Chapter 3: Trust Me

IN THE ELEVATOR:

There's an odd silence between Peyton and Nathan. Nathan suddenly laughs a little, causing Peyton to look at him. She looked like Nathan was freaky, but she couldn't help but smile at the stupidity Nathan's showing. "What is it Nathan? Come on. Just tell me."

"Nothing." Nathan laughed. "I just thought maybe I could press the emergency button, then we could relive the moments we had in my car." He laughed even more.

"Ugh! You're disgusting!" Peyton let out a loud laugh.

"I'm kidding. I'm kidding!" Nathan said, still laughing like a kid. "I just wanted to get you out of that serious mood." Nathan said as they both got out of the elevator. They walked towards the lounge.

"Well… Life's tough. Well, it's tough on me."

"Actually, that's not why I was laughing. I just thought of that on the spot."

Peyton was intrigued again, so she asked Nathan, "Then… why were you laughing?"

"Because… Peyt, I enjoyed looking at you and my brother a while ago. Especially when he lifted your chin up." Nathan teased. He can be so "young"(immature) at times, but in a good way.

"Shut up Nathan." Peyton tried to laugh as she punched Nathan's arms.

"Hey, hey, hey. Stop. Ok, fine. But that's the truth. I noticed you were saying something really long, what was that?"

"That…" Peyton sat down, as she thought hard if she was gonna tell Nathan or not. "Was… nothing… absolutely nothing."

"Didn't seem like nothing. Come on Peyton, I know your story and I don't take anything against you. You might as well tell me. No one else knows but Lucas, but I don't think you're gonna be talking to him about your problems with him." Nathan put emphasis on the TO HIM and WITH HIM part.

"Sometimes you surprise me Nathan."

"Yeah? How?"

"By saying some things that actually would come from a decent brain." Peyton laughed at her joke.

"Ha-Ha. I'm smarter than you think Peyton."

"Yeah, I know. I was just kidding. But you made complete sense, so I might as well just tell you. I've got to tell someone."

"Shoot."

"You see, Brooke also knows and she didn't take it well."

"Wait. Brooke knows?"

"Just my stupidity for telling her. I just had to be honest! But it was Lucas who accidentally told her about the kiss in the library."

"You know, you two belong together. You're both really…"

"Stupid? Yeah, I know."

"I was gonna say honest, but… whatever you say" Nathan joked.

"Ok, honest is good. I take back the stupid." Peyton joked too. They laughed for about 2 seconds, then Peyton continued with her explanation. "So anyway, there. Brooke got mad at me twice. I just felt so weak. I didn't fight back. I told her I was sorry and that I wasn't gonna do anything about it. Nothing worked. She called me a two-faced bitch. She ended our friendship. She called me a witch. Basically, she belittled me into a helpless tiny ant. I don't care anymore if she hates me. I apologized."

"Yeah you shouldn't. That was really harsh. I can't believe Brooke's reaction. You think she's just scared that if you and Lucas hooked up, you'd be stronger together?"

"I don't really care. If she hates me, I'll just pretend I don't know her. I just don't want her to hate Lucas because I know Lucas loves her so much, though it hurts me to know it. And knowing this, I can't keep falling for Lucas, or else the rejection I'll get from him will hurt more than it did before and than it does now. There. I told him to avoid me, maybe forever."

"And you told him why? I mean… Everything I know now, he knows too?"

"You know it." Peyton said in a sad tone with her head down. "OH GOD I'M SO STUPID!"

"No, you're not. Honest, remember?" Nathan tried to make her smile. It worked for about two seconds, then Peyton had the heartbroken look on her face again.

"I lost Ellie, then Jake, then Brooke, and now Lucas. Nathan, promise me you and Haley will always be there."

"Hey. I promise. I'm promising for Haley too…" Nathan smiled, and then a thought hit him, "Isn't it Jake will always be in Savannah?"

"Yeah… but… he has this… like ability to see right through me. He'll know I still love Lucas and he might be insulted. I don't want to hurt him more."

"True, but you can ask for him to be your friend. Right?"

"Now why would I do that? So he can hear my story and get hurt as I tell him how much I love Lucas? No way Nathan."

"No… That's not… well… I didn't think about that… I guess you're stuck with me and Haley." Nathan joked, but this time, he was laughing alone. So, he just stopped and put his hand on Peyton's shoulder, comforting her. "We won't leave you Peyton. Promise."

"Thanks Nathan. That means a lot to me."

MEANWHILE…

"Hey Luke." Brooke put her hand on Lucas' shoulder as he was at the terrace, thinking about Peyton.

"Oh, hey Brooke. How'd it go with Cooper?"

"It was good. I just talked about the planning of Haley and Nathan's wedding. Of course, after I comforted him. I couldn't find a topic to talk about." Brooke said.

"You'll always find a way Brooke."

"I know that…" Brooke said proudly. Lucas gave her an unsure stare. "KIDDING!" Brooke laughed as Lucas could only smile.

"What's wrong Luke? You seem kind of… down. I mean, before I approached you, it was like you were thinking of something so deep.

"Brooke…" Lucas started. "Can I be honest with you?"

Brooke was already worried and feeling a little anger "What is it Luke?"

"Peyton was here a while ago and we talked."

"OH MY GOD LUKE! HOW COULD YOU! I SPECIFICALLY TOLD YOU NOT TO TALK TO THAT BITCH!" Brooke was furious with what Lucas and Peyton had done behind her back.

"Brooke I KNOW. But you lied about why, and from what she said, I think I've figured out why. She told you she still had feelings for me. I can't believe you don't trust me enough to tell me this! Am I that low to you now! Huh!" Lucas' voice was so loud and angry. Brooke already felt scared because of Lucas' tone. The anger, all turned to fear.

"I-I… I don't know… I'm sorry." The SORRY part seemed like a whisper because she was stuttering in fear and sadness. "It's just that… before… when you two… you kissed… and then… you… Peyton… you hooked up. I mean… wha-what was I supposed to think?"

"You were supposed to think that you could trust me Brooke."

"I did… I did!"

"Oh sure you did. That's why you didn't want me to know Peyton still loved me." Lucas was angry because Brooke didn't trust her and because deep inside, he didn't like losing Peyton.

"Ok… maybe not, but I trusted you more than I did Peyton!"

"Rephrase what you said. You did NOT trust me, but you didn't trust Peyton more than me." He said these words slowly and emphasized some words to rub it to her face. Then he walked away before he could say anything really hurtful to Brooke.

Brooke stood there in silence, shock and sorrow. She started to cry, regretting what she had done to Lucas, but now, she was angrier at Peyton than she was before. Is she gonna do or say anything to Peyton?

AN: Find out on the next chapter. Please review. Sorry if this is kinda long. Or is it? I think not. Hahaha… I'm confusing myself. The next chapter is already saved in my account. I'll post it after a day or so. Hahaha…

Spoiler: Haley and Karen are gonna find out about everything with Jake, Peyton, Luke and Brooke. Find out which side(s) they're on. Will they even choose? Hahaha. (I'm not giving away major spoilers. This is just…minor :D ) hahaha