Authors Note: Did I mention I love all of you and all of your feedback? Well I hope you've enjoying the story…here is where it changes up just a bit. I hope you bear with me and appreciate this perspective as much as I did.

I sit at the counter of my three bedroom apartment and pour yet another bowl of Rice Krispies cereal. Pausing there momentarily, I let the milk moisten the tiny grains and listen to the sound of the crackles. Okay I admit it; I am like a five year old. It is true; I have my childish moments at times. Taking a spoonful into my mouth I hear my brothers voice call down the hall.

"Luke you better not be eating the rest of the cereal." I lift the box and give it a slight shake. There is plenty left. Rolling my eyes as he slaps the back of my head with his towel, I scoff slightly as I continue eating my breakfast.

"Where's Haley?" I mumble, pretty sure I already know the answer.

"She's still in the shower. Said I was a distraction. Can you believe she kicked me out of my own damn shower." He chuckles as he sits beside me and begins to pour himself a bowl.

"Correction, my shower. You little brother…you are simply an intruder."

"Come on, you know you love me staying here. It's like male bonding. You love that pathetic emotional shit." He teases and once again I feel an eye roll coming on. Standing up I bring my bowl and spoon over to the sink and make sure to rinse it out.

"That's a boy Luke. Doing dishes, I trained you well." Haley remarks as she joins us in the kitchen. Her hair is dripping wet but she is already dressed for the day. She saunters over to me. Standing on her tiptoes she then places a kiss to my cheek as I pull her against my side.

"Morning Hales." I ruffle her wet locks, which earns a slap on the arm.

"You ready for your first day back Mr. Scott?" Haley questions with a smirk. I am twenty-three years old and I am an English Literature teacher at Tree Hill high school. I graduated high school a bit early, went right into college and here I am. This year will make my second as a teacher. Unbuttoning the top button of my black dress shirt I release a deep breath and she just rubs my shoulder empathetically.

"You'll do great Lucas. The students love you. You are a great teacher. Plus I mean you are attractive, the girls eat it up. You Mr. Scott are like the best teacher like ever." Haley teases mocking some of my former female students.

"Man, Haley's right. You're going to do fine." He pats my back as he places his dirty dish into the sink. Departing from the kitchen he calls over his shoulder.

"But you know for starters. I suggest you head up there now. You don't want to be late on your first day."

"Shit!" I boom when I look to the clock on the wall and it reads five after seven. If I wanted to be professional, if I wanted to make a good lasting impression, I needed to leave at least ten minutes ago. I'm completely screwed.

~~~~SSSS~~~~

I slug my workbag over my shoulder as I make my way down the empty hallway of Tree Hill High. Students should now be residing in their first period classroom. The bell moments ago rang signaling the end of homeroom. I wipe the sweat that is starting to perspire on my forehead. I was lucky enough to pass by Principal Turner's office without him taking note of my tardiness. My loafers clasp against the floor as I take large strides in effort to get to my classroom. "English Literature Room 254." Rubbing the palms of my sweaty hands down the sides of my black slacks I don't even take note of the petite brunette pummeling down the hallway. Before I have time to process I feel her body being pressed into mine, catching me completely off guard. As I look up I watch as her body reacts backwards and she loses her balance. Reaching for her quickly my hands grasp around her arms and I pull her forward, setting her back on solid ground.

"Jesus you alright?" I watch as she kneels before me, her hands shaking a bit as she clumsily reaches for her belongings. I immediately join her on the floor. Collecting a notebook, a few pens, and then as I reach for her cell phone her hand grazes mine. I swallow sharply as I inhale her beautiful scent. It's a combination of vanilla and some sort of flower I just can't pinpoint. It's definitely has sparked my interest. Her head instantly moves upward and she looks at me for the first time since our collision. God she is breathtaking. I dismiss that statement in my mind immediately as it enters. She is here for a reason, obviously a student. I made a vow going into this profession as a young man; I would never get involved with one of my students. I would never break the rules or do anything unethical. I hear her gasp and Goosebumps run down my back. Just the mere sound of her gasp has me practically exploding inside. She takes her cell phone from my grasp and I watch as a fiery red begins to shade her cheeks. Sexy and cute…damn. She shakes her head at me while her eyes squint down.

"I…umm…what?" she questions and I can't hide the smirk that instantly masks my face. At least I wasn't the only one that was caught off guard by the other. I looked her over. He hair; like silk, her eyes; such a mystery, yet so beautiful, her lips…I forced myself to stop checking this girl out and instead found my voice.

"You alright there?" She simply nods. That was it. No words or any other offering of any kind.

"You new here?" I knew that to be true, there was no way she had walked these halls before without me noticing. I definitely would have noticed. When she offers yet another nod I can't help but chuckle. Why was it so hard for the two of us to converse? I hear her release a slight laugh as well as she brings a hand up to her face.

"Oh god…I'm…I'm Brooke." She states and the name instantly rings familiar. It all begins to click in my mind. She is new to this school. Her appearance screams woman and nothing of child. I read her folder. She just transferred here. Should have graduated last year though didn't have enough credits. Where she came from I had no idea though I was curious to find out. I look to her hand that she has offered out. I immediately take it in my hold and smile at how tiny it is in comparison of my own.

"Lucas. Lucas Scott." I introduce as I gesture in the direction we were both heading. I was more than late to teach my own class now. At least now I had a viable excuse. As we walk together I notice her run a hand through her silky hair, how I wish I could toy my own fingers through her locks.

"So Lucas, you go here?" She asks and I realize she wasn't aware of my position here at Tree Hill High. She thinks I'm just a regular student. Not wanting to lie yet not exactly wanting to tell the entire truth just yet I mutter an answer that is noncommittal.

"Yeah something like that." I scratch the back of my neck before interrogating. "

What about you Brooke Davis? What brings you to Tree Hill high? You don't look like our average student." I smile when stating the last few words. It was true. She didn't look like any other female in this building. She was different. My hand reaches out on instinct and just before it touches her back I retract and hold my hands behind my back. I don't understand the need to touch her. But it is burning in me.

"I umm…moved. Been in Tree Hill for a month now."

"Where from?" I further question. She was a mystery. True I only just met her this very moment, but I could see… there was so much more to Brooke Davis than what meets the eye.

"Chicago." Chicago? That was quite a ways from North Carolina. I wonder what brings a person such a long road?

"You're quite a way from home huh?" I question as we stop in front of my classroom. I know it was her room too. I had been expecting my new student. Principle Turner had informed me all about her yesterday at our "pre" first day meeting.

"That was the point." Her voice softens as she stares at the piece of paper in her hand and then back up at the doorframe.

"Is this your class too? I was supposed to be here…ugh a good five minutes ago. Hope the teacher isn't one of those uptight pricks with a stick up his ass. I hate teachers like that, and usually…" She pauses as she inches closer and I feel her breath brush against my ear.

"Usually they're not so fond of me either." I can't help but chuckle at her statement. She is whispering afraid of the said teacher hearing her. Yet the irony of it all, I was said teacher. She is going to flip when she finds out. Placing my hands on her shoulder I give an encouraging pat. It takes everything in me not to sigh in contempt at the thought of me touching her. Lowering my voice I softly state.

"Couldn't imagine why." Opening the wooden door for the girl beside me I whisper out. "Come on Brooke, you'll be fine. I'll protect you."

As I lead the way into my classroom I see my students present. They don't seem at all bothered by my late appearance, yet why would they. Slinging my jacket over my desk chair I begin to speak.

"Class if you could please take your seats. Sorry I'm late; I got a bit held up in the hallway. I'm sure you all remember me from last year. Those of you who haven't gotten a chance to meet me, lucky you. I am Mr. Scott. I am your English teacher. Welcome to my class." The students all begin to scatter, finding their seats and some mutter a greeting. Looking over towards her figure I send a wink her way and try not to laugh at the look of shock that runs over her beautiful features.

"Brooke? Everyone welcome Brooke Davis to our classroom. She is new to the school and town. Lets make her feel comfortable here. If you could just find a seat Brooke, anywhere would be fine." I point around at the different open seats and smile when her face turns the crimson color once more. I wink once more in her direction as I turn to the board and scribble out a few words. Year two, first day, yes this year was definitely going to bring some surprises.

~~~~~SSSS~~~~~