Hazy Eyes

Being Brave

Brooke and Peyton walked into the gym together. People gave Peyton weird looks, but she just brushed them off and smiled back. Brooke looked at all the guys in the crowd giving her looks and winking at her. She tapped Peyton's shoulder, "Do I really look that different?" She asked as she crossed her arms tightly around her chest.

"You're hot, chick," Peyton assured her, "Guys aren't used to seeing you without your glasses, and with your hair down."

Brooke smiled, "Do you think Nathan will like it?" She asked softly.

"Yeah," Peyton said with a warm smile, "He will definitely like it..."

Peyton and Brooke sat down on the bleachers and watched the cheerleaders do their number on the court, "Haley is a really good cheerleader," Brooke said as she watched Haley do round offs, and back flips.

"Yeah," Peyton said, "You don't have to say nice things about her around me...She's a royal bitch to you, and everyone knows it..."

Brooke looked down at her hands and nodded slightly, "Okay..."

Peyton felt bad for her, she nudged her with her elbow and smiled, "Don't worry Brooke, you'll be fine."

Brooke smiled and then watched the Ravens jog out of the locker room. Nathan looked into the stands and saw Brooke sitting beside Peyton. She looked completely different; her hair was straightened, she had make-up on, and she wasn't wearing her glasses. Nathan smiled up at her; she smiled back and waved.

"She's still a nerd," Lucas said to Nathan, snapping him back into reality.

Nathan sneered, "I can change that. Just watch," he said and then put up a three pointer.

The game ended with the Ravens winning 54-32, Brooke and Peyton walked out into the hall and waited for Nathan and Lucas.

Lucas walked out first and hugged Peyton, "Hey baby," he said and then kissed her on the cheek.

"Hey," Peyton whispered in his ear. She broke the hug and pointed to Brooke, "This is Brooke Davis."

Lucas smiled at Brooke, "I know who you are...Nathan talks about you all the time."

"I'm sure," Brooke mumbled.

Nathan walked up, and immediately walked towards Brooke, "I'm glad you came," he said with a crooked smile.

"Well, you're welcome," Brooke said returning the smile.

"There's a party tonight at Tim's," Nathan began, "Do you want to come with me?"

Brooke bit her lip, "I don't really hang out with those people..."

"Come on," Nathan pleaded, "For me?" He pouted.

Brooke laughed, "Fine I'll come..."

Nathan smiled and put his arm around Brooke, "That's the spirit!"

Nathan walked into the party holding Brooke's hand. Tim came up to him and looked at Brooke, "Wow nerd you look different!"

Brooke looked down at the ground; embarrassed, "Tim, man, shut you're god damn mouth," Nathan said sternly and then led Brooke away. He got her in an empty room and looked into her eyes, "Are you okay?" He asked sincerely.

"No," Brooke said as she shook her head, "I can't be here anymore..."

Nathan sighed, "Tim is just Tim. He always says things that he doesn't mean..."

"But I am a nerd Nathan," Brooke exclaimed, "Just because Peyton can straighten my hair, take off my glasses, and put on my make-up doesn't mean anything!"

"Yes it does," Nathan said, "You took a chance to change."

A single tear rolled down Brooke's cheek, "I'm not like you Nathan. I'm not popular, and I don't have all these people that want to be with me, or who want to be me. You and I are complete opposites!"

Nathan wiped the tear from Brooke's cheek, "That's why I like you so much," he said softly.

"Why are you acting like this?" Brooke asked as she started to back up, "Why do you have this sudden interest in me?"

"Because—"Nathan began, but was cut off by Haley stumbling into the room with Tim behind her.

Haley laughed drunkenly, "Oops," she said, "Did we interrupt something?"

Brooke looked at Haley and glared, "No I was just leaving," she said, and then barged out of the room.

Haley watched her leave and looked at Nathan, "What was that about?"

"Nothing," Nathan lied.

Haley pushed Tim away, "You and I are in this big room alone," she said as she made her way towards Nathan, "What could we do?" She asked mischievously.

"Stop it Hales," Nathan said sternly and walked out of the room. Nathan walked outside and saw Brooke coming back towards the house.

Brooke sighed, "I realized that I came to the party with you," she said with a small laugh, "Can I have a ride home, even though I'm mad at you?"

Nathan laughed, "Sure..."

Haley stumbled down the steps and hooked onto Peyton, "Why did you have to make her pretty?" She slurred.

Peyton laughed at Haley, "You've had one too many shots," she said as she helped Haley sit down.

"Nathan's my guy," Haley whined, "I wanted him to be my boyfriend!"

Peyton rolled her eyes, "Haley! Stop being a selfish little bitch!" She said and then walked away.

Haley's jaw dropped, "I am not a selfish bitch!" She exclaimed to herself.

Brooke sat quietly in the car while Nathan drove to her house, "Brooke," he began.

"Don't try to explain yourself Nathan," Brooke said quietly, "I'm a nerd and I'll always be a nerd...I don't get you."

Nathan pulled the car over and turned to face Brooke, "Why can't I just like you?" He asked loudly.

Brooke looked at him, "Why me? Why do you want to be the nerdy girl who does her homework and gets good grades?"

"Maybe I like you," Nathan pointed out.

Brooke rolled her eyes, "I highly doubt that..."

"Why?"

"I'm not your type Nathan," Brooke answered.

Nathan cocked his brow, "Maybe my type has changed...Or maybe I don't have a type?"

"Blonde, easy, big boobs, nice body, ditzy, and did I mention easy? That's you're type of girl," Brooke said cynically.

Nathan knew she was right, "Whatever," he said and then started to drive, "You're life is just perfect..."

"Oh my god," Brooke scoffed, "My life is anything but perfect!"

Nathan rolled his eyes, "You're a parent's dream child!"

Brooke felt her eyes start to water, "My parents are never around," she said in almost a whisper.

Nathan looked at her and saw the sadness in her face, "I'm sorry," he said; his voice growing calmer, "My parents aren't around either...My dad is obsessed with basketball and just pressures me all the time to be just like him. And my mom, well, my mom just doesn't care..."

"Then why do you pretend that everything's okay?" Brooke asked.

Nathan shrugged, "Everyone pretends that their life is better than it really is..."

"True," Brooke said as Nathan pulled into her driveway.

Nathan looked and saw that the driveway was empty, "Are you going to be okay...You know, alone?" He asked.

"Wouldn't be the first time," Brooke sighed.

Nathan looked at her and into her eyes, "I'm sorry about tonight...I really want to get to know you..."

"I don't want to get hurt," Brooke said as she looked down at her chipped nails.

Nathan entwined his hand in hers, "I won't hurt you," he said and then leaned towards her.

Brooke backed away, "No," she said.

Nathan looked down and nodded his head, and then sat back down in his sit, "Goodnight Brooke," he said.

Brooke sighed, "Thanks for the ride," she said and then got out of the car. She walked into her house and leaned against her front door, "You idiot," she said to herself.

Nathan walked into his bedroom and sighed, an instant message popped on his screen from Lucas.

DID YOU KISS HER?

Nathan rolled his eyes, and signed off. He flopped down on his bed, and looked up at his ceiling. He knew that it was just a bet, but he was feeling more for Brooke, something that he had never felt before.

Peyton walked into school and caught up with Brooke, "Hey," she said in a friendly voice.

"Hey," Brooke said with a small smile.

"You're not wearing you're glasses," Peyton pointed out, "And do I see a hint of eye shadow?" She laughed.

Brooke chuckled, "Yeah..."

Peyton looked at her in confusion, "Are you okay?"

"Not really," Brooke said, "Nathan tried to kiss me last night and..."

"You turned him down?" Peyton asked.

Brooke nodded, "And now I feel stupid..."

Peyton smiled, "Don't worry; guys love it when they want something, but can't have it!"

"Really?"

"Yeah," Peyton exclaimed.

Brooke smiled and walked down the hall. She saw Nathan coming towards her and she grabbed his arm, "I need to talk to you..."

"Okay," Nathan said as she took him into an empty classroom, "What's up?"

Brooke sighed, "Last night was just...retarded. And well, I'm sorry for turning you down..."

Nathan shrugged, "It's cool..."

Brooke bit her bottom lip, "I want to make it up to you," she said as she walked closer towards him.

Nathan raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about Bro—"

Brooke cut him off and kissed him passionately. Nathan ran his tongue along Brooke's bottom lip so that her mouth would open. Brooke had never kissed a guy before, but Nathan didn't notice. Nathan ran his fingers through Brooke's auburn hair, while Brooke rested her hand on Nathan's cheek.

"Miss. Davis! Mr. Scott!" They heard somebody screech.

Brooke broke the kiss and saw her algebra teacher standing there with her arms crossed and her lips pursed, "Hi," she said with a nervous laugh.

"I would never expect this from you Miss. Davis," her teacher said sternly. She looked at Nathan and glared, "Both of you get back to class!"

Nathan and Brooke walked out of the class room and busted out laughing when they were out of the teacher's view. Brooke covered her mouth, "I can't believe we just did that!"

Nathan laughed and ran his finger along Brooke's jawbone, "You're a good kisser," he said with a sweet smile.

"Thanks," Brooke said as she bit her lip, "You are too..."

Nathan kissed her cheek softly, "Congratulations Miss. Davis. You just got yelled at by a teacher for the first time," he teased.

Brooke laughed, "I think it was worth it," she said with a wink.

"Yeah," Nathan said, "Me too."

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