Chapter 4 : Us Against Them
"I like you!" Julian blurted out.
The silence which followed was the longest pause Julian had ever experienced.
Brooke visibly stiffened and then replied, "Well I like you too, silly!" with a giggle. She was smiling but the look in her eyes did not match her tone of voice or dimpled-free smile.
"Right. It's just-" Brooke looked up at him with big eyes and for a second, just one second, Julian thought maybe he had a chance.
"B. Davis where have you been?!" Peyton called over to her. Spotting Julian, Peyton cocked an eyebrow and looked at the brunette with a question in her eyes.
Brooke's expression changed from confusion to oh crap in an instant.
"I was supposed to hold a cheer meeting today, wasn't I?"
Peyton simply nodded her head, an amused expression taking over her face.
"Crap! Julian I'm so sorry, can we talk later? Have a nice rest of day, byeee!" Brooke spoke quickly to the stunned boy as she swiftly gathered up her bags and books before dashing of in the direction of the school gym.
"Brooke Davis everyone!" Peyton said sarcastic with a affectionate smirk on her face. She turned to look at Julian.
"You know, Brooke's never missed a cheer meet before...she normally like a freaking Nazi about punctuality." She had a knowing smile on her face. She let out a chuckle before turning and following her best friend in the direction of the gym.
"Huh." Julian said to himself before continuing with his lunch.
Brooke was exhausted. She had literally ran to the gym, had a stern talk with her squad about the expectations she had of them, and then as usual ended up being late to class - which was okay because it was Geography and snorebut then she had gym and that was just way too much effort for a Monday afternoon. Honestly, she had yet to give much thought to Julian Baker's confession earlier.
I mean really? The day a cute guy tells me he likes me and I clam up and act all weird? He probably thinks I'm insane!
Brooke was walking home, she figured she should sort out how she felt before using Julian's carpooling surfaces. Although if she was being honest if she was with him she'd use him for a hell of a lot more than- No!She had to stop herself. I've known him for two days! I thought I knew Lucas and look how that turned out! He's different though. She smiled to herself. Julian. Thinking about him at that party made her giggle to herself.
"Brooke?" The familiar voice caused Brooke to jump.
"Nate?"
He looked at her strangely. "Any reason you're walking home by yourself giggling like a maniac? I mean I know your crazy but-"
"Oh shut up Nathan!" Haley interjected from the seat beside him, jokingly slapping her husband on the shoulder, him throwing the honey blonde a loving smÃle.
Brooke watched the interaction between two of her best friends. Nathan was a boy she'd known practically her whole life - and only liked him for some of it. But Haley had changed him from the boy she thought she knew to a man who was so much more.
I want that someday.Brooke thought to herself, intertwining her fingers, a habit she had when nervous. But who says someday can't be today? My mother? My past? ...Me?
"Hey Brooke, you okay?" Haley looked over concerned at the girl who at some point in the past year had become her best girl friend.
Brooke looked up at her with wide eyes and a dimpled smile, "You know what Hales, I really am. Hey could you give me a ride home, there's something I gotta do."
Julian was woken from his movie-watching daze by a loud banging on his door.
"What the-" He opened the door to be greeted by the bubbly brunette who had captured his thoughts from the moment he moved to this town. "Brooke, what are you doing here?"
Brooke just smiled at him. "I have a proposition for you. So my luck with men in recent months and well pretty much my whole life," Brooke rambled, "Has been pretty much awful with hints of great thrown in there. I can't commit myself to anyone right now but, well, I think I maybe wanna try. Nothing serious, just one date - if it sucks we'll just be friends and if it's great then maybe I'll let you take me on another. I just need you to be patient with me."
Julian said nothing. His face turned solemn. "Brooke, when I said I liked you, I meant as a friend..." He trailed off. Seeing the brunette's downcast expression, his turned into one of amusement. "Brooke, I'm joking! I'd love to take you out sometime, I wanted to see if you really wanted to!"
"That is a risky move mister!" Brooke laughed along with him, the sinking feeling in her stomach slowly evaporating.
Julian chuckled to himself. "I'm meeting Mouth after school tomorrow, but maybe we could go for dinner and a movie after, say...8?" He questioned.
"It's a date Mr. Baker," Brooke turned and walked to her own house, pausing at her front door and locking eyes with him - who was still looking at her, "You've got yourself a date."
A/N: I haven't updated in way to long I know and I'll be honest I don't know if anyone is still reading this story, but I came across it again and just felt like writing - which hasn't happened in a while. Thank you for all of your support and a special thank you to EmilyRose09who has given me some of the most incredible feedback and whose reviews are what motivated me to write this chapter. Enjoy. M.