Cassie sat up, anxious to see what her mom wanted to talk about so badly.
"What's up?" Cassie asked.
"Why don't you tell me." Karen said.
Cassie sighed knowing her mom must know something. "Alright, how much do you know?"
"Nothing other than what Deb has mentioned to me about Nathan. She said that she thinks the two of you had a fight, want to tell me about it? You were getting along so well." Karen said thoughtfully.
Cassie shrugged. "There's not much to tell, Nathan proved that he's exactly what everything thinks he is...an arrogant jerk."
"Cassie you know better than to assume things about people." Karen put her hand on her daughters arm.
"Mom I'm not assuming anything, Nathan told Haley that the only reason he got together with her and wanted to get to know me was to get back at Lucas."
"Cass, I mean are you sure?" Karen asked. "Did Haley tell you this?"
Cassie nodded. "Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised? You've never really even acknowledge Nathan was me and Luca's brother until now."
"I just think there are two sides to every story and even though what Haley said is more then likely the truth since I know her enough to realize she doesn't lie, maybe you should hear Nathan's side of the story." Karen said.
"I can't believe your encouraging me to talk to Nathan." Cassie said.
"Well just give him a chance, will you?"
Cassie rolled her eyes but then slowly nodded. "Ok." She fumbled with the bed sheets.
Karen's expression grew to one of concern. Cassie was being unusually quiet. "Cass, is something else wrong?" She asked.
Cassie didn't know if she should tell her mother the entire story, knowing it wasn't really her place. But she also knew she couldn't lie to her mom either. Karen would see right through her.
"Mom can I ask you something?" Cassie asked. "Hypothetical question."
"Of course you can honey, I'm not promising I'll be able to help out that much, but I was a teenager once so try me." She smiled.
"Well I have these two friends and they were best friends for a really long time but then one of them got involved with the others boyfriend and well lets just say the truth came out. I know I probably shouldn't get involved because it doesn't involve me, but these two have been friends for so long that I really don't want them to lose that friendship, I want to help." Cassie explained. "I don't know what to do though."
"Well Cass, I don't know what to tell you. Finding out your boyfriend cheated on you is one thing, but finding out it was with your best friend is a whole other story." Karen said. "If the one girl is truly sorry for what she did then I would say just let the friendship mend itself. Don't help, just be there. You know what I always say, best friends can forgive eachother anything."
Cassie laughed remembering hearing her mom say that to her brother a few days before. "Ok thanks, that actually helps."
"These two hypothetical friends wouldn't happen to be Brooke and Peyton would they?" Karen asked.
"How'd you guess?" Cassie asked surprised.
"I just sensed something was a little off. I know Luke broke things off with Brooke, does this have anything to do with it?" Karen asked wanting answers.
Cassie sighed. "I didn't want to say anything because its not my place, but since you guessed it then yeah the guy involved was Lucas."
Karen stood up. "I can't believe this."
"Mom, calm down. Trust me I think I got mad enough at him for the both of us." Cassie laughed shortly.
"Is this why the two of you haven't been talking?" Karen asked.
"Yeah, he and Peyton told me what happened and I kind of told them both to stay out of my life." Cassie said.
"Oh sweetie." Karen walked over to the bed and put her arm around her daughter. "I'm sorry. I know you and Peyton were good friends."
Cassie shrugged. "Well right now, I have to be there for Brooke. I can't imagine what she's going through. I mean I've never had a guy cheat on me. I didn't even know what to say to her when she came over here this afternoon"
"Well I kind of know what she's going through, maybe I could talk with her." Karen said. "That is if she will talk to me after what happened with Luke."
"Could you mom?" Cassie asked. Cassie knew Dan had cheated on her mom with Deb so Karen did have an idea of what to say or do about Brooke.
Karen nodded. "I'd be happy too. But right now, I really need to have a chat with that brother of yours."
"Hmm, check the Rivercourt." Cassie said. "He stormed out of here not to long ago."
Karen smiled, kissed Cassies forehead and walked out of the room.
Two hours later Cassie awoke to the aroma of her mom's famous lasagna. Her favorite meal. She looked up to see Lucas standing in the doorway. He smiled at her and held up a plate. "Peace offering?" He asked.
Cassie rolled her eyes and motioned for him to come in. "Did you talk with mom?" She asked as she took the plate from him.
Lucas nodded. "She really let me have it."
Cassie laughed. "Good you deserve it you big idiot."
"So I assume your talking to me now?" Lucas laughed.
Cassie's face grew firm. "Well I'm still pissed as hell at you for what you did to Brooke. I really thought you were better than that Luke."
"I know, I thought I was to. I always swore I would never be one of those guys, but look how fast things can change." He sighed. "I really am sorry you had to get involved this way Cass."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to Luke. Its Brooke." Cassie said.
"I know, and I did. Well I tried, she won't even answer my calls or even her door." Lucas said sadly. "I didn't want to have to do this to her."
"Then why did you?" Cassie asked still not fully understanding.
Lucas shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you. Something just came over me and I acted in the moment. I know I should have ended things with Brooke before I turned to Peyton, but if it makes you feel better, Peyton won't even talk to me now." Lucas laughed shortly. "I guess I deserve it."
"Sorry Lucas." Cassie said knowing her brother was genuinely sorry for his actions and would probably regret them for a long time to come. "Want some lasagna?" She asked with a quiet laugh.