Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: So few reviews last chapter and yet my quickest update ever.. Trust me, there's no correlation there, I just really wanted to get this next chapter out.. Also, PinkyLover70, I appreciate your honesty. I'm sorry this story is "beyond the suckiest" one you've ever read. I never intended to use marriage as a "playful thing," but... newsflash- not all high school marriages last. Oh, and I know this story moves very quickly, but that's nothing different from what we see on the show or in other stories. I do appreciate constructive criticism, but your review wasn't as much constructive as it was mindless bashing of my story. Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! This one's for you guys! Love ya:)

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"Brooke ... Wake up!"

Brooke mumbled something incoherent and opened her eyes to see Nathan hovering over her. "Five more minutes?" she requested, hugging her pillow tightly.

"Sorry, no can do." he replied, snatching the pillow from her grasp. She grunted when her head hit the mattress. "We're going to be late for school."

"I think we'll survive." Slowly, she rolled out of bed and made her way toward the bathroom. "Who needs calculus anyway?"

"Someone who needs to pass the final in order to graduate next week?" Nathan reminded her, buttoning up his shirt.

Brooke playfully stuck her tongue out at him before disappearing into the bathroom. She hopped into the shower, but left the door unlocked- just incase he felt like joining her.. Down, girl. Truth be told, Nathan was right. First period calculus should be her top priority as she was borderline failing the class, and a poor grade on the final would land her in summer school with a delayed diploma.

"Hurry, Brooke!"

She sighed. What the hell was Nathan in such a rush for anyway? It wasn't as if his graduation status was up in the air.. Nevertheless, she complied, and the two were on the road fifteen minutes later. Brooke was applying her eyeliner when Nathan vocalized her exact thoughts.

"So.. about last night.."

Brooke swallowed. Hard. Of course, she was expecting a lecture about how what they did was wrong and unfair to Haley and how it could never, ever happen again.

"I don't know how it happened ... but I'm glad it did."

Brooke's hand jolted, as she was completely shocked by this confession, and her thick, black eyeliner traveled the length of her face. "Wh-what did you say?" she turned to him, apparently unfazed by her current appearance.

"The annulment should be official soon." His eyes were fixated on the road as he continued. "So, when it is, maybe you and I could.."

"Nathan." she whispered. He turned to her, and for once she saw in his eyes the gleam that had once surfaced when he had looked at Haley.. The same one she had seen when Lucas had looked at her, or, God forbid, Peyton. She smiled. "Yes."

"Yes?" he repeated, as more of a question than anything else.

"Look, Nate.." she said softly, hoping that the words she was about to say wouldn't be enough to change his mind. "Haley's my best friend, and if I thought for one second she was coming back, I would stay away." She noticed him visibly stiffen at this. "But uh.. if all I am is a distraction, then maybe you should go after her.."

"No." he shook his head forcefully. "She walked out on me not once, but twice. And you.." his voice softened. "Are not a distraction. I want to be with you, Brooke."

Following this revelation, Brooke's smile refused to falter.. That is, until they pulled into the school parking lot. If ever there was a mood killer..

As she and Nathan regretfully parted and she headed off to Calculus ten minutes late, she got the feeling that her current elated state would not last long.

The day would definitely be interesting, if nothing else..

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Peyton sat in the front seat of Jake's car. She fiddled with the zipper of the carryon that rested on her lap. He was driving her to the airport, and she would return to Tree Hill, she realized, the same way she had departed: Alone? Still harboring unresolved feeling? Filled with desire, as well as regret? um.. annoying as hell??! "Thanks again, Jake.. for everything." she said, overcoming her urge to tell him.

"It was great seeing you again, Peyton." he replied. "Are you sure you have to go so soon?"

"Yeah..." she said slowly. "Graduation's coming up, and supposedly these last couple weeks are kind of important, so..."

"Right, graduation.." he said. "I've been so busy lately.. with Jenny and work and everything.. that keeps getting pushed to the bottom of my to-do list."

Peyton nodded, wishing so fervently that she were on the top of that list. Again, she shook these thoughts. "Well, have you completed all your credits? It doesn't take much to get a diploma if you've met all the requirements."

"I've taken some courses online, but I really don't know what I have left to do.."

"You should look into it." she said sincerely. "You're way too smart not to have a high school diploma."

He smiled. "Thanks, Peyton.. You're a good friend."

Peyton's face fell at this, but she quickly concealed it by staring out the window. Nothing kills the hope for a romantic relationship like being labeled as "a friend."

"It's good that I'm leaving." she finally said. "I've gotta get back, and you have Jenny and.. and Megan." she smiled sadly. "Ya know, I always kind of thought you'd be back in Tree Hill one day, but now I can see that your life is here."

He didn't say anything, but simply stared silently at the road in front of him.

"You've done well for yourself." she went on. "I'm happy for you." Perhaps she was determined to prove that she actually was a good friend, but no matter the motive, she meant what she said.

"Yeah.. I'm a high school drop-out and a teenage father with a low-paying job. That just screams success."

"Hey.." she placed a hand on his arm reassuringly. "Don't say that.. You're the best dad I know. And the rest? That can be changed. I mean it, Jake. Get your diploma. You need to be the best you can be ... for Jenny."

He nodded. "You're absolutely right, Peyton. I'm going to graduate from high school."

"That's awesome!" she smiled, happy to have stirred up some sort of passion in him.

"And after that? I'm going to take some college classes!"

"Yes! That's-"

"And maybe I can finally make a real commitment to Megan."

Her smile faded just as quickly as it had appeared. Yay?

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Lucas and Haley sat in her hotel suite enjoying room service while an old movie played on TV. The two lay side-by-side on the king-size bed with an assortment of serving platters surrounding them. Lucas shoveled the last bit of ice cream into his mouth before setting the bowl aside. Groaning, he rolled over onto his back and held his stomach protectively.

"Hungry?" she joked and unsuccessfully attempted to feed him a few French fries.

"Actually, I don't think I'll ever be hungry again."

She laughed. "Sure, you say that now, but in a few hours you'll be making dinner arrangements."

He smiled and ran a hand through his hair, unintentionally revealing his deep, blue eyes. "Just think.. I would be in A.P. English about now.."

"Shut up." she replied, shoving him playfully. "You love English. And this little mission you're on to get me to come home? I'm telling you right now it's not going to work." He opened his mouth to speak, most likely to argue this, but she stopped him. "I don't want to be the reason why you miss out on learning about Hemingway and Fitzgerald and.." she paused upon realizing she knew surprisingly few famous authors. Lucas noticed and laughed at this. "And.. well.. whoever the hell else there is. You should go back, Luke. These last couple weeks are going to go by quickly. You need to enjoy them while they last."

"I will go back.." he noticed the look on her face as he said this, and quickly continued, not wanting to give her a false sense of relief. "..when you agree to come with me."

"Lucas-"

"It's just like you said.. it's gonna go by fast. We both need to cherish these last few weeks of.. well.. being a kid."

Haley shook her head sadly. "I've had to grow up so fast.. I don't even remember what being a kid feels like."

"All the more reason to come with me." he persisted.

"I don't want to be a kid, Luke. I wanted to have a kid." Lucas nodded sympathetically, happy that his friend was finally opening up to him. "This is my life now. You should go."

Lucas shook his head, his sandy blonde hair fell into his eyes as he did so. "I'm not leaving you, Hales."

He sat up and wrapped his arms around her as she started to cry. It was the first trace of emotion she had shown since the miscarriage. "I know.." he whispered. She buried her head into his shoulder and grabbed fistfuls of his T-shirt. He pulled her closer. "I know."

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Jake and Peyton sat next to each other in the uncomfortable, plastic airport chairs. The two were talking, and it was clear that she was waiting until the last possible second to go through security. Sadly, her plane was set to depart soon and, if she had any intention of being on it, she would have to leave now.

He frowned as she stood up and slung her carryon across her shoulder. "Is it that time already?"

She nodded. People always leave.. It was strange, she realized, not being the one left behind. Although, technically he had left her behind a long time ago and she was just now returning the favor. "I'm gonna miss you, buddy." she said softly. She may have shed a tear had she not been so accustomed to this.

"Peyton.." he pulled her into a hug. "I'll miss you, too."

During their five second embrace, Peyton somewhat expected it to develop into something more. A goodbye kiss would, of course, be welcomed. However, when they pulled away, all he did was wish her a safe trip. Needless to say, this was far from a declaration of never-ending love. Dramatic, much? She smiled sadly at him and offered a slight wave before turning around to leave. For a moment, she considered running back to tell him how she felt, but it seemed as though he was completely satisfied with his new life.

It wasn't until she was comfortably seated in coach- after all, her skeletal frame didn't require too much space- that it really hit her.

It had only been a short fifteen minutes, but already she missed him.

She had tried to convince herself that she had made the right decision by not telling him- that she was a better person now and that was what mattered. Her newfound morality, however, had not gotten her Jake. And for this reason, she spent the entirety of the flight dwelling on her regret.

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It was lunch time at Tree Hill High, and Brooke was about to invite Nathan to eat with her when she remembered that the Clean Teens always met for lunch on Tuesdays. Since Chase had broken up with her, she had hardly been an active member of the group, but she was past that now. And besides, it would look great on a college application. Yeah, so would a high school diploma...

She glanced around, scanning the quad for the trademark "Virgins for Life" tee. For a moment, she felt out of place in her strappy tank top. Of course, only for a moment.. Finally, she spotted them and hurried over to join.

"Hey prudes." she said happily, settling down on an empty chair. "Sorry I'm late, but someone had to show the basketball team a good time.." she glanced around the table, and each one responded with a deadly serious expression. "I'm kidding!" she reassured them, somewhat alarmed that they didn't seem to know that already.

"Brooke.." Shelly, leader and founder of Clean Teens and girlfriend of Brooke's good friend, Mouth, looked around at the others hesitantly. "We need to talk."

Brooke, utterly confused, got up and followed Shelly to a more secluded area.

"I don't even know how to tell this to you, Brooke.." Shelly's pure and innocent presence reminded Brooke of a character in a porno.. the moment before they're devirginized- if that was even a word.

"Well... You open your mouth and you say words." Brooke replied. "I know I'm the one who's failing calculus, but it really isn't hard.. like an erection." she laughed as Shelly's eyes widened. As horrible as it may sound, she loved horrifying the clean teens. "I'm kidding." she said sincerely, hitting the other girl playfully on the arm. "Now what did you want to tell me?"

"We're kicking you out of Clean Teens." Shelly said hurriedly, automatically taking a step backward.

"What?!"

"We took a vote.."

"Why?!"

"At Nathan's party.. some felt it was inappropriate that you.." Shelly bit her bottom lip, obviously intimidated by the former captain of the cheerleading squad.

"The sex tape?" Brooke sighed, wondering if that one decision would forever haunt her. "That was a long time ago! And whatever happened to being a born-again virgin? ...or whatever the hell you call yourself?" Brooke was unsure why she was fighting this, but for whatever reason, she wanted to remain a clean teen.

"Okay..." Shelly said slowly. "Can you honestly tell me that you haven't had sex since being sworn in as a clean teen?"

Brooke considered this. Up until her tryst with Nathan last night, she could have truthfully said yes. Shelly noticed the hesitance and interpreted it as a no. "I'm going to need the shirt back."

"What? No!" Brooke feigned devastation. "How am I ever going to get a guy without 'Virgin For Life' plastered on the back of my shirt?" Though Brooke truly was saddened by this, she couldn't reveal it to anyone.

Now that Brooke had mocked her and the group, Shelly was feeling considerably less guilty. "Oh, it wont matter what shirt you wear, Brooke." she replied. "It wont be on for long anyway."

The two exchanged intense looks and were seemingly in the middle of a stare down when Mouth approached. "Hey guys." he said awkwardly, noticing the tension.

"Mouth!" Brooke greeted her friend with a hug, grateful for the interruption. "Have lunch with me?"

Mouth nodded in agreement until Shelly cleared her throat, and he was unofficially forced to choose sides. "Don't you have a Clean Teen meeting?" he asked her.

"It wont take long." she replied. "Five minutes tops."

He nodded and turned to Brooke apologetically. "Can I take a rain check?"

"Sure, whatever." she replied and dejectedly turned and walked away. She was unaware that Nathan was standing almost directly behind her.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

Although Brooke had just been kicked out of Clean Teens and ditched by one of her best friends, she somehow managed to smile. "Lucky for you, I'm no longer a clean teen." she said seductively. "Meet you at my place after school?"

He nodded vigorously in response and, satisfied, she turned and walked away, positive that Nathan was watching her as she went.

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After a much-needed afternoon nap, Lucas woke up to find that Haley was not by his side as he had anticipated. He sat up to stretch and, after briefly scanning the hotel room, saw her sitting cross-legged on the armchair. A notebook rested on her lap as she scribbled away at a frenzied pace.

"What are you doing?"

Finally, she looked up at him. Her thick, auburn-colored hair was pulled into a ponytail and her bangs hung just above her eyes. She hastily pushed them out of the way. "I got an email from Principal Turner.. He asked me to be valedictorian."

Lucas smiled widely as he got up to congratulate her. As nerdy as it may sound, this had been her dream forever.

"I was just writing my speech."

"So you're coming home with me?"

"Well... no." she smiled at him apologetically. "I'm only going home for graduation, actually.."

"What about your classes? And.. and finals?"

"I emailed my teachers the rest of my assignments and they all allowed me to write an essay in place of the final.. I'm done."

"Overachiever." he teased.

She laughed. "Well, I guess your work here is done. Seriously, Luke. Go home and enjoy your last couple weeks of high school."

Finally, he relented. "I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?"

"Well, I wouldn't miss the show tonight."

She smiled as she got up to hug him. "Aww.. Thanks, Luke."

"Anything for you."

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Brooke hurried home after school. After all, she wanted to freshen up before Nathan arrived. She was feeling better now about her lunchtime letdown. After some careful consideration, she came to the conclusion that she definitely was not a clean teen and never really was in the first place. She walked into her room and distractedly threw her backpack on her bed before heading toward her adjoining bathroom.

"Ow."

She slowly turned around to see a head full of blonde curls and a bony ass. "Peyton?"

Peyton sat up and set Brooke's backpack carefully on the floor. "Hey ho."

"What are you doing here? I thought you were with-"

"Jake has a girlfriend." Peyton replied, the pain in her voice evident.

"Oh, Peyton.." Brooke rushed to her former friend's side.

"I wanted to tell him so badly.." her voice cracked. Somehow, Brooke was able to put aside their differences to comfort the blonde in her moment of desperation. "And now I wish I would have.."

"Why didn't you?"

Peyton shrugged hopelessly. "You should tell Nathan how you feel."

Brooke shook her head forcefully. "We're not talking about me, Peyton. We're talking about you."

"Did you tell him about the baby?" she inquired. Brooke's eyes were fixated on the floor. "He'll get over the abortion, Brooke.. I just think he has a right to know.."

"What?"

The two looked up to see Nathan standing at the doorway.

"Nate-" Brooke tried to stop him, but regretfully discovered that this was not an easy task. After all, basketball players were known for their speed, and this one was gone just as quickly as he had appeared.

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Review, please!!:)