It was Saturday evening and Brooke had her date with the handsome Julian. It was already eight o'clock and no one was home. Brooke rummaged through her wardrobe to find an outfit for tonight. After several really intense minutes, she finally found a tight little black dress. As she headed towards her downstairs bathroom, Brooke was unpleasantly surprised to find that it was occupied.
_ BROOKE : Seriously, Peyton ! You could at least close the door when you...
_ LUCAS : Hello pretty girl ! And you would do well to have the reflex to knock on the door before entering without announcing yourself.
Lucas was completely naked in front of Brooke... And very comfortable with his nudity.
_ BROOKE : Except... It's my bathroom... Lucas...
_ LUCAS : Oh... I think I forgot a little. How you seem to have forgotten how to pronounce a sentence without stuttering.
Brooke tried to regain her composure and especially to look him in the eyes... And towards nothing else.
_ BROOKE : Can I have my bathroom back ?
_ LUCAS : Is it really urgent ? Because I was going to take a shower...
_ BROOKE : Are you deaf or something !? Go to the bathroom upstairs, then! And yes, it's urgent !
_ LUCAS : Whoa... Calm down ! Is this emergency something to do with your pretty outfit tonight ?
_ BROOKE : Oh, so you too are capable of giving compliments and admitting that you find me pretty !?
_ LUCAS: I said your outfit was pretty...
Stung, Brooke already regretted having dared to think that.
_ BROOKE: You're just a little idiot !
_ LUCAS : And you, you're even more beautiful when you're angry... You see, I said it ! You are beautiful !
Brooke's cheeks reddened without her being able to stop them and Lucas stared at her... Still naked in front of her.
_ BROOKE : You're not too bad either... Physically, I mean eh...
_ LUCAS : Thank you, Brooke. And what is he like physically ?
_ BROOKE : Who are you talking about !?
_ LUCAS : From your date...
_ BROOKE : Julian... Oh well he is... But wait, why am I answering you, actually !? And get dressed !
Lucas laughed as he grabbed a towel and tied it around his waist. Then, he approached Brooke.
_ LUCAS : In any case, this guy is not for you. I prefer to warn you already.
_ BROOKE : You don't even know him !
_ LUCAS : From what your sister told me, that was enough for me... A boring and terribly ordinary guy... If you want my opinion, you need someone who makes you vibrate and who makes you laugh. Him, I'm sure he's annoying...
_ BROOKE : Well you know what ? That's good because I didn't ask your opinion ! And you're the most annoying guy in this world so the others have some leeway !
_ LUCAS : I wasn't talking about boring in that sense... And you and I, I'm sure we could vibe together.
Brooke looked at him with a disconcerted look. Did he really just imply something like that?
_ BROOKE : You're a real sicko !
_ LUCAS : I live on instinct, Brooke... And my instinct tells me that you and I, this could be crazy !
_ BROOKE : Ok, you're definitely crazy, it's official ! Now get out of there and let me get ready !
Brooke took him by the arm and pushed him as best she could towards the door. Lucas had been smiling the whole time.
_ LUCAS : One last thing, Brooke...
_ BROOKE : What !?
_ LUCAS : Your cleavage is the most beautiful I've ever seen but if I were you, I'd wear a cardigan.
And he walked away quickly and Brooke was pretty sure she saw him blush too. She tried to put it out of her mind and finished getting ready for her night out.
While yet another argument had broken out between Lucas and Peyton, Brooke was waiting for Julian to finally ring the doorbell. She wanted him to take her away from the domestic scene that had been playing out in front of her for ten minutes now.
_ LUCAS : What is this habit of throwing fits two days later, honestly !? This is driving me crazy, Peyton !
_ PEYTON : For the simple reason that you could at least have the decency to be more discreet... And above all to make sure that the last whore you fuck doesn't shout it on social networks !
_ LUCAS : Damn, Peyton ! I'm not responsible for the stupid things that the girls I have fun with for a night do !
_ PEYTON : That's easy ! It would be easier if you stopped having fun, don't you think !?
_ LUCAS : Come on, that's it, you've pissed me off ! If that's how it is, I'm leaving !
_ PEYTON : Well you know what !? Looks like we agree on that one... Get lost !
Lucas seemed to freeze for half a second... Brooke did too. Finally, Peyton was reacting the way she should. Lucas' tone of voice had returned to surprisingly calm when he addressed his girlfriend again.
_ LUCAS : Wow... If that's really what you want. Consider me already gone !
Peyton, angry as ever, came back up the stairs insulting him while Lucas had joined Brooke near the front door.
_ LUCAS : Your loser still isn't here !?
_ BROOKE : Don't take your anger out on me, Lucas !
_ LUCAS : Oh that's okay, eh! So are you going to say it ?
_ BROOKE : Say what !?
_ LUCAS : Don't act nice, that's not like you... That I only get what I deserve, for example !?
_ BROOKE : Listen to me carefully, Lucas... Especially since this might be the last time we see each other, too...
Lucas didn't expect her to raise her voice at him.
_ BROOKE : I don't know what makes you so unpleasant and where this constant need to screw everything up comes from ! I also don't know what my sister is doing with a guy who respects her so little ! We don't know each other well, you and I, and I'm probably wrong because I always see the good in people... It's stronger than me and my accident made me realize that life was short or full of pitfalls ! You put the pitfalls on your own path but also on that of others ! So nothing stops you from wanting to break your face but do it alone, don't drag others down with you !
At that moment, Brooke saw the light of Julian's car's headlights arriving in front of the house.
_ BROOKE : And I'll end by telling you that you'd do well to love yourself a little more, for real I mean... Not under your false airs of an invulnerable guy that nothing can touch, no... The real you! How about that already and maybe you can learn to appreciate and respect others afterwards ! I think you have a good heart but the surroundings are all rotten. And you like to ruin yourself, too ! The cigarettes, the alcohol, your sex parties here and there... It's nonsense ! If you want to screw yourself up, do it without annoying people, at least ! But don't screw them up ! My sister lost her parents the same day as me ! And under her confident air , she's not leading a wide life !
Lucas remained silent... As if he was taking in everything Brooke had just said.
_ BROOKE : On that note, I wish you all the best !
Brooke didn't know why, but at that moment, her eyes lingered a little too long in Lucas's eyes. She then rolled her wheelchair towards the door and just as she was about to grab the handle...
_ LUCAS : Wait Brooke...
Brooke looked outside and saw Julian getting ready to get out of his car. She took a breath and turned her face towards Lucas. He was so close to her, she could smell his woody perfume.
_ LUCAS : I thought it was your sister who studied psychology...
_ BROOKE : See, you never take anything seriously ! Bye !
_ LUCAS : No Brooke... Sorry, wait.
_ BROOKE : What again !?
_ LUCAS : You're right about a lot of things... About me... And I hate that. But I wanted to thank you for your honesty, I think I needed it. Thanks Brooke.
_ BROOKE : You're welcome...
_ LUCAS : And you know what hurts me the most about all this ?
Brooke shook her head and saw Julian moving closer and closer to the front door. Time was running out.
_ LUCAS : That if your sister dumps me... You and I, we won't see each other anymore...
His words were like an internal bomb for Brooke but she didn't have time to realize that Julian was there. She remained motionless for a few moments... until she realized that he was seeing her through the window. She then decided to open the door for him.
Lucas stood silently next to them. Brooke was as red as a peony, completely shaken.
_ JULIAN : Good evening Brooke, you look great !
Lucas' presence bothered Brooke but she had resolved to ignore his presence.
_ BROOKE : You're very elegant, too.
_ JULIAN : Thank you. Shall we go?
Brooke took one last look at Lucas whose gaze was oscillating between her and Julian. He didn't seem to be doing well.
_ BROOKE : Remember what I told you, okay ?
_ LUCAS : Okay.
And while remaining locked in Brooke's gaze, Lucas addressed Julian, pointing at him with his index finger.
_ LUCAS : And you, you better take good care of her or you'll hear about me ! This girl is precious...
Julian looked at Lucas as if wondering who he was. Brooke, on the other hand, had tears in her eyes. She found nothing else to do but give Lucas a soft and sincere smile.
_ BROOKE: Take care of yourself.
And she rolled her wheelchair into the doorway. She needed air and to get away from Lucas' gaze.
That night, during the whole car ride, Brooke had only thought about Lucas, his words and his look... It was the same at the bar when Julian tried to entertain her with conversations that she could have found interesting... Especially since they talk about travel and past or future experiences. But she was far away... In his thoughts.
_ JULIAN : Do you want something else to drink, Brooke ?
His voice sounded like background noise but she wasn't listening to him.
_ JULIAN : Brooke !? Your glass is empty, do you want something else ?
_ BROOKE : Oh, excuse me... Uh, yes...
_ JULIAN : And what would you like ? Unless you'd rather go home... You look tired...
Brooke checked the time on her phone. She hadn't even been here an hour.
_ BROOKE : I'll tell you after the second drink... I'd like a glass of white wine.
_ JULIAN : Perfect, I'll bring this back to you.
Brooke took advantage of Julian leaving to call Peyton and check on her.
_ PEYTON : Hey Brooke !
_ BROOKE : Hey ! How are you, sweetie !? Not too sad !?
_ PEYTON : You're probably going to think I'm stupid, but I didn't have the heart to leave him for good after all...
Strangely, an immense feeling of relief took hold of Brooke.
_ BROOKE : Oh... And what made you change your mind ? You seemed sure of yourself this time...
_ PEYTON : I was mad but he managed to calm me down... And he said such nice things to me, you know...
Brooke's heart clenched in her chest. A mixture of jealousy and perplexity.
_ BROOKE : Same old spiel, what !?
_ PEYTON : He seemed really sincere this time...
_ BROOKE : If you say so...
_ PEYTON : And you, your date ?
Brooke obviously didn't dare tell him that the only man she was thinking about was the one she had just made up with. She should be happy for her sister but she couldn't. She was almost relieved to no longer see Lucas... Relieved and terrified. Relieved to no longer worry about a possible attraction to him... Mutual, which is more. And terrified at the idea that she might miss him... Without being able to understand the real reasons.
_ BROOKE : My date... is going well... There you go.
_ PEYTON : I see! If you're bored, Lucas suggests that you come home and we watch a movie together.
Brooke had reread to be sure she had read correctly. You see when I told you that he seemed sincere... It seems like he wants to make an effort with you too.
Brooke's heart rate quickened. That anger that Lucas always managed to inspire in her resurfaced throughout her body... What was he playing at? Was he really going to make Peyton believe that it was for her that he was going to try another approach with her? Or, worse yet, had he gotten back together with Peyton so he wouldn't have to move away from her...
Brooke shook the crazy idea out of her mind.
_ BROOKE : Well, I have to go, Peyton. I'll see you later.
_ PEYTON : Okay. See you later.
Brooke hung up and decided it was time to give Julian a real chance and forget about Lucas, for good.
_ JULIAN : There you go !
_ BROOKE : Thank you very much !
_ JULIAN : With pleasure. So, tell me how you approached the article about the Kenya logde !?
_ BROOKE : Certainly not ! I'll let you discover it as a surprise !
_ JULIAN : Oh ! I was dying to have the privilege of knowing more... In preview...
_ BROOKE : Sorry, you won't be able to extract the slightest revelation from me !
The evening continued and even though Brooke was a little disturbed, she was ultimately having a great time. Julian, in addition to having conversation, was interested in her and she did not feel the weight of her wheelchair... And that, for her, was priceless. The minutes began to slip by as the conversation was so fascinating and the chemistry budding... Until...
_ LUCAS : Good evening, both of you !
His voice was warm, deep and with a hint of nonchalance.
_ BROOKE : What are you doing here !?
_ LUCAS : Your sister and I wanted to party a little to celebrate our reunion.
_ BROOKE : But you only separated for ten minutes !?
_ LUCAS : I guess any occasion is good to come have a drink and have a good time.
Peyton came over and put her arm around Lucas' neck. Brooke couldn't take her eyes off him.
_ BROOKE : And you didn't have another bar to explore for that ?
_ LUCAS : Yes, probably. But I figured that while I was at it, I might as well join you...
Lucas smiled at her then turned to Julian for a second to offer him his hand.
_ LUCAS : We're here to save you from your date if it turns out to be painful.
_ PEYTON : Stop it, Lucas ! You're going to make them uncomfortable !
Too late , Brooke was already personally uncomfortable.
_ PEYTON : This is more of an opportunity to get to know Julian if you were planning on going further, just to validate your choice !
Brooke hesitated to get angry with her sister for this grotesque initiative... But Julian had intervened first.
_ JULIAN : I see that Brooke has a private hunt around her, that's nice of you...
_ PEYTON : Do you hear that, sis !? Julian already thinks we're nice !
_ LUCAS : I would take the time to think if I were him...
Brooke heard Lucas' almost threatening tone towards Julian. Maybe Julian did too but he was hiding it if that was the case.
_ JULIAN : What are you drinking ? I'm buying the first round !
_ PEYTON : And gentleman , on top of that !? Lucas, you should take a cue from that man !
_ LUCAS : You say that but I'm sure you'd be a lot less interested in me if that were the case.
_ PEYTON : Are you going to tell us again that all girls like bad boys ?
_ LUCAS : Exactly. The difference is that some assume it, others don't...
And he gave Brooke the most penetrating look possible. Brooke remained silent, unable to respond this time. Peyton took a seat next to Brooke and Lucas across from her. Julian had returned with the drinks a few minutes later and the conversation settled in. Brooke felt every look Lucas gave her, insistent, provocative and suggestive... It was annoying and... unsettling.
_ JULIAN : So you're a singer ?
_ LUCAS : I see Brooke told you about me. I'm flattered.
No way Brooke is going to let him turn that to his advantage.
_ BROOKE : Since you didn't introduce yourself earlier, I just took the liberty of doing it for you, that's all. I may have mentioned the fact that you sang... But I mostly said that you were Peyton's boyfriend.
This end of the sentence sounded like a wake-up call, both for him and for her.
_ LUCAS : Well, I prefer to define myself as a composer because I write, I sing and I play.
_ JULIAN : It's very complete, indeed. And what instrument do you play ?
_ LUCAS : Mainly electric bass, although I also play drums and piano.
_ JULIAN : And do you play alone or are you part of a group ?
_ LUCAS : I'm playing solo, it's better for everyone... You're actually interrogating me !?
_ PEYTON : Stop it, Lucas! Julian is just trying to make conversation ! Oh, I have an idea... What if you played us something... Nothing better for him to appreciate your talent, sweetheart.
_ LUCAS : I don't think so... Not here, not like this.
_ PEYTON : You play in rooms filled with hundreds of people and now you're acting shy in front of Julian !?
Brooke wasn't sure if it was Julian's presence that blocked Lucas... But rather hers given the way he was looking at her.
_ BROOKE : That's right, Lucas. I'd like to hear you sing at least once in my life !
_ LUCAS : Oh yeah !? You might get a taste for it and even take the risk of asking for more, you know...
_ BROOKE : Once should be enough !
_ LUCAS : I'll take up the challenge to maybe change your mind.
Satisfied, Brooke watched Lucas purse his lips as if to concentrate on choosing his song.
_ LUCAS : We'll have to imagine what it sounds like with the instrumental behind it...
_ PEYTON : Of course, don't worry, baby !
_ BROOKE : You can just use the table and the glasses as a makeshift drum kit or else...
_ LUCAS : Judicious, Brooke... Very judicious, even. I see the musical soul that lies dormant in you.
Lucas arranged the glasses and what was on the table, clearing the space right in front of him.
_ LUCAS : I'm going to improvise a walk... It will look better with what I have at my disposal.
_ PEYTON : Improvise !?
_ LUCAS : Yes... I have inspiration right now...
His warm gaze fell on Brooke again. He cleared his throat then he launched himself... slowly...
_ LUCAS SINGS : " If my mask falls because your anger rumbles ... May drunkenness and high cure my case ... If you refuse to get drunk on love, I vomit fate and this low world ... "
His voice was subtle and intoxicating. The beat is basic but the melody was there ... And his voice was raspy just as it needed to be.
_ LUCAS SINGS : " My nights will be sleepless if you deny me this... Deep down, you love my smugness as much as I love your innocence. May you hear my voice and my nightmares finally leave me in peace... I want to lose myself in your loins... I will bare myself to obtain your virtue, but let me enter your palace ".
He was handsome when he sang, so in his element... And frankly talented. He didn't push the volume of his voice to the maximum... Clearly so as not to be spotted. His glances scanned them all but Brooke knew he was only trying to cloud the issue.
_ LUCAS SINGS : " Stop testing my resistance and let me guide you with confidence... Because you are my chance... My hope... My evidence...My attraction. You are my chance ... My impropriety ... My arrogance ... My preference ... "
The chorus ended and Lucas decided to stop there. He gave Brooke a discreet smile and Peyton was the first to speak.
_ PEYTON : Wow Lucas ! That was... CRAZY !?
_ LUCAS : Thanks, sweetie. But I would like the opinion of a novice... Not a fan. Brooke, your opinion ?