Part 10
Peyton barely had enough time to stick her hand out to break her fall as she was rudely awoken by her impact with the floor.
"Ugh." She grumbled as she gingerly got to her knees and turned her head to eye the culprit still fast asleep in her bed.
She narrowed her eyes and got to her feet, debating how exactly she should set about returning the favour. She smirked and picked up her pillow. One good turn deserves another. She thought, raising the down filled pillow above her head only to bring it crash down on top of Brooke's head.
She laughed and placed the pillow back in its original position before getting back into the bed and snuggling back into what had been her spot on the mattress.
Brooke blinked blearily at Peyton, her head still ringing from the blow. "And just what was that for?" She asked in a voice rough from sleep.
Peyton adjusted the covers back around her as she tried her best to contain her humour.
"Well, you did just kick me out of bed." She informed her best friend.
Brooke spluttered at her at the accusation. "I was asleep!" She said in her defence.
Peyton chuckled and closed her eyes. "So was I."
Brooke pouted at Peyton's back. Okay so this wasn't the first time she'd accidently kicked her best friend out of her own bed, but it wasn't like she'd ever meant it.
She eased herself closer to her friend and leaned over so her lips brushed against the blonde's ear. "You know I'd never kick you out of my bed on purpose Peyton."
Peyton's eyes popped open.
But luckily the ringing of her cell phone saved her from trying to form the correct response to Brooke's comment. And she wasn't sure there was one anyway. Plus it was way too early to deal with Brooke's form of teasing.
"Yeah?" She asked the caller before stifling a yawn with the back of her hand as she sat up.
Brooke frowned and glanced at the bedside alarm clock as she wondered who would be calling Peyton so early they still had at least another half hour before they needed to be getting up.
"Morning." Nathan answered, in a tone that gave away that he was mostly likely smiling.
Peyton sighed and mouthed 'Nathan' at Brooke so she knew who was on the other end of the call. "And you're calling me why?" She asked.
"Because you drive your car to school."
Peyton rolled her eyes.
Nathan sniggered as Peyton failed to answer him. He was trying to wind her up but she wasn't having any of it. But it was always fun to try. With less of an attitude he explained, "I need a lift to school."
"Nice. What's up, daddy take your keys away again?" She asked.
"Not exactly."
"Nathan." Peyton said firmly with a shake of her head. "It's way too early for games, you want a lift, fine, we'll pick you up in an hour. If you're not out front, you're walking." She told him.
Nathan chuckled. "Trust me Peyton, show and tell will do just fine. See you in an hour." And with that he hung up leaving Peyton wondering what he meant.
"He in trouble again?" Brooke asked quietly. She knew first hand what it was like to live with the pressures of a parent, but she had it pretty good, her parents were almost never in town.
Peyton sighed as she placed the phone back on the bedside table. "Not sure." She answered with a shrug. "Guess we'll find out soon." She watched Brooke nod with a worried look on her face. "C'mere." She said opening her arms for Brooke would needed no further prompting before cuddling into her embrace. "I'm sure he's okay."
Brooke sighed and closed her eyes as Peyton rocked her gently. "I hope so." She said quietly before adding. "And I'm sorry for kicking you out."
Peyton smiled and brushed Brooke's hair back before placing a kiss on top of her head. "I know." Peyton didn't think Nathan was in trouble, and he hadn't sounded like he was either, plus, whenever his dad pushed things too far Nathan always ended up coming over here and crashing for a few days until his mom could talk him into going back home again.
"Come on, we'd better get started if you plan all pretty for your girl today." Peyton said before easing away and out of the bed. She shook her head as Brooke let out a loud sigh and collapsed onto the bed with her arms outstretched. "You've officially lost it."
Brooke snorted and laughed. "That's not the first time you've told me that Pey, and I may have lost it, but honey, you were the one that found it if I'm not mistaken." She retorted just to amuse herself and watch the predictable blush work its way across her friends cheeks.
Peyton's mouth opened but she couldn't find the words to form a reply so eventually she just turned around and headed out of the room under the pretext of starting breakfast. "Just get in the shower Brooke."
"Oh, what a come back!"
"Bitch!"
"Slut!"
"Hey!" Peyton called back from halfway down the stairs, offended. "Watch it or I'll burn your food."
Brooke hurried out of the bedroom and smiled down at the blonde over the banister. "Like that won't happen anyway." She replied cheekily.
"Yeah," Peyton said pointing a finger at her friend before carrying on down the stair towards the kitchen. "But just this once it'll be on purpose."
Brooke rolled her eyes then decided she really didn't have long to get ready if they now had to pick up Nathan as well. And she did have to look nice for Haley, with any luck she'd be in a better mood when she saw her at school today.
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Mouth found Skills and Fergie on one of the benches in the school yard. "So how did it go last night?" He asked, eager to find out how Skills did going up against Nathan Scott on his own.
Skills made a noise and grinned. "Told you I'm the King!" He declared throwing his arms up into the air and laughing.
Mouth looked at Fergie who just shrugged at him.
"You won?" Mouth asked, trying his best to hide how amazing that sounded to him.
Skills deflated and gave him a look. "Don't sound too shocked, Mouth, Nathan Scott is human like the rest of us."
"Well sure, I know that," Mouth scoffed. "But does he know that?"
They all shared a laugh.
"So really, how did it go?" Mouth asked again. They played for a few hours with all of them getting the chance to team up with Nathan. And sure enough, no matter who he was partnered with he was always on the winning team, something that rankled Skills enough to suggest going one on one when the others had all decided to call it a night. "Was there a lot of bloodshed?"
"Naw, wasn't like that." Skills replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"So who won?"
Skills sighed. He'd gave all he had and been disappointed by just how easily Nathan had kept with him. He shrugged his shoulders. "We called it a draw after an hour."
Mouth looked suitably impressed. "Cool!" He replied with a smile of his own just as Junk came over and joined them.
Junk dropped his bag on the ground and tapped Skills on the shoulder before pointing over to the car park. "Tell me you had nothing to do with that and I promise to say you were at my house all night." He said and they all shifted to look over at what Junk was talking about.
There, getting slowly out of Peyton Sawyer's car was Nathan Scott. That wasn't groundbreaking news, he'd often arrived with Peyton when they'd been dating. But the set of crutches Brooke Davis was handing him as he kept his weight off one foot had everyone in the court yard turning to stare.
"You broke his foot!" Mouth asked, his eyes widening at how far Skills had gone to try and beat Nathan.
"What?" Skills asked, his eyes snapping back to his friend. "No!" He insisted as he caught the questioning looks from the others as well. "Nice, you guys really think I'd do something like that?" He shook his head at them before grabbing his bag and heading straight for Nathan and the two cheerleaders.
Brooke stopped and blinked as Haley's friends all suddenly appeared in front of Nathan.
"Hi?" She asked them, wondering why they felt the need to stand there. "Is there something we can do for you?" She asked earning a snort from Peyton who was holding Nathan's bag for him. She shot the blonde a look to be quiet, so far it hadn't been a great morning, all she wanted now was to get in to school and get to her first class before she was surrounded by the rest of the cheerleaders and hounded for information on Nathan's injury.
By the open stares from everyone in the vicinity it was shaping up to be a very trying day. She could really kill Nathan for this.
Skills gave the brunette a long look as she put her hands on her hips and stood there glaring at him. He almost smiled but there would be time to pester Haley's hottie later. He eyed Nathan's foot seeing that it was heavily strapped, then met his eyes. "Broken?" He asked but he didn't think it was given it wasn't in a cast.
"Nah," Nathan replied easily. "Just twisted, should be fine by Friday."
"So you're out of Thursday's home game?" Mouth was quick to ask, his worry over the Raven's chances of remaining top of the division overcoming his shyness at being near two really hot cheerleaders.
Nathan did his best to shrug. "They'll do fine against La Salle without me." La Salle being one of the poorest sides in the conference, so as long as Lucas was on his game it should be an easy win.
"But you'll be back for the game away to Verona?" Mouth bravely continued.
"Yeah, should be." Nathan said with a quirk of his lips as Mouth seemed to relax.
Brooke watched more students start to head over. "Great, happy now?" She asked the four boys as she tried to get Nathan moving before they were stuck there answering question after question. "Everything else you want to know I'm sure you'll be able to find out by lunch, okay?" She said flashing her smile and prodding Nathan to hobble a little bit faster.
"Hey, I'm going as fast as I can on these things." Nathan whispered at her.
"Yeah? Well try harder or we'll be stuck out here until schools over!" Brooke huffed. "Have you seen everyone staring?"
Peyton sighed. "Come on Brooke, it won't be that bad once everyone knows he'll be fine by this weekend." She said trying to make Brooke feel better. They were just entering the school now and even Peyton had to admit all the wide eyed looks and heated whispers were a bit over the top.
It's not like he's dying!
She wanted to shake her head at how dramatic people were being at the thought of Nathan missing a game or two. It was only basketball after all right? Then she spotted Bevin and Rachel at the other end of the corridor and she could see the look of horror on their faces, not to mention hear the loud gasps.
She dropped Nathan's bag and grabbed Brooke's hand in a bid to make an escape before they were subjected to Bevin's hysterical reaction. "Have fun." She told him.
Nathan glared at the retreating pair. "This was Brooke's idea in the first place remember." He told them only to have Brooke spin around and give his foot a pointed look.
"No Nathan, that," She said gesturing to his ankle. "Was all your idea, and just you remember that when Whitey finds out." She said quietly before turning away from him again and leaving with Peyton just as the two other cheerleaders got to Nathan.
"Oh my God!" Bevin cried almost in tears as her hand came up to cover her mouth. "What happened to you?"
"Just twisted my ankle, it's not too bad honest." Nathan said, then felt relieved as Tim headed over to him and took his bag from the floor.
"Need a hand mate?" Tim asked.
Nathan sighed but nodded at his friend. "Yeah, I should probably let Whitey know before the rest of the school does it for me."
Rachel on the other hand wasn't quite as upset as Bevin was with the idea of Nathan being injured. In fact she was busy eyeing him and trying to work out an action plan of her own. If anyone should be giving Nathan Scott a hand, shouldn't it be her?
"We'll come too, just in case Nate," She said giving his arm a caress. "Wouldn't want you hurting anything else now would we?"
xxxxxx
"The season's over." Brooke mumbled as she opened her locker and rummaged around for her book. Everyone knew that without the star of the team there was no way the Raven's were going to keep themselves at the top of the division. Even if Nathan was going to be out for just one game.
"It's not a bad idea you have to admit." She said quietly, conscious of being overheard. "If it works then the Raven's should be pretty much unbeatable for the rest of the season." She said trying to inject a bit of hope.
Brooke just shook her head and closed her locker, book in hand.
Peyton sighed and slung her arms over Brooke's shoulders. "Okay, let's forget about Nathan for the moment and concentrate on something much more pressing."
Brooke gave her a look having no idea what her friend was going on about. What could possibly be more important than seeing the team's chances of going for the state championship go up in smoke?
Peyton couldn't believe Brooke had to even think about it. "Haley?"
"Oh." Brooke glanced around trying to spot the other girl. Her 'token' of apology should have been delivered before Haley left for school so she was hoping that it'd get the tutor to talk to her again.
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By lunch time the school was buzzing with the news that Nathan was definitely out of the next Raven's game and possibly the one after that.
So far the rumour mill had the injury caused from everything from a fall while out jogging to Dan Scott, some students were even hinting that Lucas did it on purpose to get Nathan's spot on the team.
Most people dismissed the idea of it being Dan given how eager he was to see his son progress on to play the game professionally, but Lucas...everyone knew how much they hated each other so it wasn't that far fetched an idea.
Surprisingly Nathan didn't seem to be that upset at his injury, in fact he seemed to be enjoying himself at all the hysteria it was causing.
Mouth, Skills and Junk stared like everyone else in the hallway as Nathan limped by on his crutches surrounded by team mates that were offering to carry his things and get his lunch for him.
"Are you sure that didn't happen after we left you guys?" Mouth asked, desperately trying to keep his voice lowered in case anyone was to overhear.
"What?" Skills frowned at his friend and slammed his locker closed. "For the last time Mouth," He said dangerously. "No I did not do that to him, he walked away just fine, okay?"
"Think it was Lucas?" Junk asked softly not really wanting to believe that but when he'd heard someone else say it in class, he couldn't help thinking... maybe. Payback for the way he was treated when he first got on the team?
"Hm," Skills looked down the hallway. "Well he's about the only one in town smiling, so I'd say anything's possible." He said before turning and walking off towards the lunch room.
Mouth spotted Lucas leaning up against some lockers laughing and joking with a bunch of cheerleaders. He shared a look with Junk and they both shrugged their shoulders, not willing to voice their thoughts before walking off to catch up with Skills.
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"She's doing it again." Brooke huffed as she shoved her books into her locker as Peyton stood beside her.
"And what's that?" Peyton asked.
"Ignoring me!"
"You aren't even in most of her classes Brooke!" Peyton had to say in an attempt at making her friend see sense. How could Haley be ignoring her if they hadn't seen each other?
"That's so not the point Peyton." Brooke replied still feeling like she'd some how been slighted by the other girl.
Peyton tried not to laugh as the brunette let out a deep sigh. It was kinda strange seeing Brooke get so worked up over one person like this. But her friend seemed genuinely taken with Haley. It was nice to see.
Brooke smacked the blonde on the arm. "Stop laughing at me."
"I'm not!" Peyton said even as a giggle escaped.
Brooke rolled her eyes before sagging back against her locker and pouting. "I sent her this amazing flower arrangement and what do I get? Nothing!" She said not understanding what had gone wrong.
"Well, was there a card to go along with the flowers?" Peyton asked.
"Of course there was a card!" Brooke replied, insulted by the thought she'd sent flowers anonymously. She wasn't that stupid, she wanted Haley knowing they came from her.
Peyton took a deep breath before asking, "And what did it say?"
"Uh...it said the usual kinda thing...sorry, can we start over again?" Brooke replied not recalling exactly what she'd told the florist to write but that had been the gist of it.
Peyton's face scrunched up as she looked at her friend. "So maybe she's trying to give you the answer to that?" She said as gently as she could.
Brooke straightened up and jerked her hands about in annoyance. "Oh come on, I sent her flowers, I apologized – for god only knows what mind you – what more does she want?"
Peyton shrugged helplessly, then she spotted the girl in question turning the corner and head towards them. She scratched her head and leaned closer to Brooke. "Don't look now, but you know who is headed this way."
Brooke dropped her head back against her locker and eyed the ceiling.
Peyton saw how hesitant Haley seemed as she noticed Brooke posture. She decided it was a good time to leave the pair alone to talk. She waited until Haley looked her way and gave her a smile of encouragement.
"Good luck!" She said to both of them and hurried off.
Brooke was going to stare angrily after her so-called best friend but quickly changed her facial expression as she came face to face with Haley James. "Hey." She squeaked out as she straightened up.
"Hey." Haley replied, tucking a section of her hair back behind her ear. Then she gathered enough nerve to look at Brooke in the eyes. "Thank you for the flowers...they were beautiful." She said shyly. No one had ever done anything like that for her before. She'd been so shocked by the delivery this morning that she would have been late if it hadn't been for her sister driving her.
Brooke felt enormously pleased and smiled softly at Haley. "You're welcome, I'm glad you liked them." She replied before adding, "Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl." As she was once again reminded of just how attractive she found Haley.
Haley ducked her head down as her face went bright red with the compliment.
Brooke panicked at the effect her words had. "That wasn't a line." She insisted trying to put the other girl at ease. "I mean, I wasn't just saying that...I said it because I think it's true."
Haley fought against her embarrassment and met Brooke's worried gaze. "Thanks."
Brooke's shoulders relaxed as she realised she hadn't completely blown it with Haley yet.
Haley cleared her throat. "I was wondering..." She said, fidgeting and glancing around quickly to make sure they were relatively alone before continuing, "Would you like to have dinner at my house tonight?"
Wow, a dinner invitation. How cool is that!
"I'll cook and everything...I'm not sure what yet, but if there's something you'd like or, don't like-"
Brooke halted Haley's ramblings with a touch of her hand on the smaller girls arm that turned into a clasp of her hand. "Anything you cook me will be fine." She said with a wide grin wanting Haley to know she was beyond happy with the invite.
Haley blew out a breath and smiled back at her as they still held hands. "That's great! So...I'll see you tonight, about seven?"
"Seven it is." Brooke replied, suddenly wanting it to be that time already. She watched Haley begin to slowly back away from her, their hands letting go eventually. "Care to join me for lunch? What with Peyton taking off I seem to be free." She asked, not wanting to wait so long to talk to the other girl.
Haley's face fell.
"It's okay if you can't." Brooke interjected as she clearly read the 'no' that was about to come.
"It's not that I don't want to Brooke." Haley said looking just as disappointed as Brooke that she was saying no. "But I have tutoring during lunch today."
"Oh." That was much better than a flat out no. Brooke could deal with that, after all usually she tried to fit in some cheering at lunch, only today she knew it was unlikely anything would get done other than a gossip session over Nathan's injury, which she could do without
"So I'll see you tonight?" Haley asked to check that Brooke was still willing to come over.
Brooke nodded at her as she walked backwards down the hallway. "I remember where you live, I'll be there...Should I bring anything?" She added realising she'd never been to a dinner date at someone's house before.
Haley smirked at her and shook her head. "As long as you bring yourself, that'll be more than enough."
"Aww."
Haley dropped her eyes to the floor as she felt another blush work its way across her face again as she paused in the hallway.
Brooke watched her then took a few steps closer before stopping just out of reach of the other girl. The school corridor was definitely the wrong place to be making a scene, and if Brooke did what she really wanted to do right now, then she'd be giving the school something else to talk about.
Haley looked up and saw the fire in Brooke's eyes. She gasped as her body almost tingled in response to the way Brooke was looking at her. She swallowed and backed up once more although this time it was just that much harder to walk away from the brunette.
"I'll see you tonight Brooke." She said in a promise.
Brooke nodded, rooted to the spot, unable to do anything other than allow Haley to leave. "Can't wait."
xxxxxx
AN/ Sorry for the long delay between updates, this story is turning out to be much longer than I'd thought it would be but it'll get finished eventually if you guys can all hang in there.
Thanks for reading!