A Beautiful Mess

~x-X-x~

"Batten down the hatch

Cause we're all coming in

Like uninvited guests

Romancing everything..."

Snow Patrol – Batten Down The Hatch

~x-X-x~

Chapter 2: Batten Down The Hatches

"Parents and citizens of Tree Hill High, and Tree Hill East respectively. I ask only that you listen to reason and see that this merger between our two high schools will have negative affects on our children both academically and regarding extra-curricular activities."

Gracing the podium like he was running for the Senate, Dan Scott cut a figure that was both dominating and intimidating. His voice boomed out across the crowd, his words met with looks of approval. A few people shouted out their agreement, clenched fists thrown into the air like a salute to his words. Students shuffled in their seats as the debate ensued, one person in particular feeling so out of place she felt the need to break free. Claustrophobia seemed to creep upon her more and more as the days passed by. She need to make a run for it!

However, it was impossible for Peyton to do so. Holding her hand tightly in his, Nathan Scott spent the entire session either nodding his head in approval of his father's words, or glaring with hatred at the brother who sat on the other side of the hall with his friends. Every now and again he would lurch forward and bring her hand to his lips, grazing her fingers with his soft touch. Then he would simply revert back into tough mode, nodding his head once again when people cheered on Dan's rant. As hazel eyes gazed across the hall, she noticed Brooke texting on her phone, Bevin staring ahead in wonderment (Peyton was later to figure out that little flecks of dust particles in the air had somehow managed to grab the blonde's undivided attention), and the rest of the Tree Hill Ravens grunting in their seats, just waiting for their captain to nod his head in approval. When he did so, it was like an instruction to the team, with all of them shouting out their support. Clenched fists pumped in the crisp air with a roar. It only brought a smile to the powerful figure before them.

"We have too many sporting talents in both schools, that to amalgamate a team would mean cutting half of them. This will result in a drop of GPAs with few extra-curricular activities to cover the loss."

"My Dad is completely right. What would you do if they cut you from the cheer squad because someone from the other school decided they wanted your spot?"

It took a minute for Peyton to realize that Nathan was talking to her. Truth be told, she didn't care much for the cheerleading. She'd gotten into it because her mother had been one in high school and the two were extremely close. Were being the operative word. Since her mother's passing, the blonde hadn't been the same. She stayed on the team for Brooke though, the feisty brunette having held her hand and wiped her tears throughout the whole ordeal. It meant a lot to Brooke, and Brooke meant a lot to Peyton. So if Nathan thought being ousted from the team was meant to tug at her heartstrings and make her panic at the thought, he was wrong. It wasn't his fault though – they barely talked.

In fact, she barely talked to anyone.

Shuffling in her seat, she glanced to her left in curiosity. Lucas Scott sat there, listening to what his father had to say without so much as a scowl on his face. It amazed her watching him like this, wondering what must have been ticking away in his mind. A slender hand reached up and wrapped itself around the redhead sitting beside him and brought her close. Tilting her head onto his shoulder, she looked perfectly at ease, if not a little bored. As he twisted his neck to lay a kiss on her forehead, his crystal blue eyes connected with curious hazels. They glanced at each other for a minute, Dan's words sounding out around them.

"... sense of school pride. Both school's have been a foundation for many community services in the area. We will now see a drop in helping the less fortunate should both schools merge."

It was an unusual feeling, staring at someone she was supposed to have hated but seeing a face that seemed completely normal. She didn't know him, and yet she was Nathan's girlfriend, and thus he was the enemy. It seemed ridiculous to her that she should hate this seemingly normal boy because of a family feud that wasn't even started between these two. She wanted to do what was best for Nathan because she'd known him as long as she could remember and he deserved nothing less than her loyalty. But what if Lucas Scott wasn't the enemy here? What if there was a chance Nathan could have a brother someday? The closest Peyton had gotten to a sibling was Brooke, and she was lucky in a million ways to have her. But that didn't stop the loneliness of feeling like you were all by yourself in the world. Why should Nathan miss out on a brother- hate him- because his father had made a choice so many years ago? What is it they used to say?

Hate breeds hate?

"Hate breeds hate," the blonde whispered under her breath, Nathan turning in his seat to see what she was looking at. Met with the blue orbs of his enemy, the raven-haired basketballer scowled and brought his girlfriend closer to him. A sturdy arm proceeded to wrap around her shoulder and pull her in. Lucas merely scoffed at the action, raising his eyebrows at Nathan in amusement. Brought into his chest, Peyton could feel the acceleration of his heartbeat. Anger coursed through his veins and caused him to shudder. Reaching out, the blonde snaked her bony fingers through his tightened hand and grasped. Sliding upwards, she placed a kiss on his neck and brought his attention back to her, feeling him ease instantaneously once his stare was broken.

"We will call a short recess and then call upon more speakers. Refreshments can be found at the back of the hall."

Getting to her feet, Peyton shuffled out of the row and turned to face the Nathan. The raven-haired star wrapped an arm around her shoulders and dragged her out through the double-doors, the evening air sending out streaks of vibrant oranges, pinks and purples across the sky. Huddling close together, they were soon joined by Brooke and Bevin, the two girls ushering them into the uncrowded hallway as bodies spewed into the foyer.

"How do you think it's going?" Nathan asked, the stress evident in his face. A sturdy hand reached up and slid through his raven locks, a move Peyton had come to understand was one of nerves. Breathing out deeply, she leaned against the cold, cemented wall and waited for the inevitable breakdown on the meeting thus far.

"I'm not sure," Brooke quipped, taking out her Blackberry and scanning through the messages, biting her bottom lip. "Theresa says there are quite a few people on her side of the hall who seem to be in agreement with your Dad."

"Well that's good," the basketballer breathed, nodding his head as if to convince himself that things were going as planned. "Dan said all the people needed was a leader to show them the right way."

Peyton thought it was such an odd statement, almost something a dictator would have said to the people he was trying to rule. Then again, this was Dan Scott they were talking about and so in the end the statement seemed typical. Still, at this point in time she thought it best to stay silent, choosing instead to watch her aggravated boyfriend while he continued on his rant.

"What do you think?"

Unless of course he asked her that.

"Uhm," came the startled reply, hazel eyes landing on his deep cerulean orbs in uncertainty. Biting her lower lip, Peyton took a deep breath and stood up straight.

Bzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzz.

Feeling her pocket come to life, the blonde's hands dove into the denim fabric and searched. Dragging her phone free, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her father's smiling face before her, holding it up for her boyfriend to see.

"It's Dad. I gotta take this."

Nathan nodded his head in response, leaning back against the wall as Peyton skipped away. Darting through the crowd, she broke free of the gloomy constraints of the school's foyer and out into the calmness of the evening dusk. Bringing the phone to her ear, she blocked out the rest of the world as she heard the familiar voice of the man she adored.

"Dad?"

"Hey kiddo," came the jubilant response, Larry Sawyer greeting his daughter with words doused in happiness. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too," she replied, tears already beginning to form at the edges of her eyes. It was always that way when it came to her father, the man often spending weeks away from home at a time for work. It was alright when Peyton was younger because her mother was around, but when she passed away her father didn't know what else to do. His daughter could also see how much being home killed him because he saw his wife everywhere. As much as she loved him, she couldn't force him to stay home with her to make herself happy. As much as she missed him, she knew being out at sea was something he really loved and so she tried her best to support him.

Even though it tore her apart and made her feel more lonely than she had ever imagined possible.

"When are you coming home?"

"Well uh, see the reason I'm calling is..."

Peyton closed her eyes as soon as she heard those words. It didn't matter what else he had to say at this point because the tone in his voice told her everything she needed to know.

Another assignment. Not enough achieved this time. The boss wants him to stay another day, or week or month.

Sinking to the soft grass beneath her, Peyton blinked away the salty tears that threatened her lifeless eyes. She mumbled the responses her dad needed to hear.

Don't worry about it. Of course I'm okay. I'll be fine. I love my freedom.

But never the words that were the actual truth.

I miss my Daddy. I feel alone.

I'm not okay.

Saying her goodbyes, Peyton closed her eyes and allowed the evening glow to try and impart some warmth in her direction. Truth was, her insides hurt from the news. It wasn't enough that everything at school was changing, but everything at home did too. It was like in the blink of an eye the world decided that nothing was as it should have been and thus made a mess of it all. Was it really too much to ask for the heaven's above to grant her a moment's rest, a miniscule minute of reprieve so she could get her bearings and just breathe?

In and out. In and out.

Just breathe.

Laying back, she could feel the spiky grass tickling her hands but she didn't care. Hazel eyes disappeared behind heavy eyelids and for a brief moment the world was gone. No pain, no disappointment and no heartache. A bird chirped in the distance and the noise of the world fell away with it's song.

In and out. In and out.

Just breathe...

… HOLY SHIT!

Jerking upright, golden curls hugged at leather-clad shoulders in distress. Hazel eyes darted across to the entrance of the hall and squinted. Argh! Not a body in sight! Scrambling to her feet, the blonde sprinted across the grass towards the school. Clock. Click. Clock. Click. Thick boot heels pounded the pavement in quick succession, creamy hands grabbing the front entrance and pulling. Sliding through the glass doors, Peyton was met with a sight she didn't want to see.

"Damn it!"

Cursing under her breath, she pulled at the latch on the hall doors in desperation. They remained closed, not amount of pulling unable to unlock them. Sighing, she hit the door once and brought her hand to her face, dragging it slowly over her eyes and cursing once more.

"Cheer up Blondie, it's not the end of the world."

Whirling around, Peyton's eyes narrowed in on the boy in shock. Sparkling blue eyes landed on hazel perfection, a gaze lasting all of a minute before the signature grin took over his lips. She scowled and glared at him, her annoyed expression clearly thrilling him as his mouth parted in a dazzling smile. Leaning backwards in the chair, he wrapped a long, lanky arm around it's back in one swift movement. Letting out an annoyed grunt, she turned and pulled at the door's handle once more, a chuckle resonating from the boy behind her.

"I wouldn't bother Blondie, it's locked tight."

"Did I ask you?" she growled back, banging an open palm against the wood in annoyance. She let out another long sigh, the gazing look of a pair of wicked blue eyes going unnoticed. Whirling around, she needed somewhere to aim her anger and this punk was better than nothing. "And don't call me Blondie."

"Okay then," the boy stood, taller than the cheerleader expected her to be. "Let's make this official then."

"What?" Peyton barked back, looking down at the hand he had outstretched to her. Bony fingers that stretched out for days displayed signs of wearing. A thin layer of leather wrapped around his wrist as if holding it together. Of course the blonde knew this to be untrue, it was merely a fashion statement. Looking up, she now noticed the t-shirt that adorned his body, slightly covered by the opened short-sleeved collared shirt that he had carelessly thrown on over it. There, protruding between the fabric over-throw was three words Peyton didn't expect to see.

Jimmy Eat World.

Pulling her eyes away from the shirt, she glanced up at the boy and raised her eyebrows, questioning his move. He merely took her refusal as a signal to keep trying, his lips never losing the silly grin that was plastered all over them.

"Chris," he replied simply, smiling as he raised he pushed his hand a little further to meet her. "And you are?"

"None of your damn business," Peyton chided him, anger flickering in her eyes. Chris only chuckled at her outburst of contempt and stood, striding slowly toward her. He raised his brow innocently when he was but a few inches away, making a show of trailing her body with his eyes. A heated flush fell over the blonde's flesh, her eyes a striking shade of green as she glared at him. He stared into them, licking his lips as he always did when he found something so utterly fascinating.

"Are all the girls this feisty at your school?"

"Are all the boys this arrogant at yours?"

Smiling, he stepped closer still, Peyton looking down at their feet as he drew near. Glancing back up at him, she questioned what he was doing by holding her hands outwards, thumbs pointing towards the sky. He shrugged, clearly satisfied with their close proximity.

"Touche Blondie."

Leaning in, Chris smiled as Peyton glared at him, the smell of vanilla suddenly encompassing his senses. Her chest rose and fell with each angered breath, but she didn't move, instead deciding to meet him head on to see what he was made of. It was in this moment he realized he wasn't dealing with just anyone. That there probably wasn't another girl in this new school of his that could match the feisty nature of the curly-haired angel before him.

She was intriguing. Of that he was certain.

"Little close, aren't you?"

Turning at the sudden intrusion, Chris stepped back from the furious expression that currently encompassed the cerulean eyes of Nathan Scott and those surrounding him. Stepping forward, the basketballer stood behind his girlfriend and glared, his whole body trembling with anger as his hand clutched at her shoulder. Sensing his disdain, the lanky boy took a few cautious steps backwards in retreat.

"Hey now," Chris smiled, holding his hands in the air as if surrendering. "The Keller didn't mean any harm. Merely introducing himself."

"The Keller?" came another shrill voice, a bouncy brunette joining them with a laugh. Stepping forward, she raised her brow in mock amusement."Did you seriously just refer to yourself in the third person?" Sidling up to her friend, the brunette stared ahead at the boy before her. "What the hell is he doing talking to you, P. Sawyer?"

"Who cares," Nathan growled, his eyes displaying the fury that coursed through his veins. "The Keller is about to get his ass kicked."

"I doubt that very much," a stern voice stated, Lucas interrupting the showdown to stand beside his friend. "Unless of course you wanna try and take me down too, Nathan."

"Anytime, anyplace," the raven-haired star retaliated, stepping forward and pushing the blonde brooder in the chest. "Brother."

He spat the word out like it was poison on his tongue. It was enough to cause a heated reaction, Lucas immediately placing his hands on the basketballer and pushing back. Stumbling a little, Nathan pounced forward and struck, closed fist connecting with the hard bone protruding from his brother's cheek.

Thwack.

Jerking to the right, Lucas' face exploded in heated pain. Staggering backward, he pulled a shaking hand to his face in shock. The confusion that littered across his eyes lasted less than a minute. Blue eyes glared in contempt and disgust. Growling, he stood and charged for his brother, wrapping toned arms around his torso and pulling him to the ground. Shoulder blades crashed against the hard flooring with a deafening thud.

"Lucas!" came a shocked cry from behind, Rachel gasping out in surprise. Yelps of concern from those around them fell on deaf ears as the brothers rolled about on the lightly stained hardwood floor. With the raising of his right fist, Lucas came down on Nathan's face with a crunching blow. Thick, rouge liquid spewed from chapped lips on impact. Hands flew out in all directions. Landing on arms, shirts and belts, it took many to drag the pair off of one-another. Pulling Nathan backwards, Tim pushed his captain away from the blonde disaster he was trying to annihilate and growled at him to stop. He watched as Lucas was pulled in the opposite direction, delicate hands capturing his face in urgency and demanding that he cease the madness.

"For god's sake Lucas, not now!"

Honey-colored hair hung loosely over her shoulders as Lucas removed his eyes from Nathan's glare and landed on her. Breathless, he muttered a response.

"He started it, Hales."

"I don't care," she roared defiantly, turning to give Nathan her own venomous look if distaste. "You finish it."

"Fine," the brooder growled, turning to look at the faces of those gathered around Nathan. Scuffed Nike's squealed across the wood in pain. Inflamed blue-eyes stared at an identical pair in a quiet resolve. Stepping forward, Lucas nodded at his brother in contempt.

"This isn't over, Nathan." Voice low and menacing like the growl of predator. "Not by a long shot."

"You bet it isn't, Luke," came the angry reply, heavy breaths expelling from thick lips.

"See you in school baby bro."

"See you in my school, Luke-ass!"

Lucas stepped towards him, eyes fierce and full of loathing. A delicate hand quickly interceded, a look from Haley all but ending the blonde's advancement as a glance of mutual understanding was exchanged between the two. Seizing the opportunity, Peyton turned and tugged at Nathan's sweater, the charcoal fabric soft to the touch. Pulling Nathan forward, the scowling younger Scott moved away from the scene hesitantly, throwing one last look in his brother's direction. Out in the fresh night air, he wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders and pulled her close, the rest of the gang from Tree Hill High following closely behind.

"Well this is a great start." Soft orbs fell on the brooding blonde as eye contact was established. Wavy tendrils shook loosely from side-to-side as Haley stamped her lack of approval regarding the scene that had played out before them. Moving in from the rear, lanky arms pulled her close and rested a chin atop her head. Sighing, Chris looked at Lucas with eyes of regret.

"I'm so sorry man, if I'd known-"

"You did know," Lucas barked back, anger infusing every syllable. "I remember clearly stating to you that was Peyton Sawyer. She's a bitch. Stay away!"

"I know man," Chris stammered, baby blues already pleading with his angered friend. "But she was there, and I was there, and we were locked out..."

"And you're Chris Keller," Rachel replied, bored with the situation. Perfectly manicured hands snaked through the armhole of Lucas' rested hands and pulled him close, whispering in his ear. "Come on baby, it's not all that bad."

"Really?" Enthusiasm coated the words, Chris stepping forward and dragging Haley with him. "Did the meeting turn out well after all?"

"Oh yeah, great!" Malice followed the exclamation. Brooding eyes disappeared behind closed eyelids for a nanosecond, reappearing to take in the sight before them. "We'll be matriculating with these guppies starting Monday."

All eyes followed his gaze, watching as the school's supposed elite marched out to the parking lot like a cliché from a movie. They dispersed to their respective cars, laughter filling the night air. Walking up to his girl, Nathan planted a kiss on Peyton's lips and retreated, the blonde waiting until all cars had dispersed from the parking lot. Leaning against the car, she cut a lone figure that only drew Chris' eyes towards her.

"Forget it," Lucas repeated, pulling Rachel's hands into his own and stepping forward. He cast Chris a serious look. "It's gonna be hard enough come Monday without you getting yourself into a world of pain with that one. She's a mess if I ever saw one."

Turning to look at her, Chris knew Lucas had a point. She was already taken, by the school's head jock no less. She was completely off limits and by all accounts, not interested. And yet, he couldn't help but feel drawn to her. Like there was perhaps more boiling beneath the surface when it came to this little enigma before him.

As if she could read his thoughts, she turned her head in their direction. Her hazel orbs landed on his and glowered. Rolling her eyes she turned away, yanked open the door of her car and slid within, the music blaring as the engine roared to life. Tires screeched in pain as she reversed and hit the accelerator, speeding off through the car park with wild abandon.

Lucas was right. Watching her speed away into the darkening streets, it was abundantly clear that Peyton Sawyer was a definitely in a league of her own. Chris conceded the fact. The girl was a mess.

However, she was probably the most beautiful mess he'd ever seen.

~x-X-x~

Hello everyone! Thank you to everyone who left a review on the first chapter. It really means the world to me to know that so many people liked it. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of the confrontation between the brothers, the pairings so far and maybe even what you would like to see in the future?

Hit review guys and let me know! Your words help guide my writing more than you know!

Chrissy

xox