Chapter 14 – Falling for you

"You ready?" he asked as he looked down at the nervous curly blonde at his side.

"As I'll ever be"

"It'll be fine" he reassured her lacing his hand through hers to offer her much needed support.

"I know its just, I'm pretty much a nobody and I'm used to that"

"Being popular isn't so bad" he replied with a smile.

"I'm not saying it is but what if they don't like me?"

"They'll love you, stop worrying Peyton"

They were standing outside the school together about to go in and face everyone's reactions to their newfound romance. Lucas was going to introduce her to the rest of his friends and to be honest he was a little nervous too, but he didn't let it show, wanting to be strong for Peyton who at this moment was a bag of nerves.

She smiled up at him even though she was still nervous; she loved how he tried to comfort her. They had been together for a few days now and she was basking in this newfound happiness. If someone had told her a few months ago that she would be dating someone, Lucas Scott of all people she would have laughed in their face and told them to get real. It was true, Lucas Scott was not dating material in her book but she had judged him wrong, there was more to him than meets the eye and she knew that now.

"Okay lets go" she finally said. Lucas opened the entrance doors to the school and they both walked in together their hands still joined. It was as if all eyes were on them as they walked down the hallway which seemed to be getting longer and longer with every step they took. As soon as they entered, everything went quiet, an unbearable silence loomed over the hallway as everyone suddenly stopped what they were talking about and faced them. Eventually people started to whisper but Lucas just kept the smile on his face and squeezed Peyton's hand reassuring her that everything would be okay. She was grateful for this, she wasn't used to having all eyes on her, she didn't particularly care what they thought about her, or her relationship with Lucas for that matter, she just hated all the staring it made her feel uncomfortable and like she was on trial. They eventually made it to his locker where is friends were gathered talking.

"Hey everyone" he said, pulling Peyton closer to him.

"What's up Luke" Skills said as they nudged fists. Everyone's eyes eventually landed on the nervous curly blonde at his side.

"This is Peyton…my girlfriend" he said and squeezed her hand again trying to ease her worries.

"Hi" they all said a little shocked. Lucas Scott rarely called anyone his girlfriend so this definitely came as a surprise.

"Hi" she shyly responded back.

"So this is why we haven't seen much of you lately?" Skills asked. He had to admit the girl was hot, but Lucas never dated he was known for only hooking up with people so this was definitely a shock and a huge deal.

"Well you know how it is" Lucas responded smiling down at Peyton. His friends were shocked once again, they had never seen him smile like that before, it was definitely new.

"Hi I'm Rachel" the redhead responded holding her hand out for the blonde to shake. Peyton nervously looked at it and then responded with the gesture.

"Its good to meet you all, but Luke I've got to get to class"

"Okay"

"I'll see you at lunch" she replied pecking him on the lips and walking away. He watched her until she rounded a corner and was out of sight, the smile never leaving his face.

Once she was out of earshot Tim decided to voice his opinion. "So Lucas Scott a one woman man, never thought I'd see the day"

Lucas just laughed and then responded in a serious tone "Look I like her okay and I don't expect you to understand but you're my friends so I'm hoping you will support my decision"

"I like her Luke" the redhead said breaking the silence that had befallen the group.

"Thanks Rach"

"Yeah she seems nice and it's about time you stopped playing girls"

"Are you kidding me, Rachel he's known for playing girls" Skills replied.

Before anyone could respond a cheery brunette skipped over to the group. "Hey friends, boys, girls"

"Brooke long time no see" Rachel said embracing the brunette in a hug.

"Well you know how college parties can be" she replied with the same smile on her face. "So did I miss anything?" she asked eagerly.

"Lucas is a one woman man now" Skills replied grumpily. Its not that he didn't like Peyton it was just Lucas was his party buddy they would always hook up with girls together. He just missed spending time with his best friend.

"So I've heard" she replied winking at Lucas who just stared back at her. He was still unsure of whether Brooke would keep the bet to herself. He really didn't want her to ruin this for him and he couldn't stand the thought of hurting Peyton.

"Look guys this doesn't change anything" Lucas replied wanting nothing more than for his friends to understand so that they could just carry on as normal.

"Don't you see things have already changed"

"Skills I'm still me and you are all still my friends"

"We haven't seen you properly for weeks. This is probably the most we've talked"

"Well I'm sorry I just…look you're all still my friends maybe we could all hang out like we used to"

"There is a party tonight at my beach house" Tim said excitedly.

"So you in?" Skills asked not wanting to fight with his best friend.

"Yeah okay" he replied nudging fists with all the guys.

Meanwhile Peyton was in the tutor centre dropping off some papers before she had to get to class. She couldn't stop thinking about Lucas; he seemed to be constantly on her mind lately. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a voice from behind her. She turned around and the happiness faded as soon as she saw his face.

"What do you want Nathan?" she asked defiantly folding her arms across her chest.

"Peyton we're friends can't we just get past this?"

"I don't think we can" She was sad that her friendship with Nathan had suffered but she wasn't going to miss out on the opportunity of a real relationship when her best friend should be happy for her.

"Why not?" He asked but she didn't respond she just carried on filing the papers so she could head off to class.

"Come on Peyton we've been friends for too long"

"Exactly and you make me feel like crap every time I mention Lucas"

"I don't mean to I just…I worry about you okay, is that so wrong?"

"No it's not but I've told you before Nathan I'm a big girl, I'm capable of making my own decisions and you don't know Lucas the way I do"

She noticed how his expression would change every time she mentioned his name and she was getting tired of it. Yes he had made some mistakes, he had hurt a lot of girls but he was trying to be a better person, he was trying to fix his mistakes and she saw something in him, something worth fighting with her best friend for. "I've got to go" she said breaking the silence that had fallen over the room.

"Peyton wait!" he protested but it was too late she was already out of the door. Nathan kicked the nearby table in frustration and ran his hands through his dark hair. "Damn it!" he shouted to no one in particular. He hated fighting with Peyton, he really did and he wanted to be happy for her, he just wasn't sure if he could. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt. If Peyton sees something in him maybe he isn't all that bad he thought to himself.

It was now lunch and all day the gossip of Lucas Scott and Peyton Sawyer had surrounded the halls and classes of Tree Hill High. Peyton was a little annoyed at first that everyone was talking about her but she learned to deal with it and just decided that they obviously had nothing better to do. Lucas didn't really care; he was always talked about because of his popularity so this really didn't bother him. The only thing that mattered to him was that Peyton was coping okay; he knew this would be a shock for her since she was pretty much a nobody in school. He also cared about his friends opinions, Rachel was happy for him and most of the guys were cool about it, Skills seemed a little off about the whole thing but hopefully he'll be fine once they spend a little bit of time together. He had to admit he had been so caught up in Peyton that he hadn't been a very good friend lately.

Lucas and Peyton were now sitting in the quad eating their lunch together.

"Are you okay?" he asked placing his hand on hers.

"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" she replied taking a bite from her sandwich.

"Its just I know everyone keeps looking at us and talking about us and well that doesn't bother me, I don't care what people think but"

"Its okay I don't care either" she said cutting him off by placing her finger on his lips. "In fact lets give them something to talk about" she added as she leaned over and pulled his face towards hers capturing his lips in a very heated kiss. He was taken aback at her sudden affection but he wasn't complaining, he loved kissing her, she was amazing at it and he had never felt so happy to just kiss a girl before, normally he would be dying for more but not with Peyton because what he felt for her ran so much deeper than that. She was beautiful inside and out and he could finally call her his own. She eventually pulled away air becoming a necessity; she kept her forehead on his and just smiled, as did he. After a few moments of basking in happiness she parted their heads and went back to eating her lunch. She knew people were watching especially after that public display of affection but she could honestly say she didn't care anymore. She was happy and she wasn't going to hide it for anyone.

"I didn't know you were so in to PDA" Lucas said jokingly as he admired her from across the table. He couldn't believe how lucky he was, he promised himself in this moment to never take her for granted because she was far too special.

"Neither did I. I guess you just bring that side of me out" she said lacing her hand through his.

He smiled at her words, he was glad he brought something out of her because she definitely brought a lot of things out of him. She taught him to care about people other than himself, she was the one who made him happy, and who he could confide in and trust completely.

"So have you got any plans tonight?" he asked.

"No not really why?"

"Well there's this party, I kinda promised the guys I would go since we haven't hung out in a while"

"Yeah you should definitely go" she said taking a spoonful of chocolate pudding and placing it in her mouth closing her eyes briefly at the amazing taste, she was definitely a chocolate lover.

"I was wondering if you wanted to come as well?"

"I dunno don't you think this should be your time to just catch up with the guys, besides I don't think I would fit in"

"There's plenty of time at a party to catch up and you wouldn't be out of place you'd be with me, you can even invite some of your friends if you want, Nathan or that Haley girl"

She smiled at him and replied, "Okay but me and Nathan still aren't talking properly so I'll probably just invite Hales"

"Okay" he replied and they continued smiling at each other. Their eye-locking gaze was broken by the sound of a voice. A voice Peyton had been trying to avoid and forget about all day.

"Peyton"

She turned her head away from her boyfriend to face her ex best friend.

"What do you want Nathan?" She replied not in the mood for another argument.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you…alone"

"Anything you've got to say to me you can say in front of Lucas"

"Its okay Peyt" Lucas started but was cut off by Peyton.

"No don't leave he can say whatever he has to say with you here."

"I'm sorry okay you were right about everything" Nathan said sincerely.

"Is that it?" Peyton asked not really in a forgiving mood. She was definitely stubborn, Lucas found it quite cute because he knew that deep down she just wanted to forgive him but her pride and stubborn nature got in the way.

"I know I've been a crap best friend lately but I really am sorry please forgive me, maybe we could do something tonight"

"I already have plans" the curly blonde replied in a softer tone.

"How about you join us?" Lucas said shocking both Peyton and Nathan. He knew that deep down his girlfriend was missing her best friend so he just wanted to help, he wanted to prove to Nathan that he wasn't a bad guy and he wanted his girlfriend to know that he would put his feud with Nathan behind him for her.

"Oh I don't know I don't want to be a third wheel"

"You won't be it's a party tonight, you can bring Haley too" Lucas replied.

"Is that okay with you Peyton?" Nathan asked tuning away from Lucas to face the curly blonde who was pissed off at him for good reason.

"I guess" she replied.

"Okay well I'll see you both tonight" he said about to walk off.

"Its at Tim's beach house" Lucas called and Nathan nodded before continuing to walk away.

"Why did you do that?" Peyton asked in a soft voice stunned at what had just happened.

"Because even if you won't admit it I know you miss him and I don't want your friendship to suffer because of me"

"You're so sweet you know that" she replied flashing him a genuine smile. She was definitely falling for this boy and it was an amazing feeling she never wanted to end and that she would cherish. He smiled back at her, her smile drove him wild she was so beautiful and she didn't even realise it, he was falling for this girl hard and it made him feel happy and scared all at the same time.

AN: I know I've been a crappy updater lately and I'm really sorrybutassigments for school have been crazy lately. Anyway I've got a bit of time off now so I'm hoping to get back into writing. Hope you liked the update please let me know what you think :)

Coming up: Drama at the party? Lucas and Nathan interaction? Will Brooke and Peyton cross paths?