Authors note: We hope that all of you have had a great Christmas so far. We certainly did, and one of the best gifts for us was that so many of you are enjoying our story. Personal thank you's are at the end. Luv / E&L

Comfortable Liar

Part 1: Teenage Wasteland

---x---

Chapter 6: Black Holes & Revelations

Junior Year

October 4th, 2006

Suddenly they're a full month into the fall-semester. School is droning on like usual, basketball practice is back on, and Nathan thinks that this should be the case with his and Brooke's little arrangement as well. Thanks to Peyton's recent overflow of bitchiness, he should have been able to see Brooke almost whenever he wants lately.

Keyword: should.

But Brooke's been busy as hell with her new position as Captain of the Ravens Cheer squad and his dad has been riding his ass like a mad person to make sure he's in shape for this year's tougher practice.

He's had so little time that at first he hardly noticed the lack of interaction with his occasional brunette bed-buddy, but the last week it's starting to dawn on him that maybe she's avoiding him on purpose.

He's called Brooke several times since Peyton last dumped him but without getting an answer, and now, four weeks into the school year, he's not quite sure why that is. She still calls when she wants to. But it's not the same. Honestly it hasn't been the same since right after she came back from France and it's only gotten worse since that stupid fight they had.

He really wishes she'd come back around soon because he's so tightly wound up he feels like he's going to snap. He needs that ultimate release that he can't seem to achieve unless he's with Brooke.

Because Peyton just doesn't do it for him anymore.

He knows that he shouldn't have been so cranky when Brooke came over the other day and told him to lose the game, but usually stuff like that didn't matter with them.

Now as he sits in the quad waiting for the first warning bell to ring he sighs and sags down into the bench. He sees their newest team player walk across the lawn towards his locker and Nathan scowls. He cannot fucking believe that he is going to be sharing a court with Lucas. Not only that, but the guy is obviously gunning for a take over.

Most of all he can't believe that he fucking lost.

For the millionth time he wishes that they had never stolen the school bus. If they hadn't, then the team wouldn't be half a team short, and Whitey wouldn't have taken Lucas under his wing.

Bzzt! Bzzt! His pocket vibrates, still caught up in his thoughts he frowns as he takes his cell out and opens it.

Since when do u come 2 skool early?

His head whips around in search of Brooke. But she's nowhere in sight, the quad is filled with students but nowhere in the crowd does he see her. He'd recognize her anywhere, anyways because she has those distinct red lips and curves and her hair shines like the sun when it sets down over the horizon at the end of the day.

What the hell? The sunset… he shakes his head and laughs at himself. He needs to get laid because his stress level is turning him into a pussy.

Skip 1st with me. He quickly sends a text off her way.

Y should I? comes her quick reply.

Bcuz P & I are dunzo and I wna get laid. He responds without remorse, they don't hold back. It's just how they are, always have been so that there is never any misinterpretations.

Her next text pops up on his screen and he reads, My car or urs?

He grins and stands up from his spot at the bench. Mine, ur backseat is 2 small. He closes his cell and starts off towards the parking lot.

Good, her answer text says, bcuz I'm already in ur truck.

He loves it when she reads his mind.

He just can't figure out why she all of a sudden acts like they've skipped back two months in time. It's been weeks since she got with him like this and of course he has to wonder 'why now?'.

But then he smirks and shakes the thoughts out of his head. Brooke Davis is probably half-naked in his backseat – what was there really to mope over?

---x---

October 8th, 2006

He's better than anyone has anticipated. Sure, his first game flopped but Brooke knew he'd find his grove and now he has. She shivers just thinking about that last shot before the buzzer. The moment that ball went in, everything changed.

Because now not only will no one question her when she goes after him, but they'll be jealous. She loves having someone everyone wants but can't have. It makes her feel special because she has it and no one else does. It exposes her insecurities and the fact that she's shallow, but for the moment…

Who the fuck cared?

The doors unlock and she bites her bottom lip to keep from grinning. The car shakes a bit when he finally settles into the driver's seat and shuts the door closed. She counts to five and then licks her lips.

"Hey you," she drawls out huskily and surprises Lucas from the backseat of his mother's car.

Thank God he had finally arrived. Brooke was sure to freeze her ass off if she had to wait any longer. The mittens sat long forgotten on the tan leather seats.

"Oh," his eyes widen in complete and utter shock as he takes one look behind him and sees a half naked girl in his backseat, "I think you got the wrong car." He quickly looks away.

He's so adorable.

"Nah," she starts and tosses a mass of auburn hair over a shoulder, "don't mind me. I just have to get out of this uniform." She winks and starts to shimmy out of her cheer skirt.

Lucas takes a deep breath to help calm himself and stares forward out the car. But he can still see her reflection in the windshield and suddenly his mouth runs dry.

"So, uh, anyway, I'm Brooke. But you probably knew that even though we've never been properly introduced." She says into his ear and bites the end of her tongue. Her heart rate increases every time she catches his eyes in the rearview mirror.

"Can I tell you that, that last shot was awesome?" She asks with a perky smile. "How'd it feel? Good, huh?" She unsnaps the legendary leopard print brassier and drops it down onto his shoulder teasingly. "You know it did." She adds seductively.

Lucas is practically drooling where he sits. But he refuses to allow his hormones to control him. His mother taught him better than this, where the hell was his sense of self control? Suddenly there's a shadow to his left and his heart goes from pounding to dead still in seconds.

"Oh, my gosh!" Brooke yelps and flings herself backwards to hide behind his seat.

There are two slight knocks at the window beside him and Lucas tries to be sneaky as he slides the bra down from his shoulder to his lap. He can still feel the warmth of her body heat on the material and Lucas has to groan to himself silently. How awkward was it going to be to not only talk to his coach as if Brooke Davis is not naked in his backseat, but to also try and hide the massive erection in his pants?

But Whitey manages to make things even more embarrassing.

"That game wasn't horrible." He grunts with a face that looks half amused and half disappointed.

"Thanks, coach." Lucas mutters.

Whitey's eyes are penetrating as he narrows his fading blue irises at his new star player. "Well, don't turn pro yet. You drag your scrawny butt to the weight room twice a day, start now." He points serious.

"You got it." Lucas nods. Please just go away!

Whitey turns as if to walk away only to come back with a smirk. "Oh, uh... By the way, there's a half naked girl in the back seat of your car. I just thought you'd like to know." He tips his hat and leaves.

Brooke counts to three then comes back up, "Grouchy." She makes a face at his retreating figure.

Lucas only laughs in response.

"So, anyway..." Her attention is back on the task at hand. "You're in it now, aren't you?" She rests her chin down onto his shoulder and trails a finger up and down his arm. "When that last shot when through, did you feel it change?"

"Feel what change?" His brow curves in a way that she knows will remain in her mind for days to come.

"Everything." She shrugs and looks at him closely. "I mean, how many moments in life can you point to and say, 'That's when it all changed'?" She watches as his face goes from blank to contemplative.

"You just had one." She whispers into his ear.

Lucas looks nervous. At least that's what Brooke thinks as she watches him bite his bottom lip and look away from her out the window. What she doesn't know is that Lucas has never in his entire life felt as turned on as he does in that moment. She's teasing him with her body. Taunting him with her words.

As beautiful as she is, she scares the shit out of him at the same time.

"But don't worry, baby." Brooke sighs wistfully and wraps her arms around his shoulders. "The popularity thing's not so bad." She lies into his ear and nuzzles the side of his face with her nose.

"If you know what you're doing." She adds as a warning.

She can feel his Adam's apple bob in his throat. Instinctively her hand slides up his well defined chest to press her small, thin finger tips along the nape of his neck. He shudders in her hands and she wonders if perhaps she should tone it down a bit. Give the poor boy a fighting chance.

"Do you uh," he clears his throat, "do you need a ride?"

Brooke licks her lips and chuckles, "I'd love a ride."

---x---

He's so pissed he can't believe he's not sprouting green hair and ripping out of his clothes to become a giant green Hulk. Who the hell did Lucas think he was?

And to top it all off, Peyton will not take a fucking hint and back off. She continues to try and tempt his mouth towards hers by pressing her chest into his shoulder and breathing into his ear.

But lately he just doesn't seem to be in the mood. At least not with Peyton, who just so happens to be his girlfriend. Did they have a word for something like this? Over? Done? He grunts to himself and crosses his arms over his chest tighter.

"Unbelievable." He says thinking of the way his classmates had immediately taken to Lucas after tonight's game.

"The guy scores 12 measly points and they act like he's Iverson. You know how many games I've scored more than that in? All but two. One of them, I had mono." He holds a finger up to emphasis his point.

"Well, you don't have mono now, do you?" Peyton moves to nibble on his earlobe. "Care to prove it?" she whispers and kisses his chin.

By now Nathan is usually ready to go. His hands should be all over her. She tries again with the ear nibbling and rolls her eyes. Now it just seems pointless. But Peyton refuses to give up. They haven't had sex into almost two weeks. What the hell was up with that?

"My dad's gonna hammer me." Nathan scowls and Peyton wants to jab a fist into his stomach and scream in frustration. "Something's changed." He adds with a look on his face that seems confused.

Peyton finally backs off, "With your dad?"

"No, with your room. Something's different." He squints at and makes a face that at any other time Peyton would think was cute. Right now it just makes her want to dig her nails into his face and leave tread marks.

Yet Peyton is the epitome of calm and collected as she sighs and leans back against her headboard beside Nathan. "It's my walls. I took my sketches down." She points out to him and for a second she's actually warmed by the fact that he noticed a difference in her room.

But then he ruins it when he says, "What sketches?"

"Get out." She growls and shoves him away.

"Whatever, anything is better than just sitting here." He frowns and pushes away from her to stand up from the bed.

"Well I was trying to do something more interesting." She rolls her eyes. "But you wouldn't shut your trap long enough to acknowledge that you could have gotten some just now." Her arms cross over her chest as she scowls up at him.

"Geez Peyton, don't you think about anything other than sex?" He scoffs and shakes his head in annoyance.

He exits the room and in the process leaves his girlfriend in a wide state of shock.

---x---

October 9th, 2006

Peyton swears that sometimes its as if the world is out to get her—one Scott at a time. Class has just ended and as she steps out into the hall she immediately storms towards Lucas' locker. Her fingers tighten around the strap of her shoulder bag and she contemplates whacking him across the face with it.

Then she's right beside him and acting on an impulse she slams his locker shut. "Just who the hell do you think you are?" she scoffs at him.

Lucas turns to look at her with wide eyes, "Someone you're pissed at?" he shakes his head confused.

"You submitted my sketches to THUD magazine," she snaps.

He sighs in relief, is this what her attitude is about? How cute. "And they liked them, didn't they?" he laughs softly and opens his locket back up to set his books inside.

"If I wanted your help, I would ask for it." Peyton continues her verbal assault.

His smile only widens, "Okay, no reason to get so upset. I'm sorry, you left them out in the open—"

"I threw them in the trash!"

"Public property, watch an episode of CSI, will ya?" he grunts teasingly and yet she doesn't seem to think it's funny in the least.

Her eyes narrow, "You just think you are so cute."

"So you think I'm cute, do you?" Lucas chuckles.

"What? No!" she backs up quickly.

Blue eyes flash heatedly and yet he finds it all so damn amusing. "It's okay if you do," he continues to tease her, "it's perfectly natural to find me attractive. You're a girl, I'm a boy. You think I'm cute and I think you're—"

"Hey, girl!" Brooke's cheerful voice breaks into their conversation and she bounces over and wraps an arm around Peyton. "Where you two flirting?" she teases.

"Nah," Lucas waves a hand, "we were just talking about you."

Peyton's eyes widen in surprise and Brooke's dimples poke out almost instantly. Where this burst of confidence emerged from, Lucas is not sure. All he knows is that two of the hottest girls in school are crowded around his locker right now.

"Were you, now?" she lets out a husky chuckle, "By the way, you didn't happen to find my, um—"

His hand reaches into his locker and his finger hooks the strap of her leopard print bra, and he dangles it in front of her like a Christmas ordainment.

"Thank you, gorgeous." She takes it from his hands and slips away.

Peyton casts one last glare his way then shakes her head at Lucas before she walks off to follow Brooke.

Feeling one last surge of bravery, he calls out, "You're welcome!"

But he's not quite so sure which girl he means it for the most.

---x---

Outside of school, down one of the farther corridors, Peyton quickens her step in order to catch up with Brooke. She misses the days when she could just walk up beside her, link arms and talk about anything that was on her mind.

But now when she links arms with her best friend, she hesitates to speak. She hates the fact that walking down the hall with her arm linked through Brooke's feels awkward. She fights back the urge to pull away and instead says, "What you got there?"

"What?" Brooke's grin is contagious, it always has been.

"You know what," Peyton hip bumps her. "The Brooke Davis 'leopard bra.' Dude, that thing's like a welcome mat." She reminds her friend who giggles and shakes her hair from her face. "Anyway, I heard you were naked in his car." Peyton continues.

"No," Brooke frowns, "I was partially naked. At one point I had mittens on cause it was cold. Oh, did you see my—"

"Okay, focus." Peyton tugs on Brooke's arm. "You're a slut in mittens. You're in his car… Then what happens?"

"Well, then nothing." Brooke shrugs. "He was really sweet. He drove me home, said 'Good night,' waited 'till I got inside…."

Peyton arches a brow, "Maybe he's gay."

"No," she disagrees, "I think he's just nice."

Nice. Peyton grimaces at the thought of any boy—let alone a Scott boy—being nice. She only knows of one guy who breaks the mold and he's as untouchable as he is perfect. But Lucas seems to be an agreeable alternative. She just wishes he wasn't so… so…

"Anyway, it's gonna be so great when he sleeps with me!" Brooke adds and Peyton laughs.

Wasn't so claimed.

"Come on P. Sawyer, let's go grab a drink. I'm jonesin' for a white mocha," Brooke pulls on Peyton's arm and directs her towards the parking lot.

The curly blonde frowns and nods her head, she could use some caffeine. Especially since she's been unable to sleep due to the fact that her life has suddenly come crumbling down all around her. And the fact that Nathan is being extra assy lately doesn't help.

So she's actually kind of glad to spend some time with Brooke, because she totally needs to rant and rave about how much Nathan Scott sucks.

---x---

Brooke is trying to be understanding. She is, really she is. But Peyton is starting to sound like a whiny bitch and she doesn't think she can stand another moment alone with the girl. Best friend or not.

"Then break up with him," she says. "It's not like it would be groundbreaking news."

Bored, she picks up her cup to move it in a circular motion. She does this to stir up her now deluded caramel mocha and sighs because she hates when the ice melts before she's finished.

But Peyton just drones on as if Brooke hasn't spoken a word and she regrets the decision of leaving Rachel at the mall to hang out with Peyton.

The only reason that she had come was to tell her about her backseat-hiding in Lucas' car last night, but as opposed to Rachel, Peyton hadn't been the least bit interested. Aside from the two second inquiry in the hall at school. Now in a new setting she actually seems more irritated than pleased. And instead of asking for details, like she had before, she had launched into this hour long monologue about Nathan Scott, the worlds crappiest boyfriend.

Sometimes when she hears Peyton say Nathan's name Brooke feels a tiny pinch in her stomach. So tiny it almost isn't there. It's as if just by saying his name she can invoke things that are so deeply buried that they almost don't exist. She knows she should feel more guilty, but she just doesn't. Because it's hard to feel guilty about something that has been so thoroughly suppressed.

Her hip vibrates and she throws her head back to thank the heavens for this distraction. But when she pulls out her cell and sees Nathan's name flashing across her screen, she's positive this has nothing to do with God. This is truly the devil's work and she tries to resist the temptation but she just can't.

"Yeah," she answers on the third ring—completely cutting Peyton off in mid-sentence.

"She there?" He grunts.

Formalities had never been their thing, even before things had gotten complicated.

"Maybe, what's it to you?" Brooke's tone is careless and completely nonchalant. She even goes as far as to check her fingernails in the sunlight. She needs a manicure.

"I need to talk to you," he mutters.

"So talk." She shrugs and ignores the death glares Peyton is throwing at her.

She absolutely hates when Brooke takes a phone call when in her presence. She finds it so rude and obnoxious. Yet she also finds this sort of behavior so selfishly typical.

"Let me rephrase that," Nathan growls from deep within his throat, "I need to talk to you in person." The low grumble is threatening and she can picture his face. In a weird way it actually excites her. Plus, she's really curious. It's not like Nathan usually calls her when he's not broken up with Peyton and she can't help but wonder what he wants.

"Yeah well, I'm kinda busy right now," she mutters.

"Damn it Brooke!" he shouts and she's so shocked from his outburst that she actually flinches. "I'm being serious here. Ditch Peyton and meet me at the river walk."

"Hmmm, too public for my taste." She purses her lips and leans back in her chair. She watches as Peyton presses buttons on her phone with a frown. She's clearly texting Nathan. "You've got mail," Brooke smirks just before Nathan curses.

"Are you gonna come or not?" he snaps ignoring the text.

It's because he suddenly sounds so desperate that she reluctantly agrees. Or at least that's what she tells herself when she hangs up and grabs her purse. Peyton doesn't even protest when she tells her she's leaving.

Again, Brooke knows she should feel more guilty for running off to meet with her best friends boyfriend. But she doesn't. It's sneaky and it's deceitful and because it's all these things a shiver makes down her spine.

If this was Eden, then she's Eve and Nathan is dangling the apple. She knows she should resist temptation and just walk away. But she can't.

As usual, she just can't.

---x---

He's pacing back and forth on the boardwalk and he keeps glancing at his wristwatch. It's a quarter to five and he's been down here for over twenty minutes, making it exactly half an hour since Brooke said she'd 'be right there.' Right where? New York?

He's surprised at how annoyed it makes him that she might stand him up. It's happened before after all, and with Brooke Davis, one just doesn't know what to expect.

She has a perfect masquerade, even on the rare occasions that they're alone in a room or a school corridor. Not one glance is out of the ordinary since they slept together at her captain-crowning and the rules were laid out. Not one hint or whisper. Yeah, so she has maybe avoided him the last couple of weeks, taken aside that morning in his car, but he had still thought that their arrangement was on.

He had been stupid enough to think that the next time Peyton dumped him, Brooke would be waiting.

Then this morning he heard Bevin tell Theresa that Brooke had 'claimed' the team's newest star-player after the game last night, which pretty much brings him to the biggest reason that they need to talk.

One of the two big reasons…

"You're gonna create a ditch in the sidewalk if you keep pacing like that, Scott."

He spins around and she's there. Casually leaning towards the beach-walk railing as if she's the one that's been standing here for twenty minutes, not the other way around. Her arms are crossed over her chest and her eyebrow is raised in a condescending way.

"Where the fuck have you been?" he grunts and looks around to make sure that no one they know is around. "I've been waiting for your ass to get here for almost half an hour!"

"Yeah? Ask me if I care."

She hoists her purse up on her shoulder and flips her head to get the hair out of her eyes. She's always so cocky and right now it annoys the hell out of him, but at the same time he can't help but hear Owen's voice inside his head.

I can see why you want her, Preppy… Guys like you and I, we need girls that gives us a challenge. And lets face it, when it comes to Brooke, you have to fight to be on top.

Maybe he hadn't understood Owen fully then, but he sure does now.

She looks at him curiously and bites the tip of her finger. And suddenly he doesn't even know where to begin. All he knows is that he's angry.

"Is it true that you were naked in Lucas' car after the game last night?" he asks, and when she shoots off a wicked smile, he unconsciously balls his fists at his sides.

Her brow rises higher, only this time it's accompanied by a smirk. "And if I was?"

"Then I'd say I was surprised but then again—it's you." He scoffs.

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" she hisses back at him through clenched teeth. Her eyes are tinged with burning embers that could ignite into flames at any moment. He'd like to say that this did nothing for him.

But he'd be lying.

"So, did he fuck you?" He shrugs nonchalant with his arms crossed over his chest.

He doesn't even know himself why he's so angry. He has no claim on her. But somehow the thought of Lucas' hands on Brooke's body makes him almost nauseous. When she doesn't answer, he takes a step closer.

"Did he?" His tone becomes a deep growl.

"Why do you care?" Brooke's eyes search his face for answers she cannot seem to find.

Nathan keeps his face expressionless and she begins to look a little annoyed, forcing him to mutter a useless "I don't."

But she keeps her eyes locked on him and she says nothing. Her lack of a formidable response must mean that she had been in his car, right? So he growls; "Is that why you've avoided me for the past two weeks?"

Because she has. And yet she hasn't. Nothing has actually been out of the ordinary since he has been with Peyton and they never hook up when he is, but it still messes with his brain because he'd been sure that she would bend on the whole Peyton-rule eventually.

She has never seemed to feel guilty about their 'meetings'. Even when he got back with her best friend mere two days after their first drunken hook-up, she hadn't even lifted a brow. And during summer, hooking up when he and Peyton were on their breaks had become habit.

At least up until his bastard brother entered the scene and decided to interfere.

"Are you delusional?" she asks in disbelief of his stupidity. "I haven't avoided you. We never hung out to begin with, Nathan. We fucked occasionally, that's all." She puts her hands on her hips and juts her chin out. "I haven't changed a damn thing in my normal day to day routine. You are still my best friend's assy boyfriend—nothing more."

"I'm breaking up with her."

The words just tumble out of his mouth before he even has time to think about what they mean, and Brooke's smirk turns into a frown.

"What? W-why?"

However dumb her question seems, it also seems sincere and he laughs dryly.

"Why not? You know that me and Peyton suck together. We've been on and off more times than…"

"Yeah, but you love her. You've been together forever."

Brooke's eyes are void of emotion and whatever answer he could give gets stuck in his throat. Does he? Love Peyton?

"I don't think it's ever been about love between me and Peyton." He shakes his head and takes a step closer to her. "Brooke—"

She interrupts him quickly, for some reason she fears the words that could have come out his mouth.

"Just stick with the blonde, Nate," she says and throws her hair back with a blasé flip of her slender neck. "I'm going for Lucas anyway."

Nathan looks a little dumbstruck. He's probably never experienced this before. Or scratch 'probably' – she knows him well enough to know that he hasn't. Still only a junior, Nathan Scott is the team's star player and he's not exactly lacking in the 'hot-department'. Most girls attending Tree Hill High would give up their right arm to get with him.

Poor baby, she thinks sarcastically and chuckles. This must be so confusing for him.

She lets her eyes trail his body and suddenly she wishes that they weren't in public. She'd love to have a go with him right now, because the stuff he can do to her, the way he pleases her…

"What about our deal?" he asks with a frown and she crosses her arms over her chest, a little annoyed. Of course that would be his biggest concern. Then again, she had after all just been standing here thinking the exact same thing.

"I didn't say that we can't hook up," she mutters back. "Just don't do anything desperate like dumping your girlfriend. The deal is still on, but you know the rules. It has to be her."

If Peyton breaks up with Nathan, then she doesn't have to feel guilt.

There's a pause and he seems to want to say something, but she keeps her posture cold. Since summer-break she's gotten a little too weak around him and it's not something she's proud of. It's just that the weeks in July when Peyton was with her dad in Maine had been so… nice.

Still, he needs to know that he can't play her like he does other girls. That she doesn't need him in the sense that he might think.

"Understood?" she asks and juts out her chin stubbornly.

As soon as he nods in affirmation, she leaves him standing there and walks back to where she parked her car. Because if she stays, she knows that she'll be doing stuff with him that she's not supposed to. Not since his girlfriend and supposedly her own best friend is calling her cell phone repeatedly as they speak.

She sends Peyton's call to voicemail and ignores Nathan's stares that burn holes into her back all the way up to the parking lot. Then she pushes 1 on speed dial and waits until the call connects.

"Ho," she greets Rachel's still sleepy grunt into the receiver. "I need some serious retail-therapy. Mall in twenty?"

"I need at least an hour, B…" Rachel whines, but she's too in need of her friend to be generous. She can hear Rachel move in the bed and somewhere in the background Owen grunts in his sleep. When she doesn't answer, Rachel tries a different approach.

"Can't you go fuck Nathan or something? You're much nicer when you're not sexually frustrated…"

"Twenty, Rach. I'm serious," she grumbles and cuts the call. Rachel should know by know that retail's always her second choice.

She should know that she wouldn't drag Rachel out of the bed shared with Owen unless it was needed. Stupid horny teenage couple. She really does need her own boy.

She gets into the car and Nathan is finally able to tear his eyes of her disappearing form. If he was angry before she showed up, then that doesn't even cover what he is now.

I'm going for Lucas anyway…

What the hell was that supposed to mean? She's gonna fuck them both? Use Lucas to make him jealous? Just play around with Lucas 'cause she's bored? Their deal is still on and if she wanted sex, then why didn't she just easy up on the whole rule-thing or even let him dump Peyton like he'd said?

Even now when he's pissed off, he'd be more than glad to satisfy her in whatever way she wanted him to.

Groaning in frustration, he gets into his own car. Girls never made sense and although Brooke usually was a lot less whiny and complicated than most girls, she's still the hardest one to figure out.

Damn it.

He drives back to his house, pushing the gas-pedal so hard into the floor that the engine shrieks. And he wishes that he'd see Lucas.

That Lucas would walk out into the street right in front of him so that he could run the fuckwit over.

---x---

October 12th, 2006

Monday morning's English class is just as boring as ever and Brooke uses the hour to dwell over her tangled life. Bites the back of her pen and glances at Nathan through the corner of her eye.

She feels guilty somewhat and she's not really sure why. It's not like they're dating or any ridiculously serious like that. They're strictly FWB's whenever Peyton is out of the picture. So why should she care how Nathan feels about her going after Lucas?

She knows she should really be feeling guilty about seeing Nathan behind Peyton's back but she doesn't. Especially since Peyton has been sneaking around on Nathan since school started back up. Brooke's not sure what happened in those four-weeks she was in France, but whatever it was it has Peyton acting strange.

First there's the fact that Peyton dodges the subject whenever Brooke asks what she did that summer. Second is the sudden secret phone calls and text messages and third, she has that sick look about her that one only gets when they're into something way deeper than they should or want to be.

So again, Brooke doesn't feel so bad about messing around with Nathan when its blatantly obvious that Nate and Peyton have been over for quite some time. The guilt she feels for Peyton is only a small annoying tick in the back of her mind. It's easy to push back and ignore.

If only it were the same thing for Nathan. But no matter, she's sure once she hooks up with Lucas all that will be long gone.

"Identity-this was a common theme in the work of E.E. Cumings. While it's true he was most known as a…" Her teacher's voice drones on into a small hum in the background of her current state of mind as she folds the last flap of her cootie-catcher in her hands.

"Lucas," she whispers to the boy on her right and grins when he looks over at her curiously, "what's your favorite color?"

"Black," is his immediate response.

She nods and starts to open and close the origami'd piece of paper between her fingers, "B-l-a-c-k," she pauses to look up at the teacher in front of the class.

"When Cummings died in 1962, he was enormously popular, especially with young readers." Bor-ing! She rolls her eyes and goes back to the task at hand.

"What's your favorite number?" She jerks her head slightly so that the hair in her eyes will slide out of view. Lucas holds up three fingers and she then counts three on the catcher. "Okay," she looks over at him with a naughty glint in her eyes, "what's your favorite sexual position?"

Lucas gives her a confused and uncomfortable look. He's adorable, really, he is. She could eat him up right there on the spot. A small giggle bubbles up her throat and she hides it behind a hand. Ahead three seats to the right Nathan turns to scowl in their direction. Shut up, he mouths and rolls his eyes turning back around to listen to their teacher.

Brooke shrugs. "I'll use mine," she tells Lucas and counts the letters on the catcher before she stops and opens it up with a gasp. "So, you like me." She winks and Lucas laughs softly back at her.

Then the toy is taken from her hands as their teacher passes by, "Mostly because he dealt with sex… and war." He frowns down at Brooke with a slight shake of his head. She likes Mr. Liam, but the guys a total prude. "Okay, folks, listen up-I want everyone to bring in something by Cummings-poem, essay, whatever-to the next class. Okay, thank you for your work."

He slaps down a few students essay papers and when Brooke sees her own, she swoops it up and dumps it in her bag. B- with a side not that says: Imagine what you could achieve if you actually tried Brooke?

She frowns and jumps up to run past Nathan out into hall. Surprisingly she doesn't have to look far because Lucas is standing right outside the door waiting for her.

"What'd you get on your essay?" he asks with a small smile. And beyond happy to see him there she links her arm through his and tells him what it was.

"So broody boy, you gonna walk me to class?" Her brow rises as she flirts with the tall blonde. He grins down at her and nods his head with a small sure on his lips.

They walk past Nathan as if he isn't even there.

---x---

Lucas isn't sure what he's doing, walking Brooke to their Spanish-class. But there's something with the girl's smile. Something alluring that just makes him nod and say "Uh-huh," like a dumbass when she asks him for stuff.

Sure, part of it might be the fact that he still hasn't gotten over finding her half-naked in his car the other night. And it could be because his mother reminds him at least once a week that he should be a gentleman.

All he knows is that when they reach the right corridor and she flashes him a flirty smile and says "Thanks Luke," then he can't help it but to follow her with his eyes when she rushes off to join the other girls.

He leans against a locker at his side, and he has never really thought about it before but when girls walk, they kind of sway their hips in what looks like a sensual dance. Or come to think of it, maybe this didn't apply to all girls because Haley certainly didn't walk like that.

Maybe this was only linked to Brooke Davis?

She's speeding up her step to catch up with Rachel and he blushes and averts his eyes when he realizes that he's blatantly staring at her behind, wrapped in jeans so tight that they seem almost painted directly on her skin. And looking away, his gaze instead falls on Peyton further down the hall.

For a second he wonders why he never thought about if she, his dream-girl, sways her hips when she walks. But he shakes the thought away with the answer that Peyton Sawyer is too classy to strut around like that, fishing for attention.

He guesses that Brooke and Rachel are used to turning heads and Peyton just doesn't seem to crave that sort of admiration from boys.

He likes that about Peyton and he's just about to smile towards the blonde when he realizes that he's back to looking at Brooke's back pockets.

Chuckling to himself, he shakes his head and turns to go look for Haley.

He's not more than human and it's not his fault that Tree Hill High's cheer captain thrives on attention.

And honestly; it's not his fault that she has a gorgeous ass.

"Oh eww," a voice startles him from behind, "now that is something I never wanted to see you do. Like—ever," Haley grimaces and Lucas spins around embarrassed.

"What?" he squints down at her in the hall.

"You were totally starting and Brooke Davis' ass!"

"Tell the world!" Lucas yelps and pulls her out of the hall towards his locker. "And I was not—"

"Liar, liar, your eyes were full of desire," she scoffs and sets her hands on her hips.

Lucas blinks in confusion, "Don't you mean, pants on fire?" he scratches his ear.

"Ha!" Haley pokes him in the chest, "so you admit it! You're a liar. You were staring at her!"

Lucas frowns, "Can we just get to class?"

Haley twists her lips and sighs, "I guess. But I'm going that way," she points towards the tutoring center.

"Great game, Lucas." Bevin Mirskey saunters past.

They both watch her go and Haley can already feel everything changing. It scares her a little actually, she likes the way things are. Lucas smiles to himself, something that unsettles her a bit but she ignores it.

"All right," she pats his shoulder, "I'm going to the tutoring center so I can feel superior."

Lucas laughs as Haley begins to walk away, but then she stops suddenly and turns around. "Oh, listen," she starts and he pauses to look back at her, "they're playing Attack of the 50-foot Woman at the Crescent tomorrow. Do you want to go?" she asks him.

His grin makes her feel as if maybe she's overreacting in thinking she could ever possibly lose him. "Yeah," he nods, "count me in."

"All right," she grins happily and walks off.

"I'll call you later," he calls out to her.

"Bye!" she shouts over her shoulder as they part ways.

Watching them secretly from down the hall, a thought occurs to Nathan Scott. Beside him Tim blabs on about God can only guess because he tends to tune the shorter guys out whenever he opens his mouth.

"Hey," he interrupts Tim mid-sentence, "who's that girl Lucas always hanging out with?" he points to her retreating back just as she disappears into the tutoring center.

"Who knows?" Tim shrugs carelessly, "Why? You feel like slumming?"

Nathan turns to Tim who wears a humorous grin and they both share a laugh. "Nah man, just curious," Nathan pats his shoulder. "Lets get to class, if I'm late one more time it's my ass."

"Dude, you know you can skip class altogether and get nothing but a slap on the wrist." Tim slings his backpack over his shoulder and snorts.

"Yeah," Nathan can't help but agree, "but Mr. Kennedy tends to pass along my tardys to Whitey. And I don't feel like having him stare me down for two minutes at practice before telling me to run ten laps for no reason."

Tim chuckles, "True. Hey man, we're gonna kick it at Theresa's house after school. You coming? Oh, wait," he smirks, "are you and Peyton together again? Cuz I know you gotta ask permission if you are…" he teases.

"Fuck Peyton," Nathan scowls.

---x---

October 15nd, 2006

If Nathan were to sit down and write up all the things going in his life that pissed him off at the moment he's sure that he would find that they were all linked to one person.

Lucas Scott.

All he hears lately is Lucas this, and Lucas that. He swears if he hears that bastards name one more time…

"You're really just going to sit there while Lucas takes over everything? We've worked too hard to have anyone coming in now, disrupting the offense, and taking away shots." His father's condescending tone feels like a slap in the face.

"You think I don't already know that," Nathan scowls, "I'm working on it dad, okay? Chill." His grimace tightens.

"Well whatever it is that you're working on doesn't seem to be enough now, does it?" Dan scoffs. "You have to act now Nathan, before the scouts start coming out and by then Lucas will have taken up the spotlight. Do you want that?"

Nathan shakes his head and his dad continues.

"Whitey can put this kid on the team, he can put him in the game—but he can't put him in your game. So shut him out. And shut down the opposition. You've got Broner tonight. They're good so be ready."

"Alright," he nods at his dad and watches him leave the kitchen.

He really hates Lucas. Ever since he's joined the team Nathan's life has been turned upside down. His dad's constant criticism has moved on to just plain insults. Whitey worships the ground he walks on. Peyton is gaga for the losers attention even though its clear as day that she's only doing it because she's bored and because Brooke wants him.

Brooke. If anyone could be the one to get him through this it would be her. But she's already fallen under that losers spell too. She's done everything but mount him in front of the entire school.

"Just stick with the blonde, Nate. I'm going for Lucas anyway."

He can't believe the girls that used to drool for him now follow Lucas around like little mewing kittens. All except for Rachel who's never really been into high school boys anyhow. If there was something Nathan could do to get Lucas to quit the team, then he's so positive that his life would return to normal.

He's tried everything from hazing him to tying him up and leaving him in the middle of a mud field. Nothing's seemed to work. But he one more trick up his sleeve. Even if it didn't work it would be worth it just for the hell of it.

Because corrupting Haley James was going to be so freaking entertaining.

---x---

Thank you's:

Amanda (Ali-Chan1): Manda Panda, we were relived to hear that you weren't in fact late for work after that great review. No curse-words in the title but hopefully this chapter will still be to your liking. Thanks sweetie.

Stefy (Stephyboh): Baby, thank you for that long and detailed review. Its great to hear your thoughts even though I (Lynn) had already heard some of them. Thanks for all the support and promotion of this story, hun.

Fire Tears X: Hey, man. Sorry we couldn't get the update up on the 25th for you, but family events and Christmas one-shots got in the way. We hope you enjoyed this never the less because we certainly enjoy your review. :D Soo much! You do a damn good job, reading between the lines. Ps. You're strong for not engaging in Peyton-bashing, we do it several times a day. LOL

Lizzy (Brucas123): Little Lizzy :D You're so sweet for calling us awesome. And we're so glad that you're enjoying the BR scenes because there will be plenty more of those. That friendship is just too great for words. Thank you so much for reviewing.

Ella (EllaBella18): Hun, thanks for all the support. We're glad that you're liking the story.

Audra (albluvscbg): Sorry to hear about the stupid virus. We've both had them recently and we know how much it sucks. Hopefully you'll get it fixed. We couldn't crank out another update before Christmas but we hope you liked this one anyway. And there'll be more BL to come. ;) Thank you for making such an effort to review.

Cheyenne (jeytonbrucasnaley): Chey, babe, you know that we love how you think. ;) There are so many little hints and we're happy to see that you're picking them up. Thanks for reviewing girl.

Ally: We're glad to be teaming up too. ;) And we're really glad you're enjoying the story so far. Hopefully you'll keep doing that. Thank you.

BrookenLucas12: We love to hear who you guys ship throughout the story, and since you like BL then we hope that you liked this chapter. ;) Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Chebelle: There was even more BL in this chapter so hopefully you were pleased. You were also right about the earlier glance between BL being important. Good job ;). Thank you so much for giving us a long review like that. Oh, and we guess that you've gotten your answer about Haley.

Brucas10: You are so right. :D And of course there will be more BL, as well as BN. This is somewhat of a triangle after all. ;) Thank you.

Brucas2918: Welcome to the story. :D And thanks for the support.

Liliac17: Thank you for reviewing.

Jem (flipflopgal): Its easier to update often since we have so much of it already written. And hopefully it'll stay that way. Thanks so much for reviewing.

True Love Always: You have the perfect setup with this story since you love both ships LOL. We hope you'll keep enjoying the story. Thank you.

Brathan for the win: We agree on both the BN and the BR, but everything happens for a reason. Be patient. ;) Thanks for the review.

Ali (AliThompson): Ali, we really wanted to update sooner but we underestimated the busy days of Christmas LOL. Peyton has been getting a lot of attention but some things are important for the progress of the story ;)
(Oh, and Ali? I (Lynn) have told Elena that she needs to update that story, but I guess I'm trapping her with writing for this) Thanks for the review.

Populette: thank you for supporting our joint story. We are planning on updating our own stories (GBTRD was updated the other day) but we're investing a lot of time into this right now. Hopefully we won't disappoint.

QTpie41184: We've incorporated some of the scenes from the show that we find important but as the story progresses there will be less and less of that. Your guesses are good ;) Hopefully you'll stick around to find out what happens later since you really can't lose. LOL Thanks for the great review.

Superstargirl7: Thank you for the support. We're trying to make sure that everyone's feelings are explored. Next update will be up in a week if not sooner.

Chasitybsp: Thank YOU for reviewing. ;)

Cheerandbrood323: We love him too. And there are so many awesome guys in this story. LOL We hope you'll keep reading. Thanks for the review.

Shauneen: We're glad. And thanks for the review.

Luv2live: Yup, that's correct. The chapter was titled after that song. Thank you for reviewing.

Everyday's a holiday: Thanks you for the review. We hope you'll keep reading.