A/N: Is it just my laptop or does FF like to mess up when it comes to sorting out your profile? I had to re-do mine about five times! Oh well, here's a two part chapter. Thanks for the recent reviews! -showers you all with rainbows and hearts-

21. Secrets, Lies and the Hurtful Truth I

A smile that big could of cracked somebody's face but not Brooke's, she couldn't help but smile. In fact, she wasn't sure if she had smiled like this in years. Well maybe not years but she could not remember the last time she was this happy.

She was on her way to Gym class, usually at the thought of being taught by Coach Hennessey would sour Brooke's day but even the butch teacher couldn't squirm her way into Brooke's mind and ruin her delightful mood.

"What are you smiling about?" an amused voice came from behind her.

Brooke stopped in her tracks then turned around to see Heidi stood there with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face.

"Nothing, I just feel like smiling."

Even Heidi's questioning couldn't remove the toothy grin. Heidi shook her head, her brunette locks swaying slightly. Brooke shrugged giddily. The siblings looked at each other, smiling widely then burst into laughter, Heidi's a very girly giggle and Brooke's a throaty yet giddy laugh.

"Hey Heid," smiled Ted as he walked by, on his way to the football field.

"Oh, hi Ted!" blushed Heidi. Brooke rose an amused eyebrow then chuckled some.

"'Oh, hi Ted!'" mocked Brooke in a high pitched voice and batting her eyelashes.

"Shut up!" snapped Heidi, her face going cherry red.

"Say, Heid... do you like Ted?" Brooke nudged Heidi in the side and wagged her eyebrows at the smaller sibling.

"No!"

"Liar!" laughed Brooke.

"I am not lying!" Heidi said in a harsh whisper. The brunette girl stomped her foot and crossed her arms tightly over her chest with a pout.

Oh dear, princess tantrums here we come!

"Whatever, Heid. You soooooo have the hots for him!" giggled Brooke.

The blonde clasped her hands in front of her chest and battered her eyelashes once again, making kissing sounds and swaying her shoulders, teasing Heidi.

"I said I do not have the hots for him..." Heidi trailed off and looked around to make sure nobody, especially Mandy was in sight or ear shot.

Brooke stopped her teasing and took a step closer to her sibling, towering over her. "Heid, you look awfully guilty. Are you hiding something, hmm?" mocked Brooke, she had picked that habit off of Gary.

Heidi stayed quiet but her blush grew on her olive cheeks. Brooke's eyes widened madily and the giddy smile was back.

"Oh my God, you do!... EW!" laughed Brooke. She threw her head back and clutched her stomach, finding this highly amusing.

The toe of her dolly pumps scuffed the ground beneath them and Heidi didn't dare look up.

"Not... just that," mumbled Heidi, cheeks aflame and doe brown eyes bore into the cement.

Brooke stopped laughing but couldn't help the few giggles that escape her aching mouth. "Not just what?" she asked and tilted her head closer to hear what Heidi had to say.

"We-"

Heidi saw Brooke's eyes widen and knew she had to say no more. Brooke wasn't stupid and it was obvious but by the look on her face she knew exactly what Heidi was going to say.

"You-... wait, hang on... are you... seeing Ted behind Mandy's back?!" whispered Brooke.

"Don't tell anyone!" exclaimed Heidi quietly.

Although Brooke was shocked to hear it, she wasn't surprised. Heidi had a reputation and dated multiple boys at one time back when they attended their old school, and as much as Brooke tried to kindly put it, Heidi was a slag.

"Heidi, you do realise what will happen if Mandy ever found out? She would slaughter you and put your head on a spear and scream bloody murder."

"I know! I just-... just don't say anything please, Brooke. Please?!" begged Heidi, the smaller sibling clutching onto Brooke's shirt.

Brooke pushed Heidi's hands off of her now wrinkled, off-white shirt then placed a hand on her chin, rubbing it.

"Then again, I suppose Mandy deserves it. She isn't exactly faithful to Ted." explained Brooke but she didn't give two shits about Mandy or Ted's feelings. She didn't like them and never would.

"Really?!" gasped Heidi.

Brooke blinked slowly at her sister... for someone who was Mandy's best friend and not know that the cheerleader liked to play around was surprising... and utterly thick.

"Wow, you're thick! And yes, really... now c'mon, we have to get to Gym before Hennessey busts our asses." deadpanned Brooke.

They both walked to Gym. Even if Brooke was surprised to find out about Heidi and Ted being together behind Mandy's back, it still didn't shift that giddy feeling inside.

"Woah..."

"What?"

"You!"

"What do you mean me?"

"You're acting all..." started Zoe, the red headed girl had to stop to think of the right word. "Weird!"

"I'm not acting weird," retorted Brooke. "I'm just happy."

Zoe rolled her pretty hazel eyes. "You look like you've took E."

Brooke blinked at Zoe for even mentioning drugs, her mouth fell open then she burst out laughing. Zoe joined in.

"I do don't I?" laughed Brooke. Zoe nodded her head then the pair laughed harder, eyes watering and holding onto their stomachs.

After a few minutes of aching laughter, Zoe and Brooke calmed down then walked to Worn In. Back at the Girls' Dorm, Zoe had said she wanted to get a new skirt so Brooke offered they'd go together and hang out.

Zoe raided the rack of skirts, pulling out a few tacky looking ones then spotted a dark denim skirt, she pulled the article of clothing off the rail and held it against her and browsed in the mirror.

"That's nice, you should get it." commented Brooke.

She had a pair of skinny denim jeans in her hands and was going to try them on. Both Zoe and Brooke headed for the changing room. Four minutes later both girls came out of their cubicles to look at each other.

"What do ya think?" asked Zoe, holding her arms out.

"Very sexy, how about these jeans... do they make my ass look big?" Brooke turned to show Zoe her butt.

"You ass looks bootylious," Zoe commented.

"Good."

"Good!"

They both headed into their cubicles once more to change back into their uniforms.

Zoe and Brooke purchased the items of clothing they wanted then headed to a small cafe to grab a bite to eat. The juniors ordered their food and drink then dung in the delicious looking meals.

"So..." started Brooke as she chewed her way through a slice of pizza. "How're you and Jimmy getting along?"

Zoe burped loudly without excusing herself. "We're good. He wants us to go on holiday together,"

"Aww, bless." cooed Brooke. Zoe swatted her arm and they both laughed. "Where to?"

"I dunno." shrugged Zoe. "Somewhere better than here... maybe Jamaica or something!"

Brooke just smiled then took a long sip of her coke. Zoe kicked her under the table and Brooke looked up at her friend with a raised eyebrow.

"So what about you then?" asked Zoe.

"What about me?"

"Oh c'mon, Brooke, don't play dumb! Who do you have your eyes on?" snorted Zoe then gave Brooke a pointed look.

"Nobody!" squeaked Brooke.

"Whatever, you liar. C'mon you can tell me!" Zoe smirked. Brooke just glared at Zoe. "Is it Johnny Vincent?"

"What?! No!"

"Why not? You hang with him a lot and plus he looks at you with googly eyes!" stated Zoe.

"Ew, no he doesn't, Zo!" grimaced Brooke. "That's creepy-"

"Well he does. I've seen him do it."

"Whatever,"

"So, not Johnny then?"

"Not Johnny."

"Okay..." Zoe stabbed a few fries on her plate then chomped them down quickly. "How about... Petey?!"

Brooke laughed. "Nah, I love Pete, don't get me wrong but... I don't know, I just can't see him in that way. Plus I'm literally ten foot taller than him!"

"True." agreed Zoe. "Hmm... Jimmy?"

Setting her knife and fork down Brooke gave Zoe a 'no and you know it' look. Zoe shrugged but was smiling all the while, she still wanted to know the answer. Brooke simply shook her head and chuckled. Silly Zoe.

"No, don't worry, I don't fancy Jimmy. He's safe." she laughed. Zoe joined in. "Good." she replied.

They ate quietly for a few more minutes until Zoe choked on her burger making Brooke's brown eyes widen and panic surge through her but Zoe coughed, clearing her throat then took a big, long gulp of her orange soda.

The fiery red head looked at Brooke then wagged her eyebrows with a playful smirk across her face.

"... what?"

"Gary." said Zoe ever so calmly.

"Oh for-..." Brooke leant back in her chair and crossed her arms. "No, no, no! Not Gary."

"I dunno what you see in him b-"

Before Zoe could finish her sentence Brooke cut across her. "No! I don't like Gary, okay? I don't like anyone!"

"Okay then."

Zoe laughed and they carried on eating. Brooke finished her food and waited for Zoe to finish too, she played with her long, blonde hair that was in her trademark ponytail and her long fringe in a bump and thought to herself why she bothered lying. She knew she still had feelings for Gary, even if he did hurt her over a month ago but she couldn't help the way she felt.

A/N: Ahh, so much mush mush! Anyway, next chapter there is going to be more drama. Uh ohs!!! Was this okay? Reviews are always welcome.

Note: For you Americans, fringe is the British name for bangs. Oh! And I mentioned in the chapter that Zoe and Brooke were juniors (meaning so are Jimmy, Petey, Heidi and Gary) but I'm not sure. I presume that in the actual game, they are sophomores, yes? If not then please correct me. Thanks.