"The Way We Were"

Ashlyn

DISCLAIMER -- I own nothing.

Peyton Sawyer was drawing again. She was leaned up against her bed frame, her eyes focused on the pad in front of her, her hand moving furiously. Suddenly she stopped, and held the pad in front of her. She tilted her head, examining her work. She sighed and threw the pad in the air.

"Whoa, beware of flying objects," Brooke Davis said as she entered the room, fully dressed for summer break, although it had just started that day. She put her sunglasses onto her head and smiled. "So, best friend, since the whole broody artsy thing isn't working today, how about we go to the beach?"

Peyton sighed and ran her fingers through her curly hair. "Listen, Brooke, I don't know. I just kind of feel like relaxing today."

Brooke plopped onto the bed beside her. "Listen, Sawyer-girl, I'm not about to take no for the answer. It's the first day of the best summer of our lives. Someday when you're old and wrinkly you will be wishing you spent more time having fun and less time in this room brooding. So get on your suit, we're going to the beach."

Peyton flashed a certain smile, and Brooke knew she'd won her over.

Peyton went into her closet and grabbed her suit and a pair of shorts. There came a certain point that there was just no arguing with Brooke, and she'd reached it. She wondered about Brooke's ulterior motive. She always had one. Brooke wasn't the type of girl who wouldn't go to the beach alone.

It wasn't long before they pulled up to the beach. They laid out their towels and relaxed. It hadn't been five minutes before Brooke sat up and smiled. "Oh my god, finally, hot guys taking notice."

Peyton leaned up and looked at her best friend, then followed her gaze over to the water's edge, where a group of guys from Tree Hill had grouped. They were tossing around a football, though most of them just played basketball, and laughing. A few of the guys had girls sitting on the side, working on their tan, and trying to look sexy, but Brooke's dream-guy of the week was alone.

"Ryan Baker," said Brooke, smiling coyly, "oooh, and who is that with him? Peyton, it's Nathan Scott! How perfect!"

She opened her mouth to yell over to them, but Peyton covered her mouth with her hand. "Brooke!" Peyton sighed, "No, no, and no. I'm not going to throw myself at Nathan just so you can land Ryan."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," replied the brunette as she applied lip-gloss, "first of all, you wouldn't have to throw yourself, don't even joke, Nathan's been after you for weeks. Second of all, I don't need you to land Ryan, but i'm just looking out for your best interests."

Peyton sighed, "Brooke.."

But Brooke was already yelling, "Hey Ryan!"

The blonde-haired junior walked towards her. "Hey sexy," he said, smiling.

"I have a problem," she said sexily.

"I'm sure I can help," he said, arms folded looking down at her.

She tossed him the suntan lotion, and rolled over.

"Ryan!" It was Nathan yelling.

Just as Peyton began to pray he wouldn't walk over towards them, he did.

"Hey man, fine, just leave us during the game." Nathan looked over at Ryan and Brooke and laughed, then looked over at Peyton. "You're looking great."

She had to admit inside that he didn't look bad himself. He used to look like a little boy, but he'd definately grown up. "I'm not sleeping with you Nathan, get over yourself."

She rolled her eyes and leaned back down.

Brooke sat up, and put her hand on Ryan's shoulder, "Hey, we're getting ready to go to the pier. Why don't you two go grab your stuff and meet us there."

She watched as they walked away then leaned over to Peyton. "Okay, you need to chill. Nobody loves you more than me, but lay off the bitchiness, P. Sawyer... give Nathan one chance... for me?"

It was one of those moments again, and Peyton sighed. She was sure it wouldn't be long before Nathan blew his once chance anyway, so she agreed and started rolling up her towel. The two linked arms and started walking towards the pier, and the boys met them and walked alongside.

Peyton watched as Brooke played the game she played often, and Ryan gave her a piggy back towards the pier. They ran off in that direction, and Nathan and Peyton were alone.

"So. Peyton. What kind of music are you into?" Nathan asked, almost as if he didn't have much practice in the dating department, which Peyton later realized he didn't. He never had to date or play the talking game to get what he wanted. But, of course, he couldn't have asked a better question, and he'd later congratulate himself on the move. She told him, and he nodded and smiled and joined in where he could find room.

She had to admit the talk hadn't been that bad, and they reached the pier and sat down, but Brooke and Ryan were nowhere in sight.

"Well, I can guess what they're doing," Peyton said, sighing and sitting down on the edge.

"With those two.. it's obvious." he said kind of laughing as he sat down beside her. "Listen, Peyton. I know you think I'm a jackass, but you should know that i'm not into you just for sex or anything. I'm not really that kind of guy, everybody just thinks that."

She laughed, "You don't have to lie. I've heard stories, Nathan, and the good guy act will only go so far with me," she stopped, "Why me, anyways?" she asked, "I mean... it's not like we have that much in common."

He leaned in close to her, "I think you'd be surprised. In fact, I can be a very surprising guy."

"Really," she said, leaning into him to. Maybe, just this once I can have some fun, she thought. "Like what?"

"Well, this for starters," he said, just before grabbing a hold of her waist and pulling them both into the water.

She laughed and screamed and when the both came up he kissed her and for a minute she was really happy, happier than she'd been in a long time.