"Ugh," the dark brunette groaned as she tried to balance the full tray in her hand. "You are a cheerleader, damn it, you are supposed to know grace," she stumbled into the back, her wrist going limp with a sharp pain and the tray and its glasses making a loud crash. "Shit!"

"Brooke?" the soft voice trailed into the room and Brooke's eyes widened as the met the woman across the room. "Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, Karen," she rushed to grab some glass on the floor. "I tripped on a broom," she lied, resisting sending a glare to the blonde standing behind his mother, hand over his mouth chuckling.

"Well be careful honey. Don't cut yourself on any glass," Karen studied her a moment before laughing a little. "I have to run to the store. Lucas, watch over the café for me."

"Yes ma'am," Lucas agreed, eyes still playfully looking at the young girl.

"Oh and Brooke, the broom is in the closet if you need some help with the glass," she wiggled her finger around the glass with a small laugh. Sending a wink she stepped out of the room and Lucas released a large laugh.

"Oh shut up," Brooke threw a rag at him and glared. "I'm sorry unlike you my life goal isn't to be the most amazing waiter ever," she sunk on the floor and dropped a few pieces of glass into the trash.

"True, but you could at least go one day not dropping something," Lucas chuckled, walking over to the closet and grabbing the broom. "I swear mom shouldn't even give you a paycheck, just buy more glassware."

"I truly hate you, Lucas Scott."

"I know you do, Pretty Girl," he shook his head, missing as she cringed back from him and his words. "But get up, I'll clean this one," he held out his hand, that warming smile still plastered on his face.

"I can do it Lucas," she spoke, however, didn't take his hand just stood up on her own. Lucas awkwardly putting his hand back down by his side. After working with her for two weeks he probably should be well aware of her not like being touched thing. He swears someone could be a foot away from her and she slides up against anything to avoid contact.

"I know, Brooke, but I don't mind. You should be getting to school anyway," he started to sweep, but Brooke just slid up on the counter behind him and shrugged.

"I don't mind being late. I'd rather the hours."

"You mean the hours of you just sitting and watching me work?" he teased and her eyes rolled at him. She didn't know what it was, but something about him got to her. She wasn't sure if it was his light attitude or the fact he was just really nice, or that when he smiled at her, her insides turned to completely goo, but there was something and as days continued she had a hard time figuring out how she felt about it.

"You sometimes do it better…"

"Oh trust me, love, I do it way better," he smirked and she felt her stomach flip and body tingle as she locked eyes with him. Both allowing a moment to pass that seemed to pass a lot between them before Brooke hopped off the counter, hoping he wouldn't comment on it. Not that he ever really did.

"I'm sure you don't even know how to use it," she tried to keep the joke lit, not like it affected her at all.

"Want to bet?" he slid in front of her, in a panic her hands flying up and landing to rest on his chest. "Time and place, Pretty Girl," his voice low and almost a growl, Lucas caught when she swallowed hard and heart raced a quarter of a second.

"You're dumb," Brooke rolled her eyes and tried to stop the weirdness that was forming. "I'm heading to class," she gave his chest a light pat, the first form of contact that she started with anyone since she arrived here.

"Thought you wanted to be late," he side stepped in front of her and Brooke's breath caught.

"I changed my mind," his gaze bored into hers and she felt nervous start to take over. "I don't want to be late. I haven't missed a day since I started. Quite an accomplishment for me."

"Miss today…" something flipped in him and Brooke's gaze dropped. Not at all liking what his gaze did to her insides.

"I…I can't…"

"You can," he pushed her chin up to look at him and felt her tremble. "I can get you a note. Skip with me, you know you want too."

"Luke…" she nervously wrapped her hand around his wrist and pulled it from touching her chin. "I have a boyfriend. You know that."

"Yeah, so?" he shrugged, hating when she would randomly slide that into a conversation. "You aren't allowed to hang out with a friend?" he stressed that word, something again happening and Brooke wondered why she didn't like that word.

She knew she didn't know Lucas well, honestly no longer than a month, but like she said there was something about him. There was such a comfort in his presence and to a point it scared her how much she seemed to grow excited for work and seeing him. The days his schedule didn't sync with hers she actually wished the day over or at least he would wander in for lunch, which happened on many occasions.

Yet there was almost an unspoken thing between them. As if both knew they were flirting with some line, just neither sure which it was and both almost wondering who would act first. Daily Brooke fought a battle in her that tried to figure out which she wanted him to do.

He was the only person she ever allowed this close to her and definitely the only person she allowed to touch her. And that thought scared her.

"You're seriously not allowed to hang out with a friend?" his tone flipped when he took her pause as it actually being true. "Brooke…"

"Lucas it's not like that. I mean, Felix isn't like that," she quickly started to defend and started shaking her head and sliding a step back.

"Brooke, I just don't believe you," Lucas shook his head, his gaze dropping to her now bruise-less wrist, Brooke almost on reflex tugging the sleeves down.

"Well I don't ask you too," she snapped, almost annoyed and grabbed her bag from the counter. "And just because I don't want to hang out with you doesn't mean anything. Maybe I just don't want to hang out with you. Not like I don't see you every damn day," she snipped, immediately regretting the words when she caught him almost cringe.

"Have a good day at school, Brooke," his entire tone flipped and she swallowed hard. For a brief second, she debated if she wanted to apologize, but just shook her head of it and darted out of the kitchen and out the door.

"Well, hello," Clay slid down on the bench beside his good friend.

"Hey, Evans, what's up?" Quinn pushed her hair from her face and glanced up from her homework that she probably should have finished the night before.

"Nothing, bored," his fingers drummed the table with a shrug. "I'm supposed to go to math but I think I'm not going to today."

"Oh just deciding on that today?" she teased and he flashed her that sweet smile of his. Their friendship almost seeming to get closer since she had been back. Yes, they have always been close, but she felt she was probably so caught up in her relationship with Lucas that she kinda lost her friendships. However, now things were different, now she was her own person and now she was loving the friendships that she was developing again.

"Yeah," his tone light, her head shaking before she smiled. "Want to go to the beach with me?"

"I could do that," she slowly closed her book, the idea of not doing this homework sounding amazing. "I mean, only if you promise me lunch."

"If I must," his eyes rolled like that was the most difficult thing he ever had to do. "But I'll only get you a water…maybe some fries."

"You just spoil me," she laughed and again got that smile. Quinn honestly wondering how one person was just so happy. She was almost positive that Clay had never had a bad day in his entire life.

"I really do, but I'm going to run and grab my stuff from my locker and meet you at my car in like…ten?"

"I'll be there," she promised and with a nod, he bounced up and walked away from her. Watching as he paused to laugh with a few friends, make some joke they all laughed at before he moved into the school.

"He's gone now," her head snapped to the left to see Rachel sliding down beside her. "Evans cute ass is in the building."

"What are you talking about Rachel?" Quinn rolled her eyes and started to put her books away.

"You staring at Clay. Girl it's so obvious," she flipped her red hair back and smirked. "Do you have a thing for him?"

"What? No!" she rushed to say with wide eyes. "I was just thinking I don't think I've ever seen him frown. He is seriously always happy."

"Yeah," Rachel eyed her a moment not believing it before shrugging it off. "It's seriously annoying. One day I hope he just stumps his pinky toe and explodes on everyone," she teased causing Quinn to laugh and shake her head. "But I do have a favor to ask you…"

"Don't you always," Quinn spun to face her, Rachel's eyes rolling. "So what is it Rach? What must I do?"

"Look I know your girl is dead set against it but, I'm begging you to talk her into cheering. Nationals are coming up and Kelsey dropped off because her grades suck ass and I'm desperate for anyone."

"Then why don't you just ask Brooke?"

"Because she doesn't talk to really but you. She's so weird."

"She's not weird," Quinn snipped, her jaw locking. "She has a lot of shit going on and just because she doesn't do cartwheels down the hall and get shit faced with you every weekend doesn't make her weird."

"Ok, retract the claws," Rachel ordered, Quinn inhaling deep to calm herself. "I get it, you two are like lesbian lovers or some shit," she flipped her hand and Quinn released an annoyed laugh. "I wasn't trying to be mean, I just wanted to know if you would try," Rachel explained with a shrug, truly not meaning anything by it with Brooke. She seemed fine, kinda quiet, avoided people and on many occasions she caught her just spacing out or completely on edge, but she didn't push it. It wasn't her business. But didn't change Quinn was way too protective of her. That girl didn't breathe without Quinn checking on her.

"I'll see Rachel, but I don't make promises. Brooke is focused on a lot of stuff right now and I'm sure cheer isn't even ranking on that list."

"That's all I ask," Rachel rose up and gave a tight lipped smile. "Sorry I upset you or whatever."

"It's fine, Rach, sorry I snapped."

"Water under the bridge," she shrugged before walking off. Quinn looking at her phone to see she was late meeting Clay. Rising up she gathered her books, sent a quick text to Brooke saying she was skipping and started heading to the parking lot. Not even five feet from the table before a hand latched onto her arm.

"Hey!" she spun around, hand flying and colliding with a face. Her eyes widening when she realized who it was. "Oh my god."

"Ok ouch," he popped his jaw and shook his head. "You know I must have a strange effect on women, because that keeps happening."

"Oh god Luke, I'm so sorry!" she panicked, grabbing his face and studying the red mark. "Someone just grabbed me and I…" she trailed off, not wanting to admit that flashed in her mind and quickly shook her head of that thought. "I'm sorry."

"No, totally my fault. I shouldn't have grabbed you. I just never realized how quick you moved," he teased and she laughed shaking her head.

"Sorry, but what's up?"

"I just, I wanted to ask you something…" he trailed off, glancing around and running his hand through his hair. "But now I realize how weird it might be and I probably shouldn't."

"Luke, it's cool. Trust me, we've had weird before," she pointed out, a dry laughing coming from him as he agreed. "What's up?"

"It's…it's about Brooke…"

"Oh," she didn't hide her feelings on that as she looked down a little uncomfortable.

"This is weird, I'm sorry."

"It's not, Luke. I promise, what about her? She ok? Things going ok at your mom's? I know she told me she keeps messing up and fears your mom is a day away from firing her. If you want me to break the news-"

"No!" Lucas rushed to tell her and shook his head. "No, mom doesn't want to fire her. Mom actually really likes her, its hard not to like her," a light smile spread over his face, Quinn's head tilting by the look her got and for a split second eyes widened.

"Luke…do you have a thing for Brooke?" she slowly asked looking at him. "Is that what this is? You want my permission or something; because you should know she has a boyfriend. I may hate the guy but she has a pretty serious boyfriend."

"Trust me I'm aware of the boyfriend," his hand went up and head shook. "But that's not what I'm doing. That…that would be weird," he chuckled a little, Quinn actually agreeing with it, however, at the same time would like it better if he would ask her permission, not that he needed it or anything. He was a grown up. "I just wanted to know she was…ok."

"Ok? What do you mean?"

"I don't know. It's just, first time I met her I've seen some…marks," he spoke and Quinn's gaze dropped. "And sometimes she just seems out of it and on edge…almost like she is afraid of something. I mean, this boyfriend…he doesn't like…"

"Luke," Quinn pinched the bridge of her nose and inhaled deep. "Felix and Brooke…they are complicated and I'm not meaning like how we were complicated I mean really complicated. I can't explain them to you. I've never been able too."

"Quinn does he hurt her?" he pushed what he wanted to know and Quinn inhaled deep not knowing what to do. She wanted to be honest with him, but she didn't want to invade Brooke's personal business.

"Talk to Brooke, Luke. She likes you, she will I'm sure at some point talk to you," she shrugged and he sighed. "Hey," she touched his shoulder and gave a tight smile. "Brooke can really handle her own. I promise. She's stressed, but she can handle her own."

"Ok…" he let it go and Quinn slowly nodded giving his arm a squeeze.

"But for the record I've never liked Felix," she made clear. "And in a non-weird way you have my permission."

"Quinn I don't-"

"I know you, Lucas Scott. Better than most. I think you would be good for her," she shrugged and slowly spun on her feet and moved toward the parking lot. "But you hurt her," she warned and with a chuckle he nodded.

"I swear that girl is a saint," he watched her walk away, catching sight of her climbing into his best friend's care and inhaled a short breath. Wasn't his business. He knew it wasn't. Hell, she just told him he could ask out her best friend, but didn't change seeing her laugh with someone else still made him feel fun inside. "She's perfect," he spun on his feet and headed toward class.

Sitting in class, Brooke leaned back in her chair waiting for it to start. Quinn had text her earlier saying she was skipping out and the longer she sat there the longer she started to think maybe she should have gone with.

And when Lucas stepped into class and paused at the front locking eyes with her she was more than sure she should have skipped. She felt bad, she felt like a complete bitch and she wondered when she would be normal again.

Sliding his bag on his shoulder, Lucas held eye contact with her as he moved toward his seat, cursing he had the one right behind her and eased down.

"Thought you were skipping," she muttered out when the silence started to get too much for her. Staring hard at the blank sheet of paper before her, nervous to look him in the eyes.

"I decided against it. Save it for another day," his tone casual, her head nodding quickly, but still not looking at him. "Maybe after the field trip next week. Gives me two days of just chilling," he spoke and again she nodded. "Yeah," he released a dry laugh when again she said nothing to him. Sinking back in his chair, he pulled his phone out and started some basketball game he had downloaded the day before.

"Luke…" she swallowed hard, his gaze lifting to meet hers, seeing something almost sad flashing in her eyes. "I'm sorry…" she told him, sucking her bottom lip nervously and gave a short shrug. "I didn't mean…"

"Brooke," he leaned forward and placed his hand on top of hers feeling her tense. "You didn't do anything wrong," he told her, Brooke adding more pressure to her lip. "You don't have to explain anything to me," he told her, his thumb sliding under the sleeve of her shirt and stroked her wrist.

"But I want too," her voice cracked, and pressure built in her eyes. "I don't know why, but I do. Other than Quinn I don't have a lot of friends and I want you to be mine."

"I am your friend," he promised with that smile that made that feeling build in her again. "I know I don't know you, Brooke, hell how well can you know someone in a month, but I do know I want too. I can be a great friend," he teased and she laughed a little as Lucas reached to knock a tear. "Don't be upset, Pretty Girl. I'd really like to see a day where you aren't upset about something."

"I'm just screwed up," she laughed with a shrug, his finger still stroking her wrist, but this time she didn't pull back.

"We are all a little screwed up," he told her and she slowly nodded. "How about we try this new thing, instead of being serious all the time, why don't we just live in the now? Ignore the past, not think about it."

"Easier said than done," Brooke released a dry laugh, before placing her hand on top of his. "But I'll try."

"Cool," he sent her a wink and leaned back in his seat, Brooke turning around to face the front and frowned. She couldn't forget the past, there was no way she ever could, but maybe she could just move on, maybe one day she could be her happy self again.

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