"So," the blonde crumbled the wrapper in his hand and tossed it toward the small bin. It dancing across the rim before it landed in to join the others. "Not bad right?" his head rolled along the brick wall to look at the brunette beauty by his side.

"Not bad at all," she licked the white chocolate from her fingers and looked over at him. "Thank you for showing me where all the good stuff is. However, hate to break it to you, but the good stuff may no longer be there now that I know the truth."

"Going to raid my stash?" he placed his hand to his chest offended. "After I showed you it out of the goodness of my heart. You know, you try to be nice to the new girl and this is what happens to ya," he shook his head and she let out a small giggle. His head snapped over to look at her and he gave a small smile.

"What?" she brushed her hair back nervously and glanced down. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"

"No…" his tone was light as he watched a light flicker in her eyes. A light she hadn't had at all in the time they had spent together. "It's just, I haven't heard you laugh before," he mentioned and her eyes dropped slightly in the corners. "Seen you yell and slap," he teased and she again let out a small laugh. "But not laugh…its cute…" he gave a smile and she bit her lower lip. "You should do it more…"

"I've been having a hard time to find things to laugh about," she admitted and inhaled deep.

"Why?"

"It's a long story," she shifted on the ground and pushed to stand. Feeling a small pain trickle through her wrist as she did.

"I'll listen to it," he told her as he remained on the ground. Brooke slowly swaying on her feet as she stared out the glass window that revealed the small town of Tree Hill, pretty sure she could see the whole thing from there and she liked it.

"It must be cool," she spoke and his head tilted to what she meant. "To grow up here," she explained, "this small town. A place where the biggest issues are if you are going to win the football game or if you get voted prom queen," she let out a dry laugh and paused a long moment before she turned to glance back at him. "Bet secrets don't stay long here, though."

"They can. If you do it right," he said and her brows creased.

"Secrets," he slowly pushed himself up and moved toward her. "Secrets are never a good thing to have," he commented and her eyes dropped down when he stepped in front of her. ""But if you must have them, you just do it right," he gave a light shrug and she got a scent of his cologne. Taking a quick note of how good it smelled. It wasn't overpowering, overwhelming. For once the smell of a man didn't make a flash flood of bad memories race through her mind. "Secrets are kept, with people you trust. You don't want people knowing something, you trust the right people," he gave a light shrug, her heart starting a quick race as she took note to just how close he was.

"There is only one person I trust," she whispered in regard to Quinn. "I just…don't trust people all that well anymore."

"You like having that mystery, don't ya?" he let out a dry laugh, reaching his hand up to brush a curl from her face and let it trail down to linger on her jawline.

"Lucas…" her hand reached to touch his when he shuffled his feet half a step toward her. "I have a boyfriend…" she whispered out and his head dropped. "I'm sorry…"

"You don't have to be sorry," he stilled did move much, her hand just curling around his as it still rested along her jaw. "You trust one person? That should scream red flag."

"That's…that's not who I was talking about," her hand pulled his from her face, but he took note to when she didn't drop his hand from dangling beside her.

"You don't trust your boyfriend?" he questioned, finding that all a little weird. Her eyes dancing up to his and he took note to how again they fell in the corners. "Right…long story…" he took a step back and pulled his hand from hers.

"Lucas…" her hand slid across her stomach uncomfortably. "I like you," she told him and his brow arched as a silly grin tugged on his lips. "Yes, I've known you just a few hours, but I do like talking to you. It's fun."

"You just like I bought you chocolate," he teased and she let out a small smile of enjoying how quickly he flipped to not so serious. She needed not serious for a while.

"Yes, but I also like talking to you," she gave a gentle smile and he gave one in return. "So…can we be friends? Because I could use a really good friend."

"Friends," he spoke, and she slowly nodded and bit her lower lip. "You might be the hottest friend I have," he teased and she let out a laugh. "I can do friends…"

"Cool…"

"But," his long finger pushed up her chin and her eyes nervously locked on his. "Friends talk to each other. So…when you want to share, I'll listen."

"Ok…" she promised and held her gaze on his. Biting her lower lip she felt a heat spread over her and she quickly shook it off, however, when he smiled she felt goose bumps return. "Oh…" a loud blast ripped through the small hall and she jumped back. "Is that for next period?"

"No, lunch," he held her gaze a moment longer before shaking his head and stepping back. "Want to walk with me to lunch? I can introduce you into some of my friends?"

"Can I maybe meet you?" she wondered. "I have to meet someone real quick."

"Sure…"

"Ok cool," she slowly started to sway away from him and shook her head at the stupid feeling she felt in her stomach. This was a guy. A guy she barely knew; and she had a boyfriend. But she would be stupid not to admit how damn gorgeous he was and his eyes…she was sure those eyes convinced a lot of people to let him get his way. "Bye Coffee Boy," she gave a light wave and spun on her feet.

"Bye Mystery Girl," he mumbled as he watched her retreat. "You're a jackass," he cursed at himself and spun on his feet to go find his friends.

Leaning against the wall she promised to meet her best friend at, her leg bounced nervously at all the passing people. They didn't know her, she knew that. However, they would just stare and whisper. She was sure it was because she was the new girl, but it didn't change it made her seriously uncomfortable. She didn't want people knowing what had happened to her. It was embarrassing; it was something she didn't want to discuss…ever.

"B…" a hand planted on her shoulder and she sprung to the side before cursing her silliness. "Sorry, are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Just surprised me," the brunette waved her hand at it. The girl before her giving her a questionable look and she rolled her eyes. "I'm fine Quinny. I promise. I'm actually having a good day."

"Oh really? Classes aren't a total bore? Because I seriously hated both of mine so far."

"Well, I kinda haven't been to class yet," she fiddled with her fingers nervously. "I've kinda skipped."

"Brooke…"

"I know. I know, I promised I wouldn't do that anymore. But I just…I met this guy and he was really nice to talk to and I just…just wasn't ready to sit in class yet. Plus, none of my teachers even know I've been to school yet. This is the only time, I promise."

"You met a guy?" Quinn repeated the only thing to paid attention to in that whole spill.

"It wasn't like that Quinn," Brooke rolled her eyes and looped her arm through her friends. "You know I'm with Felix."

"Tragically," she grumbled and her friend sent her a glare. "Sorry…"

"It's fine," Brooke flipped her hand at it, very aware her friend hated Felix. They never got along. "But I don't know. I met him the other day when I went out. And it was…awkward. But we had first together and our teacher wasn't there and we went to hang out and we just started talking. Then before I knew it two periods had passed."

"Well, I like any guy who makes you smile again," Quinn teased and Brooke bit hard on her lip as they headed toward the lunchroom. "Even if it is just a friends thing."

"Well clearly. I've only known him a few hours, Quinn. Plus, you know I'm with Felix…"

"And again I state tragically…"

"Be nice," Brooke slapped her arm and her friend laughed as they turned the corner and Quinn slammed hard into a chest.

"Shit…" he stumbled back a step and Brooke caught her friend's arm to stop her from falling. "Are you-" he went to speak and his eyes widened when he realized the girl before him.

"You run into people way too much, Coffee Boy," Brooke teased as she adjusted the bookbag on her friend's arm.

"Quinn…" he spoke slowly and she looked at the ground awkwardly. "I…uh," Lucas's eyes darted from Brooke to the light haired brunette and he let out a dry laugh. "I didn't know you were back home…"

"You know each other?" Brooke cut her eyes between the two confused.

"I just got back a few days ago," Quinn ignored her friend to tell him and he slowly nodded as he searched her eyes around the hall. "But uh, you know each other?" she shook off the feeling in her and looked at her best friend.

"Yeah," Lucas cut his eyes at Brooke and it all slowly clicked to him. "Quinn…you know Quinn."

"Brooke and I live together," Quinn told him and watched him swallow hard. "We're best friends…"

"You only trust one person," he whispered what she said to him.

"Luke…" Brooke looked at him confused and he took a step back.

"I have to go umm…I'm supposed to meet up with Clay," he said.

"Oh, ok," Brooke nodded as her friend stayed quiet and stared at the ground. "Maybe see you at lunch?"

"Maybe," he cut his eyes at Quinn before quickly sliding past them and down the hall.

"Quinn…"

"I'm starving," Quinn shrugged it all off like nothing weird had just happened and started toward the lunchroom. Her friend quickly catching her wrist and stopping her.

"Hey, don't do that," she ordered and her friend's brows creased. "Don't act like that wasn't weird as hell. What was that?"

"Lucas…" Quinn's voice cracked a fraction as she looked at her friend. Recalling how she smiled just a few minutes before at the mention of the blonde. "Is he who you spent all morning with?"

"…Yeah…why? Is…is that bad?"

"No," Quinn shook her head quickly and forced a smile. "Not at all. He's a good guy. We've been friends for years."

"Is that all?" she wondered, not sure she got her friend's look. She knew she had some weird stuff back home, but her friend never spoke of it much. Just said she screwed up some things, her heart broke and she wanted to move on from it. However, she couldn't move on if she always talked about it. "Is he the one who-"

"No," she answered a fraction too quickly and the brunette's brows pulled together. "It's not him, B…" she gave a reassuring smile and Brooke slowly nodded. "We just have been friends for a while. His friends are my friends and when I left…well I kinda just…left."

"You didn't tell anyone bye?"

"I just wanted to get away. I was seriously here one day and gone the next…if I'm honest, I'm kinda scared to see all my friends again. I don't know how they will react. Some were really hurt and left some…some mean messages."

"No one will hurt you ok?" Brooke assured and placed her hands on her friend's shoulders. "They have anything rude to say and I'll beat their ass."

"Bad ass Brooke," she joked and her friend laughed with a smirk.

"You bet," she hooked her arm through hers and they pushed the heavy doors open and stepped into the lunchroom. A small hush coming over the crowd when the door slammed shut and all eyes moved to the two girls. "You know, I know in high school you swear people are staring and talking about you, but I think it's real this time."

"Welcome to Tree Hill High Brooke," Quinn laughed as her eyes danced around the room and landed on the familiar blue eyes in the corner. Beside him all her friends and her sister and she nervously chewed her lip unsure of what to do.

"Where do you want to sit?" Brooke whispered to her friend as her eyes moved around. Suddenly feeling how the outcast must feel in school. Back home she was popular. She never questioned where she would sit, she just sat. But here, here she hadn't a clue. And after the awkwardness in the hall with Lucas, she wasn't sure she wanted to with him anymore, if his friends were mean to Quinn.

However, too must of the rooms surprise, the popular blonde across the cafeteria rose up. The room holding their breath as he moved through the area to the two girls on the other side. Stopping in front of them, Quinn bit on her lip as his eyes locked onto hers.

"I saved ya'll a seat," he spoke, holding his gaze on Quinn's before trailing over to Brooke's. "Promised I would," he told her and she bit the inside of her cheek to stop from smiling. "Told ya you could trust me," he sent her a wink and turned on his feet toward his table.

"Want to sit with them?"

"Yeah," Quinn hid her smile as she slowly followed behind the tall blonde. "Hey guys…" she swallowed hard when she arrived at the table. All eyes on her as she stood there.

"So," the red head tilted her head to the side with a serious look. "You're back?" she questioned and the girl slowly nodded. "Like back back?" her brow arched and again she nodded. "Well guess there is only one thing to say to that," she slowly stood and Brooke held her friend's arm tight as they girl stood before her. "Do you have five bucks? I'm starving and this food here is shit," she spoke before slowly sliding her lips into a smile.

"Yeah," Quinn laughed fishing out some cash and slapping it in her hand. The red head squeezing her hand and yanking her into a hug.

"I've missed your skinny ass," she told her and squeezed her tight. "When did you get back?"

"Just a few days ago. Was getting settled," she explained and suddenly completely relaxed in the moment. "But Rach, this is Brooke," she introduced her best friend to her…well former best friend. "Brooke, this is Rachel."

"Hi," Brooke held out her hand and the red head took it with a smile.

"I'll be back, getting some snacks," Rachel announced before walking off. Her hips swaying in a way that made all the young freshmen stare.

"Are you the cheerleader?" Bevin questioned with a bright smile.

"God Bev, give the girl a break. She just got here," Clay rolled his eyes and leaned across the table holding out his hand. "I'm Clay…"

"Brooke…"

"Nice to meet you Brooke…hey Quinn…"

"Hey Clay…" she shifted on her feet and slowly slid down in the chair beside her sister, tugging Brooke to sit next to her. "Brooke, this Nathan, Bevin, Tim and well you met Luke and Haley…guys this is Brooke."

"Hi, now again aren't you a cheerleader?"

"I am…well I was. I was captain back home," she told her, unsure if she wanted to really get back into that again. She wanted to more stay in the shadows. She couldn't stay in the shadows if she was a cheerleader again.

"That is perfect!" Bevin squealed clapping her hands together excited. "Claire, one of the girls on the squad got kicked off. We are desperate for a new girl who knows her shit."

"Oh...I uh…I don't know if I'm doing that anymore…" Brooke mumbled out and shifted in her chair uncomfortably. The blonde boy eyeing her as she cut her eyes at her best friend for some help on it.

"I think you should do it," Quinn told her as she opened her lunch. "You loved cheering back home, Sky."

"Umm…maybe," she forced a smile and tugged her sleeves over her hands. "I'll think about it…"

"So Brooke," Tim shifted forward and flashed a smile. "You're hot…"

"Tim!" all the girls groaned and guys rolled their eyes.

"Leave her alone jackass," Lucas smacked the back of his head. "She is new. I'm sure she doesn't want every asshole with a dick bothering her," he spoke and she laughed a little at that. Funny coming from a guy she was sure wanted to kiss her earlier.

"Sorry…"

"It's ok Tim. I thank you for the compliment," she gave a gentle smile and felt her phone go off in her pocket. Pulling it out a frown replacing her smile when she looked at the number, "I uh…I'll be right back…"

"Brooke…" Quinn looked at her friend, but she just ignored her as she walked off from the table. "Asshole…"

"Excuse me?" Lucas's brow kinked up and the table all jerked the gaze to the two on the end.

"Oh no. God, not you Luke," she rushed to say and Nathan let out a chuckle as Quinn sent him a glare. "I meant…Brooke is talking to Felix."

"What is a Felix?" Rachel returned with snacks and dropped to sit where the brunette had been.

"Brooke's asshole of a boyfriend…"

"Damn it," Tim groaned and Clay shook his head.

"Sorry man, I know that is the only thing that would stop ya'll from happening," he teased and Tim nodded in agreement.

"Take it you don't like him?" Nathan ignored his friends and raised a brow as the young girl made a noise of disgust from the back of her throat.

"He treats her like shit…which is ridiculous being as Brooke is so much better than him. I don't know why she doesn't dump his damn ass," her eyes stay locked on her friend and watched as she started to grow pissed with the conversation. She knew Brooke; she read her body language better than anyone. She knew what she was feeling and it pissed her off just when Brooke started to seem relaxed he would call. "I swear to god if he is giving her shit right now…she has too much to deal with than him…"

"Like what?"

"What?" her head snapped back to her friends, for a moment forgetting they were there.

"What does she have going on?" Bevin asked, but Quinn just ignored her when she saw her friend moving back to the table.

"Sorry," Brooke reached over Rachel to grab her bag from the ground.

"I can move…"

"No it's fine," Brooke pulled in quick breathes to calm herself. Cursing the damn tears that were building in her eyes.

"B…"

"I um, have to go. It was nice meeting you all…"

"Brooke," Quinn dove at her friend's hand.

"I'm good Tilley," she jerked away and quickly moved from the group and out the door.

"I'm going to murder him," she snatched her phone from her pocket and searched through her contacts.

"Quinn, chill. I'm sure it's not a big deal," Haley tried to calm her sister but knew it was no hope. When Quinn had that look on her face you should just step back and let her be.

"Oh the level of which I'm not in the mood for you…"

"What did you do Felix?" Quinn growled and the table grew silent. All of them awkwardly looking at each other, but Lucas's eyes stayed locked on her. He didn't want her upset; he didn't at all like it nor the look on her face.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb. You know she hasn't left my side in weeks. So you know I know you just called her. What did you say to her?"

"Nothing…"

"Felix…" she growled locking her jaw.

"You just watch my girl. Make sure she checks in more. God only knows what she is getting into down there…"

"Did you call her…" she paused when she saw all the eyes on her. In her moment of rage forgetting the table full of people. Slowly standing up and moving away from them in a hushed corner. "I swear to god if you asked her about some bullshit of guys," she hissed knowing how jealous he got. He always flipped on Brooke when she would talk to guys. Even just friends. "She isn't doing anything. She is going to class and going home. Leave her alone or I swear to god I'll come home and use that bat on you," she hissed before hanging up her phone. Resisting the urge to slam it against the wall.

"Quinn…" a hand touched her shoulder and she jerked back. "Sorry…"

"It's fine. I just…god I hate that guy," she squeezed her phone tight and shook her head.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine Luke…"

"Ok," he glanced around the room before looking back at the young girl. "Do you think…I mean, can we talk? Please?"

"Luke, I need to find Brooke…"

"I know. I know you do, she seemed upset. But at the same time, you're back Quinn…"

"I am…"

"And I…I don't want to have things awkward. I mean…"

"Lucas…" she touched his arm to stop him. "It won't be awkward," she promised and he slowly nodded, still a little unsure. "Do we have things to talk about? Probably. But at the same time not really. Everything is fine…"

"And Brooke?"

"She hasn't laughed in so long Luke…She mentioned you and laughed…I'm not going to tell her anything. There is no need to. It's done with…"

"No, I mean…well thanks, but I meant more is she ok? What's going on there Quinn?"

"I can't tell you…" she let out a dry laugh and shook her head.

"You used to tell me everything…"

"It's not my everything to tell," she gave a light shrug. "I've missed you Luke," she slowly slide her arms around his neck for a hug. "I hope we can get back to how we were once…"

"Which way is that?" he squeezed her tight and heard her sigh.

"Friends…"

"Seems to be everyone's favorite word today," he let out a dry laugh as she pulled back.

"We're better friends," she told him and he slowly nodded. "I'm going to go check on Brooke. But maybe…maybe we can all meet at the café later? Old times sake?"

"That sounds good. I'm sure mom would love to see you…"

"Ok cool," she held his gaze a moment longer before spinning around and going on the search for her best friend.

"Everyone wants to be fucking friends," the blonde rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. Never realizing until then that the hated that stupid word.

Started thinking about this story today…hope you enjoyed the new update!

Review!