"So I have to tell you something," Jake said pacing outside his house, he was hopping to practice his speech and get it down well enough that he would be able to talk to Peyton with no problems. He wanted her to know that he did want their friendship back and that he didn't want to blow her off. "I like you, a lot."
"I like you too." A voice spoke up, startling him so much that he jumped. He looked over at the girl carrying several suitcases, she was beautiful in an exotic European way, she let a giggle escape her plump red lips when she saw my face, "I'm Alexa, your new roommate I guess." She stuck out a hand and he took it still speechless.
She stood there holding his hand waiting for him to say something, he cleared his throat his brain beginning to work, "Oh, um roommate?" He asked with his eyebrows knitted.
"Yea. No one told you?"
"No, but um…let me get that for you. Come on in." He led her inside and noticed his parents sitting on the sofa, "Mom, dad, this is Alexa." He said still confused.
"Oh you're here!" His mom exclaimed coming up and pulling the girl into a hug. "I'm Betty, and this is my husband Frank, and you've already met Jakey so that's the family." Alexa nodded carefully, not dropping the friendly smile her face held, so Betty continued, "We were going to put you in the spare bedroom next to Jakey's but that just won't do, you are just too gorgeous." Everyone laughed, "I'm just kidding, the room is all set up and ready for you." The group followed her up the steps and into the guest bedroom.
"Thank you very much." Alexa said speaking to his parents for the first time, "Seriously I appreciate everything, and please don't go to any trouble for me."
"No trouble at all dear, none at all. Let me know if there is anything you need, and I'm sure Jakey here will introduce you to his friends." She said hinting more at her son than Alexa.
Jake followed his parents outside the room, "What's going on? You could have warned me."
"Oh sorry hun, you've been so spaced lately." Betty told her son.
"With the new baby coming and our money problems, when the school called us and said that they would pay for a family to take her in as a host family, we jumped at the offer." Frank explained to his son, before both left him standing in the hallway.
Jake walked back into the bedroom and sat at the desk while she unpacked, "So your parents are having a baby?" She asked trying to make conversation.
"No why?" He asked confused.
She bit her lip putting two and two together, "Oh never mind." She laughed trying to cover it up, "Jakey?"
"Jake, only my mom calls me Jakey."
"Hi," Haley said timidly, letting herself inside Peyton's house. The three girls had plans to hang out, but when she got there she wasn't sure if they were still on, Peyton was sitting on the couch drawing and Brooke was laying on the floor sulking.
"And where is your new little friend?" Brooke asked bitterly, looking up at her before rolling over.
Haley plopped down on the couch and Peyton stretched her legs over Haley, "She moved into her host family's house."
This caught Peyton's attention, she popped an eyebrow up, "She's sweet."
"Ugh!" Brooke yelled, "I am not hearing this right now." The other two looked at her funny and Brooke sat up and put her hands on her hips, "She sleeps with my boyfriend, and now she's sweet? Give me a break."
The two laughed, "Brooke, it wasn't Alexa, and I'm sorry but I think your overreacting." Haley told her.
"This is ridiculous, I mean you would think that my best friends might feel some sympathy for me. It's only a matter of time before he breaks up with me and I'm going to be the only one single and lonely."
Haley threw her hands up and looked around like no one could see her, this caused Peyton to laugh, "I didn't realize that my imaginary boyfriend met everyone already," Haley stopped because she couldn't help laughing, "Brooke, it's gonna be ok."
"1, it's not ever going to be ok. And 2, Haley Jake will come around and realize that you are so much hotter and nicer than that Nikki."
Haley looked at Peyton directly in the eye, "I would never go after Jake."
Brooke's eyes widened, "I just had the best idea!" She practically squealed, "You and Jake should totally go to the clubs party together. Nikki moved to Savannah and he'll be looking for a date, and you are perfect!"
"Nikki moved to Savannah?" Peyton asked trying to sound nonchalant, but not working.
Brooke scrunched up her nose, "Yea, I over heard a couple of girls talking about it, its some big thing…but who really cares. Haley and Jake, they totally match right Peyt?"
Haley looked towards Peyton hopping she would save her, "Yea…I guess…whatever."
"Good, I'll talk to Jake tomorrow…"
"Wait! Brooke, don't I get a vote?" Haley asked cutting her off.
Brooke laughed causing Peyton to join in, "No."
I threw the ball towards the hoop, and heard it hit the backboard bringing me from my thoughts. I stood here listening to the water, throwing the ball, and thinking. Thinking about her, Haley James. My Haley James…no not mine. She doesn't want to rock the boat. She means so much to me that I would give up the world for her and she won't even test the waters. He laughed to himself at the irony of the situation, ever since they had gotten back from Greece, he would think, get depressed, and then laugh because he was such a dumb ass. He threw the ball again.
"I hope that's not how your gonna play at playoffs," a voice behind him said, he knew the voice without turning around.
"Go away, I'm not in the mood." He replied angrily.
"Last time I checked this was my court, you have the gym."
He spun around and puffed up, "Lucas seriously get out of my face."
Lucas puffed up matching his little brothers look, "I'm not going anywhere, and you're in my face." Lucas replied.
Nathan narrowed his eyes and then backed away, trying to avoid a fight, "Look, I'm not in a good place right now. Please just leave me alone."
"Aww poor you," Lucas said sarcastically, "You've got two hot girls fighting over you every time you turn around, and they both love you." Nathan plopped down on the bench and buried his head in his hands, Lucas sat down next to him, "Look, I know that it probably sucks being in the middle of two amazingly hot bodies like theirs, and if you need me to fill in…"
"Lucas!" Nathan yelled cutting him off, "This isn't helping."
"No probably not, but imaging yourself in between must be." He said laughing.
"Only neither body is one I want to be with." Nathan replied before he could stop himself. He looked at his brother only to see his eyebrow pop up.
