Chapter Ten
Hope
by
Lucas Scott
Intern Columnist
Martin Luther King Jr. once said. "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
Two years ago, my best friend was in a car accident that left her in a coma. For years, she was transferred from hospital to hospital, and finally ended up here in New York City at a local hospital. As a student at NYU, I couldn't be more grateful that she was nearby. I visited her everyday, along with several of our mutual friends. We all shared that hope that she would someday open her eyes.
Two weeks ago, her parents decided to terminate life support. It was a kick in the stomach. To me, and to my best friends and family. But we didn't give up our faith in Brooke. We held vigils, made petitions, and had people write letters to her parents. We were doing everything we could to save our friend. It was practically a scene from the movie Rent. But they had made their decision, and they were stuck on that decision.
I went to visit Brooke one last time to say goodbye. I sat there with my head in my hands, facing defeat. It was only twenty minutes before her scheduled death that Brooke opened her eyes. Some would call this a miracle and others would call it luck. I can't put a label on what happened, but I learned that even in the darkest hour, one should never lose hope.
You can see Brooke in an upcoming commercial with the Knicks small forward, Nathan Scott. They will be speaking a local charity that researches all forms of life support. Mr. Scott will playing for this cause in the annual NBA charity game. I urge all of you to show support to this event.
Dr. King was right. All of us had to accept that there was nothing that we could do, physically or mentally, that would save Brooke. But we never lost hope. I hope that all of you can put the same hope into any aspect of your life, and that you can appreciate everything that you do have in life. I know I do, and will from this day forward.
Lucas finished his weekly column. Sure it was a little different from all his other columns, but he knew it would go over well. He already spoken to the editor-in-chief about the idea, and she loved it. She even signed up the newspaper to be a sponsor for the charity game. He reviewed it one last time, and stuck in into his duffel bag. He had a few more things to finish up, and then he would take the paper to Renee so she could have a chance to review it. The newspaper had a system of peer editing that made Lucas feel he was in high school again.
"Hey Renee."
"Lucas. Hi!" she said excitedly. "What do I owe this pleasure?"
"I just wanted to give you this." he reached into his bag.
"A present for me? Lucas, you shouldn't have really!" she flirted.
"Actually, it's next weeks column. I kinda have a busy week so I wanted to get it done a little early."
"Oh." she said coldly. "I'll review it and then I'll take it to Trish."
"Thanks, Renee."
Trish Macks was their editor-in-chief. Nothing went into the paper before getting her approval. Lucas had spent many nights rewriting columns that Trish said were "under par."
Lucas left the office and called a cab. He really needed to get a car. He had left his Uncle Keith's car in Tree Hill. Both he and his mom had a fear of something happening to it in the city, and neither knew what they would do if they lost one more piece of Keith. Still, Lucas really needed a car. He hated calling cabs everyday, and having to rely on only a cab. He definitely liked being able to drive himself.
- - - - -
Peyton, Haley and Brooke had spent most of their day in downtown New York City. They drank lattes in the morning, shopped until lunch, ate at a little cafe, and then shopped some more. They were mid-conversation, browsing through Steve Madden shoes when Peyton heard her cell ring. She read the caller idea read Lucas, and handed the phone to Brooke.
"What?" Brooke asked.
"I know for sure that boy isn't calling me," Peyton joked.
"Ok, good point." Brooke teased back. She took the phone from Peyton, and accepted the call.
"Hello?"
"Hey Brooke, how's your day going?"
"Great! Ok, so if fashion didn't rock two years ago, it so does now."
"I'm glad you're having a good time. I just wanted to call up and check on you."
"Thanks, Lucas. Everything's going well."
"And you're feeling ok?" he had been worried about her day out. He didn't know if she would have the strength to make it though.
"Surprisingly, yeah. I'm not really tired at all."
"Good. I just wanted to reserve some time with you tomorrow night. I've got a surprise evening planned for us."
"Aww.. Lucas..." she said sweetly.
"So buy yourself something nice, and I'll meet you at Peyton's later. Ok?"
"Ok, Lucas. Bye."
"Bye."
She smile as she hung up the phone.
"Ok, so when are you getting a cell phone Brooke, and stop using mine?" Peyton joked.
"Well, Lucas was going to try to add me on to his plan, so whenever that works out." she responded.
"Oh, Lucas.." Haley swooned.
"Yeah, what's the deal with that Brooke?
"Guys, stop! We're friends ok."
"Brooke.." Haley started but then stopped. How was she going to say this?
"I think what Haley's trying to say is why are you doing this again Brooke." she said bluntly "That boy is madly in love with you, and you clearly love him. So let's not do this we're only friends thing again."
"Ok, I just woke up from a two year coma. And I hoped that you two would understand as well as Lucas did, that I need to pick up my life right now. I don't want to jump into anything and ruin it, I'm too insecure for that. It's not that I don't trust Lucas, I just don't trust life right now. I love him guys, I just need to get my life going. With yours and Lucas' help." she said sadly.
"Ok, Brooke. That's fine. I just don't want you hurting his feelings. Losing you would tear him apart."
"I know Haley, and trust me, I'm not going anywhere this time."
- - - - -
"Ok, seriously. This is a total gag fest." Renee said coldly as she put Lucas' paper down on her desk.
"I thought it was sweet." Ashley responded.
"Ok, not so much. What am I going to do?"
"About what?"
"I've been trying to get Lucas for like almost six months now. I will not be rejected."
"I think he loves her."
"I think he thinks he loves her."
"You believe what you want to believe, Renee."
"Whose side are you on, Ash?"
"Yours, Renee. I'm just trying to keep you in touch with reality."
"If you're on my side, then you're going help me out, right? she demanded.
"Of course." she said rolling her eyes.
- - - - -
Lucas arrived at Peyton's apartment shortly after Brooke called. He was let inside by Jake, and followed him into the den where he found Brooke and Peyton playing with Jenny on the floor.
"Lucas!" she jumped up and gave him a soft hug. "Hasn't Jenny gotten so big?"
"Yeah, she really has. Jake, looks like you're taking good care of her."
"Yeah, she's definitely been spoiled by her daddy." Jake laughed.
"You about ready Brooke?
"Yeah, let me get my bags!" she walked into another room.
"So what are you to up to tonight," Peyton asked Lucas.
"Lucas is taking me to Blockbuster, and we're renting all the big chick flicks that I've missed in the last two years!" Brooke said coming back into the room. Her arms were filled with shopping bags.
"Oh, tough break man." Jake laughed, lightly punching him in the shoulder.
"Tell me about it." Lucas rolled his eyes, acting like he was being tortured. In fact, he was really excited about it. Nothing was better than watching girly movies with Brooke. She would get really sad and would cuddle into him really tight. Even if the movies totally sucked, he could hold her close while watching them.
"Lucas! You said you wouldn't complain."
"I'm sorry Pretty Girl." he said taking most of her bags.
- - - - -
When they arrived to Lucas' apartment, they carried all of Brooke's bags into her room. He noticed one was from a vintage book store that he had stopped in several times in the last year and a half. The books were all amazing, mostly first or rare editions. They were all too pricey for him, at the moment. Brooke noticed him eyeing the bag, and picked it up.
" I got you something while I was out today."
"Brooke, you didn't have to-"
"Yes I did Lucas. You've done so much for me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank you enough."
"I'm sure there are ways." he smiled.
She handed them the book. It was a rare edition of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
"Brooke, this is... amazing." He literally was stunned.
"It was my favorite book we read in high school. I hope you don't already have it."
"No, I don't. Brooke, I didn't know you actually read this." he half joked with her.
"Yeah, well don't tell anyone." She joked back. She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you Lucas. For everything."
"Thank you, Brooke."
"For what?"
"For coming back. For waking up."
They spent the next few hours watching movies, eating ice cream, and talking. Once again that night Brooke was scared to sleep by herself, so she crawled into bed with Lucas. It was definitely more comfortable for the both of them.
- - - - -
Brooke woke up alone the next morning in Lucas' bed. She realized that she had slept in again, and he had gone off to class and to worked. She walked into the kitchen, stretching and trying to fight through the layers of sleep. She noticed Lucas had left a note on the counter.
"Good morning, Pretty girl. You were too peaceful so I didn't wake you. I hope you have a great day, and I'll call you sometime in the afternoon. Like I said yesterday, you are welcome to anything, it's your home now too. I won't be able to come home before our big surprise, but meet me here at 6:00 tonight. I can't wait to see you.
There was an address scribbled below. Brooke left the note on the counter, realizing it was probably the safest place for it. She really didn't want to lose it.
She spent the next few hours watching tv and going through old photographs. It got to a point where she felt tired of being lazy, and wanted to do something productful. She made his bed, and did a few loads of laundry. She had also noticed there was a pile of dishes in the sink. Since Lucas wouldn't accept rent from her, she figured she help out in any way possible. She loaded up the dishwasher, poured in the soap, and turned it on. Feeling satisfied, she returned to the den to watch tv.
A half an hour later she heard an awful noise in the kitchen. She ran in and noticed water and soap was spraying everywhere.
"Oh!! Oh!!" she screamed. She immediately turned off the washer, and grabbed a towel to start cleaning up the mess. When she had finished, she saw her note on the floor. It had started to dissolve from all the soap and water that was on it. She could read most of what Lucas had written, but she couldn't make out the address. She sat down on the floor and started to cry.
Suddenly, she heard the phone ringing, and raced up to grab it.
"Hello?"
"Pretty girl, what's wrong?"
"I tried to do the dishes but the dishwasher went all crazy on me."
"Brooke, that's ok."
"No, it destroyed your note. I don't have the address anymore."
"Brooke, it's really ok." He consoled her. "This is not that big of a problem. I'll tell you what, I'll leave the address with the secretary up front. That way you can get the address and come see me as well. How does that sound?"
"Really good." she whimpered.
"Ok, well get ready and I'll see you in a little bit. Just tell your driver to take you to NYC Gazette. Bye Brooke."
"Bye."
She quickly threw on some jeans, brushed her hair, and applied some make up. She went outside, and tried to call for a cab. About half an hour later, she was successful, and told the driver where to go.
- - - - -
'How could he be doing this right in front of me?' Renee thought. She could hear Lucas on the phone right outside her cubicle.
"Brooke, that's ok."
"Brooke, it's really ok.This is not that big a problem. I'll tell you what, I'll leave the address with the secretary up front. That way you can get the address and come see me as well. How does that sound?"
"Ok, well get ready and I'll see you in a little bit. Just tell your driver to take you to NYC Gazette. Bye Brooke."
Was he trying to torture her? Maybe he wanted to make her jealous. She watched as he walked to the secretary, wrote something down on paper, and handed to the secretary. He walked back to his cubicle.
"Big plans tonight?" she asked as he passed her cubicle.
"Yeah, I'm taking Brooke to a nice dinner."
"Oh, that's sound like fun." she tried to sound amused.
"Yeah, I'm pretty excited about it. Hey, you'll actually get to meet her. She's coming here to pick up the address, and stop by to see where I work."
"Oh, that's so cool."
"Yeah, well I better to work. I'll talk to you later."
She looked at the clock. It was almost noon. Almost the entire staff, including the secretaries, went to lunch at noon.
- - - - -
Brooke arrived at the agency a little after one. She walked inside, asked for the address, and to see Lucas Scott. She could hear the secretary talking to Lucas on the phone, so she sat and waited for him to come out. About five minutes later she saw him come around corner.
"Hey Brooke!" he said with a smile. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "How's your day been so far?"
"Well, besides the dishwasher exploding, pretty good. Yours?"
"Class was boring this morning. I almost left to come craw back in bed with you. And well, work is work."
He gave her a tour of the building and introduced him to some of the people on the staff. He held her hand the hold time, leading her from room to room, and introducing her to most the people he knew there. He took her back to Trish's office were they talked for a while. Trish told Brooke how moved she was by her situation, and how she loved the idea for the charity game. Brooke smiled, and thanked her for the kind words. Trish could really see why Lucas was attached to this girl; she was beautiful, funny, sincere... hell she was practically perfect.
After they left Trish's office, Lucas led Brooke back to his cubicle. He stopped to introduce Brooke to Renee and Ashley.
"They're also interns." Lucas explained.
"It's such a pleasure to meet you Brooke. We have heard so much about you." Ashley exclaimed.
"You have no idea." Renee said blankly.
They continued to talk for about ten minutes or so. Mostly, it was Lucas, Brooke, and Ashley with Renee throwing a few rude comments in. Brooke didn't know what her deal was, but she got a really bad feeling from her. Lucas on the other hand didn't know what Renee's problem was this afternoon. He finally led her back to his office where she saw pictures of Keira and his mom, Nathan and Haley, Mouth all tacked to the wall. On the actual desk, she noticed, was a framed picture of the two of them.
"I'm really glad I came down to see you." she said.
"Me too, and you have the address right?"
"Yep, got it right here in my pocket." She patted her jeans. "So where are we going tonight, Broody?"
"I told you it's a surprise. But for now, I better get back to work. I'll walk you out ok?"
"Ok, Lucas. But you know I don't like surprises."
"But this one's a good one. I promise."
Lucas walked her out, said goodbye, and headed back to work. He knew he needed to work hard if he was going to get out early to get everyone prepared.
- - - - -
Brooke started getting ready the minute she got home. She took a shower, then got dressed. Yesterday, with the help of Peyton and Haley, she picked out a navy blue halter dress that came down to her knees. It was simple, but definitely elegant. Plus, she had picked out perfect jewelry to go with it that would definitely make it less simple. She curled her hair, put on her makeup. Peyton and Haley came by after she had finished to give her a look over.
"You look gorgeous Brooke!"
"You're definitely pretty hot." Peyton said in her usual mannerism.
"Thanks guys, I'm so excited!"
"Where are you going anyways?" Haley asked.
"I don't know. It's a surprise."
"Mmmm... sounds kinda kinky."
"It sounds romantic." Haley interrupted.
"Well, whatever it sounds, you're gonna have a blast tonight Brooke."
"I hope so." she said.
They left after telling her about three more times that she looked great, and her promising even more times that she would enjoy herself. After they had finally left she realized it was already 5:15. She walked out into the street and called a cab. She had a lot more luck this time, and the cab hauled to a stop in front of her.
"Driver, take me here." She said getting in and handing him the paper.
- - - - -
Almost an hour later, the driver stopped at shipping yard outside of the city. Brooke paid the driver, and stepped out into a pile of broken glass. She looked around. It was a pretty vacant area, but from what she could tell it was definitely not a safe area.
"Lucas, you have some explaining to do." she said aloud, not really to anyone. She stood waiting for what seemed like forever. She saw a bus stop nearby, so she went and sat down on the bench. She waited for another great deal of time, and was growing more angry as the minutes passed. She decided to call a cab, but then realized she knew where no one lived. She saw a phone booth nearby, and walked up to it. Luckily she had a few quarters, and dropped them into the box. She was drawn at blank. Who was going to call? She started to dial Peyton's number, and then realized her was her phone number from two years ago. She didn't know any of their updated numbers. She hung the phone back up, and refunded her quarters. She sat back on the bench and started to cry. Why hadn't she written something down about where her friends lived, or even just their phone numbers?
It was getting really dark, and from what she could tell the lights of the city were a ways off. She was scared. She was in a bad neighborhood with no one to call and no where to go.
