So I give everyone full permission to hate me. I'm SO sorry this chapter took a million years, okay really only a few weeks;). But my birthday was on Monday, so I've been doing a bunch for that. And stuff at school started piling up. But I've gotten everything together now, and I'm hoping for an update tonight or tomorrow since this chapter leaves off at an interesting place. Also, thank you all SO SO SO much for reviewing. It's amazing reading everyone's reviews.

Well, ENJOY!!

I lose my way

And it's not too long before you point it out

I cannot cry

Because I know that's weakness in your eyes

XXX

After pulling into the driveway of his house, Lucas took a deep breath before looking at the fragile brunette next to him. Her tears started to slow down a bit, and Lucas knew why. Brooke hated crying in front of people and showing her weak side. But by the look in her eyes, something was up… especially after the way she snapped at Rachel in class.

Without saying anything, Lucas got out of the car and walked over to the passenger's side, opening the door for Brooke.

Brooke sat there for a moment, deciding whether or not she really wanted to go into his house. Besides what she's been going through lately, she was still trying to mend her broken heart; which Lucas broke.

"Brooke let's…" Lucas started, but stopped once Brooke began stepping out of the car. Lucas set his hand on the small of Brooke's back as the two walked inside his house, letting their actions speak for them.

As the two entered Lucas' room, Brooke left Lucas' touch and sat on his bed, a small smile appearing on her face as she noticed a picture of the two still in a frame.

Lucas followed her gaze to the picture before he to smiled. They were so happy in the picture. Haley had taken it on the way home from spending the weekend at Rachel's cabin. Nathan and she were in the front seat, and him and Brooke were in back. They didn't even know the picture was being taken. The two were laughing at something Brooke had said, but as they laughed their eyes were glued to each other, along with their bodies since Brooke was cuddled up to Lucas.

After a few more minutes of silence and awkward tension, Lucas took a seat next to Brooke on the bed, setting his hand on top of her thigh.

"Brooke, what happened in there?" He finally asked. He knew for a fact she wouldn't come clean right away, but she had to open up sometime.

"I just…Rachel and me…I just didn't agree with something she said." She finished with a shrug as she took her eyes off the pictures and looked down at her hands.

"You know, I really want to believe you Brooke, I really do. But I know you, which means that I know you wouldn't get that upset and run out of class because of a disagreement. That also means that you aren't looking me in the eye, which proves your hiding something from me…" Lucas said, removing his hand from her thigh and setting it on top of Brooke's fidgeting hands.

Brooke quickly removed her hands from his and stood up from the bed. If she would've stayed any longer she definitely would have broken down and told him.

"You don't know a damn thing about me anymore! So don't try to act like you do and that I'm hiding something from you. When was the last time we actually talked? Hung out? Been friends?" Brooke asked in an icy tone, trying to cover up her fears with anger.

"And whose fault is that? Every time I try to talk to you about anything you throw Peyton in my face!" Lucas fought back, immediately regretting it when he saw Brooke's face fall.

"You know what, I certainly don't need this, especially from you." Brooke spoke, glaring at him before darting out of his room and to the kitchen to grab her keys.

Lucas quickly chased after her, determined not to let her walk away once again. "Brooke!" He yelled, grabbing onto her arm as she reached the kitchen counter.

Brooke gasped out in pain as she felt his hand grab onto her arm. She tried not to let the pain show, but he grabbed right onto her bruise. "What do you want from me Lucas?!" She finally yelled, trying her very best to take deep breaths to hold back the tears.

"I want the damn truth Brooke!" Lucas yelled back before stepping past her and grabbing her car keys off the kitchen table. He didn't want her leaving, especially like this.

"There is no truth!" She fought back, trying to walk to the door. She'd at least walk home if he took her keys, she really didn't want to argue about anything else.

Lucas stepped in front of the door, placing his hands on her shoulder to calm her and get her to slow down.

"Move out of my damn way!" She yelled once again as she fought to get around him. Lucas' grip remained tight though. There was no way he was going to budge, he needed to know what happened to his cheery.

"Lucas!" Brooke tried once again, tears now spilling from her eyes. She'd tried to hard to keep them in. Brooke's hands flew to his chest, hitting him with all her might. All of her anger over what Nick had done was now coming out on Lucas. She didn't mean to it just did.

Lucas tightened his chest as he felt small hands begin to hit his chest. He loosened his grip on Brooke's shoulders, but still kept his hands on then gently so she knew he wasn't going to let her leave.

After about a minute, the fighting stopping. Brooke's body fell into Lucas' arm, her tears streaming out as she gasped for air. "I said no.." Brooke cried, her tears soaking up Lucas' shirt. "I didn't want to…I said no.." She repeated as she shook her head.

Lucas placed his hand on the back of Brooke's head as the other made small circles around her back, trying to comfort her. What did she say no to? And why would it make her this upset? It was just then that he remembered her bruise. And the way she reacted when he even mentioned Mr. Chavez.

As Brooke continued to cry, Lucas slowly moved closer to the counter, with his arms still around Brooke. As he reached it, he removed the hand that had been placed on the back of her head and reached for a half piece of binder paper. As Lucas read it over for the first time, his jaw tightened as he felt a rush of anger run through him. Lucas reread it over and over again, making sure to read every word that Brooke and Rachel had written back and forth before Brooke exploded.

It all made since to him now…at least he thought it did.

Brooke told Mr. Chavez NO.

Because of you

I never stray too far from the sidewalk

Because of you

I learned to play on the safe side

So I don't get hurt

Because of you

I tried my hardest just to forget everything

Because of you

I don't know how to let anyone else in

Because of you

I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty

Because of you

I am afraid

Because of you

Because of you