Peyton comes back from summer break with a surprise. And that surprise has
decided to mix things up. Romance: P/L, N/H and Brooke is a surprise.
Author: Mickey (or Stokely)
Rating: R (for later)
Chapter: Four. The day before the party. Some conflicts are arising. Should make the party THAT much more interesting.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill, WB does...damn them.
Musical Choices for this Chapter:
Are You Gonna Be My Girl? by Jet
Perfect by Maren Ord
Hey Mama by Black Eyed Peas
Rant (SPOILERS!!): Pretty much all I have to say is.... AH! DEB AND KEITH! AH! SHOOT ME BETWEEN THE EYES!...other than that, I MISS JAKE! And it's only a day after 'The Leaving Song'. Jesus, are they clearing out the town or what? Keith, Jake and Jenny, Lucas (though I don't think he'll get far, he IS the main character and the show is called one TREE HILL, so they can't exactly change locations). I must admit, I knew something was up when Luke was visiting Peyton. He looked funny. Like smiling but not...talking about all the mistakes he ever made, and starting over a new leaf... and then the whole 'I'll see you around Peyton' was a little TOO creepily said.
Was it just me, when Peyton kissed Jake he leaned in after she was pulling away? Uh oh. My spider sense is tingling. Do I feel a hint of Jake crushing on Peyton MAJORLY here? Oh well, I love them both, but still I'm a Lucas Peyton fan at heart...
By the by, hopefully SOME of you are getting to like Shane...hopefully, if not, no biggie. But would you like to see her hook up with someone? I'm not planning to, but if anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luke stared at the computer screen as he watched Haley type away at the computer. Peyton had long since gotten up to 'go and talk things out with Shane'. Shane. Lucas' temper flared at the very mention of that little brat's name. He touched his right cheek, which was bright red from having a basketball hurled at him. Well, she was definitely feisty like Peyton. Of course Peyton had never really gone out of her way to scream at him about being a male whore and then try and decapitate him with anything she could grab.
He hadn't thought much of it when he walked into his mom's café after basketball practice and saw a curly blonde haired head sitting near the window. He gave his mom a quick hug and then made his way over to the window, ready to ask Peyton if maybe she needed any help setting up the party tomorrow.
When he touched her shoulder and the blonde curls flew as the girl's head turned, he was shocked for a moment. It was that girl. Shane...or something. She smiled at him and he quickly apologized, explaining that he thought she was Peyton. Shane invited him to sit, and feeling as though he sort of owed her, he did. They started talking, and when he mentioned basketball and how he couldn't shoot right anymore, she quickly offered to go shoot hoops with him.
So they wandered out to the park (after Shane called Peyton) and continued their talk. He couldn't exactly remember everything, but somewhere around her getting an R to complete her HOR title (they were playing HORSE), they'd started talking about Peyton. He told her the story, all about how they'd met, fallen for each other and how everything had fallen to pieces, but he must have said something wrong, because next thing he knew, she was snidely calling him 'easy'. Of course he defended himself, pointing out things Peyton had done to him. Again, not the best thing to say, because they soon began having a shouting contest. Finally he'd had enough and demanded his ball back so that he could go home. And she'd given it to him. Right in the jaw.
He watched as Peyton re-entered the room, ready for bed by the looks of things. She was wearing a tight, thin green tee-shirt and grey track pants. She said something to Haley and Haley agreed.
HALES:
Sorry luke, looks like its lights out time. Peyt needs to get to bed...its quite obvious she needs the beauty sleep.
Luke smiled as he saw Peyton read over her shoulder, and then her eyes widened and she smacked Haley in the arm, who giggled. Lucas chuckled to himself before responding.
LUCAS:
Alright, but I think she looks beautiful already.
He watched the two girls read it, and again grinned as Peyton blushed, and Haley leaned toward the web cam and stuck her finger in her mouth, pretend gagging. Then she began typing again.
HALES:
Suck up.
Lucas laughed out loud while watching Peyton wrestle the keyboard away from Haley. Finally, after she'd delivered a swift kick and Haley had sunk down out of sight, she began typing.
HALES:
Night Luke! See you tomorrow at school. P.S. You know I'm gorgeous.
With that she delivered the web cam a saucy smile, and took the lens cover and the screen went black. Lucas sat back in his chair, staring at the screen she had moments ago adorned. He missed Peyton, a lot more than he had let on to anyone.
Well, Brooke knew he was crazy about her. But he wasn't sure she really understood just what he missed about Peyton. He missed so much. The way her laugh bubbled up out of no where. Her feminine deep voice. Her odd taste in music (for a girl of their generation at least). The way they could be playful with each other one moment and then passionate the next. He missed the way her hair would bounce with every step and the way her lips curled into that thin smile. He missed the coffee mustaches she got whenever they had drinks at his mom's café (he also missed kissing those mustaches off). He missed looking at the deep, dark images she created from her most personal thoughts. He missed her big beautiful green eyes. He missed Peyton.
He sighed as he tossed the keyboard across his desk and leaned back so that the back of the chair dipped down. He groaned as he swung the chair around and managed to propel himself forward into bed, collapsing and closing his eyes, too exhausted to give anything but Peyton Sawyer another thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Sawyer House = 9 AM ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'Shane Anne Sawyer! Get your ass in here!' Peyton called as tossed Haley two slices of toast. She was smoothing her own piece with some peanut butter when a grumbling Shane shuffled into the room. 'Why aren't you dressed? We have to leave in five minutes.' Shane blinked, obviously lost.
'I'm sorry, it's been scientifically proven that my brain is reduced to mush this early in the morning.' She slumped into the chair opposite Haley who was nervously tapping her foot against the floor. Peyton rolled her eyes.
'Well go get dressed. I assume you can do that without help.'
'I don't understand why it's so urgent for me to get dressed. Where am I going?' she laid her hands on the table in front of her, staring at Peyton as though she were speaking another language.
'You're coming to school remember? To apologize to your friend.' Shane's eyes widened and her eyebrows shot up.
'Yeah right. A) you mean EX-friend, and B) You'll have to drag me kicking and screaming. I am not apologizing to that ass.' She grumbled the last part, leaning back, her arms crossed defiantly.
'Suck it up Shane. Look its either you face up to this guy and tell him you're sorry, or you deal with me, and you already know I am a force to be reckoned with.' Peyton's eyes flashed dangerously and Shane got up from her chair slowly.
'Fine. But tonight at the party, I'm getting people to test any food you give me for poison, so don't get any ideas.' She threw her own glare over her shoulder as she shuffled back toward her room. Peyton shook her head, her curls bouncing in every direction. She was dreading today enough without having to deal with the big party tonight. Firstly, she'd found a message on her computer screen that morning from Lucas saying he wanted to take her out for lunch.
'So you and Luke are going on a date huh?' Haley said casually as she polished off her last piece of toast and finished her orange juice. Peyton's head snapped up at this.
'What? No. No! No. It's just lunch!' she answered nervously, and she knew she sounded pathetic, especially when Haley smirked at her. She rolled her eyes. 'Oh shut up.'
'It's just you're all dressed up...' Peyton looked down at herself. She was wearing her favorite maroon plaid pleated skirt, a white tank top and a see- through white top over that. She was also wearing her biker boots again (her favorite accessory). She looked over at Haley who was wearing an orange graphic tee and Nathan's grey sweatpants that practically pooled at her ankles. She may not have looked glamorous, but she still held that natural beauty that was so Haley. Damn her.
'This, to you, is dressed up?' she said motioning to her outfit. Haley looked her up and down again.
'Well...in terms of Peyton fashion, I'd have to say, yeah.' Long pause.
'Maybe I should change...' Peyton said looking at her skirt as she smoothed it out. Haley blinked.
'Why?' she asked, biting her tongue nervously.
'Well I don't want to give him the wrong idea...what if he thinks this means I want to get back together with him?'
'Don't you?'
'That's not the point.'
'No, Peyton, we're already late, you can't-'
'It will take two minutes!'
'No I forbid you to! If you take one step toward that closet I will be forced to drag YOUR ass out of here!' Haley was standing now, obviously nervous that Peyton was going to try and make a break for the hallway. Haley had a thing about not showing up for class. It made her feel guilty. Why, was beyond Peyton.
'Okay, I'm ready, let's get this the hell over with.' Shane said grudgingly as she walked back into the kitchen. She was wearing her ripped fitted jeans and a fitted sweater that had patches on the arms (her favorite was the one that read 'I beat my coach'). She had her arms folded in front of her and she looked Peyton up and down slowly. 'So, what's the special occasion?'
Peyton let out a small cry, before she bolted for her room. Unfortunately, Haley saw it coming and grabbed her and began pulling her toward the front door. Now Peyton may have been taller than Hales, but she was definitely not as strong.
Within five minutes the three were in the car, on their way to Tree Hill High.
As they pulled up to the high school, both Sawyer girls were eyeing the doors warily. Haley cut the ignition and turned to look back at the two, who were now exchanging dreading looks. 'Come on guys.' Hales said tucking her keys in her bag. 'It won't be that bad.'
'Yeah. It could be worse.' Shane said unconvincingly.
'Yeah, we could be walking in there naked.' Peyton said as she rolled her eyes. But she knew she couldn't just sit in the car, so she popped the door open, clasped Shane's hand tightly in hers and dragged her sister out of the car. Shane launched Peyton a fleeting scowl before she plastered a 'whatever' expression on her face.
They walked into school still arm in arm, with Haley walking beside Peyton, picking through her bag, looking for her History textbook. Shane was nervously scanning the crowd for Lucas. If Peyton found out that Shane had gone behind her back, talked to Luke, divulged some embarrassing information, before promptly whipping a basketball at his head, she probably WOULD pass her a slice of poisonous pizza.
Peyton searched the sea of high schoolers, looking for Luke. Maybe she could get out of their 'lunch date' by saying she had to...study for History with Haley.
'Hey.' Immediately, both curly heads turned at the little bit raspy deep voice owned by the person they were both dreading seeing. Luke's eyes flashed momentarily at the sight of Shane, who shot him a warning look. He smiled after a moment. 'Hey Shane, nice to see you again.' It couldn't have sounded more forced, but Peyton seemed oblivious. Shane returned the smile.
'You too. Lucas wasn't it?' Peyton lightly smacked her side.
'Shane, why don't you go with Haley? Go find your friend so you can apologize.' Peyton said gently pushing her sister to the side. Luke's eyes immediately shot to Shane's as she shrugged and mouthed 'I'll meet you back here'. He grimaced but nodded.
'Later Shane.' He said lamely. She waved before grabbing Haley's arm and walking quickly down the hall. Peyton watched her before turning back to Lucas. 'So are we still on for lunch?' Luke asked, his tense demeanor instantly vanishing.
'Yeah, about that...I uh...I have to study with Haley for this big History test after lunch.' She said raising her hands in defeat. Lucas didn't look convinced.
'You don't take History.'
'What?' she asked, trying to sound offended. 'Of course I take History. Why would you say something like that?' Lucas shrugged.
'Because I take History.' He said simply.
'Oh.' She said feeling very idiotic, having been caught in her lie. 'Dammit.' Luke smiled and shook his head.
'Hey, if you don't want to go to lunch with me, all you had to do was say so.' He sounded hurt, and though he was smiling, she could see it in his eyes that she had punctured a very large hole...in his heart or his ego was yet to be determined.
'No, no. It's not that...it's just...' Peyton sighed putting her hand on her head, looking out the window, her brain buzzing to find a plausible excuse. She gave up and let out a low sigh. 'I don't know Luke. This is all so weird.' Finally she was telling him what she felt. This was what he'd wanted...wasn't it?
'Yeah?' he asked. 'Weird how?' he honestly wanted to know what he was doing wrong, how he could fix it so that he could be with her the way they used to be together. She shook her head.
'It's hard to explain. I don't want to bore you...'
'You're not. Look, truth be told, that's why I wanted to take you out to lunch.' She immediately tensed at the words |take you out| but he pressed on. 'I want to know what you feel about me. Then maybe I can help.' She smiled sadly.
'Help with what exactly?' she asked a slight laugh in her voice. He shrugged, offering his own supporting smile.
'Anything I can.' He answered, which in Peyton's opinion was the best one he could have given. She smiled and nodded.
'Okay. Lunch. I'll be there.' He grinned at her. 'But now I have to get to class. What do you have?' He walked with her down the hall, taking in her appearance appreciatively. She may not have been dressed beautifully in the conventional sense. But that's what he loved about her. Her uniqueness.
'Spare. I'll probably go shoot some hoops in the gym.' He needed to think about what she'd said. One word meant he had a whole lot to think about. Weird...weird how?
'Okay, well I'll see you as soon as class is over so we can decide where to eat.' He nodded and was about to lean down to kiss her. He stopped mid movement, but too late, their eyes were locked, their mouth open. He was inches from her face, his spiky hair tickling the top of her head. Her eyes had become droopy and she looked up at him dreamily before she moved forward just one inch. And then...
RING! The bell sounded and both their eyes snapped shut as they simultaneously leaned away from each other. Nothing was said. Luke didn't even have a chance to say a word, because Peyton was all ready jogging down the hall to get to her class. He sighed as he stared after her, scratching the back of his head.
'So caveman. Taking my sister to lunch?' He rolled his eyes and turned slowly, exhaling loudly as he turned to see Shane leaning against a locker, her eyebrows raised.
'What if I am? Feel like hurling something else in my direction?' His voice carried a razor sharp edge. Her lips tightened and she could no longer carry his gaze. Her jaw clenched before she managed to look back at him.
'About that...' she paused, finding this a very difficult task, 'I just wanted to say sorry.' She took a deep breath and stood up walking over to him. 'It was juvenile of me. I just think we should be friends. And I promise not to try and chuck solid objects at your head.' She paused smiling at him. 'But liquids are still fair game.' He chuckled.
'Yeah, well, I think I'll pass on that little agreement.' Shane blinked. 'Look, I say we call a truce.' He didn't mean to be mean, but his cheek still hurt, and he was still relatively pissed at the audacity of her actions. Shane frowned at his words and nodded, but her eyes gave away the fury she was feeling.
'Fine. Truce. For now.' Her words were forced. What kind of asshole was this guy? It wasn't everyday Shane Sawyer apologized and he was brushing her off? He was lucky she didn't attempt to kick his scrawny ass! 'But watch it Scott. If you hurt my sister again, it won't be a little basketball I throw at you.' Damn. She just couldn't hold it back. She was never good at letting bygones be bygones.
He merely stared at her, as if he'd surely misheard her. She gave him a last glare which clearly showed he didn't know who he was messing with, before she sauntered past him. She'd walk home. No way in hell was she going to stick around and talk to this jerk.
Meanwhile, Lucas was cursing in the back of his head. You're such a fucker, Scott, he muttered to himself.
'Wait!' he called before jogging down the hall and jumping in front of her. She stopped, hitting him with her harshest glare. But he didn't look away. He'd seen this a lot in Peyton's eyes, and he'd grown used to it. Even fond of it. 'I'm sorry. I'm being an ass.'
'Damn straight you are.' She shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. He nodded shoving his hands in his pockets.
'I know. Look, I just...I guess Peyton means a lot to me...and I feel like maybe you'll...' he trailed off searching for the right words. It was easy to offend Shane.
'Afraid I'll betray you somehow? Make her hate you? Turn her completely against you just for a laugh?' He looked uncomfortable with these answers. She shook her head, unfolding her arms and placing her hands on her hips.
'Look, Luke, I don't know you. And if it makes you feel any better, I never told Peyton it was you I met at the courts. She seems to really like you, why, I have no idea.' His lips quirked at her insult. 'But before the whole, yelling, arguing, basketball throwing stuff...I have to admit, I could kind of see why she does.' Her green eyes met his cobalt blue ones. 'So can we just forget anything happened, and like...start over?'
'Well, I may have to think about that...' she punched his arm, and it hurt, surprisingly. 'Okay! Okay. It's a deal. But you have to do me a favor.'
'We've been friends five seconds and you're already calling in favors...okay, what is it?'
Author: Mickey (or Stokely)
Rating: R (for later)
Chapter: Four. The day before the party. Some conflicts are arising. Should make the party THAT much more interesting.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill, WB does...damn them.
Musical Choices for this Chapter:
Are You Gonna Be My Girl? by Jet
Perfect by Maren Ord
Hey Mama by Black Eyed Peas
Rant (SPOILERS!!): Pretty much all I have to say is.... AH! DEB AND KEITH! AH! SHOOT ME BETWEEN THE EYES!...other than that, I MISS JAKE! And it's only a day after 'The Leaving Song'. Jesus, are they clearing out the town or what? Keith, Jake and Jenny, Lucas (though I don't think he'll get far, he IS the main character and the show is called one TREE HILL, so they can't exactly change locations). I must admit, I knew something was up when Luke was visiting Peyton. He looked funny. Like smiling but not...talking about all the mistakes he ever made, and starting over a new leaf... and then the whole 'I'll see you around Peyton' was a little TOO creepily said.
Was it just me, when Peyton kissed Jake he leaned in after she was pulling away? Uh oh. My spider sense is tingling. Do I feel a hint of Jake crushing on Peyton MAJORLY here? Oh well, I love them both, but still I'm a Lucas Peyton fan at heart...
By the by, hopefully SOME of you are getting to like Shane...hopefully, if not, no biggie. But would you like to see her hook up with someone? I'm not planning to, but if anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luke stared at the computer screen as he watched Haley type away at the computer. Peyton had long since gotten up to 'go and talk things out with Shane'. Shane. Lucas' temper flared at the very mention of that little brat's name. He touched his right cheek, which was bright red from having a basketball hurled at him. Well, she was definitely feisty like Peyton. Of course Peyton had never really gone out of her way to scream at him about being a male whore and then try and decapitate him with anything she could grab.
He hadn't thought much of it when he walked into his mom's café after basketball practice and saw a curly blonde haired head sitting near the window. He gave his mom a quick hug and then made his way over to the window, ready to ask Peyton if maybe she needed any help setting up the party tomorrow.
When he touched her shoulder and the blonde curls flew as the girl's head turned, he was shocked for a moment. It was that girl. Shane...or something. She smiled at him and he quickly apologized, explaining that he thought she was Peyton. Shane invited him to sit, and feeling as though he sort of owed her, he did. They started talking, and when he mentioned basketball and how he couldn't shoot right anymore, she quickly offered to go shoot hoops with him.
So they wandered out to the park (after Shane called Peyton) and continued their talk. He couldn't exactly remember everything, but somewhere around her getting an R to complete her HOR title (they were playing HORSE), they'd started talking about Peyton. He told her the story, all about how they'd met, fallen for each other and how everything had fallen to pieces, but he must have said something wrong, because next thing he knew, she was snidely calling him 'easy'. Of course he defended himself, pointing out things Peyton had done to him. Again, not the best thing to say, because they soon began having a shouting contest. Finally he'd had enough and demanded his ball back so that he could go home. And she'd given it to him. Right in the jaw.
He watched as Peyton re-entered the room, ready for bed by the looks of things. She was wearing a tight, thin green tee-shirt and grey track pants. She said something to Haley and Haley agreed.
HALES:
Sorry luke, looks like its lights out time. Peyt needs to get to bed...its quite obvious she needs the beauty sleep.
Luke smiled as he saw Peyton read over her shoulder, and then her eyes widened and she smacked Haley in the arm, who giggled. Lucas chuckled to himself before responding.
LUCAS:
Alright, but I think she looks beautiful already.
He watched the two girls read it, and again grinned as Peyton blushed, and Haley leaned toward the web cam and stuck her finger in her mouth, pretend gagging. Then she began typing again.
HALES:
Suck up.
Lucas laughed out loud while watching Peyton wrestle the keyboard away from Haley. Finally, after she'd delivered a swift kick and Haley had sunk down out of sight, she began typing.
HALES:
Night Luke! See you tomorrow at school. P.S. You know I'm gorgeous.
With that she delivered the web cam a saucy smile, and took the lens cover and the screen went black. Lucas sat back in his chair, staring at the screen she had moments ago adorned. He missed Peyton, a lot more than he had let on to anyone.
Well, Brooke knew he was crazy about her. But he wasn't sure she really understood just what he missed about Peyton. He missed so much. The way her laugh bubbled up out of no where. Her feminine deep voice. Her odd taste in music (for a girl of their generation at least). The way they could be playful with each other one moment and then passionate the next. He missed the way her hair would bounce with every step and the way her lips curled into that thin smile. He missed the coffee mustaches she got whenever they had drinks at his mom's café (he also missed kissing those mustaches off). He missed looking at the deep, dark images she created from her most personal thoughts. He missed her big beautiful green eyes. He missed Peyton.
He sighed as he tossed the keyboard across his desk and leaned back so that the back of the chair dipped down. He groaned as he swung the chair around and managed to propel himself forward into bed, collapsing and closing his eyes, too exhausted to give anything but Peyton Sawyer another thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Sawyer House = 9 AM ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'Shane Anne Sawyer! Get your ass in here!' Peyton called as tossed Haley two slices of toast. She was smoothing her own piece with some peanut butter when a grumbling Shane shuffled into the room. 'Why aren't you dressed? We have to leave in five minutes.' Shane blinked, obviously lost.
'I'm sorry, it's been scientifically proven that my brain is reduced to mush this early in the morning.' She slumped into the chair opposite Haley who was nervously tapping her foot against the floor. Peyton rolled her eyes.
'Well go get dressed. I assume you can do that without help.'
'I don't understand why it's so urgent for me to get dressed. Where am I going?' she laid her hands on the table in front of her, staring at Peyton as though she were speaking another language.
'You're coming to school remember? To apologize to your friend.' Shane's eyes widened and her eyebrows shot up.
'Yeah right. A) you mean EX-friend, and B) You'll have to drag me kicking and screaming. I am not apologizing to that ass.' She grumbled the last part, leaning back, her arms crossed defiantly.
'Suck it up Shane. Look its either you face up to this guy and tell him you're sorry, or you deal with me, and you already know I am a force to be reckoned with.' Peyton's eyes flashed dangerously and Shane got up from her chair slowly.
'Fine. But tonight at the party, I'm getting people to test any food you give me for poison, so don't get any ideas.' She threw her own glare over her shoulder as she shuffled back toward her room. Peyton shook her head, her curls bouncing in every direction. She was dreading today enough without having to deal with the big party tonight. Firstly, she'd found a message on her computer screen that morning from Lucas saying he wanted to take her out for lunch.
'So you and Luke are going on a date huh?' Haley said casually as she polished off her last piece of toast and finished her orange juice. Peyton's head snapped up at this.
'What? No. No! No. It's just lunch!' she answered nervously, and she knew she sounded pathetic, especially when Haley smirked at her. She rolled her eyes. 'Oh shut up.'
'It's just you're all dressed up...' Peyton looked down at herself. She was wearing her favorite maroon plaid pleated skirt, a white tank top and a see- through white top over that. She was also wearing her biker boots again (her favorite accessory). She looked over at Haley who was wearing an orange graphic tee and Nathan's grey sweatpants that practically pooled at her ankles. She may not have looked glamorous, but she still held that natural beauty that was so Haley. Damn her.
'This, to you, is dressed up?' she said motioning to her outfit. Haley looked her up and down again.
'Well...in terms of Peyton fashion, I'd have to say, yeah.' Long pause.
'Maybe I should change...' Peyton said looking at her skirt as she smoothed it out. Haley blinked.
'Why?' she asked, biting her tongue nervously.
'Well I don't want to give him the wrong idea...what if he thinks this means I want to get back together with him?'
'Don't you?'
'That's not the point.'
'No, Peyton, we're already late, you can't-'
'It will take two minutes!'
'No I forbid you to! If you take one step toward that closet I will be forced to drag YOUR ass out of here!' Haley was standing now, obviously nervous that Peyton was going to try and make a break for the hallway. Haley had a thing about not showing up for class. It made her feel guilty. Why, was beyond Peyton.
'Okay, I'm ready, let's get this the hell over with.' Shane said grudgingly as she walked back into the kitchen. She was wearing her ripped fitted jeans and a fitted sweater that had patches on the arms (her favorite was the one that read 'I beat my coach'). She had her arms folded in front of her and she looked Peyton up and down slowly. 'So, what's the special occasion?'
Peyton let out a small cry, before she bolted for her room. Unfortunately, Haley saw it coming and grabbed her and began pulling her toward the front door. Now Peyton may have been taller than Hales, but she was definitely not as strong.
Within five minutes the three were in the car, on their way to Tree Hill High.
As they pulled up to the high school, both Sawyer girls were eyeing the doors warily. Haley cut the ignition and turned to look back at the two, who were now exchanging dreading looks. 'Come on guys.' Hales said tucking her keys in her bag. 'It won't be that bad.'
'Yeah. It could be worse.' Shane said unconvincingly.
'Yeah, we could be walking in there naked.' Peyton said as she rolled her eyes. But she knew she couldn't just sit in the car, so she popped the door open, clasped Shane's hand tightly in hers and dragged her sister out of the car. Shane launched Peyton a fleeting scowl before she plastered a 'whatever' expression on her face.
They walked into school still arm in arm, with Haley walking beside Peyton, picking through her bag, looking for her History textbook. Shane was nervously scanning the crowd for Lucas. If Peyton found out that Shane had gone behind her back, talked to Luke, divulged some embarrassing information, before promptly whipping a basketball at his head, she probably WOULD pass her a slice of poisonous pizza.
Peyton searched the sea of high schoolers, looking for Luke. Maybe she could get out of their 'lunch date' by saying she had to...study for History with Haley.
'Hey.' Immediately, both curly heads turned at the little bit raspy deep voice owned by the person they were both dreading seeing. Luke's eyes flashed momentarily at the sight of Shane, who shot him a warning look. He smiled after a moment. 'Hey Shane, nice to see you again.' It couldn't have sounded more forced, but Peyton seemed oblivious. Shane returned the smile.
'You too. Lucas wasn't it?' Peyton lightly smacked her side.
'Shane, why don't you go with Haley? Go find your friend so you can apologize.' Peyton said gently pushing her sister to the side. Luke's eyes immediately shot to Shane's as she shrugged and mouthed 'I'll meet you back here'. He grimaced but nodded.
'Later Shane.' He said lamely. She waved before grabbing Haley's arm and walking quickly down the hall. Peyton watched her before turning back to Lucas. 'So are we still on for lunch?' Luke asked, his tense demeanor instantly vanishing.
'Yeah, about that...I uh...I have to study with Haley for this big History test after lunch.' She said raising her hands in defeat. Lucas didn't look convinced.
'You don't take History.'
'What?' she asked, trying to sound offended. 'Of course I take History. Why would you say something like that?' Lucas shrugged.
'Because I take History.' He said simply.
'Oh.' She said feeling very idiotic, having been caught in her lie. 'Dammit.' Luke smiled and shook his head.
'Hey, if you don't want to go to lunch with me, all you had to do was say so.' He sounded hurt, and though he was smiling, she could see it in his eyes that she had punctured a very large hole...in his heart or his ego was yet to be determined.
'No, no. It's not that...it's just...' Peyton sighed putting her hand on her head, looking out the window, her brain buzzing to find a plausible excuse. She gave up and let out a low sigh. 'I don't know Luke. This is all so weird.' Finally she was telling him what she felt. This was what he'd wanted...wasn't it?
'Yeah?' he asked. 'Weird how?' he honestly wanted to know what he was doing wrong, how he could fix it so that he could be with her the way they used to be together. She shook her head.
'It's hard to explain. I don't want to bore you...'
'You're not. Look, truth be told, that's why I wanted to take you out to lunch.' She immediately tensed at the words |take you out| but he pressed on. 'I want to know what you feel about me. Then maybe I can help.' She smiled sadly.
'Help with what exactly?' she asked a slight laugh in her voice. He shrugged, offering his own supporting smile.
'Anything I can.' He answered, which in Peyton's opinion was the best one he could have given. She smiled and nodded.
'Okay. Lunch. I'll be there.' He grinned at her. 'But now I have to get to class. What do you have?' He walked with her down the hall, taking in her appearance appreciatively. She may not have been dressed beautifully in the conventional sense. But that's what he loved about her. Her uniqueness.
'Spare. I'll probably go shoot some hoops in the gym.' He needed to think about what she'd said. One word meant he had a whole lot to think about. Weird...weird how?
'Okay, well I'll see you as soon as class is over so we can decide where to eat.' He nodded and was about to lean down to kiss her. He stopped mid movement, but too late, their eyes were locked, their mouth open. He was inches from her face, his spiky hair tickling the top of her head. Her eyes had become droopy and she looked up at him dreamily before she moved forward just one inch. And then...
RING! The bell sounded and both their eyes snapped shut as they simultaneously leaned away from each other. Nothing was said. Luke didn't even have a chance to say a word, because Peyton was all ready jogging down the hall to get to her class. He sighed as he stared after her, scratching the back of his head.
'So caveman. Taking my sister to lunch?' He rolled his eyes and turned slowly, exhaling loudly as he turned to see Shane leaning against a locker, her eyebrows raised.
'What if I am? Feel like hurling something else in my direction?' His voice carried a razor sharp edge. Her lips tightened and she could no longer carry his gaze. Her jaw clenched before she managed to look back at him.
'About that...' she paused, finding this a very difficult task, 'I just wanted to say sorry.' She took a deep breath and stood up walking over to him. 'It was juvenile of me. I just think we should be friends. And I promise not to try and chuck solid objects at your head.' She paused smiling at him. 'But liquids are still fair game.' He chuckled.
'Yeah, well, I think I'll pass on that little agreement.' Shane blinked. 'Look, I say we call a truce.' He didn't mean to be mean, but his cheek still hurt, and he was still relatively pissed at the audacity of her actions. Shane frowned at his words and nodded, but her eyes gave away the fury she was feeling.
'Fine. Truce. For now.' Her words were forced. What kind of asshole was this guy? It wasn't everyday Shane Sawyer apologized and he was brushing her off? He was lucky she didn't attempt to kick his scrawny ass! 'But watch it Scott. If you hurt my sister again, it won't be a little basketball I throw at you.' Damn. She just couldn't hold it back. She was never good at letting bygones be bygones.
He merely stared at her, as if he'd surely misheard her. She gave him a last glare which clearly showed he didn't know who he was messing with, before she sauntered past him. She'd walk home. No way in hell was she going to stick around and talk to this jerk.
Meanwhile, Lucas was cursing in the back of his head. You're such a fucker, Scott, he muttered to himself.
'Wait!' he called before jogging down the hall and jumping in front of her. She stopped, hitting him with her harshest glare. But he didn't look away. He'd seen this a lot in Peyton's eyes, and he'd grown used to it. Even fond of it. 'I'm sorry. I'm being an ass.'
'Damn straight you are.' She shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. He nodded shoving his hands in his pockets.
'I know. Look, I just...I guess Peyton means a lot to me...and I feel like maybe you'll...' he trailed off searching for the right words. It was easy to offend Shane.
'Afraid I'll betray you somehow? Make her hate you? Turn her completely against you just for a laugh?' He looked uncomfortable with these answers. She shook her head, unfolding her arms and placing her hands on her hips.
'Look, Luke, I don't know you. And if it makes you feel any better, I never told Peyton it was you I met at the courts. She seems to really like you, why, I have no idea.' His lips quirked at her insult. 'But before the whole, yelling, arguing, basketball throwing stuff...I have to admit, I could kind of see why she does.' Her green eyes met his cobalt blue ones. 'So can we just forget anything happened, and like...start over?'
'Well, I may have to think about that...' she punched his arm, and it hurt, surprisingly. 'Okay! Okay. It's a deal. But you have to do me a favor.'
'We've been friends five seconds and you're already calling in favors...okay, what is it?'