Chapter Four: Jealousy Is An Ugly Word

Over the next few weeks, Peyton and I talked more and more. We were basically friends, except she didn't really open up to me. We talked about music and school, and she would avoid any serious topics. I tried more than once to talk about her, but she used sarcastic comments to keep this wall between us. Nathan became jealous, and it was extremely apparent. I figured that nothing would come of it. I mean, any guy would get jealous if their girlfriend got all buddy-buddy with some other guy. Especially if that guy was their illegitimate half brother. I ignored Nathan, and attempted to make more progress with Peyton. I had a plan, and it was time to put that plan into action.

--

The last bell of the day rang and Lucas began his search for Peyton. Usually he knew exactly where to find her, but cheerleading practice had been cancelled for the day. After a few minutes of searching he found her at her locker.

"Hey Peyton!" he called as he jogged up to her.

"Hey Luke. What's up?" she asked, closing her locker and making her way down the hallway. Lucas managed to keep up her quick pace, walking right next to her.

"I was wondering what your plans are for this evening..."

"Depends on what you're offering." she replied. They had made it outside, she stopped on the sidewalk, and turned to face him.

"Well I have no plans-"

"As usual." she cut him off, smirking.

"Haha. You're hilarious. Now may I continue?" he asked, grinning back at her. She nodded her head and motioned for him to continue. "Well, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," he teased. "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight. We could meet up at the Rivercourt and see where the night takes us." Lucas awaited her answer in hopeful silence.

"Hmm...okay. Sounds like it has the potential to be somewhat fun." she teased. He smiled at her, managing to hide his excitement.

"Great, So, meet me at the Rivercourt around 6?"

"Alright. See you then." She walked to her car and drove off. Lucas waited until her car was out of sight before he pumped his fists into the air.

"Yes!!" he exclaimed. Lucas glanced around and noticed the awkward stares of bystanders. He chuckled nervously and left as quickly as he could. He climbed into his car and hurried home, he had to prepare for tonight. Peyton headed home as well, rushing inside excitedly. She raced upstairs and started rifling through her closet. She needed something to wear. She had piles of clothing on her bed, still unable to make a decision. She grabbed her phone and called Brooke, needing her assistance. About five minutes after she hung up the phone, Brooke popped up in her doorway, a huge Abercrombie bag in her hands.

"Alright P. Sawyer, what are your options?" she asked, setting the bag down on the floor.

"I figured I should just dress like I usually do...I mean, me and him are just hanging out."

"Just hanging out, huh? If you two are just hanging out, then why are you freaking out?" Brooke asked with a smirk.

"Oh god...I don't know!" she exclaimed. Brooke chuckled and picked up the bag, dumping its contents onto the pile on the bed.

"What's all this?" Peyton asked, sifting through the clothing.

"This my friend, is sexy outfit choices pour vous. You can dress like yourself, with a little more of a sex kitten edge." Brooke grabbed one of Peyton's tanktops and pulled a mini skirt out of the bag. "Now go try this on. We still have to work on hair and makeup." Peyton walked into the bathroom, trying on the outfit.

"I don't know Brooke...I think this is a little much." Peyton said, walking back into her bedroom.

"P, you look hot!" Brooke exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Lucas is gonna love it. Now come here and let me do your makeup." Peyton sat in her computer chair which Brooke had pulled in front of the full length mirror.. Brooke grabbed the blush brush and started to work on Peyton. "Now, let's talk about you and Broody."

"We're friends Brooke."

"Okay...P. I hate to break it to you, but friends don't freak out about what they're gonna wear in front of other friends." Brooke thought about it for a second, then realized something. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"What?" Peyton questioned, confused.

"Peyton Sawyer, going on a date with Lucas Scott, while she's dating Nathan Scott. It's just kinda ironic, don't-cha think?"

Lucas was sitting at the Rivercourt. It was about 5, one hour until Peyton would arrive. He was sitting on the picnic table, his mind consumed with thoughts of Peyton. His hands were shaking, and his palms were a bit sweaty.

"It's not a date Lucas...you're just hanging out. She is dating your evil half brother." he reminded himself.

"That's right. She's dating me." a voice called out. Lucas looked over and stood up quickly.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Lucas asked confused.

"Peyton is my girlfriend, and there is no way in hell I'm letting her hang out with the school loser. So I suggest you get out of here, Pucas." Nathan said disgustedly.

"And what if I don't?" Lucas asked confidently. His confidence faded as two of Nathan's jock buddies stepped into the light.

"Then Nathan Scott is gonna take you downtown! He's gonna pummel your ass until you can't sit on it. He'll beat you so bad you'll be drinking through a straw for the rest of your life! He'll-"

"Just say I'm gonna kick his ass, Tim." Nathan said with a sigh, glancing over at Tim. Tim nodded his head and looked at the ground. "You have two seconds to leave before me and my buddies here start kicking your ass." Nathan warned. "One."

"You think you scare me, little brother?" Lucas asked with a smirk. It appeared like he wasn't intimidated at all, like he wasn't afraid. The truth was, Lucas was scared shitless. His head was telling him to bolt, but his heart, and his ego, told him that he had to stay.

"Two." Nathan said simply. The three started advancing towards him. Lucas didn't move. He didn't want to give Nathan the satisfaction of seeing him run. Before he knew it, Nathan was right in front of him. Lucas felt a fist connect with his right eye, and he stumbled backwards, a surge of pain rushing through him. His eye felt like it was on fire, and he knew it would be black and blue within seconds. He regained his balance and moved towards Nathan, extending a fist. It didn't even hit Nathan. The two guys had grabbed his arms, holding him back. Lucas started kicking, managing to hit Tim a couple times. However, Tim didn't let go. Nathan smirked cockily. "This is gonna be easier than I thought." He punched him in the gut, making him lose his breath momentarily. Two more times Nathan's fist connected with Lucas's stomach, before he hit him square in the chest. Lucas was gasping for air, and the only reason he was still standing was because they were holding him upright. Nathan took a step closer, kneeing him in the crotch. At that point, the guys let go of his arms and he just collapsed, his cheek scratched by the pavement. He groaned in pain, his vision blurred, the pain becoming too much for him to bear. Nathan started kicking him in the stomach, letting out all of his anger and frustration into the powerful kicks. After a couple minutes of the relentless kicking, Nathan bent down, pulling Lucas's head up by his short hair. "I better not catch you talking to my girl again." he told him angrily. He let his head drop to the ground and walked away, his boys following behind him. Lucas writhed on the ground in pain, trying to get his breathing back to normal. He felt a sharp pain in his ribs, he was sure that they were broken.

"Peyton..." he mumbled, before groaning out in pain. He needed Peyton now more than ever.

"Alright P. Sawyer, get going!" Brooke said, waving goodbye as Peyton drove off. Peyton pulled up to the Rivercourt, checking her hair and makeup before climbing out.

"Lucas?" she called, looking for him. After a few moments she saw him, lying in the middle of the court. "Oh my god...Lucas!!" She raced over to him, bending down next to him. She couldn't believe it. His cheek was bleeding, his eye was a deep purple, and he was moaning out in pain. His hands were clutching his stomach. "Help!" she screamed. Peyton realized it was no use screaming because no one was there. She pulled out her phone and dialed 911.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"He, I think he got beat up. He cut his cheek and, and I think that something is wrong with his stomach and, help! We're at that basketball court that's next to the river. We need an ambulance. Please hurry! He's in a lot of pain."

"Peyton..." Lucas moaned. She hung up the phone quickly and kneeled next to him.

"Luke, I'm right here. It's okay. Just stay with me, okay? Just stay with me." she pleaded, tears trickling down her cheeks. Soon the calm night was filled with the sounds of sirens and flashing lights. "The ambulance is here now, Luke. You'll be okay." she told him.

"Stay with me." he managed, his breathing uneven.

"I will. I promise." she whispered. She stood up as the ambulance came to a stop. A stretcher was pulled out of the back and they carefully lifted Lucas onto it. "Can I go with him?" she asked as they loaded Lucas into the ambulance.

"I'm sorry ma'am, family only."

"I am family. I'm his...I'm his wife!" she said quickly. The man nodded and ushered her into the ambulance. She mentally hit herself, why couldn't she have said she was his sister? She groaned and sat next to Lucas, holding his hand gently. They pulled open his shirt and peyton was shocked. His entire stomach was covered in huge purple bruises. She didn't understand who would want to hurt Lucas. "Oh god..." she mumbled. It had finally hit her. She knew who had done this. "Nathan." she whispered angrily. Peyton couldn't believe that he had stooped so low. She was pulled from her thoughts as she heard her name. She looked down at Lucas. "I'm right here, Luke...I'm right here." she whispered.

A/N: R&R!!