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… Maybe even Shane will find a little love?
Author: Mickey (or Stokely)
Rating: R (for later)
Chapter: Six. The Party. FINALLY! :D Actually its more like the party part I. You'll see why…
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill, WB does…damn them.
Musical Choices for this Chapter (download these if you can, I PROMISE these are the BEST songs ever! Especially if you like the stuff on One Tree Hill):
Question by the Old 97s
Beautiful Oblivion by Eve 6
Wait by Death Cab for Cutie
Rant (SPOILERS!!): Well, it's Thursday, two days after THE END OF THE WORLD (aka season finale of One Tree Hill) and that episode was good, but not good. First of all, YAY for Haley and Nathan. Okay, so maybe getting married was a bit hasty (read VERY HASTY) but its cute that they love each other THAT much. Sadly, this will probably result in the destruction of their relationship next season. Or they'll be forced to get an annulment. But whatever. And what was up with Lucas leaving ONE note for both Peyton and Brooke. SHIT FOR BRAINS! What the HELL was he thinking?! God, this child makes the worst decisions ever! And was it just me, or does anyone still have a small inkling that Brooke may have ACTUALLY given Nikki the right direction to Savannah. I mean, maybe she really did write Seattle. But then why with the need to set the paper on fire? Suspicious…. Anyway, on to Chapter six and the party!
'Nathan, could you get that?' Haley called as she looped her second earring through her ear. She heard a muffled affirmation before the ringing of her phone ceased. She smiled as she heard Nathan's reply.
'Hello, Haley James' residence, how may I make your day more frustrating?' Haley couldn't withhold a snigger at his stupid answer. 'Oh, hey Luke. Yeah man, we're just about ready to head over too.' Haley smiled as she swiped a little gloss over her full lips, her honey colored eyes taking in her appearance. She was wearing a little red dress, cut short at the bottom. Her hair was down and straight, perfectly coiffed. Little golden touches were added in the jewelry.
'You look damn sexy Haley James.' She smirked as she felt two strong arms encircle her waist, and felt Nathan nuzzle her neck lovingly. 'You're sure we can't be a little late?' She groaned when he tenderly kissed her jaw.
'Don't do this again Nathan. I love you, but you are too damn distracting for your own good.' She said with a lazy smile, before she turned in his arms to snake her hands through his hair. 'We have to be there for Peyton and Shane tonight. This isn't going to be easy.'
'I know. I remember your first party…' He teased. She hit him playfully grinning widely.
'Seriously though. Peyton called me before you came over and told me about her lunch with Luke.' Nathan nodded, his face serious. 'She needs us to help her out tonight. And Shane's new. You remember how weird it is trying to fit in around here.'
'No, but I'll take your word for it.' Again, that earned him a soft smack on the arm. 'Hales, if this is important to you then I'm there. I want to help Peyton too. But why'd you have to look so hot tonight?' Haley blushed as she licked her lips for good effect.
'To torture you of course.' It was his turn to groan in frustration. 'Look, I promise, that as a reward for your patience, I'll wake you up tomorrow in a manner that I'm sure you'll enjoy.' Nathan's eyebrows rose at this, and a smile crept across his pale countenance.
'Well, I can't say no to that, can I?'
'You'd be pretty dumb if you did.' Haley admitted as she took his hand. 'Now come on Casanova, let's get a move on.' He grudgingly followed her as they walked down the stairs hand in hand and out the door to her car.
'Peyton you'd better get your ass out here now, people will be here soon!' Shane called as she tossed another bag of chips out onto the kitchen counter, before popping open a beer and talking a long drink.
'Save some for later little missus, we've got a lot of partying to do.' Peyton said as she walked out into the kitchen and grabbed a few chips. Shane placed her beer down on the table and rolled her eyes.
'I think being drunk is kind of necessary for this…' she said licking her lips. Peyton's eyebrows rose and she shrugged.
'Just don't abandon your beer for any amount of time. Trust me, you don't want to open that can of worms.' Shane saluted her sister.
'You got it. Paranoia rains supreme.' She said just as the doorbell rang. Shane sighed. 'Well. Looks like the fun begins…' she gave Peyton a wink before sauntering over to the door. She opened it to find Lucas standing on the porch, hands buried in his pockets. He wore a fitted white tee shirt and jeans. And he looked VERY handsome, every ropey muscle, every flat hard pane exposed to her eye. And Peyton would not be immune to him tonight either.
'Hey Shay.' He said with a smile as he stepped across the threshold. Shane smiled back reassuringly.
'You came. I'm glad.' She said in a hushed voice. 'I heard about lunch. Sorry dude.' He shrugged, but a pained expression flickered across his angled face.
'No worries. If it's meant to be, you can't force it.' His voice was low as well. Shane offered him a sympathetic look.
'She'll come around.' She said softly before they were interrupted.
'Shane, have you seen the blender-' Peyton immediately froze after she'd rounded the corner, so surprised by the man who stood at the door. They locked eyes for a moment, and Peyton felt a wave of heat flood her. She'd be lying if she said she'd expected him to come. She thought she may have wounded him with her 'let's just be friends' speech earlier.
But now that she thought about it, wouldn't Lucas rather hurt himself and anyone else around him as long as it meant his pride stayed intact?
'Luke…' her voice trailed off, and as soon as his name had trailed off her tongue, his eyes averted themselves to the hard wood floor.
'I came to see if you guys still needed help setting up.' He answered quickly, offering up the excuse he'd thought up in the car. Peyton blinked, those huge emerald orbs gleaming in the soft light. She was wearing a skimpy white tank top which did nothing to hide her petite frame and small perfect chest. Her hair was down as usual, golden curls bouncing around her head. She wore a khaki mini that was snug and perfectly at home on her hips. Her legs that seemed to go on forever were bare and she wore white flowered flip flops on her feet.
Shane tried to withhold her grin as she watched not only Luke size up Peyton, but Peyton stare longingly at him. She felt like she could have screamed in frustration. The only reason they were doing this was because they'd both decided that friendship was the only thing that would be steady, as opposed to their rocky love life. But wasn't that what made things exciting?
'Actually, Luke,' Shane finally forced out, tired of standing in silence, 'you and Peyton could start on the margaritas. The blender is on the top shelf by the fridge.' Shane saw the look of horror on Peyton's face at the idea of being left alone with Lucas.
'Shay, maybe you should-'
'Don't be ridiculous Peyt, you know that when I make margaritas they turn out more like watery slush. You and Luke go ahead, I'm going to go get some music ready.' Shane patted Luke's arm, before grabbing his wrist and practically hauling him over to Peyton. As soon as they were face to face, she hustled off to Peyton's room to find a kick ass CD to play, leaving two very uncomfortable kids to themselves.
'So, I'll just go get the ice.' Peyton forced out, her eyes never leaving Lucas'. He nodded solemnly.
'I'll get the blender out. What kind of margaritas are we making?' He asked weakly. He really didn't care, but what else was he supposed to say? Peyton, I'm still in love with you, so excuse me while I go throw my heart in the blender along with the margarita mix? He didn't think that'd go over well.
'I don't know, lime I guess.' She answered just as lamely. His eyes drifted up to meet hers, the crystalline blue piercing right through her, and she felt as though she were rooted to the spot. Her mouth hung agape. Why? Why was it so hard to be just friends with Lucas Scott?
Because you still love him, a small voice in the back of her head whispered. It would have been romantic, had it not shattered her heart. She loved him. She had loved him. She'd sort of known it but it had never been present and identified.
This was love. This swelling in her chest, her stomach tight and knotted while her throat constricted. Her whole body felt like it was coiling at the very thought that she was in love with Lucas Scott…
I am such an idiot. Peyton thought. What the hell was I thinking? Just Friends? How fucking stupid must he think I am? Peyton's lip quivered at the thought that she was ready to push him away again with the excuse that she couldn't think of him as more than a friend or a good fuck. But what was she going to say? How could she ask him how he felt…
'Hey, Peyton, where's your Snow Patrol CD?!' God dammit, she was going to have to kill Shane later. She spun around to see the adolescent strolling absentmindedly into the hall, holding a few of her CDs. 'I think we need something loud and proud.'
Oh Shane, I could shoot you right now. 'Go into my closet, I think I left it by the old stereo.' Shane nodded, never actually looking up, so she couldn't see that her sister was actually trying to murder her with only her eyes. She turned and left, and Peyton heaved a sigh before turning back around.
'Luke, I wa-' she stopped when she realized he wasn't standing in front of her anymore. 'Lucas?' she asked as she wandered into the kitchen. He was facing away from her, the blender lying on the counter, as he ripped open a pack of margarita mix. Peyton bit her lip.
Come on Sawyer. Tell him you made a mistake. Tell him you'd rather die than just be a friend. But how could she? I mean, he'd done wrong by her, hadn't he? How did she know he wouldn't do it again? And going back on what she'd said would make her seem like an even bigger idiot than she already was. But god, did she want to be an idiot…
DING! Peyton opened her mouth but looked over at the door. She was fully prepared to ignore it, her eyes floating from the door back to Lucas' well muscled back and then to the door again. DING! She licked her lips, clenching and unclenching her fists. DING!
'Who the fuck is answering the fucking door?!' Shane yelled from the back room. But even that couldn't un-cement Peyton's feet from where she stood. She just kept staring at the door as if willing whoever was behind it to go away. DING! DING! DING!
'Peyton are you okay?' Her head snapped back to the kitchen and she realized Lucas had turned around and he was looking at her as if she were a freak. She sighed and nodded.
'Yeah. Yeah I'm fine.' She said quickly before practically running to the door. She grasped the handle and opened the door in one swift movement. She came face to face with a giant horde, people grinning like drunken morons (half of them probably were…drunk that is) and they all babbled incoherent greetings as they piled through the door.
'Peyton!' she turned at the sound of her name, and smiled as relief washed over her. Haley jumped forward through the door and grabbed her, Nathan close behind. 'Thank god, people were turning mutinous when you didn't answer the door.' Peyton laughed.
'Yeah, I was a little distracted. Temporary brain freeze. I'm good now.' She said as her small friend gave her a big hug. When she released her, she had a weird, anxious look on her face.
'So…is Lucas here yet?' Peyton inwardly groaned.
'Unfortunately. I thought you were going to protect me from him!' She was "emotionally charged", which meant that her actions around him could be unpredictable…at least that was what Hales had told her.
'I know, I know! I'm sorry, we just got a little caught up…' she smiled guiltily, Nathan smiling devilishly behind her. Peyton tried to shoot him a glare coupled with a smirk, but he knew from past years what she'd do, and he'd already turned away.
The beats began jumping, the floorboards resonating as 'Beautiful Oblivion' blared. People started hooting and made themselves right at home, dancing, talking, eating. The party had begun.
'Hey Haley!' Haley and Peyton turned to see Shane push her way through the crowd, smiling widely. She'd changed, Peyton vaguely noticed, into an orange haltered dress and she'd clipped a white daisy in her hair. 'Looks like the party's started. Where's Luke?' She was disappointed to see that her sister had abandoned him.
'In the kitchen, making margaritas…' Peyton said, eyeing her sister suspiciously. 'Shay, why don't you go help him, I need to find Jake, if he's here.' Shane frowned, and she felt jealousy briefly flare inside her, before she pushed past some guy carrying a keg.
'UGH!' Shane howled as she entered the kitchen, which had not yet been taken over by the crowd. Luke looked up from the blender which was now whirling on the counter.
'What's up? Not enjoying your party?' he asked grimacing. She shook her head, coming to stand beside him.
'No shit. My sister is being retarded, which I normally don't mind. She won't face her fear and just talk to you, even though I KNOW she wants to. And she's making this big effort to find Jake…' she trailed off at the last part, seething slightly. Luke raised an eyebrow, and a small smile graced his face.
'Jake? Jake Jageilski?' Shane turned beet red. 'You have a thing for Jake huh? Not surprising…' he said still smiling as he turned the blender off. Shane sighed.
'It's not going to happen. I think he's into Peyton…' she said as she picked up an apple and bit into it. Luke frowned slightly.
'Really? Him and Peyton…?' To Shane's surprise, Luke sounded genuinely shocked.
'Yeah… I thought it was pretty obvious. Guess not.' She said peeling off the apple skin. Luke tried to sound nonchalant.
'I guess…I just thought they were good friends and…' he trailed off. But Shane didn't wait before filling in the blank.
'You figured she was too hung up on you to check out anyone else.' Luke returned to pouring the blender's contents into a huge jug. Shane nodded. 'Ego much?'
'Now that I think about it, I was kind of stupid back a year ago.' He said as he shook the pitcher to get the last of the margaritas out. 'I was always so sure that even if I dumped someone, if I really wanted to I could just go back and have it all again.' He heaved a deep sigh that rippled through the air.
'You were pretty dumb if you thought that'd work with Peyton…' Shane agreed. He rolled his eyes.
'Thanks, I feel so much better now.'
'Ooooh… sarcasm… that's new for you. Actually, any humor at all seems to be new with you.' She quickly shot back before popping some apple peel in her mouth. 'You screwed up man. You have to pay your dues.'
'I know.' He said, a hint of frustration in his voice as he braced his hands on the counter. 'I just didn't think it'd be this hard.' He admitted. Shane frowned before hopping up on the counter and sitting cross-legged.
'What do you mean?' she asked popping some more apple peel in her mouth. He shrugged.
'The truth is, when I came back to Tree Hill…it wasn't because of Peyton.' Shane frowned at this revelation but didn't interrupt him. 'I came to see Haley.' Shane's eyes widened at this.
'What?' was all she could muster. He shook his head standing up fully as he raked a large hand through his hair. 'What do you mean you came to see Haley?'
'Did Peyton tell you that Nathan and Haley were married last year?' he asked turning to her with desperate eyes. Shane shook her head slowly. 'My best friend and my brother, who had been my enemy for most of last year…it blew my mind when I found out…' he turned at this and began pacing the kitchen.
'So…so why did you need to see Haley?' she was almost too afraid to ask. Her stomach felt like it had just dropped out of her and a hollow feeling of impending doom was settling in its stead.
'I haven't told anyone…' Luke muttered, his back still to Shane.
'Lucas, why did you need to see Haley?' her voice sounded desperate now. She knew this wasn't really her business, but she needed to know. For Peyton.
Luke sighed before slowly turning to face her. 'I thought I was in love with her.'
Author: Mickey (or Stokely)
Rating: R (for later)
Chapter: Six. The Party. FINALLY! :D Actually its more like the party part I. You'll see why…
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill, WB does…damn them.
Musical Choices for this Chapter (download these if you can, I PROMISE these are the BEST songs ever! Especially if you like the stuff on One Tree Hill):
Question by the Old 97s
Beautiful Oblivion by Eve 6
Wait by Death Cab for Cutie
Rant (SPOILERS!!): Well, it's Thursday, two days after THE END OF THE WORLD (aka season finale of One Tree Hill) and that episode was good, but not good. First of all, YAY for Haley and Nathan. Okay, so maybe getting married was a bit hasty (read VERY HASTY) but its cute that they love each other THAT much. Sadly, this will probably result in the destruction of their relationship next season. Or they'll be forced to get an annulment. But whatever. And what was up with Lucas leaving ONE note for both Peyton and Brooke. SHIT FOR BRAINS! What the HELL was he thinking?! God, this child makes the worst decisions ever! And was it just me, or does anyone still have a small inkling that Brooke may have ACTUALLY given Nikki the right direction to Savannah. I mean, maybe she really did write Seattle. But then why with the need to set the paper on fire? Suspicious…. Anyway, on to Chapter six and the party!
'Nathan, could you get that?' Haley called as she looped her second earring through her ear. She heard a muffled affirmation before the ringing of her phone ceased. She smiled as she heard Nathan's reply.
'Hello, Haley James' residence, how may I make your day more frustrating?' Haley couldn't withhold a snigger at his stupid answer. 'Oh, hey Luke. Yeah man, we're just about ready to head over too.' Haley smiled as she swiped a little gloss over her full lips, her honey colored eyes taking in her appearance. She was wearing a little red dress, cut short at the bottom. Her hair was down and straight, perfectly coiffed. Little golden touches were added in the jewelry.
'You look damn sexy Haley James.' She smirked as she felt two strong arms encircle her waist, and felt Nathan nuzzle her neck lovingly. 'You're sure we can't be a little late?' She groaned when he tenderly kissed her jaw.
'Don't do this again Nathan. I love you, but you are too damn distracting for your own good.' She said with a lazy smile, before she turned in his arms to snake her hands through his hair. 'We have to be there for Peyton and Shane tonight. This isn't going to be easy.'
'I know. I remember your first party…' He teased. She hit him playfully grinning widely.
'Seriously though. Peyton called me before you came over and told me about her lunch with Luke.' Nathan nodded, his face serious. 'She needs us to help her out tonight. And Shane's new. You remember how weird it is trying to fit in around here.'
'No, but I'll take your word for it.' Again, that earned him a soft smack on the arm. 'Hales, if this is important to you then I'm there. I want to help Peyton too. But why'd you have to look so hot tonight?' Haley blushed as she licked her lips for good effect.
'To torture you of course.' It was his turn to groan in frustration. 'Look, I promise, that as a reward for your patience, I'll wake you up tomorrow in a manner that I'm sure you'll enjoy.' Nathan's eyebrows rose at this, and a smile crept across his pale countenance.
'Well, I can't say no to that, can I?'
'You'd be pretty dumb if you did.' Haley admitted as she took his hand. 'Now come on Casanova, let's get a move on.' He grudgingly followed her as they walked down the stairs hand in hand and out the door to her car.
'Peyton you'd better get your ass out here now, people will be here soon!' Shane called as she tossed another bag of chips out onto the kitchen counter, before popping open a beer and talking a long drink.
'Save some for later little missus, we've got a lot of partying to do.' Peyton said as she walked out into the kitchen and grabbed a few chips. Shane placed her beer down on the table and rolled her eyes.
'I think being drunk is kind of necessary for this…' she said licking her lips. Peyton's eyebrows rose and she shrugged.
'Just don't abandon your beer for any amount of time. Trust me, you don't want to open that can of worms.' Shane saluted her sister.
'You got it. Paranoia rains supreme.' She said just as the doorbell rang. Shane sighed. 'Well. Looks like the fun begins…' she gave Peyton a wink before sauntering over to the door. She opened it to find Lucas standing on the porch, hands buried in his pockets. He wore a fitted white tee shirt and jeans. And he looked VERY handsome, every ropey muscle, every flat hard pane exposed to her eye. And Peyton would not be immune to him tonight either.
'Hey Shay.' He said with a smile as he stepped across the threshold. Shane smiled back reassuringly.
'You came. I'm glad.' She said in a hushed voice. 'I heard about lunch. Sorry dude.' He shrugged, but a pained expression flickered across his angled face.
'No worries. If it's meant to be, you can't force it.' His voice was low as well. Shane offered him a sympathetic look.
'She'll come around.' She said softly before they were interrupted.
'Shane, have you seen the blender-' Peyton immediately froze after she'd rounded the corner, so surprised by the man who stood at the door. They locked eyes for a moment, and Peyton felt a wave of heat flood her. She'd be lying if she said she'd expected him to come. She thought she may have wounded him with her 'let's just be friends' speech earlier.
But now that she thought about it, wouldn't Lucas rather hurt himself and anyone else around him as long as it meant his pride stayed intact?
'Luke…' her voice trailed off, and as soon as his name had trailed off her tongue, his eyes averted themselves to the hard wood floor.
'I came to see if you guys still needed help setting up.' He answered quickly, offering up the excuse he'd thought up in the car. Peyton blinked, those huge emerald orbs gleaming in the soft light. She was wearing a skimpy white tank top which did nothing to hide her petite frame and small perfect chest. Her hair was down as usual, golden curls bouncing around her head. She wore a khaki mini that was snug and perfectly at home on her hips. Her legs that seemed to go on forever were bare and she wore white flowered flip flops on her feet.
Shane tried to withhold her grin as she watched not only Luke size up Peyton, but Peyton stare longingly at him. She felt like she could have screamed in frustration. The only reason they were doing this was because they'd both decided that friendship was the only thing that would be steady, as opposed to their rocky love life. But wasn't that what made things exciting?
'Actually, Luke,' Shane finally forced out, tired of standing in silence, 'you and Peyton could start on the margaritas. The blender is on the top shelf by the fridge.' Shane saw the look of horror on Peyton's face at the idea of being left alone with Lucas.
'Shay, maybe you should-'
'Don't be ridiculous Peyt, you know that when I make margaritas they turn out more like watery slush. You and Luke go ahead, I'm going to go get some music ready.' Shane patted Luke's arm, before grabbing his wrist and practically hauling him over to Peyton. As soon as they were face to face, she hustled off to Peyton's room to find a kick ass CD to play, leaving two very uncomfortable kids to themselves.
'So, I'll just go get the ice.' Peyton forced out, her eyes never leaving Lucas'. He nodded solemnly.
'I'll get the blender out. What kind of margaritas are we making?' He asked weakly. He really didn't care, but what else was he supposed to say? Peyton, I'm still in love with you, so excuse me while I go throw my heart in the blender along with the margarita mix? He didn't think that'd go over well.
'I don't know, lime I guess.' She answered just as lamely. His eyes drifted up to meet hers, the crystalline blue piercing right through her, and she felt as though she were rooted to the spot. Her mouth hung agape. Why? Why was it so hard to be just friends with Lucas Scott?
Because you still love him, a small voice in the back of her head whispered. It would have been romantic, had it not shattered her heart. She loved him. She had loved him. She'd sort of known it but it had never been present and identified.
This was love. This swelling in her chest, her stomach tight and knotted while her throat constricted. Her whole body felt like it was coiling at the very thought that she was in love with Lucas Scott…
I am such an idiot. Peyton thought. What the hell was I thinking? Just Friends? How fucking stupid must he think I am? Peyton's lip quivered at the thought that she was ready to push him away again with the excuse that she couldn't think of him as more than a friend or a good fuck. But what was she going to say? How could she ask him how he felt…
'Hey, Peyton, where's your Snow Patrol CD?!' God dammit, she was going to have to kill Shane later. She spun around to see the adolescent strolling absentmindedly into the hall, holding a few of her CDs. 'I think we need something loud and proud.'
Oh Shane, I could shoot you right now. 'Go into my closet, I think I left it by the old stereo.' Shane nodded, never actually looking up, so she couldn't see that her sister was actually trying to murder her with only her eyes. She turned and left, and Peyton heaved a sigh before turning back around.
'Luke, I wa-' she stopped when she realized he wasn't standing in front of her anymore. 'Lucas?' she asked as she wandered into the kitchen. He was facing away from her, the blender lying on the counter, as he ripped open a pack of margarita mix. Peyton bit her lip.
Come on Sawyer. Tell him you made a mistake. Tell him you'd rather die than just be a friend. But how could she? I mean, he'd done wrong by her, hadn't he? How did she know he wouldn't do it again? And going back on what she'd said would make her seem like an even bigger idiot than she already was. But god, did she want to be an idiot…
DING! Peyton opened her mouth but looked over at the door. She was fully prepared to ignore it, her eyes floating from the door back to Lucas' well muscled back and then to the door again. DING! She licked her lips, clenching and unclenching her fists. DING!
'Who the fuck is answering the fucking door?!' Shane yelled from the back room. But even that couldn't un-cement Peyton's feet from where she stood. She just kept staring at the door as if willing whoever was behind it to go away. DING! DING! DING!
'Peyton are you okay?' Her head snapped back to the kitchen and she realized Lucas had turned around and he was looking at her as if she were a freak. She sighed and nodded.
'Yeah. Yeah I'm fine.' She said quickly before practically running to the door. She grasped the handle and opened the door in one swift movement. She came face to face with a giant horde, people grinning like drunken morons (half of them probably were…drunk that is) and they all babbled incoherent greetings as they piled through the door.
'Peyton!' she turned at the sound of her name, and smiled as relief washed over her. Haley jumped forward through the door and grabbed her, Nathan close behind. 'Thank god, people were turning mutinous when you didn't answer the door.' Peyton laughed.
'Yeah, I was a little distracted. Temporary brain freeze. I'm good now.' She said as her small friend gave her a big hug. When she released her, she had a weird, anxious look on her face.
'So…is Lucas here yet?' Peyton inwardly groaned.
'Unfortunately. I thought you were going to protect me from him!' She was "emotionally charged", which meant that her actions around him could be unpredictable…at least that was what Hales had told her.
'I know, I know! I'm sorry, we just got a little caught up…' she smiled guiltily, Nathan smiling devilishly behind her. Peyton tried to shoot him a glare coupled with a smirk, but he knew from past years what she'd do, and he'd already turned away.
The beats began jumping, the floorboards resonating as 'Beautiful Oblivion' blared. People started hooting and made themselves right at home, dancing, talking, eating. The party had begun.
'Hey Haley!' Haley and Peyton turned to see Shane push her way through the crowd, smiling widely. She'd changed, Peyton vaguely noticed, into an orange haltered dress and she'd clipped a white daisy in her hair. 'Looks like the party's started. Where's Luke?' She was disappointed to see that her sister had abandoned him.
'In the kitchen, making margaritas…' Peyton said, eyeing her sister suspiciously. 'Shay, why don't you go help him, I need to find Jake, if he's here.' Shane frowned, and she felt jealousy briefly flare inside her, before she pushed past some guy carrying a keg.
'UGH!' Shane howled as she entered the kitchen, which had not yet been taken over by the crowd. Luke looked up from the blender which was now whirling on the counter.
'What's up? Not enjoying your party?' he asked grimacing. She shook her head, coming to stand beside him.
'No shit. My sister is being retarded, which I normally don't mind. She won't face her fear and just talk to you, even though I KNOW she wants to. And she's making this big effort to find Jake…' she trailed off at the last part, seething slightly. Luke raised an eyebrow, and a small smile graced his face.
'Jake? Jake Jageilski?' Shane turned beet red. 'You have a thing for Jake huh? Not surprising…' he said still smiling as he turned the blender off. Shane sighed.
'It's not going to happen. I think he's into Peyton…' she said as she picked up an apple and bit into it. Luke frowned slightly.
'Really? Him and Peyton…?' To Shane's surprise, Luke sounded genuinely shocked.
'Yeah… I thought it was pretty obvious. Guess not.' She said peeling off the apple skin. Luke tried to sound nonchalant.
'I guess…I just thought they were good friends and…' he trailed off. But Shane didn't wait before filling in the blank.
'You figured she was too hung up on you to check out anyone else.' Luke returned to pouring the blender's contents into a huge jug. Shane nodded. 'Ego much?'
'Now that I think about it, I was kind of stupid back a year ago.' He said as he shook the pitcher to get the last of the margaritas out. 'I was always so sure that even if I dumped someone, if I really wanted to I could just go back and have it all again.' He heaved a deep sigh that rippled through the air.
'You were pretty dumb if you thought that'd work with Peyton…' Shane agreed. He rolled his eyes.
'Thanks, I feel so much better now.'
'Ooooh… sarcasm… that's new for you. Actually, any humor at all seems to be new with you.' She quickly shot back before popping some apple peel in her mouth. 'You screwed up man. You have to pay your dues.'
'I know.' He said, a hint of frustration in his voice as he braced his hands on the counter. 'I just didn't think it'd be this hard.' He admitted. Shane frowned before hopping up on the counter and sitting cross-legged.
'What do you mean?' she asked popping some more apple peel in her mouth. He shrugged.
'The truth is, when I came back to Tree Hill…it wasn't because of Peyton.' Shane frowned at this revelation but didn't interrupt him. 'I came to see Haley.' Shane's eyes widened at this.
'What?' was all she could muster. He shook his head standing up fully as he raked a large hand through his hair. 'What do you mean you came to see Haley?'
'Did Peyton tell you that Nathan and Haley were married last year?' he asked turning to her with desperate eyes. Shane shook her head slowly. 'My best friend and my brother, who had been my enemy for most of last year…it blew my mind when I found out…' he turned at this and began pacing the kitchen.
'So…so why did you need to see Haley?' she was almost too afraid to ask. Her stomach felt like it had just dropped out of her and a hollow feeling of impending doom was settling in its stead.
'I haven't told anyone…' Luke muttered, his back still to Shane.
'Lucas, why did you need to see Haley?' her voice sounded desperate now. She knew this wasn't really her business, but she needed to know. For Peyton.
Luke sighed before slowly turning to face her. 'I thought I was in love with her.'