"Good idea, Hales," Rachel yelled, from only two feet away as she tottered off to find her camera.

"Yeah. Good idea, Haley," Peyton murmured as she walked towards the fireplace.

Haley nodded nervously, "Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well…Let's um…decide who goes where…"

Haley scratched her head, "Okay, um…Rachel and Jake all the way to the left, followed by Brooke and Nathan, Peyton and Brad, and then…me and Lucas, okay?"

Everyone nodded while the parents migrated from the kitchen to the family room to begin taking pictures.

Peyton felt Brad's arms around her waist and swallowed slowly, something about the way she felt when he held her was so much different than the way she felt when Nathan held her. She looked to her right to see Nathan standing awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with her, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Nathan? Are you okay?" Peyton asked, with a worried expresión on her face.

"What? Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm fine," Nathan murmured, while turning to face her, his eyes falling on Brad's arms draped around her teeny waist.

Peyton looked down to see what he was looking at and looked back up at him, to learn that he now had his arms wrapped around Brooke's waist.

Mr. Sawyer smiled at the kids, "Alright, everyone! We only have time for a couple pictures, so make them good! Which means no blinking, Rachel!"

Rachel smiled, "Sure thing, Larry."

Peyton rolled her eyes, "Sometimes I think Rachel wants my dad more than Sally."

"Your dad's still going out with her?" Nathan asked, startling himself.

Peyton smiled softly while rolling her eyes, "Unfortunately. I'm pretty sure he just paid for her boob job, too."

Nathan laughed and Peyton smiled at him before they were blinded by a flash.

Peyton looked forward and Nathan reluctantly turned forward as well.

A doorbell rang and Karen Roe answered the door.

"Kids! Limo's here!"

Everyone shuffled out the door and went to the school, most of them not aware of what would occur that night.

…

Peyton walked in to Rachel's house, with Brooke, getting ready to help set up for the after party they were about to have. Nathan walked through the door, and watched as Brooke waved at Nathan with a smile on her face, and Nathan nodded with a similar expresión. Peyton suddenely remembered the first time she met Brooke.

Haley nodded as she walked down the hall with Brooke, "Yeah. So, Brooke, I have a morning cheerleading practice, the basketball team and squad have tourneys coming up. Do you want me to show you to your class or-"

"You cheerlead? Oh my god, this is perfect. I so need to join the squad, I was captain at my old school, and…I need to get on the squad here. And--"

"I'll introduce you to Peyton," Haley said as she opened the doors to the gym.

"Peyton?" Brooke asked, obviously confused and slightly annoyed.

"She's the captain of the squad," Haley said, as if it was obvious.

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Okay. This girl already has everything I want in Tree Hill."

Haley laughed quietly, "Yeah. Peyton's…Peyton. I'm going ti go change."

Brooke nodded as she watched Haley walk towards the fitting rooms, and looked around the room. There were a lot of hot guys on the basketball team, but she spotted Nathan warming up on the court and could only stare at him.

Brooke looked towards the sidelines on the other side of the gym, and saw two girls who were absolutely beautiful, both in their own ways. One of the girls had long, blonde curls, and was tall and lanky, with a gorgeously stunning face. The other had straight, long, red hair and definitely had a lot of sex appeal. They were both wearing white tank tops and navy blue cotton short-shorts. Those were the girls that she needed to be friends with.

Brooke stood up and walked over to them, and smirked when she heard a couple of guys whistling as she walked across the court.

"Hey. I'm looking for Peyton, do you guys know where I could find her?" Brooke asked.

The red head shared an amused look with the blonde before speaking.

"Well, I'm Rachel. And, this is Sawyer. Peyton should come around a little later," Rachel said with a fake smile.

Brooke smiled, "Yeah. I'm looking to see if I could join the squad. I just transferred from California."

The blonde smirked, "A Cali girl. That would bring a bit of diversity to the squad."

Brooke nodded, not sure if Sawyer was being sarcastic, "Yeah. So, I heard Peyton's going out with Nathan Scott."

Rachel laughed, "Your first day and you already heard about Nathan?"

Sawyer laughed as well, "Well, to answer your question, yeah...They are. Why'd you ask?"

Brooke smirked while shrugging, "Well, I'm thinking that Nathan needs to dump his kindergarten girlfriend and considered dating someone new."

Sawyer's eyebrows raised and Rachel started laughing.

"Hun, I like you already. I'll try to put in a good word for you to Peyton. I'm sure she'll love you," Rachel said grinning.

Sawyer smiled, "Oh. Yeah. I could definitely see it."

Brooke smiled, "Thanks. That means a lot."

Nathan jogged towards the girls in a black t-shirt and a black pair of basketball shorts, while chugging a bottle of Gatorade. Sawyer and Rachel smirked at each other, while Brooke watched him.

"Nate, did you meet the new girl?" Rachel asked as she sat on the floor and began stretching.

Nathan looked at Brooke before nodding, "Um. Yeah. I think so. Britney, right?"

Brooke gave him a weak smile, "Brooke."

Nathan nodded as he wrapped his arms around Sawyer's waist and pulled her body close to his, before lowering his head to kiss her. Brooke stared at the two of them and then at Rachel, who was trying not to laugh.

Sawyer grinned as she pulled away from him and wrapped her arms around his neck before kissing him again.

"SCOTT!"

Nathan quickly pulled his face away from Peyton but continued to hold her waist.

"Get the hell over here!" Coach Whitey Durham yelled to him from across the court.

Nathan rolled his eyes as Peyton laughed, and he pecked her quickly on the lips before jogging towards the court.

"Wait for me after practice, Pey," he called.

Peyton nodded before turning around to face Brooke, who was dumbstruck.

Peyton stuck out her hand and smiled, "Hey. I'm Peyton Sawyer."

Brooke closed her eyes and sighed, "You're Peyton?"

Peyton nodded, "Yeah. So, you want to cheer?"

Brooke bit her lip, "Peyton, I'm sorry for the things I said before. I didn't know that you were….you. I-"

Peyton shrugged, "Whatever. A lot of girls like Nathan."

Brooke sighed, "Yeah. But, if I had known how gorgeous you are, I wouldn't have even thought of going out with him."

Rachel rolled her eyes, "No offense… But, we're not that in to flattery. Unless, you really mean it."

Brooke rubbed her lips together, she really couldn't win with these girls.

Peyton looked towards the fifteen or so other girls that were sitting on the bleachers.

"Okay, girls. Let's stretch and get started," Peyton said, ignoring Brooke.

Brooke groaned and silently cursed herself as she sat on the bleachers and watched the girls practice.

…

Peyton walked in to the locker room with Rachel after practice was over, as they got ready to go their third period class.

Peyton slipped on her tight, dark jeans, and her burgundy, low cut, scoop neck, sweater. Rachel was wearing a similar pair of jeans with a zip up, navy blue Juicy sweatshirt.

Peyton was applying some lipgloss in the mirror when she turned to Rachel, "Where's Hales?"

"Right here," Haley called, while laying on a bench, ice on her ankle.

Peyton widened her eyes, "Haley…What did you do?"

Haley sighed, "I was changing in here, and I was running late…and I ran out the door and tripped."

Peyton groaned, "…Hales. You cannot do this to me. The tournament's coming up."

Haley pouted, "I know, Peyt. I'm so sorry."

Peyton inhaled and exhaled loudly, "Okay. Um. This is cool. I just need to find a replacement."

Haley smiled, "Well, my friend Brooke cheerleads. She's new-"

"Friend?" Rachel asked.

Haley shrugged, "Um. Yeah. She-"

Peyton shook her head, "Okay. First off, she insulted me to my face, Haley."

Haley's brow furrowed, "…Okay…Wow."

Peyton bit her lip, "But, I have no other choice…"

Rachel smirked, "Pey. This may be a fantastic idea."

Peyton rolled her eyes, "Okay."

Rachel shook her head, "No. She said those stupid things about you, right? So, why don't we make her feel included for a little, ditch her, and say some stupid things about her."

Peyton shrugged, "Well, it's an okay plan."

Rachel laughed, "But, you know we'll execute it well."

Peyton smiled at her best friend, and turned to Haley.

Haley sighed, "Guys, I'm her student guide..I-"

"Hales, you didn't hear what she said about me," Peyton said, swinging her bag over her shoulder.

"Anyway, Hales, we're best friends, and we know you like being a little naughty sometimes, right?" Rachel asked with a grin.

Haley sighed and shook her head, "Uh..Fine."

Rachel and Peyton squealed with happiness and Haley laughed, Peyton looked over at the clock and groaned.

"Nathan's going to be pissed, I'm running late. I'll see you girls at lunch," Peyton said, while walking out of the locker room.

Rachel smiled at Haley, "So, you think we should cut class and use your ankle as an excuse?"

Haley gave her a stern look and raised her eyebrows. Rachel nodded and grabbed her bag.

"Okay…I'll walk you to class," Rachel said, walking towards Haley, and wrapping Haley's arm around her neck to help her walk.

…

Nathan stood in the middle of the gym talking to Jake and Tim, and Peyton laced her fingers through his, causing him to turn to his side, slightly startled.

"You're late," Nathan said blankly.

Peyton rolled her eyes and ignored him, "So, Jake. Who are you taking to formal?"

Jake smirked, "Well, I guess it depends. Are you available, Miss. Sawyer?"

Nathan raised his eyebrows at his best friend who merely laughed.

"Kidding, Peyton knows that, jackass. Anyway, no one yet. You wanna' hook me up with someone?" Jake asked, as the four of them began walking out of the gym.

Peyton smiled, "Jake, a lot of girls want to go with you. You don't need me to hook you up. You just need to find a date."

Jake smiled sweetly at his best friend's girlfriend, "But, Peyton…It'd be so much easier if you did it. And, plus, I know you'd find a hot girl for me."

Peyton sighed dramatically, "Fine. I will."

Jake smiled as they neared the end of the hallway, "Thanks, Pey. Okay, right or left?"

"Left," Nathan and Peyton said simultaneously.

"Right," Tim said.

Jake nodded, "Okay. Tim and I are going to bounce. Later, guys."

Jake and Tim made a right and began talking about the upcoming game, and Peyton and Nathan made a left, and walked towards his locker.

Nathan let go of Peyton's hand as he turned the dial of his lock, and opened his locker.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, as Peyton leaned against the locker door next to his.

"Yeah. Haley sprained her ankle, just in time for the tournament," Peyton said sarcastically.

Nathan looked at her sympathetically, "I'm sorry, baby."

Peyton smiled at him and shrugged, "Whatever. I figured I'd ask the new girl if she'd want to sub for her. She was interested in cheering."

Nathan pulled his books out of his locker and grabbed her hand before they began walking towards chemistry.

Peyton sighed, "I hate the first day of school."

Nathan laughed, "Why?"

Peyton shrugged as they walked in to the classroom, "Well, new teachers, new…kids, new classes…I don't know. It just gets annoying, I guess."

Nathan nodded in agreement as he took a seat at an empty table for two, and Peyton took a seat next to him, both knowing that this way they could be lab partners.

Peyton smiled as she spotted Haley walking through the door with Rachel by her side.

"Are you guys in this class?" Peyton asked.

Rachel smirked, "Yeah. And, your new best friend."

Peyton watched as Brooke walked in to the class.

"Brooke, come sit over here!" Peyton called.

Brooke looked over at her, slightly surprised, "Okay."

Peyton smiled at Lucas, the hot, blonde who recently joined the basketball team, who was sitting at the table in front of hers and Nathan's.

"Lucas, she can sit with you right?" Peyton asked with a sexy smile.

Lucas nodded, "Um. Yeah. Sure."

Brooke sat down next to Lucas and smiled in approval, he was definitely gorgeous, and could probably give Nathan a run for his money. Probably.

"Brooke meet Lucas Scott," Rachel said grinning, unaware of Haley's saddened expression.

Peyton groaned, why Brooke couldn't have just gone after Lucas, who wasn't taken, she wasn't sure.

"Peyton, you okay?" Brooke asked, as she stood next Nathan and Lucas.

Peyton made eye contact with Nathan before quickly leaving the house. Everyone exchanged confused looks before Brad went running after her.