Summary: What if Haley had gone with Chris? What if Brooke broke up with Felix for good? What if Jake stayed with Peyton? What if Nathan slept with Taylor again? What if? Takes place after last season's finale. R&R.

Disclaimer: I literally and absolutely own nothing.

A/N: I wasn't actually sure about the Peyton/Jake thing… in the episode didn't Peyton leave? But then they're back at school….? Please review!

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The Thin Line Between Love and Hate

"I- I can't do this," Haley said. There was silence.

"You aren't ready," Chris told her, and he picked up his bags. He walked down the stairs, and onto the bus. Haley stood out in the pouring rain, her clothes already soaked through. She stared at Chris through the darkened windows of the bus, watching him sit down and stare back. She saw the doors slowly close. For the first time in her life, she didn't think. She did. She ran down to the bus, and slid through the almost closed doors. The bus driver stared at her.

"Ticket?" he asked.

"I-" Haley started to say, but Chris stood up and cut her off.

"Right here," he said, and handed over her ticket.

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"I'm not falling for this again," Brooke said. She stared at Felix for a second, then got up off the bed. She walked out the side door, leaving Felix staring after her. As soon as she walked out into the rain, she knocked into someone and fell, landing on the wet ground. It was Lucas.

"You okay?" he asked, helping Brooke up. She was covered in mud, and was already soaking wet.

"I'm fine," she brushed herself off. "Anna is next door."

"I was looking for you. But I guess you're going somewhere."

"Just away from here," Brooke replied and began walking. Lucas ran after her.

"You want to go get something to drink?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'd like that," Brooke shivered.

"Here," Lucas handed her his jacket. Brooke shrugged it on, and the two of them walked down the street. Brooke started to go into Karen's Café, but Lucas grabbed her.

"Not there," he said, leading her across the street to another café. They sat down at a table, and a waiter asked them what they'd like.

"Hot chocolate," said Brooke.

"Me too," said Lucas. Brooke smiled as the waiter left.

"Being a kid was fun." Brooke stuck her hands in the pockets of the jacket. Lucas raised his eyebrows.

"Running around like a monster every day was fun?" Lucas laughed.

"The carefree part of that," Brooke replied. The hot chocolate came, and they both sipped it.

"Guess what I did today," Lucas said finally.

"What?" asked Brooke. Lucas twirled a coffee straw in the hot chocolate. He took a sip out of the straw.

"I kind of broke up with Anna," Lucas stared at the straw.

"Kind of?" Brooke said, more of a statement then a question.

"I did."

Brooke was silent.

"I said it was because—it was because I was in love with someone else," Lucas said, still staring down.

"Let's get out of here," Brooke said, and Lucas threw a few dollars down onto the table.

They walked out of the store, and down the street. It was still raining.

"Listen," Lucas said, pulling on Brooke's arm to make her stop. He started to say something, but closed his mouth again and stared down at Brooke.

Then, he kissed her.

She didn't resist. She kissed him back hard for a moment, then pushed him off of her, and ran down the street.

"I'm not sure if that's good or bad," Lucas whispered to no one in particular.

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Peyton woke up the next morning to Jake packing. She had gone to sleep with him next to her, so when she first rolled over and didn't see him there she thought something was wrong.

"What are you doing?" she asked, watching Jake toss a t shirt into his bag.

"I've got to get back to Jenny," he replied. "And anyway, I don't want whore to come here. I don't know where she is, but…"

"Seattle." Peyton interrupted.

"What?" Jake stopped his packing.

"She's in Seattle. Me and Brooke just might of told her you were there…"

Jake smiled.

"Listen, I was thinking," Peyton continued.

"You do that a lot," Jake said softly.

"You should bring Jenny back. And stay. With me. Both of you," Peyton said, praying he'd agree.

"I can't."

"I need you," Peyton whispered. She hadn't intended to say that out loud. Jake stared at her for a while. Then, he shook his head, and began to throw his clothes into Peyton's drawers. Peyton jumped out of bed, and hugged him.

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"Hey, babe," Taylor opened the door and walked into the house, greeting Nathan. Nathan looked up from his video game to give her a look. "Where's the wife?"

"Out," Nathan told her.

"Oh, poor baby! Another fight?"

Nathan turned game off. "Listen, Taylor. I don't care what happened in the past. Stop it. It's not funny. You're not funny. One more time, and you're out."

"Oooh," said Taylor. "I like my men angry," she licked her lips. Nathan turned around and grabbed her shoulders, shoving her against the wall.

"I said, STOP it," he said, his face inches from hers. Taylor just stared at him. Then, she reached out her hand and placed it on Nathan's face. She kissed him, and he didn't break away. He loosened his grip and her shoulders. Taylor broke the kiss, and led him backwards to the couch. He fell on top of her.

"You won't tell anyone, will you, little brother?"

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A/N: Good? Bad? Ugly? Any suggestions? Fresh baked cupcakes for all who review!