"Look…I'm sorry," the brunette repeated as she sat on the table outside the school. "I know I should have called sooner and let you know what was going on, how I was doing. I just got…I got distracted. God, this place is so different than home," she fell back and glanced around. "But I like it here," her eyes trailed over to her best friend standing outside the gym laughing with her friends. "I think things are going to be good here...and I miss you. So please…call me back, bye," she clicked off on her phone and gazed at the phone in her hand. She knew he was mad, she sorta understood it but she hated fighting with him. It was frustrating.

"Hi," she squinted in the light and lifted her head to a person standing above her.

"Hello…" she looked at the nervous boy as he bounced up and down on his feet. "Can I help you?"

"No," he dropped down beside her and quickly shook his head. "I mean, I was just saying hi."

"Oh, well hello…" she pushed a smile and he gave an uncomfortable one back in return. "I'm Brooke…"

"Yeah, I know. My name is Mouth," he held out his hand and she slowly took it. "I was at lunch with you. Well, sorta. I was walking over when you were walking away."

"Oh," it slowly clicked where she saw him and gave a real big smile. He seemed sweet. "Yeah, sorry about that. Had a phone call," she flipped her hand up to show her phone and he nodded.

"No, I know. You just seemed upset so was just making sure you were alright."

"Oh, that's really sweet of you, Mouth. But I'm fine," she flipped her hand at him and dismissed it. "I just have this boyfriend and he doesn't handle me being this far away from him well."

"Well I can see why," he blurted out and suddenly started to blush when her brow rose at him. "I just mean, you're really pretty. I'm sure he doesn't like you not with him all the time."

"Thanks Mouth. You're pretty cute yourself," she rocked into him and he let out a small laugh. "You have a girlfriend?" she wondered but he quickly shook his head no. "Well I think we should find you one."

"Oh, well girls here aren't really into guys like me."

"What does that mean?"

"I'm not a jock," he gave a short shrug and her eyes dropped in the corners. She hated to hear that. Mouth seemed sweet, he did take time to come check on her and he didn't even know her. She could only imagine how he would treat his girlfriend. "Girls here…well some are really shallow. They go for guys like Luke and Clay. Went after Nathan until he settled down with Haley. Plus, the few girls that do give me the time of day get scared off by Rachel."

"Rachel? She's the scary red head, right?" she asked and he let out a loud laugh.

"She isn't scary," he told her shaking his head at how people always thought that. "She is just Rachel. We've been friends for years, so she is really protective of me. The last girl I dated…well it didn't end well and Rachel gave her a broken nose."

"Damn Mouth," Brooke laughed as he blushed. "Got one of the hottest girls in school by your side. Seems like a pretty good position to be in to me."

"It's…it's alright I guess," he gave a short shrug and trailed his eyes away from her and around the courtyard; landing on Rachel talking to Quinn and ever so often cutting her eyes over and Brooke and Mouth. Brooke catching something in his eyes, before he quickly blinked it away. "But, I don't know if anyone mentioned it to you. I mean, I know you're Quinn's best friend so I'm sure it will be, but Rachel is throwing a party at her place tonight. I don't know if you're busy, but if not you should come."

"Oh," her heart raced a bit and she shifted uncomfortable on the bench. "I can't…" she shook her head and he frowned. "I mean, I'd love too, sure it will be fun, but I have some stuff to do. I just moved in and need to get settled."

"Oh, ok. Well maybe next one," he stood and she forced a smile. However, knowing it will be a long time before she goes to a party again. "Bye, Brooke."

"Bye," she gave a small wave as he started heading toward the gym. "Mouth!" she called and he paused to turn and face her. "Any girl would be lucky to have someone like you."

"Think you maybe could tell them that for me?" he teased and she laughed. "Bye, Brooke…" he waved and spun back on his feet toward the gym. Brooke watching as he stopped to give the red head at the doors a look before stepping inside. The red head girl sending Brooke a slight glare before yanking open the door and stepped inside.

"Girls and their territory," Brooke rolled her eyes as she stood.

"Brooke!" Quinn jogged toward her friend with a large smile on her face. "Hey!"

"Hey, what's up?"

"Nothing, how was the rest of your day?" worry flickered over her and Brooke did the best she could not to freak. She knew she was looking out for her; she was just being her best friend. However, she felt every time Quinn looked at her she looked at her like she was broken. Yes, ok she wasn't…great, but she didn't want her friend to treat her like a child.

"Great!" Brooke forced a smile and gave a fake happy skip. "I really like my classes. I just…I'm not sure all your friends care for me."

"Like who?" Quinn spun on her feet and locked her arm with her friend's.

"Most are really cool," she rushed to say. "I really like, Haley. She is super sweet and Mouth is cool. Lucas…he is awesome," she held back a smile and missed when her friend looked down on that. "Plus, Clay is pretty awesome. But I don't think Rachel is really super excite I'm here. I was talking to Mouth a second ago and I swore I'd explode with the evil looks she was sending my way."

"Oh, B, don't even worry about Rachel. That is just her. She takes some getting used to," she waved her hand at that and chose not to tell her Rachel did ask about Brooke. They were talking while Mouth and Brooke were and of course she went super protective. "Mouth and Rach…they have a weird relationship. Always have."

"He cares about her…like a lot."

"Yeah, we all know that," Quinn told her, everyone in the group greatly aware of that. "But she does really care about him too. She is just really over protective. She doesn't want him getting hurt."

"Yeah, well I can respect that."

"But Rachel is throwing a party. Want to go? Maybe get back into being a high school senior for a while?"

"Oh I would, but my third period gave me all this work I have to make up," Brooke faked a whine bounced her books in her arms. "Apparently they have a big project that is due next week and I really want to try to have it finished in time."

"Well you want me to stay in? Help you out?"

"No, don't be silly. Plus, it's British Lit and I know how much you hate that. Odds are high we will just sit around bitching about the project and never finish."

"I just find the class pointless. I mean, they talk so…funny…"

"I know," Brooke laughed walking around the car and climbing in. Her friend following suit on the other side.

Walking up the steps to the small café, the dark haired boy pulled open the door and heard the little bell above announce his arrival. Searching his eyes around the small area they landed on the older woman behind the counter refilling a cup.

"Karen…"

"Nathan, hey honey," the older woman placed down the pot and whipped her hands on her apron. "What are you doing here? You hungry?" she pushed up on her toes to give him a hug and dropped back before him. "Or you just looking for Haley?"

"No," he chuckled and shook his head. "None of those. I was just seeing if Luke was here. He wasn't at your place…"

"Oh, yes. He is in the back," she pointed over her shoulder. "Everything ok, Nathan?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. I just have an essay I was going to ask him about," he lied and the older woman gave him a questionable look before slowly nodding.

"Well…if you're sure that is all," she slowly started to move back behind the counter and nodded for him to go ahead. "You can go back there."

"Thank you," he gave a tight lip smile and headed in the back. Pushing open the swinging doors he stepped inside and heard the music coming from the back. "Luke, hey man," he spun the corner to find the older blonde running dishes.

"Hey, what's up?" Lucas cut his pale blue eyes at his brother before looking back at the dish in his hand. "Looking for Hales?"

"No, I was actually looking for you," he told him and the blonde's brow arched confused to why he would be looking for him. They were close, yes. Over the years got very close, however they literally just saw each other not even an hour ago at school. "Just wanted to make sure you were cool…with the whole Quinn being here thing…" he spoke slowly and watched his brother tense up and stop his work. "That a no…"

"No, it's not a no. I'm glad she is back. I know Haley is excited, Lydia I'm sure also," he gave a casual shrug and started back working.

"And you?"

"I'm good," he told him after a long pause. "What happened, happened and we moved on. We and I both are over it. Had a good talk and we are good."

"Luke…"

"What Nate?" he slammed his hand down and watched the water splash up onto him. "Want me to tell you it sucks? Ok, at first it sucked and freaked me out. However, it's Quinn. She will always be special to me and she knows that. But…it's nothing more than that. It will never be more than that…"

"Well, if you say so," Nathan crossed his arms and leaned up against the counter. "Brooke's pretty hot," he mentioned and watched his brother roll his eyes, but didn't miss the small smile that passed his lips for a brief moment.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Yes, but I can still admit when I chick is hot. Brooke is hot," he repeated and his brother laughed. "Plus, I saw ya'll talking this morning. Ya'll seem to enjoy each other's company."

"She is a cool girl," Lucas shrugged it off as nothing. "But Brooke has a boyfriend…and she really seems to have issues."

"Tell me a girl who doesn't…"

"Yes, but…she is also Quinn's best friend…"

"Right…forgot that for a minute."

"Yeah, but I mean…I met the girl today," he told him, knowing he felt he clicked with her some, but wouldn't admit that. Well as much as you can click with someone in one day of knowing them. However, like he said, Brooke had issues, issues he wasn't sure he wanted to deal with right then. And again, she was Quinn's best friend. "However, I have a lot of shit to do before I can leave and I want to get out early so I can head to Rach's. Catch you later at the party?"

"Yeah," Nathan pushed off the counter and paused a moment. Trying to read if his brother was really ok or just saying that. "Later man," he slapped his shoulder and started out of the back. Knowing if Lucas did have an issue he would talk to Haley before he would talk to him anyway.

"I'm sorry, B," Quinn flipped through her closet for something to wear. "He is such an asshole. Why you put up with him I'll never know."

"No one will," the brunette mumbled as she ran her thumb over the picture in her hand. "We are complicated. Always will be."

"I know, but you deserve better," she repeated for about the millionth time, but knew she sounded like a damn broken record. "Sooner or later his ass better realize that or you will drop him."

"Probably not," she muffled to herself before tossing the picture to the side. "But you look cute."

"Thanks," she tugged a shirt over her head and smoothed out the wrinkles. "Are you sure you don't mind me going tonight? I don't want to leave you alone."

"Quinn, I don't mind," Brooke repeated. "I know how much all your friends have missed you and how excited they are for you to be home. They invited you to this party and I think you will have a lot of fun."

"Yeah, I'm sure, but I just wish you would go too."

"I'm just not ready, Quinn," she told her with a light shrug. "I don't think I can be in that atmosphere right now. At some point, yes, but not tonight and I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry," she moved over to the bed and dropped down beside her. She understood why Brooke didn't want to go to a party. She had been adjusting so much to life the last few days she completely understood that. However, she wanted to spend time with her friends, as welcoming as they had been to her she didn't realize just how much she truly missed them all. Yet, Brooke was her main priority at this time and she didn't want to leave her alone. "You know, I think I'm just going to stay in tonight."

"No," Brooke started to shake her head quickly to object. "No, you are going. I don't need you babysitting me Quinn. I love you, I do but I'm fine. Go out with your friends, have fun and I promise I'll get over all this and go to the next one."

"There is nothing you have to get over Brooke," Quinn squeezed her hand to let her know quickly. "What happened to you…I…I can't imagine."

"But it happened and I have to move on from it. However, that won't be tonight. So you go, have fun and just be careful."

"Ok…"

"Quinn, go!" she laughed when she saw her friend unsure of it. "Have fun."

"I'm just ten minutes away if you need me," she slowly stood, however still questioning just how shitty of a friend she was for leaving.

"I know you are…"

"Call me if you need anything and I gave you Haley's and Rachel's number…"

"And I'll even remember to brush my teeth before bed," she teased and got an eye roll from her best friend.

"Smart ass…" she grabbed her keys from the dresser and paused a moment longer at the door looking at her friend. "I love you, B."

"I love you, too," she forced a smile and her friend slowly nodded before stepping out the room. Brooke sitting on the bed until she heard the door shut and she sunk back. "Bye…" she drummed her fingers on her bed thinking. The apartment so scary quiet she knew she had to go somewhere else or she would freak.

"Mom," he groaned when another large pile of dishes come through the small window. "Seriously?" his brows arched annoyed as he snatched it.

"I'm sorry; I can't control people coming in…"

"I know and I know the money is good, but can't I just finish the dishes tomorrow? I'll wake up early and come do them…" he pleaded and his mother let out a sigh. He was only supposed to cover for a few hours and he was hoping to be out by nine so he could get ready and head to meet his friends. The close normally around ten, however, if people keep coming in his mother doesn't turn them away. Annoyingly to the blonde they hadn't stopped coming in all night and now it was getting close to ten. "Please mommy," he stuck out his bottom lip and she let out a loud laugh.

"Ok," she caved and he lit up with excitement. "I have to head out to relieve the sitter with Lily soon any way. So, I'll just flip the sign and run one more load so I can have some for morning and you can leave. We only have a couple more people in here and I'll send them out."

"Mom, you're the best!"

"So they keep telling me…" she spun on her feet and over to the front door.

"Alright," Lucas hit the washer and untied the apron from his waist as he headed out of the backroom. "Mom, text me when you get home!" he yelled to the older woman standing at a table to refill someone's coffee and tossed his apron on the counter. "See you tomorrow," he told her and she gave him a wave as he gripped the handle of the front door and paused noticing the familiar girl sitting at a back table alone. A computer before her, but he noticed how instead of using it she just stared off at her coffee cup. She was a mystery to him and he didn't know why. She seemed so on guard all the time and even when she was laughing he took notice how after a while she would get that distant look again. For reasons he didn't know he really wanted to know what she was thinking when she spaced out like that. "Brooke…" he pushed back from the door and toward the girl who jumped in her seat.

"Oh…" she swallowed hard and shook her head of her thinking. "Luke…hey…"

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Oh…I was just working on some school work," she tapped the pen in her hand on the notebook beside her and he lifted his brow at the random drawling all over it. "I keep getting distracted," she blushed and he chuckled easing down beside her in the chair. Brooke without even thinking sliding herself back from his a few inches.

"Well, probably because it's a Friday night and you're doing homework," he teased and she laughed a little. "Did know one tell you about the party tonight? I mean, you know you are invited right?"

"Oh yeah, Mouth mentioned it to me, Quinn is actually there," she told him and missed when he tensed a fraction. "But I just wasn't really in the mood to go. I'm kinda exhausted from the move and everything so was just going to try and catch up on some homework."

"Well aren't you a rebel," he teased and caught when her smile seemed way too forced.

"But um…are you not going to the party?" she brushed her hair back and shifted a little uncomfortable about how close he was to her. She didn't really like people that close to her anymore.

"I am, but I had to cover a shift. This is my mom's place," he flipped his hand around before nodding his head forward at the woman who kept shifting her eyes over at the young couple.

"That's really cool," Brooke told him honestly, finding it really cool he worked with his mom. She didn't remember the last time she ever saw her parents. "Must be nice to have a job, make your own money. My parents help me out but it seems like they are more paying me to stay out of their business."

"That really sucks…"

"Such is life," she gave a light shrug and again shifted in her seat.

"Well, if you ever want a job here, I'm sure my mom would love the help," he teased and her head snapped over to him with a serious expression.

"Really? She would give me a job?"

"Well, I was kinda kidding, but if you are really looking for a job she definitely would give you one…"

"That would be so cool," she smiled, a real one this time. She wanted a job; well she thought she might want a job. In reality it would probably suck working, but she wanted something to keep her busy. She didn't want her mind thinking so much and having too much time.

"If cleaning after people seems cool," he let out a dry laugh and searched his eyes around to find his mom. "Mom!" he called across the room and she lifted a brow up at him as she finished counting down her drawer. "Come here a second," he asked, giving a smile to one of the regulars as they headed out.

"That's your mom?" Brooke's eyes widened and he nodded. "She looks so young…"

"Yeah," he chuckled leaning back in his chair. "She had me…young…"

"Weren't you just begging five minutes ago to get out of here?" Karen teased as she walked over to them. "And here you sit," she teased, dancing her eyes over at Brooke and giving a knowing smile that Lucas rolled his eyes at.

"Mom, this is Brooke. Brooke this is my mom, Karen…"

"Well, nice to meet you Brooke," Karen held out her hand that the young girl took.

"You too…"

"Well mom, Brooke was actually wondering if you were looking for anyone to cover a few shifts. She needed some extra cash…"

"Well, I'm kinda full right now with staff," Karen told her honestly and Brooke gave a small frown. "But Tabitha is pregnant and about to pop. If you want I could maybe give you a couple days a week, and then when she has her baby you pick up the rest of her shifts?"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah," Karen laughed a little at how excited she seemed about that. "Just come in after school next Tuesday. We'll get you set up."

"Thanks Karen, you're the best," Brooke gave a genuine smile before looking back down at her notepad and started to scribble down some notes.

Lucas's eyes lingering on her a moment as he started to speak. "You know, mom," he slowly trailed his eyes to his mother who was eyeing him curiously. "You go ahead and leave. I'll close down here."

"Weren't you heading to a party?"

"Yeah, but you've been to one you've been to a million. You've been here all day, go home," he gave her a smile and she gave a small laugh.

"Alright, honey," she leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "Bye Brooke, nice meeting you."

"Oh, you too," the younger brunette smiled, missing the whole conversation and shared looks from the mother and son. "See you next week."

"See you then," Karen gave a warm smile before untying her apron and heading in the back to get her stuff.

"Thanks for that Luke," Brooke looked at him and smiled. "If you treat a stranger so nicely, I can only imagine how nice you are to your friends," she teased and he let out a chuckle and stood up.

"Well I don't see you being a stranger to long," he tapped his rolled up apron on the table and her head twisted to look at him confused but he just offered a smile. "Finish your homework, Pretty Girl," he grinned before walking off.

"And back!" the red head shouted and all four girls shot back the clear glasses and felt it burn down their throat. Quinn cringing as she felt it warm over her skin and settle down in her stomach.

"Oh god, I don't know if can drink like I used too," Haley slapped the glass down and inhaled a sharp breath. "I definitely don't think I can," she weaved back on her feet a step and regained her balance.

"When did my sis become such a lightweight?" Quinn teased, tossing her arm over her sister's shoulder and the group laughed.

"Around the time she decided to spend every Friday and Saturday night in with Natey Boy…" Rachel teased and Haley rolled her brown eyes and gave a light shrug.

"Rather spend the night in with him than passing out in a stranger's bed," she shot back at her red headed friend who sent her a glare as the group erupted into 'oohs…'

"Ok let's retract the claws," Quinn waved her hands at them boy and grabbed her beer for a long sip, truly enjoying her time. She forgot how much fun it was to party and cut loose with her friends. Don't get her wrong, Brooke and she had some awesome times, but she really did miss her core group of friends she had since she was a child.

"Speaking of claws, where is that friend of yours?" Rachel flipped her hair back to send a flirty glance at some boy passing before returning her attention to her friend.

"How do you hear claws and think Brooke?" Bevin questioned confused, she didn't talk to the girl long, but when she did she seemed extremely nice. She liked her.

"Because if she sinks her claws into Mouth, I'll sink my claws into her," Rachel threatened with a cold glare and Haley watched as something flickered through her sister as she slammed her glass down.

"Watch it, Rachel," Quinn warned turning to face her. "Mouth approached Brooke to be nice. She has a boyfriend so chill out. And even if for some random ass reason she and Mouth were ever anything, which again I state wouldn't happen; you wouldn't do a damn thing to her."

"California make you hard or something James?"

"No, but a whole lot of shit did," she informed her gripping her fist tight, taking a step forward so she was nose to nose with someone she really concerned her best friend. "You know I love you, but back off Brooke, got it? She has enough shit going on and doesn't need you adding to it," she growled, keeping a cold stare with the red head before sliding her beer across the counter and walking off.

"Whoa," she vaguely recognized someone's voice as she slammed into a shoulder but ignored it as she moved out the back door. Feeling the warm air hit her in the face she inhaled it deep and slowly released it in hopes to calm herself. Gripping her hands through her hair, the wind caught a weird way and for a breath moment when she closed her eyes she could smell it again. The crimson smell of blood and when she smelt it she heard it, heard her friend crying, heard the bat cracking…it all came back so fast it made her stomach churn the wrong way and for a second she swore she might be sick.

"I…I found someone."

"He is barely breathing and his bleeding. God there is so much blood."

"He isn't moving."

"You hit me and I don't even get a sorry?" she heard play in her mind and her eyes squeezed tighter as tears built in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she started to apologize and felt light headed and as if the whole place started to spin in circles. "I didn't mean too…I didn't…I shouldn't have made you go…"

"Quinn!" a hand grabbed her shoulder and she snapped back into reality and jumped back. "Quinn…" she blinked her tear filled eyes and slowly started to make out the face before her.

"Clay?"

"Hey," he knocked the tear from her cheek and saw the fear and panic in her eyes. "It's me," he whispered out and she quickly dove into his arms. "Shh…it's me…" he soothed and she gripped him tight. "Quinn what's wrong? I said your name, like, ten times but you just kept telling me sorry, that you didn't mean too…shouldn't have made me go…go where? What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," she shook her head quickly and held him tight. "It was nothing…"

"Are you sure? You know you can tell me," he told her, but she just remained silent and hugging him tight. "We have been best friends since we were four…" he teased and for some reason just like always hearing his laugh sent a calming chill over her and her heart started to slow down.

"I've missed your laugh…" she whispered slowly pulling back.

"Well I've missed all of you," he joked and she let out a smile that he noted didn't reach her eyes. "What has you upset? Why did you storm out of here?"

"Rachel," she shook her head and took a step back from him. "She was just being…"

"Rachel?" his brow arched and she released a dry laugh.

"Pretty much…"

"You've been back a few days, Quinn. Don't let her get to you, you know better than that…"

"I know. She was just talking about Brooke and it annoyed me…"

"Ah, Brooke…the new mystery girl who arrived with you. People have been talking about that one…"

"Well they need to stop," she snapped and his brows pulled together at his response. "Sorry…I…I didn't mean to snap at you. I just meant, people just need to leave her alone."

"She must have one hell of a story to make you so damn protective…"

"Brooke has been through a lot," she agreed, turning on her feet and moving down the steps to feel the sand between her toes. "But…she has also been there for me. She's…done things for me," she remained vague and he slowly nodded as he came to sit beside her.

"Want to talk about it? And I don't mean Brooke; I mean what has you so weirded out."

"It all goes hand in hand," she frowned and shook her head. "God, everything here seems so different, yet so the same. Like no time passed at all while I was gone…"

"It did pass," he locked eyes on her and she quickly cut them to the ground. "People changed, we grew apart, grew together. Moved on," he spoke the last one and watched it hit a nerve. "Took a while but people moved on."

"Good…" she let out a broken laugh and wrapped her arms around herself as she looked forward at the waves crashing.

"But for the record," he spoke and she continued looking at the ocean a moment before cutting her eyes back at him. "I am glad you're back…"

"Yeah," she gave a gentle smile before looking back out before her. "I am too…"

"Oh god," Brooke threw her head back laughing as she shook her head at the boy beside her. "You're too much, Lucas, way too much."

"So you keep telling me," he finished wiping the counter and sat his towel down beside the girl sitting on it. "Want a refill on your coffee?" he nodded his head at her now almost empty cup and she shoved it forward with a very childlike, "please".

"You spoil me, Coffee Boy," she teased, brought the cup up to her lips and his eyes squinted when he caught sight of the mark across her collar bone. "What?"

"Umm…" he darted his eyes to the counter before trailing them back up to the spot.

"Oh…" she followed his gaze and tugged her shirt up, hating the makeup Quinn applied earlier had worn off. Twenty four hour coverage her ass. "My boyfriend, umm…" she faltered out when she couldn't think of anything to say about the large bite mark that made a bruise.

"…Bit…you?" Lucas let out a slightly angry laugh at that. He would admit, he had been with girls and left a hickey here or there, hell his received them and there had been times a girl's nails dug so dip into his back it drew blood, but he had never bit a girl like that, that it looked so…rough.

"It's not like that…" she shifted on the counter and he caught when suddenly about a million walls shot up around her.

"What's it like then?"

"Lucas…" she rolled her head to the side and shook her head. "Stop…"

"Stop, what?" he pushed back from her and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Stop this…whatever you're doing," she waved her hand up and down him. "You just met me. Stop trying to figure me out. You don't know me; you don't know what goes on in my life so stop."

"I may not know what goes on in your life Brooke and I might have just met you but I know even in my craziest sexcapades I never bit the shit out of someone."

"Well maybe you aren't doing something right then," she jumped off the counter and he quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her. The young girl wincing and she jerked it back from him.

"Christ, Brooke," he dropped her arm and watched her rub the sore bone. She didn't have a bruise, well on the outside, but the thing hurt like a bitch. She didn't break it, she didn't think, but she did something to it.

"Lucas…" she inhaled a deep breath and trailed her eyes to the ground as he body shook. "Please…please stop."

"Stop what?" he pushed and she bit hard on her trembling lip. "Brooke…I know I just met you. I'm aware. I've known you a few days, but…" her eyes traveled to meet his and he frowned. "Damn it Brooke…I want to know you're ok."

"It's not what you think, ok?" she tugged her shirt over her hands and felt the heat spread through her eyes. "I swear it's not what you think. Just please don't talk about it anymore. Don't tell anyone…please…"

"I wouldn't tell anyone…you can trust me…"

"I trust no one," she repeated for the second time to him and his head dropped. "Lucas, you're so nice and you're a lot of fun. So please don't make this a big deal. Just forget you saw anything. Please?" she pleaded and watched him battle that in his head before holding his hands up and taking a step back. "Thank you," she grabbed her bag from the counter and gave a tight lip smile. "I better go, but thank you for the coffee."

"I can walk you home if you want…"

"Think its best you don't," she rounded the corner and toward the front door. Pausing a second at the door to cast a final glance at him, before exiting and leaving a very confused boy behind her.