Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine except Carson.

Chapter Nine

"Teresa's Party"

The party was just getting started when Brooke and Nathan arrived. Out of their friends, they were the first to arrive. Teresa was busy hiding all the glass breakables in the living room.

"Teresa! We're here," Brooke shouted. She took her purse into a bedroom and put it up.

"In the living room!" She shouted back.

Nathan joined her and helped her move some vases. "Wow you have a lot of glass."

She rolled her eyes. "Seriously. My parents get back tomorrow, so this place has to be clean."

Brooke walked in. "Where are the kegs?"

"Starting early?" Teresa teased. "Tim is bringing them."

Brooke nodded. "Need help in the kitchen?"

She shook her head. "Don't think so. But thanks."

Peyton and Jake walked in the door. "Hey guys!" Jake took their things and disappeared up the stairs. "Where is everybody?" She looked around, seeing only four people in the room.

Brooke shrugged. "They'll get here."

As though on cue, about five people walked in and Nathan walked over to the stereo. He put in one of his rap cds and turned it up.

Teresa yelled over the music, "We aren't listening to that crap the whole night!"

"I ain't listening to your country crap!"

She giggled. "Shut up!"

Over the next half hour, people continued to arrive. Brooke and Peyton had escaped to the kitchen with Jake.

Jake had a can of beer in his hands. "Jake? You drinking tonight?"

He grinned. "Yeah, Peyton said she would lay off."

Brooke looked at Peyton, surprised. "Really?"

Peyton smiled. "Figured I'd be sweet tonight."

"Talk about a shocker," Brooke grinned.

Teresa walked in. "Tim's on his way in. Jake can you help him?"

Jake left to go help his friend, and Teresa leaned on her elbows on the counter. "So, where's what's his face?"

"Um, who?"

"Luke," Teresa rolled her eyes. "Trying to be nice."

Brooke laughed. "I don't care if you say his name. Just don't say hers," she warned.

Teresa nodded. "Got it. So, where is he?"

Peyton shrugged. "Who knows, who cares."

Haley walked in just then. "What's up girls?" She grinned.

"Hales!" They squealed, giving her a hug. Even though Haley was Lucas's best friend didn't mean they didn't love her any less. "Glad you made it!"

"Like I wouldn't miss one of Teresa's parties," she kidded.

Brooke shook her head. "Right. What was I thinking?"

Haley said softly, "I heard you and Nate are here together."

Brooke winced, not realizing how their little arrangement could hurt Haley. "Yeah, well, we just came for the fun. No biggie."

Haley nodded. "That's cool."

Lucas walked in just then, following Jake, Tim, and Nathan. Each were carrying a keg. "Where you want them?" Nathan asked Teresa.

"Follow me," she said, walking out of the room.

Lucas put his hands in his pockets, uncomfortable. Haley said cheerfully, "Tonight's game was fun!"

Peyton sighed. "Poor Jake didn't win."

Brooke said, "Poor Jake? Nathan totally nailed the game!"

"Shut up, he may be your date but that doesn't mean you can diss Jake," Peyton argued playfully.

"Sorry, what was I thinking?"

"You weren't," Peyton said simply. "But I forgive."

"Good, I was worried for a second there," Brooke said sarcastically.

The guys and Teresa walked in, but the doorbell kept ringing. Teresa yelled, "Oh my God do they ever stop coming?!"

Brooke grinned. "T, I'll get it." She walked into the foyer, and opened the door, saying, "Welcome..." She stopped, and her grin faded when she saw Carson standing in front of her.

"Thanks," Carson chirped. She walked in. Brooke slammed the door behind her. She went back into the kitchen.

She snarled at Lucas, "Your girlfriend is here."

"Brooke..." He was about to go on when Carson walked in and gave Lucas an instant hug.

"Hey! I'm so glad you are here!"

Lucas wasn't sure what to say, except, "Thanks."

Brooke shook her head. Nathan walked up behind her, and put his arms around her just as Lucas used to do. He nuzzled her neck with his lips. "Wanna dance?"

She reached her arms up and wrapped them around his neck. "Yeah." He led her by hand into the other room.

Lucas's temper flared. Seeing his brother all over Brooke pissed him off. It had only been a few days, and already she was moving on. Carson didn't let Brooke and Nathan stop her from asked, "Luke sweetie dance with me."

Peyton almost gagged. "Puh-lease," she whispered to Haley.

"Maybe later," Lucas said distractedly.

Carson pouted. "You promised a dance," she reminded him.

"Okay fine, lets go."

Carson smiled, and followed the same path Nathan and Brooke had just taken.

Peyton said to Haley, "Do they not totally make you want to throw up?!"

"I can't believe Brooke is with Nathan, though. I mean... she and Luke did just break up."

Peyton had promised Brooke not to say a word about Brooke's plan. Uh, yeah. Well, Brooke just wants to have fun and forget all about Lucas tonight. Can't say I blame her."

Carson and Lucas were dancing right next to Nathan and Brooke. Lucas didn't take his eyes off them. His eyes slowly drifted down to Brooke's butt, and he almost punched Nathan when he saw his hand on her ass. He looked her directly in the eye. He almost went over and was going to tell her forget about what a jerk he had been, he still loved her, he wanted her back. But he didn't. Instead he let Carson rest her head on his shoulder, smiling the entire time. He couldn't ditch her, even though they had not come to the party together.

Brooke watched Lucas dance with Carson. Carson smirked every chance she got, showing off. She felt Nathan's hand on her butt, and knew he was just playing the role they had agreed on. When Lucas looked her in the eyes, she glared back.

A few hours later, the party was still going strong, and slowly the basketball players and cheerleaders had slowly made their way to the kitchen. Peyton and Jake were standing with Haley while Teresa, Tim, and Nathan all sat on bar stools. Brooke was in Nathan's lap and Carson and Lucas were standing across from Peyton.

Teresa exclaimed, "Who's up for a game?" They all nodded, agreeing to a game. "We are going to play Truth or Dare."

Half the group grinned; the other half groaned. Peyton said, "Who's first?"

"Um...I will go first," Tim volunteered. "Teresa truth or dare?"

"Dare." She was always up for a challenge.

"I dare you to go kiss the next guy who walks into the kitchen." People were going in and out of the kitchen constantly for ice and food.

"Okay, no problem."

They waited a few minutes before Mouth walked in. Teresa's stomach sank. She had to kiss Mouth? She stood up, walked up to Mouth, and planted a big kiss on his lips. He backed up a little.

"What was that?"

Teresa waved him off. "Its called a dare."

Mouth looked disappointed. "Oh." He grabbed some napkins and left. At the island, the entire group started laughing.

Teresa sighed, looking at the ceiling. "Okay, my turn! Hmm... Jake, truth or dare?"

He looked hesitantly at Peyton before saying, "Dare?"

"Are you asking or telling?"

"Telling," he sighed.

"I dare you to kiss Peyton. And I don't mean a peck." She grinned, and Jake was instantly uneasy. Brooke reached over and slapped hands with Teresa. Maybe some action between the two would happen.

Jake took Peyton's face in his hands, and softly kissed her. "Woo!" Tim yelled. They kissed for a good ten seconds before pulling away from each other.

"Happy?"

Teresa grinned. "Definitely."

Brooke added, "Your turn!"

Jake said, "Brooke truth or dare?"

"Truth," she said, taking the easy way out.

Jake was stumped. He hated this game! He never knew the questions to ask. Peyton leaned over and whispered in his ear, and he nodded. "Brooke, who do you think is the better basketball player, me or Nathan?"

Brooke let her breath out. "Are you serious? That's the question?" Jake nodded. "Jake, definitely," she giggled, knowing it would upset Nathan.

"What?" Nathan asked. "Why him?"

"Because he gave me an easy question," Brooke said simply.

"Brooke, go!" Teresa urged.

"Hmm... Peyton! Truth or Dare?"

Peyton shot her friend the evil eye. "Truth," she smirked.

'Damn,' Brooke thought. "Okay, do you ever imagine Jake naked?"

Peyton was shocked. She and Brooke were definitely going to have a talk. "Um..."

After a few minutes of silent, Brooke said, "Okay okay. Do you like Jake? New question."

"Yes, I do."

Brooke smiled. She knew she had been mean to Peyton, so she gave her an easy question. "Go."

Peyton looked at Lucas. "Lucas, truth or dare?"

Lucas knew Peyton's capabilities, so he said, "Truth."

Nathan groaned. "You guys are so boring."

Peyton grinned. Exactly what she wanted. "Luke, do you regret breaking up with Brooke?"

Lucas was stumped. Either way he answered, he couldn't win. "No," he lied. Carson grinned.

Brooke's eyes filled with tears. 'Stop it Brooke,' she scolded silently. She stood up. "Um, I have to go to the bathroom," she said, making a quick exit. Nathan stood up, about to go after her.

"No, let me," Haley stopped him. "I know what its like to be fresh out a relationship."

Nathan sat back down, stung by Haley's words.

Peyton kept staring at Lucas. "The game is truth Luke. You don't lie."

Lucas looked off to the side, not looking Peyton in the eye. "I didn't lie."

"Like hell you didn't!" Peyton yelled. Jake put his hand on her shoulder.

"Peyton..."

Carson stepped in, "Peyton he is no longer interested in Brooke! Get over it."

"You shut up!"

"Why don't you come over here and make me?"

Jake rolled his eyes. "Real mature, Carson."

"You want to talk about maturity?"

Peyton groaned. "Why are you even here? No one AT ALL likes you! Not even Lucas."

"Is that true Lucas? Do you like me?" Carson asked Lucas.

He sighed, sick of the crap that was going on. "Yes, I like you. As a friend," he stressed. He didn't want Carson getting the wrong idea. "I need some air," he said, walking out.

Author's Note: this chapter was really long so i split it into two, i will post the other chapter tonight sometime. thansk SOOO much for all the wonderful reviews. because you all like it so much, i am planning on a sequel too. but i am not near done with this one so don't worry! keep reviewing!

-Em-