Disclaimer: We don't own One Tree Hill or The OC. A pair of new pink Etnies? Now those I own.
"Hey babe," Nathan greeted as he walked into his and Haley's apartment the next afternoon.
"How was your day?" Haley asked from the couch where she was curled up with a book.
"Long," Nathan responded planting a kiss on Haley's forehead.
"Any progress on Brooke's new friend's car?" Haley inquired, putting the book aside.
"There's not a lot we can do until the parks we ordered are in, but we got Brooke's car fixed."
"Well, that's good news at least," Haley stated, "Maybe Brooke won't kill all of them at Tric tonight."
"We're going tonight?" Nathan asked sitting next to Haley on the couch.
"You don't want to go?" Haley raised an eyebrow while snuggling up to Nathan.
"Between both of us working full time and hanging out with everyone we've had no time alone." Nathan trailed kisses along Haley's neck and chin and after sharing a long kiss, Nathan added, "I thought maybe, we could stay in tonight."
"You're not going to hear any protests from me, " Haley wrapped her arms around athan's neck. Nathan swept Haley into his arms and was halfway to the bedroom when someone knocked on the front door. Haley placed a finger to Nathan's lips, "Shhh, they'll go away."
"Nate, Hales. Anyone home?" Lucas' voice sounded from across the door. With a heavy sigh Nathan set Haley on her feet and she scrambled for the door.
"Luke!" Haley exclaimed throwing the door open.
"Hales!" Luke hugged Haley tightly lifting her gently off the ground.
"Hey man, when'd you get back?" Nathan moved to hug his brother too.
"Two hours ago."
"How's Keith?" Haley questioned, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"Great." Two months ago Keith had decided to move back to Charleston and Lucas had just spent the last few weeks there visiting.
"You guys want to do something tonight?" Lucas asked.
"Everyone's going to TRIC tonight," Nathan responded, "You should come with. Listen though, I've got to get a shower before we take off."
"So what'd you do in Charleston?" Haley inquired.
"Hang on just a sec Hales," Lucas asked as he pulled out his ringing cell phone. Haley nodded and used the phone call to slip out of the living room and into the bedroom where Nathan was grabbing clothes.
"Hey, so I was thinking that since you have Saturday off this week I'd check with Karen and see if she'll give me Saturday off and maybe we could go to the beach or something. Just you and me."
"Sounds great baby," He smiled and gave her one last kiss. They we're once again interrupted by look as shouted from the living room.
"Hey, I'll see you guys later," Lucas yelled, "My mom wants me to stop at the store, so I gotta go."
"I'm going to run to the store!" Marissa called as she pulled her long brown hair into a high ponytail, "Anyone need anything?"
"Nope," Ryan shook his head as he and Lindsay flipped through the channels on the small television set.
"Mints," Summer yelled, from the floor, where she was paging through an issue of Teen Vogue, "And some Fiji. I'm afraid to drink the tap water here."
"Noted," Marissa nodded, writing the two items on her hand, "Anything else?"
"Aspirin," Zach replied, glancing at Summer and Seth slightly, "As much as you can get."
"Okay, will do," Marissa replied, slipping on her flip flops. After grabbing her Channel clutch, she was off, ready to explore the small town on her own. It was relatively small, so the walk to the supermarket was short. The cold, conditioned air washed over her, causing her to shiver slightly. She picked up a red plastic basket by the door, and went on to do her shopping. Gliding down the aisles, she searched for each item, usually finding it quickly. But when she got to the Fiji, she was having trouble finding it. After about 10 minutes, she started to give up. Looking down the aisle, she noticed an attractive young man, about her age, picking up a case of soda.
"Hi, sorry to bother you," She smiled coyly, "But do you know if they carry Fiji water?"
"Hey," He flashed a grin, obviously checking her out, "No, I don't think so. Pretty much just Ice Mountain- your basic stuff."
"Oh, damn," Marissa sighed, "Well thanks anyways."
"Wait, I didn't catch your name," He replied, walking after her. "I'm Lucas."
"Marissa," She waved, "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," He followed her to the cash register, "So you new in town, or what?"
"Just visiting," Marissa explained, "Alone. From New York."
"So Tree Hill...that's an interesting choice for a New Yorker," Lucas pointed out, as he dug out some cash and paid for her items.
"You don't have to do that," Marissa stopped his hand before he could put down the money. "And I'm here on business."
"Business, what type?" Lucas asked, instantly intrigued.
"Top secret government stuff," She shrugged, "Nothing big. I just can't really discuss it."
"Now I know your lying," Lucas laughed, paying for his soda. "But okay, I get it. No more questions."
"I'm just having fun with you," Marissa snickered, "Don't take it personally."
"Won't," He responded, "So where you headed?"
"I thought you weren't going to ask any more questions," She reminded him, "Your not a man of your word, huh?"
"Nope, not really," He admitted, as they headed out of the store. "Need a ride?"
"Why ride when you can walk?" She inquired, "I'm good. I think I can make it. But thanks for the offer."
"No problem," Lucas waved it off, "So should I expect to run into you again?"
"Ever heard of a place called Tric?" Marissa questioned, looking him in the eye. "Because I just might be there."
"Alright, so for once and for all, what are you going to do?" Peyton reminded her friend, as the two of them prepared for their night out.
"Be nice," Brooke repeated as she spritzed on some Lucky perfume, "I promise to be nice, as long as you know who doesn't start with me. Because Peyt, if she does, the bitch is going down."
"Okay, but just don't start anything," Peyton replied, raking a hand through her blonde curls, "I have faith in you."
"Well get ready to be wowed," Brooke grinned, checking herself out in the mirror, "Because I'm going to be a woman of class. You just wait and see."
"Good, I'm glad your being so positive," Peyton nodded, as she glanced at her own reflection, "So how about those boys? California must not be that bad."
"Hey! I'm the single girl here!" Brooke exclaimed jokingly, "So you need to step off, honey."
"Wow! Point taken!" Peyton laughed, raising an eyebrow, "You got one in mind?"
"Maybe," Brooke said slyly, "Well just have to wait and see, won't we?"
"So what do you think of Tric?" Brooke shouted over the music, her hand grasped tightly around a red plastic cup. For one reason or another she'd had her eye on Seth all night. Sure, he wasn't her typical type, but there was just something about him that attracted her.
"It's pretty cool," He yelled back, "Reminds me of the Bait Shop."
"The what?" Brooke hollered back, unable to hear him. Growing frustrated, she motioned towards the door, "You wanna get some air?"
"Airs good," He nodded, following her out the exit. Since it was nearly midnight, the sky had turned pitch black, and was only illuminated by a few stars and some streetlights. The two teens glanced at each other awkwardly, unsure of what to say.
"So what did you say Tric reminds you of?" Brooke inquired, as they walked a little further down Main Street.
"The Bait Shop," Seth repeated, "It's this club my girlfriend runs back in Newport."
"Girlfriend?" Brooke inquired, suddenly wishing she had just let it go, "What's her name?"
"Alex. Well, girlfriend is a little bit of an overstatement," Seth admitted, "She's like a friend with benefits- as bad as that sounds."
"Yeah, friends with benefits isn't always a great idea," Brooke agreed, blushing a little as she thought of Felix. Nope, she wasn't going to let that rat bastard salt her game.
"So, Brooke, what's your story anyways?" Seth asked, as they wandered over to a small playground in the park.
"Nothing too special," She shrugged, "I was rich until my dad's business went under. Since then we've been having a hard time just making ends meet."
"Wow, that has to suck," Seth responded quietly, "I mean I've been spoiled all my life, so I can't really relate, but I'm sorry."
"Don't worry, I'm still a spoiled girl at heart," Brooke giggled, taking a seat on a swing. "So what's your story?"
"Hmmm…well I'm a comic book aficionado with a soft spot for video games," He answered, slowly pushing her back and forth, "I'm not a fan of my hometown, but I've dealt with it, and I actually don't hate being stuck here."
"Really," Brooke said evenly, looking at him over her shoulder, "Well, though I may not be acting like it, I don't hate you being stuck here." They stared at each other, both of them deathly silent. Even the squeaking sound of the swing had stopped. Brooke's stomach fluttered with butterflies, as the two of them slowly leaned it, just seconds away from a kiss.
"Hey guys!" A voice erupted from behind the bushes. The two of them instantly pulled away, and Brooke nearly jumped off the swing. Two figures appeared from behind the bush, one oh which was Brooke's new "arch nemesis".
"Summer," Brooke sighed, hating her even more then she already did. How dare she intrude on this moment!
"Brooke?" Summer raised an eyebrow, as she looked from Seth to Brooke and back again. "What are you two up to?"
"What she means to ask, is if you've seen Marissa," Zach stepped in front of his girlfriend, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Nope, can't say we have," Seth shook his head wildly, "Why? Did she run off? Don't tell me this really is TJ all over again."
"No, I doubt it," Summer replied, linking her arm through Zach's. "We we're just wondering where she went."
"Well good luck finding her," Brooke smiled as she put her hands on her hips, "See you later!"
"No, we'll stick around," Summer announced, "I don't think I've been to a playground in forever!"
"Okay, we'll have fun," Brooke rolled her eyes, "You in the mood for a cup of coffee, Seth? I bet Karen's is still open."
"Sure, sounds great," He nodded, as he and Brooke headed off towards the coffee house. Summer plopped down on a swing, her face visibly angry.
"Who does she think she is?" Summer huffed, "I mean, she's totally using him. Why can't he see that?"
"I don't know Summer," Zach sighed, "You know, I'm going to go back in there. You have fun on your swing."
"Wait! Zach!" Summer yelled, jogging after him, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," He lied, "Let's just go, okay?"
"Alright," Summer said worriedly, "I'm just going to run in there and let Ryan and Lindsay know we're going, and see if they've found Coop."
A.N. from Ali-Chan:...so it's been awhile since we updated, but I just wanted to thank everyone for the encouraging reviews we've been getting! It really helps up to see that we're accomplishing the goal we set out with! So we'll keep updating, you keep reviewing!!
A/N from EmoStarlette: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all the feedback! We love hearing from you, and it really helps inspire us! We actually have been basing this on your feedback, and what you want. Sorry to those of you who were against Mucas! (LOL, thats Marissa and Lucas...sounds pretty gross if you ask me) Marissa was single...Lucas was single...so it just worked. Plus, I think we all want to see Ryan and Lucas throw down. Hehe. Please, please, please keep reviewing, we love your thoughts so much! And hey, if you've got AIM, send me a line! I'm OCstarryeyed. Thanks again, and God Bless!
