The One That Got Away

Prologue

Summer was right around the corner, and so was Lucas Scott and Peyton Sawyer's set move to California. All their bags are packed. Their furniture have been set in different boxes of different sizes, ready to fill in the empty house waiting for them in Santa Monica.

Lucas couldn't sleep. He's been staring at Sawyer sleeping for a good while now. Her little chest moved up, then down, ever so slowly.

It's been an hour or so since Lucas slipped out of the bed he shared with his wife. He kept moving around. He didn't want to wake her. He didn't want her to know what he was thinking about.

He has had his hand around his cellphone the entire time, debating whether or not he should ring up who he desperately wanted to. He closed his eyes. His daughter was right in front of him. She was the daughter he never thought he"d have. He couldn't be thinking of her right now, tonight of all nights.

He couldn't get her out of his head, though. No matter how hard he tried.

He took out the phone from his pocket, and dialled that all too familiar number.

"Hey, it's me." he whispered. "I'm sorry I woke you up, but can we meet up at the River Court in ten?"

For as long as Lucas Scott could remember, the River Court has been his haven. He had grown up by its bleachers. For a good number of years, this was his world. This, and the girl that was in front of him.

"Hey Broody!" Brooke greeted him with a smile on her face. It was like he didn't just wake her up in the middle of the night. She was still so fresh-faced. Her hair was a mess, but the glow about her distracted him from that.

He had to turn his back away from the sight that was Brooke Penelope Davis. "Hey." he said to her, as coolly as he possibly could.

"What's up?" she asked, "I don't usually respond to booty calls this late at night, but we go way back."

She winked at him that same cheerful wink, and it hit him harder than it should've. She was in front of him, just as he requested, and he was frozen at where he was, unsure of what to do next.

"So what is it?" she asked. She placed her hands on her hips and cocked an eyebrow at him. "I know you, Luke." she said, "You won't call this late at night if there's nothing wrong."

Brooke took a few steps closer to him. She held on to his arm. "Tomorrow's moving day!" she tried to cheer him up, "You should be happy!"

He was far from it. He knows it's written all over his face. He looked away from Brooke. She couldn't see that. She shouldn't.

"Did you and Peyton get into a fight?"

Lucas shook his head, "No, we didn't."

"Then what is it, Luke?" she asked again, "Tell me."

Lucas pulled away from Brooke. "I shouldn't have called you here."

"Well, that sucks because I'm already here."

"Brooke..."

"Lucas..."

Brooke took a few steps closer. She almost laced her fingers with his, but she held herself back. She held back on to his arm. "What is it?"

Lucas finally looked at Brooke. He looked at her green eyes and how they twinkled in the moonlight. He looked at her soft, thin lips. "I miss you." he let out.

Brooke wrapped her arms around his waist, "I'll miss you, too." she said back.

Lucas shook his head. "No, Brooke. I miss you."