AN: Hey guys! Thank you to everyone that reviewed! I'm so glad that you're still enjoying the story and your kind words mean the world to me! Now, I see you're getting a bit impatient with the lack of brucas… let's say I'm going to try and satisfy you as much as I can. But keep in mind, if they just got their happily ever after the fic would be over! lol But seriously, expect much more brucas soon. Like really soon! The next chapters are planned out and I'm sure (well I hope) that they will satisfy you! And not only as far as brucas is concerned... we have other couples as well!
Now for this chapter, first of all I have to give most of the credit to Cinthana who besides being my wonderful beta, was the one that came up with the dares! So this chapter and the next wouldn't be possible without her! You rock girl!
Thanks also to Vicky who also edited this chapter for me! Your constant encouragement is one of the most important reasons that keep me going! Oh, and thanks to her hubby for putting up with us!
Thank you also to Lindsay, who read some parts of this and ensured me they weren't complete nonsense! And for the songs she suggested for this chapter.
The lyrics in this chapter are from the songs: 'Ayo Technology' by 50 Cent and 'Baby Got Back' by Sir Mix-A-Lot.
So, I hope you'll enjoy and please review!
Chapter 26
And Then There Were Two
"Okay, open it up!" Rachel urged Nathan as soon as they got into her car.
Nathan had sat at the passenger's seat, while Haley had opted to sit in the back, which was still too close to Rachel for her liking.
Nathan hastily shred the envelope open and pulled out the three smaller ones. Choosing the one marked 'one', he ripped it open again and started to quickly read the instructions.
"Shit! He's going to kill us!" Nathan muttered just as he read it.
"Who? Who?" Haley questioned in panic. She knew this had been a bad idea, a very bad idea. Now even Nathan, who had seemed excited about it before, looked absolutely terrified.
"What does it say?" Rachel asked also intrigued. For once, she had been telling the truth when she told them that Felix had come up with most of the dares. She had just suggested a few that might seem useful in her plans to seduce Lucas, or make Brooke believe that she had. But she didn't know how Felix had ended up splitting the dares among the teams, or what else he came up with.
Nathan cleared his throat. "Spray paint on the school football field the phrase: 'I LoVE YOU WhitEy' in pink paint".
"Wh-what?" Haley stuttered.
"Seriously?" Rachel asked before bursting out in laughter.
"You think it's funny?" Nathan asked with irritation.
"C'mon, Nate! Think about Whitey's face when he sees it on Monday!" Rachel managed to get out between heaps of laughter.
"I'm thinking of the suicides I'll have to run when he sees it," Nathan muttered. "But I guess you're right. Seeing his face will be worth it!" He concluded with a chuckle.
"You can't seriously think that we're going to do this!" Haley intervened.
Rachel seemed not to hear her as she started her car. "Let's head to the hardware store first, so we can get some paint."
"Nathan!" Haley exclaimed.
"C'mon, Hales. It's just the first dare. We can't back out before even trying!"
"But… but, we can't do it! The school is going to be locked at this hour!"
"Did you think we were going to do this on Monday when the school is open and every teacher is watching us?" Rachel asked sarcastically.
"But how are we going to get in!"
"It's called breaking in…pshh!" Rachel replied in the same tone.
"Breaking in?" Haley screamed with utter horror. Rachel was joking…right?
"Well, would you prefer to call the guard to let us in?"
"Cut it out, Rach," Nathan said sternly and then turned his head back to face Haley. "Relax, Hales. The fence behind the gym is in shambles. We'll easily find a hole to sneak through."
"But there is a guard! What if we get caught! This is breaking and entering! A felony! You can't be serious!"
"We're not gonna get caught. We'll be careful. C'mon, you know the guard is always sleeping at night. It'll be a piece of cake."
"If we get caught and I end up in jail, I'm going to stay there for life! Because rest assured, Nathan Scott, I am going to kill you for this!"
"You will ask for the damn tampons and I'm going to ask for the make up!" Jake repeated with frustration.
"No way! You're asking for tampons!" Skillz objected again.
"We tossed for it, man! You got the tampons!"
"You … rigged it!" Skillz said in a moment of inspiration. "I say we do it again!"
"I did not! I won the make up fair and square!"
"Dude, if I go in there asking some lady what kind of tampons I should use, she's definitely going to call the cops!"
"And you think if I do it, she'll find it normal!" Jake exclaimed outraged. "What are you actually implying?"
"At least you're white, dawg!"
"What's that got to do with this!" A fed up Jake yelled.
"Don't know, but I'd thought it'd help?" Skillz offered with a shrug.
They had been having this argument for the past fifteen minutes to say the least. When they first read the dare, and after swearing that they were going to make Felix pay dearly for this later, since they couldn't decide who would get what, they decided to toss for it. The dare was simple. They were supposed to go into the super-market, approach some lady customer and ask her what kind of tampons they should use and what kind of make up. Well, Skillz didn't accept the results without a fight. And to be honest Jake would do the same in his place. At least he would have to ask what kind of make up was right for his skin complexion or something. (That was Peyton's suggestion actually…she was thrilled to help… damn Peyton!) And not what kind of …argh…he shuttered at the mere thought of it. The make up thing was more…dignified? Oh, hell, this was supposed to be fun! Who came up with these stupid dares? Oh yeah, Felix! He was so dead!
Jake was just about to retort when a thud turned both boys' attention to the third member of their team. A hysterical Peyton, with tears in her eyes, had been laughing so hard that she actually collapsed on the ground leaning her back against their car that was parked outside the super-market.
"I hate you, Sawyer," Jake muttered under his breath.
"Yeah, man, how come she doesn't have to do anything?" Skillz also huffed.
"Not true, I'll take the pictures!" Peyton exclaimed enthusiastically and both boys just glared at her. "Oh, Skillz, you've read that dare ten times! It said it was for the guys of the team! Besides, where would the fun be in me asking for tampons or make up?" She went on as she got up, trying to recover. The look on their faces wasn't helping her much.
"I still say we should say that we're buying this for our girlfriends," Jake muttered but Peyton objected again, as she had done all the times he had voiced his idea.
"The shock factor won't be the same! It will show in their faces that they're not freaked, Jake! I already explained this to you!"
He seemed ready to object again, but she cut him off. "Besides, do you really want us to cheat?"
"As Jake said, we hate you, Sawyer. Enough said," Skillz muttered in defeat.
Felix led a nervous Brooke and a grim Lucas to his car. Unlocking the car, he turned to Brooke. "You can sit in the front, Brooke."
Before Brooke had time to respond, and while she was still considering her options, Lucas answered for her. "She's sitting in the back."
"Excuse me?" She said turning to look at him immediately ready to pick a fight. She would have probably declined Felix's offer anyway, but now that Lucas said so she actually got mad about it. Who did he think he was, telling her what to do?
"I said you are sitting in the back," he repeated slowly fixing her with a cold stare.
"And why would you tell her where to sit? What are you? Her boyfriend?" Felix intervened raising an eyebrow towards Lucas and letting the sarcasm drip through his words. "Last time I checked, that was supposed to be your brother," he concluded in the same tone.
Lucas clenched his jaw but couldn't really come up with a reply. At least with one that would leave Felix in a vertical position. "You stay out of this," he finally managed through gritted teeth.
Brooke on the other hand was looking between the two, feeling even more nervous than before. This night was so not going well and they hadn't even spent five minutes together! Felix was actually hinting about the two of them. What the hell, he wasn't just hinting he was throwing it at their faces! But Lucas was too busy acting like a jealous jerk to realize what the other boy was saying. Stupid stupid Lucas!
Felix raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I don't want to interfere in your family's business," he said still using the same sarcastic tone. "If you want to bond with your future sister-in-law in the backseat, who am I to argue?"
"What the fuck are you-" Lucas said enraged taking a step towards Felix, but Brooke stepped in between them. She had a feeling she would have to do that a lot tonight.
"Look boys," she said mockingly frustrated with both of them. Felix because…well, he was Felix, and Lucas because he was playing right into Felix's hands. And to think she actually considered him smart! "The others left and are probably already done with the first dare, while you two are standing here bickering like a bunch of schoolgirls! I will not let Rachel win this thing because of your stupidity! I'm sitting in the back, and you, Lucas, are sitting in the front! As far as I'm concerned, I couldn't be far enough from both of you!"
"Fine with me," Lucas muttered and after glaring one last time at Felix walked to the other side of the car and got in the passenger's seat.
"You certainly have him whipped," Felix remarked before entering the car himself.
Brooke exhaled deeply and followed his lead, taking her place at the backseat. Felix adjusted his rearview mirror and opened the light in the car.
"Go ahead," he prompted Brooke, who had the envelope in her hands.
Brooke quickly shred open the envelope and retrieved the smaller one numbered with the digit one. Opening it, she started reading and let out an excited giggle. "This actually sounds like fun!" She said with a smile after finishing.
"What does it say?" Felix asked her.
"Don't you know? You wrote them," Lucas piped in.
"I have no idea which envelope we got, genius," Felix replied sarcastically. "And I actually have no idea how they were even split between the teams. That's why I used separate envelopes for each of the dares and then mixed them up. I have no idea which three we got out of the nine."
Lucas was about to speak and state his disbelief, which was written all over his face, but Felix continued. "And I did all that, so some asshole wouldn't say I had everything planned out from the start," he said giving the blond a fake grin.
"Are you calling me an asshole!" Lucas yelled ready to lunge at him for the second time in the last five minutes.
"Guys!" Brooke let out in utter frustration. "Will you both just shut up and let me read this!"
"Are you telling me you actually believe he isn't up to something?" Lucas said turning to face Brooke. "Do you really believe you are on his team due to pure luck?" He snorted in disbelief.
Of course, she didn't. But what was she supposed to say?
Felix just laughed. "Yeah, Scott, brilliant. It was my plan to get Brooke and you on my team…right! God, I can't understand what all the chicks see in you! You don't have the looks and it sure as hell can't be your brains!"
"Enough!" Brooke yelled again before Lucas could retort. "Don't you want to win this thing?" She asked looking at both of them. "Either you forget you hate each other for tonight, or I'm out of here, now!" She threatened.
Lucas didn't really seem fazed. Apparently, he could care less about the stupid game. If Brooke left, then he would have no reason to put up with that smug jerk for the rest of the night. Felix on the other hand didn't want to waste this opportunity of spending time with Brooke. He had let his feelings for Lucas get in the way of his plans. Well, part of his plans was getting to the blond boy, but not by enraging Brooke in the process. Now, if Lucas was the one threatening to leave them that would be perfect and that was what he was aiming for. But it seemed like Scott wouldn't budge. Deciding on a change of tactics he turned to Brooke with a grin.
"Anything for you, my lady," he curtly replied his mouth forming into an endearing grin.
"She is not your lady," Lucas corrected firmly.
"Hey, man, it was just a figure of speech! Geez!"
"Not again!" Brooke exclaimed.
"I didn't do anything! If Lucas can't stand me, it's not my fault! Maybe he should leave us if he doesn't care about the game! I'm sure we can manage on our own just fine!"
"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Lucas replied.
"Hey, I never said I want to spend my time with you. Why don't you do us both a favor and run along? I will take care of Brooke." He said the last part throwing a suggestive glance at Brooke.
Lucas looked again like he was trying really hard to control himself, and Brooke immediately jumped in.
"No one is going anywhere! Lucas, leave him alone," she said turning to the blond.
"Me!" Lucas yelled outraged.
"Lucas, please," Brooke repeated, pleadingly this time, and Lucas nodded. "Okay, so let's get to our dare. Do you know if there is a carnival in town?" She asked both of them.
"Oh, so that's what we've got! Cool!" Felix smiled in realization. "There is one, about two miles from the mall. It's open only on weekends, so it's perfect," he concluded turning on the engine.
"Mind briefing me on our dare, or are the two of you fine with just each other knowing?" Lucas said with annoyance turning to Brooke.
Brooke heaved a sigh. Why was he acting like a damn five-year old?
"We must break into a carnival or theme park and work one of the rides!" She said plastering a wide smile.
"Yipee!" Lucas countered sarcastically.
"Dear God!" Brooke groaned burying her head in her hands as the car finally sped off.
Pink sprays in hand, the three of them made their way behind the gym. Nathan had parked the car a couple of blocks away, just to be sure, as he told Haley. Haley, oh yeah, she was practically trembling. The additional beer Rachel had offered did little to quench her fear. Why would Rachel have a six pack in the back seat was beyond Haley. But Nathan had eagerly taken the first one, and after his prompt Haley took the second to 'loosen up'. Unfortunately, no amount of alcohol could convince her that what they were about to do was not completely insane.
They walked in silence, Nathan leading the way with Rachel next to him and Haley almost glued behind his back. And they hadn't even entered the school yet!
"You okay, Hales?" Nathan said as they almost reached the fence.
"No," Haley whispered shaking her head fervently.
"Relax, we're almost there," he urged, giving her a sympathetic smile.
"Can't we just go back? We still have time!" She pleaded.
"C'mon!" He said with a slight chuckle.
"Oh, stop babying her!" Rachel said in exasperation and passing in front of Haley she stood to examine the fence a few feet away from them. "There!" She said turning to Nathan and pointing to a hole in the fence on their left.
"That's it!" Nathan exclaimed also.
"Oh, no!" Haley let out taking a step back.
"Listen Hales, if you're planning to whine the whole time, maybe we should just leave you here!" Rachel suggested with annoyance. Haley's constant whining was driving her crazy. And it wouldn't hurt to have some alone time with Nathan. So far all Nathan did was try and convince the stupid tutor that everything would be alright. He hadn't even spared her a glance.
"Well, I'm sorry if I'm not comfortable with breaking into our school!" Haley retorted in aggravation.
"Shh…" Nathan intervened trying to make them keep quiet, "C'mon, let's get in. Hales, you'll be fine. I'm here," he said smiling at her reassuringly and Haley just nodded still hesitating.
Nathan walked to the ruined part of the fence and picked up the loose part to make room for the girls to enter first. He gestured with his hand for Haley and she approached him slowly. "Watch your head," he instructed in a quiet voice.
Haley kneeled down on the grass and slowly started to crawl under the fence. Rachel followed behind her. Haley watched as Rachel shamelessly made a point of sticking her ass in Nathan's face. And considering the mini dress she was wearing, Haley was certain she was giving him an ample view of her legs or more. Nathan seemed distracted and Haley guessed if she asked him what color Rachel's panties were, he would surely know the answer. Fake coughing as quietly as she managed, she made him turn his head away from the view looking down guiltily.
Rachel got through and standing up she gave a smug grin at Haley. Nathan followed behind her, carefully lifting the fence and passing through quickly. Just as he got up, Haley smacked him behind his head.
"Hey!" He protested. "What did I do?"
Haley gave him a pointed look and he shrugged grinning innocently.
Guys, Haley thought rolling her eyes. But she had promised Tigger she would keep an eye on him and that's why she was doing this. Definitely!
"Are you done getting your spanking from her?" Rachel asked smiling in amusement. She was happy Nathan had finally paid some attention to her. Guys, they were all the same, she thought with mild disgust. And she sure as hell knew how to play them.
Haley gasped and Nathan just shook his head. "Follow me," he said to both of them and started walking.
Using the gym for cover they managed to make their way to the football field. Nathan scanned the area around. The lights on the field were out and he figured that no one would be able to see them in the dark if they stayed quiet.
"Okay, each of us works on a different letter. Don't try and make it too big. We need to hurry. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we will get out of here," he said and the two girls nodded, while Rachel also giggled in excitement.
"Shh!" Haley said in sheer panic, and Rachel threw up her hands in frustration.
"Ready?" Nathan asked one last time.
Rachel of course nodded yes and Haley no. Shaking his head, he took Haley's hand, who seemed almost ready to pass out, and practically dragged her to the center of the field with Rachel following right beside them.
The ride wasn't going that good so far, not that any of the car occupants expected anything different. Felix for the most part seemed to pay attention to the road. At first, he had tried to 'make conversation' with Brooke, but she only replied with 'uh-ha' and 'whatever', so thankfully, he seemed to give up for now. Brooke was looking out of her window for most of the time, only trying to steal inconspicuous glances at the boy that also had his eyes turned to his window at the passenger's seat. She had seen him go tense every time Felix addressed her, but he relaxed with her non-enthusiastic replies.
Lucas was, like Brooke, looking through his window and thinking of her of course. He was glad she didn't seem to respond to any of Felix's attempts to talk or flirt with her, and he knew he had overdone it with the jealous boyfriend act at the parking lot, but that guy just had a way of getting under his skin. He never liked him from the first time he had arrived at their school. He felt like there was just something not right about him. He often wondered how he could be related to Anna who was such a nice girl. In contrast to Felix, he and Anna had become friends. The unfortunate fact was that Anna saw him as more than a friend. But he didn't. Anna hadn't come clean about her feelings, but the way she acted made it quite clear. So he tried to make sure that she knew they were just friends, but be subtle about it. Apparently, her brother had perceived that as Lucas misleading or using his sister, who knew… and when Peyton came along and the two of them got together, Felix started to hate Lucas and put him down every opportunity he got. Of course he couldn't often afford going up against the most popular kids in school and Lucas was one of them. Anyway, the hatred was mutual. And the way Felix was talking or looking at Brooke only made that feeling ten times worse for Lucas.
The radio speakers coming suddenly to life startled both Brooke and Lucas, and Lucas turned to Felix, glaring at him.
"What?" Felix grinned innocently. "I just thought some music would help with our mood."
"You call this music?" Lucas said with distain cringing at the loud rap beat that filled the car.
"And I thought only Nate had such horrible taste in music," Brooke said shaking her head in despair.
"Who would have thought Nathan and I would like more than one thing in common?" Felix said with a suggestive grin looking at Brooke.
"Did he just call me a thing!" Brooke asked bewildered turning to Lucas and she couldn't help but smile. Because for the first time that night, it actually seemed like he was about to smile. The blond just shrugged however and turned his head back to the front.
Felix turned the volume even higher. "You seriously don't like this?" He asked Brooke with a raised eyebrow.
"Shocking, but no, I don't," Brooke said mockingly.
Look at the way she shakin' shakin'
Make you want to touch it, make you want to taste it
Have you lustin' for her, go crazy face it
Now don't stop, get it, get it
The way she shakin' make you want to hit it
"It was like it was written for you," Felix went on ignoring Lucas' death glare.
"Is this your attempt of being romantic? Because let me tell you, it sucks!" She replied with a frown.
"I bet you know how to shake it," he continued undeterred looking at her suggestively through the rearview mirror but Brooke just rolled her eyes.
She knows just how to move to seduce you
She gonna do the right thing and touch the right spot
Dance in you're lap till you're ready to pop
"Hey, who knows, maybe one of the dares includes you giving me a lap dance?" Felix went on.
Okay, so she found the tune catching and yes she would probably dance to it… but not for his pleasure. Now if it was for Lucas…
Shaking her head she just huffed. "In your dreams, Felix…"
I'm tired of using technology, why don't you sit down on top of me?
Aayoo
I'm tired of using technology, I need you right in front of me
Ooh, she wants it, uh uh, she wants it
Ooh, she wants it (soo), I got to give it to her
"You know you want it," he winked at her.
Brooke buried her head in her hands in despair, when suddenly the music stopped just as abruptly as it had started.
"Why did you do that for, man?" Felix was snapping at Lucas.
"We don't like it, majority rules," Lucas replied with a smug grin. "Right, Brooke?"
"What makes you think she wasn't having fun? You must know by now she gets it off by playing hard to get."
"Don't talk about her that way!"
"Hello? I'm right here you know?" Brooke said with a wave of her hand.
"Who appointed you her guardian? If she wants me to stop she'll tell me. But I'm telling you she's enjoying every bit of it!" Felix seethed.
"I swear to God, Taggaro, one more word and I'll…"
"Lucas!" Brooke snapped as she saw Lucas balling his fists. "Are you trying to get us all killed! We're in the middle of the road, he's driving! Cut the macho B.S.!"
Lucas head snapped in her direction and he looked at her, shocked and angry. She was mad at him again? When all he did was try and make that asshole stop talking about her like a teasing slut? The hell with her! He didn't say anything but just turned back to face the front of the car.
"Lucas, I didn't mean…" Brooke pleaded.
Lucas reached out his hand and turned the stereo back on. Brooke slumped back in her seat and Felix grinned with satisfaction. One step forward, two steps back.
Both Jake and Skillz were lingering in the cosmetics aisle, focused on the male deodorants. Peyton was standing at the other end of the aisle, looking at some nail polishes. Every time a new lady customer walked through she made faces at them, trying to put them into action and every time they shook their heads in protest.
"Go!" She mouthed for yet another time when she saw a young woman around her thirties walk into the aisle and pick some lipsticks to try.
Both guys shook their heads 'no' and Peyton stomped her foot down. The woman turned to look at her and Peyton smiled in embarrassment. The woman left after picking a lipstick and Peyton marched to the two boys looking anything but happy.
"C'mon, you guys! We're losing time! We could have done this hours ago!"
"Don't push us, girl! This ain't easy! We need to find the suitable customer." Skillz replied calmly.
"Suitable?" She said with a raised eyebrow.
"One that won't call the cops!" Jake explained naturally.
"No one is going to call the cops because you ask her for some make up, Jake!" Peyton said exasperated.
"And tampons, don't forget the tampons, man!" Skillz filled in emphatically.
"Urgh! I never thought the two of you would be so chicken!"
"Hey!" Both guys yelled indignantly.
"Next one that comes in, one of you is going! Or I'm dragging you there myself!"
Before she had time to finish her phrase another lady, older than the previous one, made her appearance. "Who is it going to be?" Peyton asked looking at the two guys sternly. Both stood uneasily in front of her, no one daring to move. "I warned you!" Was all Peyton said before grabbing Jake's hand and forcefully pulling him with her towards the lady. Jake was taken by surprise and before he had time to realize what was happening they were standing beside the lady.
Peyton immediately picked up a random make-up powder and pretended to inspect it. "I'm telling you this is the right color," she said loudly turning to Jake and shoving the makeup in his hand.
"Peyton!" Jake hissed but she just ignored him.
"Excuse me, miss," she said with a smile addressing the woman. "Could you please help us with something?"
The woman turned to face them and smiling back politely, she nodded. "Of course, how can I help you?"
"My friend, here, needs to ask you a question," Peyton explained still smiling sweetly, while Jake seemed to go pale in a matter of seconds.
"Yes, dear?" The woman asked turning to him.
Jake took a deep breath and opened his mouth. Then he closed it and gulped. Then he repeated the action one more time, oddly resembling a fish in Peyton's opinion. The woman just looked at him curiously and then turned to Peyton with a questioning look.
"C'mon, Jakey! Don't be shy! This nice lady won't think badly of you!" She said sounding encouraging and sympathetic, and trying really hard not to burst into laughter.
Jake glared at her and then turned to the woman that seemed to be getting impatient but rather curious at the same time. Clearing his throat he tried once again.
"I wanted to ask… I would like your opinion on… I was wondering what…" He sighed miserably and Peyton almost choked while trying to suppress her laughter. Instead, she turned to look at Skillz so as to signal him to get the cell ready, but he was ahead of her.
Jake let out another sigh. "I was wondering if you could tell me if you think this makeup seems right for my skin complexion." He blurted out in one breath outstretching his hand to show the woman the makeup.
The woman looked at him in shock that she tried rather quickly to mask. "You said your skin complexion?" She repeated just to make sure.
"Yes, ma'am," Jake muttered avoiding to look at her.
"Oh, okay. Yeah," The woman said uneasily glancing briefly at Peyton who was biting the inside of her cheek to withhold the laughter. "Well, I think you should probably use a darker shade."
"Ok, thanks," Jake tried to get out of there as fast as he could, but unfortunately the woman decided to be more helpful.
"Here, wait," she said turning to the shelves and getting two other powders. "I think one of these would go perfectly with your complexion." She said offering him the make ups.
"Uh, thank you," Jake said once again and looked at Peyton helplessly as the woman seemed ready to go on.
"Do you want to try it and see what's best for you? You should put some on your hand, dear, to see how it looks," she said politely.
Peyton couldn't manage this time and a snort escaped her mouth as she noticed the mortified expression on Jake's face.
"No, that won't be necessary. I'll take both!" Jake said hurriedly and before the woman had time to say anything else rushed away from the aisle almost running.
"Erm, excuse my friend," Peyton tried to explain to the woman that looked again surprised at the way Jake had fled. "He's not yet comfortable, with talking about…you know."
"Well, he shouldn't be embarrassed. But he has a good friend in you, trying to encourage him," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, well, thank you for all of your help, we really appreciate it," Peyton said and left the lady in search of Jake and Skillz that had disappeared by now.
She found both of them in front of the dairy section. Skillz was laughing his head off, while Jake was retelling his story and looking apprehensively around him to make sure the same woman wouldn't appear again.
"Peyton…" He said through gritted teeth as she approached them while shaking his head.
Peyton grinned and turned to Skillz, "Did you get a good photo?"
Skillz nodded and handed her the cell to see for herself. The photo was great. It was taken the moment Jake had his hand out showing the woman the makeup and her eyes had gone wide in shock while her mouth hung slightly open.
"Good job, Skillz!" Peyton exclaimed happily. "One down, one to go," she concluded with a wicked grin.
Felix's choice of music still filled the car. Felix kept on flirting with Brooke, but Lucas didn't even seem to flinch any longer. Actually, the only words he had offered after Brooke had snapped at him was concerning their dare. Brooke brought the subject up so they could form some type of plan. It was then that they discovered they didn't have any flashlights with them. Since the park was bound to be pitch black they figured they needed some source of light until they could manage to find how and where to turn some lights on. Felix didn't have any in his car, so Lucas suggested they drop by Keith's shop so he could pick some up, instead of them going to buy new ones. After all, the shop was on their way.
When they arrived, Lucas got out and turning to Felix he told him he would be back in five. Brooke was beyond frustrated and sad by now. She shouldn't have yelled at him again. But he should realize she could handle herself around creeps like Felix just fine, thank you! And him acting the way he was, was giving Felix all the proof he needed that there was something suspicious going on between of them.
"Alone at last," Felix said wishfully, turning the stereo volume down.
"Oh, joy!" Brooke remarked sarcastically.
"I don't understand how you can like him. A cheery girl like you and that permanently depressed loser…"
"Don't call me that," Brooke said icily.
"Huh?" Felix looked confused.
"Do not call me cheery," she repeated firmly.
"I don't understand, what's wrong with calling you cheery?"
Brooke just glared at him and he shrugged, "Okay, fine! I just meant that you and I could have so much more fun together… what do we need him for to spoil our mood?"
"In case you forgot, I have a boyfriend."
"I won't tell, if you don't."
"Look, I know that you're used to sluts, you do hang out with Rachel, but I'm not like her."
"Aren't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing. I'm just saying, you look like a girl that knows how to have fun. And it's a shame you're wasting your time with that Scott loser."
"Lucas is not a loser!" Brooke replied haughtily.
"Actually… I was referring to Nathan." Felix smirked.
Brooke gulped at her mistake. "Just… just shut up!"
The door opened and Lucas sat down back in his seat. "I've got them," he said showing a bag to Felix, but Felix didn't reply. He just kept grinning like an idiot.
Lucas turned to look at Brooke and the expression he saw on her face made him worry, instantly forgetting how mad he was with her. "What's wrong?" He asked her, turning with an accusatory glance to look at Felix.
"We were just talking about you actually," he replied still smirking.
"I said shut up!" Brooke yelled from behind.
Lucas looked more than just worried now. "What the hell happened! Brooke?"
"Felix was being an ass, as usual," Brooke hurriedly replied.
"Why thank you, but it was not me who said that."
Lucas stole another look at Brooke, who was biting her lower lip and looking at him pleadingly. "Just start the car, Felix," he said firmly, "This is taking us forever."
Brooke nodded gratefully and Felix wanted to argue, but after seeing the look on Lucas' face, he changed his mind. After all, so far he was really getting to both of them. If only someone else was there to see it all, their secret would be out. But he still had a whole night to work on that. So he finally started the car and turned up the volume on the stereo.
I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
"Oh, this one is one of my favorites," he chimed referring to the song.
"And if you say that this also reminds you of me, I swear I'll help Lucas kill you!" Brooke threatened all too seriously and Lucas just chuckled all the time wondering what Felix could have possibly said to make her that angry and… scared. Because he was sure that he saw fear in her eyes when he walked back to the car.
"That 't' looks like a cross."
"Seriously, Haley, one more word and I'll-" Rachel said exasperated, stopping her work and placing her hands on her lap as she raised her head from her kneeling position to face Haley, who was hovering over her head to inspect the 'job' she was doing.
"Keep it down!" Nathan hissed interrupting yet another fight that was bound to erupt. He could almost feel for poor Rachel, and that was saying something! But Haley had been driving both of them crazy insisting that the letters should be well formed and clear. Somehow as soon as they got started, Haley seemed to overcome her fear bit by bit and she started taking this whole painting thing a tidbit too seriously, in his opinion. But it was Haley after all, always the perfectionist.
"We want this to look good, right? We want it at least to be readable?"
"This is not a calligraphy contest, for God's sake!" Rachel groaned. "Nathan, keep her away from me, or I swear I'll kill her!"
Nathan chuckled. "Hales, c'mon, work on that 'y'."
"I've finished it! And unlike your 'y', mine actually looks like a 'y'!"
"Hey, what's wrong with mine? I think it looks pretty damn cool!" Nathan replied indignantly as he got to his feet and inspected his 'Y' with pride. Okay, so it leaned a bit to the left… and it wasn't that symmetric, the bottom line was way too thick in comparison with the two above, but it sure looked like a 'Y' to him.
Haley rolled her eyes and looked at Rachel, who was also getting up.
"I'm done! And I don't give a shit if you think it looks like a cross, a plus or whatever!" She snapped before Haley had time to tell her that she needed to work more on her letter. "We're done, right? Let's just get the photo and get out of here!" Kneeling on the grass and spray painting was sure not Rachel's idea of fun She at least hoped the next dare would be more entertaining. They should have fixed the dares as well, now who knew what they would get next!
"I haven't finished with that 'W' yet," Haley protested pointing to the letter. Both Nathan and Rachel glanced at the letter and then looked back at Haley weirdly.
"Um, it looks finished to me," Nathan shrugged.
"No! Can't you see the left edge reaches lower than the others?"
It was Rachel's turn to roll her eyes. No wonder she had done five letters, Nathan six and Haley no more than three! She was taking forever to finish each of them, always going back because they just didn't seem right!
"Hales, it really looks fine," Nathan said stifling a chuckle as he came to the same conclusions with Rachel. He had to admit though, Haley's letters looked a lot better than theirs, but as Rachel had said, and this time he had to agree, this was certainly not a calligraphy contest.
"If Peyton was here she would agree with me!" Haley huffed in disappointment.
"It looks like we're not that artistically challenged," Nathan grinned. He thanked his lucky stars Peyton was not with them.
"Are you sure it looks okay? Just give me a couple of more minutes," she pleaded.
"Nathan, take the damn photo, before I scream!" Was all Rachel had to say to settle the matter.
The carnival was set up a few miles out of town and the area around it was submerged in deep darkness, the only light coming from the faint moon.
"Good thing we brought the flashlights," Brooke commented as Lucas handed both her and Felix one and kept the last one for himself. "So how are we going to get in?" She asked looking at the barred fence that surrounded the carnival.
"We'll have to climb over the bars," Felix said with a shrug.
"Wh-what!" Brooke exclaimed. "Have you seen my boots?" She asked incredulously lifting her leg from the ground to showcase her black leather boots…her stiletto black leather boots.
"I wasn't actually looking at the boots…" Felix said with a sly grin.
"Watch it!" Lucas snapped immediately with a warning tone, but Felix just rolled his eyes. He was getting tired of this!
"Maybe we can have a look around, see if there is anyway else we can get in," Lucas suggested.
"Great idea!" Brooke exclaimed happily.
"We would only be wasting our time," Felix whined.
"Well, we're going to try!" Brooke said stomping her foot. "And to do it faster we should split up. Felix you go that way, and Lucas and I will go this way." She said pointing to two opposites sides of the fence.
Felix was about to argue but Lucas cut him off. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"I…nah…forget it. Let's do this."
The three of them started making their way in opposite directions. Just as soon they had turned the first corner and Brooke was sure they were out of Felix's earshot she turned to Lucas with a look of complete despair and frustration.
"I can't stand him anymore!" She said in exasperation.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was me you couldn't stand," he said challengingly.
"Yeah, tough choice. I can't stand either of you, but if I had to choose, I guess I would take you," Brooke said with a defeated shrug.
"Geez…I feel so loved," he mocked.
"Lucas!" She playfully pushed him.
"Okay!" He chuckled. "You know I can't stand him either. If it weren't for you I think I would have beaten the crap out of him."
"Trust me, I'm tempted myself." Brooke grunted.
"Then why did you… I mean…why…?" He said confused.
"Why did I get angry at you?" Brooke asked raising an eyebrow.
Lucas nodded.
"Don't you think I was right to?" She asked again.
"Okay, so maybe I overreacted a little but the things he said… I just, I can't let him talk to you like that!" He said raising his head defiantly and getting ready for another one of her outbursts but the look in her eyes shocked him. He could see gratitude.
"I can handle him…" She assured. "Most of the times at least." She muttered in conclusion and Lucas smiled. "But the thing is Luke, I think he suspects something."
"He suspects what?"
"He suspects there's something going on between us."
"Us?" Lucas repeated dumbfounded. "But how?"
Brooke shrugged. "Just think about the things he told you. Actually think about them."
Lucas paused for a while to think and muttered a curse. "How?" He repeated.
"I don't know. I think he and Rachel knew something since the party last week."
"The party?"
"Yeah, do you think they sent us up to that room by accident? Wasn't that a bit too convenient?"
And then suddenly, a light turned on in Lucas' head. "Holy shit! Why didn't you say anything!"
"I thought it would be okay. They couldn't know anything for sure, since nothing had happened…" She paused looking down. "At least not till then," she quietly whispered and Lucas stared at her intently but she just shrugged and went on. "But all the things you said before were only confirming his suspicions and that's why I was so frustrated."
Lucas nodded. "You know, this only makes me want to hurt him even more."
"Turning all macho on me again?" Brooke giggled and Lucas shook his head.
"Since you seem to have the brains, at least I can offer the muscles."
Brooke just laughed at that.
"I can't believe I didn't see this before," he said shaking his head. "Do you think that's why we ended up on the same team? So he could watch us?"
"I don't know, if they somehow fixed this, then they're better than I thought they were. But I admit it makes sense."
"So what do we do now?"
"Just try and keep your cool. And I will try to think of a way to get rid of him."
"As we've established, you have the brains." Lucas agreed and they kept on their walk around the fence.
It had taken them some time but they were back in the cosmetics aisle again. After the way Peyton had 'helped' Jake, Skillz decided to do this on his own but still three opportunities had risen and he had chickened out all three times. Peyton was starting to get irritated again, but this time Skillz had made sure Jake was right beside her so he could catch her if she decided to 'help' again. Not that Jake was being any more supportive. Since he had his turn in being humiliated he was looking forward to seeing Skillz go through the same. So it was when a middle aged woman appeared in the aisle and stood in front of the shelves with the objects in question that Skillz was being shoved forcefully and before he had time to react he was standing right beside her.
He stood there uneasily and sent a helpless look at Jake that just chuckled. Heartless jerk! The lady turned and looked at Skillz curiously.
"Can I help you with something, young man?" She asked kindly.
Skillz gulped, now was his chance. But the only thing he managed was to nod his head and dart his eyes in Jake and Peyton's direction again. They just nodded to him to go on. Sensing his nervousness the woman spoke again.
"Did your girlfriend send you here to buy something for her?" She asked sympathetically. "If you tell me what she asked for maybe I can help you," the woman suggested encouragingly.
"Erm, thank you, I'd appreciate it. But…" He hesitated dreading the next words that were about to come out of his mouth.
"Yes?" She prodded.
"Actually, I'm not sure, what type of … tampons I should get," he mumbled quickly pointing to the dreadful product while staring intently at the floor.
The woman smiled. "Okay, did she ask for any particular brand?"
"No, erm… well, actually, I was wondering what size would be suitable for… for… well, for me." He said cringing at his own words.
The smile left the woman's face immediately. "You!" She shrieked and took a step back. And then before Skillz had time to flee her handbag collided with his back.
"Whoaa—" He yelped also retreating in fear.
"You little pervert! Get out of here, before I call security!" The enraged woman yelled now, managing another hit on his shoulder as he ran away.
He reached their car panting and soon Peyton and Jake arrived as well.
"Dude, that was hilarious!" Jake managed through his laughter.
"Did you get the damn picture?" Skillz asked aggravated.
Peyton shook her head affirmative, not able to talk because of the hysterical laughter, and handed him her cell to see his self being hit by the handbag, a look of utter fear on his face.
"We'd better win this thing," he muttered making a note to make sure Peyton deleted that picture as soon as this stupid dare night was over.
"So…" Lucas trailed off.
"I know there is no other way around it, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about this! I'm going to break my neck!" Brooke whined.
They had just circled around the fence and met up with Felix in the back, only to come to the realization that there was no other option than climbing over the bars.
"Don't worry, I'll help you," Lucas smiled at her.
"We both will," Felix corrected.
"Fine… let's get this over with! How are you going to help me?"
"Hm…" Felix remarked staring at her ass.
"Are you that sexually frustrated!" Brooke mocked disgusted.
"I just know a good thing when I see it."
Lucas muttered something under his breath, but apparently took Brooke's advice and didn't interfere again. Felix approached the bars. "Well, one of us will climb over first and the other one will stay behind to help you up, while the first one will help you down, once you get on the top."
Brooke bit her lip tracing her hand over the bars. "They look a bit slippery."
"You can do it, I'll pass first." Lucas urged her and easily climbed over the bars and slipped on the other side.
"Your turn," Felix gestured and Brooke came close and grabbed the top of the bars to pull herself up. Felix followed and was ready to put his hands on her…
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Brooke snapped turning her head abruptly to face him.
"What? I have to push you up somehow?" Felix said with a cheeky grin.
"If you put a finger on my ass I'm gonna cut off much more than your hand!"
"He tried to do what!" Lucas yelled from the other side.
"Geez! How am I supposed to help then?"
"Put your hands together so I can step on them!" Brooke fumed.
"Oh, now why didn't I think of that?" He said with a goofy grin and did as Brooke instructed.
She took a hold of the bars once again, and putting one foot into his hands, started to pull herself up. "And quit staring at my ass!" She barked glancing down at Felix who rolled his eyes in response. She finally managed to hoist herself on top of the bars and awkwardly drape her body around the top bar.
"C'mon Brooke, slide your other leg over this side," Lucas instructed from below her.
"Easy for you to say! We should have stopped by my place so I could change… What the fuck was I thinking…"
"C'mon, you can do it," he reassured her.
Brooke looked down at him. "I think I'm going to fall."
"You're not going to fall; I'm going to catch you."
"Lukeee…"
"Brookee…" He mocked.
"Are you two done?" Felix said frustrated.
"Aw, just shut up, why don't you!" Brooke huffed and with a quick motion slid her leg on the other side which caused a shift in her weight and her body tilting to that side. She tried to grab the bars, but as she had said, those bastards were too slippery, so letting out a small shriek and closing her eyes she felt herself falling and…
"Got ya," Lucas said quietly and Brooke opened her eyes to find herself in his arms, her own clinging to his neck.
"Thanks," she rasped as he lowered her so she could step down.
Lucas just stared at her trying to understand why she felt so damn right in his arms every single time, when having her would be so damn wrong. Similar thoughts were running through her head. How safe she felt in his arms and the risks that came by being in them.
"Let's get going, which ride do you think we should get working?" Felix's gruff voice snapped both of them back to reality.
"Hm… the Ferris wheel!" Brooke giggled clapping her hands.
"The Ferris wheel?" Lucas asked in shock.
"Yes! It used to be my favorite ride! And it will be the most impressive one if we do it, the lights will be visible from the town!" Brooke explained to both of them.
"Ah…of course, that way the cops can see us from afar!" Lucas teased her.
"Chicken," Felix fake coughed.
Brooke glared at him and turned back to Lucas. "We will be long gone way before they get here, if they do that is."
Lucas threw an evil glance at Felix and then a smile formed on his lips. "Fine, let's try the Ferris wheel."
"Yay!" Brooke jumped excitedly and the three started walking towards the wheel.
Lucas walked closer to Brooke and as Felix was leading the way he quickly whispered in her ear. "You're afraid of heights."
"What?" She asked her eyebrow shooting up in question.
"Trust me," he said just as Felix turned back to motion for them to hurry up and Brooke nodded bewildered.
They reached the Ferris wheel and after jumbling a little with the rusty lock on the operation cabin Felix and Lucas were able to open it. Lucas apparently was the one more mechanically inclined, since he had worked with cars as he told Felix… and Brooke wondered what that had to do with operating the Ferris wheel, but decided to keep her mouth shut. Five minutes later, with Lucas trying out various switches with no success, they heard him yell in triumph. "Uh-huh!" At the same moment the Ferris wheel lights lit up.
"Way to go, Luke!" Brooke cheered.
"Yeah… great job, I could have done it in two minutes," Felix muttered.
"So I think I can operate this thing, you two go up so we can take the pictures," Lucas said deciding to ignore Felix. He wouldn't have to put up with him for much longer anyway.
"Okay, let's go Brooke," Felix said offering her his hand.
"Actually, I can't," Brooke said biting her lip like she was embarrassed.
"Why the hell not?" Felix asked.
"Um… you see…it's …" she stammered.
"Yes?" Felix asked impatiently.
"I'm sort of afraid of heights." She said in one quick breath lowering her head and Lucas almost erupted in laughter admiring her acting skills.
"Didn't you just say that the Ferris wheel used to be your favorite ride?"
"Exactly!" Brooke exclaimed nodding her head, "Used to… Until one time I got up there and…" She trailed off looking embarrassed again.
"And?" Lucas asked intrigued, wanting to see what she would come up with.
"And I kind of threw up while I was on the top… and not in my seat if you know what I mean," she finished with a lame look.
Lucas no longer held his laughter and Felix joined him though he actually thought the story to be true.
"Argh! You both suck!" Brooke said pretending to be hurt.
"Fine, fine, I'll go up. You take the picture." Felix nodded handing her the cell and Brooke nodded though still keeping a scowl on her face.
Felix got on one of the gondolas and Lucas walked back to the operation cabin and started the ride. Brooke came to stand next to him.
"Now do you care to explain why I just embarrassed myself by making up a ridiculous story like that?"
"You still haven't figured it out?" Lucas asked with a secretive smile.
"C'mon, Luke!" Brooke pleaded sticking out her bottom lip.
At that moment Felix was just reaching the top and Lucas pulled a lever to stop the wheel. "Take the photo," he instructed and Brooke went out and snapped a photo of Felix that was grinning and waving at her.
"I wish you were up here, Brooke, it looks great!" He yelled.
"I'm glad you like it," Lucas yelled from below in reply as he got out of the cabin and stood next to Brooke. "Since you'll be spending quite some time there," he concluded with a sardonic grin.
"What are you talking about?" Felix asked in confusion and starting to get a little scared. But Lucas Scott, the damn Boy Scout, wouldn't do something like that now, would he?
"Noo!" Brooke exclaimed bringing her hand to her mouth as her eyes widened in surprise.
"Bye, bye, Felix! Don't worry, as I said the cops should be here shortly!" Lucas yelled and taking Brooke's hand he nodded to her. "Let's get out of here!"
"You wouldn't dare! Get me down right this instant!" Felix yelled enraged as the situation finally registered to him.
Brooke nodded enthusiastically. "Bye Felix, enjoy the view!" She yelled mockingly and followed Lucas, who was leading her to the fence.
"You're gonna pay for this Scott! You're both going to pay for this!" Felix's voice echoed behind them.