Title: Stadiums and Shrines

Author: Warhol

Fandom: One Tree Hill

Pairing: Brooke/Peyton Eventually

Rating: Teenish maybe even less

Summary: AU. Brooke is new. Her and Peyton collide. "The funny thing about rain it's coming from everywhere, no matter how hard you try, it always hits you."

Author's Note: I have always enjoyed AU versions of One Tree Hill because I think the characters started great but they have kinda evolved into lesser versions of themselves as of late. So I am trying to explore a possibility of a relationship that has been treated like a match to every lame conflict on the show.

Disclaimer: I don't One Tree Hill. You know why? Because I am poor.

Peyton was sketching away in her pad when she heard the soft click of the door. Considering it was an average high school classroom, it wasn't a rare occurrence.

"Class, we have a new student." Mr. McKinley said shaking the students from the relative quiet of the assigned reading.

"Her name is Brooke Davis. Say hi Brooke." Then came a small hi from the front of the room. This is the point where Peyton looked up. She wanted to go back to sketching but, she couldn't. This girl, this random girl, this random almost nameless girl had a hold on her.

"Now take a seat Miss Davis. Anywhere you want." There were plenty of free seats around. A lot of people opted out of the first period class so they could sleep in. Several jocks decided to turn on their bright smiles hoping to lure her next to them. Brooke strode down the aisle and let out a smile showcasing her adorable dimples. Was that to me? Do I want it to be to me? Peyton thought to herself as Brooke took the seat right next to her.

"Brooke, stay after class today and I can look for a book for you until then share." With that he sat down as a sign for us to continue our reading.

"Excuse me, can I share with you." Before she could respond her body did by pushing her desk to connect with hers. The book was still open to the first assigned page, clearly indicated she had not started. Peyton decided to cover her embarrassment by feigning reading. She waited with sweaty palm on the second page. Waiting for Brooke to give her the go head to turn it. All of a sudden, a paper was now in the way of the place she was faking reading in.

It read Did you draw that? It was referring to the sketch Peyton was working on before new girl showed up and got her all distracted. It was written in impossibly girly handwriting. Peyton half expected the 'i' to be dotted with a heart. Peyton wrote back with a yeah.

It's good.

Thanks.

You always this chatty…?

Peyton Sawyer

Nice Name.

Thanks.

This reading isn't required is it?

No, it is just an excuse for him to be in chat rooms.

Thanks for the heads up. What would I do without you Knowledge girl?

I guess you won't ever know.

Once the paper was slid back over the bell rang. Peyton left the classroom as Brooke proceeded to get her book and a syllabus from the teacher. As Brooke exited the room she felt a small tap on her shoulder that caused her to jump up in surprise. As her books and paper scattered on the floor, Peyton went to help her pick them up.

"Sorry." Brooke noted on how lithe and coltish the girl was as Peyton helped to pick up her things.

"I was just wondering if you needed help getting to your next class." Peyton explained as she returned the books to the brunette girl.

"Um not really. They had an orientation for the new kids, so I pretty much know where everything is."

"Oh." Peyton's face fell slightly. This was all she really thought through in her "Operation Get to know Brooke" plan.

"But," Peyton's ears perked up at the word, maybe the stupid plan could work.

"But, I still need someone to sit with at lunch. The new kid can't sit alone at lunch. Then everyone will think they are seriously lame." The fun in Brooke's voice was clearly displaying itself. Peyton let out a little smile.

"I guess I could be a nice person and save you from that label."

"Twice in one day you have saved me P. Sawyer. You certainly know how to play the knight-in-shining armor." Brooke said as she turned to walk to her second period class. Peyton's class was the opposite direction. As one point the click of Brooke's high heels became in perfect sync with Peyton's Converse. Peyton couldn't help but get lost in the sound momentarily.

After approximately the seventh thousand pencil tap against Peyton's desk the bell rang for lunch. She reached down for her messenger bag as she headed to lunch. She spotted Brooke at a table secluded from most of the others. Suddenly, her hands needed her pockets. Peyton shoved them deep in her pants hoping this would get rid of the twitching her hands wanted to display.

"Hey. So knight-in-shining armor reporting for duty." Peyton mentally kicked herself for sounding so lame.

"Good because a moment later and I would've been lamer than the Clean Teens."

"You're not here for a whole day and you already know about them?"

"Oh yeah. We're good friends. I was at my locker third period and they swarmed around asking me to join their freak virgin club."

"Did you join? 'Cause if I'm hanging with a Clean Teen, I need to be saved from lameness."

"No, I informed them that I missed one of requirements for enrollment, and then I ran." She wasn't a virgin. This made Peyton a little sad. Sure, she herself wasn't a virgin, but, part of her wanted Brooke to be a virgin.

"Good because otherwise I'd be heading for the hills."

"And we wouldn't want that to happen." Brooke's voice took a husky lit to it. Peyton felt her ears burning. She was blushing.

"So, where are you from?" The girl quickly changed the subject hoping the blood would leave her face.

"Most recently Raleigh. Before that LA, Sacramento, New York, a little town in Connecticut and tons of other places."

"Your parents move you around a lot?"

"Yeah, It's kinda weird the only time I actually see them is when we are about to move. How bout you? What's your story?"

"Um, nothing really. My dad really isn't around much either. I've lived here my whole life. I practically live by myself."

"What about your mom?" Her mom. It was bound to come up. She didn't think so soon though. It's still never easy to say what she has to. Especially knowing she will go home to a house that is just a constant reminder of her.

"She died when I was younger. So, I guess she really isn't around much either." Peyton never liked burdening anyone with this information. She would usually just says it and walk away. It was always easier that way. No more long pauses before insincere sorrys. She refused to hear one more.

"Oh. I'm so sorry." She meant it. She really meant it. Her eyes had sadness in her eyes as if it was her own mother that died. She slid her hand over the table to grab Peyton's hand to give it a reassuring squeeze.

"It's fine. At least I knew her, you know. A lot of people don't even get to say that much."

"I guess that is one of the best parts of getting to know someone. Knowing that whatever happens at least you can say that you knew them."

"What's the best?"

"Actually knowing them."

You see something to cheer about

I'll tell you that it's mine

I'm sorry that your mother died

But that one wasn't my fault

I'm sorry anybody dies at all these days

- Sunset Rubdown