Don't Rock the Boat

Chapter 4

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That Friday night, a huge crowd of teenagers were hanging out at Brooke's house. Brooke and her core group were hanging out in her kitchen. Tim, who is pretty intoxicated, comes up to Brooke and notices that she isn't drinking.

"Brooke Davis! Where's your cup?"

"I'm not drinking, Tim."

"You? Brooke Davis? Not drinking?"

"Yes, Tim."

Tim stands there, kind of stumbling, and then blurts out, "What are you, pregnant or something?"

Brooke laughs, playing along, "No, Tim. I'm just not in the mood. Now, go find some unsuspecting girl to hump."

Tim looks confused and then runs off.

Peyton leans over to get closer to Brooke, "People are going to figure it out sooner or later."

Brooke shrugs, "I know. I'd rather it not be Tim who spreads it around school."

Someone comes up behind Brooke and covers her eyes with his hands, "Guess who."

Brooke turns around and at the same time says, "Lucas!" only to be staring at Felix.

"Um, no. Why are you looking for him? What is it, Brooke? I went away for a week and you don't look too happy to see me", Felix says, kind of confused.

Brooke looks uneasy and then runs off.

A few minutes later, Nathan goes up to Brooke's bedroom and knocks on the door.
"Come in…"

Nathan walks in to find Brooke sitting Indian-style in the middle of her bed, facing forward. Nathan closes the door behind him and walks toward Brooke, "So, how's the baby?"

Brooke's hands go to her abdomen and she looks up at Nathan, "How'd you know?"

"Haley."

"Duh. I should've known. Come. Sit next to me."

Nathan sits beside Brooke on her bed. He puts his arm around her shoulders and she rests her head on his shoulder, "I also know the baby isn't Felix's."

"Yeah, I think that's apparent from my running out a few minutes ago. Ugh, I am a slut, Nate…"

"No, you're not. You're in love with Lucas."

"I am."

"Brooke, anyone with eyes knows that."

Brooke smiles through her tears.

"Come on. Felix left. Let's go downstairs and have a good time, okay?" Nathan gets off the bed and Brooke follows him.

When they get downstairs, Brooke sees that Lucas has arrived. She runs over to hug him.

"You look gorgeous, Brooke."

Brooke twirls and smiles, "Don't I always?"

Lucas smiles back, "Of course", he pauses, "You haven't been drinking, right?"

Brooke slaps him across the face, "Ah! Luke, I'm sorry. But how could you think that? Of course I'm not drinking!"

"I know. I'm sorry, Brooke."

Brooke smiles, "It's okay. I know I tend to drink a lot. But now, I can't. And I'm not going to. This baby means the world to me, Luke."

"Me too", and both Brooke and Lucas laugh.

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A few weeks later, Brooke's parents have returned home. Brooke and Lucas arrive together and stand holding hands on the porch.

"I feel like I should ring the doorbell", Brooke admits.

"It's your house, Brooke."

"I know", Brooke grabs the doorknob and walks in the Lucas in tow.

Brooke's mother Liz walks down the stairs to see the pair standing near the foyer, "Brooke! What are you doing here?"

Brooke stifles a giggle, "Mother, I live here. Have you been gone so long that you forgot?"

Brooke's mother hugs her but Brooke doesn't reciprocate, "Of course not, honey! But we don't see you very often."

Brooke stares blankly at her mother, "I know. But there is something that Lucas and I have to talk to you and dad about."

Liz looks at the blond boy, "I'm guessing you're Lucas?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Well, I'll go get your father and we'll meet you in the living room."

Brooke pulls Luke into the living room as Liz walks upstairs. The two sit down on an elaborate couch.

"How do you feel?" Lucas asks.

Brooke gives Lucas a look, "How do you think? I feel like I'm going to vomit all over your lap."

Liz and Brooke's father Jack walk in and sit down on the couch opposite Brooke and Lucas.

Jack speaks first, "Brooke, it's so nice to see you. And who's this young man?"

"Dad, this is Lucas. We need to talk to you."

"That's what your mother said. What's on your mind?"

"I'm pregnant", Brooke says blankly.

Liz and Jack sit in disbelief until Jack speaks, "And the baby is Lucas'?"

"Yes, dad. Mother?"

Liz comes out of her semi-trance, "There are no words, Brooke. I don't know what to tell you. You've made a big mistake and I hope you're able to fix it."

"Fix it?"

"Yes, abortion would be best. Adoption is do-able, as well."

"Mother, I'm going through with the pregnancy. I'm going to keep this baby", Brooke announces matter-of-factly.

Liz snorts, "Oh, Brooke. You have no idea how to be a parent."

"Ha, mother. Neither do you!" Brooke stands up, signals to Lucas, and they leave.

Once outside, Lucas hugs Brooke, "Let's go to the café."

Brooke nods shyly and smiles a half smile.

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