Authors Note:
Thank you so much for the reviews! I'm so glad people like it.
Okay, this chapter is very Naley and Jeyton-centric. There is a lot of Neyton-friendship as well. And some Leyton and Brucas. This is not bias, Brucas will be developed more in later chapters. But at the moment, they are really just background to the other relationships. I'm sorry to Brucas fans; but trust me, there is such heavy Brucas later on.
I don't own any characters other than the ones I have created myself.
"Code Silver"
The words resonated in the ears of the staff.
"What do we do?"
"Do we tell them?"
"Should we try and evacuate?"
Linda looked out at the packed room, the crowds of people, the women and children, the families, the lives that were about to be changed forever.
Why? Why today? Why is this happening?
"There's nothing we can do."
Nathan and Peyton both stared at their friends with incredulity; neither Brooke nor Lucas had really said much and yet they had managed to sit closer together, and Brooke was giggling at some unfunny joke Lucas had just whispered to her. The two forgotten friends looked at each other, Nathan rolled his eyes and Peyton smiled slightly: she understood what he was going through.
Nathan looked up at Haley who was still reading and taking notes. Why is she working? Who works BEFORE they get back to school?
Haley looked up from her books and into his general direction; she wasn't looking at Nathan, she was just checking out the room. Nathan quickly looked away; Peyton had watched this whole thing happen and smirked at the likeness between them and her and the musician.
Peyton looked at Brooke who was gesturing for her and Nathan to start talking; Peyton and Nathan looked at each other, and smiled awkwardly. Peyton looked him up and down subtly Yeah, he's cute. But... He doesn't like me. And I... She looked up at Jake and then back at Nathan, I don't like him. Not that way.
Haley was just taking in her environment; taking a break from her schoolwork- she had been studying the coming year's curriculum before she went back. She wanted to be ahead of everyone so she didn't get overwhelmed.
She looked up in Nathan's direction and saw him looking at her, he turned away quickly.
Why is he looking at me?
Maybe he still feels bad about earlier... He really shouldn't. It wasn't that big a deal. I'm kind of used to being treated that way.
Nathan stole a quick glance at her, then realised she was still looking at him and jerked away.
Okay, I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine that. Why won't he stop looking?
I need to breathe. I just feel so stifled here.
Jake went to get up, when he realised Peyton was talking to Nathan.
Of course. Beautiful girl meets cute guy. It's classic.
Peyton and Nathan said a few awkward words, and then they both put earphones in. Brooke and Lucas were still talking, non-stop; Lucas quickly glanced up at Peyton.
She really is beautiful.
Peyton was just sat, listening to music, tapping out the drum-beat on her thighs, she was mouthing the words of whatever she was listening to, and just looked completely content and engrossed in her music. Lucas had never really someone just ignore him and his brother before, he had to admit- however much of a typical man it made him seem- it did make her seem sexier. Peyton looked up at him, and he smiled, she just looked back down, barely acknowledging his existence. Yeah, it definitely makes her sexier.
Oh God. Oh no. What am I going to do?
Linda was pacing up and down the area behind the counter.
Should I run? I could run. I could just leave.
She put her hands down on the counter. She looked down. She tried to compose herself. She tried to breathe. But she couldn't. She felt so desperate.
I could just run away. I'd be safe.
She looked out at the crowds. A little girl ran up to the counter and Linda peeked over."Can my dolly have a seat on the plane?"
Linda smiled "I'm sure we'll be able to find something for her."
"Thank you." The little girl ran off towards her mum.
I'd be safe.
...But they wouldn't.
Nathan looked at Haley again, she knew he was staring but decided not to look up, it would just be awkward.
Peyton looked at him, and then at Haley. If I'm going to be stuck for a few hours, I may as well talk to him. He seems alright. She got up and went to sit by him, there was a seat in between the two of them- she didn't want this to seem intimate. She looked up at Brooke, who was flirting like crazy with Lucas. She just needed a friend.
"Hey."
"Hi." Nathan looked kind of confused, he wasn't sure what this girl would want from him.
"So... I saw you looking at the gorgeous bookworm over there." She smiled, Nathan felt comforted by this girl. Peyton wasn't going to judge, and for some reason Nathan knew that.
"Oh, you saw that."
"Well, I haven't had much to look at. And I've always been a fan of romance."
Nathan looked down, embarrassed "Oh, it's nothing like that. I just- I kind of bumped into her earlier and I feel bad about it."
Lucas looked up from the conversation he was having with Brooke, "Are you still talking about that geek-collision that happened today?!"
"Shut up, Luke."
Peyton rolled her eyes, so Lucas couldn't see. Nathan smiled a little at her; she was possibly one of the first girls that hadn't instantly fallen in love with his brother.
"Get over it, Nate. I'm pretty sure she doesn't care."
Peyton turned to face Lucas, "I think it's sweet that he's still worried. So many jerks don't care how they treat women."
Lucas' face dropped a little, "Oh yeah, it's- it's sweet."
Peyton smirked at his back-pedalling. Brooke gave a little discerning look at Lucas Does he like Peyton? Peyton turned back around towards Nathan, and Lucas- a little disheartened by what just happened- turned back to Brooke. Brooke smiled, as he continued with his corny jokes, and cheesy chat-up lines.
"...So then I was like defending this girl from this major jerk..."
Nathan laughed, "I think you'll find that was me, Luke. Weren't you hiding in the corner?"
Brooke laughed at Lucas, playfully. Lucas scowled at Nathan.
Peyton continued talking in a hushed tone, so as not to embarrass Nathan; Nathan mentally thanked her for that.
"So you like her?" She smiled with her eyes, Nathan nodded subtly.
"But I don't know why. I mean, I've spoken to her like twice- and both times, she really didn't like me."
"Well, one of them involved you nearly breaking all her stuff- so I think we can give her that one."
Nathan laughed a little.
"But you know, she might be just shy." Peyton sat back a little, "I'm guessing you're used to the cheerleading kind throwing themselves at your feet?" Nathan nodded, almost ashamedly. "Well, and trust me, I mean this as a compliment, she doesn't seem like the cheerleading type." Nathan looked at Peyton, Why is she helping me? Peyton smiled back at him. "Maybe she's been hurt before?" Nathan looked at Haley, and then back at Peyton "It's not so easy letting go again."
Nathan looked a little taken aback, I would never hurt her. Peyton hadn't meant to offend him, and she hoped she didn't, but she was a sensitive teenager too. She had been hurt. She knew how hard it could be.
Nathan looked back at Haley- she looked kind of sad. I wonder if she's okay.
Peyton had noticed this little glance, "Maybe she's lonely." Nathan looked up at Peyton, he nodded slightly. "I think what you need to do is bump into her again, maybe not in such actually knocking down her stuff way." Nathan laughed, "Yeah, she needs to feel comfortable. You crowding her probably will scare her off."
Peyton looked at him, her face became serious "Just tell me one thing: do you really like her? Or are you doing the whole 'wanting-what-you-can't-have' thing?"
Nathan looked at Haley, and then at Peyton "I don't know what it is. I've just met her. But there's something about her. I just- I feel like I need to know her, you know? I feel like I'll be a better person if I just know her."
Peyton smiled, and then looked down "I know what you mean."
Nathan raised his eyebrow, he was a little dubious Yeah, right she knows what I'm talking about. Hell, I don't even know what I'm talking about, "Really?"
Peyton looked up, she knew what Nathan was thinking "I really do know what you mean." She looked up at Jake, "You see him over there?"
Nathan turned subtly, looked at Jake and then turned back "The guy with the guitar?"
Peyton nodded. "He's my gorgeous bookworm."
Nathan smiled.
Jake had watched their entire conversation, and was almost boiling over with jealousy.
Of course, of course, he gets her.
And why did they both look at me?
Maybe she thinks I'm some kind of stalker-psycho person; I mean, I keep looking at her. I'll just stop looking at her.
Peyton looked up at him, she's finally built up the courage to smile at him, and she needed him to acknowledge her in some way. She didn't know why this meant so much to her.
Please look at me.
I need to know this isn't all in my head.
Please look at me.
Jake noticed she was looking, but was so desperately trying not to look back. She didn't want to scare her off. For some reason, this girl and what she thought of him was extremely important to him.
Peyton eventually stopped looking, both of them looked down and Peyton and Jake sighed deeply.
Not too far away in a set of terminals far away from our new and fragile relationships, two men with masked faces and guns were making sure the room was silent.
"Everyone be quiet or someone will die..." His voice was calm, it made the whole situation so much scarier; this man was so in control, so sure of everything.
A small child started to cry.
"If you don't shut that baby up, I will do it for you."
The mother, with tears in her eyes, desperately shushed the baby, "Please, please, be quiet. Shush, little one."
The baby slowly started to get quieter.
"Good... Now everyone is going to do what we say..."
Nathan, oblivious to the horrors that were slowly drawing closer, looked at his brother and Brooke; the two of them were sat even closer now and speaking quietly so the other one had to lean in.
How can Lucas do that? They've only known each other for like five minutes, and they're practically making out.
Peyton looked at Nathan, and knew what he was thinking. "Trust me, that kind of thing will not get you this girl. She's different to Brooke, I can just tell. I love Brooke, she's my... She's my sister. But not every girl is a Brooke. And not every guy is a Lucas. I mean, I don't really think we are." Peyton smirked a little, and Nathan nodded.
Peyton turned to Brooke, "B. Davis, I'm going to go for a walk around. My legs are kind of going to sleep."
Brooke looked away from Lucas, "Okay, P. Sawyer. Have fun." She smiled.
Peyton looked back at Nathan, and bent down a little to meet his eyes "Go for it." Nathan looked at Haley, once more; Peyton put her hand on his shoulder "But move slowly. Be careful. And don't hurt her."
Jake was buying something from the duty-free store, he was hungry and needed to take his mind off that blonde-haired girl. He turned around and bumped into Peyton,
"OH!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She bent down and picked up the drink he had just bought. "Here you go..."
"Thanks."
He looked at her, her big eyes were full of anxiety- she thought she had blown any kind of opportunity with this guy. He smiled at her, trying to reassure her a little. Oh, she's even more beautiful up close.
"Hey." She tried to grasp onto anything that could redeem this situation. He looked at her in her skinny jeans, and 'The Cure' tee, and that leather jacket and smiled.
"Hey."
"So where you off to?" Peyton screwed up her face, and bit her lip I know where he's going! What a stupid thing to say...
Jake laughed a little "Tree Hill, funnily enough" She's adorable.
Peyton smiled "What a coincidence..." Why are you acting so stupid? You've flirted before... What is it about this guy that turns you into someone so lame? "I'm Peyton."
"I'm Jake."
"Hi, Jake."
"Hi, Peyton."
Jake looked at her, there was something about that look that he gave her, that made her relaxed. It may have been the complete and utter acceptance that he seemed to show her, like no matter what she did, he wasn't going to hurt her... or leave her.
Jake spoke up "So where have you been?" He pulled a similar face to Peyton, Okay, that was even stupider than what she said. Peyton laughed, Jake shut his eyes "No, let me guess. L.A.?" He opened them and saw Peyton's smiling face.
Peyton clapped and laughed "Wow, you must be psychic or something?"
Both of them eased into the conversation, both of them fragile, both of them needing love, both of them so desperate not to get hurt.
"So, do you live in Tree Hill?" Jake ventured.
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah. So what were you doing in L.A.?"
"Oh." Peyton looked down, "Brooke- that's the brunette you might have seen me with- she wanted to cheer me up. What about you?"
"Well, I was visiting Je- I was visiting my family in Savannah, and they asked me to drop by my grandmother on the way home. And she lives in L.A."
"That's a little out of the way for a drop by"
"Yeah, well, it's probably been a bit too long, to be honest. I'm a bad grandson."
"Ah, I see. Well, I'm just a bad relative in general, so bad that now people just pray I don't drop by." He laughed at her, and her self-deprecating humour, which only made her more beautiful, it made her sparkle.
"So why did you need cheering up?"
"What?"
"You said that Brooke brought you here to cheer you up?"
"Oh, it's been- it's been a rough year."
"Gotcha."
Jake smiled at her sympathetically. And she knew he got it. She knew he knew pain, he knew what it felt like to lose someone. Lose someone you love. She loved Brooke, but Brooke just didn't know- you can't know till you've been through it. And she didn't actually know if this Jake had ever experienced anything like what she was going through, but for some reason, she felt like he did.
Nathan spotted Haley pick up her stuff, and saw her head towards the bathroom, he was closer so he knew he could get there before her. This might be my only chance to speak to her.
He looked at Lucas and Brooke, who were even closer.
"I'll be right back."
Lucas didn't look away from Brooke, he just raised one hand, and put it back down on Brooke's thigh. She smiled a little.
"Hey, maybe him and Peyton have gone to meet up for a saucy rendezvous in the bathroom."
Lucas was a little taken aback; he moved his head a little way from Brooke. What? But...
Brooke pouted a little, "Not a bad idea..."
Lucas raised one eyebrow.
The phone behind the counter rang, and the staff all jumped.
Linda picked it up, and put it to her ear. One solemn tear ran down her cheek, and she hung up.
"They're nearly here."
Jake and Peyton had been talking for a while now, and they were weirdly comfortable with each other; like they had been best friends all their lives.
"Maybe I should go back to my stuff, I can see someone running away with my guitar."
Peyton looked up and saw Nathan and Haley heading towards the same place, she smiled, "Er, would you mind if I came and sat with you?"
Jake smiled, he was almost shocked
She wants to sit with me?
"Sure... Sure." He said, trying to play it cool.
"Great, I'm just going to go tell my friend."
"Cool, I'm just sat over-"
"I know where you're sat" she said, cutting him off, she smiled and walked past him.
Nathan walked towards the bathroom, luckily both gender toilets were in the same area, so it didn't look too weird. They got there at roughly the same time, and Nathan slightly brushed against Haley. She flinched a little, "Hey, what is it with you and bumping into me?" She was only half-serious, she knew he didn't mean to.
"I'm sorry."
"You say that a lot."
"I do a lot of things I need to apologise for."
Haley smiled at his honesty.
"I was wondering if you wanted to get a coffee or something. I mean, we have the time." He smiled at her.
Why is he doing this?
"Erm, no. No, thank you." She went to walk in.
"Look, have I done something wrong?"
Haley stopped and looked at him,
"I mean, obviously other than knocking your stuff."
Haley smiled, "No, you haven't done anything." She went to walk again, he slightly stood in her way- it wasn't threatening. Haley suddenly became nervous, "Please let me go." Please. Don't hurt me. Please. Nathan looked at her, and saw the fear in her face. He didn't mean to scare her.
"I'm sorry."
She hurriedly walked past him, and went into the bathroom. Nathan sighed. Well, I just totally blew that. "Don't scare her". Good going, Nate. Nathan walked into the male bathroom, his head looking down at the ground.
Peyton walked up to Lucas and Brooke, Lucas noticed her first and his face lit up
"Hey, it's Peyton."
Brooke broke away from Lucas and turned to Peyton who was picking up her bag, "Where are you going, P. Sawyer?"
"I'll just be over there." She pointed towards Jake. "Come get me when the flight is called. I'm just leaving you two lovebirds to get better acquainted."
Lucas looked a tad disheartened. Oh no, she thinks I'm with her friend. If only I'd gone to her first.
Brooke turned and looked at Jake, she raised one eyebrow and Peyton smiled back. Peyton bent down to give Brooke a kiss on the cheek,
"Good girl." Brooke whispered in her ear, Peyton smiled.
"See you in a bit, Brookey." She turned to Lucas, "Nice to meet you."
Brooke stood up and hugged Peyton, whispering something in her ear, Peyton looked down at Lucas and smiled at Brooke. Brooke gestured with her head over to a closet. Peyton laughed.
"B. Davies. You never fail to surprise me"
Brooke laughed and shrugged, pulling a little innocent face, secretly proud of this little compliment from Peyton.
Jake smiled as Peyton walked closer to him, she sat down on the floor beside him.
"Looks like you got the cheap seats." She teased.
"I don't know. I think they're the best seats in the house."
Peyton nodded "I think you might be right."
Jake bit his lip, he was dying to ask "Er, okay, this is nosy. Are you not with that guy?"
Peyton looked a tad confused, "Oh, Nathan... Dark-haired guy?" Jake nodded, "Oh, no, I'm not with him. I literally just met him like half an hour ago."
Jake raised his eyebrow, "You have a lot of luck in airports, don't you?"
She smiled, "It's a gift and a curse." Jake smiled in return.
God, this girl is amazing.
Nathan was in the bathroom, looking at himself in the mirror.
God, you really screwed that up, Nathan.
He turned the tap on, and washed his face, the water helping him think.
Haley was in the other bathroom, leaning up against the wall. Oh God. Oh God. He probably thinks I'm a freak. He's probably lovely. But Jack seemed lovely. Then- Then-
Haley started to hyperventilate, her eyes were glassy and she looked up, trying to stop the tears from flowing.
Come on, Haley James. You were over this. You are over this.
She looked into the mirror.
You are over this.
Brooke and Lucas were still talking in that proximity that was far more intimate than it should have been for two people that just met: such is the wonder of Brooke Penelope Davis.
She lightly kissed his jawbone. He looked at her, one eyebrow raised.
"Why don't we try and find some place a little more private?" She whispered
"You're joking, right?"
She looked down, and grabbed his hand, pulling him up- she knew where they would go, she'd spied this closet- and Peyton knew she would be there. There was no door, but it was dark, nothing was in there. And it was so far from the crowds that no one would find them.
They both walked up to the room, she looked in and turned to Lucas "...Empty." She smiled.
"What if someone finds us?"
She pushed him up against a wall, and kissed him, it wasn't anything huge- just enough to entice him into the room, she smiled. He turned around and looked back into the crowds, he saw Jake and Peyton talking, and felt a twinge of jealousy. He turned back to Brooke, who was looking up at him, she bit her lip.
"Let's go."
A masked man ran in, and held his gun into the air. Everyone screamed.
"Shut up! EVERYBODY SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Peyton gasped, Oh my God. Jake turned and looked at the fear in her eyes, he didn't know what to do, how to comfort her, how to make everything better.
Nathan and Haley both left their respective bathrooms at the same time, they had an awkward glance, and then Nathan walked in front. He got to the doorway when he saw the gunman. Haley came up behind him, and went to walk past, but he put his hand in the way, stopping her from walking out there.
"Don't go out there." He whispered. Haley looked at him confused and then saw the man for herself. Nathan gently pushed her stomach so that she would back towards the wall, he was not going to let her be in danger. Haley was confused, scared and couldn't form a thought. Nathan's hand was still on her stomach, in a protective way. She looked up at him, she saw he was scared. She put her hand onto his for a brief second, and then flinched away. Nathan noticed his hand was still on her, he took his hand off of her stomach, and looked down at her. She had tears in her eyes.
"You are going to be fine." He whispered "I promise."
Haley nodded at him, and mouthed "Okay."
Linda stood up and tried to sound strong, but her voice was shaky.
"Please, let these people go."
"Sit down!"
"Please... you don't need all these people."
"Shut up!"
"There are children here... Please."
"If you don't sit down... I swear to God, I will shoot you."
"Please."
The man held up his gun, and pointed it at her.
"Please, let these people go!"
He pulled the trigger, and Linda fell to the ground, most of the people screamed.
"Now, who doesn't believe that I will shoot you if you do not do what I ask?!"
Lucas and Brooke were kissing when the shot went off; they broke away, and ran to the doorway. They could just see the man, and his gun.
"Oh, my God..."
The man pulled the trigger again when he noticed Linda still moving.
Brooke fell back a little onto Lucas, who caught her and held her hand.
Peyton flinched back and her and Jake's hand touched briefly, he stroked her little finger with his own.
Peyton desperately searched the crowds with her eyes for Brooke, and then remembered where she was. She looked at the closet but couldn't see anything. She just prayed that neither could the gunman.
Peyton and Jake didn't look at each other, they didn't speak, and they didn't need to. Jake gave her the comfort she needed- she needed to know he was there, and that he wasn't leaving. With every breath, Jake silently promised her that he would stay.
Haley's eyes were glassy, and her breathing became laboured. Nathan edged his way back into the bathroom, Haley followed.
He leaned up against the door, and looked her in the eyes, he went to push the door open. He shut his eyes as he waited for the door to squeak or not. Please... please, just let us get inside.
They slowly crept in, and Haley slid down the wall, trying to breathe. Nathan propped the door open, he wanted to be able to hear what was going on outside. He wanted to know if this man was coming closer. He needed to protect this girl.
The crowds were silent as the man shouted orders at them, they moved when he told them to and comforted each other with glances and smiles when they could.
And Linda's lifeless body, growing colder and colder, and her light dimming was just led there. The crimson pools of life escaping her, and spreading across the white, sterile floor.
OH, little note: Obviously characters such as: Linda, the gunmen, Jack (who was briefly mentioned and will be explored more in the next few chapters) etc. etc. are all made up by yours truly. Everything else is borrowed.
Thank you for reading! And please comment.