Okay... First of all wow. I am very upset with the lack of response for the contest. I was hoping that at least three or four of you would enter. But two... Seriously? I would like to thank NALEY23alwaysforever for being to only one to send me an entry. Your chapter rocked and I was very grateful for it!

Full credit for this chapter of The Beginning of Something Wonderful goes to NALEY23alwaysforever

Xxxxx

"Blue or black dress?" Peyton asks, alternating between holding up a blue halter dress that goes to her lower thigh and a black strapless dress that goes to just above her knees.

"Black." Haley and Brooke say simultaneously.

"Okay," she sets the black dress on her bed and then hangs up the blue dress in her closet.

"Black pumps or black sandals?" She asks picking up a pair of strappy black sandals and a pair of sleek black pumps.

"Sandals." Says Haley. "You don't know if you're going to be walking a lot or not yet, and the pumps will start to make your feet blister if you are."

Brooke nods in agreement.

"Up or down?" Peyton asks about her hair.

"Down, slightly wavy" Brooke smirks, "guys like something to tug on while doing the deed."

"Ha!" Haley snorts while Peyton glares at Brooke.

"Not funny B, not funny at all." She says.

"A lil' bit though." Brooke laughs.

Peyton cracks a small smile. "Maybe a little."

"So, you nervous?" Haley asked as she lay on Peyton's bed.

"A little" Peyton replied, turning away from the mirror to face her friends "Is that weird? I mean, I've had butterflies before but these just feel like … giant moths whacking the inside of my stomach."

Brooke and Haley laugh "Oh yeah, that's normal. I felt the same way with Lucas."

"Me too. It's totally normal." Haley said, her eyes widening at the realization of her words.

"And who exactly has been giving you moth-sized butterfly nerves?" Brooke says with a raised eyebrow.

"It's not important." Haley shakes her head changing the subject "How are we going to do your makeup Peyton?"

xxx

A little over an hour later, there was a knock at the front door. Haley ran down to get it while Brooke placed the finishing touches to Peyton's makeup. Haley swung the door open expecting to see Jake, but was instead met with Nathan standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" Haley asks.

"Well it's nice to see you too, Hales." Nathan chuckles in reply.

Haley rolls her eyes, looking behind her to make sure Brooke and Peyton were still in Peyton's room, before leaning up to place a quick kiss to Nathan's lips.

"Hi" she whispers when they pull apart.

"Hey" he speaks softly against her lips.

"So you haven't answered my question, what are you doing here?"

"Jake was too nervous to come over, so Luke and I volunteered to come too, so he could calm down. And Lucas decided it was the perfect opportunity for him and Brooke to spend some time together."

Haley looked at Nathan in suspicion "And you?"

"I figured we could hang out." He shrugged.

"Oh, hang out huh?" Haley smirked.

"Miss. James, get your mind out of the gutter." Nathan winked.

"Hales! Is that Jake?" At the sound of Brooke's voice Nathan and Haley jumped apart.

"Oh, Nathan. Where's Jake?" Brooke asked as she walked into the room.

"He's in the apartment still. Poor guy's a little nervous so Luke's trying to talk him up, he's also taking you out for the night."

"He is so getting lucky." Brooke smiled bumping her hip against Haley.

"I really don't need to hear that." Nathan grimaced as Lucas and Jake walked to the door.

"Is she ready?" Jake asked.

Haley nodded her head and yelled out to Peyton, who came out of her room a few minutes later to meet the group that had formed at the entrance. Jake looked on in awe as he took in her outfit; she looked perfect.

"Hey" Peyton smiled shyly.

"Hi, you look beautiful." Jake said.

Peyton could feel the heat rushing up her cheeks "Thank you, you look really handsome yourself."

"Aww, you guys are too cute!" Brooke exclaimed, causing both Peyton and Jake to blush.

"Brooke let them be." Lucas whispered in her ear.

Brooke nodded kissing Lucas' cheek and heading into her room to go and get ready.

Xxx

"So, what exactly are we doing here?" Peyton asks as they walk into the club thirty minutes later.

"Well, you told me you were into music so I was going to buy tickets for Jimmy Eat World's concert tonight, but I lost the bid." He explains "So I was trying to find an alternative, and a buddy of mine mentioned that his band was having a performance tonight. I hope that's okay."

Peyton shook her head and gave Jake a reassuring smile "That's fine."

They took a seat at the club and Jake ordered them some drinks as the band began to perform. They were both silent, simply enjoying the music that was surrounding them. Peyton felt a slight breeze from the open windows and brought her arms up to wrap around her body in an attempt to warm herself, but Jake quickly stood up and placed his jacket over her shoulders and Peyton whispered her thanks as she wrapped the material tighter around her body.

After an hour the performance were done, and the lights had come back on.

"So, what did you think?" Jake asks when they're back in the car.

"They're really good! I'm surprised they don't already have an album or a record deal or something the songs are awesome, especially that last one. The lyrics are so powerful, and the music accompanied it so well."

"Wow." Jake said glancing over at Peyton "I don't think I've ever heard someone talk so passionately about music before. I've never really looked at a song like that, from every angle and aspect."

Peyton shrugs in her seat "Music's kind of always been my thing, I've loved it since I was a little girl. Something just drew me towards it."

"Well, I enjoy your insight. It's refreshing to be able to actually have a conversation with a girl."

"You and Nicki weren't into music?" Peyton teases.

Jake rolls his eyes "I loved music, I learnt to play the guitar when I was younger. But Nicki didn't like me playing all the time, said it 'distracted' her. But I don't want to talk about her, I'd rather talk about you."

"I'm really not that interesting." Peyton argues.

"I seriously doubt that." Jake says.

Peyton just nods her head, not wanting to push the topic further "I had a nice time tonight, thank you."

Jake looks over at Peyton as they wait at the red light "You don't think it's over do you?"

Peyton's eyes widen at his words "What? You have more planned?"

"There's this really cool street art fair downtown that happens at the end of every month, there's some really nice pieces I wanted to show you."

"That sounds awesome." Peyton smiles "I can't believe I didn't know about this before."

"What can I say, I guess you're just not as up to date as I am." Jake jokes.

Peyton rolls her eyes, shoving his shoulder with a little chuckle.

Xxx

"This is amazing!" Peyton says as they stand in front of a sketch of a girl looking into the moon "She looks so sad, but it's so beautiful at the same time."

"It is beautiful." Peyton looks to Jake, who's watching her intently, and feels her cheeks flush again.

Jake can't help but let out a small laugh at her flustered state "I'm really glad I asked you to come with me tonight." He says as he takes her hand in his.

"Me too" Peyton says and leans her head on his shoulder as they walk down the street "Thank you for tonight."

"Anytime." Jake whispers into her hair.

Xxx

"So, here we are." Jake says as they reach her apartment door.

Peyton nods in agreement "Here we are."

They're both silent for a few moments, neither really knowing what to do.

"So…I guess I'll see you around?" Jake says, his statement coming out more like a question.

Peyton nods again, smiling softly. Jake leans in, and Peyton can feel her heart racing in her chest as his lips move closer, and she closes her eyes just as his lips make contact. Against her cheek.

Peyton frowns, confused. She opens her eyes just in time to see Jake pulling back.

"Goodnight Peyton."

"Goodnight." Peyton mumbles back quickly rushing into the apartment.

She leans against the doorway, clinging onto his jacket tightly. She doesn't understand what just happened, she thought he was going to kiss her. Did he not like her anymore? Was tonight not as good for him as it was for her?

Her thoughts are cut short by a knock on the door, and Peyton opens it to see Jake standing in front of her apartment again.

"Did you forget somethi-"

She doesn't get to finish her sentence before Jake steps forward, one hand on her face and the other on her hip, and presses his lips against hers. Peyton doesn't move at first, still in shock, but soon responds to his kiss. They pull away a few moments later, both breathing heavily as Jake's forehead rests against hers.

"I should've kissed you before." He breathes out.

"Probably." Peyton chuckles back "So why didn't you?"

"I was trying to be respectful. But I wanted you to know that I like you, and that I did have an amazing time with you. And that I didn't just want you for kissing and all that stuff."

Peyton's smile grows even bigger "I like you. But the kissing is also pretty nice" She says before kissing him once more.

Xxxxxx

Okay guys, that's all! So I hope you really liked NALEY23alwaysforever's chapter. And remember I won't be updating quickly on this story unless I get ten reviews at least. So if you're a silent reader keep this in mind and take two minutes to leave a nice comment. I won't be updating quickly unless I get at least ten. It will be when I feel like it so no guarantees for a speedy update until I get some response to my chapter.