A/N-
Hi everyone! I know I said I wouldn't be updating till Tuesday but after the great reviews I received for the last chapter I worked super hard to finish this chapter and get it up this weekend. So I want you to know I pour my heart into this fic trying to make it the best it can be and It makes it all worth while hearing your enjoying it. So here it is, what we've all been waiting for….
Chapter 5- Midnight Madness.
Brooke sat in the abandoned lifeguard station alone. It was late she wasn't sure what time exactly. She looked out at the waves crashing violently; as the wind howled she wrapped her arms around her trying to find some comfort. The clouds loomed above her ominously. She was pretty sure it was going to rain.
She looked out focusing on the groin at the end of the beach. She and Peyton had spent an entire summer here just eating mint choc chip ice cream and jumping off that groin. She smiled warmly remembering a time when she was satisfied and amused to just jump off a rock into the warm water of the summer sea with just her best friend for company. Ex-best friend.
She closed her eyes holding back the tears. It didn't work. One escaped leaving an icy trail down her cheek.
She couldn't remember a time when she had felt as content and carefree as that summer with Peyton, it was the last before she had been sent away. Scratch that. She could remember but she was trying her hardest to suppress it. That night in the bar with Lucas. And the first time they met. And the night he turned up at her house.
Sure she was attracted to him but there was more to it. She couldn't pin point what it was about him that made her feel so at peace. Something hidden deep inside him was calling out to her. A primal bond. Something uncontrollable and powerful.
Brooke sighed as she stared out at the moon. How could she have let her self get into this? She wasn't good with feelings or expressing herself. She didn't get attached to people. She'd learnt from her mistakes.
It wasn't like she could talk to anyone about it. She loved Rachel but she didn't trust her not to tell Nathan, however much she denied it Brooke knew she would do anything for him.
She looked back at the groin and exhaled loudly. Lucas was just another one of her many failures in her screwed up life. I guess some people just aren't meant to be happy.
School had been kicking her ass this week. A combination of the fact that she was still having trouble sleeping that and her dad had been on at her about her grades, which were believe it or not were above average, but that wasn't good enough for Dan Scott, nothing she ever did was. She entered the gym CD player in hand, ready to work. The rest of her life was a mess but the one she had full control of was cheerleading. And thanks to an unfortunate event Kristy Bitton had transferred schools unexpectedly leaving Brooke as the acting captain. She placed the stereo on the floor and began warming up.
"So ho, you gonna tell me why you've been ignoring my calls all weekend?" Rachel asked as she pushed through the gym doors.
"Why can't you ever just say 'hi'?" Brooke asked looking up from her stretch.
"Why can't you stop abandoning me? You're lucky I know I'm bitchin' otherwise I might take it personal. You were totally MIA all weekend; Nathan said you were barely home, so come on Brookie, what have you been doing? Or should I say who?" she asked joining her on the floor stretching her leg out in front of her.
"Been checking up on me with Nathan? I just had some stuff to do. I am sorry about Friday; I'll make it up to you…" Brooke said as the gym began to fill up with cheerleaders and basketballer's- joint practice marvellous.
"Wanna know what I think? I think you got yourself a secret fuck buddy." Rachel said proudly.
"And I think you're crazy" Brooke said before standing up.
"Maybe, you wouldn't be the first to say so. Or maybe I just hit the nail smack on the head." Rachel said jumping up to join Brooke who was setting up music.
"Check out the happy couple. They sooo just did it. They have 'the look'" Rachel said nodded towards Lucas and Peyton who had just walked into the gym. They were laughing happily. Brooke saw Peyton push him playfully before walking over to the bleachers. She looked over her shoulder at him and raised her eyebrows suggestively before turning back to the bleachers.
"The look?" Brooke felt sick with envy.
"Yeah you know the 'I just had wild sex in the back of my car and feel fucking fantastic' look I should know, I had the same one this morning…Brooke hello? Earth to Brooke…" Rachel said looking at Brooke, who was staring across the gym.
He had assured her they were just friends, but they definitely looked more than just friends to her plus Rachel had a sixth sense for these things. She snapped back to see Rachel looking at her expectantly.
"What? Yeah let's get this show on the road. Right girls, cheer huddle! Now!" Brooke said clapping her hands.
Lucas walked out the locker room, rubbing his shoulder attempting to get the not out of his neck, that's what a night of tossing and turning did to you.
"Hey stud. So you looked like you were having fun on Friday?" Peyton said joining him as he walked through the double door into the gym.
"I did?" Lucas asked distractedly. He could see Brooke stretching on the floor of the gym. Flexible, nice.
"Well she couldn't have been that great a lay, forgotten her already. Blonde hair, short skirt, fake t…" Peyton listed crudely.
"Oh her" Lucas interrupted her.
"All comes flooding back now huh?" Peyton teased.
"Just because we don't all like to spend our Friday nights drowning our sorrows about how 'no one in this town understands me'…" he said doing a poor imitation of her voice.
"Hey! I was having a bad day…" she said pushing him playfully.
"After a while that excuse starts loosing its value…" Lucas called after her, smiling at her lack of comeback. Peyton wasn't like the rest of the girls at Tree Hill High. She didn't like to spend her time chatting about make up, whose dating who or the best diet to loose 10lbs in two weeks or whatever trash it was the artificial Barbie's were talking about this week. It was one of the reasons they got on so well, but it was also the thing he liked to tease her about most.
She looked over her shoulder and shot him a very unconvincing scowl before joining the rest of the cheerleaders currently gathered around their new captain.
"As many of you may have already heard I will be replacing Kristy Bitton as captain this year." Brooke paused taking a breath and heard excited chatter break out amongst the girls. To tell the truth she was absolutely ecstatic about her new captainship but she wasn't about to shout it from the roof tops, she knew only a strict approach would work with these girlls.
"Calm down girls we have a lot to prepare for. Midnight madness is this Friday. The first game of the season next week. Now I don't need to tell you all this is my first and last year as captain so I expect you to be the best you've ever been. I mean it, we are going to go out there proud and represent. Our team, our school, our boys. So if you're not going to give 200 you might as well leave now…" Brooke paused to look and Peyton purposefully. She switched her gaze back to the girls sitting in front of her hanging off her every word.
"…so get up off your fat ass' and show me some hard work" she ordered. The girls jumped up from their positions on the floor, knowing that when Brooke meant business she really meant it.
"Right I want Bevin, Theresa and Rachel up front. Peyton you're behind me, oh oops my bad, you better switch with Carrie god knows I don't want to make it easy for you to stick your knife…" Peyton scowled but moved to where Brooke had ordered her.
"You're really laying into her today huh?" Rachel said in her ear as she walked past to take her position.
"She deserves it" Brooke said coldly.
"Can't argue with that" Rachel said as she skipped to her place in the front row.
"Right let me see you run it through once with music" Brooke shouted.
They had got half way through the routine when Brooke cut the music abruptly.
"What the hell was that? You guys are a mess. Bevin you're out of time. Theresa you're missing the kick before the half turn. Peyton don't even get me started on you. Oh and Rachel I know it's a lot to ask of you but please try and keep it PG." Brooke said running her hands through her hair in frustration.
"What's that supposed to mean" Rachel asked indignantly.
"You have cheer shorts for a reason. Wear them." Brooke said as she walked back over to the stereo.
"Let's try again" Brooke said from her place in front of them, her harsh words were definitely attracting some attention from the rest of the gym.
She watched them perform again scrutinizing every move.
"Better, but Peyton come on. Your arms are weak; I've seen more strength in a super noodle…" Brooke said nastily. A chorus of sniggers resonated through the gym. Peyton moved forward in the line, her eyes narrowed clearly pissed.
"Forget to take your medication today? I mean I know being a bitch is second nature to you but you're being extra evil today even by you're standards" Peyton challenged stepping forward. Seeing Peyton advance Rachel joined Brooke's side.
"Hey back off" Rachel threatened.
"Don't worry Rach, Peyton's just angry because she still hasn't hit puberty. You know jealousy is a horrible trait…" Brooke said loudly. Everyone in the gym now slowly stopped what they were doing and watched the growing argument, enthralled.
"Ha! Me jealous of you that's rich…tell me what is it that I should be jealous of your reputation as the easiest girl in school or you're fake nose?" Peyton spat. Brooke smiled wickedly.
"What you stuffing with now? Still Kleenex? Or have you stepped it up a bit? Just between us girls they're looking a little saggy…" Brooke said flicking her eyes to Peyton's chest. "…I hear pudding works pretty well" Brooke said a fake smile on her face.
"You should know…" Peyton said not missing a beat.
"Don't push me Peyton. Now start putting in some effort before I fill your spot. The team mascots got more co-ordination than you" Brooke said moving closer till they were almost touching. Peyton's smug expression faltered slightly, sure she didn't exactly love cheerleading but she needed it for her college transcript and Brooke new that. Brooke saw her face fall and turned around satisfied.
"You talk big Brooke but you forget I know you. You would never replace me so close to the new season, no one could learn the routines in time" Peyton called after her.
"Thank your lucky stars. Take five girls" Brooke called over her shoulder before walking out of the gym.
Lucas was sore. Practice was intense. Whitey had come back to find them all staring at Rachel as continued Brooke's attack on Peyton, needless to say he was less than pleased and had worked them twice as hard as punishment. He grabbed a towel out of his locker, mopped his brow and threw it over his shoulder, god he needed a shower. He turned around to come face to face with Nathan.
"Tired? Cause you shouldn't be. That was fucking pathetic. You need to step up your game if we are gonna have any shot of winning the championship" Nathan snarled.
Lucas smirked he knew what Nathan was like when he was on a rampage and he didn't have the energy for it, it was best to just humour him.
"Is that so?" Lucas asked, walking towards the showers.
"Yeah it is. Don't make me embarrassed to be part of this team. There's no way I'm letting you ruin my chances of state." Nathan said following him.
"You know this is a kind of solo activity, so if we could just finish this lecture another time…" Lucas said gesturing to the shower.
"I'm serious Lucas. Oh and control your girlfriend, she's got quite a mouth on her" Nathan said.
"Peyton's not my girlfriend. And from where I was standing it was your sister who needed a mussel" Lucas muttered. Before he knew it he was pinned up against the locker room wall Nathan's furious face in his.
"Don't ever talk about my sister. Your lucky Whitey takes pity on you or I'd break your neck for even looking at her. Got it?" Nathan said aggressively throwing him back into the wall.
"Truth hurts, huh?" Lucas said to Nathan's disappearing form.
Wednesday came around quicker than Brooke would have liked. Why was it when you were waiting for something time would slow down to an almost a stand still, but when you were dreading something it seemed to rush around at an unstoppable speed?
She saw him sitting in the library chewing the end of his pen staring off into space. She had no doubt he was dreading this just as much as her. She walked over to him slowly; he didn't look up from the book he was reading.
"Hey" she said meekly, no trace of her usual confidence.
"Hey" he mirrored looking up at her. She slid into the seat opposite him and placed her purse on the table.
"So, I'm really sorry about the other day…" she started, looking across at his big eyes.
"Don't be. You know what? Let's just forget about it." Lucas interrupted her.
"Really? That would be so great." She said beaming.
"Of course. Besides we have to work together…" he said.
"Speaking of which I had some wicked good ideas for the project…" Brooke said excitedly.
Lucas smiled as she began explaining her ideas, gesturing wildly her eagerness obvious. He had to admit they were pretty good ideas. He leant back in his chair and watched her fascinated, god she was cute when she was excited. When he had woken up that morning and remembered his study session with Brooke he had almost skipped school. But whilst cleaning his teeth he decided that the only way for them to get through this project was for him to let Brooke set the pace. After numerous fights it was clear to him that Brooke didn't like being pushed. In fact every time he tried to get a decisive decision out of her she drew back. They would just work together on this project talk about school and that's it. He didn't know why considering the complete disaster of a relationship they'd had so far, but he had faith in them. Something told him all she needed was time, if that's what she needed that's what he'd give her. It was risky but what choice did he have? He was actually thankful that Mr. Chavez had put them together; it was the perfect excuse to spend time with her.
"So what do you think?" she asked nervously, it was a shock to her but she actually really cared what he thought of her ideas.
"I think history isn't the only thing your good at" he said seriously.
"Thanks but I'm afraid that's as far as my brain stretches. I'm the ideas girl, but when it comes to writing it down on paper I kind of hit a blank" Brooke said.
"Well that's were I come in" Lucas said smiling.
"Match made in heaven…!" Brooke babbled, her face falling realising what she had just said.
"I didn't mean…" she tried to explain her freudulin slip
"Brooke it's cool. Lets just get started okay?" Lucas reassured feeling the awkwardness they had eliminated earlier rush back over them. This was going to be fun.
"So if we use the biography of Stedman price, that should help us with background information, what do you think? Brooke?" he asked looking up at her to see her staring at a spider web in the corner of the room. Realising he was no longer talking she turned to him her face blank.
"Huh? Oh yeah I totally agree?" she said an unsure expression on her face.
"You don't have a clue what I just said do you? Lucas said sternly.
"Uhm no. But I'm sure it was very intelligent" She tried smiling innocently.
"Cute. Come on Brooke concentrate! You've been staring out the window for the past twenty minutes…" Lucas said rubbing his eyes.
"I'm sorry it's just I can't work like this! I need regular breaks preferably involving a diet coke and a manicure…" she said grinning.
"Brooke…"
"Okay that was a joke but seriously I have a short attention span… you are by far the strictest partner I've ever had, they normally let me do whatever I want." she said grumpily.
"Fine I guess we could take a break, we've been at it for a while. What do you wanna do?" Lucas said giving in.
"Let's get out of here. I need some fresh air"
"When you said fresh air I thought you meant the quad, not the beach" Lucas said getting out of the passenger seat of her car.
"What's fresher than the sea air? Besides I love this place, I go stir crazy I don't come down here every so often. Come on there's something I want to show you" she said taking off down the beach.
Lucas had no choice but to follow her. Needless to say he was a little shocked by her sudden warmth towards him. He couldn't help but think she looked beautiful skipping down the beach, her feet bare and her hair blowing wildly.
"Come on slow poke!" she called before rounding a corner and disappearing out of sight.
He jogged to catch up with her following her around the rock but stopped surprised. She was sitting on the edge of a huge rock her feet dangling in the water, kicking them playfully. But that wasn't what stopped him. They were standing in the most beautiful little cove of beach, completely sheltered with rock pools around the edge and an old life guard station at the back.
"It's pretty great huh?" she asked without turning, her eyes fixed on the gentle lull of the sea.
"How could I not know this was here? I came to this beach everyday this summer…" Lucas asked amazed.
"You weren't looking for it. I think I'm one of the only people who come here. It's a forgotten treasure." She said mesmerized by the movement of the waves.
"The best kind" Lucas said sitting down next to her. She turned her head to look at him and smiled contently her eyes glowing.
"So isn't this better than the quad?" she asked lightly.
"So much better" he replied their eyes locking.
She didn't speak just leant forward and began taking off the flip-flips hanging off his feet. He froze in shock of the close contact. Ever since the night in her back yard she had been doing everything she could to avoid touching him. It was like, alone in this secret place she could be herself, do what she wanted without worrying about the consequences. Her small hands didn't stop there. She was concentrating intently on rolling up his jeans, her hands grazing the skin of his legs occasionally making him tense slightly.
"Brooke?" he said gently.
"You're missing the best bit…" she whispered and shuffled forward to the edge of the rock.
"…there's nothing like the feel of the water on your toes" she said dunking her feet back in the water. He moved forward to join her placing his feet in the warm sea.
"You're full of surprises you know that?" Lucas said finally.
"Me? No I'm just a regular girl. Boring even." Brooke said shrugging her shoulders.
"Boring? Not exactly the first word that springs to mind when I think of you." Lucas said chuckling.
"Although I got to say you're reputation did make you out as some crazy party girl, the real thing is a little more subdued then I expected." He said looking across at her.
"You know how people talk. I was never that bad…"
"So you didn't get caught on the principal's desk?" Lucas asked raising his eyebrows.
"Oh no that ones true…" she said smiling naughtily.
"So what happened? You woke up one day and decide to stop breaking the rules? Tree hill too boring for you?" he asked interested.
"Hey I still break the rules! I've done plenty of bad things since I got here. Making out brothers arch enemy is pretty rebellious" she defended herself glancing across at him.
"Well technically we never actually made out. You kissed me…" he said grinning mischievously.
"You're right. I guess I really am losing my touch." She said smiling, before laying back on the rock, the sun beating down on her perfect skin, wishing she could stay there forever.
"Lucas?" she said quietly.
"Yeah?" he answered turning his head to look at her.
"What did you think of me when you first met me?"
He lay down next to her his black t-shirt making him too hot for this Indian summer.
"I thought…God this girls a pain in the ass" he said chuckling.
She slapped him playfully on the chest.
"Come on I'm serious!"
"So am I. Why'd you want to know?" he said closing his eyes and relaxing fully.
"I just do. Answer the question"
"I thought you were stubborn, a little annoying, but interesting and beautiful in an unusual way. I still don't know what made me play pool with you that night you were just so intriguing. Oh and hot. You looked so hot that night…" he said smiling remembering it, his eyes still closed.
"Why do you wanna know?" he asked repeating his earlier question.
"I don't know it's just… ever since I got back here I'm finding it difficult to remember who I am. I know it sounds stupid but my whole life I've been told I was this person and I'm just not sure I'm still her you know?" she said vulnerability clear in her voice.
"You don't strike me as someone who cares what other people think" Lucas said opening his eyes to see her propped up on one arm beside him looking down at him.
"I don't"
"Well then, just be who ever you want to be. It's your life Brooke, live it the way you want."
"I learnt a long time ago I don't get what I want" Brooke said dejectedly.
"Like what" he asked not sure that she would answer the question
"A loving family" she said coldly.
"Nathan loves you, it's blindingly obvious" Lucas said fighting hard not to wince when saying her brother's name.
"I know he does, it's just hard. I feel like he wants me to be this perfect sister that I know I can't be. I cant live up to his expectations of me. I don't want to let him down, he means too much to me, I can't let him down" she said almost desperately.
"Why would you? What could you possibly do that would make him stop loving you" Lucas asked puzzled.
"You" she said firmly.
"Brooke, we've been through this a thousand times…" he said sitting up running a hand through his hair.
"I know but I'm not sure how much longer I can ignore it. I don't want you to say anything. I just wanted you to know" she said searching his face for a reaction.
"We should get going" Lucas said standing up.
"Yeah, I'll drop you off we took my car" Brooke said unfocused.
"Thanks" he said picking up her shoes and handing them to her, then turning to walk back to the car.
She wasn't sure what she expected him to say but that wasn't it.
Brooke had arrived extra early for midnight madness. The first pep rally of the season and she wasn't exactly feeling all that peppy. She added the finishing touches to her perfect R on her left cheek and sighed looking up at the clock. He must be here by now. She walked out of the girl's locker room out towards the parking lot. She stood there for a few minutes tapping her foot thanking god that everyone else was too busy preparing for the evening to notice her absence. They hadn't spoken since that afternoon at the beach, she had the distinct feeling he was avoiding her. After a few minutes his truck tore into the car park, he got out of it quickly. Throwing his bag over his shoulder he started jogging towards the entrance. He paused momentarily seeing her waiting for him but carried on walking.
"Hey can we talk?" Brooke said nervously as she followed him down the hallway.
"Now's not a good time" he said as he continued walking. Ever since that day at the beach he had been trying to give her space let her figure out her true feelings. She had been changing her mind so often he needed her to be sure. He couldn't take another let down. But when she ambushed him like this it made it pretty difficult.
"Lucas please. I'm trying here." She begged grabbing his arm, forcing him to stop.
"Well it's a little late." He said nastily his frustration getting the better of him. Seeing her face fall he sighed,
"Brooke I can't do this now, I'm late, if I don't get in that locker room in 2 minutes Whitey's gonna kick my ass. Later okay?" he said looking into her eyes, the softness she loved returning to his voice. Just at that moment Peyton came bounding out of the locker room,
"Hey stud. We still on for later? I hear the party is at your place…what are you doing here?" Peyton asked seeing Brooke for the first time.
"Leaving. We're on in 5 so keep it short okay?" she said giving Lucas a look of disgust before strutting off down the hallway.
"Seriously what were you doing talking to her?" Peyton asked shocked.
"Just arranging a study date for our English project, what else?" Lucas asked shrugging and walking off towards the boy's locker room. Not noticing the other pair of eyes that watched from the entrance.
The gym was heaving. Excited chatter filling the huge room. Every year the school asked a valued member of the community to host midnight madness. Brooke wasn't sure how he had managed it but her dad had been asked to do the honours this year and of course he had graciously accepted, anything for good publicity. She could hear his voice fill the gym, looking around she saw Peyton slip thought he door.
"Finally what time do you call this?" Brooke asked cattily as she ran out into the gym, smiling at the crowd fakely.
"Put your claws away I'm here aren't I" Peyton answered before taking her place in the line.
The music started and Brooke sprang into action. Completing every move with poise and hitting the beat perfectly. She turned her head to see Peyton half heartedly completing the routine.
"Come on Peyton I've seen more cheer at a wake" she whispered out the corner of her mouth.
"Not all of us can fake human emotions. God it must be like breathing to you" she said snidely.
"Don't push me bitch"
The music finished and Brooke smiled toothily to the crowd outlining the ravens label on her uniform.
Meanwhile in the guys locker room.
"What time do you call this?" Nathan asked angrily as Lucas rushed through the locker room.
"Lay off, I'm here aren't I?" Lucas answered his confrontation with Brooke enough Scott for him for one day. He turned to take his place in the line up but Nathan's hand stopped him.
"I'm not finished with you yet. What were you talking to my sister about the earlier I saw you in the hallway? I thought I warned you about her?" he asked stepping up into his face.
"Nathan, don't start with me today…"
"Why what you going to do about? Answer my question…what were you doing with my sister?" Lucas was sick of his bull. He just wanted a simple life but Nathan just wouldn't leave him alone.
"Fine if you must know I was just seeing if the rumours were true, turns out she does spread her legs for every guy in school, enemies included…" Lucas said squaring up to him. He didn't mean to talk about Brooke that way but he knew she was Nathan's Achilles heel and he just couldn't resist the urge to royally piss him off.
"Don't push me bitch…" Nathan threatened grabbing Lucas jersey in his fist.
"Hey I'm just speaking the truth it's not my fault your sisters a big slut…" before he knew it Nathan's fist was crashing into his face. He wiped his nose of blood but recovered quickly throwing a punch back at him.
Dan Scott's voice echoed through the gym, the crowd growing in excitement by the minute.
"IS EVERYBODY READY?! FOR 'MIDNIGHT MADNESS'! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! THE COUNTDOWN TO THE START OF THE SEASON IS ON! LET ME HERE YA! "
"FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE!"
With that Nathan and Lucas' bodies' tumbled through the paper barrier, still fighting each other, the rest of the team trying to control them.
"What happened?" Rachel asked.
"Who knows? Maybe someone was a backstabbing cheer retard…oh wait no that's Peyton" Brooke said cattily.
"Just because your life is completely screwed up, don't take it out on me." Peyton said before turning to walk away.
"You don't know jack about my life, you made sure of that. Take that back before I gauge your droopy eyes out" Brooke said grabbing her arm and flinging her body back around.
"Oh come on Brooke, you've threatened me so many times I'm pretty sure I'd drop down dead with shock if you actually followed through with one of them…" Peyton said squaring up to her.
Brooke smiled innocently, looked back at Rachel and raised her hand and slapped Peyton right across the face. Peyton clutched her cheek in pain the smug expression long gone.
"How you doing? Still breathing? Yes? Well I guess I better try again then…" she said punching her square in the nose.
Peyton held her nose in pain but recovered quickly rugby tackling Brooke to the floor. Before long the whole squad were wrestling, side by the basket ball team who were still going at it full throttle.
"Welcome to a whole new kind of Midnight Madness ladies and gents" Dan Scott's voice rang out.
Brooke waited outside the guy's locker room, cracking her neck. That bitch had landed on top of her. She saw the crowds of teenagers walking out of the gym, gossiping animatedly no doubt heading to the part at the Roe mansion. Nathan strode out of the door walking straight past her.
"What the hell was that Nathan?" Brooke asked chasing after him as he walked out towards the car park.
"Come on Brooke, I hardly think you're in any position to be lecturing me. That was you out there tackling Peyton…" he said turning to face her. He had a cut lip that looked like it was about to swell up like a golf ball and few bruises but nothing else.
"She tackled me actually. But that's not the point. You and Lucas nearly killed each other out there. What was it all about?" Brooke asked concerned.
"Just the usual shit. Why'd you care so much?" Nathan said stopping to put his stuff in the car.
"Are you coming?" he said slamming the door.
"No. I've got something to do. I'll see you later" she said and watched her brother tearing out of the parking lot.
Brooke entered the bar still in her cheer uniform, well her skirt and track jacket. She saw him immediately. He was sat at the bar; his head bowed a beer in his hand.
She walked over to him, he didn't move even though she was certain he knew it was her.
"God you'd really do anything to better your image. Too cool for your own party hey?" she joked breaking the ice.
"I wasn't sure you would come after what happened." Lucas said still not turning to face her.
"I wanted to check you were okay…" she said sitting down beside him.
"…Lucas look at me" she said gently. He turned to face her.
"It looks worse than it feels…" he said trying to make light of the situation.
"Shit Lucas your face!" she gasped shocked. His eye was very swollen, purple bruising surrounded it. She reached out to touch it, but he shied away.
"You have your brother to thank for that" he said bitterly taking another swig of his beer.
Brooke sighed.
"Stay here I'm gonna get something for your face" she said slipping of the stool and headed towards the room marked staff only.
"Brooke I'm fine." He protested. She stopped walking and turned to face him.
"Lucas just let me do this. If you want me to go after I will" she said and carried on her quest to find a first aid box.
She returned a few minutes later the barman in tow carrying a bowl of warm salty water.
"Thanks Rudy I got it from here" she said warmly to him. She dunked the cloth she was holding into the bowl and rung it out slowly. She turned his stool to face her and stepped in between his open legs and raised the cloth to his eye slowly, he winced slightly. She muttered sorry before repeated the action with as much care as possible.
"What was all that about tonight Lucas? And don't tell me 'the usual' I've heard that crap from Nathan. I want the truth." She said firmly.
"You" he said looking straight at her.
"What?" she asked confused.
"It was about you Brooke. Nathan saw us in the hallway earlier. He's crazy protective of you. I think he thinks I have some kind of personal vendetta against you. Kind of ironic huh?" he asked the effects of the alcohol kicking in.
"How'd you figure?" Brooke asked ringing the cloth out.
"I'm supposed to hate you. I'm supposed to hate everything about you. All because of a name, kinda stupid huh? I mean for Christ's sake there are children starving, people dying, there's a freaking war going on! Yet I'm supposed to invest all my energy in hating you. But I don't. Part of me wishes I did, it would make my life a whole lot easier…" he said exasperated.
"Lucas…" Brooke said hurt.
"I don't hate you Brooke. No matter how much I try I can't hate you. I can't stop thinking about you; it's like your constantly wheedling your way into my subconscious. And It's completely crazy because the one person I can't have is the one I want the most, ironic huh?" he finished looking up at her.
She wiped the last bit of blood off his eye one last time and put the cloth back on the counter.
"Your poor face. How could he do this to your beautiful face?" she asked studying each part of his face. She raised her hands up to his cheeks and ran her hand over his swollen eye gently. Finally she looked up to his eyes. She felt his breathing get shallower. He looked so innocent sitting in front of her, so lost.
She bent her head slowly and caught his lips in hers. Her hand moving from his face to his neck, running it through the soft hair at the nape of his neck. The kiss was slow and tentative both discovering each other, exploring one another's mouths curiously. After a few seconds neither was being cautious. He had pulled her closer against him, nestled in between his legs; she had both arms around his neck. Their tongues were fighting for dominance she moaned softly when he nipped at her bottom lip.
"Hmhm" they pulled apart startled by the unexpected interruption.
"Sorry guys I'm closing up" Brooke smiled seeing the bar tenders obvious embarrassment at interrupting such an intimate moment
"Sure thing buddy. Come on broody lets get you home" she said grabbing Lucas' hand and pulling him towards the door. He followed obediently.
"Uh Brooke in case you forgot there is a party at my house. I'm not really in the party mood." He said pulling her to a stop, in front of his car. She leant back against the car his body closing in on top of hers.
"Me either" she whispered. He lowered his head kissed her lips gently.
"How bouts we go have our own private party?" she whispered into his ear as he left a trail of kisses down her neck.
"I thought you'd never ask" he said wrenching himself off her and climbing into the drivers seat of his truck.
They sat on a blanket in the shelter of the life guard station. Well technically Lucas sat, Brooke was straddled across his waist. They had been like this for around ten minutes. She was driving him crazy, writhing her slinky body around on top of him, her small hands running up his chest.
"Brooke…" he moaned through their kisses.
"Uhmm…" she muttered completely distracted.
"Brooke we have to stop before I can't…." He said breaking away from her, his hands drawing circles on the small of her back under her shirt.
"And that's bad because?" she asked returning to her previous task.
"We have to talk" he said looking at her seriously.
"Talking is boring. Kissing is much better" she said nipping at his neck.
"Brooke…"
"Fine" she said getting up off him, but she didn't get very far. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down so she was now sitting in his lap, in between his legs.
"Hey! Who said anything about moving?" he said snaking his arms around her waist.
She smiled into his chest. This felt perfect. Being here with him. Their escape from the shittiness of the world. Just perfect.
"What was that with you and Peyton?" he asked breaking the silence. She stiffened with the mention of her name.
"Nothing" Brooke said quietly, looking out at the sea.
"Brooke. Talk to me" he asked frustrated. She took a deep breath giving in,
"There's so much history with me and Peyton. I just…sometimes I look at her and still see my best friend staring back at me. And then I remember how bad she hurt me, hurt Nathan, and I see red. I can't help it. I have a temper I know that. Plus I hate her seeing her with you…"
"You're jealous?" Lucas asked in disbelieve.
"Not jealous per se…" Lucas smiled into her hair hearing her stumble to find an excuse.
"…fine I am. Can you blame me? According to the whole student body you're screwing her." She said looking up at him.
"Brooke I'm not screwing Peyton. We're just friends" he reassured her.
"Have you? I mean were you ever a couple?" she asked softly.
"Brooke…" he said not really comfortable talking to her about this.
"I want to know" she said resolutely.
"A long time ago. We dated for about a month. We realised we were much better as friends." He answered looking down at her, trying to gage her reaction.
She nodded disappointed. So they weren't together now but they had been and even that made her mad.
"Brooke any feeling's I have for Peyton are purely platonic you have to know that" Lucas said cautiously.
"Okay. So how's this going to work?" Brooke asked excepting his answer.
"Us? I guess we just have to go with the flow. See each other when we can. Be careful…" Lucas said sighing.
"Hey, look on the bright side broody. Sneaking around makes it ten times hotter" She said turning her head to face him a mischievous glint in her eyes. He pulled her into her original position.
"Defiantly loving the bright side…."
So they're together at last! What did you think of the chapter? Next one up by the end of the week hopefully x