For Kasey; because your impatience has been playing on my mind since I read your review. In a good way, you got me writing again :)
...
Julian stood in the doorway, watching as Brooke touched up her make-up. She looked beautiful, she always did, but there was something about that Pink Ladies jacket on her back that made her near irresistible.
"Hey," He wrapped a smirk around his lips and padded over to his girl, "I wanted to ask you if you're free after school?"
Brooke laughed huskily and raised one eyebrow, looking back at him through the mirror, "Yeah, I'm free everyday. It's the Constitution."
Julian released a slow breath and leant down to kiss at her neck. His fingers tickled over her skin as he brushed her chocolate locks from her shoulder. "You know that I'm practically in a fantasy right now?"
"Mmm-hmm," She drawled, her large hazel eyes lingering over him. She stood, in her heels, and they were almost eye to eye. Smiling lazily, she leaned towards him, grazing her dusky red lipstick over his cheek before whispering into his ear. "Let me kiss you, Michael Carrington."
Willingly, Julian obliged, tilting his head slightly and taking her head in his hands. His fingers became lost within her chocolate locks. He closed his eyes, feeling the sweeping familiarity of her lips pressed hard against his.
It was almost as though he was sixteen again, but this time he was living inside of the daydream he'd dreamt so many times in his adolescent bedroom. A girl in his arms. No. Not a girl but the girl. The one that he'd admired from afar for too long, the girl that he'd fallen in love with even before he'd known all the best parts of her. He'd loved her from the moment he first saw her, dashing in late to one of Peyton's exhibitions. She had been a little breathless; her cheeks were pink from the cold and she was hopping from foot to foot to relieve her aching feet, he could only assume. Her hair was straight and long, a heavy bangs hung almost over her shining hazel eyes and she was wearing a pair of tiny shorts despite the cold. But the thing that made him fall in love, in that moment, when the last thing on his mind had been love, was her ready dimpled smile. And the way that she shot it directly at him.
He was in love from that moment. Before he ever heard her husky giggle. Before he ever spoke a word to her, in a wobbly nervous tone. Before she had danced in his arms under a silent sky. Before he found out that she would embrace Grease 2 with enthusiasm. Before he ever kissed her lips.
Brooke pulled away slowly, and Julian was brought back to reality, although in fairness, it was a reality not far detached from his dreams.
"You look so sexy in this jacket," Brooke purred.
Julian shook his head, his heart racing with dizzy childlike excitement. "I never thought you'd kiss me like that if you found out who I really was."
"Are you crazy?" Brooke's eyes narrowed to a sultry gaze, "I got two for the price of one."
Licking his lips timidly, Julian reached for her hands, "Are you certain?"
"I've never been certainer." Brooke declared through a giggle.
Finally Julian broke into the widest of smiles, "More certain."
Brooke inched higher onto her tiptoes, so that his gaze was only filled with her. Dancing hazel eyes, a full smile and delicious dimples. "The certainest."
Julian laughed and kissed her quickly. "The certainest. Yeah, I like that."
"Good." Brooke broke out of character, "Because it's true. Not just for Stephanie and her cool rider, but for me and for you. The dummy fashion designer and the amazing film producer."
"The terrific fashion designer." Julian corrected.
No word had ever felt like such a compliment to Brooke before. Those three syllables shone though; like the beacon of a lasting memory that would glow bright through the years and remain golden in her mind. Everlasting perfection from the lips of the boy who knew her better than she knew herself without ever needing to try. He just knew. They stood in the familiar mundane surrounding of her bedroom but it felt like they were sailing on the wings of a love story's breeze somewhere else, somewhere that couldn't be defined by a dictionary's words, only by the feeling of their hearts.
"I love you, Julian Baker." She said it forcefully, to try and convey the magnitude of how she felt.
He nodded, "Like I love you, Brooke Davis."
He got it. And she knew that he did.
…
"Haley, really?" Lucas moaned as she painted his face with what she called 'necessary' make-up, to turn him into a suitable rock star. Nathan was stood across the room, dressed as the all-American superhero, practically peeing his pants with laughter.
"Yes!" Haley insisted, "Besides, you know that if you don't turn up in full costume, Brooke will bust your ass."
She giggled along with her boyfriend as Lucas huffed unhappily.
"Nathan, you're my little brother and I can still take you," Lucas threatened through gritted teeth.
In response, the Raven haired brother laughed sharply, "You wish, Old Man."
Nathan stepped forwards with his hands on his hips, flashing his utility belt, as Haley rolled her eyes. "Guys, we do not have time for you two to pretend to be macho."
"Hey!" Nathan cried out instantly, feigning hurt feelings to his girlfriend. "That was low, Hales. To make it up to me, I think you should dress up like a cheerleader and admire me all night."
Haley stood and tiptoed over to her Captain America. He knew he was getting the cheerleading costume, no thanks to Brooke. But her admiring him all night?
"Don't push your luck." She whispered and then kissed him, not caring about Lucas' groaning in the background.
She had her boy back with his arms around her shoulders, holding onto her tightly.
She'd missed that. So much.
Nathan pressed a soft kiss to her crown and closed his eyes. He felt like the luckiest guy alive. He wasn't really one for words, usually he messed up or got tongue-tied or just felt plain dumb, so he stayed silent. But he wished he could tell her how much her forgiveness meant to him, without sounding insincere as he imagined he would. The second chance she had granted him was the best gift he could ever recall receiving. So rather than words, he held her, with as much softness and security as he could muster. And he hoped that she understood.
"I wish we could just stay like this a while longer." Haley admitted, speaking into his chest.
Nathan smiled and brushed some of her hair away from her face as she blinked up at him. "Me too, Hales. We could raincheck? Go party with everyone, have a good night and then come back to this?"
"I'd like that." Haley whispered happily. "And Nathan?"
He frowned down to her, his cool blue eyes searching for a clue to what she might say. There was evident worry in his gaze, which she tried to push away with a smile.
"Come home tonight, okay?" Her doe eyes were wide and expectant, "Come home with me, the place is empty without you. And stay. Stay with me and let me look after you."
Nathan smileds, "Home sounds good right now."
"It definitely does." Haley scrunched her nose and leaned up tall to kiss her boyfriend. The heartache of the past few days was forgotten. What was more important now was what was to come, not what had passed. There was a drunk kind of feeling in her stomach and she could see excitement lighting up his eyes.
From where they were stood, everything looked something close to perfect. Their dreams were realigned and the stars shone for them; singing their song.
…
Peyton stared desperately at her reflection, cursing Brooke and her stupid 'fun' ideas. She dragged her eyes away when there was a knock on the bathroom door.
"Quit hogging, Goldilocks." Rachel instructed, pushing her way in, dressed in her kinky French Maid outfit. She overtook the space in front of the mirror and delved through Peyton's make-up bag.
"I think it's Alice in Wonderland, actually." Peyton returned, pointlessly.
Rachel shrugged, not caring, "Whatever, some slutty fairytale creation."
Peyton took a seat on the lip of the tub as Rachel busied herself. "What precisely about Halloween is slutty anyhow?"
Laughing, Rachel eyed the blonde, "Guys. Getting laid. Hot sex. Come on, Peyton, you were a teenager once right?"
"Yeah, but not anymore." Peyton returned. Not that she'd ever been that kind of teenager in the first place. She'd never dressed for guys in her whole life. She'd only ever worn what she'd wanted, and what she felt comfortable in. Something she knew drove Brooke crazy.
Rachel arched her brow, "But you still want hot sex, don't you?"
Finally Peyton laughed, "Is this your way of warning me that I might wake up tomorrow to find a strange man in my apartment that you brought home?"
"Might? No. Honey, this is happening." Rachel corrected.
Peyton smiled at that. Not because she was thrilled about waking up hungover as hell and bumping into a partially naked man, as she imagined that she might. But because there was a sparkle in Rachel's eye. It suited her.
"Okay," Rachel clapped her hands together, causing make-up residue to fly into the air, "We both look hot, hit whatever playlist you're into today and let's dance."
She clicked her way out of the bathroom and Peyton followed the girl; one that she barely recognised. As she passed by her ipod dock she hit play, and the room filled with music.
"This is…" Rachel searched for the right words, as her hips began to roll and sway to the tune.
"Not loser rock?" Peyton ventured. This playlist was an upbeat mix of dance, hip-hop and pop music.
Rachel hummed along happily, "Something like that, I guess."
"You're okay about this party?" Peyton questioned lightly, but her eyes were dark. She pretended to be casual, not looking up from her purse as she rummaged, but Rachel could read the loaded question a mile away.
"You mean am I okay with going to an alcohol infested gathering with a load of people who hate me, including my biggest fan Haley?" Rachel shrugged, "Surprisingly, I've been through worse."
Peyton shook her curls, "Sorry, I just meant,"
"I know." Rachel assured in her nasal tone. "But honestly, it'll be nice to get out for a while. Not that I don't absolutely love hanging out in this apartment, to the daily soundtrack to your mood, but I'm kind of excited. Good day, I guess."
Peyton nodded, taking no offence, she understood Rachel's sarcasm. Peyton raised her glass to her room mate in a toast, "And here's to a good night too."
Rachel copied the motion and wrapped her grin around the lip of her glass. She savoured in the taste of warm, welcome alcohol as it slipped down easily and spread through her body.
…
Brooke smiled around the room from where she was propped on a stool at the bar. The loft bar that she'd hired for the night was empty, save for the bar staff, Julian and herself. She turned to the closest bar tender who was dressed like a fighter pilot. She'd offered the staff a few extra bills in their wage packet if they embraced the dress up.
"Hey, plane driver guy?" Brooke called to him.
"You mean pilot? It's from Top Gun." He chuckled softly, "Tom Cruise? Maverick, Goose, Iceman-, you know what, forget it. Plane driver with do, or Owen, if that's easier."
"Sorry, don't tell my boyfriend, it would wound him to know I didn't recognise a film character." Brooke waved a hand, "Anyway, I need a favour tonight. If anyone buys me a drink, make it virgin, okay?"
He settled his hands on the bar and leaned forwards heavily, "That'll work for spirits, but we don't do virgin wine."
"Good point, Owen." Brooke nodded, "If that happens, I'll just have my boyfriend drink it."
She indicated to her right where Julian was up a step ladder adding the final decorations to the place.
Owen looked to Julian heavily, "Can he handle that? I mean you seem pretty confident that people are going to be buying you drinks all night, he doesn't look like a big drinker."
Brooke smiled distractedly at her boyfriend, "Well, I can always throw them over my shoulder, huh?"
"Foolproof." Owen offered.
"Thanks, plane driver guy." Brooke said, hopping off of her seat and striding towards her T-Bird. She offered her hand as he wobbled his way back down to the ground. "Place looks great, Julian."
He agreed and kissed her in thanks.
"Woah! Woah!" The couple pulled apart at the sounds of protest, "Chris Keller was told this was a chic, if slightly indie, modern, cool gig. Chris Keller did not sign up to watch Danny and Sandy snog."
Owen glanced to Brooke and Julian and indicated to Chris, "Who's this tool?"
Julian coughed, "We're not Danny and Sandy. It's Michael and Stephanie. Grease 2."
In response, Chris held up his hands defensively, "Dude, Chris Keller's all for not going mainstream but this is a Halloween party, is it not? And while the Keller admits that the PDA was akin to a nightmare, this ain't no musical."
Brooke gritted her teeth and stepped forwards with a menacing finger pointed directly over Chris' heart, "This is a Halloween party; my Halloween party. And I'm Brooke Davis, Chris Keller, and this Halloween party will have as many Michael and Stephanie kisses as I permit, got it?"
"Whatever you say, Lady." Chris conceded, wisely realising that his pay check depended upon Brooke's discretion. He saluted her and Julian before indicating towards the stage and heading in that direction. As he passed by the bar, Owen set a glass down heavily, causing Chris to jump at the sound.
Sighing heavily, Brooke gritted her teeth, "Remind me to kill Haley later."
"Speak of the devil," Julian arched his brow and indicated towards the door.
He and Brooke smiled as Haley, Nathan and Lucas entered the club, in full costume. Brooke squealed a little and rushed to meet her friends.
"You made it!" She celebrated by hugging them all and ushering them towards the bar, "And you all look fabulous!"
"Thanks," Lucas murmured, "Peyt not here yet?"
Brooke's eyes softened as she looked to the blond haired brother, "She's on her way, I suggest you get her a whiskey and soda and say hello with a kiss."
Lucas chuckled slightly, "Noted."
He took her advice and bought her a drink to say thanks. As everyone began to chatter about the night ahead, he kept his eyes settled on the door, waiting. He only heard murmurs of the conversations around him; utterances of costumes and amazing, Chris Keller and murder, but none of it registered in his mind. He sipped at his drink and watched various characters entering the party, all dressed in an array of outfits.
Then he saw her and his heart leapt.
She skipped into the room, in a flurry, as though she was late, which she kind of was. She moved her head from side to side, sending her straight blonde hair swishing around her face. The dress she was wearing was tiny, beginning in a tiny corset and finishing not far below with a skirt that was made for her legs.
Lucas smirked and moved from the bar to greet her. When her eyes fell on him she smiled widely.
"Hey, Blondie," He grinned and pressed a drink into her hand, "You look incredible by the way."
Throwing him a tilted gaze, she smiled, "Thanks."
Lucas laughed as her eyes moved momentarily from him and to the performer on stage singing an old Costello song. Her eyes danced at the sound, "Brooke booked this guy?"
Lucas shrugged, "You want to dance?"
She laughed quickly, because no one was dancing yet. There was just a bare space on the hardwood in front of the stage. She was silenced though when she saw that Lucas was serious. "Oh. You mean it?"
Lucas sipped at his drink and then extended his hand to her, his eyebrows arched, daringly. "I mean it."
Her fingers glided over his softly, the action a catalyst for his smile, as were most things she did. He led her out to the middle of the dance floor, and they both felt the room staring at them. Lucas guided her into hold and leaned down to whisper into her ear. "Dance like you love this song."
"I do love this song." Peyton admitted, her eyes on the boy in her arms, both of them ignoring everyone else around them. "All your compliments and cutting remarks/Are captured here in my quotation marks. A guy noting the best and the worst of a girl in nothing but adoration? How could I not love this song?"
Lucas chuckled, "Well rumour has it, you're kind of picky when it comes to music."
"Not good music." She corrected, "With good music I'm not picky at all. I adore this song."
"What a coincidence." Lucas winked and she laughed joyously in response. He hadn't told her, but he loved the song too, and when he heard it, it reminded him of her; and a certain book he may have been writing.
…
Rachel pulled up a pew at the bar and waved the bar tender over. She noted that he was dressed like a taller, hunkier Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and that didn't hurt at all. He threw a dishcloth over his shoulder and smiled to her, "What can I get you?"
"Vodka and cranberry." She said decisively as she batted her eyes at him, "Easy on the cranberry."
He chuckled and shook his head, "Try again."
Rachel frowned, "You don't do cranberry juice? What kind of bar is this?"
"No," Owen corrected her, "We don't do vodka."
"What?" She cried out, "You're joking right? I mean…oh."
Her eyes moved along the bar to where a pair of sharp green eyes were staring back, half wincing and half looking on encouragingly.
"Bitch cut me off, right?" Rachel swallowed thickly, "You know that I'm a paying customer, you don't have to listen to her over me."
"Actually I kind of do," Owen explained, "Alice over there slipped me a hundred bucks, my hands are tied."
Rachel shrugged brassily, "So what? I won't tell if you don't."
"You don't think she'll notice that you've got a drink in you? Honestly?" His eyes stayed fiercely locked with his, "And sorry, but I'm not about to risk my job for you. I know you think you'll be all incognito but from what I hear, the last time you had a drink you crashed a Range Rover and injured an NBA player, hardly subtle."
Rachel set her jaw, "Do you always judge people solely on the biggest mistakes of their lives or is it just something special you reserved for me?"
"Don't flatter yourself, Darling." Owen said flatly, "All I know is Alice is best friends with Miss Davis, and since she's my boss for the night, I'm taking no chances. And neither are the rest of the staff, before you try it."
"This party blows." Rachel declared, hopping down from the stool and thrashing her way through the crowd.
Owen watched her go, knowing that he'd have his eye on her for the rest of the night. He looked to the girl dressed as Alice, and she managed a weak smile as a thank you.
…
Nathan watched as Haley tapped her foot to the beat and her shoulders moved rhythmically to the admitted half-decent tune that Chris Keller was throwing out to the crowd.
"Go and dance," Nathan said, nudging her gently on the shoulder and indicated to where all their friends were lighting up the dance floor in one way or another.
"What? No." Haley pressed a smile to her lips and moved her full attention to the man sat beside her. "I'm good right here, with you."
"Hales." Nathan looked up at her, somehow, with his cool blue eyes, "Go and have a good time with your friends. This week's been kind of horrible. Have some fun."
"I am having fun." Haley told him firmly, she reached for his hand across the table, "It has been kind of horrible, Nathan, from the moment I left you in Charlotte. And then finding out that you were hurt, and all the drama with Rachel…well, there's nothing I'd rather be doing right now than sitting here with you."
He smiled at her sweetness, "I love you, you know that?"
She bunched her nose, which Nathan through was cute as hell, "I know, but it's nice to hear."
"In that case," Nathan's breath was warm on her cheek and his eyes were steely, they made her feel safe, "I love you, Haley James."
She kissed him then; his cheerleader kissing her superhero. "I love you too, Nathan Scott."
Dragging her chair closer to him, she settled her head on his chest and closed her eyes momentarily.
"As soon as I'm out of this cast," Nathan said to her, "we're going dancing, me and you, because you can lie all you like, but I know you want to dance."
"It'll be better with you." Haley admitted into his embrace.
Nathan smirked, "Then it'll be the first thing I do, when I'm walking again."
He leaned down to kiss her gently, as he saw Peyton and Lucas returning to the table out of the corner of his eye. His concentration didn't wane from the girl in his arms, pressed warm against him. He closed his eyes and moved his hand to cradle her face. She tasted sweet, like peaches and cream and her skin was soft to the touch.
They were lost in each other, until Peyton wriggled between then and began groping her hands along the floor. The song had ended and apparently that meant that the blonde couple invading.
"Jeez, Peyt, what are you doing?" Nathan moaned.
"My purse." She explained, from where she was knelt on the hardwood flooring, "It was on the table."
Along with Lucas and Peyton, Nathan and Haley frowned and began to search around the table a little. Peyton was muttering desperately about her Mom and something in her purse and Lucas was holding her by the shoulders trying to reassure her that it would be okay.
"We'll find it, Peyton." Haley said in a sure tone.
The blonde sank into a seat, and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Hey, Peyt," Lucas crouched in front of her and lifted her chin with his hand. She looked into his comforting stare, "It's around here somewhere, right? Everyone here is a friend of Brooke's it'll show up."
"Yeah." Peyton nodded, "Sorry, it's just the bracelet. I don't care if I lose everything else in that purse, I just want the bracelet back."
"Then I'll find it." Lucas committed. "Okay? We'll retrace our steps. Come on, it's around here somewhere."
Nathan and Haley were left alone again, for all of a moment.
"Hey Hales, you look hot by the way," Chris Keller smiled widely as he squeezed his way into a seat between the couple, "Captain America, you look like you could kick my ass."
Gritting his teeth, Nathan turned to the skinny musician, "Don't make me need to test that theory."
Haley exhaled largely, she knew how Chris was and she knew his talent of being able to rub any human being he met up the wrong way. "Chris, this is Nathan; Nathan, this is Chris, he's a teacher at school and a musician."
Nathan only nodded at the introductions, whilst Chris extended a hand that occupied the lonely space between the two men. It hung suspended, quietly ignored, until Chris dropped it in defeat.
"So, how do you like Chris Keller's set?" Chris asked them both, looking expectantly for praise.
"Oh," Haley blinked in surprise and rushed for a suitable compliment.
Nathan arched his brow, "You talk about yourself in the third person?"
"Nate…I can call you Nate, right?"
"No."
"Okay." Chris swallowed, "Don't beat on a guy for wanting to be remembered. Chris Keller's just trying to make it, kinda like you already did, Nate Scott."
Nathan rolled his eyes as Haley tried desperately to salvage the situation.
"That last song, Chris, the whole room was dancing! I've never heard you play so well." Haley said in an enthusiastic voice. "Are you taking requests?"
Even Nathan looked expectantly to Chris, but the egotistical musician just laughed. "Is that a joke, Hales? The losers in this room would all be requesting the latest pop craze. That would ruin the set; Chris Keller isn't a jukebox, you know."
Haley was beginning to look sorry she asked.
"I need a drink." Nathan heaved, reaching for his crutches that were leaning nearby.
"Let me!" Haley rushed, "You should rest your leg."
Nathan was already standing, "No I should rest my ears."
Haley laughed gently, despite the fact that Chris was still sat next to her, "Okay. I'll come too."
…
Owen narrowed his eyes towards the fire escape door as it slammed closed behind a certain redhead as she re-entered the loft. Her red rimmed eyes were shifting suspiciously around the room and she kept running her hand through her hair, pushing it out of her face.
"Hey," Owen called out to one of the barmaids, "Look after things a minute."
He walked out from behind the bar and strode purposefully through the dancing crowd, beelineing for the girl who was sat on a sofa with her knees drawn high to her chest.
"Rachel?" He called to the girl, having learnt her name earlier from Alice, "Hey!"
She looked up to him, both startled and careless at the same time. Her eyes were skittering over him and her hands were trembling.
"What did you take?" Owen demanded, as the song that was playing came to an end. There was a break in the noise for a moment as Owen shouted more urgently to Rachel, "Tell me what you took!"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Rachel hissed.
Owen grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up roughly, "Don't take me for an idiot."
"What is going on here?" Brooke Davis demanded as she pushed her way to the front of the small crowd that had gathered around Rachel and Owen.
"Someone's dealt to her." Owen said in a low tone, to which Brooke gasped.
"What!" She shrieked, "Here?"
"Maybe. Maybe on the street." Owen replied, his hand still around Rachel's arm, "I'll handle this, you don't need to worry."
Brooke nodded and gripped onto Julian's hand as he appeared at her side. Owen took most of Rachel's weight in his hold and pulled her through the shocked faces to a room out the back, away from everyone. He produced a glass of water from seemingly nowhere and sat beside her.
"That was stupid." He remarked.
"Excuse me?" She spat back at him, "Look I didn't drink any precious alcohol from your stupid bar, I'm just trying to have some damn fun. What does it matter to you?"
Owen rubbed his hand across his jaw, "Because it's hard to watch someone destroy their promising life."
She laughed bitterly, "Forgive me, but why don't you just mind your own god damn business?"
"Because," Owen dug in his pocket and produced a token, "I get it."
He placed the chip that celebrated his sobriety into her shaking hand. And she stared to it dumbfounded.
"My name's Owen, and I'm an alcoholic." He said flatly.
"You're a sober bar tender?" She choked, "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
"Not as dumb as you one day driving yourself into an early grave because of some stupid decision that you thought was a good idea when you were under the influence." Owen told her gravely.
Rachel shook her head, "Look, I know I may not have the clearest of heads right now, but I didn't take a hallucinogen back there. You're a bar tender, trying to tell me to stop drinking? You're out of your mind."
"No, you are." Owen shook his head, "Stay here and out of trouble, Red."
He stood and moved to the door as Rachel eyed him curiously, "So I guess you're waiting for me to thank you or something?"
He smirked at her, "I may be a dumb sober bar manager, but even I'm not that stupid."
She watched as he clicked the door closed behind him, and then rolled her eyes. She put her head in her hands and groaned, the last thing she needed was more preaching. It made her want to drink.
At that thought, she teetered to her feet and reached for the door handle. If they didn't like the way she partied, she'd go and party somewhere else. And have some fun, finally.
Stepping back into the room, she was pleased to see that Owen the alcoholic was busy sorting out some problem at the bar. She slunk along the wall towards the door, quickly in the hope of avoiding his eye.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Rachel froze and exhaled a long breath. Turning slowly, she was confronted by a Pink Lady, a T-Bird, a cheerleader, Alice in Wonderland, a rock star and her very own Captain America. "What's this? The Scooby gang reunited? Clue, it's not usually the French Maid, it's pretty much always the ghost."
"Not this time." Brooke clicked her tongue and ran her eyes over the girl in front of her. "You took Peyton's purse."
"Prove it." Rachel hissed.
"Brooke." Peyton said in a clipped tone. "Look, Rachel, I really don't care about the money, I just want the bracelet."
Rachel faltered slightly, "What bracelet?"
She honestly knew nothing of the bracelet, but it was unlikely that anyone would believe her, people rarely did.
"Her Mom's bracelet." Haley joined in, shooting daggers at the redhead.
"I don't have it." Rachel said hurriedly and tried to move past them, but Brooke pulled her back by the wrist.
"Look, Missy," Brooke said threateningly, "Even giving you the benefit of the doubt, you seem like an ungrateful leech. You're some kind of junkie, and so I understand that as a lower grade of society you have to take from decent people to get what you want, I do. But did you really have to stoop so low and steal from the one person who's actually trying to help you?"
Rachel set her jaw. She felt bad, sure, but there wasn't much she could do about it, and Brooke was totally getting in her face. She didn't need this kind of crap. "Don't you dare point your chubby little finger at me. Now move out of my way, you freak shows."
"Hey!" Brooke cried, "Who are you calling chubby?"
The group rolled their eyes, the last way they wanted to spend their night was to watch Brooke and Rachel argue pointlessly.
Julian staggered forwards and took his place beside Brooke. "Hey, hey, hey!" He turned around in a full circle, frowning. "Woah, it's like, spinny."
"Come on, Buddy," Lucas instructed, as he and Nathan led an extremely intoxicated Julian over to a table. Nathan took a seat with him as Lucas went to get him a drink of water.
Rachel flicked her eyes back to Brooke who was still staring her down, "I'm calling you chubby, now move your big ass out of my way."
Brooke turned to Peyton and Haley, who were both wishing that this cattiness would roll to an end already, and grinned. "Me and my besties here would throw you out of this club ourselves, but we don't like to touch skank."
Rachel laughed, "Is that the best you've got? The only way you'd get to me is if you threatened to sit on me."
Haley and Peyton instinctively put their hands on Brooke's arms and told her that Rachel, of all people wasn't worth bothering with. But Brooke smiled and told them that she had this.
"Honey," She said to Rachel, "It's not hard to see why you're on your own. No guy is ever going to fall in love with a girl like you. Who would want you-,"
Brooke paused and her eyes widened in shock when she saw Rachel's hands aimed directly at her for a forceful bitch shove. Brooke squealed and ducked.
"I'm pregnant! Please!" She cried out desperately, panting heavily. "Please don't hit me, I'm pregnant."
Rachel froze, mid attack, her hands outstretched towards Brooke and her waist tightly held in the arms of Owen. He was whispering feverishly in her ear, trying to calm her down. Slowly she stilled and allowed him to carry her away.
"What?" Haley's eyes danced with shock and excitement, "Brooke?"
Peyton shook her head, "You're really pregnant?"
Brooke looked to her two best friends, praying for them to share her enthusiasm, "God, I didn't want you guys to find out like this, but yes; I'm pregnant. Me and Julian are going to have a baby."
Instantly she was engulfed into a hug from both sides, and together the three girls laughed, congratulated, cooed and stroked their tears away.
"You're going to be a Mommy," Haley's brown eyes grew wide and she bit down on her lower lip as the news sunk in. "This is so incredible, Brooke!"
Peyton, who'd maybe had more of a heads up than Haley, winked to her friend. It seemed to her that Brooke's initial worries about Julian and the company had been appeased. "I'm really happy for you guys, and that kid, wow,"
"It's going to be the most spoilt kid in New York, right?" Brooke laughed.
"Just try and stop us." Peyton promised.
Haley's eyes lit up at the realisation that there was going to be a baby in their lives soon enough, "We're going to be Aunties!"
"Hey," Lucas stepped up to the group of squealing girls, he'd been dealing with Julian and had missed all the drama and the announcement, "I'm guessing that everything's okay here now?"
The three girls nodded happily.
"So Julian's kind of out of it, I can take him back to my apartment if you guys want to stay," Lucas said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder.
"You know what?" Brooke smiled, "I think I've had enough of partying for one night. Let's all go back to mine, I call a slumber party!"
Lucas arched his brow, "Okay, but no makeovers this time."
"Ah, come on," Brooke grinned devilishly, "Julian's face is begging for some lipstick!"
"Well, I guess I could go along with that," Lucas laughed.
…
Haley cleared her throat, demanding the attention of everyone who was sat in the room; on the couch, on beanbags, and mostly in one another's arms. Julian had sobered a little, the most notable effect of drinking both his and Brooke's drinks all night was stubborn intoxicated reluctance to part with the jacket on his back. He was sat with his head rested on Brooke's shoulder, his hand subconsciously stroking at her hair. She was for the most part oblivious to Julian's condition; she was sailing on the wings of the euphoric feeling that came from sharing their news with the rest of their baby's family.
Nathan was sat in the wide reclined arm chair, with Haley sat between his legs, she was leaning forwards to speak to everyone. Across from them, Lucas and Peyton had taken up residence on a large beanbag, his arms securely around her waist.
"If everyone would raise their mugs of hot chocolate in a toast," Haley instructed, to which everyone complied. "This is to the little baby who will be joining us in the future. Excuse me if I cry again when I say this,"
She laughed and everyone else joined in. There had been a fair amount of tears from the girls, and Julian, since the news had been broken back at the club.
"Baby," Haley smiled widely, "I'm your Auntie Haley and I know we haven't met yet, but I already adore you, okay, kid? In fact this whole room probably does. And I know some of us seem nerdy or broody or basketball obsessed, but we're so much more than that. In this room are six of the most fantastic people you will ever meet. As you grow up, we'll be at your side, we'll have your back and you can come over our houses any time you like, okay? And hopefully you might get a little piece of each of us inside of you, like I think that I have something of all the people in this room inside of me. I do. And don't worry; I don't always cry like this, it's just that I'm so excited for your arrival! We're going to spoil you rotten.
"You'll have a library of books, a studio of music, a playground of sports equipment, a cinema of movies and a boutique of clothes, if we have anything to do with things. But all those things, all those wonderful gifts, they won't even be the best thing in your life. No, you're going to be loved by two of the kindest, most beautiful and incredible parents the world has ever seen. That love, which we'll all partake in, will be your most treasured possession, and we've already started work on it, so you never need to worry about it, okay? So, before my words become too hard to understand; here's to that my niece or nephew and to never having to feel unloved because we have each other."
Together the group lifted their mugs in a toast and sipped at the warming drink.
"That was beautiful, Hales." Nathan congratulated into her hair.
"This baby's lucky to have an Aunt like you." Brooke managed to choke out between muffled sobs.
"It was perfect." Peyton added, "How can I follow that?"
She laughed and Brooke assured her that it wasn't the Oscars and she didn't actually have to make a speech.
"I want to; this is kind of a monumental day." Peyton told her. "So here goes. Aunt Peyton's turn. Okay, kid, I'm not nearly as eloquent as your Auntie Haley; she's a maestro of words. I'm more of a lyrics girl, which you'll learn. If you ever need advice then go see your Aunt Haley, she'll sort you out. You're Mom's not bad for that either but just in case you need a different ear, Haley's your girl. There's not a problem you could go to her with that she would judge you for or not have a solution to. And me? If the homework brings you down/Then we'll throw it in the fire/And take the car downtown."
Brooke rolled her teary eyes as her friend recited music lyrics to her unborn child, but she was smiling too. She wouldn't have it any other way. Beside her Julian stirred a little from his haziness and murmured Bowie, smiling serenely.
"Crazy Aunt Peyton." Brooke laughed, then threw a serious look to Lucas, "As sensible Uncle Lucas, you have to ensure that no homework ends up in the fire."
Lucas quirked a brow, "Uncle Lucas?"
"Sure." Brooke nodded firmly, "Uncle Lucas and Uncle Nathan, this kid can't be outnumbered by girls. And someone's going to have to teach the little one how to catch."
She glanced to Julian and laughed as he protested half-heartedly.
"I think we can manage that." Nathan smiled widely. He hadn't always been Brooke's biggest fan but somehow over time and events, the group had developed into a strange kind of family. He was more than happy to be the uncle who took the kid to their first ball game. Honestly, he was almost a little jealous of Brooke and Julian.
Peyton plopped a marshmallow into her drink, "Here's to the slightly strange but honorary family that this kid is going to be the mascot of; The Kooks."
Most of the room looked to her puzzled, to which she just shrugged and laughed, it was kind of perfect that they hadn't heard of the David Bowie song; it was so like them not to know. Raising her mug she said, "Cause if you're gonna stay with us, you're gonna be pretty kooky too."
Brooke blinked back at her friend, "To whatever Peyton just said!"
They cheered and drank and laughed. They may not have been a conventional family by any stretch of the word, but they never wanted to be, if it meant being anything but who they were.
…
I say this a lot but if there's anything you'd like to see happen I'm open to suggestions, I don't promise anything but even the fewest of words can serve as inspiration. And my inbox is always open, to anything really. Thank you for reading, lovely people ;)
