Okay, so i had originally had a really good chapter going, but my mom had to use the computer real quick, so i let her. Turns out she turned the computer off without saving the chapter i had just wrote! So im pissed now that i have to write it all over again. What really gets me is that i had the chapter written so well, everything was detailed and all, but now i have to try to remember as much as i can. SO sorry if it's not that good.
Alright so Lucas realizes that the car is Brooke's, we have the license plate to prove it. I thought it would be cute to put on there, kinda show that she still thinks of Lucas sometimes, even though they've both moved on.
Just kinda a head up, there's gonna be alot of angst whenever Lucas and Brooke come face to face with each other. Expect alot of mean insults and smart ass comments about each other, but keep in mind that they still love each other lol. I know, kinda hard to imagine, but just roll with it.
ENJOY AND REVIEW!!!
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When you first see Tree Hill, you can already tell it's a small town. Just the name kinda gives it away, if you haven't heard of it before, most likely it's nothing more than a small community. The biggest events that ever happen is the carnival once a year, and then there's the Tree Hill Raven's basketball games once every week. You can see every ounce of Tree Hill in only a span of ten minutes at the most. And driving through the town, Brooke remembered just how small it was.
Originally Brooke hadn't planned on taking her car with her, which made her upset. She loved her car, it contributed alot into helping her move on, and it was give nto her at a time in her life whne she was really just trying to get through the day. Like everyone else, Brooke thought that car models were built a year in advance, to be tested and ready to go for it's debut the following year. But Brooke and everyone else was wrong. In truth, new models were built years in advance, which explained her 2007 car. Her dad had caught onto her sadness, made a few calls, and presented her with the newest 2007 BMW, five years earlier. When she thought about it, Brooke wasn't even sure of that was legal, but her dad had friends in high places. Which explained why she was even driving her car. Once again dad came through for her and her car was transported to North Carolina a few hours before her plane landed. Brooke loved her car, it was the essense of everything Brooke. SHe had received the car in a low point in her life, and somehow it had helped her. It brought back that Brookeness that hadn't been seen in awhile, not since LUcas.
Driving through the backroads, Brooke drove past the mall, the high school, and the Rivercourt. It was ironic how a worn out basketball court had changed people's lives forever. After Lucas and Nathan's one on one game, nothing was ever the same. Brooke thoguht that was the moment everything changed, not when Lucas had scored the winning basket a few weeks later. At the time, everting was happening to fast, it sent the whole town into a whirlwind. People were changing, and the cirumstances were different no one would keep up anymore. People's lives had connected with others, and it was a good thing for some people, and the worst thing ever for others. Brooke wasn't really sure what it was for her, even now five years later in her prime, she wasn't sure. Sometimes she thought it was better if that game never happened, that Keith never went to Whitey in the first place. Maybe things would be different, umcomplicated. But then she always thought about Haley and Nathan. If one good thing happened because of that game, it was them.
Brooke boredly stopped at a red light. There wasn't really a point to these things anyway, it wasn't like anyone ever followed them that much. Plus the town was so small, there were barely any accidnets, except for the occasional fender benders. She remembered how her and Peyton used to run past these things like it was nothing. But after Peyton realized that what she was doing was what killed her mother, she got out of that habit quickly.
If you were someone just driving by the town toget to Charlotte or Charleston, Tree Hill could look like a pretty peaceful town to you. You'd expcect the people to be warm and welcoming, with smiles on their faces. The river that overlooked the sunset was just tranquil. Everything and everybody was just quiet and peaceful. But if you really knew this town, you'd know that this town is anyhting but peaceful. Brooke knew firsthand that nothign is ever calm in the small town. Whether it looks like it is or not, there's always osme secret, some scandal going on beneath the welcoming community. There's always something. By this time Brooke was beginning to wonder why she was excited about coming here in the first place.
She was just about to press the gas and just speed out of there, but no, another car just had to pull up. If it were any other situation, she would've just went anyway, it wasn't like they were gonna report it or anything. Brooke liked to say the police department was nonexistent, but it was in a way. It was built, established, and there were people working there in their uniforms and holsters. But they didn't do shit around the town. All the policemen ever did was sip black coffee and shove doughtnuts donw thier throat. Out of al lthe accidents and things that had happened, the Tree Hill police weren't really around for most of it. It was either the Charleston Police Department or the locasl FBI station that usually picked out these cases. You'd never expect it from a town like this, but it's not any othe town.
For some reason, Brooke just had to take a look at the car next to her. Besides her own car, it was pretty nice. When she had first moved to New York, she opted to get a big SUV, something different from what she would normally want. At the time, she just wanted to be different from what she was in Tree Hill, it was like she needed to. But with her car, it kinda made her reinvent herself. She wasn't the same Brooke as she was before, but she ws better. The Denali was black, shiny, and sleek so the owner must be one of the richest. It could've easily been one of Brooke's old high school friends riding aroudn in a nice car, so like any other girl, she looked to see who it was.
And she wished she just looked straight ahead. Not only was the car nice, but the driver just had to be Lucas. Her ex boyfriend. Lucas would always be an ex boyfriend to her, but he was her first love. Brooke wasn't shocked to see him second glance her car, it was pretty hot. She saw him try to see who was in the car, but luckily she had installed black tinted windows the month before. The glance turned into a long hard stare. It was that moment Brooke knew he knew it was her. She couldn't help but take a look at him. From the shoulders up he looked pretty good. His hair was a more darker blonde than it was before, and he kinda had a scruffy look. But his eyes held volumes. His stare was pretty intimidating as he looked for any outline of her in the car. He already knew it was her, now he just had to make sure it really was.
Right now Brooke just wanted to drive as far away as possibe, and that's exactly what she did. As soon as the light turned green, Brooke stepped on the gas pedal and sped out of there, away from Lucas, just like she had all those years ago.
About a third of a mile into driving, Brooke came to a very stunning realization.
"Damnit !!" Brooke yelled, running one hand through her hair. She should've just waited until Lucas drove ahead of her, she could've avoided him potentially seeing her license plate. BUt as much as she wanted to think that he didn't see it, she knew he did. Lucas had just as good vision as she did, and he definitely would've glanced at the her license plate, for that last measure of assurance that he wasn't going insane. Even years later, Brooke still knew Lucas like the back of her hand.
Originally she hadn't planned on having her license plate for a long time. When she had gotten it, she was still trying to get over Lucas, which didn't really help much when she could pick what her license plate number was gonna be. So she went with what she knew, and she knew that Lucas called her Pretty Girl, and that she had written him 182 letters the summer she realized that she loved him. Brooke didn't plan to have it for long though. When her realtionshup with Brian started getting more serious, of course she wanted to change it as soon as possible. BUt there's a little thing called California State Driving Rules and she couldn't get it renewed until the following year.
There was no doubt in Brooke's mind that Lucas would be sure to tease her about it when they came face to face. But this time it wouldn't be in the teasing tone that it once was. Brooke groaned, LUcas probably thought she was still hung up on him after all these years. Then he would go on to say that he was married and was living a successful life. But Brooke knew that was bullcrap. He could lie his ass of, but Brooke would knwo the truth.
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After a whopping 5 minutes of driving, Brooke pulled itno the driveway of the Scott residence, well, the other one. the nicer one. If Brooke could think of a perfect marriage, she always thought of Nathan and Haley. Sure, they had their bumps along the way, but they always found their way back to each other. Brooke sometimes found herself jealous of the love and the devotion they had towards each other, she wanted something like that. But never the less, she was happy for them, they deserved their perfect lives, with their perfect house.
The house was big and white with two stories. The shutters were blue and the grass was as green as they get. Nathan's black Surburban was parked in the driveway. Brooke guessed the minivan was sitting in the garage. As she ran her hand over the white picket fence, Brooke couldn't help but laugh out loud. She half expected a golden retreiver to run out and jump into her arms, it was that perfect. She felt like she was looking at a house that she'd seen pictures of in glossy magazines. Yeaa, Haley had told her tha their house was just perfect for them, but from where she was standing, it looked perfect for anyone. Anyone except Brooke, who was more on the penthouse over looking Central Park kinda girl.
She walked up the perfectly cemented driveway and stood in front of the door. Brooke giggled, Haley would be pissed that she didn't tell them her flight got in earlier than she thought. She checked her watch. To Nathan, her plane got in in about 10 minutes, which meant Nathan would be heading out the door right about now. Just as she was about to ring the doorbell, it swung open to reveal a frantic and messy Nathan. Brooke just stood their with her signature smirk, taking in the victory on one uping Nathan once again.
"Davis? What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you like supposed to be on a plane or something?" NAthan asked confused.
Brooke just kept on smirking, "Well originally, but my flight got in earlier than i thought, so i decided to drive around for a bit."
"You already rented a car?" Nathan asked as he stepped aside to let Brooke in.
"No, my dad has a couple of friends, so they picked up my car a few days ago and had it transported here," she shrugged.
"Yeaa that sounds like you. Always have to have whatever you want," Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Natey, i'm hurt that you would say such a thing to me," BRooke said sarcastically.
"Yea? I was a little late in leaving, so i was just about to haul my ass all the way to the airport, and here you are" Nathan laughed as they sat down on her couch.
"You know me, i'm just fool of surprised," Brooke said as she took in the house around her. Yup, it was definitely out of a magazine. Haley had managed to design this house all the way down to the different type of silverware they used.
"So, you like the house?" Nathan asked from the kitchen.
"Actually i do. I almost passed out laughing when i first saw it. It's perfect Nathan," Brooke commented.
"Yeaa, well it's all Haley's doing. We decided we were gonna grow old in this house, so it needed to be perfect," Nathan explained as he handed Brooke a bottle of Watermelon Smirnoff.
"Alright Nathan, you've officially wormed your way into my heart!" Brooke squealed as she gratefully accepted the drink.
"That was the plan. I might as well get on your good side since you'll be with us for awhile," Nathna laughed.
Brooke took a long swig. It was pure heaven to her. It's been so long since she'd had a proper drink, she was about to die without it.
"So where's Haley," Brooke asked, looking around.
"Out for a little stroll. The doctor said it's good for her to get some air and just walk around for a little bit. I wanted to go with her, but she told me to stay here. I'm surprised you didn't see her, she should be around."
"YEaa, well, i was driving kidna fast. But, i saw someone else," Brooke mumbled.
"Really? WHo'd you see?" NAthan asked, interested. Sometimes Nathan was just as much an airhead as he was in high school.
"Nate are you serious?!? Lucas! I saw Lucas!"
"Oh. OH! Sorry. So, how'd it go?" Nathan asked, eyebrows creased.
She shrugged, "Nothing really. We didn't actually see each other."
"But you just said you saw Lucas," Nathna asked, condused once again.
"Yeaa i saw him, but like we were both in our cars at the red light. My windows are tinted, so he didn't actualyl catch my face, but i'm pretty sure he knew it was me. PLus i kinda sped out of there, and i bet he caught a glimpse of my license plate," Brooke explained, tracing her finger around the tip of the bottle.
"Well, your license plate does kinda give you away," Nathan joked, but was met with a slap to the arm from Brooke.
"I know okay! But that was in my depressed stage. Believe me i would give anything to change it," Brooke grumbled.
"Alright alright. I believe you. BUt really, how'd it feel seeing him again?"
"I don't know, it was kinda like i never left, in a way. Seeing him didn't really freak me out. Proabably because i already fee like i know him from what you and Hales have been telling me."
"Well at least you didn't freak out. I guess we'll find out what happens when you two like actually meet meet," Nathna said.
"Oh please, i really don't feel like seeing him," Brooke dismissed.
"Why?"
"Look, i know Lucas has changed alot in the past, so of course he's gonna smirk at me and talk about how hung up on him i still am, just from seeing my license plate. It's a completely Dan Scott move, i wouldn't expect anything less."
"Yeaa, he would do that," Nathan nodded just as the front door opened and shut.
"Nathan! Why is there an extremely nice car parked out in the driveway? You better not have splurged or anything and bought something nice, we can't have Lucas on our asses about buying another car from him!"
Nathan and BRooke both chuckled. Nathan, because Haley would actually think that he would buy another car from his brother. Brooke, because she couldn't believe how cute the couple was, only 7 years into their marriage and they were talking like they've been together for 20.
"We're in here Hales," Nathan yelled.
"Who's we?" Haley asked, her voice getting closer to the living room.
"Ahem!" Brooke coughed as she stood up. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Haley, it was so cute. She was in the usual maternal wear, grey sweats and a long white sleeved shirt with the sleeves pulled up. Her hair was in a bun and she had no make up on, but she was glowing. She ran over to her, well, waddled. It took her awhile, but she finally got there.
"Oh my gosh Brooke! I can't believe you're here!" Haley said excitedly as she hugged Brooke.
"I can't believe that you would think i would buy another car from Luke. It took all the man power in me to buy the first two from him!" Nathan said disbelievingly.
They two girls just laughed, not really caring about Nathan at the moment.
"Alright since you guys are gonna be busy catching up, i'll be out at Skills's place," Nathan said heading out the door.
BUt they didn't pay attention to him again, they were already gushing about what they've been up to since they talked last. Which would be exactly 19 hours ago.
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"So he knew it was you?"
"Yeaa, and if he didn't before, my license plate totally gave it away."
Brooke and Haley's excitement had died down slightly, and they were now lounging on the couch eating ice cream, talking about what happened to Brooke ealirer that day.
"Yea but do you really think he'll go looking for you?" Haley asked hopefully.
"He might, if he's a teeny bit the same. But if he doesn't, i'll be shocked," Brooke said boredly.
"Well he should stay away after i talked to him."
"You talked to Lucas? And Nate let you?!" Brooke asked sitting up.
"Actually Nathan doesn't know, and i would appreciate it if you don't tell him. BUt yeaa i went to talk to Lucas the other day."
"And??"
"And i told him that he should stay away from you, that you didn't wanna cause trouble or anything."
"Great Hales. Now he's gonna think i asked you to say that," Brooke whined.
"No he won't. Plus i'm not exactly sure he got the message."
"Well if he can't comprehend that he's dumber than i thought," Brooke smirked.
"I don't know, he's changed quite a bit. When i first got there, he kinda acted like it was nothing unusual, like he did nothing wrong," Haley explained.
"Sounds like Dan," Brooke added.
"Yup," Haley sighed.
"Hey Hales. Don't get upset over this. Lucas was the one who was angry at me, just me. He had no right to take it out on you and Nathan, especially since he's gonna be an uncle soon. So you shouldn't feel bad because it was supposed to be between me and him."
"I know, it's just that i wish i could've got to him earlier, before he was too far gone."
"I think we all wish that. But, i guess we'll just have to wait until Peyton sets the dealership on fire," Brooke joked, causing Haley to laugh. Even though the dealership fire was a serious tragedy at the time, it never stopped the town from hoping that it would happen again. Everyone was just waiting on their tippy toes for Peyton to finally get rid of the scum of the earth, once and for all, but this time actually succeed. Peyton always had more balls than Deb anyway.
But the laughing soon stopped when there was a frantic knock at the door.
"Hold on, i'll get it," Haley said as she stood up and waddled to the door while Brooke waited patiently, taking a scoop on her ice cream. Halfway mid bite, she stopped and leaned her heard forward, trying to make out who was at the door. She heard frantic whispers from Haley, and then some annoying, condescending male voice on the other end, and Brooke could think of only one person. Lucas.
Brooke laughed to herself, another funny thing happening to her today. But it didnt sound like Lucas thought it was funny.
She stood up and flattened her black and grey striped sweater dress, fixed the sash at her waste, straightened her leggings, fixed her headband, and fluffed her hair, which was in loose curls. If she was gonna face Lucas, she had to at least look good, to show him that leaving him didn't make her weaker. Slipping on her pumps, it sounded like Lucas's voice was getting more irritated, and Haley's voice was only getting mroe bored. Brooke smirked, she taught Tutorgirl well.
Making her way out of the living room, she tried to think of what to say to him. No doubt he would already have some coward remark to throw at her, but she wouldn't let that get to her. If anything, Lucas had gotten his comebacks from her, Brooke practically invented the meaning. She could throw an insult as easily as she could take one. And she was always calm about it, never letting it get to her. Now she was regretting ever being that way, Lucas sure picked up on it.
"Haley i don't care if she doens't wanna see me! She can't just come here after all these years and not wanna see me!" Lucas yelled angrily.
"Look how many times do i have to tell you! She doens't wanna see you!" Haley said frustratingly.
"Hmm, she probably feels bad now, so bad she can't even handle it," Lucas said coolly.
"Actually, i'm handling it just fine," Brooke smirked as she stood at the door next to Haley. She just wanted to lauhg all over again, his face was so funny. At first it went from shock, to embarassment, and then to smug in a span of just five seconds.
"Brooke."
"Lucas."
"Well, i didn't know runaways were supposed to return."
"Yeaa ,well i just had to see you," Brooke said sarcastically.
"I'm surprised to see you here. I guess you were too good for us people here."
"Hmm more like too good for you. And you knew i was coming, don't act like you were so surprised."
"You're right, i knew you were coming. But i didn't wanna believe it. I can't believe you would wanna show your face here," Lucas spat.
"And i'm sure this town feels the same about you. I came here for Haley, and if you don't wanna see me, then don't come around here," Brooke answered back coolly
"Oh believe me i won't. I just wanted to make sure i wasn't imagining things. Haley, don't expect her to be here for long, she tends to leave people when they need her the most," LUcas said as he walked down the driveway and into his car.
"OH LUCAS!" Brooke yelled.
He turned around with an annoyed look on his face.
"Tell Peyton i said hi, that is, if she can bear to be around you long enough" She said sweetly before slamming the door.
No matter what, Brooke Davis always had the last word. And most of the time, the last word was what stung the most. It worked for Lucas, because he kept his mouth shut because there was nothing he could say to that.
Yup, she knew her encounter with Lucas would be anything but sweet. It was kinda like she had never left really. There was no emotional reunions, just two people seeing each other for the first time in awhile, trading insults. It was nothing short of what Brooke expected. She absolutely loved getting under Lucas's skin, it was one of the things she was the most good at, and she would make her time here as fulfilling as possible.
BUt she had to admit, Lucas looked pretty damn good, and after five years his ass looked even better.
Brooke smirked to herself, she had a feeling that she was gonna enjoy her stay in Tree Hill. She would make it her mission to piss Lucas off as much as possible, and occassionally taking shots at Peyton.
"Woah, that was surprisingly funny," Haley chuckled as they sat back down on the couch.
"I know, and i enjoyed every minute of it," Brooke laughed as she took a bite of ice cream.
"You think he'll stop bothering us now?" Haley asked.
"Nope, this is just the beginning," Brooke smiled.