A/N – so the past couple of weeks have been crazy at work, with my shifts changing at a moments notice, and I always seem to be working until 10 pm, which means no time for writing :( However I spent most of today sorting out the next bit of this story, so I think this chapter is now ready for publishing.
As always I do not own OTH or any of the characters, or anything by Shakespeare, and reviews are always appreciated.
Standing in front of her full length mirror, Peyton scrunched her nose up at her appearance, figuring that it wasn't going to get any better. Today was the first day of school, and she had dressed in her usual jean and Converse combination, with a Jack's Mannequin t-shirt and her leather jacket. Running her hand through her misbehaving curls, she grabbed her bag and clattered noisily down the stairs, grabbing some toast from the kitchen whilst waiting for Nathan. Peyton had hardly seen him since the stressful dinner roughly two weeks ago, having passed him on the stairs a couple of times and she noticed his car speeding off down the lane a few of days ago when she was on her way back from the stables.
Glancing at her watch, she heard a door slam in the distance and Nathan strode into sight. "Relax Sawyer, we have loads of time before class starts," he smirked, grabbing an apple and his car keys, before pulling open the front door. His convertible sports car had been parked directly in front of the house, and he slid easily into the front seat, waiting for Peyton to follow suit.
"Yeah, well in case you forgot I have to have a meeting with the principle before class, and I'll probably have to sign a million pieces of paper," she sighed, not looking forwards in the slightest to her first day.
Slamming his foot down on the accelerator the car sprang into life, gripping the gravel easily and blowing Peyton's hair back over her shoulders. "Sawyer, with the amount of horsepower this baby has, we will be at school within ten minutes," he threw back at her, taking the corner at breakneck speed and barely pausing at the give way sign.
'Yeah, I'd like to still be alive though,' Peyton thought to herself, choosing to ignore the way he was driving by concentrating on playing with the radio and mentally promising herself that she would drive herself from now on. Nathan ignored her for the rest of the journey, sliding his car into the empty space directly in front of the school, before reaching into the glove compartment for a pen which he slid behind his ear.
Clambering out of the low riding car, Peyton fixed her t-shirt, slinging her bag over her shoulder and followed Nathan towards the imposing building, passing under the large sign 'Tree Hill High – Home of the Ravens'.
"This is the quad," Nathan spoke, pausing for a moment to allow her to catch up and pointing off to one side where several wooden tables were arranged. "The gym is beyond that along with the football fields. I'll point you in the direction of the offices, as I need something from my locker, then it's a good chance we have first class together," he continued, with a slight air of boredom, and Peyton noticed that his posture had changed the minute he had stepped foot through the door. Many of the students moved out of their way as Nathan walked past, and a small smirk graced his lips. Suddenly he looked more like Dan than ever, and Peyton rolled her eyes.
"Right, whatever," she replied, walking away from him towards the offices, pushing open the door and stepping into the small reception area. Behind the desk, a small grey haired lady was typing on the computer whilst talking on the phone, and on seeing Peyton's presence, waved a hand to welcome her and to move her closer to the desk.
'Damn she has got the multi-tasking thing down,' Peyton smiled, instantly liking her as she produced a stack of papers, pointing to the various sections that required signatures.
Dropping the phone back into its cradle, the lady sighed before turning her attention to Peyton. "Sorry about that. Principle Turner had a flat tyre this morning, so he won't be here to greet you officially," the lady explained. "But here is your class schedule, a map of the school and your locker number and combination. Do you have any questions?"
"Er... no, I don't think so," Peyton replied, not wanting to take any more time up than necessary.
"Great, if you do my door is always open and welcome to Tree Hill High," she smiled, before answering the phone again as it began ringing shrilly.
Sliding quietly out of the room, Peyton glanced at her class schedule, reading that her first class was English in Room 208, before sliding all the paper into her bag and turning the corner, and accidently running into a group of boys.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of the boys questioned, and instantly the other boys sniggered in response. Peyton felt the hairs on her arm prickle in discomfort, and she raised her chin, determined not to be intimidated as she tried to step around the group. "Looks like we have a feisty one here boys," the same boy spoke again his grey eyes flickering around the group as he moved, blocking her escape and trapping her against the lockers. Further down the corridor another locker slammed, and Peyton flinched involuntarily. "How about we blow off class and instead get acquainted in my car?" the boy asked, reaching out to touch her curls, causing her to automatically step backwards, hitting her back against the wall.
"Hey!" a voice cut through the laughter of the boys, demanding attention and the group was instantly silenced. "What do you think you are doing?" Nathan questioned, forcing his way into the centre of the circle and placing himself between Peyton and the other boys.
"N-nothing Scott," the grey eyed boy replied, his shoulders dropping and he stepped backwards.
"For the record, you will never touch her," Nathan growled, straightening up to his full height, and the other boys melted into the crowd. The grey eyed boy nodded in agreement, stepping further away, before turning on his heel and disappearing down the corridor. Holding the crowd's gaze until they all continued onwards to class, Nathan eventually turned, his brown eyes flickering over Peyton. "Are you okay?" he questioned, noticing the flash of fear behind her eyes.
"Y...yeah, I'm fine," Peyton eventually verbalised, pushing her body away from the locker and ignoring her shaky knees.
"C'mon, let's get to class... English 208, right?" Nathan smirked, throwing his arm around her shoulders and pulling her flush again his body. Peyton nodded mutely, falling into step beside him, wondering what the hell just happened.
Nathan pulled open the door, keeping her wrapped underneath his arm. "I god hope that you know about Shakespeare so you can explain to me what the hell he is talking about," he whispered in her ear, causing Peyton to laugh at him as he dragged her towards a group sat off to one side. "Everyone, this is Peyton Sawyer... Peyton this is everyone," he smirked sitting down and nodding at her to do the same.
One of the girls sat in front of Nathan immediately whipped around with a flurry of long brown hair, and her dark brown eyes flicked over Peyton before her perfectly glossed lips curved into a smile. "Brooke Davis," she smiled, flicking her hair over her shoulder and playing with a bright pink pen. "I'm captain of the cheerleaders and current State Junior Show Jumping Champion. Nathan's told us all about you."
"Oh god," Peyton blushed bright red. "Other than a very long winded, never wanted to be repeated again, dinner, we have hardly said two words to each other."
"That's not true," Nathan smirked, but unable to hide his embarrassment. "We spoke in the car this morning, and on the way to class."
"Well done, Nate," Brooke laughed, rolling her eyes at him. "So I hear you're being taught how to ride... how do you feel about being forced onto the cheerleading team, too?
"Er... not good," Peyton stuttered, just as the teacher walked into the room and began reciting the prologue to Romeo and Juliet.
"Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life," the teacher floated around the room, writing various words onto the board.
Having heard this play more than once, Peyton began doodling in the corner of her page, copying each word diligently as the teacher spoke. "Now Mr. Scott, can you explain why Shakespeare began his play telling the audience exactly what was going to happen in his play?"
Lifting her head from where it was resting on her hand, Peyton glanced over to Nathan, who just rolled his eyes at her and continued chewing on the end of his pen. 'Was he just going to ignore the question?' Peyton wondered, just as a familiar voice cut through her thoughts. "He had to grab the audience's attention straight away, as many of the people attending the theatre in those days would hurl rotten fruit at the actors if they were unsatisfied."
Swinging her gaze around to locate the owner of the voice, her eyes eventually landed on Lucas, sat in the far back corner, writing notes carefully in his pad before glancing up and catching Peyton's eye. She felt her jaw drop open, without any way for her to correct it. 'Lucas' last name was Scott?' Peyton's mind jumped into overdrive. 'Did that mean that somehow he was related to Nathan?'
Slouching down in her seat, the rest of the lesson passed in a blur for Peyton, as she took random illegible notes. Some time later the bell rang and Nathan tucked his pen behind his ear again before standing up. "Sawyer, you coming to next lesson or what?" he questioned, and her eyes flicked upwards to meet his.
"Er... sure," she mumbled, sliding her paper back into her bag and following him out of the room.
"Peyt?" she heard his voice behind her, and she spun around on her heel to look at him, his blue eyes locking onto hers and she could see the hesitance written on his face. "Let me explain," he asked quietly, just as Peyton felt someone walk up behind her, and Lucas' expression changed, answering many of her questions.
"Remember your place, Scott." Nathan's voice echoed around the empty classroom, and he slid his arm back around Peyton's shoulders, pulling her away gently. "Come on Sawyer, Brooke is looking for you."
Allowing him to pull her out of the classroom as her brain wasn't really co-operating; she flinched in surprise when Brooke bounced up to her, linking their arms together with a flick of her long brown hair. "So P. Sawyer, have you thought anymore about being a cheerleader?"