Once again, thank you all so much for the reviews. Someone asked how I'm able to update since the documents program isn't working. What you have to do is export an old chapter into the documents program. Then you go under HTML Mode and delete that chapter and paste the new one into there (make sure to save the changes). Then you can go back to simple mode and edit it. Everything gets bunched together and italicized items end up looking normal but you can fix that. It takes a little while to edit it but desperate times call for desperate measures. I hope that helps. Anyway, here's chapter 13. Enjoy!

Chapter 13

Secret No. 13: Sometimes the more you try to ignore love, the more seriously it hunts you down.

The four teenagers sat in Karen's Café joking around and having fun. After three games of intense miniature golf, which Haley won twice and Lucas won once, they decided it was time to eat dinner and replenish themselves for the second round.

"I'm telling you, I'm not going to go easy on you guys again," Brooke warned Lucas and Haley. "I'm bringing out the big guns baby."

"Sure you are," Haley teased.

"What, I'm serious. It's on."

"Brooke, the first time you putted you whacked the ball off the roof and hit a car passing by on the street below. If that was you holding back, then we are all in serious danger," Lucas laughed. Peyton and Haley soon joined in.

"That was too funny," Peyton snorted.

"Yeah, Brooke," Haley chuckled, "You totally just made my week."

"That was an accident. I wasn't used to the feel of the golf club yet," she pouted in her seat and crossed her arms.

"Look on the bright side," Lucas began. "You at least looked pretty while doing it."

"I resent that…wait, you think I'm pretty?" Brooke questioned. Her heart all of a sudden began to beat faster. All night she had been having little butterflies whenever she was close to Lucas. The reason she hit the ball so hard in the first place was because Lucas had had his arms around her a minute before then. And they were such strong, muscular arms, she reminisced. He had been trying to teach her the correct way to putt. In an effort to get the feeling of his arms out of her head, she accidentally whacked the ball a littler harder than she had meant to.

"Brooke, everyone thinks you're pretty," he clarified quickly.

"Like who in particular?" she countered raising her eyebrows trying to catch him in a lie.

"The whole basketball team for one."

"What do they say?" she asked perking up.

"I'd tell you but I don't think I could clean it up enough to not corrupt Haley's virgin ears."

"Hey," Haley said as she hit him from her seat next to his.

"What? I personally would like to keep them that way," Lucas defended.

"I'm not a baby. And even if I did hear what you said, that wouldn't change my morals."

"I love you, Haley," Brooke said. Even though she could never do the whole virginity thing, Brooke had always respected Haley's decision. Sometimes she wished she had that kind of willpower.

"Thanks Tigger," she replied while hitting Lucas once again.

"Ow, would you stop hitting me?" he complained as he clutched his shoulder. "That hurts."

"I always knew you were soft, Scott," called a voice from the doorway.

"Jake," Peyton whispered. Despite the fact that she knew he would come, she still couldn't get rid of the initial shock she was experiencing.

"Hey, man," Lucas greeted him and the other guys behind him. "Uh guys, this is Peyton and Haley as you already know. This is Brooke, their other sister. Brooke, I'd like you to meet Skillz, Fergie, and Mouth," Lucas introduced.

"Hi," they all called.

"It's nice to meet you guys," Brooke said as she got up to shake their hands. "You're name is Mouth?" The boy nodded. He seemed absolutely dumbfounded by the fact that Brooke was actually talking to him.

"That's so cute," she continued. "It's also a funny coincidence. That was my nickname at summer camp." Everyone just stared at her. Pervs, she thought. "Because I slept with my mouth open," she explained while rolling her eyes. "Tell me what you really think why don't you?" After everyone got over the initial shock, they all laughed. The guys then pulled up chairs and joined them at the table. Brooke noticed how Jake had tried to get a seat next to Peyton but she completely blew him off. What is up with her lately? A hott guy is trying to get her attention and she ignores him. Do I have to do everything around here?

"I'm going to get the food," Haley stated getting up. When Lucas protested she said, "Don't worry about it. I work here remember? We'll get our food in half the time."

"I'll help," Peyton said as she practically jumped out of her seat to go follow Haley. Jake's face momentarily fell. I have got to talk to that girl.

"I think they could use another hand," Brooke made up as she too went after them.

But not before she heard Mouth ask, "Why are all the girls leaving?"

Skillz answered, "They always travel in packs. Don't worry, it's a chick thing."

"Brooke, I never thought I'd see the day when you helped out in the kitchen," Haley teased when they got to the back.

"Actually, I have to talk to this curly blonde idiot over here," she said nodding to Peyton.

"What did I do to get the Wrath of Brooke this time?" Peyton commented.

"What's wrong with you? Jake has been trying to get your attention the whole time he's been here. But you won't give him the time of day," she chastised.

"Not now, ok Brooke?" Peyton begged. "I'm not in the mood."

"She's right though," Haley agreed. "You've been really down lately. What's going on, Pey. We're your sisters. You're supposed to be able to talk to us about anything." Peyton looked down at her feet before meeting her sisters' eyes once again.

"Jake and I kissed a few weeks ago," she said in a rush.

"WHAT!?" Brooke screeched. The whole restaurant full of people, including the guys, turned they're heads to the kitchen.

"Thanks, Brooke," Peyton stated. "That wasn't obvious at all."

"Oh, they don't know what we're talking about. I want details!"

"Yeah, spill, Girlie," Haley prodded.

"Basically, he drove me home, kissed me passionately, and then took it back. I believe his exact words were, 'It wasn't right of me to lead you on. I have to go. I'll keep in touch, ok?'"

"Ugh, that's brutal," Haley sympathized.

"That is completely unacceptable. I'm gonna go and give him a piece of my mind," Brooke said as she moved to leave the kitchen.

"Brooke, don't!" Haley ordered.

"But I…" she sputtered.

"It's none of your business. Let Peyton deal with it the way she wants. You going over there and yelling will only make things worse," Haley explained. I knew I always loved my littlest sister, Peyton thought proudly. "Besides, I think he still really does like you, Peyton," she continued. "It's obvious by his behavior tonight. Sometimes people move away from the person they care about because they're afraid of getting hurt."

"And when, might I ask, did our little sister get so smart all of sudden?" inquired Brooke raising an eyebrow. "It sounds like you're speaking from experience."

"Only yours," she answered back.

"Ouch, that hurt, Tutor Girl," mocked Brooke.

"Just talk to him, Peyton," Haley advised ignoring her. "At least hear him out before you make a decision." Peyton took Haley's advice into consideration before she nodded her head.

"Now let's go before the guys have a heart attack because they don't have their food," Haley chirped. A few minutes later, the girls finally returned to the table with everyone's meals. The guys were talking about none other than, you guessed it—basketball. Upon noticing the girls' arrival, Lucas got up to take some of the plates from Haley.

"Thanks," she commented.

"Such a gentleman," Fergie teased.

"One of us has to be," Lucas replied good naturedly. After everybody was served, they all began to dig in. A little while later, everyone was stuffed.

"Why did I eat so much?" Haley muttered. "This is all your fault," she blamed Lucas.

"What? You're the one who kept stealing my fries," he defended.

"But you let me," she countered. As the banter continued on, this time getting Brooke and Skillz involved, Jake took the opportunity to talk to Peyton.

"Hey Peyton, do you think we could talk alone?" he quietly asked. She reluctantly nodded and got up from the table.

"Where are you guys going?" Lucas asked as he noticed them leaving.

"I'm going to beat Jake's ass in miniature golf," Peyton lied. "You guys stay here and finish up." She tried not to pay attention to the knowing glances that Brooke and Haley were giving her. Without another word, the two ascended the stairs and went up on the roof.

"Wow, this is awesome," said Jake.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked getting right to the point. She didn't want to sugarcoat the situation any longer.

"I wanted to apologize, Peyton," he began. "I shouldn't have left like that after we…" he trailed off.

"Kissed," she finished angry. "You know, Jake, I have met some real jerks in the past. But not one of them has led me on like you have this past month. If you didn't like me that way then you should have had the guts to just tell me," she stated as her voice began to rise.

"It's not like that, Peyton," he defended. "My situation is complicated."

"For once, just tell me the truth. Is there someone else?" she asked.

"What? Where did you hear that?" he questioned back.

"From Lucas. Who's Jenny, Jake? Is she your girlfriend?" Peyton was now shouting. All those emotions of hurt and anger she'd been harboring for the past few weeks were finally coming out. "What, you figured you'd get the best of both worlds by not telling me?"

"Is that what you really think of me?" he retorted angrily.

"That's the problem. I don't know what to think! You never tell me anything about your family or what's going on in your life. If you care for me at all, Jake, then you'll be honest with me."

"I do care for you, Peyton. But you and I are not the only people I have to consider in this," Jake explained.

"Who else is there? Oh, wait, that's right. Your girlfriend Jenny needs to have a say right? I hope you two are very happy together," she finished as she turned around to leave.

"I don't have a girlfriend, Peyton," Jake proclaimed as he caught her arm and turned her around to face him.

"Then who the hell is she?" Peyton demanded. She was sick of all the secrecy. She wanted answers and she wanted them now.

"She's my daughter…"

Haley was getting worried. Peyton and Jake had been gone for a while. She didn't know whether they were working things out or if the situation was getting worse. Brooke's nervous fingers tapping across the wooden table weren't helping either. The guys, however, were off in their own little world. They were discussing the NBA and players' stats and all that crap. How boring, thought Haley. She wished something more exciting could happen. As if God had heard her prayer, the door to the café jingled and in walked a group of players from the Raven's basketball team—with Nathan in the lead. Haley's body automatically tensed. She had been tutoring Nathan for almost several weeks now. During that time, she and Nathan had gotten close. Not like they did the first day she tutored him, but they were more like secret friends now. No matter how many times they both tried to deny it.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Lucas growled.

"Maybe they're just hungry," Haley unsuccessfully reasoned. Her theory was soon shot to hell as the guys approached their table.

"Congrats, Brooke," said Damien West. "I heard you're the new cheerleading captain."

"Thanks," she replied.

"And who's this?" he asked referring to Haley. All the guys then stared at her. It was a little unnerving. But what really got her, was the fact that Nathan looked a little annoyed at his friend. His expression was starting to match Lucas's.

"Oh, this is my sister Haley," Brooked informed him.

"Look guys, why don't you…" Lucas said as he was cut off by Damien.

"Really? How come I've never seen you around before?" he asked kind of cocky. It wasn't confident cocky—like Nathan—it was more snotty.

"I don't know, you tell me," she remarked kind of sarcastically. Something about this guy made Haley defensive. He definitely didn't look trustworthy. If Brooke and Lucas hadn't been there, she seriously would have left by now. This guy's stare was intense.—and not in the sexy way that Nathan's was. Shut up, Haley. You are not helping the situation. And Lucas is sitting right next to you.

"Ooh, feisty. I like that in chick. What do you say you and me get together sometime?" he commented while checking her out up and down. He then looked at his friends who all began laughing—everyone except Nathan.

"First of all, I'm not a 'chick,'" she stated while making air quotes. "Second, wipe that asinine grin off your face because no one here thinks you're funny. And third, you need to back up and get some Listerine strips or gum or something because the smell of your breath is seriously making me nauseous. What, did you eat your gym socks for dinner or something?" When she was finished, everyone, including Damien's own teammates, busted out laughing.

"Dude, you totally got served by a girl," Tim choked out. "And the best part is, she's actually right. Your breath is ripe, man."

"Tutor Girl, I love you!" Brooke exclaimed with tears (from laughing so hard) in her eyes. "That's my little sister ladies and gentlemen."

"Why you little…" Damien began. Lucas was about to yell at the idiot, but Nathan beat him to it.

"Put some ice on it, West," he said after he stopped laughing. "You were acting like a jerk and she nailed you for it. Let it go, man."

"Whatever," Damien replied as he stood sheepishly with his teammates.

"Girl, you are crazy. But we love you anyway," Skillz complimented. Haley just rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Thanks guys," she lightly laughed.

"Well, as fun as this has been, we actually had a purpose for coming here tonight," Nathan stated.

"Let me guess, you sensed I was having fun and you decided to ruin my evening?" Lucas quipped.

"No, but that second part was just a bonus," Nathan sarcastically smiled. "Look, I know we don't get along, but my family is holding their annual basketball appreciation party or whatever it is. The whole team and the cheerleading squad are invited."

"So? What does that have to do with me?"

"You're part of the team. Which means, you're welcome to come," Nathan finished while sneaking a glance at Haley. Haley had to admit, she was impressed. Nathan was actually making an effort to at least be nice to Lucas. She couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in Nathan. "Look, you don't have to come. But the choice is up to you."

"Lucas, you have to go," Brooke proclaimed. He was about to protest she when stated, "He'll be there."

"Then it's settled," Nathan stated. "It's next Saturday at my house at 5:30."

"Thanks," Lucas grumbled unethusiastically. "Ow," he muttered as Haley kicked him under the table and gave him her "be nice" look.

"I'll see if I can make it," he said a little nicer while glaring at Haley.

"Good. As for the second reason I came, Haley, I need to talk to you for a minute. Alone." Haley, and everyone else, was absolutely shocked. For her, she couldn't believe he would pull something like this in front of Lucas. What part of Lucas can never find out does this guy not understand? All the other people were surprised that "The Nathan Scott" would actually have something to say to none other than Haley "Tutor Girl" James.

"Um, ok," she practically stuttered out. She shot a quick look at Lucas to gage his reaction. Oh crap. He looks pissed. She and Nathan walked away from the flabbergasted group to the other side of the café.

"Nathan, what the hell are you trying to do? Get us caught?" she angrily whispered.

"Will you relax? I told the guys that I had to ask you something about English class. As for Lucas, I'm sure you can deal with him later," he explained.

"Gee, thanks," she sarcastically replied. "Now what is this really about?"

"I couldn't say it over there, but I wanted to let you know that you're welcomed to come next Saturday, too."

"But Nathan, I'm not on the cheerleading squad. In fact, I have nothing to do with basketball at all."

"So? Your sisters are coming. You can use them as an excuse," he proposed. "Even though you're not on the squad, you're the reason I'm still on the team. So technically, you really do deserve to come. And besides, I want you there."

Haley let out a frustrated sigh. "Maybe. I'll see what I can do," she relented.

"Thanks. I promise you won't regret it." Why do I get the feeling that I will?

"So we just have to read the end of Act 3 right?" Nathan questioned as they walked back to the now curious group of people.

Catching on to what he was doing she answered, "Yeah. And don't forget to answer the questions Mrs. Sage gave us."

"Alright, thanks. Let's go guys," he commanded.

"What was all that about?" Lucas questioned after they had left.

"Nathan's in my English class. He just had a few questions about an assignment," she lied. This is so going to come back and bite me in the ass. Brooke was also eyeing her carefully.

"Then why did you guys have to go all the way over there?" he once again asked.

"Believe it or not Lucas, but Nathan's human too. He didn't want his teammates to know he actually cared about his schoolwork. He gets embarrassed." Haley knew she was digging herself in a hole by defending Nathan. But she was sick of hearing Lucas and everyone putting him down. This was why he needed help in school. He shirked off his studies to uphold the famous Scott reputation. He told her about Dan and how much of an ass he is to him, too. Nathan was always under a lot of pressure to be the best. He actually let her see the toll it took on him. In a way, Haley sympathized with him.

"And since when do you know so much about Nathan?" he grilled her.

"Since we sit next to each other in English. He's also my assigned partner in that class. We talk once in a while," she informed him. "It's not a big deal, Luke." Lucas still didn't look convinced, but he seemed to let it slide for the time being.

"Just be careful, Haley. I don't trust him."

"It's me, Luke. You don't have anything to worry about," she tried to reassure him. But deep down inside, Haley knew she was falling hard for Nathan.