No, the leprechaun sitting on your shoulder," she teased. "Of course I was talking to you, why are you so grumpy, by the way? I'm Brooke."

Lucas sat up at her question. He didn't know if he should be telling a complete stranger about his problems, but her kind eyes told him that he could. He quickly explained the unique circumstances of his coming to USC, and the unfortunate turn of events that had just transpired, being that Peyton was happily dating his roommate.

Brooke held her composure throughout his entire play by play, but it was not easy. It was like she was experiencing some twilight zone soap opera. After he had finished with his story, the beautiful brunette flashed him a full smile, dimples included, and started to clear some things up.

"So, let me get this straight." She said, in her most authoritative voice. "You like this Peyton girl, who you stalked and followed here…She is dating Ben guy, who happens to be your roommate…then this new girl you meet here, Felicity, who by the way is coincidentally my roommate, I know this is just getting too weird…so, she tells you that she did the same creepy thing and followed Ben, who is her yearbook guy, and now all four of you are trying to be friends? Yea, I can see that's working out for you…"

"I know…if I was only hearing it for the first time I wouldn't believe it either…" He admitted to her.

"Talk about a small world," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "And since when did it become the thing to do to follow your high school crush across the country? What ever happened to the tried and true I dunno, say asking a girl out? I've never felt this out of the loop before…"

"Yea," he laughed. "You must not have gotten this month's issue of Stalker Times…"

He had now even succumbed to making fun of himself. Lucas then shifted his thoughts, and started to wonder if maybe he was a bit crazy to have built up this connection between he and Peyton. However, all of that internal debate only solidified his belief that Peyton Sawyer was the one for him.

…I'll put a spell on you,

You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you.

And when I wake you,

I'll be the first thing you see, lyric's top

And you'll realize that you love me…

"She's the one!" He finally proclaimed. "She just is…"

"Yes of course Peyton is "the one" for you," she said sarcastically. "Says the guy who barely knows her, about said girl who is on a date with another guy…what about…haven't you ever thought that maybe "the one" for you should want to be with you, and not some other guy?"

"Pascal once said, 'The heart has reasons which the reason cannot understand.' I can't explain it she just is. I know it."

"I don't know who this Pascal guy is, but he sounds like a weirdo. I mean… are you honestly telling me you believe there's only one person in this entire planet that's right for you?"

"I do."

"Well, all right then, lover boy…if you're so sure, follow me." She said, pulling him up off the couch, and out of the party.

Lucas followed her as they then made their way out of the building, and walked through the darkly lit alley just adjacent to it. Brooke had vehemently refused to tell him where they were going, revealing only that they were to find out if Peyton is really… "the one". She stopped walking, at a random basketball court, and ushered him toward a lone basketball, which had been lying under one of the hoops. The cheery girl bent down, still smiling ear-to-ear as sexy as can be; now gripping the ball between her hands.

"You know, I always said if I ever met the devil she'd be hot and holding a basketball…" Lucas joked, at the sight of seeing Brooke holding the ball.

"Very nice…but I'm not going to touch you, sissy virgin boy, just take off your shirt," she demanded. "I'm trying to make a point, okay…so off with it!"

"Okay, okay…" He said reluctantly, while taking off the blue t-shirt he had been wearing.

Lucas is sweet, she thought. Maybe a little bit too sweet…and very naïve, confused without a doubt, but sweet none the less, and cute actually. What a shame such a beautiful specimen of the male race is taken by delusions.

Brooke had to admit that the blue color on him suited him nicely. It was the perfect shade to bring out his eyes, and those crystal blue sparklers alone could light up a room with one glance. As he took off his shirt she added hot body to the list of his pending credentials, as well. She hoped she could help him sort out his feelings, even if that meant letting him down. She promised herself she would let him down easy, if that were the case.

"Now, hand me your shirt," she instructed, moving her way behind him to tie the shirt over his eyes.

She did this all as seductively as only she could, holding on to his shoulders, giving them a quick massage, before she jumped back in front of him.

"What's going on Brooke," he asked, confused.

"Okay so, you say Peyton's the one, your soul mate. Well, if that's the case, call upon destiny or providence or whatever forces are gonna bring you two together and make the shot. Blindfolded." She exclaimed, placing the ball into his hands.

…Sometimes, the last thing you want comes in first,

Sometimes, the first thing you want never comes,

And I know, the waiting is all you can do, sometimes...

"This is ridiculous," he scoffed.

"Come on…this is your destiny were talking about. You can't miss!" She reminded him of his unwavering faith. "Can you see me?"

"Nope."

Lucas was now standing sheepishly; unaware of the goofy faces and dance moves Brooke was pulling out to test his honesty. When she was satisfied that he couldn't see, she smiled to herself and began again.

"Okay, I trust you…now follow my voice, if Peyton's the one…make the shot!"

Lucas then squared up to where her voice was coming from, aligning himself into perfect form, releasing the ball with confidence. Meanwhile, Brooke had stripped down to only her underwear, and was waiting patiently to catch the ball. In a split second she was holding the ball in her hands, using it as partial coverage.

"What happened," he finally asked, hopefully, as he started to take off the blindfold.

"It didn't go in…I'm sorry." She said honestly, after seeing his disappointed reaction, and checked the ball back in his direction. "But, I'll make you a deal…you make it, you take it."

Lucas only then realizes that Brooke was implying that he could take her, naked, and let out a nervous laugh. He walked over to the dimpled girl, using his shirt to shield her, now exposed body. When he reached her he draped his shirt over her shoulders to cover her up, gazing into her eyes.

"You are the devil, aren't you?" He teased playfully. "Good thing, I can handle temptation. Now, go put your clothes on" He added softly, giving her a crooked smile.

"You are unbelievable! You're gonna give me a complex…"

"You know you don't have to act this way…"

"I know that. But you're the first guy to ever actually say it." She replied in shock. "But, uh, you do your thing and um try to resist. It's actually kinda cute."

"Game on, Brooke." He whispered lightheartedly in her ear. "Come on, let me walk you to your car."

The two strolled back towards the party, passing up a few students puking over the sidewalk. They both looked at each other and busted out laughing. When they had reached Brooke's car, Lucas looked inside only to see piles of clothes and numerous empty wrappers strewn about the front and back seat. He was reminded so, of something Keith had once told him, and it brought a smile to his face.

"Messy much?" He asked, with a huge grin. "My dad always said it was a rule of life: the prettier the girl, the messier the car…"

"It's a real turn off, huh?" She asked, shyly.

"That's exactly what he said, oddly enough. But, I actually kinda think it's cute…" He confessed, holding the door open to her front seat, and helping her in.

"Well, good luck with Peyton. You seem like a really great guy Lucas, you know that? The way I see it, if she doesn't want that…then it's her loss."

"Thanks, Brooke." He said with a genuine smile. "I'll be seeing ya around then?"

"Yea, sure…" She said as her hazel green eyes sparkled at him. "Hey and if you see Felicity, could you tell her I called it a night?"

"Of course. Anything."

"Okay, Bye!" And with that she was gone.

Weird, he thought, chuckling to himself. What a night! This one would definitely impress Haley…maybe even Nathan.

…

Inside the party Felicity had found her way back to the keg one time to many. She was feeling braver than usual, but sicker as well. Just as she was headed out the door she ran into Ben, who was standing in the hallway.

"So what's going on?" He asked her, stopping her from going any further.

"Um....not much, but uh, I gotta tell you something, okay?" She replied half stumbling.

"Are you drunk?" He chuckled.

"Maybe?"

"You're defiantly drunk." He affirmed holding up her chin and looking into her eyes. "So what is it that you need to tell me?"

"Oh yea, I almost forgot," she laughed nervously, biting her lip. "Um…I just want to preface this by saying, that, uh, I don't want you to feel weird about anything I am about to say. At all.

"Okay." He replied smiling slightly.

"Uh...the thing is...I came to Los Angles...um...mostly because of you…"

She then looked up to gage his reaction. Oh my god, did I just really say that to him, oh my god, he's going to think I'm a huge stalker just like Brooke said, ugh I think I'm gonna puke! She thought, but continued still, when he didn't appear to be too offended.

"Yeah, I had these, sort of, um…intense feelings for you back in high school, and, uh, even though I know that we never really talked before graduation day, except maybe that one time when I, uh, was passing out flyers for the blood drive…yea…"

Ben just nodded his head, surprised, indicating he hadn't the slightest clue where she was going with this. Felicity knew that she had better get this over with quick, because she was certain that today's dinner was about to come up.

"Anyways, maybe it was the fact that we never did talk, you know for why I had those feelings. Because now, of course, I realize, that it was a crazy thing to do to follow someone I don't know 3,000 miles. And I sort of panicked about it, but I just wanted you to know that I'm past that. And I'm -- I'm totally ok with it now. I mean it, you know, because it's really not about you so much anymore. I'm here now, you know...uh...because...I'm here."

Ben couldn't help but laugh at the poor girl, who was clearly out of her wits drunk. She herself even tried to hold back her nervous stomach with a quiet giggle. Unfortunately, it was too late for that, because it was coming up…right then. Felicity tried to dodge hitting him with her vomit but the reflex was just too quick. It overpowered her. Afterwards, he just looked at her stunned.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" She cried, now attempting to wipe off the vomit with her bare hand.

"Don't do that." He blurted out when he saw her trying to hand clean his shoe. "Stop, that's disgusting."

Felicity by then had tears streaming down her cheeks. His words had stung her, and he only stood motionless. But, there was something about this girl, crazy and odd as she may seem, that intrigued Ben. Her tears broke his heart. To him, she was like this feeble and misguided person just trying to make it, to navigate through life's mysteries, and he couldn't help but feel like he understood that…after all, he had once been just like her, maybe still was deep down. So he instinctively swooped down by her side to help her.

"Here," He said, holding out his hand. "Let me help you, up. You should probably go back to your room, and clean yourself up. Do you want me to walk you back?"

"No, no…I'm fine, really." She assured him, once she was standing. "I just, so, uh, I need to know what you are thinking, about what I told you? And, if at all possible, try to ignore, the finale?"

She smiled nervously at him, as he took a deep breath remembering only moments ago, her confession, and he attempted to answer.

"I'm -- honestly? Honestly? I'm just -- I'm just -- flattered...." He stammered out.

"Good."

"Yea, I'm flattered. By the whole thing, well minus the part when you puked on me, but I'm flattered. I am." He reassured her, and himself.

"Good. That's really a perfect, perfect answer. Ok, so, uh...can we just be friends?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Great…"

"Of course. Yeah…just next time we hang out, not so much alcohol for you."

"Okay…deal." She promised, walking away.

…

After taking a shower, Felicity sat in her room, staring up and the ceiling, tape recording a message to her friend.

"Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: saying something and wishing that you had not, or saying nothing, and wishing that you had? I can't decide…but I told Ben anyways, yea I told him everything… about, you know following him, and then well, I had been drinking this punch and I sort of, okay I literally… I actually threw up on him, on Ben Covington…can you believe that, it was so awful, so embarrassing, I almost died…but he said he was flattered by it all, well not the vomit, you know…so I guess it wasn't all bad. I dunno? What do you think?"

"Oh, I almost forgot… I came across this poem by Momei Qu that goes:

'Did you ever fall for someone you know you shouldn't?

Try hard to fight your feelings, but you just couldn't?

You fall deeper with each passing day,

But try to hide it in every possible way.

He's only a friend, and nothing else--

That's the lie you keeping telling yourself.

You keep on saying he's just a bud,

But deep inside, you're falling in love.

You get so giddy when you meet his eyes,

But keep reminding yourself it isn't right.

A simple glance turns into a stare,

But you pretend that you don't care.

It's "not right" for you two to be.

Is that why you hide it so no one can see?

But how long will you pretend?

Keep lying that he's just a friend?

Perhaps your feelings you can never show.

Perhaps it's "wrong" for him to know.

Your friendship can't be risked over this,

So being his girl is an impossible wish...'"

"Have you ever heard of it? I bring it up because I told Ben today that we should just be friends. Well, that I wanted to be just friends. But, can I really be just friends with him? He's kinda good at calming me down, sort of, not really, but I mean he's just got this way…of being nice to me, it's weird, like he doesn't need to be you know, so anything is a start, right? And the butterflies…like something out of a fairytale or something! I'm just giddy when I am around him…" She paused for a moment, taking it all in.

"I guess I am answering my question aren't I? Man, I'm gonna have to work hard at not liking him as more than a friend. Oh by the way, I met this other guy and get this he followed this girl, just like I did. Ironic right? It gets better…she's dating Ben. I know. This is all so crazy. It's all happening so fast…I wish you were here! But, I should get to bed now. I'm sitting in the bathroom. I know I made a complete fool out of myself earlier; my roommate probably wants to rip my eyes out! It's almost 2:00 in the morning here and I'm still up! Okay, night Rachel! Actually, morning!" She trailed off giggling to herself.

****Lyrics used for this chapter are from Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You), by Aqualung****