OMG! It has been so long and I am truly sorry for the long awaited update! So much has happened, I've got roommates now that keep me busy and I work longer hours now! So I tried to put together what I could for an update for one of my stories! So here ya go! Thanks again to those who have been concerned and checking in on me!

Chapter 13: Paradise

I dropped my large, oversized suitcase on the sidewalk and pulled my shades over my eyes to hide my face. It's been a week since Lucas and I argued about Chase, it's been three days since I spoke even a word to him, and now was the day that we headed to the airport to fly into Miami, then board a plane to St. Thomas.

"Are you okay, Tigger?" Haley's soft hand clutched my arm and I smiled at her.

"Yeah." I sighed.

Haley was about to speak when Lucas stepped outside and placed his duffle bag in the trunk. Without saying anything to me or Haley, he started loading Haley's luggage and then mine. He was moving gracefully as he did it. He treated our belongings as if it were a small child. Nathan came out next carrying his suitcase behind him.

"Okay, does everyone have what they need? We're going to be gone for two weeks so whatever you need you better have it with you." He said pointing to all of us as if we were his children and he refused to turn the car around if we forgot something.

We all looked and checked everything.

"Looks like we're solid." Haley chimed.

Nathan nodded and turned around to lock the door. Rachel and Clay were going to meet us at the airport as Clay's house was closer. Peyton got the job in Atlanta and said she would come after the first week to check the house and make sure everything is safe and secure.

Before I could even call shotgun to force Haley to sit in the back with Lucas, she beat me to it. I heard Lucas grunt a little and I rolled my eyes. We haven't really spoken to each other since that day and the only time we did was to decide on which takeout we wanted while Nathan and Haley did date night.

It really irritated me that Lucas was being this way but had he ever really changed? Or did I just want to believe that he did? I got into the backseat and sat next to Lucas whose arm grazed mine and this shiver coursed through my body. I saw him adjust his position and he moved away from me just a little.

I turned to look out the window.

"Is everybody excited?" Nathan asked as he turned to look at us in the back.

"Yeah." Lucas and I said together and it didn't sound very enthusiastic.

Nathan shook his head and started driving towards the airport. It was then that I also realized that I would have to sit next to Lucas on both flights. I rolled my eyes and slouched down in my seat.

Once we arrived at the airport. I reached for my suitcase and Lucas grabbed it for me still not saying anything to me. I watched him as he slung his duffle over his shoulder and my suitcase rolled behind him. He was giving me migraines at his bipolar attitude towards me.

I was about to say something snarky towards him and take my suitcase back but a large hand gripped my arm tightly stopping me.

"Let him do it."

I turned to face Nathan.

"I know that you two aren't really talking since the whole Chase thing, but in his weird way this is him apologizing and I know it's not right or fair, but Brooke just let it be." Nathan was pleading with me and he usually never does this especially when it concerns Lucas.

I know that ever since that disastrous day with Chase, Nathan and Lucas have been spending a lot more time together. Maybe Lucas has confided in Nathan about something and that scared me a little.

The flight wasn't that bad as it was around an hour long. Once in Miami we boarded another flight and we were on our way to the Virgin Islands. Lucas was nice enough to give me the window seat this time and he did it without hesitation. I thought he would be mean and take it as he walked in front of me towards our seats, but he paused and turned his body so I could scoot into the window seat.

I stared out into the blue skies that resembled the shade of his eyes. My lids started to flutter shut as I began to notice just how tired I was. I waited until the last minute to pack everything and the excitement was too much for me so Haley and I stayed up, watched some movies, and cleaned the house. I rested my head against the wall of the plane and just like that, lights out for me.

I felt something nudge me and when I opened my eyes, Lucas was close to me.

"Brooke, look outside your window." He whispered calmly.

With drawn lids still heavy, I twisted my face to look out and I immediately sat erect.

The beautiful islands were coming into view and my heart began to flutter. I was feeling like that little girl I used to be all those years ago when we would arrive.

"Lucas, come look!" I said without looking at him and he leaned over against my back with his head barely above my shoulder.

I couldn't see his face but I felt like he was observing mine more so than the view.

"It's beautiful. I can't wait to explore them." He said and I finally turned to look at him.

His blue eyes were nearly a shade of navy as it was a sign he's had a rough couple of days including lack of sleep just like me. But just for a moment we locked eyes until the voice over came on.

"Please fasten your seatbelts as we are getting ready to land in St. Thomas. I hope you've enjoyed your flight and have a great stay."

I checked my belt and leaned back into the seat and gripped the armrests gently. It was always landing that I feared and like instinct, Lucas rested his hand on top of mine for reassurance.

The plane started getting lower and lower and if you looked out the window, it almost seemed like we were going straight for the water which always took my breath away and scared me, but just like that, we were on solid ground as the plane finally came to a halt.

I looked up over the seats in front of me to find a grinning Haley nearly about to explode. Clay and Rachel a little ahead of them were making out, of course. I turned to Lucas and he was looking away from me staring down the aisle, waiting for the stewardess to tell us we can unfasten our seatbelts.

Déjà vu, a stewardess who I assume has been flirting with Lucas the whole time I was asleep walked by and bent down in front of him.

"I'm Cassie, here's my number. I'm stationed in Durham, so you should give me a call."

And like the cad Luke is, his eyes travel towards her breasts and he takes a sharp intake of breath.

"Hmm…sounds delicious." He winked at her and Cassie turned towards me and gave me a sour smile while I gave her my brightest one.

Cassie walked away and the seatbelt light turned off and bodies started moving. A kid around the age of eighteen started walking back towards the restrooms and Lucas stopped him.

"Hey kid. You see that blonde stewardess up there."

The guy looked towards the front of the plane where the girl winked at Lucas, but the kid thought it was for him.

"Yeah, she's hot."

Lucas leaned closer to him and handed him the napkin.

"She wanted me to give this to you." Lucas this time winked at the kid and his face went huge.

"Really?"

"Yeah, just play it cool, act like you don't know anything and she'll be eating out the palm of your hand."

I thought the gesture was funny and sweet, but claiming that a woman will eat out of the palm of your hand, well, that was the cad Lucas.

"Thanks man."

The two guys did a fist bump and Lucas stood up and started gathering our carry-ons. He still never once looked at me but helped me with my bags and reached for my hand to lead me down the cramped aisle of the people out of the plane. Haley, Nathan, Rachel, and Clay waited on us in the gate exit and we proceeded to Baggage Claim. Again, I watched Lucas and after he gathered his bag and I proceeded towards mine, he would hurry in front of me and reach for it instead. I wanted to scream at him, shake him, and say what the fuck? But I bit my tongue and let him do whatever the hell it is he wanted to do.

I walked alongside Rachel and Haley as we acted like three kids waiting to go inside the candy store.

"Get ready, you'll need your shades." I said as we reached the doors to release us to the intoxicating air of the islands.

I was the first to exit and I took in a deep breath and filled my lungs with the island air. I flagged down a van.

"Where to Miss?" The island accent excited me.

"We need to get to the ferry to St. John." I said and he smiled.

"Ah, the most tranquil island. Let's get you packed in."

The guys helped the driver load our luggage which was a task considering we still needed places to sit ourselves. Clay and Rachel got in first followed by Nathan and Haley and Lucas got in as well and I was left with the passenger seat. We started leaving the airport and driving through the streets of St. Thomas.

"So any of you ever been here?"

"I have when I was a child. We're all here on vacation." I made very clear as we all looked out the windows to take in our surroundings.

"Well it must be exciting being back here."

"Extremely exciting. This was always like my greatest escape from reality. These islands are beautiful." I said.

"They are indeed and St. John tends to be the one that everyone really enjoys. It's smaller and peaceful."

Ah, peaceful, I can not wait to get there and enjoy the tranquility.

"How long have you lived here?" Nathan asked the driver.

"Well I was born in St. Croix, but moved to St. Thomas when I was eight and been living my life here ever since. These islands are amazing and you can find the beauty in everything."

I gazed at the different shades of people walking the streets enjoying themselves and I couldn't wait to be doing that myself. I happen to look in the rear view mirror and found Luke's eyes burning holes through me.

We finally made it to the dock and we unloaded everything.

"Thank you so much for the drive." I paid the man and included a large tip.

"Thank you missus. I hope your stay here is what you remembered and so much more." He nodded towards me and I smiled.

I walked with Nathan to the ticket line and the next ferry was leaving in ten minutes. We got six tickets and waited. Haley and Rachel sat off the dock with their feet dangling in the water and I started taking photos. I love taking pictures; it was one of my guilty pleasures. Lucas and Nathan were talking about basketball when Clay walked up to me.

"How ya doing Penny?"

I rolled my eyes at the horrendous nickname.

"Good. You?"

"Oh, I'm fantastic. We're here and I am already having a great time."

He stood next to me as I took a picture of Haley and Rachel laughing together.

"These islands must have some magic to it. Seeing those two laughing together. Scary."

I chuckled at Clay's comment and it was true, those two laughing, together? Need proof. I took another photo of the two valuable women in my life and turned my camera around to see Lucas standing alone staring out into the depths of the sea. His hand was over his heart and I took a photo. The caption would read, 'Lost' and that's exactly what Lucas Scott was: lost. Even thought there was a part of me that despised him for his past behavior and his current mood swings, I am always constantly worried about him.

I was going to walk towards him but the bell rang that notified us, our ferry was ready to be docked. We all gathered our belongings and started boarding the boat. Almost forgetting that I was not alone on this trip, I immediately climbed the steps to the open seating of the ferry. I dragged my suitcase up behind me and found the spot I remember sitting in when I was a kid. The boats were the same just as I remembered them.

Everybody else joined me and found their seat and we waited for everyone else to board the boat. Once all passengers were on board, the small boat came to life and started towards our destination. I stood up to stand slightly over the railing and watch the island of St. Thomas slowly get smaller behind us.

I notice someone move closer to me and lean over the railing a little as well and I instantly knew it was Lucas. Yet again, he doesn't say a word. I feel him and I can smell him. Why was everything so intoxicating and invigorating about him? All he does is make me feel bad or angry. I never once looked at him and I kept my eyes glued to the island getting closer to us. I could feel the calming vibe irradiate towards me.

"Wow, it's so beautiful out here." I heard Haley coo.

I smiled to myself. I was about to share something special with the people who meant the world to me. The ferry pulled towards the dock and the men started tying the boat safely to it.

We all began gathering our stuff and again without saying a word, Lucas grabs my luggage and wheels it behind him. Nathan gives me a weak smile and I roll my eyes at him, frustrated with both of them. All the passengers started unloading and scattering from the boat onto the dock going separate ways to get to their destinations to drop their things off and head straight to the beach.

It's like I was here yesterday. As you walked down the dock, to your right was the little old food shack that sold some of the best hot dogs I've ever had in this world. To my left was the pier where some of the local kids were fishing. Ahead of us was the restaurant that always had the chickens walking around the front of the restaurant that had really great French fries. Yes, this was paradise and the greatest escape in the world.

I hurried towards one of the trolleys and signaled for the rest of my crew to come along. We all cramped ourselves and our luggage into the car as I told the driver to take us to the nearest car rental. I stared out into the exotic colors of the island as everything was rushing back to me about this place. Once we were there, Clay and Nathan collected the keys and we were given two Jeeps. Obvious choice for this island. I knew exactly where we were going so I got into the red Jeep as Lucas and Haley got in with me. Clay, Rachel, and Nathan got into the white Jeep.

"Follow me!" I shouted out.

"Like we have any other choice." Clay crooned and I stuck my tongue out at him.

I started driving away from the town and my whole body jolted with excitement as we were making our destination up the side of the island.

Haley gasped in the backseat as she stared with bewilderment at her surroundings. We were basically driving on a narrow road on the side of the mountain. You could look straight down and see the ocean and the beautiful sandy beaches.

It was like we were driving through the jungle and that was something I loved about this place. It kept to its natural roots. It didn't industrialize, it was natural the way it was meant to be. A little further along, we ran into some goats and a huge snake. I had to remind Haley that we would probably see a lot of snakes, mongooses, and of course, the one thing I could not stand was iguanas.

"Like in the house?" Haley's eyes grew wide.

"No, well, possibly, but definitely around the house. I mean Hales, you do realize we are in the Caribbean surrounded by nature."

Haley chuckled nervously and it made me giggle and I finally caught sight of Lucas who was also grinning but kept his eyes on the road.

"Okay here we are!" I said as I pulled into a secluded driveway.

"This is absolutely amazing!" Haley said.

"Holy shit!" I heard Rachel squeal.

We parked the two Jeeps in front of the condo and to our left was a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi.

"You haven't seen the best part yet, come on!" I took the keys out of the mailbox.

"They just leave keys in mailboxes?" Clay asked.

"There is hardly any crime here if any at all and besides, it's a family friend's condo, he knew we were coming." I placed the key inside the door and opened it.

Once we were inside, we were in the common room with large open windows and bamboo ceiling fans. The kitchen was the size of my bedroom back home.

"Okay, Nathan and Haley get the master over there. Clay and Rachel, you have the bedroom downstairs and…." I realized that Lucas and I had planned to share a room because well, the other four weren't going to share with anyone else, but things right now were just strained between Lucas and me.

"We have the basement apartment with the best view." I said to Lucas and he nodded as he continued to look around.

The condo was technically three stories, but with an in ground basement apartment with glass sliding doors that lead to the beauty of the island.

"Oh my God!"

Rachel had made her way out to the balcony and the rest of us joined her. The yard was covered in Hibiscus plants in all different colors with the ocean in the background with St. Croix in the distance.

"Brooke, thank you! This place is absolutely amazing." Rachel said as everyone else chimed in with their gratitude except Lucas.

"Come on." I said to him.

He took his luggage and mine…again…in his hands and we proceeded down the steps of the balcony. We went under a covered area.

"What is that?" He asked speaking for the first time.

"It's our shower." I blushed.

It was an outside shower with a stone pathway and a waterfall shower head. It was beautiful but did leave you feeling a little exposed.

"Hmm..interesting." He walked further and stopped.

I walked up beside him as his eyes went huge.

The view I was telling him about. Yes, the field of hibiscuses was beautiful, but what we saw was a path that leads down the side of the island towards a secluded beach and the coconut trees with the birds and stoned pathway was just magnificent.

"This is amazing." He said.

"Yeah when I was little and my parents were either arguing or not really paying me any attention, I would sneak out here and go all the way down the trail. Maybe I'll take you with me and show you where I went." I walked away from him and towards our room.

I opened the glass doors and walked inside. Tommy, the owner and close friend, already had the beds made and the A/C running. There was a large king bed in the middle of the room with couches on both sides and a huge wall length closet behind the bed. To the left wall was the bathroom with a garden tub that led to the shower outside.

I watched as Lucas walked further into the room and placed our luggage inside the closet. He looked over at me and we made eye contact.

"This is nice, thank you." He said.

As I was about to speak again, Rachel barged into our room wearing nothing but a copper colored two piece.

"Let's go Broody and Cheery. Beach time!"

I shot her a look that told her I was pissed for interrupting our moment.

"Correction, Broody and Bitchy." She hurried off and I turned towards Lucas who was out of sight.

He snuck off to the bathroom to change and I figured I would change in the walk in closet. I decided to wear one of my new two pieces. It was black, Lucas's favorite color with an intricate cobalt blue design that matched the color of his eyes. I grabbed two towels for us and walked out of the closet.

The moment I walked out, I bumped into Lucas. His hands held the small of my back gently, yet roughly. His hands were rough but he could have the tenderest touch to him. I looked up into his eyes and he was staring back into mine. No matter what has happened this past week, I still had the same rush of feeling to just kiss him.

"You look nice." He said as he released me from his arms.

I didn't want him to let me go. I followed him out of the room and up the stairs by the pool and Haley, Nathan, Rachel, and Clay were all waiting for us.

"So Brooke Davis, which beach are we going to?" Clay asked and I didn't even have to think about it.

"Trunk Bay."

This is definitely an introduction to the island and their trip! Hope it was good! Thoughts? Review please!