- T w e n t y - f o u r -
"Okay, finished. How do I look?"
Jake's eyes glanced up from the magazine he had found beside Brooke's bed as he watched the brunette step out of her walk-in closet, clearly dressed to impress. Tight jeans and a black low-backed top, which exposed just the right amount of her flawless skin and knotted together above her hip.
The young dad grinned while leant back against the headrest, legs out stretched having made himself comfortable in his wait for Brooke, who took this moment to twirl around for him.
"If I say hot, am I likely to be beaten up?" he chided, still attempting to get a rise out of his friend.
A brief smirk appeared on Brooke's face at the question, before she turned to her mirror to apply the choice of lip gloss for tonight. "Depends on who hears you." she answered, obvious amusement in her voice.
"Peyton?" Jake shot back.
Brooke turned from her reflection and gazed at the basketball player for a few seconds. "Wouldn't be the first time." she shrugged, before squinting questionably. "You're not in to Peyton, are you?"
Soft brown eyes bugged out at the question as a splutter left his lips. "What? No. Of course not."
"You just seem overly interested in Peyton lately." she replied, still remaining to keep a straight face, despite Jake's more than entertaining reaction.
"I'm not interested in Peyton." Jake firmly stated, raising his hands and allowing a soft chuckle to escape his mouth.
"What's wrong with her then?" Brooke returned defensively, playing the oblivious teen perched on her bed, who was noticeably floundering.
"What? Nothing. The…there's nothing…wrong…"
Brooke could not hold back any longer and giggled at the blushing brunette, who's horror filled face now morphed into a heated, un-amused glare. "Relax, Daddy Jagielski. I was messing with you." she chuckled, while taking a seat next to him.
"You're a bitch, you know that?" Jake sulked in return.
"Only with you." she jest, before nudging his shoulder. "Well, that's not strictly true but you go the cutest shade of red."
"Ugh, whatever. Can we keep it to minimum tonight, please?"
Brooke laughed briefly before linking her pinky finger with his. "I promise."
Jake rolled his eyes at the reply, even as the smile on his face grew considerably.
"Now…" Brooke perked up, jumping up from her bed and bouncing to her feet. "..chop, chop. We have a Goldilocks and three bears to collect."
--
Peyton was stood in front of her mirror, ensuring her blonde curls where tamed for tonight's venture.
A knock resounding on her door as she ran her hand again through her hair. "It's open!" she called, predicting it would be Brooke and the rest of their friends picking her up.
Another knock echoed through the otherwise quiet apartment, causing Peyton to huff in annoyance before spinning to exit her bedroom. Answering a door pleasantly was not one of her fortes and she was not in the frame of mind to change such a habit.
"Fine!" she snapped as she reached the living room and the noise had yet to cease.
Gripping the door handle, Peyton swung it back intent on cutting Brooke a new one. However as her eyes fell on the beaming brunette, all aggravation melted from her body.
"Wow." she murmured, green eyes cast on the older girl, who's smile grew heightening her dimples and the amusement that danced in her own eyes.
"I'll take that as a positive." Brooke commented, moving closer and circling her arms around the taller teen.
A smile emerged on Peyton's lips as her own arms unconsciously slipped around Brooke's waist. "You look amazing." she softly spoke, while placing a kiss on Brooke's lips in the same manner as her words.
Dressed in her classic rebel-chic attire, Peyton felt just a tad undressed in comparison.
"As do you." the brunette replied just above a whisper, before her lips once again found Peyton's.
Pulling away, brown eyes flitted across the other girl's features. Brooke had began to do this every so often, as if trying to memorize and store each moment. Attempting to capture the feeling of bliss and happiness, even as the butterflies appeared in her stomach from time to time when she was with Peyton.
She was happy. An oddity she had come to cherish.
"Where's Gavin?" the rasp in her voice heavier with the close proximity.
"Meeting us there." Peyton returned, as her eyes squinted slightly. "..which, I do believe I told you on the phone."
Brooke frowned for a fleeting second before she smiled with a mix of mischief and guilt. "Okay, so I sometimes zone out on what you say."
Peyton laughed, gazing at Brooke in mock disbelief. "And what, may I ask, could possibly cause you to zone out on me?"
The shorter of the two began to play with perfect blonde curls, while her eyes trained on to Peyton's neck as a hint of blush accompanied her cheekbones. "Well…" she trailed off, her gaze for a split second flicking to questioning green eyes.
"Ooh.." Peyton smirked knowingly, her thumb subconsciously rubbing the exposed skin on Brooke's hip. "..Miss Davis, you dirty minx." she teased, causing her shoulder to receive a heavy slap.
"Shut it." Brooke returned with an eye roll, easing herself from Peyton's arms. "You ready to go?" she questioned in hope of changing the subject.
"Can we not stay here?" the blonde replied, interlacing their fingers together. "We can shut the world out."
"You do know we have a car outside with three other people waiting for us." Brooke argued with a smile, which expanded at the pout she received in return.
"Let 'em wait."
--
Outside in the subdued car sat three teens awaiting the arrival of Brooke and Peyton, with the mellow lull of the radio accompanying them as well as the gently tapping on the steering wheel.
After making a somewhat bumbling fool of himself to Haley, once again with the help of Brooke, Jake had been quiet and unconsciously tapped to the beat of the current song playing as he sat in the driver's seat.
Lucas was sat directly behind him, growing increasingly bored and keeping a firm eye on the entrance to Peyton's building in hope of spotting the blonde. Whereas Haley sat contently next to her best friend, listening to the tune Jake drummed and how it accompanied the radio perfectly.
"What is it with girls and taking so long?" Lucas asked with a soft sigh, breaking the quiet between the three of them.
Jake ceased in his pastime and glanced over his shoulder to a smirking Haley, who's gaze flicked from her best friend to the brunette in the front seat. The pair shared a knowing smile, which lingered for a moment.
"Ah, here they come." Lucas' voice cut through the air and caused Haley and Jake to revert their eyes to the two girls that where approaching, caught up in laughter and smiles. "Peyton looks really great." the blonde teen commented, his gaze unwavering.
"Wipe the drool, Scott or Brooke will ridicule you." Jake warned from his position, even though he had not glanced at Lucas to know if he was in fact drooling.
Haley laughed at her friend's expense before nudging his leg with her own. "Do as you're told Scott." she chided, as the doors were being opened.
"Hey guys." Peyton greeted with a smile, as she climbed into the back seat, sitting behind Brooke, who was seated next to Jake.
"Hey Peyton." Haley replied with a smile.
"Looking good, Peyton." Jake grinned at the blonde, while subtly glancing in the rear view mirror at Lucas to gauge his reaction.
"I find it rather disconcerting that those types of comments are made as if I don't usually." Peyton returned, looking to each of her friend's as her lip curled slightly in response.
Brooke laughed before twisting in her chair to glance at the three in the back of the car. "I wouldn't worry, P. Sawyer, Scott's tongue is so far out of his mouth, I'm waiting for the awful sound of panting to start." she sniped, her eyes settling on Peyton, where she decided to poke her own tongue out at the blonde.
The curly haired teen smirked while rolling her eyes at Brooke's actions, glancing to the embarrassed Scott brother.
"Told you." Jake's sing-song voice chimed in, causing Haley to laugh.
"Broody.." Brooke stated, turning to Lucas. "..could you put it away. She may file for harassment." she finished, as laughter filled the once quiet car.
"No worry, Lucas.." Peyton spoke up, glancing between Brooke and the taller blonde. "..I already have one out against Brookie here, for the same thing."
"Please, as I said, I spilt my water bottle. It was not drool." the head cheerleader playfully defended herself, another course of giggles erupting from the group.
"On that note, let's get going, shall we?" Haley cut in with a grin.
"What you waiting for, Jagielski? You heard Tutor-girl. Get-a-going." Brooke instructed, sitting back down and facing the road.
Jake sniggered, before pulling out on to the road. "Yes, your Majesty."
"Majesty?…" Brooke pondered playfully, while subtly sliding her right hand across the door and threading it through the gap to the backseat, where Peyton linked her index finger with Brooke's. "..I like it."
--
"Right, friends." Brooke chirped as the group of teens piled out of the car and onto the unmade parking area. They each migrated to the back of the vehicle, where Jake took the opportunity to rest against the paintwork.
"You each, bar Peyton, have an ID I took the liberty to arrange." the head cheerleader continued with a bounce in her step as she came to stand beside Peyton, who watched her in amusement. "One for Tutor-girl..." she commented, handing Haley her card. "…and Broody Blonde Number Two…" a smirk clearly flashed to Lucas. "…lastly but no means least, Jakey."
Jake accepted the offered ID and looked it over before raising a questioning eyebrow. "Deacon Montane? What am I? A wannabe gangster?"
Brooke shrugged while squinting at his profile for moment. "You just have a Deacon aura about you.." she replied. "..Plus you have to admit it rolls better than Jake Jagielski."
"Hey!" the taller brunette snapped, vying offence at the teasing.
Peyton laughed before turning to Haley, who was looking puzzled at the new item she had been handed. "What's your alter egos name tonight, Hales?"
"Trudy Gill." Haley answered, the name clearly foreign on her tongue.
However, at the auburn haired girl's reply, Brooke giggled and clapped her hands together, obviously amused. "Get it. Trudy Gill. Tutor.."
"..Girl." Haley cut in, with a soft scoff. "I got it."
"What's yours Peyton?" Jake enquired, still inspecting his new identity.
"I've had mine a while but you'll be in the presence of Leighann." Peyton smirked, glancing at the four teens. "You may call Leigh."
"Pff, I could so have done better than Leigh." Brooke scoffed, folding her arms across her chest while her playful eyes met Peyton's equally humoured expression.
"Watch it, Gretchen."
Jake chuckled at the name and shook his head in amusement. "Gretchen." he muttered more to himself.
"What's yours Luke?" Haley asked, noticing her best was still staring at the little card indifferently.
"Henry Van der Boom." he replied, before glancing up to meet Brooke's delighted face. "Henry Van der Boom?"
"What?" Brooke questioned innocently, as the remainder of the group laughed at the exchange and Lucas' perplexed and mildly embarrassed look.
"I take back my earlier statement." Jake grinned, as he held back his laughter. "I would rather be a wannabe gangster than a…Van der Boom."
For his comment, Jake received a heated glare from the tall blonde, who was at least expecting some support from his fellow team-mate.
"Okay.." Peyton piped in loudly. "..should we actually get going before we're old enough to use our own ID's."
"After you, Leigh." Brooke grinned, following her words with a wink to the curly haired teen.
Peyton titled her head slightly as one side of her mouth curled in response. The two stared at each other for a short amount of time before Peyton turned around, grabbing Haley's arm in the process.
"Come on, Trudy. I need a drink." she stated, heading in the direction of the first bar, with Haley taking stride beside her while the remaining three followed a short distance behind them.
Lucas' eyes fell on Brooke, as she watched Peyton hurry across the street with a soft smile on her lips. When Brooke felt someone was watching her, she turned and noticed Lucas' gaze.
"What?" she asked, perplexed by the unwanted attention.
"Van der Boom?"
--
Peyton stepped inside with Haley and took in her new surroundings, trying to spot her oldest friend with in the small crowd, which occupied the area. She was soon joined by the three remaining members of the group, as they all stood in the doorway.
"Any reason we're stood blocking the door?" Brooke questioned, purposefully breathing against Peyton's ear, earning a shuddered breath from the other girl.
"Trying to spot Gavin." the blonde answered, her voice slightly strained.
"I feel the need to repeat my question." Brooke returned, a little confused as well as amused by their current situation, her hand falling onto Peyton's hip gently while still standing behind her.
"He's by the bar. Can we move now?" Jake cut in, pointing into the crowd where he spotted the older male.
"Sure." Peyton chirped, pulling on Haley's still linked arm.
The blonde briefly glanced over her shoulder and smirked at Brooke's disappointed expression. When chocolate brown eyes found hers, she was sent a light-hearted glare for having pulled away so quickly.
Turning back round, just as she was about to collide with a burly looking man, who from appearances and smell had been in the bar all day, Peyton sought out Gavin.
Sliding up against him, the blonde grinned up at his face. "Hey, good looking."
"It's about time you noticed the finer things in life." Gavin responded, puffing out his chest for added affect, earning a scoff from Peyton and a soft giggle from Haley.
Gavin's eyes moved to the shorter of the two girls and offered a grin, which showed his perfect white teeth. The action caused Haley to return the gesture.
"Don't worry, I have." Peyton returned, just as Brooke sauntered up to them.
"Hey Gav." she greeted, flashing her dimples between him and Peyton.
Gavin chuckled, lifting his eyebrow in Peyton's direction before turning back to the bubbly girl next to him. "Brooke. Looking great as always." he commented with a fake leer, glancing up and down her body.
A glare was sent his way from Peyton, as Haley watched on amused.
"Girls," Brooke stated, grabbing their attention. "We have our first dirty perv for this evening. Now lets give him a big hand and congratulate him." she mocked, as all three girls clapped as instructed.
"I can think of another way you can congratulate me." Gavin replied, this time looking at each of them in the same manner.
Brooke laughed, while facing the remainder of the group. "He's on a roll." she quipped, turning her attention to Jake and Lucas. "Deacon, Henry; beat him up."
"Deacon and Henry?" Gavin stated, clearly puzzled. "I thought your names were Jake and Lucas."
"Long story." Lucas muttered.
"Not really." Peyton argued, with a smirk as her eyes found Gavin's. "Think Leigh."
Realization dawned on his face, as he nodded his head. "The youth of America these days." he commented with a tut.
"Shh, Grandpa, or you'll be on your own tonight." Brooke shot back, glancing over Gavin's shoulder to insure the bartender had not heard his clearly mocking tone.
"I have other friends." he argued in return.
"Uh ha, 'cause they all seem to be with you tonight." Peyton teased.
"They'll be here later."
"Suuure." Brooke deadpanned. "Until then, P. Sawyer, pool table." she called, as she moved away from the bar.
"Why me?" the younger of the two sighed. She liked playing but Brooke was in her mischievous mood, which never bowed well for Peyton.
The brunette turned with a sneaky grin on her face. "I'll get you over here one way or another, Goldilocks. Choice is yours." she shrugged.
With a heavy sigh Peyton, pushed herself away from the safety of the bar before turning to Gavin. "Vodka, please." she stated, patting his firm shoulder pitifully. "Lots and lots of vodka."
--
Brooke took another shot and a striped ball flew into the top right pocket with a satisfying thud, as it clanged along with the rest of them.
"Go Brooke." Jake cheered, watching the game from a stool in the corner, where they had decided to move to.
"Jeeze, Sawyer, she's wiping the floor with you." Gavin added, while laughing at the indignation slowly etching on to his friend's features. "I thought you were good at this game."
"I am." she argued, keeping her eyes on Brooke as she lined up her next shot. A brief smirk was sent her way, when the cue connected with the white ball and she watched as another ball fell in the pocket, leaving Brooke with just the eight ball. "Or I was."
Brooke sauntered over the side of the table Peyton was stood, looking for her next shot. She stopped beside the blonde and leant in close to her ear, while placing a confident and firm hand on Peyton's shoulder. "No worry. I still love you." she smirked teasingly, spinning back to face the table.
"Where's my drink?" Peyton called to the hyped group in the corner.
"Here." Haley held up a glass, indicating it was Peyton's, who moved with some speed and drained what was remaining. Finally hitting the glass on the table a little too forcefully.
"I take it you're not one fore losing." Lucas commented, looking down at the empty glass.
"No." Peyton answered, turning back round to face Brooke's winning shot. "No, that I can handle."
As her words filtered from her mouth, they were quickly followed by the eight ball sinking into the pocket with the now haunting thud.
Brooke stood, leaning on the table, with the pool cue in hand and looking rather smug at the curly haired teen before her. "I believe I won." she stated happily.
"It would appear you have." Peyton returned, a good-humoured glare accompanying her words.
Brooke moved over to the group, her eyes still firmly fixed on Peyton, as she went. "You suck." she commented with a nod and a raised eyebrow.
Peyton glanced at the pool table before she glanced to Brooke again. "It would appear I do."
The two held their gaze a moment, not paying attention to the people around them.
Brooke glanced away first and looked to the four sat behind Peyton. "So, who's going to play me now?" she questioned enthusiastically.
"I will."
The reply had come from behind Brooke and was not known to at least three of the group. However all eyes turned to face the intruder.
"I mean, I can't suck anymore than what Peyton did, right?"
The voice had come from a girl the same height as Brooke, with dark brown coloured hair with the odd streak of red, which hang in lose curls and skin heightened by a sun kissed glow.
Peyton met her gaze and couldn't seem to break away.
Brooke glanced from Peyton to Gavin before finally resting on the new arrival. "Erin?"
Okay, I KNOW I suck! I would like to plead insanity or Malaria or some other disease, which has left me bedridden...but that has not been the case. Sadly it was just sheer difficulty of getting this written. I know sucky excuse but what can you do?!
As always, thank you to the amazing reviewers, who take the time to let me know their opinions. It's greatly appreciated.
craftyns99 (I hope there was enough Breyton this time! Next chap; more revelations!) physcob2002 (Bless, you're fantastic, lol.) WritingMonkey (Hope your patience hasn't worn thin! Thank you for your comments. It's a real compliment.) parker12 (I'm glad you like! And the thing about Pasts is they always catch up with you, lol.) I'mAnOverachiever (Dude, I'm sorry! I know I promised but I swear I'm trying! Other than that, glad you're still here; reading, reviewing. Thanks.) spashley20 (Thank you and grinning at the fact you found it cute.) othnaleyfan4 (Glad you are but sorry for the wait!) kaila5707 (I've kinda noticed the Jake/Brooke relationship has kinda changed from when they first started hanging out and I'm really happy that you like it.) BleedLikeMe (Dude! I got your PM ;) and I will reply, soonish! Do you seriously want me to write you in for Jake?? lol. I'll chat to you soon enough.) Tigger-Babe (My laptops all good now! It's safe from flying lessons. Peyton's past seems to be the major thing keeping people here, lol. I'm really hoping it won't be anti-climatic!) bohemianxx (Oh Maaarleeey! How you been? It's been too long, lol. I'm glad the last update perked your day up, as your review did mine, lol. It was not sucky btw! Bless. Hope your feeling better, my friend.) othbreytonfan (Sorry for the long ol' wait. Was not intended. Glad you liked the last chap and hope beyond hope you liked this one too!) Alexz6 (Awe, I have your permission to be my worst critic, lol. Thank you! I would love to do the honours but it maybe a while, lol. I still have lots to do here. We'll see. You'll be first to know, lol. Well laptops sorted. The delay for this was the 'critic' thing! Sorry but thank you for the review as always!) Finalhybrid (Can I use better late than never too?? Please, lol. Thank you for the review. Much appreciated.) sheepish123 (Thank you for your review for this and the 1-shot I posted. Glad you liked both. Peyton's past, lol. I hope it does justice to people's expectations!) amazoniandragon (Hey, glad to see you pop in, lol. Always welcome. To be honest, you could tell me the sky was blue and I'll still consider it an awesome review, lol. I'm glad you're still liking though. Makes me smile!)
Thanks again to anyone who reads! I owe reviews and I shall catch up.
Also I owe thank yous to the people who reviewed the 1-shot I posted. It's nothing special (kinda messy and confusing) but I'm grateful people took the time to read!!
Right, I'm going now! Have fun. Be safe. C U soon!