Author's Note : This is my first One Tree Hill fiction. I'm very nervous about posting it, but I hope you guys enjoy what I've written.
It's set at the end of Season Three, after the Naley wedding, but without the car crash. I hope you guys are with me on the point of reference.
To Rae - As ever, all I can say is thank you.
Disclaimer - I own nothing and no-one in this story. The characters/locations are owned by Warner Brothers/CW . The story is not made for any profit, just a fan adding to the One Tree Hill world.
Reviews are welcomed and encouraged.
"Brooke…are you sure about this?"
"Oh for god's sake! Stop being such a prude Tutor Girl, and give me that!" Without another word, Brooke snatched the fluffy peach towel out of Haley's grip, exposing the baby pink bathing costume beneath. Squeaking in abject horror, Haley bent forward, clasping both arms around her body to shield it from view. Her head darted from side to side, sending accusing glances dancing around the room, even though no-one had really paid any attention. After all, she was surrounded by a bevy of scantily clad women. Even Brooke was stripped down to a very revealing scarlet red bikini combo.
Feeling a little nauseous at the whirl of blonde hair snapping back and forth in front of her, Brooke gripped Haley by the shoulders, forcing the other girl to look straight at her. "Haley, take a breath with me. That's it…in…and out. That's good. Keep breathing like that. You'll be okay."
"Brooke," Haley wailed, making a vein attempt to snatch the towel our of her friend's iron grip, "I can't go out there dressed like this. I'm practically naked! People will see me. Nathan will see me! I can't…"
"Did I say stop breathing?" Brooke scolded, hands shooting downwards to rest on her jutting hips. Her angelic faced creased into a scowl as she regarded her friend, "you look hot Haley. Really hot. Nathan is going to lose it when he sees you like this. In fact, he should come back here and thank me. I'm pumping up the tire, so he can ride the bike."
Brooke grinned devilishly, her eyebrow arching suggestively. Haley feigned shock for a moment, before descending into giggles. Turning to look into the mirror, her head tilted as she studied her reflection. Brooke stepped into view, wrapping her arm around Haley's shoulder. "It's not so bad, is it?"
"It's cute," Brooke assured, "not as cute as me, of course. But it'll do nicely." Rolling her eyes at Brooke's barb, Haley pulled the brunette into a heartfelt hug. Two years ago, she would never have imagined herself hugging Brooke Davis, let alone being friends with her. But so much had changed in their lives. Despite coming from different backgrounds, having different interests and dreams, the two had become good friends. If living together hadn't bonded them together, having Lucas Scott as a shared interest certainly did.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Nearly squealing with excitement, Brooke gripped a small white cardboard box resting on the table nearby. Pulling back the lid, Brooke removed the soft pink rose resting inside. Carefully, she tucked a section of Haley's hair behind her ear. With as much care as she could give, Brooke eased the flower behind her ear as well. Taking a step back, Brooke seemed to admire her handy work. Clearly pleased with the outcome, she clapped her hands together excitedly. "Tonight is going to rock."
"Wow, you girls look…fantastic." Both Brooke and Haley turned to see who had commented on their appearance. Haley broke into a heartfelt smile at the sight. Brooke on the other hand had no such love. Her face was so downcast it could probably curdle milk given half the chance.
Nervously fidgeting with the sarong wrapped around her trim waist, Peyton Sawyer shuffled her feet slightly. This was more uncomfortable that she had imagined. It was hard enough to feel guilty about the hard time she had given Haley on her return to Tree Hill. But Brooke's cold stare made Peyton want to shrink away and cry. Her best friend of almost ten years couldn't bare the sight of her. Brooke had been perfectly clear on the future of their friendship. They didn't have one.
And Peyton had no-one but herself to blame. She had been the one to betray Brooke's trust by having a relationship with Lucas behind her back. She had been the one to admit to having feelings for Lucas to Brooke, knowing full well it would crush her friend. And she was the one who had kissed Lucas…again. It didn't matter on the situation, Peyton had betrayed her best friend, and she could never take it back.
"Okay friend H.J Scott," Brooke began, turning deliberately so her back was facing Peyton, "I need go and stop Bevan from putting the Amazon rainforest in her hair." Raising her voice, Brooke had already started to march across the room. "BEVAN! Back away from the table arrangement!"
Watching her friend stalk away, Peyton sighed. If she didn't believe it before, it was clear now. There really was no forgiveness left in Brooke. Not that she would blame her. Being with Lucas once was a mistake. But doing it for a second time? Hell, she wouldn't forgive herself.
"She'll come around," Haley murmured softly, rubbing the palm of her hand up in soothing circular motions around Peyton's upper back. "She loves you too much not to. Just give her some time Peyton. You'll see. Things will be alright again."
"No…they won't." Peyton whispered softly. Sniffing, she did her best to stop the tear from falling down her cheek, but failed. The tiny bead of moisture tumbled down over the curve of her cheek. Brushing it away with the tip of her thumb, Peyton forced her lips to curve into a smile. "How's Lucas doing? I haven't seen him since your wedding."
"Correction, you've been avoiding him since my wedding," Haley smiled, absent mindedly tousling her hair, "and he's doing well. He misses you. Typical for Luke, he thinks he's done something to upset him." Pouting her lips to check the coverage of her gloss, Haley turned to face Peyton directly. "I know you and Brooke are going through a rough patch, but it's not fair of you to freeze Lucas out. He's still your friend."
"I can't Hayles. Things are strained enough as they are between Lucas and Brooke. Me hanging out with Luke is just going to make things worse. I just need to stay clear of him. Brooke has to know I'm not going to go behind her back again. If I'm ever going to regain her trust, I need to keep away."
"Alright. Well, it's your decision ultimately. But I think you're making a mistake. And you're hurting my best friend in the process," Peyton's eyes filled with sadness at the harsh tone Haley held, "look Peyton, you've made some bad choices okay? But you can't change them now. All you can do is make sure you make the right ones in the future."
Opening her mouth to respond, Peyton was cut short by the stampede that was Brooke Davis. "Okay girls, we're on if five…Bevan! Would you please put the palm tree down! If I have to come over there…"
"Okay gentleman," Whitey's voice boomed out into the gymnasium, his deep intones cutting over the thudding music pulsating in the background, "in response to growing demand, we're going to have another Charity Auction. Last year, we had the 'Boy Toy' event. This year, it's my pleasure to welcome you to the first Tree Hill 'Pussycat Doll' auction!"
Drowned out by a gale of applause, Whitey chuckled at the hoots and cheers from the male members of the audience, as 'Don't Cha' burst to life from the speakers. "Now the rules. Each member of the audience has their own number. When I call it, you can make a bid. You can only make one bid for one girl. If someone else outbids you, you have the opportunity to make a counter bid. You can't change your bid, or bid for more than one girl. The highest bidder wins. Our Tree Hill 'Doll' will be yours until midnight, where you will receive a kiss. So remember to dif deep, because everything we raise tonight does to charity! Any other kind of activity will be dealt with by a serious ass whippin'. So Tim, sit down son."
The audience burst into laughter at the mention of the most eager person in the room. Flushing red, Tim Smith lowered himself into his seat. "So, without further ado, let's bring out our Tree Hill Doll's!"
The response was deafening, as the women of Tree Hill High School emerged from behind the raising curtain. Each was dressed in their swim wear, wearing a single flower to make them different from the others. In the middle of the group was the organiser of the event, Brooke Davis. Dressed in ravishing scarlet, she received wolf whistles and cheers galore. Giggling, pink crept into her cheek as she blushed under the attention.
From the audience, Nathan Scott raised to his feet, cheering wildly for the emergence of his wife, Haley James-Scott. Giggling, she offered him a slight wave, taking her place at the front of the stage. Next to Nathan, Lucas rose to his feet. Eyes fixed on Brooke, his breath was taken away at just how beautiful she really was. Grinning, he clapped appreciatively, devouring the sight of her in a bikini.
Movement at the end of the line caught his attention. Appearing at the edge of the stage, looking about as miserable as anyone he had ever seen, was Peyton Sawyer. Her eyes were downcast, her hands clasped in front of her. Lucas couldn't help but be struck by the sadness she displayed. She looked so vulnerable, as though the wrong word or look would reduce her to tears. He wanted nothing more than to take his friend into his arms, and just tell her everything would be okay.
Distracted from his thoughts, Lucas turned back to the front, just as Whitey once more addressed the crowd. "Let's start the bidding. Number One…let's hear it!"
From a seat in the back row, a baby faced jock raised to his feet, grinning as he clutched a wad of notes tightly in his hand. "Twenty dollars for the Lily!" From the left of the stage, a blonde haired girl waved her hand, giggling softly.
Chuckling, Whitey noted the amount and the girl, before moving on to the next. "Number two, what's your bid?"
"Twenty-five dollars for the bluebell!" Grinning, the girl curtseyed from the stage, winking at the Captain of the football team who had bid for her.
"Number three?" Whitey couldn't help but groan as he saw who had the number three.
Getting up from his seat, Tim cupped his hands around his mouth, acting like a megaphone to his voice. "Forty-four dollars and seven cents for the sunflower!" The crowd chuckled again, as Rachel stepped forward, a look of disbelief crossing her features. She had been sure she would get attention from a great number of the audience, and was prepared for the odd loser to take pop. But Tim? Could it get any worse than having Tim Smith bid on you?
Whitey continued listing through the numbers, each member of the audience getting their turn at bidding for the girls. Brooke led the race with six bids, Rachel coming second with four. Haley, to her own surprise had received three bids, much to the chagrin of Nathan who had yet to place his own. Peyton however, hadn't received a single bid. And it hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Number thirty. Let me hear you." Whitey, noting the name written by the number, chuckled. He could already guess the bid.
"One hundred and ninety dollars on the beautiful rose!" The crowd was taken back in shock at the amount bid. The highest bid so far hadn't topped seventy dollars. From the stage, Haley giggled, blowing a kiss at her grinning husband. Most of Tree Hill's residents were aware of the love sage between Nathan and Haley. The male members of the audience heckled Nathan for his choice, where as the girls on the stage collectively 'awwwed' his choice, giggling at chirping about the Scott's.
"Number thirty one? What's your bid?" From the stage, Brooke grinned, grabbing Haley's arms. She had been waiting for this all night. This was the point where Lucas would make an outrageous bid to win her for the evening. He had promised to bid whatever it took to take her home tonight. And she fully intended on rewarding him for parting with his hard earned cash. Things had been difficult between them recently, not least because of Peyton. But Brooke finally felt like they had turned a corner. She couldn't wait to get Lucas home and tell him how much she loved him, to let him know how much it meant for them to be together.
"Two hundred dollars on the magnolia!" If the room had been shocked at Nathan's bid before, they were floored by Lucas. Most confused, was Miss Brooke Davis.
Her brow furrowed as she tired to understand what had just happened. Turning to Haley next to her, Brooke tried to make sense of everything. "Doesn't Lucas know I'm the orchid?"
"I…I don't think it was a mistake Brooke," Why do I have to be the bearer of bad news? Whining to herself, Haley knew she had to tell Brooke the truth. She only hoped Tree Hill would be ready for hurricane Davis. "Lucas bid for Peyton. Peyton is the magnolia."
Brooke couldn't stop the jaw from slackening. Her head turned to the end of the stage, where Peyton stood. The blonde was blushing furiously, smiling broadly at Lucas. Matching the direction of her stare, Brooke glanced over to Lucas. His grin was goofy, the kind of smile he usually reserved for Brooke. Their eyes were locked, and Brooke was practically choking on the sparks flying between them.
Almost as if in slow motion, Lucas turned to face Brooke. In a second, the orbs of his blue eyes took in the look across his girlfriends face. It was a mixture of anger and heartbreak, culminating in a single tear bubbling to the surface of her eye. Lucas felt his mouth open. He needed to explain. This wasn't anything deceitful, nor was he trying to score an evening alone with Peyton. He simply felt for Peyton. She looked so heartbreakingly sad, and not a single person had bid on her. Every single other girl had at least two bids. There was no way he could let his friend be embarrassed like that.
It was a split second decision, in which Lucas thought he was doing the right thing. It seemed however, that every time he tried to do the right thing by one of his friends, it was Brooke who always ended up getting hurt. You'd think after messing up so many times, Lucas Scott would learn.
Apparently not.
"And for our final bid. Number Thirty two?" Whitey's voice turned into a growl as he recognised the name next to the number. Looking up from the podium, he lowered his reading glasses down from his eyes. He really had to see this from himself. From the back of the room, the mocking tone rang over the music.
"Five hundred dollars on the rose." The entire room turned around in unison, to face the grinning Mayor Dan Scott. Feeling his blood boil, Nathan rose to his feet, eyes fixed on his father. It was one thing for him to mess with Lucas and himself. But if Dan even thought for a second Nathan would stand by and let him screw around with his wife…well he had another thing coming.
"Five hundred and fifty dollars on the rose." Nathan bit back. He would not be out bid by his father, not when his wife was concerned.
"Five hundred and eighty dollars." Dan's smile grew colder as he advanced towards his son, both eyes biting into Nathan's.
"Five hundred and ninety-five dollars." That was it. Nathan was tapped. He could go up another fifteen dollars, and that would be it. Somehow, he doubted very much that Dan Scott and his deep pockets were through.
"Eight hundred dollars." Stepping to the front of the audience, Dan was very aware how quiet the room was. He clearly wasn't welcome, nor did anyone approve of him bidding on his own son's wife. But what could anyone do? He had the money and power to do whatever he wanted.
Sighing, Nathan turned to the stage, looking in despair at his wide-eyed wife. Haley turned from Nathan to Brooke, unsure what she could do. It seemed it was up to Whitey to break the air of unease in the room.
"Number thirty two takes it. All sales are final. Thank you everyone, bidders, please wait in the lobby for your Dolls." The crowd burst into excited chatter, and began dispersing around the room, some waiting in groups as the other made their way to the lobby.
The stage of girls giggled and chattered excitedly. On the whole, the girls had been pleased with those who had bid on them. It was the select few who had been disappointed.
Nathan looked helplessly at Haley. He had lost. Just when his wife had depended on him to come through for her, he had failed her. And now Nathan was leaving the most precious thing in his life to the grips of his father. He couldn't think of a worse scenario. There was no telling what Dan had in store for Haley. For her part, Mrs. James-Scott looked as though she'd just been informed of her own impending death. Even if someone had outbid Nathan, she could have coped with it. Anyone except Dan. This was her idea of a real nightmare. What would he say to her? What would he do her? The timid blonde suddenly felt very afraid.
On the floor, Lucas pushed his way towards the stage. He couldn't let his girlfriend think the worst of him. They had come too far to let this charity auction come between them, and he would be damned if he lost her again.
"Brooke, wait! Let me explain…" Hearing Lucas' voice, Brooke resembled a startled deer. Lucas was already climbing up onto the stage, gunning straight for her. Peyton was crossing over towards her, already babbling apologies. Feeling surrounded, Brooke couldn't think. This was supposed to be a great night for her and Lucas, when she was going to reaffirm her love form him. And he didn't choose her. He chose Peyton. Her backstabbing ex-best friend. The girl he had cheated on with. He chose Peyton. Unable to think, the brunette turned on her heel, and fled to the back of the stage, disappearing behind the curtain and heading straight for the dressing room. She had to get away now.
"Brooke!" Lucas called, chasing after her as fast as his legs would carry him.
Grinning from the floor, Mayor Scott folded his arms across his chest as he watched the scene play before his eyes. This night was going to be a lot more fun than he thought.