AN: Thank you guys so much for reading and reviewing. It means a lot to me!
Peyton's alarm is blaring. She keeps her eyes closed and lets a sigh escape her lips. She hates getting up so early every day. In college, she never scheduled a class before eleven AM. now; she was getting up at seven thirty almost every day. Luckily, today is one of her days off so she was actually able to sleep until eleven. She slaps her hand down on the alarm, silencing it. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and opens them up. She gazes around her room. In the past two weeks she managed to get all of her boxes unpacked and even hang up a few things. She has her posters from her favorite concerts up throughout the apartment among some other things. Peyton drags herself out of bed and picks up her phone. She sees that she has a few emails, probably her student loans coming to collect, and that she also has a text message from Brooke.
Peyton has been seeing a lot of Brooke, since she insists they hang out almost every night since they live next door to each other and the fact that they work together. Peyton is surprised that she doesn't mind hanging out with the same person so much, especially given her history of being a loner, and the fact that Brooke is basically the opposite of her. But if Peyton is honest she not only doesn't mind being around Brooke so much, but she actually likes it.
Brooke makes her feel like she doesn't have the weight of the world on her shoulders. She makes Peyton feel like she can relax and smile and just be herself. Peyton hasn't felt that way in so long and it feels so nice to have a friend. The only thing that Peyton feels slightly uncomfortable with is how fast she's gotten close to Brooke. Now, Peyton hasn't went and opened up to Brooke, no she wasn't ready for that, but she has shared some little things and she talks more often. Peyton just can't help but think about what happened last time she had a friend, when she had Kate.
She grunts out a sigh of frustration. She has to stop thinking about what happened back in college. It's over and done with and Peyton needs to move on. She opens Brooke's text message. She can feel the corner of her lips turning up. Brooke has a way of turning Peyton's melancholy thoughts around and into something light and carefree. The text message says for Peyton to hurry up and get her skinny ass in the shower because Brooke has a big day planned for them. Peyton laughs at Brooke's choice of words and goes into the bathroom. In there, she texts Brooke back that she'll be ready in like half an hour and that she'll come over when she's ready.
Every time that Brooke and Peyton have hung out it's always been at Brooke's. Peyton thinks that she just isn't ready for Brooke to see where she lives. She may be spending a lot of time with her and she may even be opening up just a little bit, but she isn't ready for that. She has too many private things here, too many things that would raise questions. Peyton isn't ready to let Brooke all the way in, she doesn't know if she ever will be.
Peyton finishes up in the bathroom and then goes into her bedroom. She's staring at her closet when she realizes she has no idea what Brooke is making her do today, so she doesn't know what to wear. She assumes it's nothing too fancy so she pulls out her favorite pair of skinny jeans and a Black Keys t-shirt. It's still pretty early in September so she decides to leave her leather jacket behind. She grabs her purse and turns off the light, locking the door behind her.
Brooke's apartment is only two doors down from hers, so it only takes a few seconds before Peyton is knocking on Brooke's door.
"Come in!" Peyton can hear Brooke yell through the apartment. She opens the door and walks in, immediately laughing at what she sees.
Brooke is hobbling from her bedroom to the bathroom while trying to get her pants on, her hair is being held halfway up by a clip, and she hasn't done her make up yet.
"Wow. And to think I thought I was the one holding us up." Peyton smirks and sits down on Brooke's couch.
"Now, now Peyton. We can't all just throw on a t-shirt and look perfectly presentable. For some, beauty takes time." Brooke yells from inside the bathroom.
"I'm sure you look great no matter how long you take getting ready." Peyton gets out her phone and starts clearing some of the emails from this morning. She can't see that Brooke is smiling from what she said.
Brooke hurries and finishes doing her makeup and hair. They have to leave in the next fifteen minutes if they plan on doing what Brooke has planned for them. She decides to do a soft curl on her hair and just some light, natural make up. What they're doing today doesn't require anything fancy. The other day at the store Brooke heard Peyton say to a customer that she had never played mini golf. So for today, Brooke was taking Peyton to play her first real game of mini golf.
Brooke was infatuated with Peyton. It had taken her all of three days to become enthralled with her. Brooke had never met someone like Peyton and it made her desperate to unlock the mystery that is Peyton Sawyer. So far, she had hung out with Peyton twelve times since they started working together, not that she was keeping count or anything. Each time they hung out Brooke noticed that Peyton would start to relax and then tense back up. She wonders what or who hurt Peyton so much that she's afraid of just being herself. Of course she would never just come out and ask Peyton that. Brooke gets the feeling that when Peyton is ready, her story will just come pouring out and Brooke can't wait to be the one listening to every word.
She puts the finishing touches on her make up and adjusts her clothes once more. Giving herself a final look of approval, Brooke makes her way out of the bathroom. When she gets into the living room she notices Peyton is staring intensely at her phone with an expression that Brooke has never seen on her before. It seems to be a mix between anger and hurt. When Peyton doesn't look up Brooke walks over to her and places her hand on her shoulder.
"Everything okay?" Peyton snaps out of it and locks her phone, shoving it down into the pocket of her jeans.
"Oh, uhm, yeah. Just uh, some emails." Peyton runs a shaky hand through her curls and lets out a breath. "Ready to go?" Brooke decides to ignore what just happened for now, she didn't want to ruin the day and she knew how private Peyton was.
"Yes! This is going to be so much fun!" Brooke loops her arm through Peyton's and they head out the front door.
"And just where are we going?"
"Now, that is a surprise. In fact, you need to put this on." Brooke reaches into her purse and pulls out a bright, pink bandana. Peyton lets out a scoff.
"There is no way in hell I'm putting that on." Peyton pushes Brooke's hand that's holding the bandana away.
"Peyton! Yes you are. It's a surprise so I can't just let you see where we're going. That'll ruin it!" Brooke is full on pouting, something Peyton has noticed she does when she thinks she isn't getting her way.
"No. I'm not wearing that." They get to Brooke's car and get inside. Brooke puts the top down and turns the radio on a low volume. Then she just sits there with her arms crossed.
"Uh, Brooke? Are we just sitting in your car for the day?"
"I'm not leaving until you put the bandana on." Brooke turns her head away from Peyton. Peyton can see that she's literally sticking her bottom lip out. Unbelievable. What's more unbelievable is the fact that Peyton actually reaches across the seat and grabs the bandana from Brooke's hands.
"There are you happy?" Peyton has tied the bandana over her eyes and sitting there with a frown on her face.
"Aww, you look so nice. Now just put a smile on your face and we'll be on our way!" Brooke pats Peyton's leg and pulls out of the parking lot.
They ride in comfortable silence since Peyton figures it's useless to ask Brooke about where they're going. In the past two weeks, Peyton has realized that Brooke is one of the strongest willed, independent, and brave people she's ever met. Brooke told her that she was the assistant manager at Paisley&Co on her second day there. Over the past month and a half Brooke told her that she sort of raised herself since her parents were never around. They just threw money at me instead of love is what Brooke told Peyton when she was talking about her family. Peyton couldn't see how someone couldn't love Brooke. She just was one of those people, someone that everyone knew and liked. Another thing Peyton liked about Brooke is that she never expected Peyton to share stuff about her life. Brooke said what she wanted to say and let Peyton do the same.
"We're here!" Brooke basically squeals as she pulls the bandana off of Peyton's head.
"Glow Golf?" Peyton gets out of the car and stares at the sign.
"Yes, Glow Golf! We're playing mini golf. Which by the way, I think it is ridiculous that you've never played." Brooke pulls Peyton by the arm to the ticket window.
"How did you know I've never played mini golf?" Peyton asks from behind Brooke.
"I heard you say it to a customer." Brooke leans up to the ticket window and asks the young guy working for two clubs and two golf balls. Peyton can't help but notice the way the guy is staring at Brooke, he was basically drooling. Peyton also couldn't decide why that bothered her.
"Well aren't you a creeper." Peyton grabs the club and ball that Brooke hands her, rolling her eyes at the color. Pink, of course. Honestly, Peyton thought it was sweet that Brooke is taking her mini golfing since she's never been. It makes her anxious at the same time. Brooke was being so nice to Peyton and she seemed to genuinely care about Peyton, which made Peyton nervous. She didn't want to get too involved. Peyton rolls her eyes at herself. She hangs out with Brooke everyday, she is involved. She guesses a better way to put it is that she doesn't want to get her heart broken again. And that would mean not getting too attached to Brooke, besides, Peyton didn't plan on staying in Tree Hill for forever and she had no idea about Brooke's plans. So getting too attached wouldn't be wise for multiple reasons.
Peyton decides that today she's just going to have a good time. She didn't want to think anymore. She just wanted to be here in the now. She was tired of always second guessing everything, but turning off who she's always been is hard. She's pulled out of her thoughts by the feeling of Brooke's warm hand on her back.
"C'mon! I can't wait to kick your ass in mini golf." Brooke smiles at Peyton and Peyton feels something tighten in her stomach.
"That's not really fair since this is my first time." Peyton follows behind Brooke and they get to the first hole.
"Now, just watch the pro and you'll get the hang of it." Peyton watches Brooke line up the shot, swing, and miss horribly. She let's a laugh escape her lips.
"Well if that's how the pros do it, I don't think I'll have any trouble."
"Oh come on, I haven't played in a while. I just need some warming up. You'll see."
It takes Brooke three tries before she makes the ball in the hole. She instructs Peyton where to place her ball and how to hold the club and then says to go ahead. Peyton lines up the shot, swings, and the ball goes into the hole on the first try.
"A hole in one! Well, that's just beginners luck. They get harder so don't go and get cocky." Brooke pouts at Peyton and moves onto hole number two. Peyton follows behind her laughing.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it."
About an hour later Brooke and Peyton make their way to the last hole on the course. So far, Brooke hasn't made a single hole in one and Peyton has made five. Brooke was a little bit annoyed since it was Peyton's first time playing and she didn't like to lose. She was determined to get a hole in one on this last hole. She goes up to the green felt and place her golf ball down. Brooke squares her shoulders and gets ready to swing.
"C'mon you can do it!" Peyton yells to her. Brooke swings and watches the ball go down the hill and over the fake obstacles and straight into the hole.
"Yes! Finally, see I told you I was good!" Brooke looks over at Peyton and sticks her tongue out at her. Then Brooke does the dorkiest victory dance Peyton has ever seen and there is that feeling in Peyton's stomach again.
"Think I'll get another one? What will this make it? Ten?" Peyton walks up to the felt and places her ball.
"Ha ha, I'm Peyton and I'm so great at mini golf." Brooke mocks Peyton and stands beside the hole. Peyton swings the club and sends the ball flying straight over the obstacles. Right before it was going to go in the hole, Brooke pushes the ball with her foot.
"Uhm, interference! You totally kicked my ball!" Peyton puts her hands on her hip. Brooke puts her hand to her chest as if she's genuinely sorry.
"Me? Well, I would never do such a thing!"
"For some reason I feel like it's something you would definitely do." Peyton takes another shot and gets the ball in on the second try. "It doesn't matter though, I still kicked your ass."
"We'll see. I still have to add up our scores." Brooke and Peyton grab their clubs and balls and head back to the entry. There they return their things and head back out to the car. When they get inside the car Brooke takes out their tally sheet and starts adding.
"It looks like you won." Brooke grumbled as she turned her car on.
"Well, well, look at that. The student becomes the master." Peyton smirks at Brooke and slides her sunglasses on. She had a great time with Brooke, she didn't over think anything and managed to actually laugh and tease Brooke. She felt good. She felt happy.
"Yeah, yeah. We'll go again and I'll really bring out my game then. I just didn't want to be too hard on you, since you'd never played."
"Uh huh. Let's go somewhere to eat, I'm starving."
"Okay. What sounds good to you?"
"Something greasy and terrible for me."
"I know just the place." Brooke smiles at Peyton and makes a left at the next light. Brooke couldn't be more pleased with how today has gone so far. Peyton was actually relaxed around her for once and she seemed to be having a good time. She seemed to be having fun. Brooke had never seen Peyton smile as much as she did today. It makes Brooke want to always be the reason Peyton is smiling. She drives for a few more minutes, with just the sound of music floating between them, then pulls into the parking lot of Karen's Café.
"This place has the best burgers. I swear." Brooke gets out of the car and Peyton does the same. They walk into the small café and sit down at a booth in the back, next to the window. Brooke hands Peyton one of the menus from the side of the table and then gets her iPhone out of her purse. She checks to see if she has any messages and then puts it back in her purse.
"Brooke, I haven't seen you in a while. What's up?" The waiter, a tall blonde guy, says to Brooke.
"Just treating my new friend to the best cuisine in Tree Hill. Is your mom here?"
"Actually you just missed her. She went out with Keith just a few minutes ago."
Brooke smiles at the guy and they talk for a few more minutes. Peyton once again has that feeling of being left out. She gets fidgety and uncomfortable. Brooke seems to notice and tells the waiter that she wants a chocolate milkshake with a burger and fries.
"Should have known, the Brooke Davis special. And for you?" The waiter looks at Peyton but before she can answer Brooke interrupts her.
"She'll have the same, you can't come here with Brooke Davis and not get the Brooke Davis special." The waiter lets out a soft chuckle.
"Of course. How could I forget?"
"Thanks Luke." Brooke smiles at him and he walks back towards the kitchen. Peyton looks at her hands.
"Sorry, that's Lucas. We went to high school together, actually he's Nathan's brother. I should have introduced you, don't worry when he comes back I will." Brooke rambles while she plays with the napkin on the table.
"No problem. I'm not very good at first impressions anyways."
"You seemed to catch my attention." Brooke gives Peyton a small smile. Peyton can feel herself blush. It isn't everyday someone compliments her.
"Sure."
"So, how was your first mini golfing experience?"
"It was pretty fun." Brooke could tell that Peyton was starting to retreat a little bit. She wants to bring her back out of her shell. They were having so much fun golfing and she doesn't want that to end.
"Hey, I'm sorry if that was weird. Lucas and I go way back so sometimes I forget that not everyone knows him like I do and they can't just jump into our conversation."
"It's really no big deal."
"I know, I just want you to feel like we're friends, I mean, we are friends. I just want you to feel like you can say whatever to me, like whatever you want or whatever. Do you, uh, God, am I even making sense?" Brooke is rambling and doing the thing where she half talks to herself. Peyton laughs at her.
"It's okay, really. And sure, we're friends." Peyton gives Brooke a small smile. Her phone dings from inside her bag, so she reaches down into it. Brooke notices that when Peyton checks her phone her face drops. She gets that same look on her face from earlier, the mix between anger and hurt.
"Is everything okay?" Peyton doesn't say anything; she just stares at her phone. "Peyton?"
"Huh?" She sounds distracted and it spikes Brooke's curiosity.
"I asked if everything was okay."
"Uhm, yeah. Everything's fine." Peyton has a sharp tone to her voice and Brooke notices that she deletes whatever message she was reading and then turns her phone off. She decides not to push her luck. Instead, Brooke opts to change the subject.
"Okay, good. So how do you like working at Paisley so far?"
They make small talk about work for a few minutes; meaning that Brooke asks Peyton a few questions to which she gives one word answers or nods her head. Brooke is thankful when Lucas comes back with their food. She hopes that the greasy delight he sits in front of them will cheer Peyton back up.
"Here we are ladies. Anything else?"
"Nope, I think we're all good Luke. Oh, by the way, this is Peyton. She works with me."
"Nice to meet you, Peyton. I hope Brooke here isn't being too hard on you. I hear she's a real pain at work." Lucas gives Peyton a smile.
"Yeah, she's okay, I guess." Peyton looks over at Brooke and smirks.
"I am like the best coworker ever!" Brooke says to Lucas.
"I know, I know. Well you guys enjoy, just holler if you need anything." Lucas turns around and walks back to the kitchen.
Brooke and Peyton dig into their food, both eating like they're starving.
"This is so good." Peyton says with a mouthful to Brooke. Brooke laughs at her, she's glad to see the food put her in a little bit of a better mood.
"I told you, see I'm always right." Brooke takes one of her French fries and dips it into her chocolate milkshake.
"Sure." Peyton says in her normal sarcastic tone but gives Brooke a slight smile.
They finish their meals and Brooke goes up to the counter to pay. She motions for Peyton to come on and they both wave good-byes to Luke, with Brooke promising to text him soon. On the way back to their apartment Peyton digs out a twenty of her purse.
"Here you go, my half for today." Brooke shakes her head.
"Nope, today was my treat. I had to introduce to the finer things in Tree Hill." Peyton sits the twenty in Brooke's cup holder. Which Brooke picks up and puts back in Peyton's purse.
"Seriously, today was on me." Peyton rolls her eyes but accepts her defeat.
"You know, if you keep paying for me, I'm going to start thinking I'm special."
"Oh don't worry, I always pay for pretty girls." Brooke winks and then laughs at Peyton. They ride the rest of the way in an easy silence.
Brooke pulls into the parking lot a little after three o'clock. The girls get out of the car and head up the stairs to their apartments. They get to Peyton's first. Brooke doesn't really want to quit hanging out but she doesn't want to seem pushy. So she walks Peyton over to her door and Peyton gets out her keys.
"Uhm, thanks for today Brooke. It was really nice. Yeah, uhm, I had a good time." Peyton keeps her head down while she's talking. Brooke thinks it's both cute and a little sad that Peyton is so embarrassed. She desperately wants to know why Peyton has such a hard time opening up, it kill her to see someone as great as Peyton hide inside themselves.
"My pleasure, P. Sawyer. Although, I don't think my ego can take playing mini golf with you again anytime soon." Brooke crinkles her nose up and Peyton lets out a little laugh.
"Yeah, yeah. Well I'll see you tomorrow I guess."
"Well duh, unless you're trying to play hooky. Which you can never do since you live next door to your coworker, so I'll always know if you're lying!"
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of lying to you. You're too crazy, who knows what you might do."
"You don't want to know." Brooke winks at Peyton and turns to leave. When she hears Peyton turn the key into the door, she turns back around.
"Hey Peyton, whatever bothered you at lunch, uhm, I just want you to know you can talk to me about it. You know, if you ever want to." Peyton gives Brooke a sad smile.
"Yeah, sure Brooke. Thanks. Well, see you tomorrow." Peyton goes inside of her apartment and shuts the door behind her. Brooke walks the two doors to her own apartment and goes inside, thinking about Peyton, which is all she seems to be doing these last couple weeks. Maybe one day, Brooke thought, maybe one day Peyton will let her in. Brooke could be the girl that changes everything, if only Peyton will give her the chance to.